Playa Bowls: Your Slice of Summer at Penn Station

Playa Bowls Introduce

In the non-stop whirlwind of New York City, where fast food often dominates the grab-and-go landscape, Playa Bowls offers a refreshing and vibrant alternative. True to its motto, "Playa Bowls is your slice of summer, anytime," this unique restaurant brings a taste of the beach to the urban jungle of Penn Station. It was founded with the idea of providing a healthier, energizing option, and it has become a go-to spot for those seeking a guilt-free and delicious meal. The atmosphere is casual and trendy, making it a popular choice for everyone from college students and office workers to tourists and groups of friends. The menu is a colorful testament to fresh, plant-based ingredients, focusing on bowls and smoothies that are not only visually appealing but also packed with nutrients and flavor.

Playa Bowls stands out in the bustling Penn Station environment for its commitment to both speed and quality. The staff is consistently described as kind, helpful, and "on the move," ensuring that your healthy order is crafted with speed and care, a critical factor for anyone with a train to catch. The core of the business is its wide variety of bases, including seven different options like acai, pitaya, coconut, and green bowls, all of which are a great way to incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other wholesome ingredients into your diet. This focus on healthy, delicious food makes it a perfect choice for those looking for a boost of vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants, whether it's for breakfast, lunch, or a post-workout treat. Playa Bowls has carved out a niche by proving that a quick bite can also be a healthy and satisfying one, leaving customers feeling "healthy and renewed."

The location of Playa Bowls is a key part of its appeal and success. Situated on the LIRR concourse level of 1 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10119, it is strategically placed at one of the busiest transit hubs in the country. This prime spot makes it an incredibly convenient stop for the millions of people who pass through Penn Station every year. Whether you're a commuter catching a Long Island Rail Road train, a New Jersey Transit rider, or a subway user, the restaurant is easily accessible. While the LIRR concourse level is often a maze for first-time visitors, the rewards of a healthy, fresh bowl or smoothie are well worth the short search. The establishment is also designed with accessibility in mind, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, which ensures that all customers can comfortably enjoy the healthy offerings. This combination of location and accessibility makes it a crucial resource for anyone on the go in the Midtown area.

Playa Bowls offers a variety of services to meet the diverse needs of its customers, all focused on providing a fast and efficient experience. These services are tailored to the high-traffic environment of Penn Station:

Delivery: A convenient option for those who want their order brought directly to them.
Takeout: Ideal for commuters and travelers who need to grab their food and go quickly.
Dine-in: Seating is available for customers who prefer to enjoy their meal on-site in the casual and trendy atmosphere.

The restaurant's dining options span from breakfast to dessert, making it a flexible choice for any time of day. It is especially popular for lunch and for those dining alone, which speaks to its efficiency and convenience. Additionally, Playa Bowls offers catering services, making it a great option for healthy and unique meals for groups and events.

Playa Bowls is known for several key features and highlights that make it a compelling choice for a healthy meal in New York City. These attributes are what set it apart from other quick-service restaurants:

Extensive Menu of Healthy Options: The restaurant's menu is its biggest highlight, with a wide range of bowls and smoothies based on seven different bases: acai, pitaya, coconut, green, mango, banana, and oatmeal. Each base category offers a variety of fruit and topping combinations.
Customization: A major feature is the ability to build your own bowl, allowing customers to perfectly tailor their meal to their taste and dietary needs, with options for vegans and vegetarians.
Fresh and Wholesome Ingredients: The food is made with high-quality, fresh fruit and plant-based products, which are rich in antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fats.
Speed and Efficiency: The staff is known for their fast and kind service, ensuring a quick turnaround for every order.
Family-Friendly Environment: The restaurant is good for kids, with an atmosphere and menu that appeal to younger diners.
Trendy and Casual Atmosphere: The vibe is laid-back and trendy, making it a comfortable spot to stop and recharge.
A Variety of Beverages: In addition to bowls and smoothies, Playa Bowls offers fresh-pressed juices and a variety of coffee specials, including cold brew and lattes.

For more information or to place an order for pickup or delivery, you can contact Playa Bowls using the information provided below. Given the restaurant's location in a major transit hub, it is a convenient spot to visit in person.

Address: LIRR concourse level, 1 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10119, USA

Phone: (646) 351-6401

Choosing Playa Bowls is a great decision for anyone in New York seeking a healthy, refreshing, and convenient meal. The most compelling reason is the sheer variety and quality of the offerings. While many places offer an acai bowl, Playa Bowls stands out with its seven different bases, ensuring that there's always something to suit your craving. Whether you’re looking for the antioxidant-rich goodness of an acai bowl, the vibrant, metabolism-boosting properties of pitaya, or the protein-packed benefits of a green bowl, the menu has you covered. The emphasis on fresh, wholesome, and plant-based ingredients is a major draw for health-conscious diners. The food is noted for its ability to leave you feeling "healthy and renewed," a stark contrast to the heavy, greasy comfort food often found in similar on-the-go settings.

The convenience of its location in Penn Station cannot be overstated. For a commuter, it’s a lifesaver, providing a fast and healthy meal option that is right on the way. For a tourist, it's a great way to experience a healthy and trendy food option that is unique to the area. The positive reviews highlight a staff that is not only efficient but also kind and caring, which elevates the entire experience. While some may find the pricing higher than a typical fast-food joint, the quality and portion sizes, as noted by a customer who found them to be "huge" and "filling," make it a worthwhile investment in your health. In a city where time is money and health is a priority, Playa Bowls delivers on all fronts, making it a top choice for a delicious and nourishing meal that feels like a mini-vacation.

Playa Bowls Menu

Pitaya Bowls
Nutaya Bowl $17.63
Playa Pitaya topped with granola, banana, blueberry, cacao nibs, coconut flakes & nutella
Custom Pitaya Bowl- Includes Blueberry Flax Granola $11.50
Custom Pitaya Bowl- includes blueberry flax granola
Pink Flamingo Pitaya Bowl $16.59
Playa Pitaya topped with blueberry flax granola, banana, and honey
Electric Mermaid Pitaya Bowl $16.59
Playa Pitaya topped with blueberry flax granola, pineapple, mango, kiwi, coconut flakes, and honey
Dragonberry Pitaya Bowl $16.59
Playa Pitaya topped with granola, strawberry, blueberry & honey
Goji Pitaya Bowl $16.59
Playa Pitaya topped with granola, banana, pineapple, goji berries, coconut flakes & honey
Pink Power Pitaya Bowl $17.63
Playa Pitaya with vanilla protein topped with blueberry flax granola, banana, and honey

Smoothies
Strawberry Banana Smoothie $11.39
Strawberry, banana, and coconut milk.
The Dang Smoothie $11.39
Banana, wheat grass powder, peanut butter, cinnamon, and almond milk.
Green Smoothie $11.39
Kale, pineapple, banana, and coconut milk.
Pink Pitaya Smoothie $11.39
Playa Pitaya, banana, pineapple & coconut milk
Dolce Smoothie $11.39
Banana, chocolate protein, peanut butter, and coconut milk.
Orange Power Smoothie $11.39
Orange, vanilla protein, pineapple, and coconut milk.
Matcha Smoothie $11.39
Matcha green tea, banana, pineapple, and coconut milk.
Kowabunga Smoothie $11.39
Banana, strawberry, blueberry, and coconut milk.
Aloha Smoothie $11.39
Banana, mango, pineapple, and coconut milk.
Acai Energy Smoothie $11.39
Playa Acai, banana, strawberry & coconut milk
Booster Smoothie $11.39
Banana, vanilla protein, flax oil, spirulina, peanut butter, and cashew milk.

Green Bowls
Ocean Ave Green Bowl $16.59
Kale blend topped with banana, granola, and honey.
Lola Green Bowl $16.59
Kale blend topped with granola, pineapple, mango, coconut flakes, and honey.
Pacific Green Bowl $16.59
Kale blend topped with granola, strawberry, banana, shaved almonds, chia seeds, and honey.
Custom Green Bowl- Includes Blueberry Flax Granola $11.50
Custom Green Bowl- includes blueberry flax granola
Green Power Bowl $17.63
Kale blend with vanilla protein topped with granola, banana, and almond butter. Green bowl blended with kale, pineapple, banana, and coconut milk.
Hemp Green Bowl $16.59
Kale blend topped with granola, banana, blueberry, hemp seeds, and agave.

Oatmeal Bowls
Banana, Peanut Butter, And Chocolate Protein Oatmeal Bowl $12.43
Steel cut and organic.
Blueberry, Strawberry, And Sliced Almonds Oatmeal Bowl $12.43
Steel cut and organic.
Maple Syrup And Brown Sugar Oatmeal Bowl $12.43
Steel cut and organic.
Banana, Cinnamon, Figs, And Walnuts Oatmeal Bowl $12.43
Steel cut and organic.
Custom Oatmeal Bowl- Steel Cut And Organic $8.05
Custom Oatmeal Bowl- Steel cut and organic
Strawberry, Banana, Coconut Flakes, And Nutella Oatmeal Bowl $12.43
Steel cut and organic.

Coconut Bowls
Coco Craze Coconut Bowl $16.59
Playa Coconut blend topped with granola, banana, mango, pineapple, coconut flakes & honey
Custom Coconut Bowl- Includes Blueberry Flax Granola $11.50
Custom Coconut Bowl- includes blueberry flax granola
Coco Berry Coconut Bowl $16.59
Playa Coconut blend topped with granola, strawberry, blueberry & honey
Nutelloco Coconut Bowl $16.59
Playa Coconut blend topped with granola, banana, strawberry, coconut flakes, cacao nibs & nutella
Coco Coconut Bowl $16.59
Playa Coconut blend topped with granola, banana & honey
Coco Power Coconut Bowl $17.63
Playa Coconut blend with vanilla protein topped with granola, banana, almond butter & coconut flakes

Annual Specials
Stupid Cupid $17.63
Base: Banana, strawberries, coconut milk. Topped with granola, strawberries, cacao nibs, coconut flakes, nutella, and white chocolate.
Booster Bowl $17.63
Booster Base: Banana, spirulina, peanut butter, vanilla protein, flax oil, cashew milk. Topped with Granola, banana, peanut butter, and chia seeds.

Banana Bowls
Costa Bowl $16.59
Banana blend with vanilla protein topped with granola, banana, Nutella, and fresh mint.
Nica Bowl $16.59
Banana blend topped with granola, banana, cacao nibs, walnuts, strawberry, and peanut butter.
Olas Bowl $16.59
Banana blend topped with granola, banana, blueberry, coconut flakes, chia seeds, and almond butter.
Tide Bowl $16.59
Banana blend topped with granola, pineapple, mango, kiwi, goji berries, and honey.
Custom Banana Bowl- Includes Blueberry Flax Granola $11.50
Custom Banana Bowl- includes blueberry flax granola

Cold Pressed Juices
Elderberry Shot $7.00
Apple, organic lemon, elderberry and cayenne pepper // helps to boost immunity and reduce inflammation
Orange Surf Quencher $8.99
100% all natural fresh oranges // good source of vitamin C
Blue Mermaid $8.99
Filtered water, organic lemon, simple syrup and blue spirulina // rich in antioxidants and protects the skin
Wellness Warrior $8.99
Apple, carrot, lemon, ginger, beet, turmeric and cayenne // helps to boost your immune system
Green Barrel $8.99
Pineapple, apple, chard, celery, kale, ginger, spirulina and wheatgrass // eliminates toxins and boosts your metabolism
Ginger Bomb $7.00
Orange, ginger, lemon, himalayan salt and oregano extract // improves digestion and boosts immunity
Daylight Detox $8.99
Filtered water, organic lemon, simple syrup, dragon fruit puree, ginger, fo-ti root, cayenne pepper, hibiscus, and himalayan salt // high in fiber and promotes a healthy gut

Mango Bowls
Custom Mango Bowl- Includes Blueberry Flax Granola $11.50
Custom Mango Bowl- includes blueberry flax granola
Mango Power $17.63
Playa Mango blended with vanilla protein topped with blueberry flax granola, banana & peanut butter
Mango Berry $16.59
Playa Mango topped with blueberry flax granola, strawberry, blueberry & honey
Mucho Mango $16.59
Playa Mango topped with blueberry flax granola, pineapple, banana, coconut flakes & honey
Goldie Mango $17.63
Playa Mango topped with blueberry flax granola, strawberry, banana & Nutella®

Acai Bowls
Power Acai Bowl $17.63
Playa Acai with chocolate protein topped with granola, banana & peanut butter
Pura Vida Acai Bowl $16.59
Playa Acai topped with granola, strawberry, blueberry & honey
8th Ave Acai Bowl $16.59
Playa Acai topped with granola, banana & honey
Tropical Acai Bowl $16.59
Playa Acai topped with granola, pineapple, banana, honey & coconut flakes
Nutella Acai Bowl $17.63
Playa Acai topped with granola, strawberry, banana, nutella & coconut flakes
Custom Acai Bowl- Includes Blueberry Flax Granola $11.50
Custom Acai Bowl- includes blueberry flax granola

Juices
Beach Break Juice $11.39
Pineapple, carrot, ginger, and lemon.
Mermaid Fuel Juice $11.39
Kale, pineapple, apple, and mint.
Dawn Patrol Juice $11.39
Orange, carrot, and apple.
Endless Summer Juice $11.39
Carrot and ginger.
Ground Swell Juice $11.39
Kale, apple, and spinach.
Green Room Juice $11.39
Kale, apple, cucumber, mint, and lemon.
Ding Repair Juice $11.39
Cucumber, carrot, apple, beet, and spinach.

Coffee Specials
Playola Cold Brew 20oz $5.50
Chicory Coffee Concentrate (New Orleans Style)
Dolce Latte Smoothie 16oz $8.99
Banana, peanut butter, chicory coffee concentrate, chocolate protein, and coconut milk
Coconut New Orleans Smoothie 16oz $8.99
Banana, peanut butter, chicory coffee concentrate, chocolate protein, and coconut milk
Dolce Latte Smoothie 20oz $9.99
Banana, peanut butter, chicory coffee concentrate, chocolate protein, and coconut milk
Coconut New Orleans Smoothie 20oz $9.99
Banana, peanut butter, chicory coffee concentrate, chocolate protein, and coconut milk
Playola Cold Brew 16oz $4.50
Chicory Coffee Concentrate (New Orleans Style)

Playa Bowls Details

Service options
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Popular for
Lunch
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Coffee
Comfort food
Healthy options
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegan options
Vegetarian options

Dining options
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Table service

Atmosphere
Casual
Trendy

Crowd
College students
Groups
Tourists

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments

Children
Good for kids

Parking
Paid street parking
Parking

Pets
Dogs allowed outside

Playa Bowls Photos

Playa Bowls Location

Playa Bowls

New York New York County New York Pennsylvania Plaza

LIRR concourse level, 1 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10119, USA

Playa Bowls Reviews

An average rating of ★4.6 from 325 user reviews.

acai bowltrainfruitpricesmusicnutellablueberriesgranolakoshercommute

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

It's called Playa Bowls “playa” being Spanish for “beach” and indeed, the brand has a motto that states: “Playa Bowls is your slice of summer, anytime.”Playa Bowls was created by our founders Rob and Abby because they wanted a healthier option after a long surf sesh.What the most popular Playa Bowl is the Nutella Açaí bowl!! The Nutella bowl consists of açaí base, blueberry flax granola, and is topped with strawberries, bananas, coconut flakes and NutellaPlaya Bowl has a variety of options. They offer 7 different bases: acai, pitaya, coconut, green, mango, banana, and oatmeal. Each base category offers a variety of fruit options.Acai bowls can be a healthy breakfast or snack option, especially when prepared with wholesome ingredients. They're rich in antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fats, offering potential benefits for overall health. However, they can also be high in added sugar and calories, depending on the toppings and base useThe reason why people like Playa Bowls is that everyone can vividly taste the fresh fruit and plant-based products, leaving you feeling healthy and renewed.Acai berries are deep purple fruits that grow from acai palm trees. These trees are native to the rainforests of South America. Research indicates that acai berries may have antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties may help reduce oxidative stress.Bowl meals are a great way to include a variety of vegetables, protein sources and whole grains into your diet and are perfect for meal planning. Playa Bowls are a healthy treat full of vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants as opposed to ice cream or a big slice of pizza.
May 25 · Danny Hyun
I stopped by Playa Bowls at Penn Station and tried the “Green Room” juice with kale, cucumber, green apple, and lemon (I skipped the mint, not a fan) made fresh in front of me. The juice was refreshingly crisp, perfectly balanced with a prominent flavor of cucumber (which I love), and it was just what I needed to recharge. The location is bright, spotless with a kind and helping staff that’s constantly on the move crafting fresh, healthy orders with speed and care. Whether you’re looking for a quick pick-up or a wholesome takeout option, Playa Bowls definitely delivers. It leans toward the sweet side of taste (with a great variety of vegetables and fruits) which is a guaranteed fresh and healthy treat! With a wide range of kosher and vegetarian-friendly choices, all customizable, it’s a spot worth returning to and they also have multiple locations all across the City. If you’re looking for a healthy option Playa Bowls is the one for you!
April 08 · Ivan Ottavian
Refreshing fruit bowls in Penn station. It’s like a smoothie but elevated. If you have time waiting for your train and want something light different it’s Defenitly recommended over the other fast food options. Tons of choices as well!!
August 17 · Daniel Maros
Just stopped there to get something quick before my 11.41 train. I was quite excited to try playa bowls at it was my first time. I ordered the bowl called “mucho mango”1- the biggest problem was it had a dead fly on the bowl and i just realized that when i was almost done with the bowl2- the taste was VERY mid. I didn’t like the food at all but that’s not the reason why i give 1 star as u can imagine.I asked for a refund obviously but they said that they can’t do that. Seriously? Do you think it’s ok for me to pay for a fly-bowl playa bowls???
August 19 · Mehmet Şeker
I got the “açaí energy” smoothie in the 20z size this time but I always come to this location out of all the playa bowls in NYC they’re the best, they truly know the science of smoothies - very refreshing, consistency was thick and flavor is potent, perfect just how I like it! 💕
June 09 · Kiecha Lee