After breakfast at Friedman’s Lunch, my mom and I explored around Chelsea Market and the meatpacking district. After several hours, we worked up an appetite, but the heat of midday dissuaded us from wanting anything too heavy. Fitting the bill perfectly is smoothie and juice bar Liquiteria.


A East Village born smoothie shop with locations around NYC, Liquiteria is a good option for plant-based, good-for-you treats and eats. In addition to an assortment of drinks, Liquiteria offers gluten-free baked goods, salads and snack products such as protein bars, pretzels, and chips. It’s a perfect pit stop for any gluten-free eater or anyone with dietary restrictions.

I am not a juice person, so debated between the acai bowls and smoothies. Both are fruit-based and largely gluten-free, just watch out for granola. Dairy is a bit tricker, as many blends include whey protein. Luckily, those components can be excluded when ordering, just let the staff know. 

Gluten-free baked goods are on hand, and all but the brownies are dairy-free as well. Because Liquiteria was bustling, I didn’t inquire if they were made in a shared facility, and didn’t order any because the acai bowl I ordered was enough sweetness in one sitting.

The acai bowl I ordered was the berry crunch bowl, sans granola and greek yogurt. With those excluded, the bowl consisted of strawberry, banana, acai, vanilla almond milk, and either peanut or almond butter. I chose to go with the latter, my go-to nut butter. Layered with the smoothie was slices of strawberries and bananas. I absolutely loved the bowl, it was sweet, tangy, and nutty in perfect proportion and sweet without being sickeningly so. I am not really a smoothie lover, but this creation was totally one I would get again, especially as a way to beat the heat. The sliced fruit was fresh and flavorful, adding a nice texture in addition to the smoothly blended bowl. 

Liquiteria totally won my seal of approval for crafting a delicious masterpiece of a smoothie, which far surpassed my expectations. I like how they had plenty of gluten-free options on hand, including salty snacks and Go Macro bars, my favorite protein bars because they have real ingredients and are gluten, dairy, and soy-free. The funky shop was a nice refuge from the summer heat, and allowed me to sneak in several servings of fruit, which are difficult to get on vacation. 

Disclaimer: This review is based upon the information I have at the time of the review and does not reflect changes in ingredients or availability of items. Please contact the restaurant directly for up-to-date information and feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. I was not compensated for this review and it is a reflection of my personal opinion.