Since purchasing a high-powered smoothie blender several months ago, I have cut down on ordering smoothies when dining out. Most store-made ones have sky-high sugar levels, and I like to control what goes into my custom blends. 


I have had South Block on my list of places to try for months now, and when I was in the neighborhood of Union Market, I decided to stop in and give them a try. With a menu featuring smoothies, juices, and other health-focused fare, I love that South Block’s offerings are made with real ingredients that are friendly to those with special diets. 


Despite being able to make my own blends, it is nice treat to break up my usual routine with an occasional stop at a smoothie or juice bar to get inspiration for new flavor combinations. Knowing that South Block’s philosophy of using real food aligns with mine, I had a positive feeling about them before walking in.


All of South Block’s smoothie blends are gluten-free and dairy-free, and have all of their ingredients listed out. Some combinations do include nuts (almond or peanut) as well as coconut. Even their toppings are safe- as their granola is made in a wheat, soy, dairy, and peanut-free facility (but it also contains nuts). 

I decided to order the PBJ bowl, which features a base of acai, peanut butter, banana, blueberries, and almond milk. Topping the bowl is South Block’s granola, blueberries, and banana. I loved the texture contrast with every spoonful- the luxuriously thick blend of the base, the creaminess of banana, the crunch of granola, and the plump firmness of the blueberries. The bowl balanced the flavors beautifully, and perfectly captured the essence of what a pb & j sandwich (with banana) can and should be. 

In addition to smoothies and bowls, South Block has a case of grab and go options including juices, raw prepared foods, and ingredients. 

South Block Juice Co. is not your average smoothie store- and that’s a good thing. They keep the focus on real food, and make eating healthy food fun. I love that everything on their smoothie/bowl/juice menu is gluten-free and dairy, which brings peace of mind and plenty of options for future visits.

The Basics

Address: 1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC

Website: southblockjuice.com

Cuisine: Smoothies, Juices, Raw Foods

Ideal For: Brunch, Lunch

Price: Acai bowls are $10, Smoothies are $8

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

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.