Best Smoothies in Gainesville to Beat the Summer Heat

With the stifling, sticky heat that comes along with the summer months in the Swamp, it may be time to trade in our once much-needed, piping hot lattes with some refreshing locally-made smoothies.

High humidity and temperatures climbing in the 90s may leave Gainesville feeling like a sauna, but fortunately for us, the area is abundant in smoothie options to help you cool off. We’ve scoured the area to help you find the best, locally-made options so you can beat the heat before it beats you.

Root & Pecker

Root & Pecker, famed for their pizzas, now serves breakfast and lunch every day from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. As part of the menu change, the restaurant, which focuses on using local ingredients, introduced a variety of all-natural smoothies.

The smoothies aren’t your typical, Smoothie King-esque offerings, either. With flavors ranging from strawberry basil to pineapple bliss—a blend of pineapples, coconut milk, honey and lemon juice— Root & Pecker offers some atypical flavors to satisfy your palette. 

Big Island Bowls

If the açaí trend is more your taste, then go to Big Island Bowls for their classic açaí smoothie. Açaí is heralded for the variety of health benefits it provides due to its power as an antioxidant. To mix it up, you can get a smoothie bowl, which the restaurant is most known for.

The bowls come with different toppings ranging from granola and shredded coconut to hemp seeds and peanut butter. My go-to order is the hibiscus bowl— an açaí base topped with banana, strawberries, goji berries and their delicious homemade granola, which is then finished off with a light drizzle of honey. If you’re one to stray from the norm though, you can order off the menu and build your own bowl. 

Daily Green

Daily Green is popular around Gainesville for the variety of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options offered. In addition to its green eats, the locally-sourced restaurant has a smoothie and juice bar that’s widely loved by locals. The smoothies here are alluring to health nuts with ingredients like spirulina, celery and sunflower sprouts. With green smoothies and indulgent smoothies alike, there’s an option for everyone.

“My personal favorite on the menu is called “The Uproar,”” said Adam Reinhard, an employee at Daily Green. “I made it.” 

Reinhard said the most commonly ordered smoothie is “The Daily Green” though— a blend of carrot juice, banana, dates, celery, kale, almond butter and protein powder.

Impulse Nutrition

Impulse is a hotspot for students looking to get some protein in post-workout. For the price of $10, customers receive an aloe shot, a cup of tea and a smoothie of their choice. With 36 different smoothies on the menu, you shouldn’t have an issue finding one you like. Even better, all the smoothies are relatively low in calories and sugar for those working on their summer bod. 

“My friends and I all order the birthday cake flavor; it’s definitely the most popular,” said Tanya Sashi, a University of Florida student.

Reggae Shack Café

Most people wouldn’t think smoothies when someone mentions Reggae Shack, a local favorite for Jamaican cuisine. The menu features five different smoothies that can be made vegan upon request. The smoothies are more than a bargain costing only $5.99 for 32 oz. of real fruit. Among the flavors are guava, coconut mango and—my personal favorite—coconut strawberry. For a lighter alternative, Reggae Shack also offers fresh mango carrot or strawberry banana juices. 

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