In search of a healthy and refreshing pick-me-up? Smoothies are always my personal go-to after a long day of school or a tough sports practice. With the rise of wellness trends in recent years, the number of health-minded restaurants in town has almost tripled. Since 2021, options have expanded to Roost, Green & Tonic, Barvida, and Greens on the Go–but which is the best? 

I’ve accumulated my rankings of the four spots based on affordability, taste, and accessibility. To eliminate any potential bias, I ordered a similar green smoothie from each location (besides slight variations unique to each shop). 

1. Green & Tonic – Ultimate Warrior Smoothie

Green & Tonic, which reopened at the start of 2024 in the new Corbin District developments, did not disappoint with the Ultimate Warrior Smoothie. The simple, yet delicious, blend of coconut water, banana, kale, spinach, and chia seeds came in at $9.95 for a medium (16oz), making it the cheapest out of the four I tried. In terms of taste and texture, it was my personal favorite. It struck the perfect balance–not too thick, but not runny either–and the frozen banana provided the perfect natural sweetness that satisfied my sweet tooth. Although, according to DHS Sophomore, Ada Rossi, “The banana flavor is a bit too strong,” so maybe go for a different option if bananas are not your favorite. The kale, spinach, and chia seeds all contribute vital nutrients and vitamins without hindering the taste. Overall, the Ultimate Warrior is a perfect healthy, refreshing, and satisfying option to recharge. I am definitely looking forward to trying out some of their other options!

Open Hours: 

Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm

Sat: 8am-5pm

Sun: 8am-4pm

2. Barvida – Lean Green Smoothie

Barvida, just down Post Road closer to Starbucks, is another one of my personal favorites. The Lean Green, their variation of a green smoothie, is packed with banana, mango, pineapple, celery, kale, coconut water, monk fruit, mint, and dates. It has a natural sweetness from the abundance of fruits, yet not in an overwhelming way as it’s balanced by the greens. The mint complements the sweetness nicely with a very refreshing aroma that makes it the perfect pick-me-up after a hard workout. However, this one is on the more costly side, coming in the $12.99 for a 16oz smoothie, but the ingredients are definitely more complex making it the most nutrient dense out of all the ones I tried. The texture was nearly identical to the Ultimate Warrior smoothie from Green & Tonic, although the flavor profile was very different. Overall, the Lean Green is the perfect option for someone looking for a nourishing and restorative boost that isn’t too sweet. 

Open Hours: 

Mon-Sat: 8am-5pm

Sun: 9am-4:30pm

3. Roost – Sweet Green Smoothie

Roost cafe is a classic go-to for many DHS students, their food is without doubt top-tier–DHS Sophomore, Caroline Baldwin, would even argue it’s the best restaurant in town. But how do their smoothies compare? The Sweet Green smoothie, priced at $10.00 for a 16oz, was the second cheapest out of the four I tried. Consisting of spinach, pineapple, mango, banana, and coconut water, the taste is quite similar to Green & Tonic’s Ultimate Warrior; sweet and satisfying, but with a more tropical twist from the pineapple and mango. The texture, however, was slightly on the runnier than my liking but I still found it very enjoyable. I’d definitely recommend their smoothies for a sweet and uplifting afternoon pick-me up, of course paired with a classic roost BEC or their famous chicken tenders. 

Hours:

Mon-Sat: 8am-3pm

Sun: 8am-2pm

4. Greens On The Go – Kale Energy

Greens On The Go, tucked away on Tokeneke Road, is a spot not known to many. Personally, I’ve always struggled to get there due to their very limited hours. However, with February break giving me some free time, I finally had the chance to give their smoothies a try. I opted for their Kale energy smoothie, consisting of kale, mango, pineapple, ginger, banana, and orange juice. The texture was definitely on the more runny side and it overall gave me more juice vibes than smoothie, but if you like your smoothies thinner then this is a great option for you! In terms of taste, the orange and ginger were definitely the prominent flavors. In all honestly, I couldn’t taste any of the other ingredients. I still enjoyed drinking it but I’m not sure I’d repurchase this specific smoothie, especially for $11. While I may not be the biggest fan of their smoothies, their bowls (especially the spring bowl) are a must-have. Overall, I’d recommend Greens On The Go for someone craving a more juice-like yet refreshing smoothie. And don’t skip out on trying their food– it’s definitely the highlight! 

Open Hours:

Mon-Fri: 10am-4pm

Sat-Sun: Closed

Based on my personal preferences, Green & Tonic is the best smoothie spot in town. It checks all the boxes, taste, texture, price, and accessibility, making it my go-to every time. As spring sports start back up and the sun creeps back out, definitely hit up any of these shops for a delicious and refreshing treat!