Located in the Lamp Post Plaza, Blue Whale Cafe is a super convenient spot to go to. Blue Whale has a calm and oceanic vibe — perfect for summer. Opening in 2023 and taking over what was previously a Thrive Juicery, Blue Whale serves a variety of healthy vegetarian and vegan food options. The cafe is on the affordable side, with each food item ranging between $5 to $15.
First, the atmosphere: 10/10. Everything is ocean-related and reminds me of a tropical vacation. There are TV screens behind the counter showing video of fish and other water-related creatures swimming around. Chill, summer music plays over the speakers, creating the perfect environment for these upcoming months. My favorite feature of the cafe is their hand washing station positioned right in the middle of the cafe, making it super easy to wash your hands before and after eating.
Next on my rating, the food: 8/10. All their smoothies have silly tropical-related names, and the food is colorful and fresh. While I was there,I tried three different items: The Caesar salad, the Silly Seahorse smoothie and the Berry Lagoon acai bowl. Each item of food was satisfying and left me feeling good after — an important feature to look for while exploring healthier food options.
The Caesar Salad, $9: 8/10. A fun twist on your average Caesar salad. Because Blue Whale features a vegan/vegetarian menu, they opt for protein in the salad through garbanzo beans, adding a perfect addition to the texture of the salad and creating a unique flavor environment. A piece of Zingerman’s bread is served on the side of the salad in place of croutons. However, the slice is only half of a normal piece of bread, and I would’ve preferred a whole slice to quantify the price.
The Silly Seahorse, $11: 7/10. A fruity blend of raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, orange, maple syrup, cacao and coconut water. This smoothie’s texture was more on the watery side, giving off more of a juice vibe than your typical creamy smoothie. However, the flavor was still delicious and refreshing.
The Berry Lagoon Acai Bowl (with added chocolate-hazelnut spread), $12: 10/10. In my opinion, this is the best acai bowl in Ann Arbor. The serving size is huge for the price and definitely worth the money. The bowl consisted of the acai blend, granola, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and honey, with a chocolate-hazelnut spread, which I added to the bowl. The fruit was fresh and flavorful, the acai blend was creamy and cool and the granola added the perfect crunch. If you are looking for a good acai bowl, look no further because Blue Whale’s got what you need.
Overall Blue Whale was an amazing experience with great food, so if you’re looking for something to do this summer, Blue Whale is the perfect choice.
