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About Bare Bowls
Bare Bowls is a small acai bowl and smoothie shop at 530 Emerson Street in downtown Palo Alto. OpenStreetMap lists it simply as Bare, which matches how the shop refers to itself in capital letters, BARE, across its website. Its tagline is "live generously, go bare," and its website says it serves the Palo Alto community with love and gratitude.
The shop's pitch is about what it leaves out. Bare Bowls says it never uses artificial sweetener, acai sorbet or fruit juice in its bowls. It does not even use sweetened acai. Instead it blends pure, unsweetened acai berry pulp with fruit and add-ins, then builds the base with nut milks it makes in house every day. Bowls are topped with local granola, fresh fruit and a drizzle of honey, with extras such as roasted almonds, hemp seeds, bee pollen or cacao nibs depending on the recipe.
Bowls and blends
The menu splits into bowls and blends. Most bowls start with acai. Two use pitaya, the bright pink dragon fruit. Names worth knowing:
- Rincon: acai with pineapple, mango, strawberry and banana in coconut milk, topped with coconut shreds
- Powerhouse: acai with blueberry, almond butter, chia and maca
- Gorilla: acai with peanut butter, banana and strawberry, topped with hemp seeds
- Bondi: acai with vanilla plant protein, MCT oil and avocado, topped with raw cashew butter and cacao nibs
- Omnigreen: acai blended with kale, spinach, avocado, broccoli and apple
- Best Day of My Life and Sunrise: the two pitaya bowls
Other bowls include the Trailblazer, the Cardinal, the Pipeline with spirulina and the cacao-based Unplugged. The blends are smoothies such as Morning Glory with kale, spinach, celery and apple; Ohana with pineapple, mango and coconut butter; Mavericks Mocha with cold brew and cacao; PB Dreamin' with peanut butter and maca; and The Randy with acai and flaxseed. Menus change, so check the current list online.
Ingredients and dietary notes
Bare Bowls publishes an ingredients page that explains why it uses each one, from acai and pitaya to chia, hemp seeds, maca, spirulina, dates and bee pollen. Nuts play a big role. Most blends use cashew milk. Almond, peanut and cashew butters also appear across the menu. Anyone with a nut allergy should talk to staff before ordering.
Many items are plant based, but honey, bee pollen and collagen show up in several recipes. If you eat vegan, ask for those to be left off or choose a recipe without them. Our vegetarian and vegan guide lists more meat-free places downtown.
How the shop describes itself
The Who We Are page lists seven values that all start with B. Bare stands for honesty and clear communication. Balanced and Benefit cover work habits and decisions meant to be sustainable for the earth. Best is about consistent, high-quality products. Build refers to relationships with employees, guests, suppliers and the community, while Booming and Bubbly cover growth and a positive team spirit. The shop also says it wants to promote partnerships with local and small businesses.
Ordering and catering
You can order at the counter or online for pickup or delivery through links on the shop's website, which also sells gift cards. Catering is aimed at offices and events in Palo Alto and nearby areas. Instead of sending finished bowls, the shop sets up a toppings bar so each guest builds their own. Requests go through the catering order form, by email or by phone, as listed on the catering page.
Tips for visiting
The shop lists daily hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., so it works for breakfast or a midday snack, not an evening treat. It notes that special hours are posted on its Instagram account, which is worth a look around holidays.
A bowl is filling enough to stand in for breakfast before a day downtown. Emerson Street is a short walk from University Avenue and from the Palo Alto Caltrain station. Our downtown Palo Alto guide covers parking and what is nearby. Our breakfast guide lists other early options if you want eggs or coffee instead.
Location and getting there
Bare Bowls is at 530 Emerson Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301, in the Downtown area of Palo Alto. Our Downtown guide covers what else is around.
The Palo Alto Caltrain station is less than a quarter mile away, a walk of a few minutes.
Parking: street spaces and city garages with posted limits (see parking in Palo Alto).
Hours
| Monday to Sunday | 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
|---|
Hours from the business's own website, checked October 30, 2026.
What is nearby
- Mac's Smoke Shop, shop, under 0.1 mi
- Bell's Books, shop, under 0.1 mi
- Kitchen Nail Bar, salon or spa, under 0.1 mi
- Thaiphoon, restaurant, under 0.1 mi
- The Rose & Crown, bar, under 0.1 mi
- Lytton Plaza, under 0.1 mi
- University Avenue, under 0.1 mi
- Pacific Art League, 0.1 mi
Other quick bites and takeout nearby: Mendocino Farms (under 0.1 mi); Sweetgreen (under 0.1 mi); Nick The Greek (0.1 mi); Marugame Udon (0.2 mi). Browse the full quick bites and takeout list.
Before you go
- Ordering ahead online or by phone saves time at lunch, when downtown and Cal Ave spots get busy.
- Delivery apps cover most of Palo Alto, but prices and menus there can differ from ordering in person.
- Check the posted hours before a late-night visit, since closing times vary by day.
About this listing
Checked October 30, 2026 against Bare Bowls official website; Menu; Ingredients; Catering FAQ. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Bare Bowls in Palo Alto?
Bare Bowls is at 530 Emerson Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301, in the Downtown area. The nearest Caltrain stop is the Palo Alto Caltrain station, about 0.2 miles away.
Are Bare Bowls acai bowls sweetened?
Bare Bowls says it uses pure, unsweetened acai pulp and never adds artificial sweetener, acai sorbet or fruit juice. Some bowls and blends include honey, dates or nut butters for sweetness and body.
What are Bare Bowls hours?
The shop lists daily hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 530 Emerson Street. It posts special hours on its Instagram account, so check there around holidays.
Does Bare Bowls cater?
Yes. Bare Bowls caters in Palo Alto and nearby areas with a toppings bar so guests can build their own bowls. Orders go through a catering form on its website, by email or by phone.
What are Bare Bowls's hours?
Monday to Sunday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m..