The Purple Bowl
The Purple Bowl — photo 2
The Purple Bowl — photo 3
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The Purple Bowl

505 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC

★★★★★4.7(338 Google reviews)

Crema's Take

Nestled in Chapel Hill, this beloved spot has earned serious devotion for their exceptional açai bowls that locals swear beat out the chain competition, with fans returning multiple times during short visits. Beyond the Instagram-worthy bowls, what truly sets them apart is their genuinely warm team—the kind of place where staff like Julianna and Grace go out of their way to make things right, creating an atmosphere that feels personal rather than transactional. Whether you're settling in with your laptop, grabbing a quick lunch, or meeting a friend, you'll find yourself in a relaxed, family-friendly environment that gets the fundamentals right: quality food, friendly service, and a patio worth lingering on.

What to expect

Quick grabMeetingsLaptop friendlySpecialty drinksFamily friendlyLight foodTraditional drinks

Google Reviews

Me
★★★★★2 months ago

WOW what an amazing team you have there! I ordered thru Doordash and the driver picked up the wrong order not only did Julianna call me from the store and apologize but she also let me know that Grace bring me my correct order all of which they did not need to do (since it wasn't their error). We all need a pat on the back every once an awhile so Julianna and Grace thank you thank you :)

Tom Clapham
★★★★★2 months ago

I was introduced to The Purple Bowl by my kids, who had been raving about how good it is. Thinking that perhaps they were simply new to the taste of açaí bowls, I was absolutely delighted to discover, once I visited, that it was the BEST açaí bowl I’d ever had. Things I LOVE about The Purple Bowl: 1) The opportunity to get an açaí base with protein in it, 2) A fantastic selection of fruits and toppings to satisfy whatever my tastebuds are seeking, 3) Counter Culture coffee, 4) yummy avocado toast, 5) great indoor / outdoor aesthetic 5) WONDERFUL service from Paula, Kevin, Grace, and Team. It’s ALWAYS a delight to visit!

Eve Zuber
★★★★★4 months ago

Update: So, now I'm a bit addicted to Acai bowls, haha. And I've tried them at 2 other places (Everbowl and Playa Bowls) and Purple Bowl is the best!! Original Review: Ok, I will admit this was my first Acai Bowl (How I got this far in life without one is a mystery...). It was an incredibly delicious and layered taste explosion. The creamy iciness of the base (Acai with Hemp protein and hemp milk) layered with crispy granola, sweet berries and bananas, chocolate chips, coconut and honey. Oh my! I thought they did a fabulous job. All of the ingredients were fresh, creamy and crunchy, not overly sweet. A huge plus was the ability to BYO, so I could maneuver around my dietary intolerances/allergies. I actually have not had an Acai Bowl prior to this because there were not enough base options, with nuts in too many places. The hemp milk and protein were a game changer for me. I would have liked sunflower butter, which would have made it perfect (only nut butters). The atmosphere is fine, seating is comfortable. I prefer a cozier atmosphere. The acoustics weren't great either with high ceilings and cement floors. But it was fine. But sure I'd go here to curl up with a good book though All in all, this was a positive experience and I would come neck when I am in the area.

Marie Lux
★★★★5 months ago

I walked here for lunch when I had a break for work, and enjoyed the good sized acai bowl. I sat outside on the patio, and the wait staff had no problem bringing my food quickly. I love that you can get a healthy lunch and/or a cup of coffee. Really cool concept. It’s nice and big inside, with primarily communal sitting. Nice and bright and modern. I love the fact that there is no sugar in the bowls, and the price was reasonable enough that I will visit again.

Laurie Zabala
★★★★★a year ago

Awesome açai bowl place. Absolutely delicious & healthy. My favorite menu item was the protein bowl. I ate here 3 times during my weekend trip to Chapel Hill. The people who work there are friendly. It's a popular spot. Each time I visited it was busy with college students.

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