A couple weeks ago, I had the urge to try Chatty Cathy açai bowls, so I immediately searched up the easiest route to get there. Then, I found out that it no longer exists and instead goes by the name of “Fresh Marché.”
This café, with locations both in Ithaca Commons and Collegetown, is known for its açai bowls. I was not able to previously try Chatty Cathy’s açai bowls, but regardless of its closure, Fresh Marché easily substituted for Chatty Cathy’s absence and did not disappoint me.
On the Fresh Marché menu, they offer several açai and yogurt bowls. Since I am more of a fan of açai bowls with nutella, I usually order the Money Moves bowl, which contains açai paired with strawberries, blueberries, nutella, granola and coconut chips. For me, I despise the taste of coconut flakes, so I always request for them to be removed. Despite this alteration, Fresh Marché’s açai bowl was much better than I had initially thought.
Being from New York City, I am used to having an açai bowl every week. We have the famous Playa Bowls all over the city, along with the new Baya Bowls and of course, several cafés that offer açai bowls as a part of their menu. My personal favorite is Playa Bowls, but truthfully, it is very expensive, nearing $20 for every bowl you could purchase. At Fresh Marché, the bowls cost no more than about $14 with tax included. While the difference between $14 and $20 might seem small, I think of it as the $6 I could’ve spent on two classic cookies from Insomnia Cookies, right in the heart of Collegetown.
The açai bowl I got from Fresh Marché was incredible. It had the perfect amount of nutella, and the freshest fruits I could have ever imagined. Each bite tasted bright and refreshing, and the overall presentation made it feel like a treat that was both indulgent and healthy. However, the only thing I’d change, is the way the Nutella was served. Instead of a single scoop placed off to the side, which I had to spread around myself, I would’ve preferred if the Nutella were layered throughout the bowl. That way, I could enjoy a little bit of it in every bite rather than having to ration it out or mix it unevenly.
My personal favorite açai bowl is not located in New York City, but rather in Long Island from a smoothie shop called SoBol. Their Nutella bowl sets the standard for me because they do an amazing job of evenly spreading the Nutella between the different layers of fruit, granola and açai. That small detail makes such a huge difference in flavor and texture, and it is a detail I highly value when purchasing an açai bowl. When the Nutella is balanced throughout the bowl, the sweetness feels more consistent and it doesn’t overwhelm the natural taste of the fruit or the base. Balance is something I really pay attention to in an açai bowl, as the meal should feel satisfying and flavorful without tipping too far on the sweet side.
In August 2025, Cornellians were greeted with the exciting announcement that a Playa Bowls would soon be opening in Ithaca. For students who have long craved a taste of the Jersey Shore or a refreshing alternative to their usual Collegetown routine, this news was a game-changer. As someone who adores Playa Bowls, from their creamy açaí bases to their perfectly ripe fruit toppings, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement.
There’s something special about Playa Bowls that goes beyond the food itself. The brand carries a certain coastal charm that is lacking in a town like Ithaca; a laid-back energy that feels worlds away from the fast-paced, academic environment of Cornell. Whether it’s the bright surfboard decor, the tropical playlists, or the vibrant rainbow of smoothie bowls lined up behind the counter, Playa Bowls offers a brief escape and a moment of sunshine amid Ithaca’s long winters.
My go-to order at Playa Bowls has always been the Nutella Bowl — a classic that never disappoints. It starts with a rich açaí base and is topped with blueberry flax granola, fresh strawberries, sliced bananas, a sprinkle of coconut flakes and a generous drizzle of Nutella. The mix of strawberry and banana creates the perfect balance of sweetness and texture, and honestly, I prefer it over the strawberry-blueberry combination found in similar bowls at Fresh Marché.
But what surprised me most about the Playa Bowls in Ithaca wasn’t just its taste — it was how it made me feel. Unlike the Playa Bowls I’ve had in New York City, which often leave me uncomfortably full, the Ithaca version hits that perfect midpoint; satisfying without being heavy. It’s filling enough to count as a full meal, but light enough that I don’t feel sluggish afterward. Whether that’s due to portion size, ingredient ratios, or just the slower, more relaxed pace of Collegetown, I can’t say for sure — but it’s a difference I genuinely appreciate.
Price-wise, Ithaca’s Playa Bowls also wins points. My order came out to around $14, noticeably cheaper than the nearly $18 I’d pay for the same bowl in NYC. Even when comparing prices on the official website, the difference is clear. Ithaca’s Playa Bowls are a small, but welcome financial relief for students craving a taste of summer year-round. Overall, the new Playa Bowls in Ithaca delivers exactly what I hoped for; the same tropical flavors I know and love, minus the post-meal heaviness (and the NYC price tag). It’s the kind of place that makes you want to linger a bit longer, as if you have a smoothie bowl in hand, pretending for just a moment that you’re not in upstate New York.
With this new addition of Playa Bowls to the Ithaca food scene, students now have another spot to fuel up after a workout, grab a quick lunch between classes, or just unwind with friends. And for many of us who grew up frequenting Playa Bowls locations back home, this opening feels like a small slice of nostalgia planted in Ithaca.
From this, I think Playa Bowls in Ithaca wins in both flavor and atmosphere. The experience feels fresher, lighter and more fun (and it’s a little tropical getaway tucked into upstate New York). However, if you don’t have a car, don’t want to splurge on an Uber, or aren’t willing to endure the notoriously long TCAT bus ride to get there, Fresh Marché is the clear alternative. It’s close, affordable and delivers a bowl that still feels like a treat. I look forward to the rare times I can indulge an açai bowl, and I’m sure you all will, too!
Maya Rothbard is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at msr295@cornell.edu.
