Pineapple Express

I used to rate Pineapple Express second to its main rival Kiss the Berry. Perhaps they jumped on the bandwagon, but their bowls and smoothies have certainly kept their quality and have improved in taste since my last visit a year ago ( I live an hour away). I couldn't even finish my mango bowl it was so massive. The service was quick and the staff look like they love a healthy lifestyle, or at least hit the gym. And it has indoor and outdoor seating. The reason it gets 4 out of 5 stars is because the sparkling water tap wasn't functional. Perhaps I'm fancy, but free sparkling water is a draw for me. Ha. Ha. When you're at Portside next, stop by Pineapple Express where your quick snack will be the size of a meal.

It was a typical hot and dry Brisbane noon and I had stumbled across Pineapple Express on James St. I was in need of something refreshing and decided to try one of their açaí bowls. I had ordered Gym Junkie, where the ingredients were extremely fresh as well as super flavourful. Their granola and açaí is my favourite from the few açaí bowls I have tried. It had quenched the dryness inside of me while also filling me up. Although the prices may seem high, the quality and tastes of their açaí bowls soar higher than most common franchises. The setting of the café has an open, breezy Summer vibe, great to enjoy the sunny, tropical atmosphere of James St. I highly recommend this place to friends who are looking for somewhere to have their next brunch date.

Açai bowls are really small and disappointing for $15 The staff member working today was rude to me from the moment I said hello. I was trying to explain I had an eatclub booking and she said “I don’t know what you’re talking about, we don’t do bookings here.” In a really condescending tone. We ordered 2 açai bowls which came out at different times, my partner had almost finish his by the time I received mine.

Really disappointed with my experience. The girl behind the counter didn’t acknowledge me when I was standing in front of the counter waiting to order. She was moving salad and didn’t greet me or let me know she would be a moment. When I ordered she told me she couldn’t hear me and asked me to repeat myself more than once. I ordered a takeaway bowl. Customers who ordered after me received there bowls before me. After the third customer I went to the counter and politely asked how my bowl was coming along as I was in a bit of a rush. She said it was coming and then told the other staff member to make it, looked at me smugly and was very rude about it which made me feel very uncomfortable and at that point I didn’t want to wait there for the bowl - but I’d paid $15 for it. When I did receive the bowl from the other staff member she asked me if I wanted a lid, it was a takeaway order which I had relayed twice to the girl behind the counter so I said not to worry about it and left. When I actually ate the bowl the majority of it was like a runny smoothie so I wasn’t able to eat it.The last time I visited last week another staff member had forgotten my order and when I asked her about it she was apologetic and made it quickly. I’d like to think I’m an understanding person but I found this girl’s attitude so negative I felt compelled to write this review.

The girl at the counter was really snarky when I asked for no ice cream in my acai bowl. The menu board clearly stated that there was chocolate ice cream and I had asked for it to be left out. She even fished out her own really dirty menu and told us rudely that it wasn't on her menu. How would I know what was on her behind the counter menu?! They have delicious and good quality acai bowls though but I would never go back there because of her poor attitude. What a shame.

Absolutely love this place... the bowls are fantastic, I love that you can add protein to them and they are always exceptional. The staff have always been helpful and vibrant but what I love most is that they always manage to get my order right... even on UberEats. The best thing? Pulled Pork Nachos... divine 👌