Bowler

From Charles and Patrick Williams—the good folks who brought us Williams, one of Tāmaki's most frothed cafes (by restaurant royalty and hungry punters alike)—comes Bowler, a bangin' salad and açaí bowl pitstop tucked inside Les Mills on Victoria Street. 

But Bowler isn't just for gym bunnies and flexers. In fact, it's for anyone who's after a healthy fix for less than $17. Yes siree, thanks to some savvy strategising by the team, you can fuel up on the reg' without breaking the bank and let's be real, when has wellness ever been this affordable?

Customisable salad bowls take main stage here and are served on a base of rice, leaves or both (we recommend the latter). Co-owner Charles Williams is all about the beef brisket—a soulful blend of kale, beets, pickles, crunchy furikake, shallots and sesame and miso dressing spiked with chilli—and we're a bit obsessed with their organic tofu vegan #4. 

But of course, Bowler goes far beyond salad. If you're in need of a health-packed breakfast in the city (post workout sesh or otherwise), there's a bowl for that, too. Start the day with the deep purple tones of organic açaí with buckwheat, cacao and almond butter or overnight oats with pea protein, berries, honey, buckwheat, and Greek yoghurt. 

Liquid breakfast more your thing? They've got smoothies and protein shakes (with milk or water base), plus protein and tahini cookies for a snack on the run. As for the barista offering, it's everything you'd expect with some delightful surprise additions  from Thea Matcha lattes to bone broth protein hot chocolate and mushroom lattes. 

And that's even before we get to their ready-made drinks cabinet which has all the latest wellness It-drinks including Anew Water, Ārepa, Schnack, and anti-inflammatory Turbo tonics which are made up in Leigh. 

Swing by, order from the till or the soon-to-be-up-and-running kiosk and take a moment to revel in the surrounds expertly designed by Zac Suvalko from Studio 02, or summon to a table near you via Bowler's own delivery app, Door Dash or UberEats. 

Words: Alice Rich | Imagery: Supplied.