The Best Açaí - Santa Maria

If you are looking for the perfect spot for a refreshing snack, Açaí Cafe Santa Maria (known as The Best Açaí) is a real find. Located in the heart of Santa Maria, this establishment is part of a popular fast-food chain specializing in dishes made from the legendary Amazonian berry—açaí.

Açaí Café Santa Maria. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

This place is famous for its self-service format, allowing guests to create unique açaí bowls with an endless variety of toppings. The venue's high rating in Brazil is backed by hundreds of positive reviews, in which visitors note the freshness of the ingredients and the ability to customize a dessert for every taste—from a healthy breakfast with granola to a sweet treat with chocolate.

The cafe features a modern, "Instagrammable" interior, cleanliness, and a friendly atmosphere. It is hugely popular with local students and tourists, offering a quality product at affordable prices. It's more than just an eatery; it's a full cultural experience of the modern Brazilian habit of eating well and nutritiously throughout the day.

For your convenience, we have gathered the essential contact information for the venue in one place. You can check the menu details or ask the staff questions by phone before heading out for a portion of fresh açaí.

The cafe is located in the central district, making it easily accessible for both pedestrians and drivers. Below is the official contact information.

The main attraction here is the creative process of making your own dessert. The self-service system allows you to feel like a real chef: you choose the portion size of the açaí yourself, experimenting with the various base flavors the chain offers in abundance.

Choosing the toppings is a particular delight. You can add fresh fruits like bananas or strawberries, sprinkle on some crunchy granola or nuts, or top it all off with powdered milk and sweet syrups. This approach gives you full control over the calories and flavor of your bowl, making it either a light fitness snack or a filling meal.

Beyond the tasting, pay attention to the cafe's interior. The space is designed with a minimalist yet stylish aesthetic using recycled materials, creating a cozy and eco-friendly atmosphere. It is a great place to relax, take some vibrant photos for social media, or simply watch the bustling life of the city center while enjoying a cold and nutritious açaí.

The cafe is located in the heart of the city at R. dos Andradas, 1700. Thanks to its central location, it is very convenient to reach on foot if you are already in the historical or business district—a walk from the main squares will take only 5–15 minutes.

If you plan to use public transport, choose buses heading to the center (routes in the linha centro category). Most stops are within a 5–10 minute walk of the The Best Açaí entrance. For those arriving from Santa Maria Airport (RIA), the most comfortable option is a taxi or Uber: the trip takes about 20–30 minutes and costs approximately 30–50 reais.

Travelers using a private or rental car should keep in mind that parking in the city center can be difficult during peak hours. It is recommended to use navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze to quickly find a spot nearby. Navigator coordinates: -29.6846477, -53.8095575.

The story of the popular The Best Açaí chain began quite recently, in 2017, in the city of Londrina. It was founded by three friends—Sérgio Kendy, Mateus Bragato, and Ceos Queiroz. Interestingly, the business idea was born out of personal dissatisfaction: during a visit to his father, Sérgio encountered poor service at a local cafe and decided he could create a much better alternative.

At the start, the friends had only 15,000 reais and a huge desire to change the market. They opened their first location near a university, using a very simple but stylish finish made from wooden crates. The innovation was the self-service format by weight: visitors could choose the amount of açaí and any toppings themselves, which eliminated the long wait for an order.

Thanks to word-of-mouth and strict quality control, the project turned into a real empire. While there were only 3 stores in 2018, by 2023 the chain had more than 640 active locations across the country. The opening of the branch in Santa Maria was part of this massive expansion, bringing modern service standards to the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

For a standard visit to the "Açaí Cafe," 30–60 minutes is usually enough. This is plenty of time to leisurely explore all the toppings on display, assemble your perfect combination at the self-service counter, and enjoy your dessert in the cozy seating area.

If you are in a big hurry or plan to take a bowl to go while exploring Santa Maria, the visit will take no more than 15 minutes. The express service format allows you to quickly weigh your portion and pay for your purchase.

In the evenings or on weekends, when many young people and students gather at the cafe, you might want to stay longer. The pleasant modern music and stylish interior make it a great place to spend about an hour chatting with friends or planning your further route through Brazil.

The establishment welcomes guests daily, operating without weekends or lunch breaks, which is very convenient for tourists. From Monday to Friday, the cafe doors are open from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM. On Saturdays and Sundays, the schedule shifts slightly: the cafe opens at 1:00 PM and also closes at 10:00 PM.

Since operating hours may change on holidays, it is recommended to check the official website or social media pages of The Best Açaí before your visit.

A visit to the "Açaí Cafe" in the city center is a great excuse to combine a delicious snack with some local sightseeing. Santa Maria is rich in small monuments and interesting locations that are literally just steps away from the venue.

Walking around the area will allow you to better feel the atmosphere of this Brazilian city, see historical monuments, and enjoy cozy squares. Below is a list of nearby sites you can visit before or after your trip to the cafe.