Sydney’s biggest acai players revealed
The craze for this frozen South American berry has surpassed any other dessert trend in Sydney, and in one region there are a few serious players. Who are they?
NSW
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It’s the much-hyped treat dressed up as a health food, but acai is back with a vengeance.
In Sydney you are not stuck for choice with hundreds of cafes and food trucks offering their own way to serve the delicious Amazonian berry.
Acai is typically eaten in frozen form and blended with fruit and milk or yoghurt – typically banana and coconut milk, but there are many variations.
When they first hit the scene more than a decade ago they were often presented in a small bowl (often a coconut shell) and prettily decorated with fruit and flowers.
Now you will most likely receive a pointy purple mountain covered in fruit, coconut, Biscoff and peanut butter or Nutella. One place even offers condensed milk for a super decadent treat.
Western Sydney is one place where interest in acai has really skyrocketed.
Flashy cars, attractive, musclebound servers, tubs and tubs of acai and a huge presence on social media are the name of the game.
Who are our acai kingpins?
Acai World
Merrylands
The Merrylands-based business’ operations have been temporarily halted by an arson attack, which its owners say was “targeted” but, with the help of the community, are working hard to get back up and running.
“This whole idea of other businesses in Acai being in competition with each other and that there’s tension, there’s no tension,” Acai World’s Ray Amer said, in the video viewed one million times.
Loyal followers are eagerly awaiting the reopening of Acai World, which also offered the viral Dubai chocolate-inspired biscuits.
They know what the people want.
“We hope you guys come back bigger and better!” one said.
Another added: “Anyone that knows you, knows how dedicated and passionate you’re about your community and serving not only the best acai but the best customer service. My prayers are all for you.”
Acai House
Wetherill Park
Acai House’s large fanbase have no problem queuing for an acai ‘unicorn’ served by the young and social media-savvy owners.
Seriously … these things are massive.
They love a Lamborghini and a skit, and so do their followers!
This place goes generous with the toppings: you get a swirl of the berry puree drowning in your choice of Biscoff, Nutella, Bueno and Pistachio.
They even do ‘baby’ acai. You can never start them too young.
Habibi Juice
Blacktown, Eastern Creek, Pennant Hills
With three bustling stores under their belt, the owners of Habibi Juice are kept busy but manage to stay abreast of the latest food trends.
Once more the infamous Dubai chocolate gets a mention, but this crew have smooshed acai AND Dubai chocolate together to make a viral dessert baby.
A social media star from way back, they recently posted a cheeky shout-out to other businesses.
“Nothing interesting here - just a berry that’s divided the city.”
Acai Vibez
Its horseriding TikTok famous teen owner Ehtesham Ahmad — fittingly known as Horse Guy — opened his Rockdale business in 2024 to much fanfare.
Ahmad even decked out his shopfront with a mural in his likeness.
He keeps his business ticking along on social media with skits and crossovers with fellow content creators, and clearly enjoys a viral moment – his acai ‘dots’ content garnering millions of views.
The young mogul recently posted a video asserting that a complaint to health inspectors may have been instigated by a jealous competitor.
“If they hating, you must be doing well,” one follower said.
Another added: “Stay safe mate, crazy that this is happening. as if Sydney isn’t populated enough for more than [one] acai shop.”
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Originally published as Sydney’s biggest acai players revealed
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