Pura Vida

Margaritaville meets Brandy Melville. That’s the only way to describe Pura Vida , a wellness-oriented chain that opened over 20 locations in South Florida before expanding to Nomad. There’s nothing offensive about the food at this blindingly white counter-service spot. Some of it is pretty decent, like the kale caesar wrap with lightly dressed greens and big shavings of parm. Like most things here, it tastes so perfectly unexciting that your lizard brain will assume you’re eating something healthy.

Keep in mind, that wrap costs just south of $18. Pura Vida is ultimately just a pricier-than-average juice bar full of fake succulents, washed-out white wood, and 100-plus light bulbs staring you in the face. If you want to pay $14.50 for a basic breakfast sandwich with soft-boiled eggs and a few leaves of arugula, we can’t judge, because we’ve done the same. But please, unless you’re dying for a grain bowl and don’t care whether the salmon on top tastes like canned tuna, don’t wait in line.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Bryan Kim

Mango Salmon Bowl

There are four bowls on the menu. We can’t speak to all of them, but avoid this one. The salmon is overcooked, and the big scoops of mango and pickled red onion get a little overwhelming.

photo credit: Bryan Kim

Kale Chicken Caesar Wrap

If you see us at Pura Vida, we came for this wrap. It’s nothing elaborate. Just some tender dressed kale, a bit of parm, standard-issue chicken, and a few croutons.

photo credit: Bryan Kim

Cali Chicken Sandwich

This sandwich isn’t bad. Or maybe our standards have been lowered after spending too much time at Pura Vida. It’s frustrating how the chipotle aioli comes on the side, rather than on the sandwich itself, but if you just need chicken between bread, go for it.

Chocolate PB Smoothie

Sure, why not. It mostly tastes like peanut butter.