To compensate the overflow of empanadas, choripan and milanesas that are ever present in Argentina, more and more restaurants and cafes are cropping up with healthier or even vegetarian options in the country of meat. But healthy drinks or alternatives to the popular helado are still fairly new. Enter Smoothie Bar, which opened in February in Belgrano.

Founded by four foreigners – three from the US and one from Ireland – who met a year and a half ago in Buenos Aires, their nationalities definitely were related to the concept. Sean Kapul from San Fransico, explains: “In Europe and the United States a smoothie is a well-known concept which you can find almost everywhere. Here in Buenos Aires, some places do offer something similar to a smoothie, but places that specialise in just smoothies are hard to come by.”

The idea had been around for a while to create something similar – originally, the intention was to create a corner store, with a small bar, where you can buy your smoothie as a take-away. But the concept had to be adapted to take into account local tastes. Sean illustrated: “Since the consumer culture here is more relaxed, with clients sitting down and taking their time, we adapted our concept to that – and this is the result: a space with room to sit down, relax and take your time to ultimately enjoy your smoothie.”

The light space feels very fresh and warm, with classy white bar in the centre and all with tables in the front end, and couches towards the back. Besides the odd bright orange wall, the space is more subtly decorated with little paintings of fruit, a dancing peach here and a couple of green apples there.

Fruit everywhere then, but not only as decoration, also consume! Berry, peach, raspberry, strawberry, banana, mango and the Brazilian açai, are transformed into smoothies like Berrie Bliss, Peach Passion, Sweet Dreams or Frambuesa Fantasia after being mixed with delicious natural frozen yoghurt. All the smoothies the bar offer include at least two and a half pieces of fruits, and with the use of low-fat yoghurt the smoothie can call itself a healthy choice.

Sean added: “Next to our assortment of smoothies we also offer coffee and several plates of healthy food, taking into account that the winter is coming. Also energy, metabolic, protein and vitamin shots to give people an extra boost to ‘survive’ the colder months, are on the menu. In general we are trying to listen to the people’s taste, but on the same time we always do this on our own way, to stay with our formula.”

The bar currently caters to mostly Argentine clients, but the public is very varied, and everyone is welcome. “From little kids who just come out of school and want a smoothie on their way home, to an elderly couple who are taking their time, mothers who are going to the market or a student who takes its laptop inside to study for a bit here,” Sean said.

Due to the success, there are some ideas to expand the concept by creating more Smoothie Bars in town, but there are no concrete plans. Sean explained: “We first want everything to works perfectly and we are not just going to open another store, since we want everything to be of the highest quality. That is what makes all the difference; we won’t be satisfied witha marginal product, we want top quality!”

Of course we had to check if this is all true and I can confirm; it has been a while since I had a smoothie like this: delicious!

For Sean, the key to success for Smoothie Bar is easy: “You just need a good product and a creative way to implement it. We think the concept of a smoothie – where we only use the highest quality products – is perfect. Besides, we truly believe in the product and in the concept and that makes it work!

Aldito Benítez plays his acoustic set for tables set under the trees in the shade, whilst you can enjoy a licuado or beer alike. Pets are welcome…if your dog fancies a bit of a sing-song. It takes place in Salgado, Velasco 401, starting at 6.30pm. Admission is free.