Pura Vida Miami — Restaurant in Miami Beach

I ordered the pink berry (?) smoothie off of the children’s menu for my 7yr old. I requested 2 add-ons: blueberries and peanut butter.

The cashier added the BB but said PB wasn’t possible. I became very confused at this point… there was a giant squeeze bottle of PB on the smoothie counter for smoothies, a few vitamix’s for blending and I was being told it couldn’t be added because “it wouldn’t mix in.”

I asked the cashier for an explanation for how they make their smoothies in a way that somehow makes it impossible for PB to be mixed in and she could not offer one. We went through a bit of back and forth trying to get everything setup properly. I thought we finally got to a point where the PB was being added and I paid for the $15 miniature kids smoothie.

I watched the slow moving smoothie barista put my child’s drink together and could see right away we were in trouble. She had to reference the smoothie recipe menu close to 10 times for a 5 ingredient (normally 3 - strawberry, banana, milk) smoothie. She went to blend it W/O either of the add-ons (no BB, no PB). I asked over the counter if she could please add in the BB and PB that I had paid for, I could see she was working on my smoothie because I could read my order on her order screen.

When I kept asking and wouldn’t just accept the shoulder shrug response one of the other staff members (I’m guessing an asst. manager) curtly told me “she knows what she’s doing.” I politely replied “I can see she missed two ingredients in my smoothie”, same response from the woman “she knows what’s she’s doing”. I reiterated that she in fact did not and then the asst. manager asked if I knew it was my smoothie. I said ‘yes’, she asked ‘how?’

You get the idea. Lots of back and forth, lots of resistance, bad attitude - all because of request to add blueberries and peanut butter to a smoothie.

I asked for the manager at this point who came out to speak with me. He explained that peanut butter is not able to be added in, that in fact no add-ins are allowed. That if I wanted PB, I’d have to order the more expensive smoothie with other ingredients I didn’t want and remove them. 🤔

You may be as confused as I was. No add-ins allowed but blueberries were allowed, no pushback there. For some reason, PB was the ingredient they weren’t willing to budge on. I asked the manager point blank, “how much sense does it make that you supposedly have a ‘no add-in’ policy, yet I can I add blueberries no problem but not PB?” Blank stare in response and repetition of the lines he’d already spoken out of his training manual.

There was no answer for why they have a squeeze bottle of peanut butter, smoothies with peanut butter in them on the menu, an allowance for me to add blueberries but a refusal to add PB…mind you, all for a very patient and hungry 7yr old little girl.

This place is pure corporate policy (really bad policy), ZERO humanity or compassion, zero heart, robotic automatons.

If this review saves even one family/kid this type of experience it will have been worth it. All they had to do was squeeze a little peanut butter into a blender and they would have had a fan for life. They chose another route. Steer clear...

Hello, I truly appreciate your mission and how you position yourselves as a health-conscious, environmentally friendly brand. That’s why I wanted to share a few important concerns from a place of genuine care—both as a customer and as someone who supports sustainable living.

When I order delivery—especially meals like salads with antibiotic-free chicken or other proteins like salmon or beef—I notice that the hot protein is often placed in small plastic containers, even though the rest of the packaging uses better materials like paper bases with plastic tops. While this is already better than many companies, the issue is heat and plastic don’t mix well.

When hot food (especially protein) is placed in plastic containers, even BPA-free ones, it can release toxins. These chemicals leach into the food and end up in our bodies. This is especially concerning if your core branding promotes health, organic ingredients, and sustainability—because using plastic for hot foods contradicts that entire philosophy.

Similarly, I’ve noticed that your tea bags appear to be made with plastic mesh, and the tea is served in paper cups lined with plastic. When hot water is poured over plastic, it again raises toxicity concerns. It’s a detail that really matters to customers who choose you for your clean, holistic approach.

Just as an example, the previous spot in your location—Aroma Espresso Bar—used real cups and plates when dining in and made efforts to avoid plastic. I believe you have the potential to lead by example in the Miami food scene, especially if you’re delivering across the city.

This is an opportunity to align your packaging with your values. Switching to fully compostable or heat-safe paper-based containers, plastic-free tea bags, and truly sustainable cups would make a huge difference—for health, for the community, and for the planet.

Thanks for listening, and I truly hope you’ll consider these improvements. I’d love to keep supporting you and see your mission fully reflected in every...

Review for Pura Vida Miami Beach – A 10-Star Experience Thanks to Manu!

If I could give 10 stars, I absolutely would! My visit to Pura Vida Miami Beach was nothing short of spectacular, and it was all thanks to the most incredible waiter I have ever encountered in my life—Manu. I’ve traveled all over the world, dined at Michelin-starred restaurants, and experienced top-tier service, but nothing compares to the warmth, attentiveness, and sheer brilliance of Manu’s hospitality.

From the moment I walked in, Manu greeted me with the most genuine smile and an energy so positive that I immediately felt like a VIP. He has an unparalleled ability to make every guest feel special, anticipating needs before you even realize them yourself. It’s as if he possesses a sixth sense for customer service! His recommendations were spot-on, his knowledge of the menu impeccable, and his enthusiasm for ensuring the best experience absolutely contagious.

Not only was he incredibly professional, but he also made the entire dining experience feel personal, like I was being welcomed into the home of an old friend. He checked in at just the right moments, making sure everything was perfect while never being intrusive. The level of kindness, patience, and genuine care he showed was beyond anything I’ve ever experienced in any restaurant, anywhere.

Manu isn’t just a waiter—he’s a hospitality artist, a magician of good vibes, and a true ambassador of what excellent service should be. Pura Vida is incredibly lucky to have him, and I will be returning just to experience his outstanding service again. If you visit Pura Vida Miami Beach, do yourself a favor—ask for Manu. You’ll walk out not just satisfied, but genuinely uplifted.

Pura Vida, if you’re reading this—Manu deserves a raise, a bonus, and maybe even a statue at the entrance....