Los Angeles in June – sunshine, palm trees and finally a tick off my bucket list:
Erewhon Market. This legendary organic chain is considered the "Disneyland for foodies," and for years I've been fascinated by their creations on Instagram. Here I share my impressions of why a visit is worthwhile and how we can bring a piece of the "Erewhon feeling" home with products from American Heritage .
Why Erewhon was on my bucket list
Erewhon began in 1966 as a small natural food stand and is now an iconic premium gourmet chain with eleven locations in LA County . Their selection is so exciting, offering so many cool food and lifestyle products. So many Hollywood celebrities shop there and collaborate with Erewhon. As a foodie and owner of a gourmet food store and online shop, it was clear to me: I had to see how America's trendsetting food factory operates and what it offers.
First impression: Design, atmosphere & product range
The upscale Santa Monica store greeted me with light wood shelves, enormous plants, and a juice bar as its centerpiece. The selection ranges from a $6 green oat milk latte to $50 granola —yes, really!
Organic quality & sustainability
- 100% certified organic fruit and vegetable department
- Compostable packaging and a refill corner for dry goods
- Local farmer co-ops instead of mass-produced goods
- Many colorful and trendy labels
Signature smoothies: From Hailey Bieber to Coconut Cloud
The hype is real: A couple in front of me ordered the famous "Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie" ($25) , developed with Hailey Bieber. Collagen, avocado, and strawberries are among the ingredients. And honestly, it looked so delicious that I had to order it too.
Of course, I haven't just been to Erewhon once, and on my second visit I ordered the Perfect Amino Choco-Revive by Gary Brecka, who recommends Baja Gold Mineral Sea Salt. The Coconut Cloud smoothie is also delicious. And if you don't want to wait in line at the tonic bar, you can also choose one of the many smoothies from the refrigerated section. I also recommend a smoothie with dulse seaweed – which you can find in our shop as Dulse Seaweed.
Mini Copycat Recipe of Coconut Cloud (for two glasses)
- 250 ml oat cashew drink
- 1 banana (frozen)
- ½ avocado
- 1 tbsp coconut cream
- 1 tsp Blue Spirulina
- 1 tsp organic maple syrup (shop here → organic Grade A maple syrup by Easton Reed or Crown Maple Vanilla Infused maple syrup). Mix everything – your “LA Vibes” smoothie is ready!
What makes Erewhon so special?
Premium prices – are they worth it?
Yes, $20-25 for a smoothie hurts. But:
- Focus on functionality (collagen, adaptogenic mushrooms, superfoods)
- Handmade approach : Many products come from their in-house kitchen.
- Exclusivity : Limited edition drinks featuring celebrities create FOMO.
Community hotspot for food trends
Amidst yoga mats and designer joggers, you'll spot food influencers in their natural habitat. Erewhon is less of a gourmet supermarket and more of a lifestyle event – perfect for trend scouting. The terraces are packed all day long. The only downside – there's no Wi-Fi for European tourists.
Practical tips for your visit to LA
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Best time | Early morning (7-9 am) – hardly any queue at the smoothie bar. |
| Parking | 1 hour free in the underground parking garage (Santa Monica) – then $4/hour. |
| Must-try | Strawberry Glaze Smoothie, Raw Mango Dragon Roll, Buffalo Cauliflower. |
| Budget hack | Bring your own bottle: Refill water costs only 50 cents. |
| New stores (as of summer 2025) | Manhattan Beach, West Hollywood & Glendale – perfect for tours away from Downtown. |
| Time | Bring plenty of time, as the shelves are well and colorfully stocked, and the many great labels alone invite you to browse. |
American Heritage Takeaway: Matching products in our shop
Don't want to wait for your next trip to LA? Our shop has lots of Erewhon-inspired products.
Organic Crown Maple maple syrup from the Hudson Valley – ideal for smoothies.
Dulse - Sea Weed Flakes - Seaweed flakes from the sea, popular in bowls and soups.
Elmhurst 1925 plant-based milk alternatives – e.g. the Maple Walnut Barista Edition, perfect for iced lattes and matcha.
Guittard Chocolate Chips – premium chocolate chips from San Francisco, popular for “clean baking” and cookies – e.g. the Butterscotch Baking Chips.
Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Extract – the perfect finishing touch for your bakes, smoothies or banana bread.
FAQ:
How much does an Erewhon smoothie cost?
Between $20 and $26, depending on the toppings. Premium ingredients like collagen or maca drive the price up.
Are there vegan options?
Yes, almost all dishes are vegan or can be made vegan – e.g. with coconut yogurt instead of honey.
What locations are there?
Beverly Hills, Calabasas, Culver City, Grove, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Silver Lake, Studio City, Venice, Manhattan Beach; also announced (as of summer 2025): West Hollywood, Thousand Oaks and Glendale.
Is Erewhon coming to Europe?
As of summer 2025: no. The expansion was focused on additional locations in Southern California, primarily in the Los Angeles area.
