New Cafe Brings the Tropics to Levittown

Need a restaurant that will brighten your mood in this gloomy weather? Tropical Smoothie Cafe has recently opened in Levittown, adding a bit of flair and a lot of flavor to the area's menu.

The new restaurant, located at 3519 Hempstead Tpke., offers guests the best of both worlds. Whether you are in search of a sweet and fruity fix or a healthy alternative to breakfast, lunch or dinner, Tropical Smoothie Cafe is sure to satisfy.

Upon entering, it is clear to see why "tropical" is in the name. Bright colors fill the walls while tiki decorations hang over the fountain drinks. The prompt, friendly staff is even dressed in bright colored polos. Since the restaurant is new the line can be fairly long, but it is certainly worth the wait.

A majority of the cafe's guests are there solely for smoothies. A wide variety of options are available to choose from including coffee flavored, low-fat flavors and kid-size smoothies. All smoothies are made with turbinado, a raw sugar, but can be substituted with splenda at the customer's request.

"Simply Indulgent" smoothies are very sweet and make for the perfect drink on a hot day, or the perfect dessert for any meal. The beach bum blends strawberries, banana and chocolate for a unique mix, and the bahama mama blends strawberries, pineapple, white chocolate and coconut.

If you're looking for a little caffeine fix, try the caramel cream smoothie, which mixes caramel, white chocolate, coffee, cappuccino and non-fat yogurt, or the cinn city which mixes cinnamon, coffee, cappuccino and non-fat yogurt. 

For those who are trying to stick to a healthier diet, try the health nut smoothie, or the lean machine, which are both low-fat but still taste like a great dessert.

In spite of its name, Tropical Smoothie Cafe offers much more than its delicious drinks. Great menu items are featured for breakfast, lunch and dinner and are a healthy alternatives to fast food. Toasted wraps, bistro sandwiches and grilled flatbreads are all made with low-fat dressing and cheeses and include a ton of vegetables. Breakfast meals are served all day on toasted wraps.

The cafe is celebrating its Grand Opening this weekend, and local teens gathered in packs on Friday night for karaoke. Today radio station BLI will be there with giveaways and facepainting until 3 p.m., when former New York Jet Freeman McNeill will arrive to sign autographs until 5 p.m.

The restaurant is conveniently open seven days a week: Monday to Thursday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday to Saturday 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.