Life Alive Organic Cafe Back Bay

I’ve always loved this place. When I first visited, the products were less sweet, like the avocado mousse, which I really appreciated. The food is generally great, and it’s always been one of my favorite spots in Boston. The atmosphere and the overall mission of being a healthy, life-affirming cafe is something I truly admire. That said, over time, I’ve noticed some changes. For instance, oat milk has become more widely used, but it’s not the healthiest choice. It has a high glycemic index, often contains seed oils (which aren't great for you), and many people, including myself, are sensitive to oats. I’d love to see a shift back to cleaner alternatives like almond or macadamia milk, which align better with the store's original health-focused mission. I also noticed an increase in gluten-based options, which aren’t my favorite. And instead of peanut butter (which can be inflammatory for a lot of people), I’d suggest trying macadamia or almond butter as alternatives. Additionally, I had an unfortunate experience when I tried the chia pudding. It seemed as though it may have been left on the shelf for a longer period, and that evening, I ended up experiencing symptoms that were consistent with food poisoning (I had to call an ambulance). It was a concerning episode, and I believe it could have been related to the freshness of the pudding. This incident has made me more cautious in the future. While it’s still a great place, these changes, along with the food incident, have made me lean more toward Sweet Greens for my daily meals during my travels to Boston. But overall, across all the chains, this is still one of my go-to spots in Boston—though I have to be honest, it’s fast becoming less so, and that’s unfortunate.

This place is incredible. As a gluten-free girl, traveling with her dairy-free friend, food can be a challenge. This place had plenty of options to meet both of our dietary restrictions. I had this zucchini/corn fritter bowl. It was incredible. They also offer specialty coffees, salads, acai, all fresh and beautiful. This is a perfect summer spot for a cool meal. The prices were also strikingly reasonable, especially for Boston. The vibe is also brilliant. The colors are vibrant, and the energy is high. I loved every aspect of Life Alive!

This place is a go-to for healthy and flavorful food with great variety. I especially appreciate how clearly they label allergens — gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, nut-free, vegetarian — making it easy to find delicious options that fit my needs. Consistently excellent!