‘Barvida’ Organic Vegan Juice Bar and Café Opens on Elm Street

A new organic vegan juice bar and café has opened in the heart of downtown New Canaan.

Darien’s Brennan Branca opened his second location of Barvida on Nov. 12 at 137 Elm St., next to the alley by Chef Luis. The business’s first store opened in Darien in 2020.

Serving cold-pressed juices, smoothies and organic foods including bowls, wraps, salads and toasts, Barvida is focused on “providing the absolute highest-quality ingredients that we can possibly source,” Branca told NewCanaanite.com on a recent afternoon.

“And not only that but to serve the products in the most eco-friendly way we can,” he said. “For example, our smoothies and juices come in reusable bottles, and the cups and cutlery that we have all come from plants. So we have an equal focus on the impact of the food that we have on the environment as we do on the actual quality of the food itself. I think that really sets Barvida apart from other concepts.”

Barvida joins a roster of local organic and vegan food providers that includes Green & Tonic on Forest Street, Greenology on Main Street and Greens On The Go on Pine Street.

The new business already has joined the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce. Asked about Barvida, the Chamber’s executive director, Laura Budd, said, “We are so pleased that Barvida’s doors are open on Elm street and that they have joined the Chamber. We are confident that Barvida will thrive here in New Canaan and we look forward to working with them.”

Brennan said he’s “always had an affinity for the town of New Canaan.”

“It’s gorgeous, especially Elm Street,” he said. “It’s my favorite part of New Canaan, just the restaurants and all the people walking around and the shopping. It’s a lot of buzz and just creative energy. I think that lends itself to a good location to a juice bar-type place. I’ve always wanted to be in New Canaan, ever since I opened in Darien. So I’m really excited to be here.”

Menu items include “The Dope Detox” cold-pressed juice (Kale, Celery, Cucumber, Cilantro, Parsley, Ginger, Lemon), “Golden Turmeric Latte” (Turmeric, Vanilla Extract, Himalayan Salt, Maple Syrup, Cayenne, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Almond Milk), “Buddha Bowl” (Brown Rice, Edamame, Carrot, Kale, Sesame Seeds, Himalayan Salt, Black Pepper, Marinated Mushrooms, Button Mushrooms, Coconut Aminos, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Sesame Oil, Oregano, Tahini Ginger Dressing Sesame Oil, Lemon, Tahini, Coconut Nectar, Coconut Aminos, Ginger) and “Avo Toast” (Sourdough Bread, Avocado, Lime, Cherry Tomato, Cucumber, Scallions, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Hemp Seeds, Chia Seeds, Tomato Salsa—Vine Tomatoes, Garlic, Salt, Pepper, Parsley).

Asked what he’d like New Canaanites to know about Barvida, Branca said, “That we are here to provide the town of New Canaan with an exceptional experience as opposed to just a transaction-based juice bar and café. We’re really focused on providing an experience from the top-down, from the ingredients’ quality that we source all the way down to the way in which we package and present it to our guests and the kind of staff we hire. We’re just here to provide the town with super high-quality food that tastes absolutely delicious and we’re excited to be part of the community.”