Hampton Nutrition
A quick-service eatery in downtown Hampton offering fresh smoothies, smoothie bowls, salad bowls, sandwiches, teas and organic coffees, Hampton Nutrition (13 High St., Hampton, 601-7404, hamptonnutrition.com) is the brainchild of David Burns, who opened up shop in the site of a former sticker cabana store about two years ago. Burns, who launched the business on “kind of a whim” while passing through the area and noticing the vacant storefront, said he envisioned bringing a more health-conscious option to the downtown area. Menu options run the gamut from smoothies and smoothie bowls — including the option to build your own with a choice of a variety of ingredients — to salad bowls, egg sandwiches, toasts, coffees and “mega teas,” or various fruit-flavored iced teas. The Scene recently caught up with Burns to talk about some of his favorite items available at Hampton Nutrition and what visitors ought to try.
How long has Hampton Nutrition been around?
I signed the lease, I think, in March of 2020, and then, I think, I opened my doors in late August of 2020.
What makes Hampton Nutrition unique?
We strive to use the best ingredients. We don’t skimp on quality. … We make everything fresh daily — nothing’s precut. We even grind our own peanut butter. I wasn’t happy with any of the peanut butter out there, and it was hard to get the ones I did like consistently. So I went the extra mile to get a machine so that I could grind up my own peanut butter to put in the bowls. … I’ve actually had people buy the peanut butter from me.
What is your favorite thing on your menu?
I would have to say probably the Basic Beach. That’s a smoothie bowl. It [has] the organic acai blend that we use, with our freshly made peanut butter and organic gluten-free granola that we put on it. Then, it also has bananas, strawberries and honey. … I’d say that’s probably my favorite, and then I’d also say maybe the Chunky Monkey, which is a smoothie [with] banana, organic cacao powder, peanut butter and oat milk.
What is something that everyone should try?
Other than the bowls, [for] which you’ve really got to try to appreciate all of the ingredients, I would probably say the Standard Egg Sammy. It’s a simple sandwich [with] organic sourdough bread that gets cut to order, and then we toast it, fry up an egg and put the organic cheddar on there. A lot of people like it once they try it.
What celebrity would you like to see eating at Hampton Nutrition?
Keanu Reeves. … From all the stories you hear about him, he seems very admirable and down-to-earth. Someone that didn’t let the fame get to his head.
What is an essential skill to running a restaurant?
I’d say probably a combination of things, like maybe some ambition and determination. … Just grinding it out [and] having the ambition and drive to do that every day, no matter what’s happening.
What is your favorite thing about being on the Seacoast?
I like the fact that the beach is right here, and you can go anytime. … I just like knowing that I can walk to the beach from my store if I really wanted to.
— Matt Ingersoll
Photo courtesy of Hampton Nutrition.
