BuddhaBerry has become a familiar name on the East End for frozen yogurt, coffee, and other tasty treats. First opening in Sag Harbor (125 Main Street) in 2014, the self-serve yogurt shop now also has a location in Southampton (30 Hampton Road), which opened in June 2024.
Known for its wide range of toppings and relaxed atmosphere, BuddhaBerry continues to grow while keeping its focus on community and variety. The business is owned by a small group of local residents on the East End. One of the owners, Natalie Jones, shared that the group stepped in when the original owner retired, wanting to keep the shop going for both sentimental and community reasons.
“We didn’t want to see BuddhaBerry close,” Natalie said. “It’s a place we all enjoyed bringing our families to. It felt important to preserve that.”
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The shop is especially known for its self-serve yogurt bar, with over 100 toppings available at any time. Customers can choose from traditional options like sprinkles and cookie dough, or go for ingredients like puffed quinoa, coconut flakes, or granola. “People enjoy putting together their own combinations,” Natalie said. “It’s part of the fun of coming in.”
BuddhaBerry lives up to their tag line year after year, which is: “Get Happier.” Natalie says, “That is the spirit of our brand! We hear from some of our customers that BuddhaBerry is their first stop when they arrive in the Hamptons for the season. We love that it is a gathering place for the community.”
While frozen yogurt is the focus, the menu also includes crepes, waffles, smoothies, bubble tea, and a full coffee bar featuring Hampton Coffee. Vegan, kosher, and lower-sugar options are always available. “We try to make sure there’s something for everyone,” Natalie said.
She went on to note, “The variety of toppings are also a great way to satisfy a sweet tooth or to make a healthier option. Many of our yogurts have probiotics so it’s a nice way to have a healthy treat or even a lunch.”
BuddhaBerry’s Southampton shop, which opened last summer, brings the same offerings and setup to another part of the Hamptons. “The Village has been really welcoming,” Natalie said. “It’s been great to meet new customers while also seeing some of our longtime Sag Harbor visitors come by.”
In addition to the two storefronts, BuddhaBerry operates a food truck, BuddhaBerry on Wheels, which launched in 2023. The truck is available for private events like birthdays and fundraisers, and it includes a mini version of the shop’s self-serve setup, with multiple yogurt flavors and a rotating set of toppings. “Our tagline for the truck is ‘We Bring the Fun,’” Natalie said.
“The idea was to recreate the store experience on the go,” she continued. “It’s also self-serve, which makes it different from other dessert trucks. People can still build their own yogurt just like they would in the shop.”
This summer, BuddhaBerry has also experimented with seasonal collaborations, including a July flavor created with LoveShackFancy called Pretty in Pink, and a new August flavor with Roller Rabbit called Funky Monkey Cookie Crunch. There have been fun in-store pop-ups like beading workshops and art events for kids and families, too.
Looking ahead, both locations will start offering birthday party rentals this fall. The shop has also begun selling frozen yogurt chipwiches, made with cookies from local farmstand The Milk Pail. Natalie expressed how much they enjoy partnering with local businesses.
BuddhaBerry sees its busiest months during the summer, when Sag Harbor is full of visitors and second-homeowners. “On summer weekends, especially Saturday nights, there’s usually a line out the door,” Natalie said. “But we’re open year-round, and we love seeing the full-time community during the quieter off season, which is just as special.”
Natalie says what makes BuddhaBerry stand out isn’t just the variety of toppings or the rotating yogurt flavors, but the consistency in the overall experience. “People enjoy making their own special order the way they personally love it,” she noted. “They love coming in and switching up their yogurt order, which is why self-serve is so much fun.”
That accessibility, combined with the shop’s flexible menu and community-minded approach, has helped BuddhaBerry become a steady presence in the Hamptons scene over the past decade.
“BuddhaBerry’s mission is to bring families, friends and community together while serving delicious food,” Natalie said. “It’s a fun gathering space and frozen treat for people of all ages. The Hamptons is such a special community, and we love being a part of their happy time.”
For more information about BuddhaBerry, click here.
