Sip Sip Hooray, Garden Café stands out for more than just good food. At its core is a genuine commitment to animal advocacy and clean eating. Co-owners, Leslie O’Gorman Brown and Kristin Guelfi, are the dynamic duo that run the café. Together, in October 2023, they jumped in with both feet, filling out permits and waiting for their freshly rehabbed café to be ready.

How’d they land on the name? Kristin remembers, “Leslie was chatting with someone at work, just tossing out ideas, and out came ‘Sip Sip Hooray!’ It just stuck. It was fun, it was different, and what’s better than that?”

Leslie’s been vegan for almost ten years and wanted to bring something new to Englewood. Kristin was on board instantly. Their passion shows in all the little details, from the iconic moss sign, handmade by Leslie, and the bench seats that Leslie and her boyfriend Mike reupholstered and painted themselves. This place is a labor of love through and through.

By September 1, 2026, they’ll hit their one-year anniversary. Looking back, the most popular dishes have their own stories. Kristin laughs, “In the beginning, it was definitely spring rolls. Everyone had to have them. But now, the Tuno appetizer is giving them a run for their money. We make it with seaweed sheet, white kidney beans, garbanzo beans, Dijon mustard, vegan mayo, lemon juice, dried cranberries, chopped cucumber, and celery. It’s a mix of a lot of flavors, but it works. People can’t get enough.”

Are you looking for a healthy dessert? The Date Turtles, made with dates, tahini, dark chocolate, pecans, and sea salt, fly out the door. “We started with a two-pack, but people asked for more, so now we offer four and six packs because they just sell out.”

What makes Sip Sip Hooray special isn’t just the food, but how it’s made. Ingredients are organic and non-GMO. Everything, even the packaging, is compostable. “If we can’t get it organic or non-GMO, we don’t serve it,” Kristin says. “We want our guests to feel good about what they’re eating.”

She feels strongly that small changes add up. “Even eating one or two healthy meals a week makes a difference. Maybe it’s just a smoothie, something antioxidant-rich. You don’t have to change everything overnight to feel better.”

Kristin says there are things people eat every day that are vegan already; they just don’t know it unless it’s labeled that way.

Kristin lights up talking about their customers. Inclusivity means a lot. “People come in and say, ‘my niece is vegan. I’m so glad I can bring her here when she visits.’ And most of these folks aren’t even vegan themselves; they just want good food, or something new. Some start visiting when family’s in town and now, suddenly, they’re regulars. I still can’t believe we have regulars; it’s wild; it brings tears to my eyes.”

Kristin misses the snowbirds who visit two or three times a week during the season. “It’s a lot of time spent together over smoothies and lunch, and it really is a beautiful connection.”

Looking back on their first year, Kristin feels nothing but gratitude. “Everyone who’s come in, or helped spread the word on social media, we’re grateful. The community’s been amazing. We keep meeting new friends, and we’re excited to see what’s next.”

Got questions about their menu, special requests, or planning an event? Just reach out. Sip Sip Hooray is always happy to help.

Click here to go to the Sip Sip Hooray, Garden Café website.

Call 941-914-9178, or order in-house 240A West Dearborn Street, Englewood, FL

Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, Closed Tuesdays

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