Made for Beach Mornings
Happy Manatee is a place for good drinks, good food, and taking your time. Whether you’re headed to the beach or just wish you were.
Better Beach Tastes
We believe the best days start slow.
With real ingredients.
With coffee that doesn’t rush you.
With juice that tastes like it came from somewhere sunny, because it did.
Happy Manatee is about enjoying what’s in front of you, even if just for a few minutes.
About the Owner
Hello, I'm Sarah - my husband Shaun, along with our five small children own The Happy Manatee. We moved to Florida in 2024 praying to find community for our family. Moving to Anna Maria Island felt like a direct answer to prayer for us and the community that has embraced us. I could have never imagined that we would find community like this. Since I was young, I have always dreamed and prayed to own my own shop, someplace where I could love on people, host, pour into creatively and make people feel at home. When the space where The Happy Manatee now sits became available, we were deeply seeking what step was next for our family, we started walking through as God opened doors. When it became clear that The Happy Manatee was forming, we were so fortunate that the community rallied behind us to help open it quickly. We could never have opened without their help and support. Thank you to all our friends and family who poured into this space to make it what it is. We pray you feel loved walking in, taste some good food, and drink some coffee that warms your soul, and maybe feel a little happier leaving.
Meet Our General Manager, Kaimana
Kaimana didn't set out to run a coffee shop on a barrier island. He set out to figure out why some teams fall apart under pressure and others don't, and that question took him through a decade-plus of management and operations, a stint running an independent performance and nutrition business in Hawaii, and a deep dive into coffee that ended with him holding SCA trainer-level certifications, a Q Grader credential, and a Level 1 Sommelier title most people don't know exists until they need someone who has one.
Before Anna Maria Island, Kaimana founded Okay Coffee Company, building coffee programs from scratch for hospitality clients across the country. Bar design, menu development, barista training, the whole operation. His philosophy is simple and a little stubborn: take care of the people behind the counter and the guest experience takes care of itself. He's watched it play out enough times to stop calling it a theory.
At The Happy Manatee, he's not content leaving the food where he found it. The açaí bowls and coffee are staying sharp, and now the menu's getting a serious glow up with wine and tapas that actually deserve the name. Turns out having a sommelier certification and a Q Grader credential in the same resume is good for more than trivia night. Expect food sourced well, made with intention, and served by people who genuinely want to be there instead of just clocked in and counting minutes.
Off the clock, you'll find him elbow-deep in an engine bay swearing at a bolt that won't budge, or out chasing waves, whichever one isn't currently broken. If you catch him on shift, ask him about the coffee. He has opinions, and he's happy to make you a believer.
What We Make
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Coffee
Thoughtfully brewed and never rushed, our coffee is made for slow mornings and strong starts.
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Fresh Squeezed Juice
Bright, refreshing, and pressed with purpose, our juices deliver clean flavor in every sip.
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Açaí Bowls
Layered with vibrant fruit, fresh toppings, and real ingredients, our açaí bowls are built for beach-ready fuel.
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Toasts
Creamy avocado, fresh toppings, and perfectly toasted bread, simple, satisfying, and done right.
The manatee doesn’t rush and neither do we.
The Happy Manatee was created as a reminder to enjoy the moment you’re in.
To choose quality over chaos.
To sip, snack, and stay awhile.
Whether you’re a local, a visitor, or somewhere in between, you’re welcome here.
Because Life’s Better Slower
More Than a Menu
We’re proud to be part of the local community and even prouder to be part of people’s routines, whether it’s morning stops, beach prep, a refreshing reset, or everything in between.
Set Your AirBnB Apart
Do you own an AirBnB or Management Company? We'd love to partner with you to have fresh juices and wellness shots stocked in the fridge for your guests arrival.