Duino Coffeehouse | Our Story

Strangers Become Friends

Duino Coffeehouse started with a grandmother, a weekly stroll to the local roaster in Heliopolis, Egypt, an unparalleled sense of community in Duino, Italy and a first sip of espresso at fifteen, and grew into a vibrant community hub in McKinney, Texas.

A grandmother and a roaster

Every week, young Hesham Bakr walked his grandmother to her favorite roaster in Heliopolis, Egypt. He woke to the smell of her Turkish coffee every morning — and without knowing it, a lifelong love was taking shape.

Why we're called Duino

At fifteen, living in the small Italian seaside town of Duino, Hesham took his first sip of espresso — and that was it. Duino is also home to the United World College, where students from around the world gather to build connection — the same spirit we carry here.

Opening day in McKinney

In February 2019, Hesham and his wife Asil left their corporate careers and opened Duino inside a striking historic cotton mill. They were hands-on from day one — testing recipes, refining the menu, and learning something new every week.

The Bakr family

Asil is every bit as central to this place as Hesham — and their three kids, Jenna, Taline, and Zain, tend to introduce themselves as "the future owners of Duino." This has always been a family effort, and that warmth is baked into everything we do.

A gathering place, not just a coffee shop

Cars & Coffee on the third Saturday, Bikes & Brews on the first, local art on the walls, Small Business Saturdays — we show up for this community because this community showed up for us.