DUO Houston - River Oaks: Coffee & Pilates

I always admire a husband and wife duo success story, and that's exactly what I found at Duo! I first learned about Duo through signing up for a pilates class, and I fell in love with the place more through the people and the vibes in the connected coffeehouse. From a chat with the barista, I learned that Duo started because the husband had a love for coffee and the wife had a passion for pilates, so they thought "why not combine the two?" The River Oaks location is the founding store and they have since expanded to a second location as well. The people who work here truly seem happy and are eager to share the stories of their founders, which makes the place even more special. During my visit, I tried the birthday cake latte, which is a seasonal drink, and the flavors were also beyond what I've tried elsewhere. I'm typically not a fan of birthday cake flavored items, but I was feeling adventurous so I told the barista to surprise me with a drink from their menu and that’s the flavor they ended up picking for me. When I received the birthday cake latte, I wasn't all that excited but all prejudice fell away after the first sip! I didn't adjust any sugar or ice levels like I typically do for my drinks, yet the drink was just right! Overall, I am just amazed by the people, the vision, and the gem of a place that I sort of happened into on a random weekend. I will definitely be returning again frequently for pilates, lattes, and/or fun conversations. Pro tip: initially it looks like visitors have to use street parking, but I confirmed with the staff that the parking lot across from the coffeehouse is free to use as well. Pro tip #2: there is option to order ahead with the QR code in image attached. I have not tried, but that may help skip the lines and make it easier for drink pickup. Pro tip#3: going for pilates here makes it so much easier to grab a quick bite or drink before/after workout!

DUO HOUSTON - River Oaks: Duo is a stylish luxury boutique with a 2-in-1 coffee house meets group X fitness studio. It's a Houston favorite boasting a fluid monthly menu with an array of coffee drinks, fresh light snacks, adult beverages, and fitness classes for all levels. LOCATION & PARKING Nestled between Kirby & Montrose the location is easily accessible with plenty of parking. Park parallel on the street or park across the street in the dedicated parking lot. ABOUT THE MENU Whether you're looking for a hot or cold beverage... Duo has several must tries. Each month they feature several specialty drinks created under Duo's brand of flavor profiles.. check out their must-try Lattes! Featuring small bite sandwiches!, snackable veggies with hummus, curated alcoholic and alternative beverages,

I came to Duo specifically for matcha, something I occasionally do on Mondays. I ordered a hot matcha with oat milk and clearly requested that it be hot, not warm. I also ordered a mini butter croissant. Before stepping away, I returned to the counter to confirm that the matcha would be hot, and the cashier assured me it would be. What I received was a warm matcha and a regular sized croissant instead of the mini. I kept the croissant since I was charged for it, but asked that the matcha be remade. Unfortunately, the remade drink was still warm and tasted more like warm milk than matcha. At that point, the issue was not just temperature but quality and preparation. It only takes one bad experience to lose a customer. Especially a very fixable experience.

The staff is all really friendly. I go to the location in autry Park way too often but this one is really good too. Every time I come in they all go out of their way to remember my name and say hi - which is sweet. The owners are really nice too and the coffee is actually good quality too. This was surprising since this can be hit or miss when you have an "aesthetic" place like this.

I came to DUO earlier last week to try the Dreamsicle (guava) Matcha and I’ve been more times than I’d like to admit in the past 7 days. It’s so creamy and the matcha on its own tastes amazing!! The baristas were so sweet giving me recommendations of things to try and asking what I had going on in my day. I also took my first ever Pilates with the instructor, Makailah, and it was so fun! I loved the music she played, it was a mix of pop, r&b, Christian, and there were even some Christmas tunes in there. She came over to my reformer and corrected my technique when needed and even explained why we were doing the moves we did. She was high energy and I left the class feeling the burn and refreshed for the day ahead. Duo, I rate a 9/10, just wish they had more charging outlets for my computer.

This was DUO on Dallas Street. Ordered a turkey and bacon sandwich and it was the thinnest sandwich I have ever had. The bread was good, but the wow, maybe they only had one tiny slice of turkey and ran out. But for what I paid, (14.00) it clearly was not worth the money. I could have gone (and maybe should have) to Central Market and for $10.00 plus a loaf of bread, I would had a LOT better value. Also, no electric outlets. Seems odd, but only one in the corner. When was the last time you went to a coffee shop and there were no outlets for charging your computer? Ridiculous. And this could be a simple remedy.

This review is solely for the Reformer Pilates classes they offer. It was my first time at this studio yesterday, and the instructor was so welcoming, clear with her cues, and provided challenging moves! The vibe of the studio is really nice and I really like the neon lights and the music (I know that might be jarring for some people, but it really helps with the workout!). I didn’t like that my reformer didn’t have a mirror directly in front of it, so I really, really hope they change that as it takes away from the experience. It’s great that they offer such competitive prices for classes, which makes them accessible. They had ample parking and I grabbed a cappuccino on the way out which was delicious!

I came primarily for the reformer Pilates class which I enjoyed. The instructor was nice and the studio was clean. The equipment isn’t the best quality but worked fine. I probably wouldn’t return for another class. I ordered a drink after the class, and it was not good. Very acidic, bitter, and lacking flavor. I took a few sips before I had to throw it away ($7)…

First Timer! So stopped in on a random Monday(we love a random Monday). I'm more of a tea drinker, but had a taste for an iced coffee today. Found Duo on Yelp, which was down the street from Target(where i had just left). When I walked in, the shop was not busy. There were possibly 5-6 people inside, either working or just on their phones. But it was very quiet and calming as well. I was greeted by two nice Barista's behind the counter. I explained I'm not a coffee drinker but wanted to do something little different today. She asked what i was thinking, i stated "something Iced". She explained all of their flavors and seasonal flavors they had. She also explained that all of their flavoring were made in house, which is very nice to know. I went with something more simple, a Caramel Iced Coffee. She suggested a Vanilla Cold Foam on top. I'm down to try things, so we did that. While i waited, I walked around a bit and noticed there was a Pilates studio in the back, hence the business name "Duo Coffee and Pilates". I really enjoy Pilates so that was nice to see. My drink was ready less than 3minutes. When my name was called, i inquired about the Pilates studio, which the 2nd barista explained they had not had a class in a while but i can see the signs on the door and go online to see their schedules. So definitely will give that a look. Back to my Iced Caramel Latte with Vanilla Cold Foam..... The latte was pretty good. Again, since i am not a coffee drinker, i probably should've asked for a bit more sweetener. But once the cold foam mixed in the drink a more, it helped a little. Moral of this story, will i be back... yes. I'll definitely give it another try, try a couple of more options and see how it sticks. Their customer service was pretty nice. And customer service goes a long way with me. Thanks again ladies!

The Duo is an upscale looking coffee shop around the River Oaks area and I guess the only one open early, atleast on a Saturday. Impressed by its modern outlook, I stepped in to get a to-go coffee as I was running out of time for my class. Inside, I was not at all disappointed, actually a little shocked with the loong queue of people ...ha ha....so much for a dash of to-go coffee ! While they have plenty of outside seating which is really nice in the October Houston weather, inside there are neat and artistically arranged sofas, and a nook with some art pieces for sale. There have a decent variety of pastries along with coffee and everything is made in house, especially the coffee which you can see being made. I wish I had the time to sit and savour the coffee as much as the ambiance. Got my Iced Latte with an extra shot of espresso, and I don't know if it comes like that, or the girl forgot, there was no suger in it, or any kind of sweetener .....one star down! The other one we got was their speciality - it was called Hojicha Latte- never heard or seen one. Google Guru helped me understand that it is a Japanese drink. Hojicha is actually roasted green tea powder, with much less caffeine than a matcha. It comes with milk...interesting. Tasted also interesting, had a flowery kinda taste. Parking is street parking which might be an issue, but today being Sat it was fine. I understand they have valet and self parking at the Hanover Autry Park garage entrance. Would definitely like to go here for a sit down early morning coffee and pastry indulgence.

DUO was a new find for me, thanks to a quick Yelp search for coffee shops in the area. While the vibe was nice, the coffee was not. This coffee shop is actually combined with a Pilates studio but still had ample space to sit and work or relax for coffee shop patrons. The barista was very friendly when I arrived and helped walk me through the menu, explaining the components of each drink and options for sweetness and dairy alternatives (almond and oat available!). While I was tempted to try their signature dreamsicle matcha, a matcha combined with guava and topped with a cold foam, but the barista warned me that the drink is fairly sweet and unfortunately the foam is not dairy free but could be substituted for a dairy free option for an extra charge. I'm pretty sensitive to sweet drinks so I opted not to go with this option, although it did sound delicious. I ended up going with a standard iced latte ($6 with extra $0.75 charge for alternative milk). This is a pretty basic drink but unfortunately it was not good. The espresso tasted burnt and I had a hard time drinking it. I even ended up adding a small sprinkle of Splenda to try to mask the taste. I'm probably being over-critical but I did notice that they used HEB brand almond milk to prepare my drink. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE HEB but if you're charging close to an extra dollar per drink for alternative milk, I sort of expected a higher end brand. While the drink was a miss, the ambiance was spot on with an open and comfortable space with several small tables. They have a small fridge with cold bottled drinks and food items, as well as breakfast tacos and pastries. A free self-service water station is also available to complement your caffeine fix or Pilates workout. Street parking is available as well as a large parking lot across the street.

I got the dreamsicle matcha! The place is pretty nice, good street parking, large space, fast service. At first I didn't like the taste, didnt taste like anything. After a bit through it tasted better! Creamy, flavorful, and good balance of sweet, matcha, and milk. I recommend and would come back!

I got to try their Pilates studio through ClassPass. The instructor Julia was very nice and the class was beginner friendly (I do wish it was a bit more challenging). The studio is pretty aesthetic and there were only 6-7 reformers. I didn't get the drinks but they seemed reasonably priced.

I was excited to try the dreamsicle, which is their special iced matcha with oat milk and honey and topped with guava cold foam, and it was just as dreamy as it sounds! The guava paired really well with the matcha and was more unique than the usual strawberry matcha most places have. I did want the matcha to be a little stronger as the matcha flavor didn't come through as much but overall it was a tasty drink! The drinks came out fairly quickly, and the employees were nice. The space was clean and well lit, with lots of natural lighting. It wasn't too noisy, and there was a decent number of people working/studying. They have mostly smaller tables, then a long counter type shared seating, and then some small couches. We parked along the street.

Here todaaayyy!! A few friends and I met up for coffee today and DUO was the suggestion, it was refreshing to meet up at other than Starbucks. DUO is located in the River Oaks area, it's a small but quaint place to meet up for a short meeting or blind "1st date" (wink, wink). What makes this "coffee shop" so unique is that offered mimosas's and croissants :)) Too cute Houston! On the road again! Yelp'acha tomorrow!

First Pilates class & it was so amazing ! The staff is sooo friendly & welcoming. & the instructor, Amanda was amazing . Will definitely be back for more classes & also to try the coffees & bites as well. Parking was across the street in a open lot which was very convenient also.

Holy Dreamsicle matcha! I'm not sure how it's my first time trying DUO, but it will not be my last. After struggling to parallel park, then learning that there were other options and parallel parking was completely unnecessary, I was in need of some caffeine and a sweet treat. I'll be honest, I usually don't go for matcha, but the barista made the Dreamsicle sound amazing! Apparently it's topped with a guava foam. If you're a matcha purist it's not for you, but as an occasional matcha drinker this addition was perfect. The foam adds depth, offering a sweet, citrus twist to balance the slight bitterness of matcha. The result is a creation that's not too herbal, not too bitter, not too sweet, and just right. Since I was there, I also grabbed a tomato basil sandwich which turned out to be the perfect snack. From entry to exit, every barista was pleasant. I left thinking- I'm so glad I stopped in. Maybe I'll try their Pilates to earn my matcha next time :).

I usually prepare to be disappointed when getting matcha at a coffee shop, but boy was I pleasantly surprised with Duo's Matcha Dreamsicle! An iced matcha latte made with honey and oat milk and topped with guava cold foam. Perfectly creamy and nutty, and balanced with the tangy tropical notes of guava. Matcha purists, this drink is not for you! The barista was so nice to let me try both the mango and guava cold foams to help me decide which one I wanted to order. Their mango matcha is a seasonal drink (available only in April) so I might need to come back to give it a try!

Place is really cutie! Super cool because it's a Pilates studio as well. Decor is cool tones and a lot of dark blue which I loved. Got their dreamsicle matcha because of rave reviews I read online. Matcha itself was whisked well but not my fave- combined with the creamy, peach and orange flavor of the cream it was sooo good. Just the right amount of tangy refreshes and sweetness. Only note would be that you need to really stir it for the creamsicle taste so I didn't get it until halfway into my drink. 3.5/5 stars!

I really liked Duo! I ordered their flat whites here. I've come here a couple times to read, and it's such a cute little place. I think the music was too loud only one time I went here, but otherwise it's a good spot with great coffee. Will come back again to try their specialty coffees!

The avocado toast and butterfly pea tea was very good. The toast was packed with flavor but a messy dish. You'll definitely need extra napkins. The service was average, not bad but not outstanding. Walked here as it was right downstairs so not sure how parking is if you're visiting but would come back Super cute space and aesthetically a cute vibe to work or study

I'm obsessed with the Dreamsicle. At first, I tried the matcha on its own and it's more grassy, but when you mix the cream together... chefs kiss. The dreamsicle cream almost tasted more peachy than orangey but I loveee it, together the matcha is creamy and really refreshing (8/10) . I also tried out their season menu option the Fruity Loop Latte, and I thought this one was okay. Their cream is heavily whipped which is nice, but the fruity loop flavor didn't really come thru other than the sprinkled cereal bits, i'd give this one a 5/10. The interior and space were very nice, but unfortunately I wasn't able to snag a table. The barista was also super friendly and helpful with navigating the menu. The drinks are on the pricey-er end though.

Black sesame latte was amazing!! This is a seasonal drink, so come try it while its here. I was excited to try the Dreamsicle matcha, but personally, was not a huge fan. The texture was really thick and smoothie-like, but the flavor was not bad. Other than that, cute, quiet spot to get some work done!

This is a great place to study. You can sit inside or on the patio. The customer service was amazing. They have mimosas and coffee. The grilled cheese sandwich was gross. The cheese tasted cheap and rubbery. I saw other people bringing their own food so that's what I will do next time.

10/10 recommend. Was visiting from out of town. My sister found them online and we decided to go and I'm so glad we did. We arrived a bit early but as soon as the class before us wrapped we got checked in, Jasmine went over the equipment to ensure we were set up properly. My sister does Pilates all the time I do not. Jasmine had the best energy, great instructor. Rhe class was challenging, but the vibes and music helped push me through. If I'm ever in Houston again I will be coming back. Best part about the class was the pumpkin spice latte I got at the end. Such a great concept!! There's also mimosas as well. They have something for everyone! The staff were super sweet as well. You should totally check this place out!!

I got the matcha latte with guava cold foam and honey! The matcha and guava complimented each other so well and was so creamy. It was the best matcha drink I have ever had for sure. The service was also good and made the drink within reasonable time. The staff were friendly! The place also had a good amount of seating and is a great study spot as well.

In terms of Pilates, I would rate it 5 stars. I booked a class through Classpass for Thanksgiving day with Bill, who was such a great instructor. He had great positive energy that really motivates you to push yourself, and the class was challenging as well. In terms of drink, I ordered a hojicha latte after class, and I honestly wasn't impressed, and for the price, I don't think it was worth it. Maybe their coffee is better, but based on this sole experience, I'd give the drink aspect 2 stars. Bonus points for having a parking lot across from the studio. While the road is quite bumpy, a parking lot is a parking lot.

Cute coffee shop that serves so many purposes! It's a combo coffee shop, with some alcoholic beverage options, and a Pilates studio in one. From peeking in the window it looks like there's 6-7 reformers, and a schedule you can book classes ahead of time. Got the honey chai latte which was pretty good. The drinks don't stand out from any other coffee shop but I would get it again. A few stars docked off for really tricky parking & few outlets in the shop. Options include parking in the lot across the shop, or street parking. Recommend coming early if you need to plug in your laptop or electronics somewhere.

Small coffee shop, decent coffee, Love the baristas, they're engaging and friendly in between the press of customers. Next time I must try their matcha shake concoction - I could smell it across the room!

My sister and I were in town for a couple of days and wanted to stay on our workout journey so we found this great 2 for 1 spot to enjoy coffee and pilates. We went to a 7:30 class with the instructor Jasmine. We got there a little early and she explained the class to us and immediately made us feel welcomed. The class was challenging but a great start to our day! After class we grabbed a coffee. I had the pumpkin spiced latte with oatmeal which was good but forgot to ask for it extra hot for the ride back. The staff was very friendly and will definitely come back the next time I'm in town

Had to come try the tiramisu latte and it was everything and more! Probably one of the best coffees I've ever had I can't wait to come grab another one soon. Tiramisu latte is a little on the sweeter side but so delicious and comes with a little biscoff cookie. Service was amazing everyone that works here is so nice. Went around noon and it wasn't too busy at all. Coffee and Pilates studio?? Best of both worlds.

Decent coffee shop with plenty of seating inside. I got a London Fog--they don't have Early Grey, so they used a different black tea, which was fine. Service is average. Ample parking across the street, including street parking itself. Cool thing to have a Pilates studio inside; not sure what I'd think if I came here for some quiet time.

I ordered a vanilla latte with oat milk. Unfortunately, this drink had a bitter taste that kind of sat on the tongue. Vanilla was unnoticeable.

There's a parking lot across the street, the place is pretty small, cute decor/minimalistic, staff was nice. My iced vanilla latte I felt was just okay for it being $7 - nothing bad but nothing great

One of the cutest lesser known cafes in Houston with ample street parking/parking lot across the street. The staff was friendly. There was a free water tap. There was ample seating and charging. Honestly such a hidden gem!!!

Duo's coffee is soo yummy!! One of my new favorites in Houston. I got my go to drink- iced lavender latte with almond milk, and it was done really well. The lavender was really strong (which I love, but i know it's not everyone's cup of tea). The baristas were really friendly and the interior is perfect vibes for studying. The coffee shop is connected to a pilates studio as well! Overall, I am excited to come back and introduce my friends to this coffee shop!

Cute coffee shop that was open during the power outage after the hurricane. They have a Pilates studio as well. Lots of coffee options, can get packed during peak hours.

Came back to try the Pilates part of DUO and had a great experience! The reformer classes only allow for 6 people at a time, and I really enjoyed this small-group atmosphere. It created a more comfortable and personal environment, and the instructor was able to see errors in your form and correct you quickly. The lighting is also super fun (neon lights that can change to different colors) and the music helped to really pump us up during the class! If there's one thing I learned, though, it's that Pilates is no joke. This class totally wore me out, but I felt great after doing it. I look forward to taking more classes at DUO, and would definitely recommend anyone on the fence to give it a try!

INTRO: It is finals week and I desperately needed a place to study. I was originally going to go to Agora but as soon as I passed by it = no parking!! I kept driving down the street and I came across Duo. I am sooo glad I stopped by! I called ahead of time to see what the parking situation is like because in Houston you never know what to expect. The lady that answered the phone was super nice and let me know that there was a parking lot and plenty of space available inside. The space is super clean and aesthetic and even has Pilates in the same building lol so your workout and study place is all in one. FOOD/DRINKS: I haven't eaten all day so I was really hoping for something to eat. Donald and Makayla (so sorry about spelling!) helped explain all of the pastries that they had available and I ended up going with a Ham and cheese croissant (warmed up ofc) and an Iced Matcha Latte with vanilla (: Everything came out super fast and they even brought it to where I was sitting. The croissant was SUPER flaky and warm. I really liked the cheese inside and there was some on top of the croissant as well which gave more texture. The matcha latte was really good as well! There was just the right amount of matcha and wasn't too sweet. I also appreciated them asking if I wanted a glass or plastic cup and since I was going to be staying for a while to study I went with glass. OVERALL: I loved coming here and I think not being able to park at the other coffee shop that I had in mind was honestly a blessing in disguise. There is so much natural light coming through the windows, the customer service is amazing, the food/drinks are yummy, and there's free/fast wifi! I will definitely make this one of my go-to study spots because it is also really close by. The hours are also really student friendly so I could stay here pretty much all day to study and maybe even sign up for Pilates one day too (: Thank you so much Makayla and Donald for being so nice and helping me out today. I really appreciate it!!

Such a cute little coffee and pilates shop in the neighborhood! I came for two classes - one with Sally and one with Cat, and both were great workouts! The studio is small (only 6 participants per class), but intimate and inviting. Very welcoming, easy to sign up for a class, and lots of fun deals like Prosecco after class, $3 mimosas on Sundays, etc. The coffee bar is also a perfect treat for after your class! I tried an iced vanilla latte and it was one of the best I've had - the perfect flavor, not too sweet or milky/watered down. Would definitely visit again and recommend to anyone looking for a fun but challenging pilates class and a sweet reward for after!

Decor inside was very nice. Great spot to relax and do homework. Staff were super nice, coffee was pretty good and came out fast.

In terms of their pilates classes, I really loved the party/club vibes that they give off. Every class is small with 6 people max per class. The instructor was very clear on how to use the reformer and so this place is beginner friendly. In terms of their coffee shop, the iced honey chai was delicious and I would definitely order this again. The latte uses Tenfold's Full Stop blend, which comes across with mildly chocolatey and nutty notes in latte. The latte is competitive for the area. This place is great for studying or for meet ups.

Easy to find, big parking lot across the building. The staffs are nice, good balance of breakfast and coffee menu. Iced horchata coffee (3/5) Almond croissant (4/5) Overall, nice atmosphere to chill with decent coffee

Ummm this spot is amazing??!!! I had a great Pilates class with Kathryn. Her playlist was hype and she did a great job w instructions and demonstration. The coffee shop outside of the studio is nice and quiet enough to actually be able to get work done. Not too congested like other coffee shops in Houston. I will be back :)

It's a good coffee shop for work BUT there is a change recently with some sort of seasonal drink and now when I try to work I feel like the entire time I'm there, there is a loud hand mixer going off for making whipped cream or foam or something. It's honestly brutal

My two favorite things: coffee and pilates. Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to try pilates here, but their coffee is so yummy. I've been here twice and ordered different drinks both times, and they were awesome. It looks like a good place to study or work, and my friend mentioned they have really delicious tacos as well. I can't wait to come back!

Was looking for a coffee option during lunch and stumbled upon Duo. We had slight issues finding parking but just ended up parking across the street as the street parking seemed a bit chaotic. The interior lacked seating space as the current patrons spaced themselves out to where there was pretty much no space unless you want to intrude upon a stranger. I ordered a matcha latte with oat milk and it was very bland. I make a matcha drink at home with the same oat milk (Chobani oat milk) and it actually has much more matcha flavor than this one. Guessing the matcha used is very small in quantity or lower in quality. While I do appreciate that their latte is very low in sugar/ sweetness, a little bit of honey or any other flavor wouldn't hurt. For about $6.25, I expected a drink with more personality/ flavor than tasting exactly like Chobani oat milk out of the box.

Great drinks with great ambiance! I got their seasonal drink, the Banana Fosters latte. It was delicious and had the perfect balance of banana flavoring and coffee. What I really appreciated was in addition to subbing in oat milk, they had non-dairy cold foam! They cater well to lactose intolerant folks like me. The vibe inside was cute and cozy, with both tables and couches available to sit. It was generally pretty quiet, and a lot of people were studying. I will definitely be coming back!

One of my favorite little coffee shops in Houston. It has the perfect mix of a work environment but also a comfy area where you can sit and chat with friends. The coffee was delicious and the had the perfect ratio of milk/coffee (which is not always a given). The staff was also so kind and welcoming!!!

It's gonna sound like I'm being dramatic but the first sip of my latte changed my life. I'll never hold baristas to the same expectations now that I've tasted the liquid gold they serve here. I've only been in town a few days and came here every morning with no disappointment. The staff goes above and beyond to offer the best service. They remember my name & order & they handle the fast pace environment with such grace! Even when it's busy the wait isn't long & in the mean time the vibes are top notch. 12/10

This is one of my favorite coffee shops in Houston. Mainly because I love the ambiance. It's never super busy when I go, there is so much natural light and it's generally quiet so I can get a lot of work done. I would advise you to bring a jacket if you plan on staying here for a while, it is always very cold in here. I'm not a coffee expert by any means but I do think they're lattes taste better here than most coffee shops. I also like the matcha latte or getting a can of Recess.

Actually came here for the Pilates class and stayed for the coffee! The class I took focused on core and arms which was great. Our instructor, Ellie, was so great and she was so patient and walked me through the class. You have a wipe for each reformer at the end of each class to disinfect. I stopped by the coffee shop and got an iced lavender latte and it was nice during a hot day. There were a handful of people studying, doing work or hanging out. Cute space overall!

Meet a friend here based on location. Coffee was not HOT! I don't understand??? Plus you order at a counter - put your CC in and staff says "please answer the question on the screen" she steps away. The question is a tip request. I thought ok maybe they bring the coffee to my table and I don't them to put their fingers in it because I didn't tip. Well she asks my name ... I was like "you ask for a tip and don't bring it to the at the table?? Well I sit down and sure enough they call my name. If the business plan includes the tip for staff wages - not a successful business plan. WE WILL NOT BE BACK. Who drinks cold coffee? Service??

DUO is a conveniently located coffee shop with across the street parking. It is well designed, neat working area for students, and is adequately insulated from the associated Pilates studio. There are solitary seating options, as well as bar seating for those looking for a more communal vibe. There was also plenty of outlets for students. Now onto the service and coffee-- the barista was friendly, down to earth, and answered any of my questions about their coffee. DUO uses Tenfold's roast, which is one of my favorite in all of Houston. In latte, it comes across as very well balanced, a tad darker/smokier, which makes for a very nicely complex mouthfeel. In Americano, it is likewise balanced with chocolate/nutty profiles. Of note, the ceramics were well-made with an interesting glaze finish--a small detail we appreciated. Price was very competitive for the area. The barista delivered our latte with a cleanly done three-push floret. While it was perfectly done, I might suggest getting a little risky and trying more ambitious patterns! Duo is certainly the reigning champion of this neighborhood, and anytime I'm around Montrose and after a good cup of coffee/good working experience I'd swing by here. From a scale of F to S, DUO nets a solid A for good beans, competitive value and nice vibe.

Good location to study or get some work done. The decor is modern and lines are clean. The coffee is good but I just bought an iced latte.

Ambiance was great but the coffee was okay. It would have been better if the beans didn't have a burnt taste to them. Service was amazing the workers were really nice in giving suggestions!

Stopped by for a quick pick-me-up. Start with the good: The cold brew was actually pretty good. Service was prompt and easy. Granted no one else was there so. And now the not so good: The price is a bit high at 4.65 for a 12-16oz cold brew. I can get literally 50% more for the same cost at other establishments. They only have 1 size for a cold brew. Little disappointing because I do enjoy a good cold brew. And that's pretty much it. Not a bad coffee spot. Not some place I would frequent often due to the lack of sizes and cost but okay nevertheless.