In a place like El Gouna, where everything feels considered, one thing was missing — a real specialty coffee. For us, coffee is not just a drink. It’s a moment, a routine, a love language.
What started as a simple thought quickly turned into a serious conversation about what it would take to make it happen, from research and market analysis to understanding the audience and the opportunity. And that’s when the question became unavoidable: why not start Daily Dose from El Gouna?
Whatever you think, think the opposite
It might seem like a risk, but we were simply applying what Paul Arden said: “Whatever you think, think the opposite.” Most business owners in our position would think about starting in Cairo — a busy city with easier returns. We were aware that El Gouna is a seasonal resort. But when we looked at the coffee scene there, there was still a clear gap.
That’s when we realised we were not just dreamers, we were responding to a real need. And not just any customer, but an international one who knows exactly how their coffee should taste — and exactly the kind of place where they want to enjoy it.
That’s when we knew we also had to focus on the space itself. We thought about a place that feels comfortable for everyone: a cozy indoor area with neutral tones and soft music, and an outdoor space right in front of El Gouna Marina, where the sun is always there and the air feels calm. Open enough for conversations, calm enough to stay a bit longer.
The gap wasn’t just in the coffee. It was in the absence of a place that El Gouna could really call its own.
— Tayf EditorialThe birth of Daily Dose
Orascom, the developer of El Gouna, holds high standards and approaches it differently from typical resorts. They are selective about the brands they bring in, always focusing on the experience — not just sales — which is exactly how we think as well.
It all started with a casual conversation between Mohamed Samy, our Founder and CEO, and Mohamed Tarif, then Head of Transformation at Orascom. We quickly set up a meeting, and they were excited because we wanted to add to the El Gouna residents’ and visitors’ experience. We had a concept and a clear vision that spoke for itself, stronger than any formal pitch.
That relationship didn’t stop there. It grew into expanding together in O West — but more importantly, it reflected a shared belief in the concept from the beginning. Across both El Gouna and O West, Orascom didn’t just offer a space — they supported the idea, trusted the direction, and gave us the room to build and grow along the way.
Daily dose of learning and development
Daily Dose was born in 2022. Customers started coming in for their daily coffee, and we found ourselves learning and evolving with them. Every day felt like a test — small adjustments, quick decisions, and constant observation of what was working and what wasn’t.
Entering a new market is challenging, but we approached it with an open mindset, listening to our guests’ comments — the casual remarks at the counter, the small feedback in passing — and taking them seriously to understand how to improve the experience.
We also learned how to keep our team motivated during the off-season, when the pace slows down and energy shifts but consistency still matters. When things got noticeably quieter, we had to rethink staffing, costs, and inventory — and how to keep the team motivated even when footfall dropped.
It all paid off when we were recognised by the SCA Coffee Design Awards at the 2023 World of Coffee — a moment that reflected not just the space itself, but everything that went into building it, day by day.
How we knew it was brewing
We knew we had succeeded every time a customer came back, every time a family returned season after season, and every time a staff member smiled at a loyal customer and placed their order without asking — simply because they already knew it. Those small moments, repeated day after day, quietly became the real measure of success.
From roasting our own beans to crafting every cup, we handle the process end to end, with one goal in mind: spreading a little bit of happiness in every cup. Last year, we crafted around 700K cups of coffee — almost the equivalent of filling around 10 full stadiums.
What we built in El Gouna raised a bigger question, not just where Daily Dose could go next, but how it could adapt to completely different environments while keeping the same experience. From Mivida and The Drive in New Cairo, to Majarrah in Sheikh Zayed and O West in 6th of October, each space was selected to cover both East and West Cairo — reaching different communities while staying consistent in what we offer.
Even in a fast-paced city like Cairo, the focus remained the same: bringing the calm, familiar feel of El Gouna into a completely different environment. Through thoughtful design, neutral tones, and touches of greenery, every space was built to feel warm, comfortable, and easy to return to.
And we’re just getting started.