A journey of flavors from Europe to Maracaibo—now baking memories in Texas.

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Long before Juana de Ávila became a café name whispered with affection in Katy, she was a real woman—with flour-dusted hands, a heart full of fire, and a recipe book that tasted like home.

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She was born in a small village nestled along the Portugal–Spain border, where mornings smelled of fresh bread, eucalyptus trees, and wood-fired ovens. Juana often spent time at her grandmother’s home in Ávila, Spain—a place that shaped her profoundly. There, she learned that baking wasn’t just about ingredients; it was about comfort, patience, and love. Those cobblestone streets, the golden light on terracotta rooftops, and her grandmother’s laughter around the kitchen table stayed with her. Years later, when she began baking professionally, she adopted the name Juana de Ávila—an homage not just to a place, but to everything it had meant to her.​

 

But Juana’s dreams didn’t end there. Drawn by whispers of a colorful land across the sea, Juana set sail for Venezuela—with nothing but a rolling pin, a leather suitcase, and a fearless spirit. She wasn’t running away—she was chasing adventure. When she arrived in Maracaibo, something unexpected happened; fate gave her a sign. Literally, as she wandered the city’s vibrant streets, she saw it: Calle Ávila. She smiled, knowing her past and future had just met!

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There, in Maracaibo, she opened her first bakery. It wasn’t long before the aroma of her bread—soft, golden, and always made with love—filled the air. Locals began to say, “Tienes que probar el pan de Juana de Ávila.” And they came, not just to eat, but to gather. Artists, neighbors, children—her bakery became a home for anyone craving connection.

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One of the families who grew up visiting her bakery was the Valente family. Juana’s warmth and wisdom shaped their childhood; over time, her recipes became theirs, too. Through the years, they carried her legacy forward—not just by preserving her techniques but by living the values she baked into every loaf: tradition, love, and community.

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Now, that same spirit lives on in Katy, Texas—thanks to Carlos Valente, Paola Pineda-Valente, and Don Iván Pineda, who proudly honor Juana’s name and nourish her legacy; and today, Juana de Ávila Café & Bakery is a family-run space inspired by her story and elevated by her flavors.

 

From Portugal to Maracaibo. From Maracaibo to Katy. From our kitchen to your table.

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Here, you’re not just a guest. You are family!

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This is Juana’s legacy, a rich cultural history that we are proud to continue.