“Life is too short for bad coffee.”
Our story
A pharmacy, a soda fountain, and now brunch.
Layered sits on the north side of McKinney’s historic downtown square, in a building that has been part of the neighborhood for more than a century. Long before we arrived, it was Northside Pharmacy, where generations of McKinney families stopped in for prescriptions and a seat at the soda fountain. We like to think we carry that tradition forward: a place on the square where people gather, linger and come back.
Our founder, Nir Sela, took the long way here. In New York City he worked in real estate and hotel management and ran coffee shops, learning firsthand what makes people feel welcome. After moving to North Texas, he brought a small coffee shop on the Garland square back to life. When it came time to open a restaurant of his own, he skipped the malls and strip centers. He wanted a real downtown, where people park the car, walk, shop and say hello. McKinney felt like a small-town version of the New York streets he loved, and Layered opened here in 2017.
Everything we serve starts from scratch. Breakfast, brunch and lunch are served every day, built on family recipes and fresh ingredients: golden Liège waffles, chicken and waffles, sweet potato pancakes, savory hashes and shakshuka. Our coffee comes from a local roaster, because good neighbors support each other, and our baristas pour every latte and cortado with care.
Inside, the space is a little eclectic and full of character, with exposed brick, stained glass and plenty of conversation. Outside, our patio looks onto the square and the old courthouse, and your dog is welcome to join you. Your plates might even arrive with our robot teammate, who handles the walk from the kitchen so our team can spend more time with you.
Some of our staff have been with us since day one, and many of our guests are regulars we greet by name. Come hungry, stay a while, and become part of the family.