De Fer Coffee & Tea

Coffee shop · Strip District

De Fer Coffee & Tea

Coffee shop · Strip District

1

2002 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

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De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null
De Fer Coffee & Tea by null

Highlights

Industrial-style cafe, local goods, coffee, cocktails, baked goods  

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2002 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Get directions

defer.coffee
@defercoffeeandtea

$1–10 · Menu

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2002 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Get directions

+1 412 209 2226
defer.coffee
@defercoffeeandtea

$1–10 · Menu

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Last updated

Sep 7, 2025

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A community-driven roaster with a lively Strip District flagship that doubles as a café-bar and events hub. Frequently cited by Pittsburgh Magazine and local food writers for quality sourcing and neighborhood engagement.

https://www.defer.coffee/strip-district
Best Coffee Shops in Pittsburgh (2025)
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Joud Mulla

Google
Went to De Fer on Saturday at 2 PM since it’s one of the few coffee shops open until 9 PM. Located in the heart of the Strip District, right in front of the new Terminal, it has a unique and spacious layout. Parking can be tricky depending on how busy it is. Their lattes were perfectly sweet, and the everything bagel was a great snack! The vibe was ideal for both working (good internet) and catching up with a friend. I also loved browsing their local goods—coffee, wine, cheese, meats, and beautiful artwork!

Camila Estrada

Google
Good coffee They allow laptops Great to work, read and write Cool atmosphere Clean Nice, cute and interesting articles and objects in the gallery - store, like candles, inciense, paintings, books, pottery, and off course, coffee and related products, very well crafted, curated and and original items. I would come back!

Mr. E

Google
Stopped here with my wife to get some iced coffee and I will say the atmosphere is really fun inside and they have a lot of options in terms of drinks beyond just coffee. The have a pretty wide selection of alcoholic drinks if you are into that sort of stuff as well as some food options. The prices for coffees are right around the same level as Starbucks and the food is about the same quality too, all pre-made stuff. Alcoholic drink prices seem high but I haven't bought an alcoholic drink in 10 years so maybe thats the going price for this area. In terms of the coffee I got one of their signature iced coffees, it was supposed to be honey and one other thing, can't remember the other thing but the coffee really didn't have any flavor beyond plain old coffee, it was also not sweet even with honey it was supposed to come with. Overall it was pretty basic iced coffee that didn't really stand out to me as anything special, they did put a lot of effort into the hot coffees I saw other people getting so maybe thats where this place shines, if you looking for a place for iced coffee this is run of the mills and nothing special.

Ides of March B

Google
I got a dirty chai and a citrus basil shrub sparkler. Excellent customer service. Pleasant atmosphere. Unfortunately, the chai was terrible. Despite the odd name, the citus bas.il sparkler was pretty good. Its definitely on the higher end of the price point for these type of items and in the case of the chai, not worth it.

Sanae Heist

Google
Delicious coffee with gorgeous latte art and friendly staff! Space feels roomier than before and great selection of local goods and gifts!

Maksim Safiullin

Google
A very cozy café, and I can confidently say there aren’t many like it in Pittsburgh. The atmosphere is lovely, the music is great, the staff is friendly, and the drinks are delicious. However, one thing slightly detracts from the overall impression: the ceiling is noticeably stained in some areas. At first, I thought it was part of the design, but it turns out it’s not. Please take care of it — and your café will truly have no equal!

Eve Mersch

Google
Wasn’t up to the hype we had seen. English muffins were burnt on the bottom. Drinks were fine but nothing to rave about and kid’s hot chocolate seemed like the cup was half hot chocolate and half whipped cream.

Lina Rak

Google
I love De Fer! Such a Pittsburgh staple. I go right after rowing practice, always ordering a matcha. I ordered a custom one this time - Apricot Honey Matcha. The food is awesome too! The service is great, employees are so nice and welcoming. We usually get there around 7:15 and its pretty quiet, but closer to 8 it starts to fill up pretty quickly. Street parking is free until 8 am and there's plenty of spaces until about 9. I highly recommend! It's pretty quiet so great if you'd like a quiet place to work!
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Selina C.

Yelp
My friend and I needed a place to work and chat, so we decided to stop at De Fer on a late Sunday morning. Though there was a line to order, the line moved pretty quickly and I reached the front within a couple minutes of waiting. I went with a blueberry vanilla latte on their seasonal special menu, which was delicious and had a strong caffeine hit! Drinks came out within 5 minutes. The shop has a lot of seating with wifi and plugs, and the ambiance was fantastic for coworking. Parking nearby was somewhat challenging, and we had to park on side streets instead of closer to the front of the shop.
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Phoebe P.

Yelp
Coffee was fresh and strong. I got an iced latte with regular milk 12 ounces Service was friendly Liked the ambiance, cute things for sale, ample seating
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Amanda B.

Yelp
This is easily one of the best coffee shops in Pittsburgh! Not only is their coffee high-quality, but they also have a nice variety of non-coffee drinks and food that's much better than your typical coffee shop fare. I personally love their miso mushroom breakfast sandwiches - they're on a delicious English muffin (that I believe is from a local bakery) and soo good! One thing to be aware of is that this is a much better spot if you have time on your hands to sit there and relax with your food/drink - it's not the quickest shop so I wouldn't recommend it if you're in a hurry. Plus, it's fun to browse all the goodies they have for sale - it's a great spot to find gifts for coffee lovers and foodies!
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Lena M.

Yelp
I loved coworking from this local coffee! We visited the location in the strip, which was so aesthetically pleasing. There were great outdoor seating options and plenty of seating indoors too. They have a little local goods shop corner that I really enjoyed perusing. I also adored the local prints in the bathroom with frames for sale. They had two gender neutral single restrooms. Their seasonal drinks here are so creative and delicious. I'm blanking on the names of what we ordered, but my coworker got a very sweet refreshing strawberry drink. I ordered a fizzy shrub syrup drink. They were perfect for the hot PGH day. We quickly found a table and were able to connect to their wifi. This is a great coffee shop to meet up with a friend or get some work done.
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Chris C.

Yelp
Beautiful open space with lots of small trinkets & coffee items sold on the side wall, good range of food and cool flavors- I got the matcha colada and my bud Jyang got the Pina colada cold brew. Matcha was pretty mild in flavor but I liked the colada foam. Seating is nice, but theres a ton of people moving in and out so it gets a bit loud at times. Seating is always volatile, if you come during busy hours it will be packed. We got here around 9:30am and it was pretty ok. Fast wifi, better for dates and to yap than to do work imo but got the job done.
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Margo A.

Yelp
I met up with a girlfriend at De Fer, and it was a great choice. The menu is full of options for coffee and tea lovers, and there is a great assortment of baked goods that are made in-house as well. Or, if cocktails are more your thing, De Fer also serves cocktails in the evening. I went with an iced vanilla matcha latté, and it was delicious. It wasn't overly sweet, and the matcha was very well made. However, my chocolate chip cookie was a bit lacking in flavor which was a little disappointing. Overall, I would absolutely come back to De Fer. It is quite the popular spot for those working remotely, especially on a nice day when there is an option to sit outside. Give De Fer a try if you're craving coffee in the Strip!
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Brittany S.

Yelp
Before heading out of Pittsburgh for the drive home, we needed a quick caffeine jolt and thought it would be fun to pop into the strip district since we missed strolling the neighborhood on this trip. We followed the great reviews to this location in the heart of the district and were not disappointed. It was bustling on a Sunday morning at De Fer. They offer a variety of breakfast sandwiches, baked goodies and seasonal coffee drinks, as well as beans roasted in house. I ordered a spring espresso tonic, and it was just the kick I needed to start the day and not overly sweet. The staff was friendly and kept things moving despite the long line. The thing that stood out to me most about this particular coffee shop was how kid-friendly they were. They offered a small kids play area with a little kitchen place at along with several children's books. Overall, a highly positive experience and we would recommend.
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Himani M.

Yelp
A spacious, open-concept cafe with plenty of tables and seats, including the main ground floor and some more seating on the second level. Still, it can get crowded, when I came on a Saturday evening, for example. I got the seasonal Gingersnap Latte, which was fine, along with the Hummus Wrap that was ok. Also got a tiramisu, which surprisingly doesn't have eggs in it, but it was a little too heavy and rich for me. Overall, a good, popular cafe, right in the heart of the Strip District, to meet people or do work.
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Carla L.

Yelp
Hipster coffee shop keeping the Strip District of Pittsburgh alive on a Saturday Night! Nice meeting Nick and the crew! Stop by for coffee, cocktails, tea, wine or beer. Food includes vegan options. Great spot. The upstairs area caters to those working or looking for a quieter ambiance. Don't miss the art downstairs! I had a seasonal latte and a delightful glass of French bubbly . Nick told me that in the summer they open the garage door for live music! Can't wait! Welcome to the neighborhood.
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John Michael S.

Yelp
I got their spring espresso tonic and wow! It was perfection! The vibes were cute. The staff was friendly and efficient. The space was so nice and so clean.
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Menghai T.

Yelp
I got the ginger snap iced latte ($7). They made the drink in about 7 minutes and it emphasized more on the coffee side. You could taste the coffee more with a small hint of sweet ginger. It definitely more of a sippie latte but had great caffeine to it. Staff were very nice and gave recommendations . The inside was quite nice and had a good amount of seats for a sit down. Overall a very solid coffee shop in the strip district. I would come back again. Drink (50%): 8.3 Staff/service(25%): 8.0 Value(25%): 7.0 Overall: 8.2/10
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Liz G.

Yelp
Always love De Fer! Their coffee is amazing and so obviously their drinks are delicious too. Love that they make all of their own syrups! One of my favorite food items is the breakfast panini - it is seriously so good. It's made on homeade everything seasoned English muffin & it has a great crunch. The creamy miso chili crispy sauce on it is to die to! I recently tried one of their smoothie (blueberry almond banana) and it was delicious! The vibe of the cafe is amazing and always super busy. All of the staff is really friendly. They have a great happy hour and several cocktails, wine and beer too.
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Cayla S.

Yelp
Fun and cozy coffee shop in the strip district. I've been going to De Fer since 2017/2018. The vibes just get better. I love their seasonal drink menu. Parking is rather easy too. The staff is always chill and helpful.
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Xin F.

Yelp
Whether you enjoy coffee, tea, matcha or cocktails, this place has it all! I've only been surprised by all the drinks I've ever gotten them. So unique and tasty! If you're ever in the area, stop by for a quick drink. Staff are always so friendly and you know it's a chill spot as soon as you step foot into the store.
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Roman P.

Yelp
This place has tasty coffee! My husband had tried out this local shop and had ordered a latte. It was a simple order executed well. It was a bit pricy, but we've seen worse. The decor inside as well is nicely filled with what seems like local art, as well as some basic things for sale made by locals. I think that's a great touch for the community. Highly recommend, and service was a bonus too!
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Jessie S.

Yelp
not very good. we got an iced matcha and iced vanilla latte, both lacking. people were really friendly and seems like a great spot to do work.
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Natalie H.

Yelp
My coffee was ok, I don't think I'll come back. The store had a lot of local things to buy.

William S.

Yelp
De Fer has a great diverse menu and superb service. You really can't go wrong with a drop in for breakfast or lunch!!! The look and feel is inviting and comforting. Did I forget to mention the coffee? Again, superb. Love this place.
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Kaylie W.

Yelp
De Fer is one of my favorite weekend study spots. The menu is extensive, offering a wide variety of food and drink options. I've never had a bad coffee and sandwich here. They also offer a selection of alcohol. I love the cozy atmosphere of the cafe. There's lots of tables but since there's always a lot of people there to do work, it can be difficult to find a seat sometimes. Same goes for parking. On good days, there's a spot right outside the door, bad days I could be circling around the strip forever trying to find a spot. Overall, great cafe and would def come here more often if it's easier to find a seat and parking.
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Deb C.

Yelp
Such a great ambiance here. Loved their merch. Baristas were friendly, there's plenty of seating in the cafe. Matcha is super good, although unsweetened for anyone wondering. They also serve free babychinos which was a nice offering too!
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Kaleb M.

Yelp
The coffee here is great! I love that there is a large selection of coffee, tea, and beer/cocktails. There is something here for everyone.
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Carolyn C.

Yelp
Whether you're stopping by for a quick caffeine fix or settling in for a relaxing bite, De Fer has the perfect atmosphere to help you unwind and enjoy your drink of choice. They also serve alcohol. The real standout to us was the staff. Every person working at this café brought their A-game when it came to customer service. They were genuinely friendly, attentive, and willing to offer a recommendation if you're indecisive (which, trust me, is hard to avoid with so many delicious options). It's clear that they care about not only the quality of the drinks but also the experience of their customers.
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Maya B.

Yelp
Lots of food available as well as good coffee. Plenty of seating to get work done. Beautifully decorated!
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Nina B.

Yelp
Fun spot to grab a coffee or a drink! I had an espresso martini and my husband had the coffee old fashioned. Both arrived quickly and were delicious.
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Maansi S.

Yelp
I came here to study for finals and it was a great environment! I will definitely come back to try more items on the menu.
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Quynh M.

Yelp
Really enjoy going to De Fer. The vibe is very chill and plenty of seating inside. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Great place to get coffee and a pastry then hang out to do some work. Highly recommend!
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David R.

Yelp
A lot of unique offerings on the menu here! The coffee cake muffin was delicious. Beware: the spiced hot chocolate has hot chili spice in it! There are a lot of cool things to purchase here in the little "market" across from the coffee bar and the atmosphere is cozy and chic.
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Briana N.

Yelp
Super cute and yummy cafe spot! We stopped in on a busy and cold Saturday morning to grab a coffee and small bite before our day. We got a latte with maple syrup added, breakfast egg sandwich, ham and cheese croissant, oatmeal, hot chocolate and cappuccino. Everyone loved their food and drinks. The sandwiches were premade and heated up so I was a little skeptical, but they were very well seasoned and tasty. The server originally forgot the oatmeal in our order, but noticed quickly and gave us the meal for free. They were super nice and flexible about the small mishap. It was very cute in there and busy. Took a bit to find a table, but we had 6 people and eventually all had seats. Really nice place to grab a quick coffee!
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Alisa W.

Yelp
I really like this place. It is conveniently located between me and my best friend. We go at least once a month if not more. Your experience at De Fer will vary GREATLY depending on the day and time you go. Finding parking is always tricky in the strip no matter when you visit. De Fer has a calm and hipster vibe as many of the other reviewers mentioned. The brick walls with lots of local art, items for sale , and gallery lighting are cool. The baristas are nice and service is smooth. In addition to really terrific coffee, they have wine, cocktails, specialty non-caffeinated drinks and flavored coffees. The small menu includes a breakfast panini that I highly recommend. It has a diverse mix of ingredients which blend perfectly. One drawback is that seating is super-tight and there isn't much outside space to put tables. We usually order, cross over to the Terminal, and sit in the big Adirondack chairs. Great people watching and dog-petting spots!
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Lauren T.

Yelp
One of the best coffee shops in the Burgh. Stellar employees and a great selection of coffee drinks, and now some alcoholic bevs, too! They have a food menu, a great selection of coffee-related gifts for sale and ample room inside. My favorite thing is coming across an empty table outside (there are only a few) and people watching when the weather is warm.
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Julia C.

Yelp
Great experience spending an afternoon at the cafe! We unknowingly visited during National coffee week. Once the evening coffee cocktail specials started, the cafe began to get busy and more lively. They even had raffles for the event. Each day for National coffee week there was a different special event. Since we arrived early I ordered a fall spice drink. It was delicious and perfect for the fall season! Staff were all friendly and welcoming. Once we ordered we got a number for our table so the waitstaff could bring our drinks out to our table. The cafe has seating both inside and outside. There is space to come and get work done but there are not that many outlets. Overall a great place for coffee! They also have a decent food menu that I look forward to trying in the future!
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Abby K.

Yelp
Stoped for a cappuccino to go while walking around the strip district on a cold night. Not only was the drink great but the service was wonderful! The barista was incredibly friendly and warm. She made my day! I will definitely be back to explore more of their menu.
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Samantha L.

Yelp
Cute coffee shop in the Strip with a great food menu as well! I recently had a cappuccino and the halloumi panini and they were delicious. De Fer has a cool vibe as well - friendly staff and a nice atmosphere to work in. Only down side to coming here is the parking situation (as is with any place in the Strip now). Might have to do a couple of laps or pay to park in a lot if it's the weekend!

Mary R.

Yelp
Great vibes and amazing staff. One of my favorite cafes in Pittsburgh! The sandwiches and pastries are absolutely delicious and so is the coffee:)
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Marissa W.

Yelp
De Fer is such a cute space! Unlike most coffee shops in the strip, there is ample seating indoors and a few seats outside. They have a range of coffee options from nitro cold brew to pour over plus some fun seasonal items. I loved the bergamont lemon latte. Next time, I will need to try the food!
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Kathrine W.

Yelp
Wonderful coffee shop! De Fer is one of the best coffee shops I tried in Pittsburgh despite stiff competition. Their espresso was perfect - not burnt, not too strong, not watered down. The service was awesome; the baristas are all super friendly and are obviously really good at making coffee! The open-air seating area gives it an indoor-outdoor feel that is perfect for meeting friends, reading, or studying.
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Neli R.

Yelp
The food here is amazing apart form the good coffee. The ambiance is always casual. Today I started with the butternut squash hand pie for dinner it was a bit dry but good. Then i had the chai tea cake and it was sooo amazing!!!!!
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Gabriel S.

Yelp
Ham & cheese focaccia was pretty good. The bread was light, the fillings were pretty generous & it was fragrant, with a nice garlic note
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Tabatha W.

Yelp
It's good for the most part. I just can't get a lavender London fog here. The fall spice latte was excellent. The ready made food is good, but you're going to have a wait if you want something that requires heating. It's always crowded, so if you get a seat you're lucky.
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Lauren A.

Yelp
I look forward to going to De Fer for coffee, breakfast, drinks, brunch, teas/sauces/CBD drinks with friends or by myself to work, chill and/or study. It's a great location for people watching, staff are friendly and perfect for just hanging out. Everything on their menu is great and I can truly say that because I've tried just about everything (although they do change their menu seasonally). I would be remiss to not mention their espresso martini - in my opinion, it's the best in Pittsburgh! In February of 2022 I went to a coffee seminar that De Fer put on which was really informative and enjoyable. If you see or have the opportunity to attend this, I highly recommend! They also have great happy hour specials and great live music.
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Tyler P.

Yelp
Ok, bias alert. I drink their Sons of Vulcan espresso nearly every morning and it's their standard blend in all the espresso drinks. It's in my opinion a perfectly designed blend for any espresso based drink. You won't regret buying a bag, or 6. Let's talk the breakfast Sammy. It's otherworldly and I'm a sucker for smoked Gouda(pronounced how-da???). The English muffin is crispy and the sauce... chef's kiss**. The baristas really listen for example if you have a preference for something less sweet or more sweet. They know the drinks. So ask them questions if you're unsure. The space in the Strip is amazing and they sometimes have live music. Go early, it gets crowded for tables on weekends.
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Anastasia W.

Yelp
Best oat milks lattes around! Service tends to be fast and friendly. Get De Fer "for here" to enjoy the vibe and take your time with the food/drinks.
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Brittny D.

Yelp
Got the avocado toast. Wasn't very happy with the selection of bread as I HATE fennel and it had soo much in it. The coffee was okay. Location is nice. Probably won't return but happy I tried.
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Vincent Y.

Yelp
De fer had a cool hipster vibe to it. Did not get any food but instead got 3 iced coffees with two of my buddies. We thought the coffee was okay nothing spectacular. The barista served our coffee with a smile.
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Chelsea G.

Yelp
Great place to refuel in the Strip District. Things you should know: I. PARKING There's street parking along The Terminal but it fills up quick II. SERVICE Friendly III. QUALITY Rich & dense. If you don't like your coffee as strong, they have plenty of milk & alternative options. IV. CAPACITY Very busy ~ business is good

Ashley P.

Yelp
This is my second time coming here. I am visiting fork out of town and decided to come back. The first time I tried the vanilla lavender latte and it was amazing. The second time I tried the vanilla lavender flat white and also amazing- slightly more coffee taste which is what I was look for. This time I also tried some good. The breakfast sandwich- out of this world. The English muffins are homemade and I seriously want to eat 4 of them. The entire breakfast sandwich from the English muffin to the sauce were delicious. I am probably going to go back again tomorrow before I go back home
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Emili A.

Yelp
I really wanted to like the coffee here but I was having a slight goldilocks situation with the sweetness. Ordered an ice vanilla latte and at first I couldn't taste any of the vanilla at all, normally I don't make too much fuss but I did pay for the syrup so I went back and asked for more. Then, they dumped syrup in making it too sweet. I bought another latte just so I could mix the two and balance out the sweetness...... I did hear great reviews about this place and the latte was very strong with coffee taste so maybe it was just a fluke. I'm very open to trying this place out again as the interior and service was good! Will have to update the review when I get the chance.
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Nick C.

Yelp
There is this weird dynamic in the "Strip District" of Pittsburgh. Most of the businesses close at 3:00 or 4:00 through the week. Super disappointed because several places we planned on visiting were closed. This was one of the few coffee shops open but the bakery next door was closing and wouldn't let us make a quick purchase. Staff was friendly enough. The coffee was okay, nothing special in my opinion. It wasn't terrible but not good enough I'd make a point to go back.
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Amber M.

Yelp
This space is so cute and the staff is SO NICE! The pastries and sandwiches are very generous in size and delicious. There's also a wall opposite the service area where you can grab an eclectic variety of gifts items like shirts, candles and coffee service supplies.