Larissa G.
Yelp
De Fer Coffee & Tea is definitely on my "Top 5 Coffee Shops in Pittsburgh" list! Although they're not JUST a coffee shop; they're more of a "coffee shop meets cafe meets cocktail bar" kind of place. It sounds like a lot, but trust me: it works for them.
Here are some of the most important things to know about De Fer: their menu is eclectic and amazing (more on this shortly!); there's a decent amount of seating for those of us who want to sit down with our order and/or work on our laptops; and also, the staff maintains a good-sized shopping area. Items for sale include spices, sweets, candles, locally made apparel and art, tea and coffee, etc. Because the shelves of goods are located across from the main bar, it's easy to browse while you're in line waiting to order (or just in general if it's not too busy).
Food and drink-wise, this is honestly one of the only coffee shops where I periodically have trouble making a final selection! De Fer has a great line-up of traditional coffee drinks, seasonal beverages, and smoothies to choose from. And if you want to pair your beverage with a meal or snack? Your options range from a sampling of different kinds of toast, to breakfast favorites (think oatmeal and frittatas), to sandwiches, to baked goods. Did I mention yet that it's all so, so good?
(Disclaimer: I haven't really ordered a lot of alcoholic drinks from De Fer so I can't comment on them - know that they're also part of the menu as long as you're not ordering to-go.)
The only drawback to De Fer's flagship location is that getting to and from the Strip, and parking in it, can be a pain. I'm crossing my fingers for a shop to open a little closer to me one day since they've been able to expand into a few other neighborhoods. But until then, I'm willing to make the trek periodically to treat myself to their amazing creations. They're in my Top 5 Coffee Shops in Pittsburgh for a reason, after all!