Amazing pastries, lovely backyard, and delicious coffee! It's a great stop on your way to or from Lofty Pigeon on the corner. Super clean and generally very calm even when it's busy. read more

The oat berry bars here are terrific! Located not too far from Prospect Park this pasty and coffee shop serves up delicious baked goods. I recently had a few of those oat bars after a race in the park and loved them! The bars feature a chewy, hearty oat base layered with seasonal, house-made fruit jam (like blueberry or mixed berry) and topped with a crunchy oat crumble. Was a perfectly healthy treat after a warm sweaty 5K race. Will go back and check out what else they offer. read more

Der Pioneer - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Great Local Pastry Spot! Love all their seasonal pastries! Great to have a dessert/pastry shop in the area. Everyone who works here is always so friendly and so helpful! read more

Der Pioneer - Their fresh made food selection. Included freshly made sandwiches and soups! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Had the Raspberry Mousse Gateau which was sweet and tangy. Quite delicious. Also ordered the chocolate brownie which was gooey rich, marble cake and the tomato mozzarella and roasted vegetables sandwich. Service was quick and friendly. Cute cafe joint. read more

Der Pioneer - Tomato Mozzarella and Roasted Vegetable Sandwich, assorted cakes and raspberry Mousse Gateau - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Just wow. So many baristas don't know how to make a cappuccino correctly, but here they do. The almond chocolate croissant is perfection: flaky and buttery and dreamy. I still haven't ordered anything else! read more

Great spot for coffee and cold brew. Great friendly service too. If your looking for a spot to do some work/study that is laptop friendly this is a great spot as there's plenty of spots to sit with outlets to plug-in. It does get busy tho! read more

Overall, ambience gives neighborhood breakfast spot. The space isn't large but pretty cozy. Small outdoor seating area in the back . Menu items are premade and just sitting waiting to be purchased. Service is pretty quick but not very efficient because the dishes aren't disposable . The egg sandwich was good. The turkey sandwich could have been better if the bread was toasted and the contents were warm. The banana walnut bread warmed up is everything! Try it if you're in the neighborhood, I probably won't be going back. read more

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Stopped in for a quick coffee and meal. The place was small but convenient. I ordered a decaffeinated drink and eggs sandwich. The coffee was ok and egg salad sandwich was interesting. I really didn't asked about the bread choices but didn't expect the burger bun default choice for an egg salad sandwich. Seemed like an over priced sandwich to begin with at $12 and the burger bun was odd. She added Spinach leaves to it which was an unpleasant leaf choice for this sandwich. Paid close to $20 for both items which was pricey if you ask me. The service was off, I asked for a bag because she handed me a box that contained my sandwich at which she came out snobby and said I should ask for a bag at checkout because they charge for bags. Whelp, it would be nice to actually have been offered a bag at check out because no where in the store does it say the to go items do not come with a bag and or there is a fee for the bag. Rude. I will not be returning. read more

Der Pioneer - Bag - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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I'm sad I waited so long to try out Der Pioneer and I even declined an invite to meet a friend there months ago because it didn't look like they would have anything vegan friendly besides coffee. I finally stopped in yesterday and was pleased to discover friendly neighborhood coffee shop vibes, along with a absolutely delicious vegan salted caramel cake. Paired with a hot oat milk latte, quick efficient service, and a bright, open, and bustling atmosphere and I had a great hangout chatting with a friend. This is a great stretch of Church Ave where I often find myself looking for a spot to chill for a bit. So happy to have found a new place to fall in love with! read more

Der Pioneer - Salted caramel cake and an oat milk latte. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I really want to like this place more. It's within walking distance of my friends' apartment and is a great fit for the vibrancy of the neighborhood. It's small, but has a back patio perfect for a fall afternoon. And the service is solid. It feels a little frantic, but they are great at expediting food/beverages and are friendly in a city that can feel a bit abrupt and unnecessarily fast-paced. Where Der Pioneer fails is food quality and availability. Their food is good, not great. I've tried their breakfast sandwich, "burrito", and quiche. Their pastries are much better than their savories and drinks. And the last two times I've gone, they have been out of breakfast sandwiches. Both times were before Noon, so it was a disappointed both times. But, I'm glad there are so many people who like the place and they seem to be doing well! I'll definitely give other places in the area a try. read more

Easily give this place a five out of five. I walk past a couple other coffee shops to come here. I am crazy for croissants & this place perfectly delivers. An almond croissant is normally my go to, and this place hands-down has the best almond croissants in the neighborhood if not this whole side of Prospect Park. They seem to go the extra mile on everything both for ingredients, quality, delivery, and service. I got a double shot of espresso and a ceramic cup, and they warmed it with hot water before putting the shot of espresso inside, very nuanced greatly appreciated. They also provided the spoon necessary to stur the crema. Today it was rainy, so it was relatively packed with people on computers- I usually sit in the outdoor space in the back. Not hating on computer people, but it is nice to have a spot to sit down and eat and drink, especially since I do not like using plastic cups or to go containers. This was also during the week, I know they are a little strict on weekends. Bathroom was very clean. Staff always has a smile! Thanks for serving the community! read more

Der Pioneer is a gem in the Prospect Park South neighborhood. The wide variety of delectable and scrumptious pastries they offer is greatly appreciated. The almond croissant is amazing and I'd highly recommend this flaky treat if it isn't sold out. Service is friendly and efficient. The store is cozy and laptops aren't allowed during certain hours on the weekend. The weekends are for buttery baked confections and not checking your email. But yeah, definitely check this place out if you're in need of a pastry and caffeine fix. read more

The cherry walnut brownie was delicious even though I had to play hide and seek to find any trace of walnuts. I ate this a day later and it was still moist and fudgy. The sandwich which I ate at home was not a success because it was pre-made and the side with the mayo and tomatoes on it was soaked through and the bread was soggy and fell apart. I also had the runs after eating this $9 sandwich. I will not buy another sandwich from here again. I would have preferred to have the sandwich freshly made and then have the mayo on the side. The other side of the sandwich had mustard on it which was a surprise. I'm not sure what on the sandwich messed with my digestive system but I'll stick to their baked goods instead. read more

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Der is my fav coffee shop. The service is always food and friendly. The food is good and the coffee is fabulous. The prices are very good. The outdoor seating in the back is very nice. read more

A few times, I do a random google map search in the area to see what places are newly open or just available for my random whims. Der pioneer was one of these places I put in my list to visit when I'm in the area. By chance, I needed to eat and my gym was in the area. If you are going to a cafe for coffee or tea, this could be the place for you (whether to go or in person). My London fog (with oat milk) was done right and they have the options for different sweeteners if you prefer agave! But something that intrigued me about this spot as opposed to other cafes is their pastry and baked goods sections. As apparent by the name, there's a couple more German pastries available through the baked good window but overall they have a nice assortment. They even have caneles which are hard to make. They have desserts in the same window and also in the fridge near the register. They had a nice looking mousse which I enjoyed. Of course, depending on when you go, some things would not be available. I think I was the last one to get the egg and bacon sandwich when I ordered it (plus it is actual egg and not egg byproduct). Other than that, I think it is chill. They prefer cash to card, they have hours and sections which they say no to laptops so it might not be your optimal work space but I say it is pretty decent read more

Der Pioneer - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Needed some caffeine, and found this spot on Church Ave, I did want to say usually when you step into a coffee shop, the aroma of fresh brew uplifts your senses. However, here I didn't get the exact vibes. I ordered a large Hot Brew with a shot of French Vanilla, and the Barista was alright and left some room for cream n sugar. I was looking over their pastries as I see they had an open bakery toward the back, however they didn't looked appetizing as it appeared really dry. I just want to say if your going to charge $5+ for a cup of coffee put some kick into your beans at least guys, I would say it's time to level up your coffee bean game. read more

One of the best caneles I've had. I like walking here to grab coffee once in a while and I always get 2 caneles because they are that good! I wish they were closer to me because I'd get a canele everyday! Also for coffee they have a point system which I haven't seen in a while, so it's nice to be rewarded. This is such a cute cafe to grab a quick bite or to work in. It's small but seating is comfortable and there's an outdoors. read more

Der Pioneer - Caneles are a must! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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I stopped at this little coffee/pastry cafe recently during one of my daily walks. It's a little pricy for Church Avenue but my coffee was high quality and the folks working here were all very friendly. Also, worth, noting is their beautiful backyard where I sat and enjoyed my coffee! I've walked by on weekends and recommend if you like tranquility to visit during the week when they are much less crowded! read more

Der Pioneer - Very cute backyard dining area - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

The place is small but there are few tables inside you can sit in. I order the matcha latte and it's kinda small. The drink is okay. There was only one barista and also is the cashier. They also have some pastries you can order as well. read more

Der Pioneer - Drink menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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We moved to Kensington a year ago, but I hadn't stopped by this amazing cafe and pastry shop for half a year after that. I am sad I'll never get those six months back. Perfect croissant and pastry of all kinds, where you can taste the freshness of the butter and watch every morning as (the owners?) personally create all of these treats in the open/glass kitchen. You can tell they love their work and it definitely shows. For lunch they have simple sandwiches served on fresh baguette. Extravagant cakes and tarts and pies for every holiday. Great music and friendly service all throughout the pandemic, and a back garden to meet friends in the neighborhood or to sip espresso or hot cocoa with your kids. Highly recommend. read more

Der Pioneer - Creating, in front of my eyes, the decadent thing that I am eating. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I love this neighborhood coffee shop and cafe. All of their sandwiches and pastries are delicious, the staff are friendly, and they have a great backyard. My favorite item here is the canele which is soooo heavenly. The outside is crispy and chewy at the same time, and the inside is like bread pudding. It's the perfect treat and probably one of the best caneles I've ever had in NYC and in France. read more

This is very good coffee and (what I think of as) Viennese-style pasty. I always order an Americano, and it's bold and smooth--just like I like! I often get the Franzbrötchen, a cinnamon-sugar delight that is just a little crispy without being over the top, but the other selections are consistently satisfying. Not always for everyone: it can get somewhat "family-ish" on weekends and it's usually poppin'. But it's my favorite over ALL the other cafes in the area. read more

The most burned bitter coffee I have ever had. If you want more than a pastry it's all got meat in it (except the egg salad). I'm also not into coffee shops on the edge of gentrifying areas using "pioneer" or "frontier" or "hinterlands" in their name seems hostile to the longtime locals. read more

UPDATE A/O 10/4/20 - The seas parted and the gates of Heaven have opened up. Yes, Der Pioneer is now delivering to our neck of the woods via Grub Hub and I'm ever so grateful. The roasted vegetable and chicken sandwich on ciabatta with pesto was divine. Another awesome establishment rockin it during the pandemic. Thank you Der Pioneer! read more

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Everything is weird now with COVID-19, but I'm glad Der Pioneer is still around. They do excellent espresso coffees, they have several non-dairy milk options (soy, almond, oat). Coffees and pastries are totally reasonable for what you're getting. And my, my, the pastries. They have everything. Sometimes I cannot pick one, so I buy several. Chocolate croissant? Yes. Almond croissant? Yes. Chocolate almond croissant? Yes... and they usually have vegan and/or gluten free cookies or whatever. The earlier you get there, the more options they have. Except on Mondays when they're closed. Somehow I always try to go there Monday on the way to work and I'm never awake enough to remember... Anyway, I'm not sure what they're doing in terms of meals these days, but in pre-pandemic times they had a full menu of various sandwiches and brunchy things made to order. Salads, quiche. Just delicious. There's a really nice back patio with umbrellas and big tables. They prefer cash but also take cards, and have hand sanitizer. read more

A true hidden gem of the neighborhood, and they've only shined brighter through the tough pandemic times. It's a bit out of the way, but so worth it if you're in the area. They make a slew of incredible dishes. Their dishes are familiar but they take it to another level. They've recently reopened for takeout, offering new items, their usual menu items, as well as some meal kits. Before pandemic, when dining in was an option, it was always so busy in here. Super family friendly as well, so it was always better to get here earlier than later. Some of my favorites off the menu included the Eggs Amatrciana American Style, Cheddar Chive biscuit, Smoked Salmon sandwich, Omelet, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, and Avocado Toast. Some of these items aren't currently available, but they still offer a bunch of other items, mostly sandwiches and pastries. I enjoy their sandwiches, which are served on a croissant or biscuit. The Cheddar Chive biscuit might be my favorite go to item. It's also great for reheating. Their pastries are all amazing. The owner here is super nice and the staff is always welcoming. They've recently offered some other special items, including Korean bbq kits, lemon ricotta pancake kit, and hot dogs/hamburgers for Memorial Day. The Korean bbq kit is definitely worth it if you're dying for some bbq. It's been too long going without some decent Korean bbq, and you'll be surprised. This kit might taste better than some restaurant bbq I've had. The lemon ricotta pancakes are also fantastic. These kits are super easy to cook up as well. read more

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I recently bought a bike, which has helped me to venture out more. The good news is that riding a bike around the neighborhood is much healthier than sitting on my couch and watching tv all day. The bad news is that I'm going out to eat more and allowing myself to get dessert because I just rode my bike and that was hard! That brings us to Der Pioneer. I stopped in here on a Sunday morning around 10 AM. At first, I thought it was your typical run-of-the-mill coffee café. Upon first glance, they have a few tables, a bunch of hot and cold drinks and a glass display filled with delicious looking pastries and desserts. My favorite thing was that the people preparing food are in an enclosed see-through room right by the register. Customers are able to watch (and drool) as their items are being prepared. My lady and I ordered at the counter and then realized there was a whole backyard area, which we immediately decided we needed to go to. Whenever I have the chance to sit outside on a nice day I'm there. When eating is involved, the likelihood increases by 1,000. I ordered the huevos rancheros and she had the breakfast sandwich. We both loved our meals. The food was very flavorful and super filling. I'm pretty sure this is impossible, but it tasted like my beans were made by hand. Almost like each bean was hand rolled and injected with love. I don't even like beans that much, but those beans are heaven sent. On the way out, I got a gluten free cranberry chocolate scone and holy shnikies. A gluten free baked good has never, I repeat, never ever tasted as buttery and flakey as this scone of the gods. I highly recommend this place. read more

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Wonderful feature of the neighborhood. Great ambiance. Note: no laptops allowed on the weekend, which isn't great for weekend workers, BUT it also gives you a better chance at getting a seat. read more

There are 4 coffee shops within 3 blocks of my house and this is by far the best one. The chef and owner has done such a wonderful job curating the menu and baked goods over the last couple years and every time I go in he's always working his butt off and is extremely kind. The coffee here is outstanding, especially the espresso! I love sitting in the back of the shop especially because it's so quiet. read more

Update 12/19: How rare for a place to get better the longer it's around. . . Der Pioneer has the best pancake I've ever had in my life, hands down. You get one giant, fluffy, ricotta-filled pancake per order and believe me, there's nothing quite like it. We've been almost every weekend since they've opened and don't plan on stopping anytime soon! Lovely neighborhood coffee shop with great pastries! We've been missing a place like this in the neighborhood, and I'm really glad that we finally have it! The coffee is great, as is the food. Also a huge fan of the decor. The wood tables and chairs give the place a nice warmth, and the general ambience is very peaceful. I wish they had a veggie sandwich without mushrooms or eggplant, but I'll cut them some slack, since they just opened. :D read more

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This cafe is just around the corner from where I live and finally went this morning. The vibe is cool, the decor minimalist and the crowd mixed with hipsters, moms and freelancers that can support a good wifi! I tried the breakfast sandwich ($8) and a cup of coffee and it was very good although I think if you charged $2 more and added potato wedges or salad people would buy that to get a real fill/meal. The see thru kitchen and pretty large backyard are plus factors as well I will return to try the burger and bring my wife and son back for brunch. oh and they take Square (unlike many establishments in and around Windsor Terrace/Kensington) which is such a relief. We will return and good job guys! read more

Der Pioneer - Der Pioneer Breakfast Sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Pioneer sprinkle cookies! Hooray!! You can sit outside bench and get some sun bathing and chill! read more

A sweet little place with many pastries, baked goods and sandwich options when we came to visit. I got the salmon sandwich which was tasty, and my partner got a gluten free cherry chocolate scone which they said was good as well. They have milk alternatives! Would have liked to see more gluten free options:) read more

Der Pioneer - Two lattes (left regular, right with oat milk). Chocolate cherry scone and a salmon sandwich. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Plain latte was $5 after tax, which was slightly more expensive than other places. No complaints, but it was nothing special. If you're trying to get work done, don't go during peak hours, as it can definitely get loud especially with families and kids coming in. I came on a Saturday from noon to around 3pm. It was a lot quieter around 2pm and there were plenty of open spots. Outlets were easy to find. Haven't tried their food yet, but it looks like they have some good pastries and desserts. read more

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Very nice spot to have freshly made coffee , pastries or sandwich . We stopped by to have some coffee and something sweet to eat. Cappuccino was good , banana bread was a bit dry for me, I do not think I will have it again . But canellé was good, soft inside . People were ordering sandwiches , and it looked really good. We will try it next time! read more

Der Pioneer - Canelé was good($3) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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i've never been to the physical store, only had takeout but they have some of the best pastries. the coffee is also very strong and good! highly recommend. read more

First tried this place during lease-signing and dropped in just because. I had the gluten-free berry scone and it blew me away. Delicious and flaky--best I've had in a long time (including when I used to eat gluten). Definitely will be back! I've since tried the cold brew and it's not bad. My second favorite thing here is the "GF avocado toast" breakfast option--potatoes instead of toast. See pic. read more

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There are so many adorable coffee shops, bars, and eateries along this stretch of Church Avenue, making this block an exciting reprieve from an otherwise low-key neighborhood. If you find yourself around these parts, don't skip a visit to Der Pioneer for one of their many lattes, pastries, and sandwiches. I came away with a delicious chai latte and pain aux raisin. I don't think they make their baked goods on their premises, but I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious and fresh my breakfast treat tasted. Among the other baked goods I noticed a coffee cake, pumpkin bread, muffins, and croissants in their case, any of which would make for a nice snack. read more

I got a gluten free and non gf pastry and both were put together in same bag. Meaning my wife couldn't eat the gf pastry bc of cross contamination It's a concern of celiac folks that when that happens it feels unsafe to eat at a place because the staff doesn't understand the importance of separating gf and non gf food. If you're gf- make sure they separate your food. read more

The closest coffee shop to my home was Dunkin Donuts until Der Pioneer came into my life. It is EVERYTHING I want and need in a local, independent cafe -- as a freelancer, a foodie, a coffee junkie, a health nut (at times), and a sweet tooth (those other times). This is what I value and what Der Pioneer provides: 1. Freelancer amenities: Great WiFi, electrical outlets for laptops, and about 50% to 75% of the seating allotted for laptop users, with the back for those who come for conversation or the traditional cafe experience. No one makes you feel unwelcome even if you spend hours and hours here working on your laptop (after ordering something, of course). But there is a request that you not talk on your cell phone, which is a bit inconvenient for me in my line of work, but totally understandable. People can be jerks when they talk loudly on their phones in public. I get it. Boundaries. 2. Food: One of my biggest complaints about other freelancer-friendly cafes is that there are no food options besides baked goods. I don't care how good the pastries are. Actually, I wish they were worse. I spend my whole time there trying not to order them. But Der Pioneer has a full breakfast and lunch menu (and pop-up dinners) with fresh vegetables, animal proteins, and cheese. I adore the chicken Parmesan with broccoli rabe. It's a sandwich, but I get it without bread. The broccoli rabe is the best. It's tender, yet crunchy and sprinkled with Parmesan and slivered almonds. The chorizo egg burrito is another favorite. Today I had the vegetable mozzarella omelet with side salad, and it was so fluffy, packed with good vegetables and oozing with stringy cheese. The salad had good spring mix greens and the sweet tangy punch of thin green apple slices and flavor spike of radish. 3. If you're going to go the bread and pastry route, this is the place to do it. At least one of the owners is an official pastry chef, and it shows in the product. The French sweets are above and beyond. The baked goods are creative and varied. Everything is crafted fresh and in-house, and you can watch the owner-chefs and staff create their culinary magic in the glassed-in kitchen. 4. Ambiance: It's very important to me that the atmosphere is chic. Otherwise, I might as well get my drink and/or food to go, right? At Der Pioneer, the tables are live-edge wood, which I adore. The light fixtures and general style here is understated rustic-modern chic. The bathroom is huge, clean and has great wallpaper. 5. Staff and service: My favorite barista is this one friendly young woman; I forget her name, but she has dark hair and a nose ring sometimes. She's sweet. If you come somewhat regularly, the owners will notice and talk to you more often, while they're working. They're friendly to newcomers too, so that's cool. 6. Coffee/Drinks: This is my least favorite part of Der Pioneer, which is funny because it's a coffee shop. (But also bistro-cafe-bakery-patisserie.) I like that it's a local brand, Brooklyn Roasting Company; I just don't like the taste of BRC's coffees, any blend. My favorite is Counter Culture, which is actually from North Carolina, but it's smoother and fruitier. Oh well. I still drink it. It's way better than many other brands, and if you get anything other than simple brewed coffee (what I order), then it's probably great. Oh, order the cannelle pastry whenever it's there. There's a reason it's the center of Der Pioneer's logo. Seriously. That's it. ;-) read more

Der Pioneer - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York