High Quality! This is a lovely cafe. It has great ambiance, clean and modern, but not cold in any way. The pastry, coffee and food were all wonderful. Each item in the pastry shelf looked beautiful and tasted even better. Everything I tried simply burst with flavor. I also had some of the food and was impressed by both the flavor and the presentation. And befitting a good cafe, the coffee was great. Best of all, the staff and chef were super nice, not at all pretentious. I felt as if I was being welcomed into someone's home. read more

I don't often review but being a loyal customer since I first discovered this green two months ago, and never bring let down I had to. Everything is great here. From sandwiches to the rum balls, which aren't displayed and are held in the back fridge kept cold. The classic go-to is their almond croissants which usually sell it by 830am. read more

Quiche and coffee were delicious. Nice service. Terrific location next to bike shop. Doing well with safe practices during pandemic.

I've only been once, to be fair, but I wasn't a fan of the food. I ordered the huevos rancheros and it was way overpriced and just meh. The tortilla was soft and soggy, which is almost sacrilege for huevos rancheros. The eggs were overcooked and not sunny side up, which is also a big faux pas for huevos rancheros. The bakery looked amazing so I thought I couldn't go wrong with a basic chocolate cookie, but it was flavorless and the consistency was too crumbly and dry. The macchiato was way off the mark and should have been labeled as a Turkish coffee. Not sure if I'll give this place another try... read more

Yes it is a hipster joint in a gentrified old Brooklyn neighborhood but giving credit where credit is due. Unlike other hipster place where it is all fluff and no substance, this place is legit. My french husband approves too lol. I would go back again but it is out of the way from us, it was by my best friend's old neighborhood and was visiting their parents when I stumbled on this place. I will drive from the other side of Brooklyn for this place again. read more

I really enjoy Der Pioneer. I used to come very weekend but for some reason they stopped serving their Eggs Benedict (apparently it is seasonal?). This is unfortunate, as their eggs benedict is the best eggs benedict in the world and would often be the highlight of my weekend. I still frequent this place though not as much as I used to. The staff and coffee are all wonderful. But, perhaps I am crazy, I would like it if they served their eggs benedict all year round. read more

So good!! I've been so disappointed by restaurant week so many times over the last 21 years. They often feel lazy, not inventive, and just dull. This was anything but! And sure, it was a burger with potatoes and salad. But. Perfect. Such a delicious little bistro burger with cheese, pickles, flavor, and a bun that melts in your mouth. Potatoes that were just perfect. A small salad that was delicious, flavorful and fresh! Bravo Der Pioneer!! Staff was exceptionally lovely and efficient as well. Thank you!! read more

Really good cold brew, delicious chocolate croissant. Portions were s,all for the price, but everything was high quality. I did find it odd that the "to stay" glasses are actually plastic. Seating is limited and the inside is a bit noisy when crowded. read more

came here for brunch with my bf & we ordered: 1. coffee - brooklyn roasters 2. cortado - smooth and silky, mm 3. apple streudel - we saw it come out, but it wasn't warm :(, their other pastries looked super tasty though. 3. lemon ricotta pancakes to die for - fluffy, fragrant, crisp edges (when you let it cool!). comes with room temp butter ready to be slabb'd right on, blueberry jam & syrup. $13 for two is totally worth it in my book. 4. pasta carbonara - here is where the stars start dropping. smells great, tastes salty. the noodles are cooked to a perfect al dente. however, the first time we received this dish it was too salty to eat. i told the chef who was super kind and offered to remake it for us. the second dish was less salty, but still too salty.... i felt so bad for my boyfriend bc i told him to order this dish. very generous on the noodles & meat and definitely waaay too generous on the salt. i wish they asked us how we like our noodles as well. i guess the lesson to be learned is to never order specialty dishes at brunch unless it's their cuisine. would only come back for their breakfast items and pastries! read more

I have been waiting for a long time for Der Pioneer to open. I live on Webster and E. 8th St, in Kensington, its about a 30 min walk from me. Today the sun was finally out and in full force. So I walked over to this long awaited cafe and treated myself to a very good sandwich, a Cuban and heavenly little cake. I was able to get a seat, but soon that will be impossible. Der Pioneer is one small storefront, it could easily be 2 and maybe should have been planned that way. The sandwich was excellent, good toasted bread layered with meat of a mellow flavor, grainy mustard, melting cheese and thinly sliced sour pickles. The sweets are outstanding. Besides the milk chocolate mousse confection in the picture which was really good, I bought a lemon tart, apple strudel and sacher torte to bring home. These items were made at the hands of a gifted pastry chef. The strudel pastry was flaky, delicate and crisp where it should be. The filling of apples were a perfect texture, with a wonderful blend of sweet and spice. The lemon tart had a light crisp sweet crust, which speaks to the level of the pasty chef. Typically the crust of small tarts tend to be too thick and tough, not in this lemon tart, it was thin and crisp and a joy to bite into. It had a good amount of lemon filling, resulting in a nice tart flavor burst. The tart is finished with stars of delicately browned meringue. The sacher cake has a very good chocolate flavor, a chocolately filling is spread between very thin layers of cake and then coated in a shiny oozy chocolate glaze, moist and dense, it was spectacular. This area of Church seems to be the place where it all may begin for Kensington, which is bereft of all the commercial grooviness of other nearby neighborhoods. There is a spiffy wine & spirits store, The Gilded Grape and a few doors down, an equally spiffy Mexican restaurant Loba Cantina, and a fine little watering hole named Hinterlands. Like I said this may be the spot that helps put Kensington on the map, besides reasonably priced housing and superior transportation options, we now have a strip of all good things. read more

This place has a great atmosphere, a nice view of a tree-lined street out the front window, and good coffee (and thankfully NOT La Colombe!). The owner who does the pastries is friendly and gracious, and his pastries are spectacular. They have a good selection of reasonably priced breakfast staples and fancier desserts that are fun splurges. Haven't tried the sandwiches yet but will definitely be back. How can it have been so long for a coffee shop / cafe to come to Church between Coney Island and Ocean Pkwy? This place nails it and somehow manages to be family friendly without feeling overrun, enough so that it's also a good spot to relax with a book or get some work done. read more

So glad I found this place. The food is delicious and the coffee is perfect. I come here to hang out and do some work. The barista is kind of grumpy, but I think that's his persona and he's actually nice. read more

I tried the pastries at Der Pioneer & be still my heart! Finally a premier bakery. Everything including the help was the best of the best.

This chef's cafe is amazing. It has an open kitchen with food and pastries you'd expect at a fine restaurant (and for reasonable prices). The workspace is clean and serene, white with warm wood. When they didn't have a large salad, the chef came out, asked me what I wanted in it, and presented me with a rainbow work of art: read more

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

My now husband and I got our wedding cake from Der Pioneer and it was absolutely delicious! We ordered a white cake with passion fruit filling - fantastic. Many of our guests commented that it was the best or only wedding cake that they actually enjoyed. The owner, Bjorn, was super friendly and was very accommodating. When we picked-up the cake, he even added flowers of our choice. When we went to the cafe the first time, we ordered some cappuccinos and a scone, which were super good. We really hope that more people in the hood there give this place a try! read more

Wonderful food, nice people. Too bad they don't have cornbread.

I cannot say enough for this charming neighborhood spot! I was in quick need of some delicious baked goods en route to the hospital to visit my Grandfather who has quite a sweet tooth. Der Pioneer had just opened so thought I'd give it a try when I was in a bind for time! Upon entering, the space was fresh, bright, clean, and airy with a warm energy and vibe. I was immediately hooked; Everything is farm to table fresh with only the best of ingredients. Greg and Bjorn are true World Class Pastry and Gourmet chefs who have worked at some of the most highly regarded restaurants in Manhattan (and the World for that matter.) Kudos to these remarkable men who wished to contribute their dreams and talents to the local Kensington/Prospect Park neighborhood. I was so taken by their friendliness and the ambiance of the space that when I wished to treat my husband to a special first Father's Day breakfast I desired something more intimate and unique rather than our typical downtown Manhattan spots. I shared a description of my husbands favorite foods and together came a delightfully scrumptious and well thought customized breakfast entailing more courses and plates than our stomachs could even hold! To see the sincere thought and passion Greg and Bjorn put into this memorable breakfast was warming and the smile on theirs and my husbands face as we enjoyed this very special morning was priceless. It is a day my husband and I will never forget and I will not hesitate to think of Greg and Bjorn of Der Pioneer for future fond occasions or a rewarding confectionary treat when I wish to unwind. PS- The outdoor patio in the back is extra zen on a sunny day! Totally recommend venturing to Brooklyn for a visit to Prospect Park followed/preceded by Der Pioneer. read more

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This place is great - the tarts, the caramelized nuts, the sandwiches, the pancakes, the coffee, and the super friendly staff! It hasn't disappointed. My husband and I have had brunch twice, and picked up sweets to go at least half dozen times and everything we had hits the spot. So lucky to have this place open. read more

a piece of quiche and a slice of avocado toast are so nice;)) However, it locates inconvenience place.. I walked from Church ave station though, you might take a bus. read more

This place is fantastic! I had the chicken parm sandwich and it was one of the best that I have had in a long time. The space is open and bright and a great place to enjoy lunch. I will return often. read more

I've been packing on a couple pounds thanks to the amazing cinnamon scones, lemon blueberry muffins, banana bread, oatmeal cookies, croissants and I haven't even tried the more fancy cakes! Have yet to try the lunches. Coffee is yummy. There's a great view out the window. Peaceful and sunny in the morning. Backyard potential. Welcome to Church avenue! read more

So I like this place -- I like the baked goods and I like the owner, who has come out to say hello. But they always get my coffee order wrong. Always. It's not a complicated order -- it involves the coffee being a little extra strong and slightly sweet -- but they always mess it up. They have given it to me without the strong, without the sweet, with too much sweet, in the wrong size cup, and so on. Occasionally they have handed me something that was completely undrinkable and I've asked them to re-make it, and they have. Still. I understand that it's probably a complicated job to pull shots -- there are a lot of variables and when the place gets busy, they are under time pressure. But it's like the women working the espresso machine never drink coffee themselves and have no idea what it's supposed to be. I'm saying this in the hope that Der Pioneer gets better with its coffee. The baked goods are truly good. read more

This review is based on the most AMAZING passionfruit wedding cake I had the other day. Wow. I am a self-proclaimed cake snob, and work in the catering and events world, so I've tried a lot in my time (including the cakes at many multimillion dollar overly flashy weddings). This was one of the best: well-proportioned in terms of icing/cake and such an excellent flavor profile. If you're in the hunt for a wedding cake - try Der Pioneer!!! read more

Overpriced spot with uncomfortable seating that is seemingly always in someone else's way, rude clerks who act like they are in Williamsburg not Ditmas Park, and a tiny box room with a big glass window on the prep staff, which makes them look like they are a human zoo--it's terrible. Somehow it's always cold too. read more

I am utterly in shock at how amazing this place is! Aesthetically, it's very nice, simple and modern, with a kitchen behind open glass. The pastries all look amazing and whatever I have tried has been fantastic. Try the latte and don't sweeten it, it was fantastic. Welcome to the neighborhood! read more

Very nice coffee, very clean and minimal cafe- Barista and Cashiers are very friendly... they also have free wifi and a killer DJ (blonde redhead, serge gainesbourg) very relaxing... don't know why the cold brew costs $4.00, when a hot coffee costs 3.00. A little square of apple strudel for $5.00- seriously. Lower your prices on pastries so people can actually try them, or give a discount after a certain time so us poor folk can try a macaroon! read more

I rarely write reviews, but this place is amazing. Stopped by for a quick lunch and were blown away. Their sandwiches are exquisite and the pastries are a work pic art while being delicious. Totally coming back! read more

I recently went to Germany on vacation. While there I experienced several amazing things one being cake or pastries on Sunday. Really cake, but amazing cakes. I was visiting a friend in Brooklyn and she suggested Der Pioneer. The desserts are perfection works of art. Each one looks scrumptious and delicious. My favorite spot for sweets had been Magnolia Bakery. However, it always felt like I was in a line at a sample sale while visiting Magnolia. Der Pioneer is my favorite place now, its quaint and no its not Starbucks were people can set up and work all day and sit around. But I spent about an hour and 1/2 and really enjoyed the pastries and atmosphere. I usually don't comment or rate many places, but I am hoping that Der Pioneer opens in the city, Soho, meatpacking district????? I would definitely go on a regular basis. Thanks for making me remember the sweet time I had in Germany while visiting a friend in Brooklyn. read more

By far the most incredible pancakes you have ever had in your entire life! I am always surprised that there isn't a line out the door for these pancakes-wonderfully decadent, fluffy and bursting with flavor. The coffee is awesome and all of the other brunch items that I have tried are also excellent! Definitely do not pass this place up if you are int he area. read more

Always a great spot for brunch and coffee. A little over priced, but I'm thrilled to have such a great selection of baked goods and fresh morning/brunch/lunch entrees so close to church ave and ocean parkway. read more

Everything looks delicious and everything I tried was delicious! I had the most amazing chocolate cookie and I definitely plan on going back to get other tasty items as well. They have savory food as well. Their quiche slices are very good. I hope to stay there to eat next time, as they have backyard seating, that looked nice. read more

Was in Brooklyn for a few days and came here every morning for breakfast. Their cappuccino was amazing as well as their cheddar biscuit! Also had their lemon ricotta pancake which was delicious. Can't wait to plan another trip to the city, my first stop will be this spot! read more

Promising new establishment in the neighborhood. I particularly like the raspberry gateaux. Coffee selections are great too.

So happy to have such a cute cafe with super delicious food in the neighborhood. Grilled veggie sandwitch, chicken sandwich, soup, cookies, and cappccino, everything was tasty read more

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Der is the place! Great everything! Pastries all made in house and delicious. The best pancakes you can have. (it would be nice to have a fresh fruit option like mixed berried, slices of banana...;) ) But mmmmm ricotta/lemon flavor and fantastic brunch items, Brooklyn Roasters coffee! I wish there was a DER in sunny Sheepshead Bay! Wow. Great job everyone. read more

The burger and potatoes was really great. The decor is very nice and the service is friendly. The Sacher torte is also very good. Highly recommended. I just wish they were open until 7 pm so I could get takeout on the way home. read more

Great outdoor space. Quiet. Barista makes magic behind the counter. No laptops on weekends till 3-5 I think.

I have eaten here a lot and everything I have tried has been delicious. The pastries are phenomenal and there is always something new on offer (often with seasonal fruit). Lovely interior, lovely backyard (with a few toys for the kids), and excellent food and coffee. Their once a month pop-up dinners are a little pricey for me, but as an occasional splurge, totally worth it! These folks know how to deliver quality, and they are consistent. Kitchen is on full display, and everything also always looks clean and hygienic, which I don't think I could say of some of the other local coffee shops. So happy they opened in the neighborhood! read more

One of my favorite cafes! Super chill and very clean, love the space. In addition they also have a cute open space seating in the back. The staff members are also very nice and welcoming. read more

The first thing I noticed is that it is spacious. Many coffee places in the neighborhood are not. They even have seating outside in the back. The second thing I noticed was the menu. Lots of healthy food. I had the Alaskan Salmon Sandwich, smoked salmon sandwich with avocado, that came with a side salad. Excellent. The third thing I noticed (well, I probably noticed it before that) was the assortment of baked goods, that I did not touch, but look amazing. The place is clean, convenient, with plenty of places to sit, and I am very happy they set up shop in my neighborhood! read more