Rock ‘n’ Joe brings together two unexpected things–coffee and rock ‘n’ roll. When its first location opened in 1993, the shop replicated a backstage lounge. Rock music played on the speaker, worn leather couches seated customers, and records lined the walls. 

De Fer Coffee & Tea is a family and employee-owned and operated coffee company, founded in 2017 by Matt and Vanessa Marietti. In January, with support from PDP’s Downtown Rent Abatement Program, De Fer opened a location in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District, at 725 Penn Avenue. This new Downtown hotspot is open 7:30am-2:30pm Monday through Friday and 8am-3pm Saturday and Sunday. De Fer Coffee & Tea also has locations at the flagship store in the Strip District, Troy Hill, the CMU library, and The Riviera. 

If you are looking for specialty coffee or tea, delicious food and pastries, or cozy places to work remotely, here is a list of the Downtown Neighbor Alliance’s favorite coffee shops in Downtown Pittsburgh.