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Minneapolis, Minnesota · Specialty Coffee Brand Deep Dive

Cafe Ceres

Editorial sacred-geometry artwork for Cafe Ceres; not a documentary photograph
Owned by DDP Restaurant GroupRoasting arrangement unverifiedSourcing: Limited public info
TagsCafe CeresMinnesota coffee roastersOwned by DDP Restaurant Group
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Cafe Ceres was established in 2021 in Minneapolis as a partnership between restaurateur Daniel del Prado and pastry chef Shawn McKenzie. The brand was documented for its Turkish-inspired coffee program, which utilized traditional copper ibriks, and its Middle Eastern-influenced pastry menu. The company did not roast its own beans, as the business model relied on external sourcing rather than in-house production. All four locations ceased operations in April 2025 due to economic challenges.

Corporate ownership disclosure

Cafe Ceres is owned by DDP Restaurant Group

Cafe Ceres was founded as a partnership between chef Daniel del Prado and pastry chef Shawn McKenzie. It was operated under the DDP Restaurant Group until all four locations permanently closed in April 2025.

Ultimate owner: a mid-size coffee group

Ownership is disclosed when documented. Corporate parents can shape sourcing and independence claims. Public sources were researched as of 2026-10-25.

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Ownership
Cafe Ceres was founded as a partnership between chef Daniel del Prado and pastry chef Shawn McKenzie. It was operated under the DDP Restaurant Group until all four locations permanently closed in April 2025.
Founded
2021
Roasting
Roasting arrangement not independently verified.
What it's known for
The brand was widely recognized for its Turkish-inspired coffee program, featuring traditional copper ibrik brewing, and its high-quality, Middle Eastern-influenced pastries created by James Beard Award-nominated chef Shawn McKenzie.
Farm-level sourcing
The brand did not publicly disclose specific farm or producer information for its coffee offerings. Its coffee program focused on unique flavor profiles through the integration of Middle Eastern spices rather than highlighting single-origin sourcing details.
Notable coffees
  • — Turkish coffee
  • — Spiced lattes
In the news

Recent news and media coverage about Cafe Ceres, as documented by outside outlets. We link to the original reporting and do not rewrite or endorse it.

2025-03-28 · Mpls.St.Paul Magazine
Café Cerés Is Shutting Down

DDP Restaurant Group announced the closure of all four Café Cerés locations in Minneapolis, effective April 13, 2025. The ownership group stated that it intends to shift its focus toward its full-service restaurant portfolio.

Sources used in this deep dive
Research disclosure — this profile was compiled from public online sources on 2026-10-25. This company overview is not a tasting review. Original tasting reviews are labeled separately when they exist. Ownership, roasting and sourcing details are attributed to documented sources. I could not verify the specific roasting partner or the origin of the coffee beans used, as the brand focused its public messaging on pastry and spice-infused beverage offerings rather than coffee sourcing transparency.

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