August Drip Coffee JB: A Deep Dive into JB's Best Specialty Coffee Roastery

2026-07-14 · 5 min read

specialty coffee pour over drip bar with single-origin beans

Photo: Drew Coffman, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

August Drip Coffee, now at 211 Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad, Johor Bahru, stocks over 70 types of single-origin specialty coffee beans imported from farms worldwide — and roasts them on-site in a standalone multi-storey building it moved into in November 2025, a 5–7 minute walk from Southern Homestay at KSL D’Esplanade.

You smell August Drip Coffee before you see it. Step through the door and the warm, deep scent of freshly roasted beans hits you — the kind that makes you stop mid-sentence and just breathe it in for a moment. It’s been like this since the cafe first opened in August 2019 in a modest shophouse beside Restoran Hao Bi on Jalan Kancil, Taman Century. Six years and a serious fanbase later, the team outgrew that space and moved in November 2025 into a new standalone multi-storey building along Jalan Dato Sulaiman. The result? More room, more natural light, more seating — and that same obsessive commitment to the bean.

With a 4.9 Google rating from around 300 reviews, August Drip Coffee is arguably the most-loved specialty coffee destination in Johor Bahru. If you care about what’s in your cup, this place deserves your morning.

What makes August Drip Coffee different from other JB cafes?

Most cafes in JB buy pre-roasted beans. August Drip imports green beans directly — over 70 varieties from farms and auction lots around the world — and roasts them in-house. That means what you’re drinking was roasted metres away from where you’re sitting. The team curates single-origin lots from Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Colombia and Costa Rica, among others, and the pour-over menu reflects that seriousness: Ethiopia Sidamo, Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia Bench Maji, Kenya Kirinyaga, Tanzania Kilimanjaro, Colombia Huila and Costa Rica Las Lajas all feature as V60 options.

The staff are a big part of the experience. Multiple reviewers mention how thoroughly the team explains each bean — origin, altitude, processing method, flavour notes — without making you feel like you’re being lectured. If you ask “which one is less acidic?” or “what’s the difference between these two Ethiopians?” you’ll get a real, thoughtful answer. The cafe also runs regular workshops on latte art, coffee cupping and sensory tasting for those who want to go deeper.

What should you order at August Drip Coffee?

If you’re a purist, go straight for a V60 pour-over with one of the single-origin beans — ask the team which lot is freshest that week. If you want something more playful, the signature dirty coffees are genuinely worth the splurge:

Prices for specialty beverages run around RM16–RM25. Yes, that’s on the higher end for JB — but you’re paying for auction-lot beans and genuine craft, not commercial-blend espresso. Most regulars consider it fair. The kitchen also does homemade cakes — cheesecakes, tiramisu, brownies and scones — which pair well with any of the lighter Ethiopian brews.

Is August Drip Coffee halal?

August Drip Coffee is not halal-certified by JAKIM. That said, the menu is pork-free, and multiple sources including iPackTravel describe the cafe as “Muslim-friendly.” Eatbook.sg, however, explicitly notes it is “not halal-certified.” If halal certification matters to you, it’s worth calling the cafe directly to confirm the current situation before visiting.

What are August Drip Coffee’s opening hours?

The cafe opens daily — slightly earlier on weekends when the morning crowd picks up:

The insider tip: visit on a weekday morning, especially between 9am and 11am. The new space is quieter then, you’ll have the staff’s full attention for a proper bean conversation, and the roasting aroma is freshest. Weekend afternoons draw a bigger crowd — the new building handles it better than the old shophouse did, but popular seats still fill up by noon.

How far is August Drip Coffee from KSL D’Esplanade?

The new location at 211 Jalan Dato Sulaiman is approximately 450 m — a 5–7 minute walk from KSL D’Esplanade. Head out of KSL City Mall toward Jalan Dato Sulaiman and walk north; the multi-storey standalone building is a straightforward walk with no major crossings. Alternatively, a Grab from KSL takes about 2 minutes and costs pocket change.

Here’s the quick-reference info:

One honest caveat: the new building is photogenic — tall ceilings, natural light, the roastery equipment visible in the background — and it shows up heavily on TikTok and Instagram. Weekend early afternoons can get busy as a result. If you’re after the quieter, more immersive coffee experience, the weekday morning slot is genuinely the better call.

August Drip sits right in the same Jalan Dato Sulaiman corridor as Century Street Food Court and several of the other spots in our best cafes near KSL roundup — easy to combine into a morning coffee then lunch or dinner plan without needing a Grab at all.

Planning a trip to Johor Bahru? Book your stay at Southern Homestay — our studio and 2-bedroom units at KSL D’Esplanade are approximately 450 m from August Drip Coffee on Jalan Dato Sulaiman. WhatsApp us at +60 12-708 8789 to check availability.

Planning a JB stay? Book direct with Southern Homestay — studio and 2-bedroom serviced condos at KSL D'Esplanade in JB city centre. WhatsApp us for tonight's rate →

Frequently asked questions

Where is August Drip Coffee located in JB?

August Drip Coffee moved in November 2025 to a new standalone multi-storey building at 211, Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. The original shophouse location was at 2 Jalan Kancil, Taman Century.

How many coffee bean varieties does August Drip Coffee have?

August Drip Coffee imports and roasts over 70 types of specialty coffee beans on-site, sourced from farms and auction lots worldwide including Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Colombia and Costa Rica.

Is August Drip Coffee halal?

August Drip Coffee is not halal-certified by JAKIM. The cafe is pork-free and described as Muslim-friendly by some sources, but Eatbook.sg explicitly notes it is not halal-certified. Muslim guests should verify the current status directly with the cafe before visiting.