What is up with this place. The owners are the worst! Honestly, to anyone looking for a job, please do not waste your time working for Drumroaster. The owners have zero, I mean NO, dedication to their staff. I heard another employee who dedicated years to this place, was simply just let go. These people are cheap and literally gain their wealth off the backs of the people that dedicate their time to this establishment. Employees are treated like trash, that can be disposed of. There are better places, with honest, friendly owners who will appreciate you. The owners of Drumroaster are cheap, they will cut anyone if you can be replaced by someone who will start at a lower wage. It's been proven over and over again. Zero stars because the owners are a joke! read more

This is a gem. Lots of coffee options on the island, but I believe this one to be the best. If you find yourself close, go! Coffee is the star but food is also really good. And they're dialed in. You can be in and out in 10 minutes, and your return will be imminent.... It's a cool spot. read more

I was very excited to find this coffee house in the Cowichan Bay area when we were visiting a few weeks ago. When I saw all of the beautiful equipment they use and sell, I was even more hyped, but I was sadly disappointed. The flat white was not good at all. A bit soapy tasting, and no richness in flavour. Thinking it was a fluke, I went back twice and was equally disappointed. I'm not sure why - when you roast your own beans and have the kind of equipment they do, the coffee should be really good, and it was really disappointing. read more

Great coffe and great atmosphere. Favourite muffin, banana chocolate chunk! Delicious sandwich selection

Pricey, hipstery place set in the middle of a rural area, with lots of staff, excellent coffee but a surprisingly small assortment of baked goods. Given the number of employees working there, the service is appears to be inefficient, with lots of towering piles of dishes left on empty (and sticky) tables. The staff was polite, no more and no less and the service professional, with a bit of affectation. It was packed when I was there last and the open environment makes it a noisy place, with lots of children running around (it comes with being close to Shawnigan Lake.) It's also where the artsy middle-class folks go to hang out, and so you can expect a price tag on all this swag. Consider it a small town café with a big city feel to it, featuring a house roast that really lives up to it's name read more

I've waited too long to review Drumroaster Coffee, so my review wont be as detailed as it could. However I wanted to review it because the important point is that they know what they are doing when it comes to espresso, and one can reliably get a good latte here on the way up/down island. I had a small double latte and a muffin and both were good, the decor is comfortable and a little quirky. Drumroaster Coffee is well worth the short detour off of the highway. read more

I love this place! Not only do I feel relaxed about trying to work with my two-year-old daughter chatting up the other patrons, but the coffee is really good, too! I also really support the connection that Drumroaster has with the local community - no more franchises with trademarked tastes. It's time for businesses that create local social, environmental and economic well-being! read more

Best coffee on Vancouver Island. Try their home made nut milk latte and raspberry scone. You will keep coming back!

Family owned and operated = a super caring and helpful staff team. Everything in the bakery case is fresh every morning...and delicious. The Cinnamon Brioche is amazing and no matter how hard others try, cannot be duplicated. Drumroaster has relationships with some of the growers of the coffee beans they roast. Utmost care and focus on the details and process of roasting this coffee ensures the coffee is always delicious and continuously fresh. Bar drinks are awesome, euro cappuccino or a custom pour-over or something freshly roasted...even the "regular" brewed coffee...there is no poor choice here. Milk is perfectly steamed, and a temperature that will provide the sweetest cappuccino or latte. Coffee brewing equipment and supplies are available here too, and the staff is more than happy to help you with your new coffee equipment, so you can take a bit of the Drumroaster experience home. *I have not been paid to write this review, although, after some quick math, I have sat at this cafe at least 500 times since they opened...and I can hardly wait till the next time. read more

So so good! Fresh coffee, super sweet cozy atmosphere. Delicious food too! Awesome place for a little meeting or place to read.

I'm fairly certain that they are secretly slipping some kind of addictive substance into their product. I seriously go into withdrawl without a Drumroaster americano after a few days. The place is filled with regulars on most days. I went this year to their soft rock radio appreciation day. Its an invitation only event and I was honored to be able to sit in one of their comfy chairs and just chill out to Huey Lewis, Phil Colins, and of course Loggins & Messina. Wow what a day, thank you John Tesh! The rest of the year they cater to a more hip crowd but I put up with it because the coffee and baked goods are so terrific. read more

Quite possibly the best coffee on the Island, I tried it at Victory Barbers in Duncan and was so pleased with it I went to the proper shop to get a couple bags of beans! read more

Very nice coffee. But if you order a 20oz they only put two shots in. It tasted like steamed milk. Once they put a few more shots in it it was very tasty. All the baked goods looked very tasty. Very cozy inside. read more

When I catch the ferry from Vesuvius to Crofton, then drive down the Malahat route to Victoria, I always stop at Drumroasters...amazing cappucino & equally amazing cinnamon brioche....a very worthy stop on your journey. Well done, owners, whoever you are! read more

Can't say enough. Beans are roasted very well, I'd come up from Seattle every week if I could to restock. Good cafe atmosphere too- nice people, drumroaster bar and chunky monkey muffin are delicious, great space, attention to high quality roasting and brewing equipment (la Marzocco!)! Definitely head up the Malahat for this place read more

Doesn't get any better than this place -- locally roasted & brewed. Great baking and over the top friendly staff

The coffee there is awesome. My son absolutely loves the brioches and they have a chill ambiance. The chairs aren't very comfortable but still I always make it a grab and go place for my daily caffeine intake. Definitely better then serious coffee. read more

Like others have said there coffee is seriously addictive! So amazing! I find there baked goods like there muffins and cookies taste good, but are a bit expensive, so I rarely bother purchasing more than a coffee. I've also noted that you need to tell your barista to leave room for cream or milk otherwise they will fill it too full for you. read more

Drumroaster has been one of my preferred local coffee shops for a couple of years. Today suddenly, I was asked to pay for a full coffee, instead of the refill price. When I questioned it, I was informed by the girl behind the counter that I should have always been paying full price for my second cup, and "I should know, because I make the rules here". I take no issue with their price, just the inconsistency, and customer approach. In general, their prices are higher, but the service has been better. That is obviously not the case at the moment. Upon approaching the operators to inform them regarding my interaction, I finally left when he told me that I must be the one who came in angry today? (Not the case, I'm having a great day, my Christmas gifts are wrapped, and I'm just waiting for vacation...life is good!). Merry Christmas to all. read more

Such a friendly environment ... the owner is always around and will make a point to flash a smile your way and This reflects on the staff too. I have started going out of my way to get my coffee there in the morning.. the coffee is yummy too. read more

This is one of the most amazing coffee shops I have gone to. I haven't been there since last year but while working in Cobble Hill I made it my routine to get a chai tea latte and cranberry-orange scone before work. Everyone is super friendly and all the food and drinks are delicious. I miss it so much and hope to someday go back. But if you're in the area you must stop by! read more

Great Coffee, these guys can make a good americano. Only once did I find my americano wasn't perfect, but better then most places. I also would recommend their beans, best french press coffee I have in a while. read more

Always amazing coffee! The muffins are delicious and baked day off mmmmm Addicted!

I've just heard of an incident at Drumroaster Coffee, where a woman and her son were allegedly asked to leave. I have 3 young boys myself and love to go to the coffee shop when my time allows - they have the best coffee in the valley and they always treat us well... not to mention the kids love the Cinnamon Brioche. I'm shocked by the negativity and distasteful way people have used the internet to damage their reputation. In my experience, any altercation usually involves two guilty parties, and aside from what really happened I know the family that owns the cafe have taken this whole experience very much to heart. We should be supporting the brave people that choose to open businesses in our community, and provide feedback in a positive way (to help them succeed -which allows us to enjoy the benefits). I'm going to continue to support Drumroaster and all of our great locally owned and operated business in the valley, and when I feel the need to provide feedback I'm going to do it in a positive way and hope others will too. read more