DRIP is getting off to a busy start at 4901 38th Ave. N. The Ledger’s publisher reports regularly seeing the new shop packed, and early customer reviews point to reasons people are coming back.
One is a banana pudding latte. Another is having somewhere nearby to sit down and feel welcome.
The coffee, tea and kava shop was open by July 24, when I Love the Burg reported its arrival. For Lealman residents, it puts another gathering place at a familiar intersection, 49th Street and 38th Avenue N.
Customers have been finding their favorites. “banana pudding latte was amazingggggggg,” one reviewer said in a review displayed on DoorDash. The customer described requesting the drink through another menu item because it was not listed there at the time. It now appears on the shop’s Postmates menu.
For people who prefer their coffee less like dessert, DoorDash lists the caramel macchiato and nitro cold brew among the location’s popular items. The macchiato combines espresso with milk, vanilla and caramel. The cold brew is infused with nitrogen.
There are straightforward lattes and iced matcha, too. The menu stretches well beyond coffee, with botanical teas and kava alongside the espresso drinks. Some botanical offerings contain kratom, so customers should check the ingredients rather than assume every tea is a conventional iced tea.
The welcome gets attention in the reviews as well. “Has a coffee shop vibe,” another DoorDash reviewer said, praising the connections among staff and customers and encouraging others to visit. The listing displayed a 4.9 rating from more than 10 ratings when checked for this story. That is a small early sample, but a positive start.
DRIP’s own description of the St. Pete location includes wood tables, plants and artwork, with space for people to meet friends or get some work done. The business began in Tampa and has other locations around the region, including Clearwater.
Its hours give neighbors a place to stop after the usual morning coffee run. According to the shop’s website, DRIP opens daily at 7 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight Friday and Saturday. The phone number is 727-202-8809.