A defining moment for global specialty coffee

Madrid – Qahwa World × Buna Kurs – Media Partners

Madrid once again became the epicenter of global specialty coffee as CoffeeFest Madrid 2026 hosted the official presentation of The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops. Now in its second edition, the ranking continues to position itself as the definitive global benchmark dedicated exclusively to recognizing excellence in specialty coffee shops.

Qahwa World and Buna Kurs observed firsthand the level of anticipation surrounding this year’s announcement—a list that has quickly evolved into one of the most closely followed references in the global coffee industry.

  • The 2026 Podium

At the top of the 2026 ranking stands Onyx Coffee Lab (USA), recognized as the world’s best coffee shop. Based in Arkansas, Onyx earned the distinction for its rigorous commitment to specialty coffee standards, technical precision, responsible sourcing at origin, solar energy use, roast control systems, and continuous barista development. Its philosophy, “Never Settle for Good Enough,” is reflected across its operations and has resonated strongly with judges worldwide.

The podium is completed by:

  • Tim Wendelboe (Oslo, Norway): Long considered a global reference in specialty coffee.

  • Alquimia Coffee (Santa Ana, El Salvador): A micro-roastery deeply rooted in origin that promotes Salvadoran coffee through a contemporary and terroir-driven approach.

  • Global Trends and Spanish Success

Geographically, the 2026 ranking highlights the expanding map of excellence. The United States leads with nine coffee shops in the Top 100. Australia follows with seven, Peru secures five, while Spain, Honduras, and Taiwan each place four coffee shops.

Spain demonstrated strong positioning with two shops in the Top 20:

  1. Nomad Frutas Selectas (Barcelona): Reached position 16, recognized for its commitment to in-house roasting and quality-driven sourcing.

  2. Hola Coffee Lagasca (Madrid): Followed at position 19, representing a growing brand that combines education and coffee culture promotion.

Completing Spain’s representation are D·Origen Coffee Roasters (83rd) and Kima Coffee (93rd), confirming the maturity of the national scene.

  • Rigorous Evaluation Criteria

More than 15,000 coffee shops were analyzed by over 800 professional judges, alongside public voting that exceeded 350,000 votes. The evaluation covered:

  • Coffee quality and consistency.

  • Barista expertise and technique.

  • Sustainability practices and innovation.

  • Space design, atmosphere, and customer service.

The 2026 edition is supported by DaVinci Gourmet as Global and Title Sponsor, alongside Slayer, Markibar, Cropster, Fidatec, and the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia. The initiative is organized by Neodrinks.

For Qahwa World and Buna Kurs, serving as media partners is about participating in a global moment that redefines standards and expands the international specialty coffee conversation.

The full 2026 ranking is available at: www.worlds100bestcoffeeshops.com