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The global coffee landscape has a new leader, as Onyx Coffee Lab, based in the United States, has been crowned the World’s Best Coffee Shop for 2026. The announcement, made during CoffeeFest Madrid 2026, highlights a growing trend of specialty coffee and a more diverse, innovative international coffee community. This recognition underscores the increasing importance of quality, technical skill, and community connection within the coffee industry.
The second edition of THE WORLD’S 100 BEST COFFEE SHOPS list, released Monday, February 16, 2026, places Onyx Coffee Lab at the top, followed by Tim Wendelboe of Oslo, Norway, and Alquimia Coffee from El Salvador. The United States leads the ranking with nine coffee shops featured, demonstrating its strong presence in the specialty coffee market. Australia follows with seven, Peru with five, and Spain, Honduras, and Taiwan each with four representatives. The full list is available at https://theworlds100bestcoffeeshops.com/.
The Top Five Coffee Shops Globally
The ranking, which aims to recognize excellence in coffee, has quickly become a highly anticipated event within the industry. Onyx Coffee Lab earned the top spot due to its dedication to specialty coffee, technical innovation, and strong ties to the coffee community. Here’s a seem at the top five coffee shops according to the 2026 list:
- Onyx Coffee LAB (USA)
- Tim Wendelboe (Norway)
- Alquimia Coffee (El Salvador)
- Only Coffee Project Crows Nest (Australia)
- Toby’s Estate Coffee Roasters (Australia)
Global Coffee Trends and Regional Strengths
The 2026 list reveals a shift in global coffee capitals and a growing appreciation for quality. The United States’ strong showing, with nine coffee shops included, is followed by Australia (7), Peru (5), and a tie between Spain, Honduras, and Taiwan (4 each). This distribution highlights the expanding reach of specialty coffee beyond traditional coffee-producing regions. According to Cesar Ramirez, CEO of The World 100 Best Coffee Shops, the ranking aims to “give greater visibility to more coffee shops worldwide” and reflects a growing global coffee culture.
The list as well showcases the diversity of coffee shop experiences, from those focused on technical innovation, like Onyx Coffee Lab, to those emphasizing hands-on education, such as Gota Coffee Experts in Austria, which offers workshops on coffee processing, roasting, and brewing.
Further Down the List: Notable Mentions
Beyond the top five, several other coffee shops garnered recognition. Apartment Coffee in Singapore, Gota Coffee Experts in Austria, Story of Ono in Malaysia, and Tropicalia Coffee in Colombia all secured positions within the top 20. The full top 100 list includes establishments from 30 countries, demonstrating the global appeal of specialty coffee. A more detailed breakdown of the top 100 can be found here.
The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops list is presented annually and serves as a benchmark for quality and innovation within the industry. The 2026 edition, unveiled in Madrid, confirms the continued growth and evolution of coffee shop culture worldwide.
As the coffee industry continues to evolve, the focus on sustainability, ethical sourcing, and technical expertise is expected to remain paramount. The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops list will undoubtedly continue to play a role in shaping these trends and recognizing the leading establishments in the global coffee community.
What are your favorite coffee shops? Share your recommendations in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this article with fellow coffee enthusiasts!