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The coffee industry already knows the World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops

  • Onyx Coffee Lab (USA) tops the list as the best coffee shop in the world.
  • The United States leads with 9 coffee shops, followed by Australia (7), Peru (5), and Spain, Honduras and Taiwan (4 each).

See the full list at https://theworlds100bestcoffeeshops.com/

MADRID, Feb. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The second edition of THE WORLD’S 100 BEST COFFEE SHOPS was presented today during CoffeeFest Madrid 2026. This definitive list of the world’s best specialty coffee shops is the first global ranking dedicated to recognising excellence in coffee and has become one of the most anticipated highlights of the festival.

The publication of the list confirms the emergence of new global capitals of quality coffee, as well as the consolidation of an increasingly diverse, professional and innovative international coffee community. The United States leads the ranking with 9 selected coffee shops, followed by Australia (7), Peru (5), and Spain, Honduras and Taiwan with 4 each.

“In the end, we are embracing global trends. Coffee shop culture continues to grow, and this ranking aims to give greater visibility to more coffee shops worldwide. Throughout the year, we will also unveil the continental lists that reflect this expansion,” says Cesar Ramirez, CEO of The World 100 Best Coffee Shops.

ONYX COFFEE LAB (USA), THE WORLD’S BEST COFFEE SHOP

Onyx Coffee Lab, based in Arkansas (USA), has been recognised as the world’s best coffee shop in this edition thanks to its commitment to specialty coffee, technical innovation and strong connection with the coffee community. Guided by the motto “Never Settle for Good Enough,” this philosophy shapes the entire process, from sourcing coffees at origin to rigorous roast control, the use of solar energy and a strong commitment to continuous training for baristas and partners.

The podium is completed by Tim Wendelboe (Oslo, Norway), a global reference in specialty coffee led by the award-winning barista and roaster of the same name, and Alquimia Coffee (Santa Ana, El Salvador), a micro-roastery working directly at origin and promoting Salvadoran coffee through a contemporary proposal deeply rooted in its territory.

“The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops is the global benchmark celebrating the cafés shaping the future of coffee, and DaVinci Gourmet is proud to stand alongside it as the global title sponsor,” said Eloise Dubuisson, General Manager, Food Service Brands, Kerry Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa. “We extend our congratulations to all 100 ranked coffee shops recognised for their creative craftsmanship, innovative spirit, and meaningful influence on the global coffee landscape.”

A GLOBAL EVALUATION PROCESS

The ranking is produced through a mixed system combining the evaluation of more than 800 professional judges from all continents with public voting, which exceeded 350,000 votes in this edition. In total, more than 15,000 coffee shops worldwide were analysed.

Members of the international jury include leading figures such as Kat Melheim (North America), Pack Katisomsakul (Southeast Asia), Michalis Dimitrakopoulos (Europe), Darveris Rivas (South America), Tanty Hartono (Asia), Jolie Marlene (Africa), Jack Simpson (Oceania), Dara Santana (Europe), Mariam Erin (Asia–Middle East) and Sunghee Tark (Asia).

The evaluation criteria applied were:

  • Coffee quality
  • Barista experience and technique
  • Customer service
  • Innovation capacity
  • Space design and atmosphere
  • Sustainability practices
  • Food and pastry quality
  • Service consistency

RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE IN COFFEE

THE WORLD’S 100 BEST COFFEE SHOPS aims to highlight spaces that not only serve exceptional coffee, but also create unique experiences around this beverage. The list is not only a guide for coffee lovers, but also a benchmark for the industry and its professionals.

The 2026 edition of The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops is supported by DaVinci Gourmet as Global and Title Sponsor; Slayer, Markibar, Cropster and CoffeeFest Madrid as Main Sponsors; and Fidatec and the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia (Craft Specialty Coffees) as Sponsors. Their commitment strengthens the international projection of this initiative and reinforces recognition of coffee as a cultural and gastronomic driver.

About Neodrinks

Neodrinks is a platform specialised in activating trends within the hospitality and retail sectors. It drives and promotes initiatives such as THE DRINKS SHOW, Madrid Cocktail Week, Top Cocktail Bars and CoffeeFest, and is the official organiser of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) championships in Spain.

For more information or interview requests:
Be Cooltural
[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d20ebaab-e10c-45b6-bb19-b64a905f13c4


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CGTN: 2026 Spring Festival Gala: A spiritual feast for the Chinese people

BEIJING, Feb. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On Monday evening, China Media Group's 2026 Spring Festival Gala lit up screens across the country and around the world. For more than four decades, the annual gala – widely known as Chunwan – has been the spiritual feast of the Chinese people on the eve of the Chinese New Year, and a shared cultural ritual that accompanies family reunions.

This year, CGTN partnered with its multilingual platforms in 85 languages, working with more than 3,500 media outlets in over 200 countries and regions to broadcast and report on the gala live.

As the Chinese New Year increasingly evolves from a “Chinese festival” into a global celebration, the Spring Festival Gala has taken on a new mission: to allow the world to share in the joy and festivity of the season, and to experience the richness and vibrancy of Chinese culture.

Rooted in Chinese culture with celebrations of various forms, the Spring Festival symbolizes renewal and family unity. It carries a universal resonance of hope and aspirations for a better life.

A cultural feast

The 2026 gala once again delivered a grand audiovisual spectacle, bringing together a mix of performances, from music, comedy, and traditional arts like opera and martial arts to spectacular acts such as magic and acrobatics. The stage became a window through which audiences at home and abroad could glimpse the enduring charm of China's fine traditional culture.

A highlight of the evening was a cross-cultural acrobatic performance that blended Chinese traditional techniques with international staging and choreography, symbolizing dialogue and mutual appreciation among civilizations. In another much-discussed act, ballet met street dance in a dynamic fusion piece that seamlessly combined classical elegance with urban rhythm– a vivid expression of cultural confidence rooted in tradition yet open to innovation.

Meanwhile, comedic sketches drew on everyday life, reflecting social changes with warmth and humor. Together, these diverse programs painted a portrait of a society that values heritage while embracing contemporary creativity.

For Chinese people, the Spring Festival Gala is more than just a TV show. It has become an indispensable “cultural feast” and emotional bond for the Chinese people on the eve of the Chinese New Year. Through fostering reunion and companionship and telling the stories of ordinary people, it encapsulates the country's hopes and heritage, making it an irreplaceable emotional and cultural touchstone for billions of Chinese people worldwide.

Broadcast globally in multiple languages, the gala allowed overseas Chinese to participate in the same celebration as their families back in China, bridging geographical distances and reinforcing a shared cultural identity. It is a reminder that, no matter where they are, they are part of a larger community.

Technology on full display

With culture at the heart of the gala, technology provided its powerful wings. This year's gala integrated cutting-edge digital tools into many aspects of the show.

Advanced applications, including artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and extended reality (XR), transformed the stage into an immersive, multidimensional space. Incorporating cutting-edge technologies, such as VR glasses, Beidou navigation, and drones, vast digital landscapes unfolded behind performers, bringing different traditions to life through dynamic, interactive projections.

The 2026 gala coincides with a pivotal moment in China's technological development. AI, robotics, and other foundational technologies – poised to shape human society for decades – are now rapidly entering the consumer market.

This broader technological wave was clearly reflected in the gala's production. One of the highlights came when humanoid robots brought Kung Fu to the next level, performing vaults and backflips with smooth and precise movements. The performance has amazed overseas netizens who expressed their admiration for the development of China's robotics industry.

In 2025, China's humanoid robot industry moved from a phase of technological novelty to one of increasingly wide social deployment. The country is now home to more than 150 humanoid robot companies, and the sector is expanding at an annual rate of over 50 percent, with the market scale expected to reach 100 billion yuan (about $14.22 billion) by 2030.

The Year of the Horse extravaganza stands out in the 43-year evolution of the Spring Festival Gala as one of the most technologically advanced editions to date. The presence of AI applications and robotics was not superficial decoration, but an integral part of storytelling and artistic expression.

For more than 40 years, the Spring Festival Gala has mirrored China's transformation – from an era of scarcity to one of digital connectivity and global engagement. As families gathered before their screens and international audiences tuned in from afar, the gala offered more than entertainment. It presents a living narrative of a civilization that treasures its heritage, embraces innovation, and shares its festive spirit with the world.

For more information, please click:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-02-16/2026-Spring-Festival-Gala-A-spiritual-feast-for-the-Chinese-people-1KOo6b5HcIg/p.html


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