Specialty coffee is experiencing a global boom, fueled by consumers seeking quality, traceability, and unique sensory profiles. This trend prioritizes high-scoring beans, more direct trade, and sustainable practices, transforming the café experience where baristas play a pivotal role. In Buenos Aires, this trend has gained significant momentum.

This phenomenon is highlighted by Argentina's presence on The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops list, an international ranking that recognizes excellence in the coffee industry. Over 200 judges visited coffee shops worldwide and analyzed more than 14,000 locations, supplemented by votes from tens of thousands of consumers.

This year, only two Buenos Aires cafes made it to the ranking: Negro Cueva de Café at position 94 and Surry Hills Coffee at position 99. The Argentine performance was more modest compared to 2025 when six local cafés were ranked starting at position 58, indicating both growth and the competition in the global coffee scene.