UK Coffee Shops Largely Absent from Prestigious Global Top 100 List
A comprehensive new survey has unveiled the world's 100 best coffee shops, but the United Kingdom has been notably underrepresented, featuring only twice in the esteemed ranking. Both British entries are located in Scotland, highlighting a surprising lack of recognition for venues across the rest of the nation.
Scottish Standouts in an International Arena
Ottoman Coffehouse in Glasgow secured the 38th position, while Birch Coffee on the remote Isle of Skye claimed the 50th spot. These placements were announced at the annual CoffeeFest event in Madrid, where the global coffee community gathered to celebrate excellence.
Despite 44 UK-based coffee shops receiving nominations for this year's list, the majority were conspicuously absent from the final ranking. This outcome underscores the competitive nature of the international specialty coffee scene.
Global Winners and Judging Criteria
Topping the list was Onyx Coffee LAB in Rogers, USA, praised as a 'specialty coffee roastery' with an 'impressive barista training facility and state-of-the-art coffee bar'. Celebrated for its high-quality offerings and unique roasting techniques, it has garnered customer acclaim for delivering 'world-class coffee' that is 'smooth, rich and roasted to perfection'.
The final rankings were determined through a combination of public votes and scores from a jury of approximately 800 coffee connoisseurs. This panel faced the daunting task of whittling down 15,000 nominated sites worldwide.
Second place was awarded to Tim Wendelboe in Oslo, Norway, and third to Alquima Coffee store in Santa Ana, El Salvador. Sydney, Australia, known for its vibrant coffee culture, featured twice on the list at 5th and 6th positions, renowned for its incredible urban coffee spots.
Insights from the UK Entries
Notably, no London venues made the list, suggesting that coffee enthusiasts seeking top-tier experiences might need to look north of the border. Ottoman Coffehouse, opened in 2015 by two brothers, draws inspiration from the traditional coffee shops of Istanbul, Turkey. Described as Glasgow's 'flagship destination for specialty coffee', it has been consistently celebrated for its authentic atmosphere and high-quality service, even receiving a European Coffee Trip Award for the UK in 2024.
Reflecting on the significance of the global ranking, Ottoman Coffehouse described it as 'beautiful', though they emphasized that 'this was never the goal'. In a statement to TimeOut UK, they said, 'We never set out to win prizes or get on lists. The only plan was to open our doors, serve great coffee, and look after the people who walk in.'
Further north, Birch Coffee in Portree on the Isle of Skye, launched in 2020, is inspired by Australian coffee culture and features authentic beans roasted on-site. Owner Niall Munro, 35, told The Times that the 'validation' of the global ranking was 'such a nice feeling'. He added, 'While there'll always be some incredible places in London, it's refreshing to see Scotland really standing on its own in the speciality coffee scene now.'
Behind the Rankings and Future Trends
The list was unveiled on Instagram by The World's 100 Best Coffee Shops, with organizers stating, 'We've travelled to the most remote places of the planet to bring you an exclusive list of the best coffee shops in the world with several criteria to achieve EXCELLENCE.' Judges evaluated entries based on a wide-ranging criteria including:
- Coffee quality
- Barista skills and technique
- Sustainability practices
- Innovation
The international jury included leading industry figures such as Kat Melheim, Darveris Rivas, Mariam Erin, and Michalis Dimitrakopoulos. Cesar Ramirez, CEO of The World 100 Best Coffee Shops, commented, '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.'
This ranking highlights the dynamic and evolving nature of global coffee culture, with the UK's limited presence sparking discussions about regional strengths and opportunities for growth in the specialty coffee market.
