Placing in a list that reviewed thousands of cafes shows that Yardstick meets global standards for quality and consistency.
The new edition of The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops was announced on February 16 during CoffeeFest Madrid in Spain. The list evaluated more than 15,000 coffee shops around the world before narrowing it down to 100.
The ranking combines expert opinion and public voting. Over 800 coffee and hospitality professionals formed the expert panel, which accounts for 70 percent of the final score. Around 350,000 public votes make up the remaining 30 percent. Cafes are assessed on coffee quality, barista expertise, sustainability practices, customer service, ambience, food and pastry quality, innovation, and consistency.
Onyx Coffee Lab in the US took the top spot, climbing from No. 2 in 2025 to No. 1 in 2026. The American coffee roaster and coffee shop, which also does barista training, is based in Rogers, Arkansas. Meanwhile, Toby’s Estate Coffee Roasters in Sydney, last year’s No. 1, is now at No. 5.
For the Philippines, only one coffee shop made the 2026 list.
Yardstick Coffee is the Philippines’ sole representative in this year’s ranking
Founded in 2013 in Legazpi Village, Makati, Yardstick is considered one of the pioneers of Manila’s third-wave coffee movement. It is known for its minimalist spaces, single origin coffees, and carefully developed espresso blends.
From the beginning, Yardstick focused not just on serving coffee but on building industry standards. The company structured itself around wholesale and training. Its original space functioned as a roasting facility and learning hub, supporting both its own cafes and other businesses.
Today, Yardstick supplies coffee and equipment to more than a hundred independent cafes, restaurants, and hospitality groups. It roasts its beans in-house and invests heavily in barista training. During the pandemic, its diversified business model helped it stay operational at a time when many hospitality brands were struggling.
Placing 34th in a list that reviewed thousands of cafes shows that Yardstick meets global standards for quality and consistency. It’s not just well-known locally; it’s competitive on an international level.
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PH cafes that made the list last year
While Yardstick is the only Philippine cafe on the 2026 ranking, the country had four entries last year.
In 2025, Yardstick placed 18th. It was joined by El Union Coffee in La Union at 61st, Single Origin at 83rd, and Crema & Cream Coffee Roasters at 86th.
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El Union Coffee, founded in San Juan, La Union, is known for its signature Dirty Horchata and its focus on sourcing beans from Northern Luzon producers. Single Origin operates several branches across Metro Manila and combines specialty coffee with an all-day dining menu. Crema & Cream Coffee Roasters in Muntinlupa and Quezon City is recognized for its artisanal roasting and careful sourcing of international beans.
Their inclusion in 2025 highlighted the strength and diversity of the local coffee scene.
A growing coffee industry
The Philippines’ continued presence on the global list reflects a broader effort to strengthen the country’s coffee industry. According to the Philippine Coffee Industry Roadmap 2021–2025, led by the Department of Agriculture in partnership with DOST and DTI, coffee remains a priority agricultural commodity, with structured plans to increase yield, improve post-harvest systems, and strengthen farmer training nationwide.
The roadmap identifies long-standing challenges such as low productivity, aging trees, limited access to credit, and gaps in technical knowledge. It also outlines strategies to address these issues, including promoting good agricultural practices, improving planting materials, expanding post-harvest facilities, and forging partnerships between local farmers and high-end coffee shops.
At the same time, the conversation around Philippine coffee has moved beyond policy. Platforms like FEATR, founded by Erwan Heussaff, have produced documentary-style features spotlighting Filipino coffee farmers and supply chain challenges. These stories brought national attention to production realities, from farmgate pricing to the need for better infrastructure.
Yardstick’s placement at No. 34 on The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026 list signals that while structural challenges remain, Philippine specialty coffee is steadily building credibility on the global stage. Continued support for local roasters, farmers, and cafe operators will be key to turning global recognition into long-term industry growth.
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