This past weekend, Barcelona celebrated the second edition of the BCN Coffee Awards, organized by BCN Coffee Guide and CoffeeXP. It was held at the hip and cool Nau Bostik cultural center (if you enjoy the arts, this place is a great place for a visit) just like last year. The three-day celebration enjoyed sunny, albeit a bit hot, weather and healthy attendance (over 5,000 coffee lovers attended which is double the total from 2022’s awards).

This year’s edition was even more caffeinated than the previous one with more than 65 companies from the coffee sector, double the amount in 2022, and over 30 specialty coffee roasters, both national and international, present. As was the case last year, the event was held over the weekend that coincided with International Coffee Day.

The Coffee Awards brings together the best roasters, baristas and coffee professionals while allowing local coffee lovers the chance to enjoy, and even learn from, them firsthand. For those who simply enjoy a really good cup of coffee, the highlight of the event is surely to have been being able to enjoy as many cups of specialty coffee, made by top-class baristas, as you wanted; the variety of origins on offer was impressive and, in our opinion, delicious!

Aside from tasting the best coffee, the Awards also had latte art competitions, coffee cuppings led by experts, panel discussions on various topics concerning the specialty coffee sector, virtual reality activities, coffee exercises and workshops, etc. There were also a large variety of food offerings available this year, including vegan options.

As the event’s name suggests, there were also various competitions going on, including the Best Barista competition, which was won by Junzhi Liu from Brew Coffee; this particular competition happened live at the Coffee Awards and consisted of three rounds which were judged by Claudia Sans, Trainer and Quality Controller at Cafés El Magnífico and founder of Orbita Café, Dara Santana, founder of Dart Caffeine, and Maria López, founder of Bar La Camila.

The other awards saw the competition phase take place prior to the Coffee Awards; the public had the opportunity to choose their favorite establishments and professionals across 15 categories related to the specialty coffee sector. Over 25,000 votes were counted up and, thus, produced the top three in each of the categories that were announced on the final day of the three-day event. We’ve listed all of this year’s winners below!

2023 BCN COFFEE AWARDS WINNERS

• Best Roaster: Nomad Coffee
• Best Barista: Junzhi Liu (Brew Coffee)
• Best Revelation Coffee Shop: Cafe Chico
• Best Coffee Shop: 1st – Brew Coffee 2nd – Nomad Coffee 3rd – Dosis Café
• Best Brunch: 1st – Garage Coffee 2nd – Egg Lab 3rd – Funky Eatery
• Best Vegan: 1st – Neø Coffee House 2nd – Veganashi 3rd – Tonka
• Best Gluten/Lactose/Sugar Free: 1st – Casa Lupita 2nd – Philosopheat 3rd – Lulu & Finn
• Best Coffee Education: 1st – The Nomad Coffee Academy 2nd – Coffee Cooking Studio 3rd – Animal Coffee
• Best Social Media: 1st – Nomad Coffee 2nd – Mau Brews 3rd – Brodie Vissers
• Best Design: 1st – The Miners 2nd – Verde Aceituna 3rd – Funky Eatery
• Best Service: 1st – Garage Coffee 2nd – Brew Coffee 3rd – Ombú
• Best Restaurant: 1st – Figa Mostrador 2nd – Buriti 3rd – Mint
• Best Bakery: 1st – Origo Bakery 2nd – Funky Bakers 3rd – Coush Armo
• Best Pastry: 1st – Funky Bakers 2nd – The Cake Man Bakery 3rd – L’Atelier
• Best Creative Revelation: Advent Calendar by El Noa Noa
• Best Cocktail: 1st – Nina Burgers and Cocktails 2nd – Fat Schmuck 3rd – Jekyll & Hyde BCN
• Best Non-Coffee Product: 1st – Not The Same 2nd – 22kg Heavy Weight Tote Bag by Nomad Coffee 3rd – Coffee Lands Calendar

If it was true last year, it’s even truer this year: Barcelona’s specialty coffee scene just keeps getting stronger and stronger. If you’re looking for specialty coffee as a resident or visitor here, you don’t have to look too far to find a place serving some! Of the many roasters, cafés and eateries already mentioned in the winners list above, there are many more to enjoy. Check out our Canfanga profile for additional places we recommend!

With that, we hope to see you at the 2024 BCN Coffee Awards!

By EMILY BENSON

Photos by ISABEL TROYA

Published by carrersbcn

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