The first national ranking of the best coffee shops in Panama was unveiled Thursday night at the Panama Convention Center, with Toño’s Factory, Sisu Coffee Studio, and Kotowa Coffee House claiming the top three positions. The announcement came during the World of Coffee Panamá 2026 gala, organized by Coffee Geeks Panamá.
Toño’s Factory, located in Corozal, secured first place, followed by Sisu Coffee Studio on Calle Uruguay. Kotowa Coffee House rounded out the top three. The ranking evaluated 58 official candidates across criteria including coffee quality, barista technique, customer service, sustainability, and overall dining experience.
How the Best Coffee Shops Were Selected
The selection process began with more than 85 nominations, from which 58 establishments qualified as official candidates. Final scores combined a 70 percent professional jury evaluation with 30 percent popular voting, blending technical expertise with consumer preference.
The jury included coffee producers, baristas, gastronomic specialists, content creators, and brand development professionals. Evaluation criteria covered coffee preparation quality, barista knowledge, innovation, sustainability practices, gastronomic offerings, and consistency of the customer experience.
Full Ranking and Special Recognition Awards
The complete list of 12 recognized establishments includes Leto Coffee Roasters, Café Unido, Siete Granos Coffee Roasters, Cabrera Brew House, Janson Coffee House, Mendo Coffee, MOMO Coffee House, Hotel La Compañía, and Raza Restaurante. The ranking spans coffee shops, hotels, and restaurants across Panama.
Beyond the main ranking, organizers distributed awards in specialized categories. Toño’s Factory earned Best Origin Experience, while Sisu Coffee Studio and Bungla Coffee House received Best Design and Architecture honors. Siete Granos won Best Signature Drinks, and Cabrera Brew House took the Best Coffee Innovation and Technology Award. Kotowa Coffee House received Best Sustainability Practices, Café Unido earned Best International Franchise Award, and Geisha Terroir was recognized for Best Coffee Education and Expertise.
Panama’s Global Coffee Ambitions
The ranking initiative aims to position Panamanian establishments for continental recognition and eventual inclusion in The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops international list. But, placement in the national ranking does not guarantee automatic entry into the global classification.
Aurelio Barría Pino, president of Panama’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture, emphasized the connection between coffee excellence and tourism potential.
“Panama has already conquered the world with the quality of its coffee. Now we have the opportunity to conquer the visitor with the experience of drinking it here, in our country” [Translated from Spanish]
Coffee Geeks Panamá, founded by Yelsica H. Caballero, leads the initiative. The platform also operates the Coffee Geeks Passport, a cultural tourism route connecting consumers with 35 allied establishments nationwide. The program reflects a broader strategy to integrate Panama’s internationally recognized coffee production with domestic hospitality and tourism experiences.