Eco Mapu Coffee of Villarrica, Región de La Araucanía, secured the top continental spot in the “The South America’s 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026” ranking. This marks the first time a Chilean establishment has led the list, overtaking traditional specialty coffee heavyweights in Colombia, Brazil, and Perú.
Evaluation Metrics and Expert Scoring
The award stems from a year-long evaluation process where over 300 expert judges visited 4,200 establishments across the continent, accounting for 70% of the final score, while public voting made up the remaining 30%. According to the recognized café’s statement, the competition specifically evaluated coffee quality, barista expertise, customer service, sustainability, and innovation.
Founder Cristian Cariman led the winning proposal, which gained distinction for blending specialty coffee with endemic ingredients from southern Chile, such as maqui and murtilla. Cariman noted that the offering maintains a strong focus on bean traceability and direct contact with producers.
Did You Know?
According to contest background details, the evaluation process involved more than 300 expert judges visiting 4,200 coffee shops across the continent over a 12-month period.
Chilean Representation Across Eight Regions
Thirteen Chilean coffee shops entered the Top 100 list for this edition. Alongside Eco Mapu Coffee, the national representatives include:
- Wake Up Coffee Lab (Punta Arenas, Magallanes)
- Primates Tostadores (Talca, Maule)
- Holaste!
- Café Micelio (Puerto Varas, Los Lagos)
- Diblú Cafetería de Especialidad (Temuco, La Araucanía)
- Selva Brew (Valdivia, Los Ríos)
- Terra Specialty Coffee (Valdivia, Los Ríos)
- Café Calderón (Providencia, RM)
- Le Grenier Cafetería (Viña del Mar, Valparaíso)
- La Raza Coffee (Chillán, Ñuble)
- Cafe Bauda (Castro, Los Lagos)
Expert Insight
Reactions from the Founders
The team accepted the award during a ceremony in Quito, Ecuador, at The Global Coffee Fair. Reflecting on the milestone, Cariman expressed emotion after eleven years of work.
“It is an achievement that moves us after 11 years of passion and perseverance. It represents our conviction to serve world-class coffee from the southern part of Chile, putting in every cup the bond with the coffee growers, signature preparations, and the heart of our team,” Cariman stated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Eco Mapu Coffee?
Eco Mapu Coffee is a specialty coffee shop located in Villarrica, Región de La Araucanía, founded by Cristian Cariman.
How was the ranking determined?
The ranking is based on a year of evaluation where over 300 expert judges visited 4,200 establishments across the continent, making up 70% of the score, combined with 30% from public voting.
How many Chilean shops made the Top 100 list?
Thirteen Chilean coffee shops secured spots in the Top 100 for 2026, with Eco Mapu Coffee taking the number one continental position.
How will this regional recognition influence future specialty coffee expansion across Chile’s southern regions?
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