This year's May Day holiday promises a rich aroma for residents and visitors alike. From May 1 to 5, the South Square of Tianhe Sports Center (广州市天河体育中心南广场) will transform into a bustling crossroads of global coffee culture, hosting the 2026 Guangzhou Coffee Culture Fair.

While Guangzhou's culinary soul is often expressed through its famed morning tea, double-boiled soups, and sweet soups (tong sui), the city has quietly cultivated a deep and growing love for coffee. With over 8,000 coffee shops now woven into its urban fabric, the city is ready to share its "another unique flavor" with the world.

A world of flavor in one city

This year's event will feature an impressive lineup of brands from 30 cities in 11 countries, alongside top roasters and cafés from across China.

International participants include renowned names from the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Malaysia, Canada, Romania, Sweden, Ireland, and Spain.

Domestically, alongside the host city Guangzhou, the roster features brands from Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Dalian, Qingdao, Zhengzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Baoshan, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Nanning, Foshan, Jiangmen, Zhongshan, Dongguan, Chaozhou, Shantou, Zhaoqing, Zhuhai, as well as Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan.

Standout international roasters

Cafēn (Edinburgh, UK): A rising star in British specialty coffee, praised for its minimalist and scientifically precise roasting philosophy.

Five Elephant (Berlin, Germany): A pioneer of Europe's third-wave coffee movement, often hailed as "Berlin's coffee ambassador" for its commitment to direct trade and sustainability.

Manhattan Coffee Roasters (Rotterdam, Netherlands): A top-tier favorite among global coffee connoisseurs, celebrated for its explosive and highly distinctive flavor as well as micro-lot offerings.

MOK Coffee (Brussels, Belgium):A benchmark for Belgian specialty coffee, known for its transparent, flawlessly clean flavor profiles and ranked 16th on the 2025 World's 100 Best Coffee Shops list.

Norm (Penang, Malaysia): Originating from Penang, Norm has spent a decade focusing on the daily practice and steady accumulation of specialty coffee, featuring house-roasted coffee and Australian-style brunch dishes.

Pirates of Coffee (Toronto, Canada): A flavor innovation pioneer in North America, consistently earning perfect scores on Coffee Review for its vibrant light-to-medium roasts.

Sloane Coffee (Bucharest, Romania): Founded in 2016, Sloane Coffee is renowned for its elegant, minimalist aesthetic and high-quality specialty coffee.

Standout Coffee (Stockholm, Sweden):Considered the pinnacle of Nordic-style ultra-light roasts, delivering exceptional sweetness and bright acidity, and serving as the roaster for multiple world champions.

Sumo Coffee Roasters (Dublin, Ireland): Founded by World Cup Tasters Champion Daniel Horbat, it is renowned for its transparency, ethical sourcing, and striking sweetness.

Three Marks Coffee (Barcelona, Spain):Founded in 2018 and hailed as a "must-visit Barcelona specialty coffee landmark," Three Marks Coffee is named after its three founders, each bearing "Marc" in their name. With its minimalist industrial aesthetics, the brand rapidly gained popularity across Europe.

More than just a sip

The 2026 Guangzhou Coffee Culture Fair is designed as a multi-sensory experience. Beyond tasting global brews, attendees can look forward to professional coffee competitions, a youth entrepreneurial stage, live music, interactive sports, and fashion showcases, all capturing the vibrant, dynamic pulse of Guangzhou.

Event details

Event: 2026 Guangzhou Coffee Culture Fair

Dates: May 1–5, 2026

Location: South Square, Tianhe Sports Center, Guangzhou

Photo | Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau