With 1,500 visitors and thousands of cups poured, the Lithuanian Coffee Festival 2026 brought together the Baltic coffee community — and crowned two baristas who will represent Lithuania on the world stage.
When the Lithuanian Coffee Festival with "DVARO" opened its doors at Vilnius’ Litexpo exhibition centre on February 21, it was clear that the country’s coffee scene had outgrown the idea of a niche gathering. Over the course of the day, around 1,500 visitors – baristas, roasters, café owners and curious coffee drinkers – filled the 1,000-square-metre space, turning it into a lively meeting point for the Baltic coffee community.
More than thirty Lithuanian coffee roasters, cafés and equipment producers took part in the festival, presenting over 120 different coffees to taste. From classic espresso profiles to experimental filter brews, the producers’ fair became a place not only to sample but also to discuss roasting styles, sourcing and brewing techniques. The espresso bar alone prepared more than 700 cups of coffee during the day, a number that speaks both to the visitors’ enthusiasm and the scale the festival has reached.
Yet the centre of the event remained the national championships. Throughout the day, the competition stage gathered crowds of spectators watching the country’s most professional baristas and brewers perform on stage. For the competitors, it was far more than a public presentation; the performances represented years of practice, technical precision and personal ambition – a moment of professional maturity and the chance to step onto the international stage.
By the end of the finals, two names stood out. Ieva Ivonė of Taste Map Coffee Roasters secured the title and will represent Lithuania at the World Barista Championship in Panama. Meanwhile, Ieva Šuopytė of Kalve Coffee Roasters earned her place at the World Coffee Brewing Championship, following a closely contested competition that kept the audience engaged until the very end.
Beyond the tastings and championships, the festival placed a strong emphasis on education. The dedicated learning zone became one of the most active parts of the programme, with workshops and talks focusing on the science and craft behind coffee. Discussions ranged from the origin of raw beans and roasting decisions to extraction parameters and the influence of water and milk on flavour. Rather than simply asking what tastes good, speakers explored why it tastes good – how processing methods shape flavour profiles, how technical choices affect consistency in the cup, and why stability matters just as much as creativity.
Another recurring theme was the professional journey of a barista. Several speakers shared their experiences preparing for championships, building teams and sustaining growth in a fast-moving industry. For many young professionals in the audience, these conversations offered insight into the discipline and skills required to succeed at the highest level.
Judging by the atmosphere throughout the day, the Lithuanian Coffee Festival has become more than a tasting event. It is gradually evolving into a platform where the country’s coffee culture meets, learns and celebrates itself – from the first cup poured in the morning to the final applause after the championship announcements.
If this year’s turnout and energy are any indication, the festival’s next edition will have even more ground – and cups – to cover.
