Why Coffee Lovers Shouldn’t Miss the India International Coffee Festival

India’s coffee story has moved far beyond the morning cup, with single-estate brews, artisanal roasters and stylish cafés redefining how the country drinks coffee — a transformation set to be showcased at the India International Coffee Festival. Beginning on February 12, the three-day event at Chamara Vajra in Jayamahal, Bengaluru, is expected to attract over 20,000 visitors, bringing together growers, roasters, baristas, and coffee enthusiasts from across the country to showcase specialty coffee in India.

India International Coffee Festival 2026 | Bengaluru Travel Guide

Bringing together growers, roasters, baristas and coffee lovers, the festival offers a chance to experience the full breadth of India’s coffee ecosystem in one place. From plantation stories and artisanal brews to tasting sessions and industry showcases, the event celebrates India’s growing reputation as a serious player on the global coffee map.

Behind The Festival

Organised by the Specialty Coffee Association of India and supported by the Coffee Board of India, the India International Coffee Festival is more than just an industry event. It brings together every link in the coffee value chain, from growers and roasters to baristas and brands. Visitors can expect live championships, hands-on workshops, B2B networking zones and immersive brand showcases, with over 70 leading names and more than 20,000 attendees.

Bengaluru Coffee Festival 2026 – Workshops And Tastings

There’s plenty here for coffee aficionados keen to go beyond the cup. Visitors can sign up for workshops such as Farm to Cup: Post-Harvest Processing 101, an accessible introduction to how fermentation, drying and handling methods shape flavour outcomes. Tasting-led sessions like the Robusta Tasting: Different Processing Methods offer a guided comparison of Robusta coffees processed in varied ways, with focused sensory discussions led by experts.

For those who brew at home or own their own machines, sessions such as Roasting Fundamentals: Profile Building & Tasting delve into roast theory and profiling, exploring how heat, airflow and development time influence flavour — followed, of course, by tasting the results. For those keen to sharpen their brewing skills, the festival also offers a range of hands-on workshops focused on technique and taste. Sessions such as the Manual Brewing Masterclass & Tasting (CAFEC) break down pour-over fundamentals, from water and grind size to agitation and recipe development, followed by guided tastings across different brews.

Espresso enthusiasts can opt for the Espresso Brewing Masterclass & Tasting, which covers recipe building, grinder calibration, extraction variables, milk workflow and troubleshooting, with expert-led tastings along the way. And if, like us, you have a soft spot for filter coffee, the South Indian Filter Coffee 101 Masterclass is a must — a practical deep dive into the history, technique and cultural significance of one of India’s most loved coffee traditions.

Bengaluru Coffee Festival 2026 – The Competitions

Beyond workshops and tastings, the festival also opens up space for conversation and competition. Interactive panel discussions on The Future of Specialty Coffee in India bring together industry experts to explore emerging trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the country’s fast-evolving coffee landscape. Visitors can also watch India’s finest baristas go head-to-head in national and regional championships, competing under real-time pressure while showcasing precision, creativity and hospitality at its best.

The action continues at the National Barista Championship, where talent from across the country takes centre stage, and the National Brewers Cup, which celebrates expert manual brewing and disciplined technique. Rounding off the experience is Coffee in Good Spirits — a one-of-a-kind showcase where coffee and spirits are blended into inventive cocktails designed to delight even the most discerning palates.

Adding to the buzz is the Instant Coffee Competition, powered by NESCAFÉ, where participants showcase their creativity by crafting exceptional hot and cold beverages using instant coffee products. For those drawn to the craft behind the bean, the Roasting Throwdown — presented by GB Roasters in collaboration with Harley Estate — marks India’s first competition of its kind. Here, roasters battle it out by roasting coffee live, with blind cupping rounds ultimately deciding the champion.

FAQs

What is the India International Coffee Festival?
The India International Coffee Festival (IICF) is a three-day celebration of India’s coffee culture, featuring tastings, workshops, barista championships, and industry showcases in Bengaluru.

When and where is the India International Coffee Festival 2026?
The festival runs from February 12–14, 2026 at Chamara Vajra, Jayamahal, Bengaluru.

How can I attend the festival?
Visitors can purchase tickets online through the official IICF website. There are options for general entry, workshop participation, and access to competitions and masterclasses.

What workshops and masterclasses are available?
The festival offers hands-on sessions including Manual Brewing Masterclass, Espresso Tasting Workshop, South Indian Filter Coffee 101, and Roasting Fundamentals, suitable for beginners and coffee aficionados alike.

Can I learn about different coffee types and brewing methods?
Absolutely. The festival covers everything from single-estate beans and artisanal roasts to South Indian filter coffee, pour-over, and espresso techniques, with guided tastings and sensory discussions.