Now in its fifth edition, the three-day event served as a key meeting ground for entrepreneurs and industry professionals to explore new ideas, strengthen partnerships and expand their businesses.
ICBS 2026 was organised by Montgomery Asia in collaboration with Barista Guild Asia and Eciatto. Over 650 participating brands were featured alongside more than 1,000 baristas and 2,000 café owners, with over 55 countries represented.
The atmosphere on the show’s third day, open to the public, buzzed with energy as visitors filled exhibition halls and engaged with exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations in coffee, tea, and café technology.
Many exhibitors took the opportunity to unveil new products and concepts aimed at shaping the future of the café and beverage industry in the Asean region.
This year’s ICBS also introduced a dedicated tea segment for the first time, reflecting the growing demand for premium tea experiences and ready-to-drink tea products.
Vendors commended the platform for providing meaningful networking opportunities, allowing them to connect directly with potential partners, distributors and customers from both local and international markets.
“ICBS presents us with a very dynamic market. I see that it has a wide reach and has allowed us to connect with many Malaysians, especially coffee and industry players. It’s a very good platform for us to connect,” Kara Malaysia brand manager Shah Rizal told FMT Lifestyle.
“This show is very unique. It features a good display of exhibitors showcasing their specialties, and so is a great draw not just for coffee lovers but anyone interested in learning more about the coffee and café industry,” said Like Me Coffee business development manager Rohafiz Izwan Rosihan Anuar.
“It is a good platform to gather people together who like coffee and beverages, and very helpful for me to find customers,” said JKAI Plastic Technology Co Limited Southeast Asia regional manager Eric Ma, a visitor from China.
One of the biggest attractions here was the Malaysia Open Championship (MOC), where some of the region’s top coffee talents competed in prestigious contests such as the Malaysia Open Barista Championship, Malaysia Open Latte Art Championship and Malaysia Open Brewers Cup.
The championships, which began in 2017, aim to provide a supportive and inclusive grassroots platform for aspiring baristas to compete, learn, and showcase their skills.
Spectators and supporters gathered to witness impressive displays of creativity, precision and technical skill from competing baristas.
“This win means so much to me. Last year, I didn’t make it because I made a huge mistake, so I’m happy I managed to come back and win this year. I hope to continue improving my skills,” said Open Brewers Cup winner Wong Li Ye of Hurry Hari Coffee, who travelled from Penang for the competition.
“I would say everyone had great concepts to present to the judges and the community. Everyone had very ‘compatible’ coffee on the stage. So well done to all the competitors,” said Ng Hon Lam, a barista from Ghostbird Coffee Company, who emerged champion in the Malaysia Open Barista Championship.
Overall, ICBS 2026 attracted 14,363 attendees and served as a fine celebration of the creativity, craftsmanship and innovation within the café and beverage scene. The warm reception towards the show served as a fine reflection of the rapid growth of café culture across Southeast Asia.
As interest in premium coffee experiences, artisanal beverages and innovative café concepts continues to grow, the exhibition spotlighted how the industry has evolved to meet changing consumer expectations and lifestyle trends.
For more information on the International Café & Beverage Show 2026, visit their website.