Cliché as it may sound, I’m one of those who can’t face the day without a cup of coffee. For me, Toby’s Estate at Century City Mall has become my trusty spot to fuel up before diving into the workday.
Even on the busiest of days, I’ll steal a few minutes to walk over from the office to grab my usual Gibraltar or flat white, always a bit extra hot. So, when I heard that their flagship café and roastery in Chippendale, Sydney, was named The World’s Best Coffee Shop at the inaugural The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops Gala, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride. As one of their regular customers, I feel like I’m part of their journey—if only in a small way.
Why not? This prestigious global recognition honors coffee shops for excellence in several categories, including coffee quality, barista expertise, customer service, innovation, sustainability, ambiance, and consistency. In a competition that brought together top coffee spots from around the globe, Toby’s Estate—an Australian specialty roaster—emerged victorious.
Jody Leslie, general manager of Toby’s Estate, shared: “At Toby’s Estate, coffee is at the core of everything we do. We’re beyond thrilled with this recognition as it reflects the dedication and hard work of our team. We’re passionate about delivering the best coffee experience to our customers.”
Ortigas reflect its world-class coffee culture
Toby’s Estate’s expansion into the Philippines over a decade ago has had a lasting impact on the local coffee scene. Brought to the country by four entrepreneurs who shared a love for high-quality coffee, Toby’s Estate Philippines has played a pivotal role in the specialty coffee boom. Marcel Crespo, one of the key entrepreneurs behind Toby’s Estate Philippines, shared:
“This award is a huge milestone for us. It’s a testament to the incredible dedication of our team, both locally and globally, and a reflection of how coffee lovers everywhere resonate with our passion for quality and sustainability. We are proud to be part of this global coffee movement and to bring this experience to the Philippines.”
Since then, Toby’s Estate Philippines has grown to include 14 branches across Metro Manila, with locations in Ortigas, BGC, and Makati. The brand continues to serve exceptional coffee to local communities and offers wholesale services to establishments looking to elevate their coffee offerings. As part of their commitment to global standards, they also plan to send local baristas to Australia for advanced training.
“We’re incredibly proud to have our flagship café recognized as the world’s best,” said Crespo. “No need for coffee lovers to travel far—you can experience it right here in the Philippines.”
To learn more about Toby’s Estate, visit tobysestateph.com or email info@tobysestateph.com.
As for me, I’m about to head out for my afternoon coffee fix—another cup from my favorite spot.
