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Voting for the 2026 Diners Club SA Barista of the Year competition opened on 17 June. Now's your chance to support that special person who makes your mornings a little brighter, who delivers your morning fix, turning beans into bliss. So, get out there and vote for your favourite baristas before 17 July and help them stand a chance to win R20 000 and the title of Barista of the Year 2026. 

Earlier this year, coffee shops across South Africa were invited, with no participation fee required, to enter their standout baristas in this annual contest to showcase their skill, creativity, and passion for exceptional coffee. The coffee shops taking part in the 2026 competition all proudly display a branded QR code on site, inviting customers to vote for their prized barista. The voting process is seamlessly integrated into the customer experience, with one vote allocated per till slip.

Or you can access the list of this year’s talented barista entrants online, and place your vote, via the Diners Club website at https://www.dinersclub.co.za/news-events/barista-2026-voting-page or the Diners Club Instagram, Facebook, and X platforms. First select your province, then your coffee shop of choice, followed by the address, and finally select your favoured barista. Then upload your till slip and vote.

Once the votes have been verified and tallied, the competition will culminate in August, when eight outstanding finalists will be announced, and one exceptional barista, with the highest number of votes, will claim the title of Diners Club Barista of the Year 2026. The winner will receive a R20,000 cash prize and a trophy to be exhibited at their coffee shop. In addition, the winning barista and their establishment will be featured in a video interview across Diners Club’s social media channels, as well as in an editorial feature in Signature Magazine.

The Diners Club Barista of the Year competition honours excellence in coffee craftsmanship, recognising the talented baristas — the true ‘day makers’ who transform daily rituals into moments of delight. Now in its 4th year, this championship continues to go from strength to strength, cementing its reputation as a platform that celebrates and elevates South Africa’s vibrant coffee culture.