World's 50 Best Bars
Marco Arrigo
- Discipline
- World's 50 Best Bars
Portrait of Marco Arrigo
i. Biography
The Climb
Quality control in coffee is built on repeatable standards, and in 1991 Marco Arrigo entered that work at Illy in Soho as an importer and seller of Illy. That start built his reputation on close brand knowledge and a working feel for the product from the ground up. Today, he is head of quality at Illy, founder of University of Coffee, and co-owner of Bar Termini.
The Sunday email
Get new Made By stories every Sunday.
Every Sunday we send a lead story and up to four more about the chefs, winemakers, sommeliers and hoteliers behind the restaurants, bars, wineries and hotels we cover.
Recent stories
Free. One email a week, and you can unsubscribe from any issue.
Today
Head of Quality at Illy sits at the center of the line, with University of Coffee extending that work into education and Bar Termini in Soho, London carrying it into service. Marco Arrigo holds those roles across coffee and cocktails, keeping the technical and public sides of the trade in the same frame.
In Their Words “It was all about just about delivering a different menu, like why is everybody still copying a 15-year-old menu?”
Recognition
The quote points to a practical stance on menu development: move the list forward instead of repeating an old one. In Marco Arrigo’s case, the question is not novelty for its own sake, but why service still leans on a 15-year-old template.
FAQ
Asked of Marco
What is Marco Arrigo's current role?
As of 2026, Marco Arrigo is Head of Quality.
Where did Marco Arrigo work before?
Marco Arrigo's earlier career included Illy.
What is Marco Arrigo known for?
Coffee and cocktails.
Explore
The Sunday email
Get new Made By stories every Sunday.
Every Sunday we send a lead story and up to four more about the chefs, winemakers, sommeliers and hoteliers behind the restaurants, bars, wineries and hotels we cover.
Recent stories
Free. One email a week, and you can unsubscribe from any issue.