Coffee Shop Equipment Guide
How to Choose the Right Coffee Shop Equipment for Your Café
Opening a new coffee shop or upgrading an existing café? This complete guide explains how to choose core coffee shop equipment, from coffee machines and grinders to counters, refrigeration, display cases, and bar tools, so you can design a smooth, profitable coffee bar.
Ideal for: Coffee shops, cafés, bakery cafés, dessert shops, restaurants, hotel lobbies, coffee carts
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From small coffee kiosks to full‑scale specialty cafés
Who Needs a Complete Guide to Coffee Shop Equipment?
Coffee shop equipment planning is important for more than just independent cafés. Many types of businesses now serve specialty coffee and need a professional, efficient coffee setup.
Need complete coffee shop equipment lists, including espresso machines, coffee grinders, under‑counter refrigeration, display cases, and dishwashing solutions.
Combine coffee shop equipment with bakery display cases, refrigerated showcases, and back‑of‑house preparation equipment to increase average ticket size.
Set up coffee bar equipment to support breakfast service, dessert counters, and lobby coffee stations without slowing down the kitchen.
Need space‑saving coffee shop equipment solutions, including compact coffee machines, under‑counter units, and integrated sinks and storage.
What Core Equipment Do You Need Behind a Coffee Bar?
The coffee bar is the heart of the coffee shop. Start by choosing your coffee machine, grinders, bar counters, and barista tools. These decisions shape your menu, workflow, and daily capacity.
Choose between semi‑automatic espresso coffee machines, fully automatic coffee machines, bean‑to‑cup coffee machines, and coffee vending machines depending on your concept and staff skills.
- Semi‑automatic espresso machines for specialty cafés with baristas.
- Automatic machines or bean‑to‑cup systems for quick‑service or self‑service zones.
- Coffee vending machines for corridors, offices, or unmanned points.
Commercial coffee grinders are as important as your coffee machine. They control grind size, extraction, and drink consistency.
- Use burr coffee grinders for espresso and filter coffee.
- Consider separate grinders for regular espresso, decaf, and filter coffee.
- Match grinder capacity to your peak hour volume.
Coffee shop counters and barista workstations hold your coffee machine, grinders, cups, and tools. Good design reduces steps and speeds up service.
- Plan separate zones for order taking, drink making, and pickup.
- Use stainless steel or durable surfaces near wet areas.
- For coffee carts, choose integrated counters with storage and sinks.
Barista tools keep your bar organized and your drinks consistent. They are small in size but critical to your coffee shop equipment list.
- Coffee tampers, distributors, scales, milk pitchers, and thermometers.
- Knock boxes, cleaning brushes, and cloths.
- Filters and pour‑over sets if you offer manual brewing.
How Do Core Coffee Bar Equipment Items Work Together?
| Equipment | Main Role | Key Questions | Typical Choice for Coffee Shops |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial coffee machine | Brews espresso and other coffee drinks | Volume, drink menu, staff skill, self‑service or barista‑led? | Semi‑automatic espresso coffee machine with multiple groups |
| Coffee grinders | Control grind size for espresso, filter, and other brews | How many different coffees? Espresso only or also filter? | At least one espresso grinder, plus one for filter or decaf |
| Coffee bar counters | Provide structure, housing, and ergonomics for bar workflow | Available space, customer flow, under‑counter equipment? | Front counter + back bar with under‑counter refrigeration |
| Barista tools & accessories | Fine‑tune quality and keep the bar clean and organized | Which brew methods? How many baristas? Cleaning routine? | Complete kit of tampers, pitchers, knock boxes, and scales |
What Cold Side and Display Equipment Does a Coffee Shop Need?
Coffee shops rarely sell only coffee. You also need refrigeration, storage, and display equipment to support milk, ingredients, pastries, desserts, and grab‑and‑go items.
Place refrigerators and under‑counter fridges close to the coffee bar to store milk, cream, syrups, and cold drinks.
- Under‑counter units for milk and prepared ingredients.
- Display fridges for bottled drinks and grab‑and‑go items.
- Back‑of‑house fridges for bulk storage.
Refrigerated or ambient display cases show desserts, cakes, sandwiches, and snacks. They act as both equipment and merchandising tools.
- Choose size based on your food menu and floor space.
- Keep cases near the order counter for impulse purchasing.
- Combine with menu boards for clear product information.
Storage is a hidden but essential part of coffee shop equipment planning. Use shelving, cabinets, and dry storage areas to organize beans, cups, and disposables.
- Store coffee beans in sealed containers or coffee bags.
- Keep extra cups, lids, and napkins in easy‑to‑reach shelves.
- Use back‑of‑house storage for bulk and seasonal items.
How Do You Match Coffee Shop Equipment to Your Concept?
Different coffee shop concepts need different equipment combinations. A small espresso bar, a bakery café, and a hotel lobby coffee corner will not use exactly the same coffee shop equipment list.
| Coffee Shop Type | Core Coffee Equipment | Cold & Display Equipment | Main Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact espresso bar | Semi‑automatic espresso machine, 1–2 coffee grinders, small coffee bar counter, barista tools | Small under‑counter fridge, limited display for snacks | High‑quality drinks in a small space, fast service |
| Bakery café or dessert shop | Commercial coffee machine, coffee grinders, larger bar counter, possible filter coffee equipment | Cake display cases, refrigerated showcases, additional fridges | Coffee + pastry pairing, strong visual merchandising |
| Restaurant or hotel coffee corner | Fully automatic coffee machine or bean‑to‑cup machine, simple grinder setup (if needed), compact bar counter | Back‑of‑house refrigeration, possibly small display of desserts | Reliable coffee service with limited staff time and training |
| Coffee cart or kiosk | Compact commercial coffee machine, compact coffee grinder, integrated coffee cart counter, bar tools | Under‑counter fridge, small display for pastries or packaged snacks | Space efficiency, power and water management, mobility |
What Should You Consider Before Buying Coffee Shop Equipment?
Before you order equipment, step back and confirm your concept, volume, and layout. A clear plan helps you avoid buying items you do not need, or missing critical components.
Estimate how many cups of coffee, tea, and cold drinks you will serve per day and during peak hours. Your coffee shop equipment must handle these volumes without long waiting times.
Measure your floor plan carefully. Check where you have water supply, drainage, and power outlets. Coffee machines, fridges, and dishwashers all have specific requirements that must fit your building.
Decide how many baristas and support staff will work during peak times. Choose coffee shop equipment and layout that let them move efficiently without interfering with each other.
Think about which equipment must be purchased at the opening stage, and which items can be added later as the business grows. For example, you may start with one coffee grinder and add a second one later.
