Restaurant espresso operations face a few important challenges: non-specialist staff, back of house space constraints, irregular demand patterns, and coffee service that’s integrated into broader meal experiences rather than standalone transactions. Good restaurant espresso machines are built to be simple to use for restaurant staff, can consistently produce well-rounded espresso shots, and – in some cases – use a high degree of automation to minimize inevitable user errors that harm coffee quality and the customer experience.
Key considerations include compact footprint for cramped kitchen spaces, intuitive controls that reduce operator error under pressure, and robust construction that handles inconsistent daily use patterns. Successful restaurant coffee programs focus on consistent quality over artisanal complexity. Think simple but solid black coffee and espresso drinks, rather than long menus with rotating single origins. The equipment below has proven effective in real restaurant environments where coffee quality matters, but operational simplicity is key.
Newest Good for restaurants
Enigma Supertraditional | 1 Group
Artisan coffee services meets superautomatic features, brewing two shots at a time, with a sleek ‘supertraditional’ body style.
Enigma Classic | 1 Group
Artisan coffee services meets superautomatic features, brewing two shots at a time.
Cameo Supertraditional | 1 Group
Single-group espresso machine ideal for coffee programs offering a small, dedicated lineup of beverages in a low to mid-volume setting.
$22,400
Cameo Classic | 1 Group
The Cameo is a one-group espresso machine ideal for coffee programs offering a small, dedicated lineup of beverages in a low to mid-volume setting.
$21,280
F18 MB 2 Group
Powerful dual-boiler machine for consistent extraction and usability in medium and high-volume settings.
$16,500
Zoe Compact 2 Group
A compact volumetric machine for reliable espresso in low to medium volume settings.
$6,100
Zoe Competition 2 Group
A daily-driver espresso machine that’s well-suited for a variety of mid-volume settings.
$7,300
