When it comes to creating a memorable dining experience, every detail counts—including the coffee you serve.
As an after-dinner espresso, coffee can often be the final impression your guests have before they leave. And of course, the importance of a great coffee offer for restaurants that serve food earlier in the day, particularly breakfast, cannot be understated.
If a restaurant’s coffee falls short, it can tarnish an otherwise excellent meal.
That’s why investing in the right coffee machine for your restaurant is crucial. But with so many options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
This guide will walk you through the key considerations and machine types to help you choose the best commercial coffee machine for your restaurant, ensuring your coffee offering leaves a lasting, positive impression.
Key considerations for your restaurant’s coffee machine
Before deciding on a coffee machine, it’s essential to understand how your business operates, who your customers are, and what level of investment you’re prepared to make. Here are the main factors to think about:
What type of coffee experience do you want your restaurant to have?
First, consider the role coffee plays in your restaurant. Are you aiming to provide a high-end experience where customers savour every sip? Or is speed and efficiency more critical, especially during busy meal times?
High-Quality, Customised Experience
If you want to wow your guests with expertly crafted coffee, a machine that allows for more control and customisation will be necessary.
This might mean investing in a traditional or even super automatic automatic espresso machine.
Quick and Consistent Service
If your focus is on moving people through efficiently while still providing great-tasting coffee, an automated solution could be the better fit. This is particularly relevant if your restaurant serves a high volume of guests during peak times.
What Are Your Customers’ Expectations?
If your restaurant attracts coffee aficionados who appreciate complex flavours and specialty drinks, investing in a more sophisticated coffee setup will likely pay off.
However, if your patrons primarily want a reliable, good-quality cup of coffee to complement their meal, a simpler yet effective machine may be more suitable – such as the Alto 400 FM bean to cup machine.
How Much Can You Invest?
Budget is always an important factor. Commercial coffee machines can range significantly in price, from £3.5k for basic models to upwards of £60k for high-end, feature-rich systems.
Your investment should align with your restaurant’s goals and the expected return in terms of guest satisfaction and efficiency.
Keep in mind that a more expensive machine can be a worthwhile investment if it elevates your dining experience and increases repeat business.
How Easy Should the Machine Be to Use?
The skill level of your staff should influence your choice. If you have, or plan to hire, skilled baristas you’ll have more flexibility to choose machines that require a higher level of expertise like an espresso machine.
If your staff turnover is high, or if coffee preparation is just one of many tasks for your team, a user-friendly, automated machine is likely the better choice.
Maintenance and Upkeep
Commercial coffee machines need regular maintenance to stay in top working order. Some machines require more frequent cleaning and servicing than others.
Consider whether you have the resources and time to manage regular upkeep or if a low-maintenance machine would be more practical for your operation.
It’s also worth considering who your coffee machine supplier will be, as they may include some regular maintenance and upkeep as part of your contract.
What Type of Machine do you need?
Once you’ve considered your restaurant’s specific needs, it’s time to explore the main types of coffee machines available. Here are some popular options and their best-use scenarios:
Traditional Barista Espresso Machines
A traditional espresso machine is a hallmark of high-quality coffee service. These machines require skilled staff to operate, giving them full control over the brewing process, from grinding and tamping to steaming milk and extracting espresso. This level of precision allows for a truly personalised and artisanal coffee experience.
Best Suited Environments
Perfect for restaurants that want to highlight coffee as a key part of the dining experience. If your business model includes training your staff and prioritising drink quality, a traditional espresso machine will elevate your coffee offering to new heights. These machines are also ideal for restaurants that want to feature seasonal drink menus or use specialty coffee beans to create unique flavours.
Key Benefits:
- Exceptional Coffee Quality: Traditional espresso machines produce rich, flavorful coffee with the perfect balance of aroma and body, making them a favourite for coffee purists.
- Full Control: Skilled baristas can adjust grind size, water temperature, and extraction time, allowing for a highly customised coffee experience tailored to each guest.
- Creative Possibilities: Baristas can experiment with latte art, alternative brewing techniques, and specialty drinks to enhance your restaurant’s reputation for quality.
While traditional espresso machines require a greater initial investment in both equipment and staff training, they offer unparalleled quality and customization. If your restaurant prides itself on a premium dining experience, this type of machine is well worth considering.
Super Automatic Espresso Machines
These machines combine the quality of traditional espresso machines with the convenience of automation. Super automatic machines handle everything, from grinding and tamping to extracting espresso and frothing milk, delivering barista-level coffee with minimal effort.
Best Suited Environments
Perfect for high-end restaurants that want to serve premium coffee drinks efficiently. These machines are ideal for locations where drink quality and speed are equally important.
Key Benefits:
- High-Quality Coffee: Produces barista-quality drinks with advanced features like precise temperature control and automatic milk steaming.
- Efficiency: Capable of handling high-volume service without compromising on quality.
Versatility: Customisable drink settings allow you to offer a wide range of coffee options.
Commercial Filter Coffee Brewers
For restaurants that want to serve a delicious cup of coffee quickly, filter coffee brewers are an excellent option. They are especially useful during breakfast or brunch service, allowing you to offer large volumes of coffee efficiently.
Best Suited Environments
Ideal for restaurants that serve a high number of guests at once, like buffet-style venues or establishments where a quick, high-quality cup of black coffee is essential.
Key Benefits:
- Speed and Convenience: Quickly brews large quantities of coffee, perfect for serving multiple guests at once.
- Cost-Effective: A more affordable option compared to espresso-based machines.
- Low Complexity: Simple to use and maintain, making them suitable for staff with minimal training.
Need Help Choosing the Best Commercial Coffee Machine for Your Restaurant?
Selecting the right coffee machine is an important decision that can significantly impact your restaurant’s service and customer satisfaction.
At Bridge Coffee Roasters, we understand the complexities involved and are here to help. We’ve assisted over 500 businesses including both independents and national restaurant chains in finding the perfect coffee solution, tailored to their unique needs.
If you’re ready to take your restaurant’s coffee experience to the next level, download our comprehensive guide to choosing the best commercial coffee machine.
Our team can also provide expert advice, barista training, and ongoing support to ensure you get the most out of your investment.
