Best Commercial Coffee Machines for Cafés and Restaurants (2027 Guide)

If you're opening a café or replacing an existing coffee machine, choosing the right equipment is an important decision.

A machine that's too small can struggle during busy periods. Equally, there's little point investing in a large three-group machine if you're only preparing a small number of coffees each day.

For most cafés and coffee shops, we'd recommend starting with a traditional commercial espresso machine. These give trained staff control over espresso preparation and milk steaming.

In this guide, we'll look at suitable machines from CREM, Sanremo, Ascaso and La Cimbali, along with the other equipment and installation requirements worth considering.

Which commercial coffee machine is right for your café?

The first thing to consider is how many coffees you'll be serving, particularly during your busiest periods.

You'll also need to think about available counter space, your budget and whether your staff have experience using traditional espresso equipment.

These are general guidelines. The number of groups isn't the only factor. Boiler capacity, steam performance, electrical requirements and staff workflow are also important.

Commercial espresso machines worth considering

Below are some examples from our range. They cover different budgets and requirements, from compact machines through to premium commercial equipment.

Machine suitability depends on the exact model and specification. We'd recommend checking the expected workload before choosing.

1. CREM commercial espresso machines

CREM offers a range of traditional espresso machines, including compact one-group models and larger two-group and three-group options.

CREM EX2

The CREM EX2 range is worth considering if you're opening a smaller café or looking for a practical commercial espresso machine.

The EX2 1 Group Mini is particularly useful where space is limited. The two-group versions provide additional flexibility for cafés preparing more drinks during busy periods.

CREM EX3

The CREM EX3 range is another option for cafés and restaurants.

Different group configurations and control options are available, so it's worth comparing the EX3 with the EX2 based on your budget and requirements.

Browse CREM coffee machines.

2. Sanremo commercial espresso machines

Sanremo manufactures traditional espresso machines for cafés, coffee shops and hospitality businesses.

Sanremo D8

The Sanremo D8 range is worth considering for cafés looking for a commercial two-group or three-group machine.

The standard D8 provides a starting point, while the D8 Plus and D8 Pro offer alternative specifications.

We'd recommend comparing the different versions rather than assuming the most expensive model is necessary for your business.

Sanremo Zoe

The Sanremo Zoe is another option, with compact and standard configurations available.

It can be worth comparing if you're working with limited counter space or want to consider alternatives to the D8 range.

Sanremo Cafe Racer

For businesses with a larger budget, the Sanremo Cafe Racer range offers another option.

It's particularly worth considering where the espresso machine will be a prominent part of the coffee bar.

Browse Sanremo espresso machines.

3. Ascaso commercial espresso machines

Ascaso offers traditional espresso machines in several sizes, including equipment suitable for commercial coffee service.

Ascaso BAR

The Ascaso BAR range includes one-group, two-group and three-group machines.

This makes it worth considering for different types of café, from smaller locations through to businesses needing additional group capacity.

When choosing between versions, check the dimensions, power supply and installation requirements.

Browse Ascaso commercial espresso machines.

4. La Cimbali commercial espresso machines

La Cimbali offers a broad range of professional espresso machines, including models for restaurants, cafés and busy hospitality environments.

La Cimbali M26

The La Cimbali M26 range is worth considering for businesses looking for a professional traditional espresso machine.

Different configurations are available, including compact and larger group options.

It's a useful range to compare if you need a machine for regular commercial service.

La Cimbali M40

The La Cimbali M40 is a premium commercial espresso machine with a range of features designed for professional coffee preparation.

It's worth considering for cafés with trained staff and a larger equipment budget.

La Cimbali M200

At the higher end of the range, the La Cimbali M200 offers additional control and configuration options.

It's more likely to suit an established coffee business with specific requirements than a small café buying its first machine.

Browse La Cimbali traditional espresso machines.

One-group vs two-group espresso machines

For many new cafés, deciding between one and two groups is one of the first questions.

A one-group machine takes up less space and can be suitable where coffee demand is relatively low.

A two-group machine allows staff to prepare espresso using two groups, which can be useful during busy periods.

However, a two-group machine isn't automatically twice as productive. The grinder, steam capacity, operator and overall workflow all affect how quickly drinks can be prepared.

If you're opening a café, we'd recommend estimating how many coffees you'll need to make during your busiest hour, rather than looking only at the daily total.

What other equipment does a café need?

Commercial coffee grinder

A suitable grinder is essential when using a traditional espresso machine.

We'd recommend choosing the grinder alongside the espresso machine, rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Grind consistency, speed and adjustment all matter, particularly during busy service.

Water filtration

Water quality affects both coffee preparation and the condition of your equipment.

The correct filtration system will depend on your machine, local water conditions and expected usage.

Always follow the manufacturer's water requirements.

Knock box and accessories

You'll also need a suitable knock box, tamper, milk jugs, cleaning products and other accessories.

These aren't usually the largest costs, but they should still be included in your budget.

Installation

Traditional commercial espresso machines often require mains water, drainage and a suitable electrical supply.

Some larger machines have electrical requirements beyond a standard UK plug socket.

It's worth checking these before ordering, particularly if you're fitting out a new café or restaurant.

How much does a commercial café coffee machine cost?

Commercial espresso machines can range from around £2,000 to more than £15,000 excluding VAT.

The final cost depends on the manufacturer, number of groups, features and specification.

You'll also need to budget for a grinder, water filtration, accessories and any installation work.

For a fuller breakdown, read our commercial coffee machine pricing guide.

Should you buy or lease a café coffee machine?

Buying outright can make sense if you have the budget available.

Finance may be worth considering if you'd prefer to spread the cost of your equipment through regular payments.

We work with Kennet Equipment Leasing Limited to introduce eligible UK limited companies to equipment finance options.

Finance is subject to status, credit approval and the lender's terms. The total amount payable may be higher than the outright purchase price.

Read more about coffee machine finance and leasing.

Is a bean-to-cup machine suitable for a café or restaurant?

Yes, depending on the business.

If coffee is a major part of your offering and you have trained baristas, a traditional espresso machine will often be the better starting point.

However, a bean-to-cup machine can be useful for restaurants, hotels and smaller hospitality businesses where staff need a straightforward way to prepare coffee.

Automatic machines can also be worth considering where coffee demand is relatively low or staff have several other responsibilities.

Read our bean-to-cup versus traditional espresso machine guide for more information.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best coffee machine for a small café?

A compact commercial one-group or two-group espresso machine can be a good starting point.

Ranges such as the CREM EX2, Ascaso BAR and Sanremo Zoe are worth comparing, depending on your budget and expected workload.

Is a two-group espresso machine enough for a café?

For many cafés, yes. However, the right choice depends on how many drinks you need to prepare during busy periods.

Do commercial espresso machines need plumbing?

Many traditional commercial machines require a mains water connection and drainage.

Check the installation requirements of the exact model before ordering.

Do I need a separate coffee grinder?

Yes. Traditional commercial espresso machines generally require a separate grinder suitable for espresso preparation.

How often should a café espresso machine be cleaned?

Cleaning should be part of your daily routine. The exact requirements depend on the machine and how it's used.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and maintenance.

Can I lease a commercial espresso machine?

Finance may be available for eligible UK limited companies, subject to approval and the lender's terms.

Get a quote for your café or restaurant

We supply commercial espresso machines from CREM, Sanremo, Ascaso, La Cimbali and other manufacturers.

Whether you're opening a new café or replacing an existing machine, we're happy to help you compare suitable equipment.

Tell us roughly how many coffees you expect to serve, the type of drinks on your menu and your available budget.

We can also discuss grinders, water filtration and installation requirements.

Machine suitability depends on the exact model, configuration, expected workload and installation requirements. Specifications and availability should be confirmed before ordering.