To Keep Your Business Running: What Equipment You Need for a Coffee Shop

So, what do you need to open a coffee shop? And where can you find reliable and productive equipment?

The Essential Minimum

The list of equipment for a coffee shop depends on your format (e.g., a coffee point for take-away vs. a sit-down café), your concept, and foot traffic. But there’s a basic minimum you can’t do without: a coffee machine, coffee grinder, and a refrigerator.
You might also need a drip coffee maker, refrigerated display cases (if you serve desserts), a waffle maker, sandwich press, grill, or a small oven. And don’t forget POS equipment for fast and reliable transactions.

The minimum budget for equipment starts around 1 million KZT. If your café has up to 10 seats, costs can reach 3 million KZT. Buying used equipment can reduce expenses, but it may not come with warranties or support. Investing in reliable, professional-grade machines ensures durability — key for handling busy hours and long queues.

Let’s dive deeper into the core equipment.

The Main Equipment: Coffee Machines

A coffee machine brews espresso — the base for most coffee drinks like latte, cappuccino, and flat white.

Coffee machines fall into two categories based on automation level:

• Super-Automatic
  These machines handle everything with a single button press. They’re ideal for bakeries, pastry shops, or cafés where coffee is not the main product.
• Semi-Automatic
  Here, the barista controls the entire process — from grinding beans to frothing milk — resulting in a more refined, soulful brew. This is the go-to choice for specialty coffee shops.

What to Look For

Besides functionality, pay attention to pressure and temperature stability. High pressure ensures a rich flavor by extracting oils and aromatics. The ideal water temperature is around 70°C — higher temps (e.g., 90°C) risk bitterness and smoky aftertastes.

When You Need a Coffee Grinder

If your coffee machine doesn’t have a built-in grinder, a separate coffee grinder is essential — especially in specialty cafés where coffee is an art form.
Premium-grade coffee has a complex flavor with a perfect balance of sweetness, acidity, and notes of fruit, flowers, chocolate, or nuts. Such cafés often use two or three grinders for different types of beans or brews.

What About a Drip Coffee Maker?  

Drip coffee makers or tools like Chemex aren’t required for every café. They’re used to make filter coffee — a smoother, less acidic brew. Unlike espresso, it’s brewed by letting hot water (around 95°C) pass through ground coffee in a paper filter, without pressure.
The result is velvet-like and homogenous, though not everyone prefers this method, so it’s not always included on coffee shop menus.

Clean Water Only: Filtration Systems

Coffee should only be made with filtered water. Tap water may contain impurities that spoil taste and damage equipment. Invest in a professional-grade filtration system — or use bottled water if you’re just starting out.
Leasing a filtration system is also a budget-friendly option.

Refrigeration Equipment

Even if you don’t serve desserts, you’ll need a fridge for milk, cream, or chocolate.
If you offer food or desserts, a display fridge helps both with storage and showcasing your menu. It should maintain a stable temperature despite frequent opening.

A freezer is useful for ice (essential for drinks like bumble coffee — espresso with orange juice), frozen berries, or fruit toppings. If your budget is limited, consider leasing or buying second-hand refrigeration equipment in good condition.

What Else You’ll Need

Bar Counter

Even the smallest cafés have a bar counter — it divides space, improves workflow, and contributes to the interior. The optimal height is 90 cm for comfortable use.

POS Equipment

Choose systems designed for the hospitality industry. They process payments, help baristas with prompts, manage inventory, and enable loyalty discounts.

Ventilation System

If your café has seating or hot food prep, proper ventilation is a must. Machines generate heat quickly, and working in an overheated space all day is uncomfortable.

Don’t forget furniture and décor — they create a cozy, memorable atmosphere. Want to stand out? Add small customer perks like personalized cup stickers (you’ll need a printer for that) or free Wi-Fi (which also requires a router or hardware).

Start with essential equipment first, then expand based on your café’s format and goals.