La Spaziale S1 Vivaldi
An ideal machine where space is a problem and where quality is more important than speed. Requires water and a 13 amp socket.
POA
View
Your customers' coffee experience begins the moment they step through your doors and their eyes land upon your menu. Whether guests have a usual go-to favourite or are happy to try something new each visit, your menu is where their attention goes first, and therefore, your menu should spark some serious inspiration!
As coffee lovers, keen coffee suppliers, and your one-stop shop of all things coffee-related, we know a thing or two about how to optimise the menu ideas for your coffee shop.
Keep it clear and simple
A well-structured menu makes ordering easier for customers and ensures a smoother experience at the counter. Overloading the menu with too many options can lead to decision fatigue, causing delays and potentially pushing customers toward the simplest (and often lowest-priced) choices. Good coffee should speak for itself, so keep it simple and effective and follow these key principles:
- Avoid overwhelm:
- Group items logically
- Use straightforward language
Signature & Innovation
A successful coffee shop menu strikes a balance between familiar classics and exciting new options, sometimes even with a signature drink not found anywhere else. Customers should always be able to find their go-to favourites, but introducing unique, signature drinks can also help your café stand out.
Classic drinks like espresso, cappuccino, latte, and flat white should always be available. These timeless options cater to both regular customers and those who prefer a traditional coffee experience.
Seasonal & Limited Time Drinks
Seasonal drinks are a fantastic way to keep your coffee shop menu ideas fresh, exciting, and engaging, encouraging customers to return regularly to see what’s new. Limited time drinks create a sense of exclusivity and urgency, making customers more likely to try them before they disappear.
After all, customers love seasonal flavours that match the time of year. Limited time drinks also create buzz, especially when promoted on social media, drawing people in to try them before they’re gone for good. Here are some of our suggestions:
-
Autumn: Pumpkin Spice Latte, Maple Pecan Latte, Cinnamon Mocha.
-
Winter: Peppermint Mocha, Gingerbread Latte, Spiced Hot Chocolate, Egg Nog Latte.
-
Spring: Honey Lavender Latte, Iced Matcha with Vanilla, Almond Iced Latte.
-
Summer: Iced Caramel Macchiato, Cold Brew Lemonade, Coconut Iced Latte, Lemon Iced Tea.
Highlight Quality Ingredients
Customers care about what goes into their cups, and transparency about the quality of your ingredients can enhance trust, elevate your brand, and justify premium pricing. If your café prioritises quality beans, premium syrups, or speciality milk alternatives, make sure your menu reflects that.
-
If you’re using single-origin beans, ethically sourced blends, or Fairtrade-certified coffee, highlight this on your menu. Customers appreciate knowing that their coffee is sourced responsibly and that they’re getting a quality brew.
-
Using flavoured syrups? Call it out! Let customers know they’re enjoying gourmet vanilla, hazelnut, or caramel syrups instead of artificial alternatives.
-
Non-dairy options are in high demand, and many customers are selective about their choices. If you offer barista-quality oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk, list them on the menu to appeal to plant-based and lactose intolerant customers.
A simple note like "Made with ethically sourced single-origin beans" or "Crafted with premium vanilla syrup and oat milk" can enhance the perceived value of your drinks and help customers feel good about their purchase.
Pricing Strategy
Your coffee shop’s pricing strategy should reflect the quality of your ingredients, the effort put into crafting each drink, and customer expectations. Thoughtful pricing not only ensures profitability but also guides purchasing behaviour and encourages higher spending, so you need to be smart with your pricing.
Price for Quality
If you’re using ethically sourced beans, premium syrups, or barista-quality milk alternatives, make sure your pricing reflects this value. Customers are willing to pay more for a superior coffee experience, especially when they understand the quality behind it.
Tiered Pricing to Increase Average Spend
Offering small, medium, and large sizes allows customers to choose based on preference while encouraging upgrades. A small price difference between sizes (e.g., £3.50 for small, £3.90 for large) makes the larger size feel like a better deal.
Dietary & Allergen Information
Lastly, one of the most important considerations for your coffee shop menu is the allergen information. A well-rounded coffee shop menu should be inclusive and transparent, ensuring that all customers (whether they have dietary preferences, allergies, or specific health goals) can order with confidence.
Offer Plant-Based Milk Options & Clearly Label Them
Many customers now prefer dairy-free alternatives like oat, almond, coconut, or soy milk. Clearly list these options on the menu and indicate any price differences upfront to avoid confusion at checkout.
Indicate Sugar Free or Lower Calorie Choices
Health conscious customers appreciate knowing which drinks are lower in sugar or calories. Highlight unsweetened lattes, sugar free syrups, and naturally low calorie drinks like Americano, matcha tea, or black cold brew.
Ensure Allergen Information is Accessible
Some ingredients, like nut-based syrups, dairy, or gluten-containing toppings, can pose risks for customers with allergies. Consider:
-
Adding small allergen icons next to menu items.
-
Keeping an allergen guide behind the counter for staff to reference.
-
Training baristas to answer allergen-related questions with accuracy and confidence.
Browse our Shop
Now you’ve heard our coffee shop menu ideas, you’ve got a great head start to begin planning your next steps. We recommend getting your general menu figured out, add in a few signature drinks and then some seasonal extras, and voila, you’re well on your way.
However, if you need any additional tips from us, or perhaps a little bit of insight into the best kinds of beans or the best machine for your needs, please take a look at our shop!
Discover Our Other Guides
-
Coffee for breakfast
Whether you are looking for a coffee to pair with croissants or the best coffee for a full english breakfast - we have got the perfect pairing for your breakfast.
Discover -
How to store coffee beans
Did you realise that long before the process of making a fantastic coffee you need to think about how you’ll store it first for the best outcome?
Discover -
How To Steam Milk
If there’s ever a way to enhance the quality of your coffee or hot chocolate, it’s by adding steamed milk to your cuppa. This greatly improves the quality of the milk.
Discover -
How To Foam Milk
There’s something about having a thick layer of foam on the top of your coffee that makes it feel and taste so much more luxurious - and when it comes to top coffee, Cafe Du Monde are your experts.
Discover -
How Is Coffee Decaffeinated?
There are four common methods for making coffee beans decaf, and despite being a complex process, it has remained for centuries. Find out more.
Discover -
How to grind coffee beans
Find out how to grind coffee beans with and without a coffee grinder. We discuss the best methods so you can grind coffee beans with ease.
Discover -
The Different Types Of Coffee Drinks Guide
Find out more about the different types of coffee drinks. There are many different varieties of coffee drinks that all taste different.
Discover -
What is a Mocha?
The drink is a chocolatey coffee; perfect for people with a sweet tooth! Find out more about Mocha Coffee.
Discover -
What is a Cappuccino?
A cappuccino coffee is the second most popular coffee, shortly after the latte! Find out more about Cappuccino Coffee.
Discover -
What is a Latte?
A latte is one of the most common coffees that casual coffee drinkers tend to favour. Find out more about Latte Coffee.
Discover -
How Much Caffeine Is In Decaf Coffee?
Decaffeinated coffee is a reduction of caffeine, of around 97%, and caffeine is still present. Find out how much caffeine is in decaf coffee.
Discover -
Tea for breakfast
Whether you are looking for a tea to pair with croissants or you want to know what to eat with english breakfast tea - we have got the perfect pairing for your breakfast.
Discover -
The Coffee Production Process
Coffee is a hugely popular drink across the globe and is therefore grown on a large scale - but have you ever thought about the coffee production process?
Discover -
The Coffee Supply Chain
The coffee supply chain is quite complex as there are various different routes that your coffee can come from as well as different countries.
Discover -
Coffee taste and aroma
Coffee is packed with great flavours and aromas that are different across the types of coffee bean.
Discover -
Types of coffee beans
There are four main types of coffee bean: Arabica, Robusta, Excelsa and Liberica and they all have a drastically different taste.
Discover -
What is Arabica Coffee?
Arabica coffee is the most popular type of coffee with over 60% of coffee production in the world.
Discover -
What is Robusta Coffee?
Arabica coffee is the second most popular type of coffee with it contributing to around 40% of coffee production in the world.
Discover -
Types of tea
Find out more about the different types of tea. There are many different varieties of tea - but they all come from the same plant.
Discover -
Where is coffee from?
Coffee is grown in over 50 countries across the world. Find out more about these countries and the growing process.
Discover -
Ultimate Guide To Coffee Beans
Discover -
What is a Flat White?
The Flat White coffee is one of the newer drinks in the coffee world, arising within the last few years or so.
Discover -
What is an Americano?
The Americano is a strong and bold drink that doesn’t require the sweetness of steamed milk or froth to create its classic look.
Discover -
What is an Espresso?
An espresso is simply a coffee in a concentrated form, usually served in shots. Find out more about Espresso Coffee.
Discover -
How To Make Cafetiere Coffee
So you’ve bought your preferred coffee from us and a handy cafetiere, also known as a French press, but how do you use it?
Discover -
How To Do Latte Art
Would you be able to identify a latte without its art? Find out how to do different latte art today.
Discover -
How to brew coffee at home
Knowing how to brew a coffee that gives you that great tasting experience is something that requires practice, our guide is the perfect place to start.
Discover -
What is a Macchiato?
The Macchiato coffee is one of the less recognised coffees amongst them all. Find out more about Macchiato Coffee.
Discover -
How To Tamp Coffee
Whilst you can experiment with blends and roasts, tamping is one of the most important elements to get right when it comes to serving up a rich, smooth and well-balanced shot.
Discover -
-
The benefits of coffee machines for hotels
Read about the benefits of coffee machines for hotels
Discover -
How to remove limescale from a coffee machine
How to remove limescale from a coffee machine
Discover -
Types of coffee roasts
There are many different types of coffee roasts available, each with its own unique flavour, aroma, and characteristics.
Discover -
The Best Coffee Machines for Offices and the Benefits to Owning One
Read about the best coffee machines for offices and the benefits to owning one
Discover -
-
-
The best coffee machines for Restaurants
Browse and learn more about the best coffee machines for restaurants.
Discover -
The best coffee machines for Coffee Shops
Browse and learn more about the best coffee machines for coffee shops.
Discover
