Which espresso machine for a café? La Marzocco guide

Where do you start when choosing a café espresso machine?

Most espresso machine decisions are made in reverse order: first the looks or a new technology win you over, and only later does it turn out that the machine is too small for the morning peak or does not fit on the counter. It is better to start with six questions about your venue and compare models only at the end.

How many coffees do you sell a day, and how many in your busiest hour?
What is your menu: mostly espresso and americano, lots of milk drinks, or specialty coffee from different roasters?
Who works behind the bar: experienced baristas, or a team that changes often?
Where will the machine go: how much counter space do you have, what power supply, where are the water and drain?
How do you want to finance the purchase: cash, leasing, or spreading the cost over time?
Who will service the machine, and what will you do if it stops on a Saturday morning?

The answers to these questions narrow the choice down to one, or at most two, La Marzocco families. From there it goes quickly.

Coffees a day and at the peak: this decides the size of the machine

The size of the machine, meaning the number of groups, follows from traffic. In practice, we assume that up to about 300 coffees a day 2 groups are enough, from 300 to 500 coffees you need 3 groups, and above 500 coffees 3 or 4 groups. 1 group only makes sense in a very small venue or as a second machine.

The busiest hour matters more than the daily average. A café near offices can sell a quarter of its daily coffee between 8 and 9 am. The machine has to handle exactly that queue. We work through the details and examples in the guide How many groups does your venue need?, and the group calculator gives you a quick result.

Work out the number of groups in a minute: coffees a day, peak, milk and number of baristas.

Group calculator Find your machine in 30 seconds

Your menu tells you which technologies make sense. With high sales of cappuccino and latte, steam matters: the steam boiler grows with each group, for example in the Linea Classic S from 7 l with 2 groups to 15 l with 4 groups. With queues, the KB90 also helps: a straight-in portafilter and Steam Flush, which purges the group with steam and rinses it with hot water after every extraction.

A specialty café serving coffee from different roasters benefits from independent boilers on each group. Each group then has its own coffee boiler and its own temperature, so you can brew a light and a darker roast at the same time, each at its own temperature. This is how the Linea PB X, KB90, GB5 X, both Stradas and the Leva X work. In the Linea PB X and GB5 X this applies to the 2- and 3-group versions; the 4-group versions have two 3.4 l coffee boilers. If you work out recipes in grams, look at the ABR versions with drip tray scales.

If your menu is simple and most sales are espresso, americano and classic milk drinks, the best choice is often the Linea Classic S: dual boiler, saturated groups and dual PID, without features nobody will use.

Who will operate the machine?

The same machine gives different results in the hands of an experienced barista and a new person on shift. With a team that changes often, consistency is what counts. The AV version has programmable doses: the barista presses a button and the machine delivers the programmed volume. The ABR version goes a step further and ends the extraction once the target drink weight in the cup is reached.

Experienced baristas will appreciate control. The Strada X has Manual, Profile and AV modes, pressure profiles and Smart Saturation. The Leva S and Leva X are lever machines where brewing becomes a show. Operating the lever takes almost half the force of a traditional lever machine. We explain the differences between versions in the guide AV, ABR, EE, MP: what La Marzocco machine versions mean.

Bar space, power and water: what to check before you buy?

The machine has to fit on the counter together with the grinders, space for jugs and the serving area. The 2-group Linea Classic S is 69 cm wide, the 2-group KB90 81 cm and the 2-group Strada S 83 cm. Most models are 44.4 to 53.3 cm tall, but the Leva is 77.5 cm, so check shelves and cabinets above the counter.

2-, 3- and 4-group machines run on 200 V single-phase, 220 V single- or three-phase, or 380 V three-phase power, and the power rating grows with the number of groups. On top of that you need a water supply with a filter and a drain. You will find the full list, with the dimensions and power ratings of each model, in the guide Preparing your venue for an espresso machine, together with a downloadable checklist.

Outright purchase, leasing or spreading the cost over time?

A professional espresso machine is an expense for years, so many venues finance it through leasing. Instead of a one-off expense you pay instalments, and the machine earns its keep from day one. We help you through the financing and match it to your venue's situation.

When comparing offers, count the cost of ownership, not just the purchase price: the service plan, scheduled services, water filtration, parts and what a day with the bar out of action costs you. A cheaper machine that needs repairs more often or is too small for the peak ends up costing more in practice.

Service and parts for years

Parts and service for La Marzocco machines are available for at least 10 years after a model is discontinued. The boilers are made of AISI 316L stainless steel, hand-welded using the TIG method, and every machine runs for several hours under controlled conditions before shipping.

Some models also make repairs easier. On the KB90, GB5 S and GB5 X, the steam valve is serviced from the front, without dismantling the machine, which shortens downtime. The KB90 is built on the Linea PB platform and shares many components with it, so service does not need a separate parts stock. On our side: service across Poland, original parts, phone support and replacement equipment in case of a breakdown. More on the service and leasing page.

La Marzocco families in short

Linea: Classic S, PB and PB X

The Linea Classic S is the classic: dual boiler, saturated groups, dual PID and a three-button interface, from 1 to 4 groups, in EE and AV versions. The Linea PB adds eco mode, automatic group rinsing, a water sensor and more room for tall cups, in MP, AV and ABR versions. The Linea PB X has independent saturated coffee boilers (in the 2- and 3-group versions), Pro Touch steam wands and barista lighting, in AV and ABR versions.

KB90

The KB90 was designed for the busiest cafés. A straight-in portafilter, Steam Flush after every extraction, independent boilers and drip tray scales in the ABR version. From 2 to 4 groups, AV and ABR versions.

GB5: S and X

The GB5 S and GB5 X combine classic lines with modern electronics. Both have a water sensor and a front-serviceable steam valve. The GB5 S has saturated groups and EE, AV and ABR versions, while the GB5 X has independent coffee boilers and AV and ABR versions. From 2 to 4 groups. A common choice for hotels and restaurants where the bar is the showpiece.

Strada: S and X

The Strada has a low body that encourages conversation with the guest. The Strada S has independent boilers with PID on each group and a proportional steam valve, in AV and ABR versions, with 2 or 3 groups. The Strada X adds independent pumps, pressure profiles, Smart Saturation, Mass-Based Profiling, drip tray scales and Steam Flush, from 1 to 3 groups.

Leva: S and X

The Leva S and Leva X are lever machines with 2 or 3 groups. The Leva S has dual PID and pressure gauges on the groups. The Leva X has independent boilers, smart PID and a display on each group showing pre-infusion pressure, extraction pressure and time.

You will find a detailed comparison of the most popular models in the guide Linea Classic S, Linea PB, KB90 or Strada?, and all technical data on the La Marzocco espresso machines page.

Choose this model if…

The recommendations are the assessment of Colbergcoffee's advisers. Group counts and versions follow La Marzocco product sheets.
Model	Choose if…	Groups	Versions
Linea Classic S	it is your first professional espresso machine, your menu is classic and your traffic is up to about 300 coffees a day on 2 groups	1–4	EE, AV
Linea PB	you want automatic group rinsing, eco mode and a water sensor, for example in a hotel, restaurant or chain	2–4	MP, AV, ABR
Linea PB X	you run a specialty café and want a separate temperature on each group and drip tray scales (ABR)	2–4	AV, ABR
KB90	you have queues at the peak and the heaviest traffic, and your team needs to stop less often for cleaning	2–4	AV, ABR
GB5 S	the bar is your showpiece and the menu is classic; elegant lines and a front-serviceable steam valve matter	2–4	EE, AV, ABR
GB5 X	the bar is your showpiece and you also want independent coffee boilers	2–4	AV, ABR
Strada S	you want a low machine that lets the barista talk to the guest, with PID on each group	2 or 3	AV, ABR
Strada X	you run a specialty café or roastery from about 300 coffees a day and quality is the priority	1–3	Manual, Profile, AV modes
Leva S	brewing should be a show and your baristas want to work with a lever	2 or 3	one version (lever)
Leva X	you want a lever with pressure readout and graph recording, for example at a roastery or for training	2 or 3	one version (lever)

Already have a type in mind? Ask about the configuration, number of groups and financing for your venue.

Free consultation Find your machine in 30 seconds

Why do we recommend the simplest model that covers your traffic?

Because every feature only makes sense if your team uses it. Pressure profiles, drip tray scales and independent boilers give a lot in a specialty café with experienced baristas. In a venue with a simple menu and changing staff, they more often go unused.

That is why we first match the number of groups to the peak, with headroom for growth, and only then the model. If a simple Linea Classic S covers your traffic and menu, there is no reason to look further. When you need speed, we look at the KB90. When specialty quality is the priority at more than about 300 coffees a day, at the Strada X.

frequently asked questions

Which espresso machine for a small café?

With lower traffic, a 2-group Linea Classic S is usually enough: dual boiler, saturated groups and dual PID. 1 group only makes sense in a very small venue, up to about 60 coffees a day. If you serve specialty coffee from different roasters, consider the Linea PB X.

Will a more advanced machine make better coffee?

Only if your team uses its features. The grinder, water, beans and barista affect the taste in the cup just as much. That is why we recommend the simplest model that covers your traffic, and add features where they have a specific use.

How many years will a La Marzocco machine last?

La Marzocco machines are designed to be durable and repairable: AISI 316L steel boilers, hand welding, testing before shipping. Parts and service are available for at least 10 years after a model is discontinued. In practice, regular servicing and water filtration also determine how long a machine lasts.

Is it better to buy an espresso machine or lease one?

It depends on your venue's situation. Leasing turns a one-off expense into instalments and lets you start working on a new machine without a large upfront sum. We help you choose the right form of financing during a free consultation.

Do you help choose a grinder?

Yes. We match the grinder to the machine, traffic and menu, including the Swift, Vulcano, Swan and Jay. In practice, every machine needs at least two grinders: one for the espresso blend and one for a second coffee, for example a single origin or decaf.

Which espresso machine for a restaurant or hotel?

A 2-group Linea PB or GB5 S usually works best: saturated groups, programmable doses and simple operation for a changing team. When the bar is your showpiece, the GB5. When hotel breakfasts create a big peak, 3 groups or the KB90.

read also

La Marzocco Polska. We help cafés, restaurants and hotels choose a La Marzocco espresso machine for their traffic and menu, set it up and keep it in good shape.

which espresso machine for a café?