A hospital cafe serves staff on every shift, plus visitors and outpatients. Service runs early and late, people are often in a hurry, and many want coffee and a quick bite more than a sit-down meal. The equipment has to handle espresso, grab-and-go, simple hot food and constant cleaning. Here is the list.
For pressed sandwiches, see the Waring WPG150 commercial panini press.
Coffee and Espresso
Coffee drives most sales. Staff on long shifts want espresso drinks as well as drip. An automatic espresso machine gives consistent drinks with less barista training. A drip brewer covers the quick cup.
ES60 STILO 110V single group automatic espresso machine
Prepline PACM-3D automatic coffee maker with 3 warmers
Plan water lines, filters and drains with a licensed plumber.
Grab and Go
Night shift staff and busy clinicians often grab food without waiting. An open air display holds sandwiches, salads, fruit and yogurt at 41F or below. A glass door merchandiser holds bottled drinks.
Marchia MSTAR36 36″ black dual service open air display
Dual service units let staff restock from behind while customers shop the front.
Hot Food
Hospital cafes often run a small hot menu: soups, pressed sandwiches and breakfast items. A panini press and a soup kettle cover a lot without a full hood line.
Cookline PG-1 panini press with grooved top and bottom
Prepline PSS-6000 soup kettle, 10 liter
Hatco TQ3-10 conveyor toaster for bagels and breakfast sandwiches
A heated display case holds hot wraps and breakfast sandwiches for grab-and-go at 135F or above.
Marchia MHW102 38″ heated display merchandiser
Even countertop cooking may need ventilation review in a hospital. Check with facilities management and the local authority.
Prep Refrigeration
Sandwich and salad prep needs a refrigerated prep table. Backup product goes in a reach-in.
Sandwich and salad prep tables
Hand Washing and Sanitation
Infection control is a big deal in a hospital setting. Plan hand sinks with soap and towel dispensers at each prep and service point, plus a three-compartment sink. Clean high-touch surfaces often.
Wall mount hand sink with soap dispenser
A Note on Hours
Many hospital cafes run 18 to 24 hours. That means equipment runs nearly nonstop. Plan cleaning windows and consider a backup brewer, since a broken coffee machine at 3am is a real problem for night staff.
A Note on Facility Rules
Hospitals often have their own facilities, infection control and food service standards on top of local health codes. Coordinate with the hospital’s facilities team early.
A Note on Speed of Service
Staff often have only a few minutes on a break. Put grab-and-go and the register close to the entrance, keep espresso on its own line, and use a self-serve drip station so coffee-only customers never wait behind a sandwich order. Every minute saved matters to someone on a twelve-hour shift.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Under-building grab-and-go. At night, it may be the only service.
A single espresso machine with no backup plan.
A Quick Checklist
- Espresso machine and drip brewer
- Open air and glass door merchandisers
- Panini press, soup kettle, toaster
- Heated display for hot grab-and-go
- Prep table and reach-in
- Hand sinks with dispensers, three-compartment sink
Next Steps
Start with coffee and grab-and-go, then add hot items. See refrigerated displays and heated display cases. Questions? Contact Express KitchQuip and we will help you pick the right size and configuration.
Models in this guide at a glance
The models linked above are listed here with the main points from each product page, so you can compare them side by side before opening the full listings.
ES60 STILO 110V Single Group Automatic Espresso Machine (model ES60)
- Brand: STILO
- ES60 STILO Single Group
- 110V — standard outlet
- 1.1 Gal Boiler
Prepline PACM-3D Automatic Coffee Maker with 3 Warmers (model PACM-3D)
- Brand: Prepline
- Compact – 120V
- 3 Warmers – Steel
- Brews 60 Cups
- Warranty: 1-Year Parts & Labor
Marchia MSTAR36 36″ Black Dual Service Open Air Display Case Merchandiser (model MSTAR36)
- Brand: Marchia
- Dual-Service Design: Combines a staff-operated refrigerated rear access top section with an open-front, self-service air curtain bottom section.
- Brilliant LED Illumination: Energy-efficient top and internal LED lighting showcases products clearly from every angle to entice passing customers.
- Lift-Up Curved Glass: Elegant curved front glass panel lifts up effortlessly, allowing for fast, hassle-free cleaning and product restocking.
Cookline PG-1 Panini Press with Grooved Top and Bottom, 120V (model PG-1)
- Brand: Cookline
- Cookline PG-1 Panini Press, 120V
- Grooved Surface – Alluring grill marks.
- Spacious 13″ x 9″ – Versatile cooking.
- Warranty: 1-Year Parts & Labor
Prepline PSS-6000 Stainless Steel Commercial Soup Kettle, 10 Liter (model PSS-6000)
- Brand: Prepline
- Durable Stainless Steel
- Manual Temperature Control
- 10L Capacity Ideal
- Warranty: 1-Year Parts & Labor
Hatco TQ3-10 Conveyor Toaster – 420 Slices/hr w/ 2″ Product Opening, 120v (model TQ3-10)
- Brand: Hatco
- Efficient Conveyor Toaster producing 420 slices per hour with a 2-inch opening, featuring ColorGuard sensing and energy-saving power mode.
Marchia MHW102 38″ Heated Display Merchandiser (model MHW102)
- Brand: Marchia
- Commercial Heated Display: Marchia 38″ full-service countertop heated display merchandiser designed for professional foodservice applications.
- Slanted 2-Shelf Design: Two slanted shelves provide organized food presentation and improved visibility.
- Tempered Glass Sides: Tempered glass sides provide a clear view of displayed hot foods.
Commercial Wall Mount Hand Sink 18-1/4 in. x 17-5/8 in. with Soap Dispenser | Paper Towel Dispenser
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- NSF Certified: Meets strict national sanitation and safety standards, ensuring your kitchen easily complies with local health codes.
- Commercial-Grade Durability: Crafted from premium 18-gauge 304 stainless steel to resist rust, corrosion, and heavy daily wear.
- Splatter Protection: Features a 4-inch backsplash and side splashes to protect your walls from water damage and keep the surrounding area clean.
Before you order
- Measure the space and every doorway on the delivery path, and compare them with the dimensions on each product page.
- Check the spec sheet for power, gas or water requirements and match them to what your building has.
- Compare capacity with your busiest day rather than your average day.
- Read the warranty terms for the brand before you order.
Delivery, warranty and payment
- Delivery: delivery within the continental US is included in the price on the product page, and freight orders include liftgate service.
- Warranty: each product carries its manufacturer warranty. Terms by brand are on our warranty page.
- Financing: lease-to-own financing through Clicklease is offered on items of $500 and up. See how financing works.
- Quotes: buying for a business and need a written quote? Call +1-877-558-2253 or use our contact page.
Not sure which model fits?
Call +1-877-558-2253 with your space, power supply and daily volume, and we will help you narrow it down.