The 12 Best Espresso Cups, According to Coffee Experts

The word “espresso” instantly conjures images of bustling Italian cafés, packed with people sipping pitch-black coffee from tiny ceramic mugs. Known as demitasse or espresso cups, these are specifically designed for enjoying espresso. Their thick walls help keep the espresso warm, but the form matters, too. “They tend to be narrower at the base and wider at the rim to retain heat while enhancing aromas,” explains Tom Valentine, quality assurance manager for Crema Coffee Roasters.  

Anyone serious about their coffee will tell you that having the right gear makes a big difference. Considering how complicated espresso machines and grinders can get, it’s easy to overlook the humble demitasse cup. It is, after all, a simple piece of kitchenware. But small choices in design can make a difference in how a cup performs and how enjoyable your espresso-sipping experience can be. To help us take a closer look we spoke to Valentine and Ryan Solomon, director of wholesale and operations for The Little Marionette USA, about what makes a great espresso cup and which ones they recommend.

Some of Our Top Picks

Kinto Double Wall Espresso Cups

$15 at Amazon

notNeutral Espresso Cups

$40 $36 at Amazon

Le Creuset Espresso Mug

$20 at Amazon $14 at Williams Sonoma View on Bloomingdales

Villeroy & Boch New Wave Cafe Espresso Cup

$38 $22 at Amazon $38 at Bloomingdales

YETI Rambler 4 oz Stackable Cup

$30 at Amazon

Mfacoy 2 Pack Measuring Cups

$8 at Amazon

The Criteria: What to Look for in an Espresso Cup

• Materials: The material that an espresso cup is made from is a crucial factor in determining how long the espresso will stay warm. “Espresso cups are typically made of porcelain or ceramic as those materials are excellent at retaining heat,” Valentine says. “I've seen some really neat stone ones as well as recycled plastic, but it’s tough to beat ceramic on feel and heat retention as well as affordability,” Solomon says. “Double-walled glass can also be excellent but I've found they break a bit easier than a high-quality ceramic.”
• Dimensions: The size of the demitasse cup is also something to consider. “It should be large enough to grip with your hand but small enough to get an aromatic sniff when you take a sip,” Solomon says. If planning on brewing directly into the cup, make sure it fits under the group head on the espresso machine it will be used with. 
• Capacity: An espresso cup should be able to hold anywhere from a standard one-ounce shot of espresso to a double shot while leaving enough room in the cup to accommodate the crema so the liquid won’t spill. Cups that hold somewhere between two to four ounces are ideal. For milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, 12 to 16 ounces with the capacity to hold espresso, milk, and foam are recommended.
• Aesthetics: The style and build quality of a cup are also things to consider, as design choices can affect how easy it is to handle or clean a cup. “Making sure the color and silhouette are complementary to the overall aesthetic of the cafe or home is an important consideration,” Valentine says. “Additionally, a thicker walled demitasse is less likely to shatter when dropped by jittery hands.”

Expert-Recommended Espresso Cups

The Best Double-Walled Glass Espresso Cups

Kinto Double Wall Espresso Cups

$15 at Amazon

Cups made from double-walled glass allow the drinker to see the richly colored espresso resting in the cup while maintaining a decent amount of insulation. Recommended by Solomon, these Kinto double-walled glass espresso cups have a 3-ounce capacity and an extended ring around the circumference instead of a classic handle, giving them a profile that catches the eye, but is still comfortable to hold.

The Best Espresso Cups with Saucers

notNeutral Lino 3-Ounce Espresso Gift Set

$40 $36 at Amazon

When served espresso at a cafe, the cup is almost always accompanied by a saucer. Saucers ensure that any spilled espresso doesn’t make a mess. This set of two demitasse cups with matching saucers has a classic, versatile look that’s perfect for home use. “NotNeutral is a long-time favorite in the industry,” Solomon explains. “They just make really solid ceramics: good feel, good durability.”

The Best Espresso Cup Set

Acme Evo Demitasse Cup

View on Seattlecoffeegear.com

If you’re in the market for a set of colorful cups, look no further than the Acme Evo line of demitasse cups. Functional and affordable, this set of six mugs comes in a variety of colors ranging from understated gray to vibrant robin’s egg blue. “These are the cups we use in our shop,” Solomon says. “Acme has an incredible blend of all the things you'd want in a cafe cup. They feel solid, they hold heat well and they are awesome to pour latte art into.”

The Best Stoneware Espresso Cups

Le Creuset Espresso Mug

$20 at Amazon $14 at Williams Sonoma View on Bloomingdales

Le Creuset is best known for its high-quality cookware, but don’t overlook the brand’s foray into espresso gear. The 3-ounce stoneware mini-mug is coated in Le Creuset’s trademark brightly-colored enamel, giving this demitasse cup fantastic heat retention with easy cleanup. It’s also available in a variety of colors, both vibrant and understated. Serious Eats associate commerce editorial director Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm gifted a set of these to her parents six years ago and they still look "good as new," she says.

The Best Handleless, Rustic Espresso Cups

Loveramics Brewers 150ML Sweet Tasting Cup

View on Loveramics.com

These stylish and modern espresso cups from Loveramics have a singular, rustic design that makes a double shot of espresso feel like a work of art. “They have an incredible feel, texture, and good heat retention for a craft cup,” Solomon says. “There's something comforting about gripping the ceramic in your hands that is just so cozy.” These handless cups come in three colorways inspired by the natural world, making it easy to find the perfect match for the rest of your kitchen decor.

The Best Stackable Espresso Cups

Sweese Porcelain Stackable Espresso Cups with Saucers and Stand

$32 $22 at Amazon

If you’re looking for a set of stackable demitasse cups, you can’t go wrong with this set of four ceramic cups with saucers from Sweese. They’re designed to be stackable for easy storage on your espresso machine or in the included metal rack. These affordable cups also have an old-school diner design and are available in multiple colors (though we especially like the classic white).

The Best Stainless Steel Espresso Cups

YETI Rambler 4 oz Stackable Cup

$30 at Amazon

"I've been using these espresso cups for about a year," Riddley says. "I like that they have a stainless steel construction that keeps espresso hot and a creamy, ceramic interior that still gives you a classic cup feel." Yeti also sells a larger handled version.

The Best Espresso Cups for Pulling Shots

Mfacoy 2 Pack Measuring Cups

$8 at Amazon

Many baristas prefer to brew their espresso into a different glass than the drink is served in. In those situations, we recommend these measuring cup shot glasses from Mfacoy. These cups are designed with a handle and pouring spout and they’re also marked with measurement lines, both in milliliters and ounces. Although we recommend measuring by weight for maximum accuracy, on the fly these cups can help ensure that every shot pulled is the exact volume intended.

The Best Minimalist Espresso Cups

De'Longhi Double Wall Thermal Espresso Cups

$20 $12 at Amazon

For sleek, modern demitasse cups, look no further than this set of Italian-made cups from DeLonghi. These elegant double-walled cups have a gently curved design that catches the eye and with their 2-ounce capacity, they can be used to serve both double and single shots.

The Best Uniquely Designed Espresso Cups

Villeroy & Boch New Wave Cafe Espresso Cup

$38 $22 at Amazon $38 at Bloomingdales

Somewhere between modern sculpture and classic demitasse cup exists this unique espresso cup from Villeroy & Boch. The porcelain cup has a unique, asymmetrical handle that swoops downward from the top of the mug, giving the cup a sense of flowing motion. Pair this cup with its matching, wave-like saucer to make your espresso feel even more like a piece of modern art.

The Best Shot Glasses for Espresso

Bodum Assam Double Espresso Glass

$28 at Amazon

The name Bodum should be familiar to most coffee aficionados. The brand is best known for its iconic French press, but it produces a range of quality coffee gear for home use. These shot-glass-style espresso cups are no exception. With their double-walled glass and 3-ounce capacity, they can handle pulling shots and serving them.

The Best Bulk Espresso Cups

Tuxton Demitasse Cups

$78 at Amazon

For those who need to stock the office break room or plan on serving a large group, buying espresso mugs in bulk might make the most sense. Recommended by Valentine, this affordable set of 36 has a price per unit of about $2.30 per cup, is dishwasher-safe, and has a traditional design with a handle that should fit in with any cafe, office environment, or kitchen.

FAQs 

What is the right size for an espresso cup?

Demitasse cups are designed to hold a small volume of espresso and to keep it warm while it is enjoyed. An espresso cup should hold between two and four ounces. Most espresso cups are wider than they are tall, with a width of about three to four inches and a height of around two inches.

Should you brew espresso directly into an espresso cup?

You can brew espresso directly into a demitasse cup, but it isn’t always recommended. The experts we consulted had differing opinions. “As long as the cup is preheated and the drip tray is clean, [brewing directly into the cup] is the way to do it,” Solomon says. Valentine, however, recommends brewing into an espresso shot glass. “It allows you to visually evaluate your shot more effectively,” Valentine says. “Secondly, using a lined shot glass makes it easier to be more precise when adding syrups and sauces to the drink.” 

Is it important to use stackable cups?

In cafés, baristas often store espresso cups on top of espresso machines. The heat generated by the boiler inside the machine keeps the cups warm for serving, and they’re in an easy-to-reach place for the barista. The cups are often stacked on top of each other to maximize space. “Stackability is nice, but usually not a deal breaker,” Solomon explains. “Even cups that have handles will stack a few cups high and you don't want to build a tower of cups on top of your espresso machine.” Stackability can be helpful for storage, but for most at home, it isn’t a major determining factor when shopping for cups.

Why We’re the Experts

• Dylan Ettinger is a Serious Eats contributor who specializes in coffee, spirits, cocktails, and barware. With over a decade of experience in the specialty coffee industry, he has spent the last four years testing and reviewing coffee grinders, espresso machines, pour-over cones, and other home coffee appliances for a variety of publications
• For this piece, he combined his experience in the coffee industry with that of Ryan Solomon of the Little Marionette US and Tom Valentine of Crema Coffee Roasters, to determine which espresso cups are the best on the market.