Whether you're pulling shots from the best espresso machine money can buy or you're just starting out on a budget espresso maker, you need the right drinkware to serve it in. The best espresso cups, or demitasses (half-cups), traditionally hold around three fluid ounces — just enough for a triple shot.
If we had to pick favorites, the De'Longhi Double Wall Espresso Cups allow you to admire the perfect shot, while the flared rims enhance the rich aromas. For a modern take on traditional ceramic mugs, we love the Fellow Monty Milk Art Espresso Cups. A little more durable than glass, these handleless cups are stackable and come in latte, cappuccino, and cortado sizes.
Our top picks for the best espresso cups
Best overall: De'Longhi Double Wall Espresso Cups - See at Amazon
Best ceramic: Fellow Monty Milk Art Espresso Cups - See at Amazon
Best for pulling shots: Kruve Propel Espresso Glass Set - See at Kruve
Best splurge: Villeroy & Boch NewWave Caffé Espresso Cup - See at Amazon
Best budget: Youngever Double Wall Espresso Cups - See at Amazon
Best stackable: Sweese Porcelain Stackable Espresso Cups - See at Amazon
Best rustic: CB2 Cast Black Espresso Cup - See at CB2
Best overall
Double-walled glass espresso cups like these from DeLonghi allow you to inspect a beautiful pull of espresso, while also keeping your coffee steaming hot.
One of the best parts of pulling a shot of espresso is inspecting your work afterward. Double-walled glass offerings like these from De'Longhi allow you to do so while also keeping your coffee a little hotter than the average demitasse. The double-walled glass limits condensation for an even better drinking experience.
While this design is on the fragile side, espresso begs to be admired and the delicate glass is a pleasure to hold. There's no better way to covet the stuff than with translucence, and the flared rim goes a long way to deliver all the nuanced flavors a good batch of freshly ground beans has to offer.
Best ceramic
All your coffeeware can match with Fellow’s line of coffee mugs and espresso cups. The Monty demitasse cups are handle-free and stackable.
Ceramic coffee mugs come with handles because the material can get too hot to hold. These cups from Fellow are an updated take on the traditional ceramic demitasses; the double-walled construction keeps your coffee hot and fingers cool. They're also less breakable than glass. The gently sloped walls of the Monty cups bring the crema to the top of your pour, undiluted.
This is also another great option for a whole set of coffee ware: Fellow makes cappuccino, cortado, and latte cups to cover all of the requisite cafe-drink sizes. These handle-free cups are also stackable, making them perfect for left-handed users and small spaces, too.
Best for pulling shots
When we’re testing espresso machines, these are the cups we use. The convex shape, internal fins, and sloping make it easy to pull out tasting notes.
When we perform our espresso taste testing, these are the cups we pull out. Similar to tasting glasses for other beverages, the convex shape, three internal fins, and sloping make for easy dissection of tasting notes.
Technical stuff aside, we've also found that this demitasse offers some of the best heat retention we've come across. The only downside is that the glass is incredibly delicate, and we have managed to break more than one. Though not for the clumsy, these fragile glasses are commonly used by espresso experts in tastings.
Best splurge
If you’re looking for a more design-forward espresso cup, Villeory & Boch’s NewWave series have slanted rims and flared handles.
The classic Villeroy & Boch look gets updated with a curved handle and more durable construction. Owners of modern kitchens might appreciate something a little more design-forward, and Villeroy & Boch's New Wave series, with its slanted rim and flared handle, are a fun take on the classic shape.
Made with "premium" (not quite china) porcelain, these are on the thinner side, yet more durable than your average ceramic. The New Wave is sold individually and in sets with a saucer and spoon. Just note that because of the unusual shape of the handle, these demitasses are not exactly left-hand-friendly.
Best budget
If you tend to be a little clumsy or are outfitting a rental, but don’t want to sacrifice style, go for these budget-friendly double wall glass espresso cups.
While nicer glass isn't to be overlooked, the Youngever Espresso Cups are a smart budget option. The glasses are double-walled glass, just like our best overall pick, but they won't sting to replace if they break. If you're stocking a rental or preparing for a host of espresso drinkers, this four-pack is an easy solution.
Youngever also makes larger espresso cups and coffee mugs in the same double-walled glass design. If you're just starting out in the world of espresso, the four-pack from Youngever is a bargain.
Best stackable
This espresso cup set is available in five colors and comes with a metal stand that holds the saucers and stacked cups.
There's a lot to be said for the classic demitasse and saucer design. After all, they're the workhorses designed to survive the bustling daily life of an espresso cafe. These Sweese cups fit snugly in the paired saucers, leaving just enough room for a little chocolate, baklava, or biscuit.
For those who want to neatly confine their drinkware to a small countertop or cabinet corner, this stackable set comes with a steel stand for an attractive and functional solution. Give your kitchen a cafe makeover, and choose from one of the four rich colors that this set comes in. The five available colors make for an endearing and personal presentation.
Best rustic
Upgrade your espresso game on a budget with these ceramic cups from CB2. Safe in the microwave and dishwasher, these demitasses are hand-dipped and so each one has a unique hue.
For a rustic, farmhouse feel, it's hard to do better than hand-dipped and individually shaped stoneware. Each of these CB2 cups has a unique shape and hue, ranging from ash-grey to dark blue and black. And for about four dollars, it's a hard price to compete with, hand-dipped or not.
Since the cups are sold individually and each hand-dipped, you can build a unique set one by one. If you'd like to keep your coffee drinkware matching, CB2 also makes this cup in a full 12-ounce size to accommodate cappuccinos, lattes, and more.
What to look for in the best espresso cups
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