Your parents likely had a set of kitchenware that was reserved for special occasions when you were growing up.
Which is something you probably never understood the concept of - until you grew up, moved out and realised the unparalleled joy that comes from buying fancy homeware. Fast forward to now and you're spending perhaps a little too much time designing your (perhaps imaginary) dream house, stocked to the brim with all of your favourite homeware brands.
Of course, any self-respecting coffee drinker will need at least a few good espresso cups to match. A few for everyday occasions, like taking a much-needed break from your work from home set up. And then the fancy espresso cup with its own saucer, which you'll keep for the expensive coffee granules that require a little extra preparation. If you're going all out, you'll probably also want the extra special espresso cups that stay firmly on display until a justified occasion comes up. Adulthood? Unlocked.
Drinking your daily espresso should be more of an occasion than simply tipping back your head and waiting for the caffeine hit to kick in. We're all about romanticising our lives wherever possible, which starts with treating ourselves to fancy coffee beans and ends with pairing our next espresso with one of those fancy almond biscuits or two.
Looking to elevate your current coffee making set up? We've rounded up all of the best espresso cups, from the budget friendly options right through to those ones that probably won't make it out of the cupboard more than a few times a year. We finally get it now.
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John Lewis Linear Stackable Stoneware Espresso Cups
Stackable espresso cups offer all of the variety without taking up too much space and these tonal ones from John Lewis deserve to be stacked appropriately next to your coffee machine.
Made from sturdy stoneware, they’ll have you feeling more like you’re sipping espresso in a cosy Italian coffee shop rather than just your kitchen. Each set of four comes in four ever-so-slightly different neutral shades with a speckled design and ridged edges.
Buy now £16.00, John Lewis
MIAMIO - 6 x 75 ml Stoneware Espresso Mug
The best thing about these MIAMIO espresso cups is how versatile they are. From the outside, they just look like a matte black set of stackable cups. But peer a little closer - or take a look at the bottom of your cup post-sipping - and you’ll spot the vibrant colours inside of each cup. Perfect for anyone who loves a monochrome look with a dash of fun, these stoneware cups suit all kinds of kitchens.
Buy now £25.99, Amazon
Wedgwood Vera Wang Venato Espresso Cup and Saucer
This beautiful Vera Wang espresso cup is simplistic and subtle, adding an understated touch to your coffee drinking set-up with a neutral colour scheme that works well in every kitchen.
Crafted from fine bone china and unrefined marble for a signature finish, it’s a sleek gift for your coffee-loving friend and even comes with its own dainty little saucer.
Buy now £36.00, House of Fraser
Villeroy & Boch porcelain espresso cup
This stunning leaf-print porcelain espresso cup is absolutely one of the most beautiful around and is a piece you’ll want to reserve for those extra special mornings when you’re feeling fancy.
Villeroy & Boch are renowned for their beautiful designs and this espresso cup is one of the most delicately detailed pieces. Despite its fragile-looking nature, it’s dishwasher safe and deserves to get plenty of use.
Buy now £31.90, Selfridges
Le Creuset Stoneware Rainbow Espresso Mugs
We’re big fans of Le Creuset’s signature colourful pieces and the brand’s rainbow espresso set is no exception. Each painted cup comes in a different vibrant shade and there’s one to suit every taste. A set of six makes this a great choice for pulling out when you have guests over and its stoneware design means it’s dishwasher safe, too. These beautiful coffee cups promise to add a cheerful vibe to your coffee set-up.
Buy now £68.00, John Lewis
Sazy Nagini Handmade Espresso Cup and Saucer
Every Sazy coffee cup is handmade, which means no two are exactly the same. This cream ceramic espresso cup also comes adorned with 24k gold leaf detailing, which is all the persuasion you need to use the slightly fancier coffee rather than the bog standard granules you’re used to.
These cute cups also come in a few different sizes so, if you’re trying to keep things coordinated, you can refresh your entire mug cupboard with similar pieces.
Buy now £21.99, Amazon
Habitat Espresso Set
Habitat’s espresso set looks far more expensive than it actually is and these pieces are also usually on sale. With burnt orange designs and geometric detailing, this pair of espresso cups promises to jazz up even the most bleary-eyed of Monday mornings.
They’re also designed to fit more than a double helping of espresso, which means you can feasibly pour yourself a triple strength shot if desired without giving the game away to anyone questioning your caffeine intake nearby.
Buy now £4.00, Argos
POLSPOTTEN Grandma espresso cups
They might be called “grandma” cups but we’ll definitely be keeping these stunning espresso cups and saucers for ourselves. Some of the brightest designs out there with beautiful, intricate detailing, these cups are almost too pretty to use.
This set of four comes with a variety of cups and saucers in contrasting blue, yellow and orange tones. Made from porcelain with gold detailing on each piece, they’re espresso cups that deserve only the finest handling when pouring.
Buy now £85.00, Farfetch
SenayCeramics Stoneware Ceramic Tumbler
Etsy is a top choice for anyone looking to stock their kitchen cabinets with unique pieces and this SenayCeramics stoneware ceramic tumbler offers just that. A piece that you’d probably expect to find in your nearest boutique coffee house, its handmade design offers a speckled, two-tone colour with hand-shaped edges. All of the pieces here are hand-thrown and go through the full process from scratch, which makes them just as good for a thoughtful gift as they are for keeping for yourself.
Buy now £14.50, Etsy
Eleanor Bowmer Palm & Trellis Fine China Espresso Cups
These unique and colourful Eleanor Bowmer cups are made from fine china and come decorated with contrasting green and pink tones as well as gold-edged handles.
Despite their fancy looks (and equally as fancy packaging) these espresso cups work out to be less than £10 each - perfect if you’re stepping up your stoneware drawer without spending a fortune.
Buy now £14.95, John Lewis
Verdict
For comfort, style, usability and price, we’d choose John Lewis' Linear Stackable Stoneware Espresso Cups as our top pick. This set of four promises to become a daily staple in your house and won’t set you back more than the cost of a few fancy coffees, either.
