Restaurant Equipment List: A Complete Buyer’s Guide for 2025
Are you starting a restaurant or thinking about upgrading your equipment?
Whether you're diving into the restaurant business for the first time or giving your current setup a boost, getting the right gear is crucial.
As restaurants keep changing, the gear you need to keep things running smoothly changes too. Whether you're just starting out or sprucing up what you've got, having the right stuff is key for getting things done right and keeping your customers happy.
So, in this guide, we're diving into the must-have restaurant equipment for 2025 and giving you some tips to help you pick the best stuff for your place.
20 Must Have Restaurant Equipment in 2025
Here is a complete restaurant equipment list to run a successful restaurant:
1. Commercial Range:
A commercial range is a versatile cooking appliance equipped with multiple burners and ovens, allowing chefs to prepare a wide variety of dishes simultaneously. It's a cornerstone of any professional kitchen, offering precise temperature control and robust construction to withstand the demands of high-volume cooking.
2. Refrigeration Units:
Refrigeration units such as reach-in refrigerators, walk-in coolers, and freezer units are essential for storing perishable ingredients at optimal temperatures to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage. They come in various sizes to accommodate the storage needs of different types of restaurants, from small cafes to large-scale eateries.
3. Cooking Equipment:
Cooking equipment, including grills, fryers, ovens, steamers, and microwaves, provides the tools necessary for preparing a wide range of menu items efficiently. Each piece of equipment serves a specific cooking function, from grilling and frying to baking and steaming. They are enabling chefs to execute diverse culinary creations with precision.
4. Preparation Stations:
A preparation station is a must-have restaurant equipment, especially for high-volume kitchens. It consist of stainless steel worktables, cutting boards, and storage shelves designed to facilitate food prep tasks and organise ingredients effectively. These stations play a crucial role in optimising kitchen workflow, allowing chefs to chop, slice, and assemble ingredients with ease before they're cooked or served.
Bonus Content: Commercial Kitchen Layout Ideas
5. Dishwashing Systems:
Dishwashing systems, including high-capacity dishwashers, dish drying racks, and sanitation stations, are essential for maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in the kitchen. They ensure that dishes, utensils, and cookware are thoroughly cleaned and sanitised between uses, preventing cross-contamination and promoting food safety.
6. Food Storage Containers:
Food storage containers come in various shapes and sizes, offering airtight storage solutions for ingredients and leftovers. Made from durable materials like plastic, glass, or stainless steel. These containers help prolong the freshness of perishable foods and keep the kitchen organised and clutter-free.
7. Smallwares:
Smallwares encompass a wide range of kitchen tools and utensils, including knives, spatulas, pots, pans, and serving dishes. These essential items are used throughout the cooking and serving process, enabling chefs to prep, cook, and plate dishes with precision and efficiency.
8. POS System:
A restaurant POS software is a solution that streamlines ordering, payment processing, and inventory management tasks in restaurants. They provide real-time insights into sales data, customer trends, and inventory levels. It is empowering restaurant owners to make informed business decisions and enhance operational efficiency.
9. Sinks and Faucets:
Commercial sinks with pre-rinse faucets are vital for washing and sanitising dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment. They provide a dedicated space for cleaning tasks, helping to maintain hygiene standards and prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses in the kitchen.
10. Food Processors and Blenders:
Food processors and blenders are versatile kitchen appliances used for chopping, blending, and pureeing ingredients. They're essential for preparing sauces, soups, smoothies, and other culinary creations quickly and efficiently, saving time and labour in the kitchen.
11. Commercial Mixers:
Commercial mixers, including stand mixers and dough mixers, are indispensable for mixing and kneading dough, batter, and other ingredients in large quantities. These restaurant equipment are commonly used in bakeries, pizzerias, and pastry shops to prepare dough for bread, pizza, cakes, and other baked goods.
12. Food Display Cases:
Food display cases, whether refrigerated or heated, are used to showcase prepared food items and attract customers' attention. They're commonly found in delis, bakeries, and cafes, where freshly made sandwiches, pastries, and desserts are displayed for customers to choose from.
13. Commercial Ice Machines:
Commercial ice machines produce and store ice cubes for use in beverages, cocktails, and food preservation. They're essential for bars, restaurants, and catering businesses, ensuring a steady supply of ice to meet customer demands and keep drinks cold and refreshing.
14. Ventilation Systems:
Ventilation systems, including hood systems and exhaust fans, remove smoke, grease, and odours from the kitchen. This restaurant equipment improves air quality and maintains a comfortable working environment for kitchen staff. They're essential for compliance with health and safety regulations and preventing fire hazards in commercial kitchens.
15. Food Warmers and Heat Lamps:
Food warmers and heat lamps keep prepared food items at safe serving temperatures until they're ready to be served to customers. They're commonly used in buffet lines, catering events, and busy restaurant kitchens to prevent food from cooling down and losing its quality.
16. Cutlery and Dinnerware:
Cutlery and dinnerware, including knives, forks, spoons, plates, bowls, and glassware, are essential for serving meals to customers in restaurants. They come in various styles and designs to suit different dining experiences, from casual diners to fine dining establishments.
17. Beverage Equipment:
Beverage equipment, such as coffee makers, espresso machines, beverage dispensers, and soda fountains, are used to prepare and serve hot and cold drinks to customers. They're essential for coffee shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants, where beverages are a significant part of the menu.
18. Commercial Refrigerated Prep Tables:
Commercial refrigerated prep tables feature built-in refrigeration units and work surfaces for preparing salads, sandwiches, and other cold dishes. They're commonly used in sandwich shops, pizzerias, and salad bars, where fresh ingredients are prepared and assembled to order.
19. Commercial Shelving Units:
Commercial shelving units provide storage space for dry goods, kitchen supplies, and equipment in commercial kitchens. They're made from durable materials like stainless steel or wire, making this restaurant equipment a sturdy and organised storage solution.
20. Safety Equipment:
Safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and safety signs, are essential for maintaining a safe working environment in restaurants. They help prevent accidents, injuries, and emergencies, ensuring the health and well-being of both employees and customers.
Bonus Content: How to Improve Restaurant Efficiency?
10 Things to Consider When Purchasing Restaurant Equipment
1. Menu Requirements:
Evaluate your menu to determine the specific equipment needed to prepare and serve your dishes effectively.
2. Space Constraints:
Consider the layout and size of your kitchen space to ensure that the equipment you choose fits comfortably and allows for efficient workflow.
3. Energy Efficiency:
Opt for equipment with high energy efficiency ratings to reduce utility costs and minimise environmental impact.
4. Budget:
Set a realistic budget for equipment purchases, considering both upfront costs and long-term maintenance expenses.
5. Quality and Durability:
Invest in high-quality equipment that can withstand the demands of a busy kitchen environment and has a reputation for durability.
6. Brand Reputation:
Choose reputable brands known for producing reliable and long-lasting equipment, backed by warranties and customer support.
7. Health and Safety Compliance:
Ensure that the equipment meets health and safety standards and regulations to maintain a safe working environment and comply with legal requirements.
8. Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance:
Select equipment that is easy to clean and maintain to uphold sanitation standards and prolong the lifespan of the appliances.
9. Versatility:
Look for multi-functional equipment that can perform multiple tasks to maximise efficiency and flexibility in your kitchen operations.
10. Future Growth:
Anticipate your future needs and growth potential when selecting equipment to avoid outgrowing your kitchen space or needing frequent upgrades.
By considering these factors carefully, you can make informed decisions when purchasing restaurant equipment that aligns with your business goals and operational requirements.
Bonus Content: Importance of POS for Restaurant Kitchen Management
Where Do Restaurants Buy Their Equipment in Australia?
In Australia, there are several popular equipment providers that cater to various industries and sectors. Some of the well-known ones include:
Nisbets:
Nisbets is a leading supplier of catering equipment and hospitality supplies in Australia. They are offering a wide range of products for commercial kitchens, restaurants, cafes, and hotels.
Sydney Commercial Kitchens:
Sydney Commercial Kitchens is a trusted supplier of commercial kitchen equipment. They are providing a comprehensive range of products and brands to businesses across Australia.
Stoddart:
Stoddart is a major supplier of commercial kitchen equipment, stainless steel fabrication, and food service products in Australia. They are offering high-quality solutions for the hospitality and food service industry.
Austmont:
Austmont specialises in the design, manufacture, and installation of commercial kitchen equipment and stainless steel fabrication for various sectors. It includes hospitality, healthcare, and education.
Caterlink:
Caterlink is a reputable supplier of commercial catering equipment and hospitality supplies in Australia They are offering a wide selection of products from leading brands to meet the needs of businesses in the foodservice industry.
Equipment for Restaurant’s Success
Having the right equipment for your restaurant isn't just about convenience in the kitchen; it can determine the success or failure of your business. From ensuring a seamless workflow to delighting customers and ultimately bolstering your bottom line, the gear you select is crucial. Therefore, it's essential to invest time in making wise choices. Your equipment decisions can influence everything from the efficiency of your kitchen operations to customer satisfaction, ultimately shaping the sustainability and profitability of your business.
Bonus Resources:
POS System for Small Businesses