A barista prepares espresso drinks, coffee, tea, and other beverages while serving guests at a cafe counter or restaurant coffee bar. Baristas work in the front of house and are often the first and last person a guest talks to. Here is what the job looks like across a shift, in the order it happens.
Opening duties
- Turn on and purge the espresso machine, grinders, and brewers
- Dial in espresso shots and taste for balance
- Brew the first batch of drip coffee and set out tea
- Stock cups, lids, sleeves, milk, syrups, and pastries
- Wipe down the counter, check the register, and review the daily specials
During service
- Greet each guest and take their order correctly
- Pull espresso shots and steam milk to the house standard
- Call out drinks clearly and keep order flow organized
- Handle allergy or dietary questions with care
- Process payments and keep the register accurate
- Keep the counter, bar, and tip jar area tidy between orders
- Restock supplies during slower moments
Closing duties
- Backflush and clean the espresso machine and group heads
- Empty and clean grinders and knock boxes
- Wipe counters, shelves, and the milk fridge
- Count the drawer and complete the closing report
- Take out trash, sweep, and mop
Weekly duties
- Deep clean the espresso machine and brewers on schedule
- Check bean freshness and rotate stock
- Update the drink menu board or seasonal specials
- Join a weekly cupping or training session if offered
Writing a posting? The barista job description turns these duties into a ready-to-paste template. For shift planning, try the free restaurant schedule template.