What Should I Sell at My Coffee Shop? 20 Profitable Menu Ideas for 2025

TLDR

When you're starting a coffee shop, deciding what to serve is one of the most important early steps. It’s not just about offering coffee. Your menu needs to reflect what people want to buy today—products that are relevant, profitable, and suited to changing tastes and lifestyles.

Customers are more selective these days. Many are interested in plant-based options, functional beverages, healthier snacks, and food that fits into a busy day. Some want something quick they can take on the go. Others are looking for a place to sit and enjoy a handcrafted drink. Your menu should be flexible enough to serve both.

We have listed twenty practical and profitable ideas for your coffee shop menu. These options are based on current trends, customer expectations, and the types of products that can help drive consistent revenue. Whether you’re about to open your first location or you’re reviewing your current menu, this list can help you build something that works.

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20 Profitable Coffee Shop Menu Ideas for 2025

According to the NCA’s 2024 report, 75% of American adults drink coffee, with increasing demand for cold brew, functional ingredients, and plant-based options.

1. Functional Lattes (e.g., Mushroom, Adaptogen, Collagen)
Lattes infused with wellness boosters like lion’s mane, ashwagandha, or collagen are in high demand among health-focused customers.

2. Oat Milk Shaken Espresso
A dairy-free, bold yet smooth iced espresso drink that's both trendy and refreshing.

3. Protein Cold Brew
Combines caffeine and protein into a convenient drink, popular with busy, health-conscious customers.

4. Vegan Breakfast Burrito
Plant-based wraps with tofu scramble, veggies, and black beans — hearty and satisfying for breakfast or lunch.

5. Superfood Smoothies (Acai, Spirulina, Maca)
Nutrient-dense smoothies made with vibrant, antioxidant-rich ingredients.

6. Gluten-Free Banana Bread
A moist, flavorful snack that caters to both gluten-sensitive and mainstream audiences.

7. Savory Grain Bowls
Warm bowls made with quinoa, farro, or brown rice, topped with roasted vegetables and sauces.

8. Nitro Matcha or Chai
Draft-style green tea or spiced chai with a frothy texture and strong visual appeal.

9. Adaptogenic Teas
Herbal teas enhanced with natural ingredients that support mood, energy, or focus.

10. Reishi or Cacao Hot Chocolate
A rich, relaxing alternative to coffee featuring medicinal mushrooms or ethically sourced cacao.

11. Low-Sugar Iced Lattes
Crafted with date syrup, monk fruit, or stevia — ideal for customers avoiding added sugar.

12. Fermented Pastries (e.g., Sourdough Croissants)
Baked goods made with fermented doughs for better flavor and digestibility.

13. Chia Pudding Cups
Pre-portioned, dairy-free puddings made with chia seeds, almond milk, and seasonal fruits.

14. Cold-Pressed Juice Shots
Compact wellness drinks like immunity boosters or detox blends, often taken on the go.

15. Gourmet Toasts (Avocado, Smoked Salmon, Nut Butter)
Upscale, photogenic toast toppings that are both filling and flavorful.

16. Coffee Flights
Tasting sets of multiple coffee brews, perfect for discovery and experience-seeking customers.

17. Housemade Syrups
Flavored syrups like lavender-honey or cardamom-vanilla made in-house for unique flavor profiles.

18. Zero-Waste Snacks
Creative bites made from ingredients like spent coffee grounds or juice pulp — sustainable and clever.

19. Kombucha or Probiotic Beverages
Naturally fermented drinks that support gut health and appeal to a health-savvy audience.

20. Subscription-Based Drinks or Prepaid Packages
Menu options for weekly or monthly drink plans that offer convenience and savings to regulars.

Want to improve how your menu performs online? Check out our guide on how to optimize your mobile menu for restaurant orders.

How to Increase Order Value Automatically

Once your menu is in place, the next question is how to make each order more valuable. Upselling is one of the easiest ways to do this, and it works best when it feels natural and relevant. The Per Diem app includes features designed specifically for independent coffee shops and cafés. These tools help increase average order value without disrupting the customer experience.

Menu-Based Upsell Prompts

If a customer orders something like a low-sugar iced latte, the app can display an option to enhance it with housemade syrup or an alternative milk. These prompts appear just before checkout and give the customer a simple way to personalise their order. When it’s relevant and well-timed, this kind of upsell is often accepted, and it adds up over a day.

Subscriptions and Build-Your-Box Options

Per Diem also supports recurring revenue through weekly, monthly, or even annual subscriptions. Customers can sign up for a prepaid drink plan—like five coffees a week or unlimited drip coffee each month—which keeps them coming back and helps you forecast sales more consistently.

Another option is “build your box” style ordering. This works well if you offer bottled drinks, baked goods, or retail coffee bags. Customers can mix and match items to create a custom weekly pickup or delivery. It’s a simple way to increase average spend while offering convenience and flexibility that today’s buyers expect.

These tools are designed to work seamlessly within your existing workflow. Because Per Diem integrates directly with your Square POS, there’s no need for staff to remember every offer or subscription prompt. The app pulls from your real-time menu, sales data, and customer behavior to automatically display upsell options or subscription plans. It’s built to work in the background, helping you boost revenue without complicating daily operations.

Want to offer subscriptions or personalised upgrades without extra work? Set it up once with Per Diem and let it run in the background.

Final Thoughts

If you're still deciding what to sell at your coffee shop, remember this: the best menus evolve. They reflect your brand, your community, and the changing tastes of your customers. You don’t need a 40-item lineup to make a profit, just a thoughtful, well-executed menu and a few tools to help you sell smarter.

Lean into trends that align with your mission. Test, tweak, and taste constantly. And don’t be afraid to use smart tech like Per Diem to make your life easier — and your margins happier.

After all, if your menu is the engine, upselling is the fuel. Let’s make every cup count.

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