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Barista jobs in the United Kingdom

UK cafés hire for repeatable service: calm pace, clean station habits, and safe customer communication. Expect hourly pay and rota-based shifts.

Hospitality & Service Entry Low sponsorship likelihood (indicative) Customer-facing English needed
CV required: candidates without a CV are not considered.
Work eligibility: non-UK candidates must have the right to work in the UK or apply only for roles where an employer can legally support the route (employer- and role-dependent).

Gross pay & contract reality

Barista roles in the UK are commonly paid hourly. Pay depends on location, shift pattern, and whether the site is high-volume or specialty.

  • Entry barista: typically around the legal floor and slightly above (gross)
  • Experienced / senior barista: often higher hourly base (gross)
  • Tips/service charge: may apply depending on employer (separate from base pay)
Full-time equivalent: ~£23.8k–£30.2k gross/year Common contracts: part-time, full-time, seasonal

Candidate portrait (60 seconds)

  • Service first: you are comfortable speaking with customers all day.
  • Clean routine: you keep your station organised and sanitised.
  • Peak-ready: you can move fast without losing accuracy.
  • Reliable: you show up on time for opens and closes.

Working conditions (UK — practical)

  • Shifts: early opens, closes, weekends and bank holidays (site-dependent)
  • Breaks: rotas commonly include breaks on longer shifts (rules depend on shift length and contract)
  • Holiday: paid holiday entitlement applies (statutory baseline)
  • Pension: workplace pension arrangements may apply depending on eligibility
  • Probation: many employers use an initial probation period

Important: exact terms depend on the employer, contract type and site (café, hotel, restaurant, chain).

Next step: submit your CV via the CV page. We screen your profile against current UK demand and client requirements.
Go to CV page (Required) Browse more Hospitality & Service roles

Typical responsibilities (barista)

  • Prepare espresso-based drinks and maintain consistent recipes during peak hours.
  • Operate POS/till, manage orders, and keep customer communication clear and polite.
  • Maintain hygiene: clean steam wand, surfaces, tools, and follow close-down routines.
  • Restock milk/cups/syrups, rotate items, and reduce waste with correct labelling.

Requirements (detailed)

  • CV in English: mandatory.
  • Customer English: orders, payments, allergens, issue handling.
  • Hygiene: clean routine and safe handling of hot drinks/food.
  • Physical: standing long hours; lifting/stock movement may apply.
  • Shifts: flexibility for opens/closes and weekends helps.

What to include on your CV (barista-specific)

  • Customer service outcomes (speed, upsell, feedback, complaint handling)
  • Any coffee workflow (espresso, milk texture, high-volume service)
  • Hygiene routine (closing checklist, cleaning logs, safe handling)
  • Availability (weekends, early shifts) and reliability proof (attendance)

Skills map employers actually notice

Espresso: dose / yield / time Milk: temperature + texture Service: queue control Hygiene: clean-as-you-go Cash: till accuracy Team: hand-off comms

For UK sites, “fast and safe” beats “fancy and slow”. If you can repeat quality 200 times a day, you are valuable.

Work eligibility (non-UK candidates)

This is a customer-facing hospitality role. Many employers prefer candidates who can start quickly, so existing UK work permission is often decisive.

  • Best-case scenario: you already have the right to work in the UK.
  • Expectations: sponsorship for barista roles is generally uncommon (employer-dependent).
  • Practical approach: a strong English CV + availability + reliability increases match rate.

Application steps

  1. Build / upload CV (English, clear dates, duties, outcomes).
  2. Screening by MaViAl for fit (availability, English, experience).
  3. Client interview (often short, practical questions).
  4. Offer & onboarding (rota, uniform, training, start date).

Apply with CV Back to UK vacancies

The “real” barista job in the UK (short story)

UK cafés often hire for predictability: can you keep drinks consistent when the queue is long, keep the station clean, and communicate safely with customers? The strongest candidates show reliable attendance, calm service, and hygiene discipline. Coffee skills help — but repeatable results matter more than impressive one-offs.

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FAQ

What gross pay can a barista expect in the UK?
Many cafés pay hourly. A common gross band is £12.21–£14.50/hour, depending on city, shift pattern and experience. Some employers add tips/service charge where applicable.
Is visa sponsorship realistic for barista roles?
For barista roles, sponsorship is generally uncommon and depends on the employer and route. Most successful applicants already hold UK work permission and can start quickly.
Do I need coffee experience to start?
Not always. Entry-level hiring is possible if you show customer service, reliability, hygiene discipline, and learning speed. Experience helps for busy sites and specialty coffee.
What English level is needed?
Customer-facing English is expected: taking orders, confirming allergens, handling payments, and resolving small issues politely. You do not need perfect English, but you must be clear and calm.
What shifts should I expect?
Early opens and closes are common. Weekend availability is frequently requested. Hours vary (part-time, full-time, seasonal) depending on the café and location.
What makes my CV stronger for barista jobs?
Show service outcomes (speed/feedback), coffee workflow if you have it (espresso/milk), hygiene routines (close-down), and reliability (punctuality, attendance). Keep the CV clear and in English.