Running a restaurant or cafe in the UK isn’t easy — long hours, changing consumer habits, staffing issues, rising costs. and that’s before you even get to the tech.
Something we hear all the time at EPOS Advisor is:
“There are so many EPOS systems on the market — how do I know which is right for my business?”
It’s a fair question, and you’re not alone in asking it.
Whether you’re opening your very first café or upgrading your restaurant’s old till system, the right EPOS system will make your life a whole lot easier. The wrong one? It’ll hold you back, frustrate you, and cost you time and money.
In this article, we’re breaking down what to look for in restaurant EPOS systems in the UK, how to spot the best EPOS system for a café, and what to expect if you’re after an affordable POS system for a restaurant — all in plain English.
What Makes a Good EPOS System, Anyway?
Let’s be honest — most EPOS systems appear identical when you’re browsing online. They all promise the same things: faster payments, simpler service, and more insightful reports.
Not all of them are made for hospitality, however. Some are better suited to shops, and others lack features you’ll quickly find you can’t do without — like bill splitting, ordering by table, or printing tickets to the kitchen.
A decent hospitality EPOS system in the UK ought to:
- Get you taking orders quickly — at the counter, table, or online
- Ideal for dine-in and takeaway
- Take payments with ease, including tips and split bills
- Send orders directly to your kitchen printer or screen
- View what’s selling, when, and who’s selling it
- Get you staying on top of stock and staffing
- Enable you to update your menu or prices in minutes
At EPOS Advisor, we simplify it for business owners to figure out which systems genuinely have these features — without the fluff.
What About Cafés? Do They Need Something Different?
Absolutely. The best EPOS system for a café is one that ensures service keeps ticking along quickly — because when you’ve got a morning rush and five people waiting for oat milk lattes, you don’t want to be tapping through endless menus.
If you run a café, you’ll want a system that’s:
- Easy to use for new employees (with minimal training)
- Fast at ringing up simple orders and combinations
- Customizable for extras, like syrups or alternative milk
- Integrated with loyalty rewards or stamp cards
- Compact — there’s no room to spare behind the counter!
We generally recommend fast-service EPOS systems for cafes, especially if you’ve got regulars and repeat business. And if you’re running a pop-up or food truck? Offline mode is a must, just in case Wi-Fi drops out.
Can Restaurants Really Get an Affordable POS System?
Short answer: yes. You don’t need to spend thousands to get a system that works.
New EPOS providers are now offering low-cost full-feature POS systems for restaurants — for a monthly subscription and little or no upfront cost. These are perfect for small independents, family-run businesses, or even growing chains.
You can get:
- All-in-one ordering, payment, staff, and inventory software
- Cloud-based access (so you can check your sales on your phone)
- Flexible hardware — use a touchscreen, iPad, or something custom
- Your delivery apps, accounting software, and card reader integration
We don’t really sell EPOS systems at EPOS Advisor. We simply help you find the one that’s right for you — based on your budget, your size, and how you run your business.
So… How Do We Actually Help?
Think of us as your EPOS matchmaker. We listen to you, pose the right questions, and then introduce you to systems that suit you — not what a salesperson wants to push.
Here’s the process:
1. We get to know your business – Café, restaurant, pub? Single site or five?
2.We shortlist the best options – We send you tailored recommendations with real pros and cons.
3. We help you compare & test – Schedule a demo, need help with features? We’re here.
4. We help you with setup – No techno jargon. Just help you can actually use.
5. We don’t vanish – Need help with changing systems further down the line? Upsizing? We’ve got your back.
We do all the legwork so that you don’t waste time chasing quotes or sitting through confusing pitches.
FAQs – Simple Answers on Hospitality EPOS
Q: Does it matter whether the EPOS is for retail or a restaurant?
Yes! Retail tills are all about stock-heavy products and barcodes. Restaurant EPOS does kitchen workflows, courses, tipping, and tables.
Q: Can I simply use an iPad as my EPOS?
Most providers now support iPad and Android tablets — perfect if you want something mobile or already have the hardware.
Q: What’s the realistic monthly cost for a good system?
Most hospitality-specific EPOS systems start from circa £30–£60/month. Some even cover hardware.
Q: Will I need staff training?
If the system’s good, it’ll be easy to learn. Most café and restaurant systems are designed to be user-friendly, even for new staff.
Q: What if I outgrow my current system?
That’s where we come in. We’ll help you upgrade or scale to something that fits your new needs — without starting from scratch.
Final Thoughts
The thing is, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” EPOS system. What will be perfect for a fine dining restaurant in London will be all wrong for a seafront café in Brighton.
That’s why we built EPOS Advisor — to help business owners find systems that actually fit the way they operate.
Whether you’re looking for the best EPOS system for a cafe, researching hospitality EPOS systems in the UK, or trying to cut costs with a low-cost POS system for your restaurant, we’ll help you figure it out — without the pressure, confusion, or hard sell.
Seeking some practical EPOS guidance?
Get in touch with EPOS Advisor and benefit from a free, no-commitment consultation. Let’s have your tech work for you — not the other way around.