La Marzocco built the Strada S around a low profile: at 50 cm high it keeps the barista in view of the customer, with an open, spacious work area on top of the machine. Each group has its own insulated, PID-controlled 1.3 liter saturated boiler, so every group can run at its own temperature, and the lever-activated proportional steam valve lets the barista texture a small cortado jug as precisely as a large latte jug.
This review is about the Strada S as we sell it: 2 or 3 groups with programmable doses (AV), Pro Touch steam wands, a display with shot times, eco mode and a hot water economizer. It is for a specialty bar where the barista is part of what the customer comes for.
In this review
Our baristas’ verdict
- Best at: a bar where the barista works facing the customer and serves a blend and a single origin at different temperatures.
- Right size for: a specialty bar with 2 groups, or a big counter with 3.
- Pick another model if: you want a boiler per group in a narrower body (GB5 X), or a straight-in portafilter for very high volume (KB90).
- Plan for: the size. 83 cm wide and 77 kg with 2 groups, 103 cm and 94 kg with 3, and 69 cm deep.
Strengths and weak points
Strengths
- Low profile at 50 cm, with an open work area on top of the machine.
- Own insulated, PID-controlled boiler and temperature per group.
- Proportional steam lever: steam output follows how far the barista opens it.
- Pro Touch steam wands that stay cool to the touch.
- Programmable doses, a display with shot times, eco mode, hot water economizer and USB firmware updates.
Weak points
- No pressure profiling: the Strada S doses by volume.
- Wide: 83 cm (2 groups) or 103 cm (3 groups), 69 cm deep. Need a narrower machine with a boiler per group? Look at the GB5 X.
- Heavy: 77 kg (2 groups) or 94 kg (3 groups).
Options and how to combine them
Options are ordered together with the machine, so they are part of the order before it is installed.
- Scales in the drip tray (ABR): La Marzocco builds the Strada S in an ABR version, which goes through a quote.
- Powder coating in a standard RAL color or a custom RAL color, at the Strada price, confirmed with the order.
- Cup warmer: a special order, through your quote.
- Water treatment: the Brita Purity C1100 XtraSafe filter can go on the same quote.
How to combine them: decide between AV and ABR before you order. On the AV version without scales, the height of the large drip tray adjusts for tall to-go cups; with ABR the scales sit in the drip tray. Our high legs kits are not listed for the Strada.
Strada S, GB5 X or KB90?
| Strada S | GB5 X | KB90 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee boiler (2 groups) | 2 × 1.3 L, one per group | 2 × 1.3 L, one per group | 2 × 1.3 L, one per group |
| Steam boiler (2 groups) | 8.2 L | 7 L | 7 L |
| Steam valve | Lever, proportional | Easy-rebuild, serviced from the front | Fully open in half a turn |
| Portafilter | Classic, turn to lock | Classic, turn to lock | Straight-in, release button |
| Scales in the drip tray (ABR) | ABR version through a quote | Option | Option |
| Width × depth (2 groups) | 83 × 69 cm | 77 × 64 cm | 81 × 62 cm |
| Weight (2 groups) | 77 kg | 70 kg | 77 kg |
| Power (2 groups) | up to 5,666 W | up to 5,670 W | up to 5,670 W |
For the busiest bars, the KB90 adds a straight-in portafilter and Steam Flush. Figures for the 2-group versions, from La Marzocco and our product pages.
Frequently asked questions
How many coffees a day can it make?
La Marzocco gives no cups-per-day figure for the Strada S, so neither do we. Tell us how many drinks you make in your busiest hour and we help you choose between 2 and 3 groups. The 3-group is 20 cm wider (103 cm), has a larger steam boiler (11.8 L instead of 8.2 L) and weighs 94 kg instead of 77 kg.
Does it need a water connection?
Yes. The Strada S is connected to the water supply; it has no water tank. Tell us what is available on site and we check it before installation. A water filter can be added to your quote.
How much maintenance does it need?
The boilers are insulated, eco mode puts the machine in standby on a schedule and firmware updates go via USB. The daily cleaning of groups, portafilters, steam wands and drip tray stays with the barista. Our product page gives a warranty of 3 years, if professional maintenance is done twice a year.
What does installation involve?
La Marzocco builds the Strada S for 200 V single phase, 220 V single or three phase and 380 V three phase, with a maximum power of 5,666 W (2 groups) or 7,783 W (3 groups). Have your electrician check the connection first. We deliver within 2-3 working days and install by appointment.
Ordering through OR Coffee
Every Strada S from OR Coffee comes with 12 kg of OR specialty coffee for espresso, a Full Barista Training for two people from your team at OR Academy, and full installation of the machine with OR coffee beans. Delivery takes 2-3 working days; installation is by appointment.
Ready for a quote? Request one on the Strada S product page or mail us at webshop@orcoffee.be. Tell us the number of groups, how many drinks you make in your busiest hour and which options you have in mind, and we come back with a quote.
How we wrote this review
The specifications come from La Marzocco’s product page for the Strada S and from our own product page; the options and the machines they fit come from our option pages. All checked on 23 October 2026. We have not published our own measurements; if we add them, we will mark them as ours.
Wouter – OR Coffee. Wouter advises cafés, restaurants and offices on La Marzocco machines at OR Coffee.