An apparatus for preparing a coffee beverage (C) comprises containing means (2) for heating an extracting fluid, transferring means (5, 10, 110) arranged for enabling said fluid to pass through a dose of coffee (W) and sending said extracted beverage (C) to collecting means (9), and is characterised in that it comprises inhibiting means (16; 17), arranged for inhibiting said passing through when said fluid contains a substantial steam phase, said inhibiting means (16; 17) being associated with said transferring means (5, 10, 110).