
Darkroom Espresso
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Quick info
About Darkroom Espresso
Darkroom Espresso is a specialty coffee shop at 11 Faringdon Rd in Swindon town centre, set in a concrete-floored space with tables, chairs and benches. Dogs are welcome, so people out with their pets can stop in for a drink. The coffee list includes interesting coffees and roasts, with flat whites among the espresso drinks. Tea and hot chocolate sit alongside them. The food side covers pastries, avo on toast and toasties, including a 3 cheese sourdough sandwich, and vegan options are part of the mix. Orders are placed in a line at the counter, and a wait for drinks is common. Paid car parks surround the shop.
Good to know
- ParkingPaid parking lot
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Family-friendly
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention flat white, toasted 3 cheese sourdough sandwich, avo on toast and skinny iced decaf mocha.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention flat white, toasted 3 cheese sourdough sandwich, avo on toast and skinny iced decaf mocha.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers return to Darkroom Espresso mainly for the flat white and the specialty coffee behind it, which several call consistently excellent and made by baristas who know their craft. Close behind are the food items: a toasted three cheese sourdough sandwich with tortilla chips and salsa, avocado on toast, and a toastie one parent's daughter finished with zero complaints. A skinny iced decaf mocha and a latte with swan art also get named. The staff are repeatedly described as friendly, and the relaxed, minimalist atmosphere suits sitting with a book or working for a while. Dog friendliness and vegan options come up too. The one recurring complaint is speed. A regular says the wait is almost always irritating and recounts over 20 minutes for two to-go flat whites, even with only two people ahead in the queue. Another reviewer's visit ended on a chalkable table at the back, a detail that stayed with them.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers return to Darkroom Espresso mainly for the flat white and the specialty coffee behind it, which several call consistently excellent and made by baristas who know their craft. Close behind are the food items: a toasted three cheese sourdough sandwich with tortilla chips and salsa, avocado on toast, and a toastie one parent's daughter finished with zero complaints. A skinny iced decaf mocha and a latte with swan art also get named. The staff are repeatedly described as friendly, and the relaxed, minimalist atmosphere suits sitting with a book or working for a while. Dog friendliness and vegan options come up too. The one recurring complaint is speed. A regular says the wait is almost always irritating and recounts over 20 minutes for two to-go flat whites, even with only two people ahead in the queue. Another reviewer's visit ended on a chalkable table at the back, a detail that stayed with them.
Featured reviews
- James Ferguson
“Stopped here on the way back home from a family holiday in Devon. It was a slight detour but it was recommended in the Indy Coffee Guide so thought it was worth a visit. Coffee was very good and my daughter had one of those toasties with zero complaints. If you are after great coffee in the area, this is your place.”
- Rowan
“First time in Swindon and came here on a recommendation and was not disappointed!! The owner and staff really know their stuff. I was able to get one of the most uniquely good tasting roasts I have had in a long time, and the atmosphere was really nice. As it was a slower point in the day, I was also able to sit and work for a while, which was wonderful!!”
- Neil McCathie
“Darkroom are a pretty solid choice for specialty coffee in Swindon. The standard is pretty high, not perfect but it’s rare that they make anything bad. I’ve semi-frequented the establishment for a little while and have, more often than not, been slightly irritated by the wait time. Today I waited over 20 minutes for two flat whites (to go). There were two people in the line in front who ordered the exact same. You’d think that might make things quicker? Not sure what’s going on with the service but it seems to be almost every time I’ve been. Just something I think is worth pointing out, because otherwise I’d say this is a great place to grab a coffee.”
- Scott Holden
“First time visiting after recommendation, the flat white was very good and latte with the swan art was a nice touch. We particularly enjoyed the banter between the “head chefs”. Great experience and will definitely be back.”
- JS
“Love this cafe. Dog friendly, nice selection of pastries, sandwiches, coffees and teas. Vegan options available. It's concrete flooring, with chairs, tables or benches so not exactly plush but it's comfortable and has a nice atmosphere. The staff are very friendly and helpful. It's city centre - so surrounded by paid car parks like Station Road and Princes Street.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Darkroom Espresso is a Speciality coffee shop in Swindon town centre, focusing on the quality of everything from coffee, tea, hot chocolate and more . We care about the craft that goes into making you the perfect cup every single time.”
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Live performances
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Paid parking lot
- Dogs allowed
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Family-friendly
- Vegan options
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Coffee
- Free water refills
- Dining options· 5
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dessert
- Seating
- Facilities· 2
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
- Family-friendly· 2
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Popular for· 2
- Solo dining
- Good for working on laptop
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Trendy
- Crowd· 4
- College students
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Pet-friendly· 2
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
- Offerings· 3
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Vegetarian options
- Highlights· 3
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Live performances
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Location
Coffee shops near Darkroom Espresso
- Coffee#1 Swindon4.25280.1 mi£1–10Wi-Fi / laptopOutdoor seatingVegan options
hot chocolate, pastries and cakes, cappuccino
- 0.3 mi£1–10Wi-Fi / laptopOutdoor seating
coffee, cakes, cat themed wall art
- Coffee Stop4.8270.5 mi£1–10
coffee, homemade cakes, full English breakfast
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darkroom EspressoWi-Fi / laptop · Vegan options | 4.8339 | — | £1–10 | flat white, toasted 3 cheese sourdough sandwich, avo on toast |
| Coffee#1 SwindonWi-Fi / laptop · Outdoor seating · Vegan options | 4.2528 | 0.1 mi | £1–10 | hot chocolate, pastries and cakes, cappuccino |
| Baristocats Coffee (Swindon)Wi-Fi / laptop · Outdoor seating | 4.892 | 0.3 mi | £1–10 | coffee, cakes, cat themed wall art |
| Coffee Stop | 4.827 | 0.5 mi | £1–10 | coffee, homemade cakes, full English breakfast |
The 3 nearest coffee shops by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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