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Darkroom Espresso — Coffee shops in Swindon

Darkroom Espresso

Coffee shopsSwindon

4.8 out of 5 stars4.8(339 reviews)

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Quick info

+44 776 152 18 92
11 Faringdon Rd, Swindon SN1 5AR, United Kingdom
£1–10

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

  • Parking
    Paid parking lot
  • Accessibility
    Wheelchair: entrance, restroom, seating
  • Good for kids
    Good for kids · High chairs · Family-friendly
  • Dietary
    Vegan options · Vegetarian options

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Reviews

4.8/5
339 reviews

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention flat white, toasted 3 cheese sourdough sandwich, avo on toast and skinny iced decaf mocha.

5★
291
4★
42
3★
3
2★
2
1★
1

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

Darkroom Espresso
£1–10Wi-Fi / laptopVegan options
4.8339
  • 0.1 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

  • 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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