Esquires Coffee in Darlington

Always bring my Dad here when I come back to Darlington. It doesn’t feel like a generic shopping centre cafe and is always clean and tidy. Usually just come for coffee which is always good and although past reviews are not the best the last two occasions have been served by very pleasant young assistants. On Monday 10.30 ish the assistant was smiling, chirpy and looked interested in her role ( she may still be training as another lady was pleasantly showing her something on the till) Later as we left a gentleman quickly cleared our table. Keep up the good work.

Since it was Christmastime, I decided to try out their Candy Cane Hot Chocolate. This was a pleasant, mint-flavoured beverage. Conveniently, they have a toilet should you need it!

Got here 9.05 and one person serving and there was a few waiting for food orders. Girl was like a blue arsed fly till someone else came in. Usually good but not today. Need more staff first thing

Just been served ( I think) by the most miserable young girl I've come across, her taking my order for a coffee was such a hard chor. Never to return

This used to be a lovely place to have lunch. Surely it’s changed hands 🤔. Will never go there again! Toasted tea cake (cold!) with virtually no fruit. Butter wouldn’t spread and when I asked for another portion I was told I would have to pay for it. My tea was to the rim of the mug and when I took it back to ask for some to be removed to make room for milk, I noticed the mug was filthy with tannin when the girl tipped some out 🤢. She was very blasé about it, no offer of clean mug and fresh tea. My other half’s coffee was stone cold when he tasted it. The girl put his cup under the steam nozzle for all of five seconds ( great hygiene 😳) and returned it still cold. £10 down the drain. Avoid like the plague!