Pumpkin Cafe in Darlington

Very poor service and rip-off price Called in for coffee whilst awaiting train. I asked if they could do oatmilk rather than milk which they said yes. Once the coffee was prepared they then charged me £0.70 more than the advertised price. When questioned why the charge was £4.09 the surly member of staff said it was what they have to charge for the oatmilk. Needless to say this will be my last visit to any pumpkin cafe franchise.

The service here is dreadful. The lady behind the counter was extremely rude to me because my card declined and I needed to transfer money. She said she could put it through again but she’d ’have to start all over again’. Sorry I didn’t realise it was such a mountain task to press a few buttons. She made a point of serving 2 other customers in full before me even though I told her I was ready and when I went to pay she asked me what I was having again even though she’d already made my coffee. Very strange and unnecessarily rude. When I asked what the problem was she said it was just busy, but if you can’t handle a queue and putting through a coffee order twice maybe you shouldn’t work in customer service. Otherwise, the cafe is overpriced, tacky and the atmosphere drab. Will use costa in future.

o a warm welcome was needed. Sadly not to be…a sales prevention officer behind the counter was rude, unhelpful and only wanted me to answer her questions. The lady was about 5ft 5 with white/blonde hair. The place was sparsely populated, it was a horrid day outside but worse in this cafè. Give it a wide birth. The station is in turmoil with refurbishing but this appears not to be aware of it

Was served by a very unpleasant and rude female member of staff. If you don't like members of the puplick don't work in a café. Horrible individual.

I paid for lunch by credit card, to be called back after sitting down to resubmit payment. I requested a cancellation slip, the assistant did not know how to do this and when I suggested she used the arrow keys on the payment pad shouted "do not touch it" which seemed odd as paying necessitates tapping or inserting a card into the machine. I eventually used a different card but was left feeling I may have paid twice. Her manner was unnecessarily rude and she implied I was interfering with with the functioning of the computerised equipment. She then proceeded to relate the incident to her work colleague within my earshot stating what does that tell you? Quite frankly I felt I should have returned the produce and left. In addition the assistant shouted can you hear me at another customer because he was taking a phone call. He left without buying anything. Needless to say customer service skills rating is zero and I suggest you train your staff how to speak to customers with respect and how to print out a cancellation slip. Many thanks.

Dreadful attitude of staff member. Rude, and as though customers are an inconvenience. Wait till you get on the train rather than go here.

Elderly blonde woman there behind the counter was very unprofessional and kept complaining to her colleague about how she just cleans and tidies the premises non-stop, however it was absolutely filthy inside with food crumbs all over the floor, tables and seats, there was spilt milk all over the floor just left there whilst the staff were chatting and not doing anything. Also overheard the older blonde woman being rude to another customer. Charged nearly £8 for two regular coffees that were just mostly frothy milk. I certainly wouldn't eat in this place as I'd probably get food poisoning. Never again.

Awful. Where do I even begin? I got scolded for asking for a Vanilla Latte, blonde woman serving me said “why can’t you just be normal”? I was really taken aback by this comment. Shop is filthy, run down, and poorly managed.

Reflected heavily over whether to post this review or not, but I’ve thought of little more since witnessing some of the most obnoxious attitude I’ve ever seen…. My partner and I visited for a hot drink prior to making our way to London. Whilst this review does not relate directly to the way either of us was treated, it does concern an employee who was working in the cafe at the time of our visit. I must state that my personal experience was pleasant enough, and we were both served without issue. However… an elderly couple, who were quite visibly disabled (both had walking aids) asked the lady behind the counter where the toilets were located, as ongoing building works meant that the normal toilets weren’t operating and subsequently closed.. the lady responded with ‘do I look like I work on the platform?’… the gentlemen asked her to repeat what she had said, as he had misunderstood, and she proceeded to shout each word of her sentence in a degrading (and belittling) manner…. Shortly after this, a group of young guys entered and ordered food and drinks… they began laughing at something one of them had said - they were neither loud nor disturbing, and were quite simply enjoying chit chat and a shared joke….. she abruptly said ‘shut up you lot. You’re not on a night out now’ …. They left immediately….. I’m afraid I don’t know the name of the employee, only that she has blonde hair and is, at a guess, around 50….. for the security of future custom, and in the interest of passenger experience… you must address this.

What a rude ans obnoxious employee this morning at the Pumpkin Cafe. We arrived at 0805am with 0730 openung being advertised online. We intended to have an end of half term treat for my sons visiting York and Manchester by train. We walked towards the open door and were shouted at and told 'I'm not open yet!' The lady next to me asked what time they expected to be open and was bluntly told " lwhen 'm ready to open love!" What a horrible woman and really not a positive face for the company! My 10 year old son was quite upset by her attitude and said he would rather wait for his breakfast than go into the cafe on this occassion! We won't be visiting again!

Absolutely dreadful service from a female employee this morning (28/01/24) snarky and unfriendly behaviour. Would like a manager to contact me to discuss a full refund (we left before we received our stuff, not sitting and dealing with abusive/miserable people first thing in a morning) No wonder it was empty and has terrible reviews here.. wish I would have checked before. Ricky.

Visited whilst waiting for a train at Darlington Station. The food and drink was reasonable, staff were pleasant and attentive. The environment is woeful. Flaking ceiling tiles, damp and damage to same, stains on walls and broken furniture. I'm sure it's an environmental health breach.

Curt service, flies in the waste container on the counter and CHARGED NINE POUNDS THIRTY EIGHT PENCE for a MEDIUM COFFEE, which I did not realise until I had left the station and seen my bank notice. DAYLIGHT ROBBERY IN MISERY.

This is by far the worst food experience I’ve ever had, family of 4 coffees, juices and sausage or bacon sandwiches before the train. Microwaved bacon or sausage sandwich’s, yes you heard me correct, microwaved. The kids sausage sarnies were terrible bread tough as anything as it’d been in the mic and 1&1/2 sausage per sandwich, what’s they done with the half?? My bacon I opened it in front of the server to add sauce and instantly decided I couldn’t possibly eat it it looked like plastic. I said I’m sorry that’s simply inedible and pushed it towards her, she took it chucked it in the bin and served someone else, no refund or anything offered. Unbelievable….

Not open at 5.30 as stated on website. When another potential customer spoke to the Server her surly reply was I'm on my own. As I'm writing this at 6.18 the cafe is still not open. This is not the first time this has happened. Thank goodness there is a Costa on the station.

What a Rude member of staff I have just had the experience of. No please, smile, thank you and slammed my coffee on counter Clearly hates her job and needs find another

Great cafe lovely staff came in on the 8th march around 3 ish was served and chatted with lovely staff memeber think her name was Shauna baynham so welcoming

Reserved a gtgb the night before as I was in Darlington. Had to buy a train ticket so I could go get the bags. Got to pumpkins, only to be told there was none. Think the staff are keeping them for themselves? Wouldn't surprise me as this is not the first time it has happened. Their excuse was the app hadn't updated which is bollocks as I had been keeping an eye all day on it. Are Pumpkins going to refund me the costs of a train ticket?

To be totally honest I visited even though I had read the reviews on here, to my total amazement the place was clean the staff we’re genuinely happy and very helpful. It was great to see the manager enjoying some creative fun time with the staff members. Prices are a little high but never the less it was a great enjoyable visit well done pumpkin.

The cafe is split into two, with two separate entrances: one half serving customers outside of the station and one half serving customers on the platform. On Sunday 19th December I scanned my ticket out of the station, and as I was getting picked up an hour later I decided to eat in on the outside half near the carpark. However the lady who worked there told me I couldn’t dine in on that half and I would have to come back round to the platform side (inside there's a small wall across the room dividing the two halves). I explained that as I already scanned my ticket out I wouldn’t be able to come back round. She gave me a confused/patronising look, so I said I’ll check but I don’t think it works like that. Scanned my ticket, invalid as I thought, had to explain to rail staff why I was scanning the ticket that clearly wouldn't work, they rolled their eyes. Came back and explained to her that it didn't work and I couldn't go to that side of the café. She didn't offer me a table this side, just shrugged and said ‘oh’, handed me the coffee and food I ordered and looked at me to leave, wondering why I was still standing there. So I grabbed my food and sat on a bench outside the station where I waited for an hour. I’d been travelling for 4 hours and just needed somewhere to rest, it was freezing in the middle of December. Luckily I ordered a coffee so that kept my temperature up. I'm not sure why there is a dining area serving two parts of the station when staff are only going to let you sit down in one half. There were no signs to show or explain this, so I presume she made the decision herself for her own ease. I'm not sure why the staff member wouldn't let me sit in the outside half after knowing I couldn't go round, sure it might be easier for her shift to have less to clean, but people are travelling for hours especially around Christmas. If I was elderly or vulnerable, having to sit outside in that cold for an hour could have been damaging. I never do reviews but I'm concerned with the staff member’s mentality here, showing no customer service, consideration or basic kindness.

Quick stop off at the cafe before we boarded the train . Coffee and bacon roll each . Latte just to say warm , bacon overcooked and looked like it was from the previous day . The bun wasn't much better . To make matters worse they were warmed up in a microwave which made the bun go soggy . Totally awful

Went for a cappocino before train waited 10 minutes only 1 staff member,at the end drink was cold .next time I'll use Costa

Decent options for food to grab n go, ready for your train journey. The cafe maybe is ready for a lick of paint but the staff are always to friendly and helpful that you don't mind.

This place is disorganized need closure down and refitted and more staff on shift place look like something from the 70s

Poor service .the team didn't knew what is included in All day meal offer .very unfriendly staff .ended up paying complete price for Panini and drink .I checked pumpkin cafe customer service number and couldn't find the same

Advertised on big board outside as costing £1.75 . Transpired this is cost when purchased with full price drink . Grumpy unhelpful senior female Assistant whose pleasure seems to definitely NOT be in assisting.....Greggs and Costa Staff far more agreeable . Also not typical of cafes in Darlington, Thank God .

My Ginsters chicken salad sandwich was quite good but my wife's tuna melt panini was described as the worst she'd ever eaten with almost no filling. Cup of tea was decent. Lots of dirty tables didn't give a good impression. Useful cafe though.

When I visited the cafe it was dirty and the service was slow... as always, I was not surprised. Very very overpriced...

I normally use the Costa stand but there was a big queue so thought I'd try the pumpkin cafe which was ok.Got a large Americano and a breakfast bun for just over £5.00 which was ok though cheese in bun was still cold.Can sit inside which is alrightService was polite and quick

Slightly mystified as to why this has had such poor reviews as we have had two great stops waiting for another train. Excellent coffee and great service. Rather more sensible prices than a Costa - I also spotted I think a TV screen with departures. A welcome haven during the winter

What a shamblesDreadful food, terrible tea and coffee,Messy and in need of a clean - at least the cups and food packaging strewn across tables.It would help if the staff could make effort with some pleasantries or even a smile.Oh and beware of the offers - The Ultimate Breakfast Butty. The advert shows a hot drink and said butty, not telling you it’s not a deal as implied, but will cost you much more than initially appears.Seriously guys, it’s never been good. Close it and let Costa move in!

been here a couple of times now and each time left disappointed. We asked for special type drinks to be told they don't have it. Staff don't smile or talk. And don't seem interested in the job or us as customers. This is not the service you need when you been out and traveling. I won't be coming back. I'd rather get a Costa and sit outside.

Never been so upset or insulted in my life.

This is a horrible place. Bad, expensive coffee, which you can try to drink in between gusts of wind from each platform. Appalling packaging waste without the discounts that Costa offer for bringing your own reusable cup. Inefficiencies at the counter mean that the staff struggle with anything more than one person in the queue. An Americano took about 5 minutes. I'm not one to leave a bad review but in this case I'll make an exception. Sorry.

You don't expect much from a station cafe at the best of times but this place is pretty poor even by my low expectations. I popped in as I had half an hour before my train, its freezing cold , slightly down at heel and over priced (a captive audience of unsuspecting travellers I guess). It was £1.99 for a croissant, I asked if I could have some butter, rummaging behind the counter ensued before it was established they had none, come on no butter in a cafe ?? £1.99 for a dry croissant, I declined. This place is thoroughly dispiriting.

1st time I've tried food here and will be the last. would of been 1 star but the coffee was nice. The staff were friendly enough but the sandwich which was egg cheese sausage and bacon was awful. An at the price which was not cheap was terrible. half a sausage, fatty bacon in the smallest bun possible. Had to send it back the 1st time because it was cold. Won't be returning. It's the only cafe in the station so think this needs addressing. Judging by other reviews I'm not the only unhappy customer

Due to slow service, I have only ever been able to grab a coffee here once. There will be one or two people in the queue in front, and their coffee will take so long to prepare that I always end up having to leave without ordering, so that I can catch my train.

The Café is split between two platforms and although there were few customers, service was very, very slow. Several left the café without being served.

The other reviews of Pumpkin Cafe expect to much. The cafe is spit between 2 platforms and is poorly staffed. It's not the employees fault as they are understaffed and working hard. Bad management needs more employees. The coffee and cappochino is good and service is similar to a Starbucks . That means don't expect fast. Employees are friendly considering rushing to fill orders.

I ordered a croissant, I asked for jam a knife and a plate. No chance, they didn't have any.

Shocking value. £4.50 for a panini with ham and cheese. A wafer thin piece of ham with 2 tiny slices of cheese. Shocking.

Shocking poor quality food at a rediculous rate bought an all day breakfast panini was half a sausage chopped up bit of bacon and bit of cheese with a bottle of water and paid 6 quid. They must have a good profit margin, however, the state and cleanliness of the cafe doesn't reflect this.

Why can’t we ever get away from this situation. Unclean worn out cafe offering poor quality expensive food in stations. Ordered a sausage sandwich and was presented with a shrivelled up dried out sausage that had been kept warm for god knows how long. A semi stale bread bun with no butter. Absolutely shocking. I have no idea how these places stay in business because only someone out of there right mind would make a second visit. I counted another three plates with a full sandwiches abandoned on them.

This branch of Pumpkin is unusual in that it spans the platform and public sides of the station. It is clean and comfortable and the lady serving was very friendly. The flat white coffee was good and strong.

Due to the inclement weather I had the misfortune of 40 minutes to kill, so popped in for a drink and sandwich. Staff ignorant and inattentive, they obviously had better things to do (like the crossword).Overpriced for generic crap.

Had a train at 9:06, so went into the shop at 8:50. Ordered 4 drinks straight away. Got two drinks. But the train came at 9:05 and so we had to leave and abandon our other 2 drinks! What a disgrace. Therefore that left 2 family members without a drink.

The staff themselves seem nice but not well trained in coping with a service that needs speed and organisation. I have 3 times in recent weeks have to abandon an order after waiting more than ten minutes and train arrives. Today have had the most disgusting coffee in a long time, no sugar readily available on the counter. I made the mistake of asking for a porridge thinking it only needs hot water and I'll add the usual jam or honey. Staff looked surprised when I asked for jam or honey and there wasn't any left "out back".

My wife and I were waiting for a train to London and popped into this large Pumpkin café which unusually straddles the outside of the station and the platform area but you can't walk through to avoid the barriers! I ordered a flat white and regular tea and I have to say the coffee was excellent for a non-specialist coffee shop. The staff here were very friendly too. The regular tea was a massive portion. They also do beer here.

The sign by the door says they're open until 2100 on a Sunday, but when I tried to buy a coffee at 2050 I was told they close at 2030 so that the guy is off the premises by nine - this is apparently by order of his manager, Ibrahim.