Esquires Coffee Dartford — Restaurant in Dartford

I was looking for a nice coffee shop other than the usual fare of Costa/Starbucks, so when we stumbled across Esquires in Dartford, it was exactly what I was looking for. The coffees and teas were hot and delicious. I had a sausage roll (2 sausages in a roll, as opposed to a Greggs-style one), and it was hot and delicious. The roll was enormous, so I decided to eat only one half which was sufficient for me. The decor was lovely, the staff welcoming and I did not feel rushed during my time there. They also provide complimentary chilled water too - less plastic for the seas to consume.

Update: Two weeks later, I returned again for brunch. I ordered poached eggs on toast. The egg yolk was cooked all the way through but they served it anyway. When I questioned it, the owner(?) said that’s how they come out sometimes. Poached eggs should ALWAYS be runny in the middle and if they ‘come out’ like that, then it means you need to take it out earlier. Serve poached eggs the correct way or don’t serve them at all, and if it’s a mistake, don’t blame it on the machine!! Regardless, I will return but I will not be ordering those again. I have reduced their star rating from 5 to 4...

31.05.2025 What a horrible experience. Came in with two kids not even a nod of acknowledgement. After waiting for a while I decided to find a table sat down and waited for service. Still no acknowledgement from the man behind the counter so I got up and collected a menu. Luckily when I went up to order another much friendlier man took out order - this is the service I'm used to when ordering here. When the food came out I asked for an additional plate from and cutlery (from the first angry man) and when this was brought back it was slammed down in front of us. The kids looked up at me confused. At this moment I knew I would never come here again. There are now many different places to visit in Dartford luckily, Esquires is definitely not one of them. Food is just ok. For example, sandwiches are not of M&S standard.

I visited late afternoon so alot of the options were not available but I was able to find something I enjoyed. This is a lovely place to catch up with my friend and her little baby and probably one of the best choices...

Nice coffee shop - but a great disappointment that the brilliant free Lightpaper which I picked up there is no longer being stocked. Why? Surely in these times of exploding prices, high inflation, crazy energy prices, council tax hikes, withdrawal of peoples rights and all the other relevant news that we do not get through mainstream media, apart from doom and gloom, it is the perfect opportunity (at no cost) to make information available and the paper is a very informative read, all articles referenced and validated - unlike mainstream media! Won't be using the coffee shop anymore! I would have thought with the cost of living crisis, any coffee shop or outlet would be glad to be informed as it is their businesses that will suffer with extortionate energy bills and with fewer customers able to afford refreshments. Really...