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It's Just Ok.

Rated this place:

Unfortunately, I have to disagree with GizelleLau. While the interior and atmosphere is great and seems promising, the espresso is just ok. I gave Dark Horse a few tries, and each time I was let down. The staff is great and very friendly, which definitely wins them points, however I find some of the clientelle super snotty and ruined each visit I've had. Honestly, it's probably better than the rest of the coffee in the area (maybe not Gourmand), but I feel like this place has been given way too much hype than it really deserves.

Truly great coffee, fun atmosphere

Rated this place:

The newest Dark Horse Espresso Bar open in April 2009 is a follow up to its Queen East + Broadview location that opened in 2007. It's a great addition to a neighbourhood full of web-advertising-marketing coffee junkies always looking for a fix and loft-like space to hang out and get the creative juices flowing at its two large communal tables in front of the shop's giant windows.

If you're a hardcore coffee drinker, you'll love this place. You won't find dirty drip coffee here - only espresso based drinks: lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos, espressos and the like - made by baristas as serious about their art as sommeliers about wine. Bringing up the supremacy of Starbucks amongst Dark Horse fans is like saying Yellowtail is better than the grand crus of Burgundy. Dark Horse brings coffee to a different level and people are loving it.

Besides the regular espresso drinks, Dark Horse also offers coffee served in a French Press Pot as well as a Vac Pot Brewer. The coffee beans are direct trade - straight from farmers to the shop - even better than fair trade. Its cookies and pastries are sourced from Circle & Square, a bake shop known to have some of Toronto's best cookies, though I prefer the buttertarts.