The Dark Horse Espresso Bar is an independent cafe at 147A Bishopthorpe Road in York. Husband and wife team Mark and Laura created the business after spending more than a decade in Sydney, bringing an Australian influenced approach to coffee and daytime food back to Laura’s home city.
Coffee sits at the centre of the experience, with espresso based drinks prepared for customers visiting the South Bank cafe throughout the day. Hot chocolate and cold drinks broaden the choice, making the space suitable for anything from a quick takeaway cup to a slower catch up.
The food offering gives the cafe more substance than drinks alone, with breakfast sandwiches, toasties, cakes and other daytime choices. A bacon, egg and cheese sandwich is one of the heartier options, while changing counter items make room for a lighter snack or something sweet with coffee.
The team also hosts events with local businesses, community groups and musicians, reinforcing the cafe’s neighbourhood role. The selection can change, so guests with allergies or dietary requirements should confirm the current food, milk alternatives and preparation arrangements before ordering.
Address: 147A Bishopthorpe Road, York YO23 1NZ, England
The Dark Horse Espresso Bar Menu
Breakfast
Served until 12
SOURDOUGH TOAST (V)
with a choice of local honey, jam, marmalade, vegemite
HOMEMADE TOASTED BANANA BREAD (V)
served with butter
PORRIDGE
with a choice of Caramelised banana, cinnamon & honey or Fresh berries, jam + honey
GRANOLA (V)
with greek yoghurt, berries and local honey
TOASTED HAM & CHEESE CROISSANT
Haxby bakehouse croissant
HAM, CHEESE & TOMATO TOASTIE
with or without spicy scotch bonnet relish
BOILED EGGS (V)
with sourdough soldiers
BACON, EGG & CHEESE ROLL
with BBQ sauce and five rashers of bacon
BACON CIABATTA ROLL
with tomato ketchup
Brunch
Served until 2.30
SCRAMBLED EGGS
served on sourdough toast
SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH SMOKED SALMON
served on sourdough toast
CREAMY ‘NDUJA, CONFIT GARLIC & FRIED EGGS
served with sourdough toast & crispy onions
CRUMBLED FETA & SMASHED AVO ON TOAST (v)
with toasted pumpkin & sunflower seeds drizzled with garlic & chilli oil
HALLOUMI & SMASHED AVO ON TOAST (V)
with homemade tomato & red onion salsa & drizzled with chilli infused honey
CROQUE MADAME
Ham & cheese toastie with dijon mustard topped with bechamel sauce & a fried egg
TRUFFLE CREAM & BLACK GARLIC MUSHROOMS (V)
served on sourdough toast with a fried egg
BELGIAN WAFFLES
with bacon, avocado, chili maple syrup & a fried egg
Sides & Extras
Must be ordered as part of a main dish
HALLOUMI
BACON
FRIED EGG
SCRAMBLED EGG
AVODCADO
SMOKED SALMON
Toasties
10:30 – 4:30
JUST CHEESE (V)
Vegan version available on request
GARLIC CHILLI OIL & CHEESE (V)
Vegan version available on request
CHEESE & VEGEMITE (V)
PESTO, TOMATO & MOZZARELLA (V)
HAM, CHEESE & TOMATO
with or without spicy scotch bonnet relish
HAM, CHEESE & TOMATO TOASTIE
with or without spicy scotch bonnet relish
SLOW-COOKED FRENCH ONION, ROCKET & CHEESE (V)
with hot English mustard
CHIMICHURRI CHICKEN, ROCKET & CHEESE
12 HOUR SLOW COOKED BBQ PULLED PORK, ROCKET & CHEESE
CHICKEN, CHORIZO, JALAPENOS, ROCKET & CHEESE
with chipotle sauce and spicy scotch bonnet relish
CHICKEN, PEPPERED PASTRAMI, ROCKET & CHEESE
with garlic chilli oil & aioli
POPCORN CHICKEN , HOT HONEY & CHEESE
with nduja butter, red onion, garlic mayo & rocket
Light Bites
From 10:30
SEASONED WEDGES (VE)(GF)
with one pot of sour cream & sweet chilli sauce
SEASONED FRIES (VE)(GF)
with one pot of sauce
CHIMICHURRI & PARMESAN FRIES
with one pot of sauce of your choice
EXTRA POT OF SAUCE
Kids
Must be ordered as part of a main dish