49 Best Coffee Shops in Albany, New York

Description: Iron Gate Cafe offers a unique and rustic atmosphere, perfect for those seeking a cozy dining experience. The café's breakfast dishes are consistently delicious, with standout favorites like the Avocado Burger and large portions of French toast. Guests appreciate friendly service despite occasional wait times during peak hours.

Description: Honest Weight Food Co-op offers an extensive selection of organic and locally sourced products, including specialty cheeses, vegan baked goods, and various bulk items like spices, nuts, and grains. The store prides itself on its commitment to inclusivity and environmental sustainability, providing a welcoming atmosphere for both regulars and occasional visitors. Their café is renowned for serving delicious coffee, making it a go-to spot not just for groceries but also for satisfying caffeine cravings.

Description: Cafe Madison offers an inviting atmosphere with excellent service and food, whether you prefer their brunch offerings or drinks at the bar. Patrons rave about the variety of dishes, from the California Avocado Omelette to seasonal cocktails like the Sunrise Mimosa. The establishment's new location is spacious and beautiful, enhancing every visit for its patrons.

Description: Uncommon Grounds offers an inviting atmosphere with a wide variety of sandwiches, bagels, and cookies. Guests appreciate the quality of their coffee and attentive service, although some have noted occasional issues with wait times during peak hours. With multiple dining options available, it's a popular spot for both quick lunches and sit-down meals.

Description: Ooh La La offers an extensive selection of donuts, ranging from sweet and savory options to vegan varieties. With their warm and inviting atmosphere, customers can enjoy freshly baked treats and specialty drinks like hot chocolate and lattes. Despite its small seating area, it manages to provide a delightful experience with attentive service that caters to both adults and families alike.

Description: Professor Java's is an excellent coffee shop with a rich history and reputation, offering high-quality food and drinks. It features spacious, welcoming environments like its original location and roasts its own beans, making it a favorite among both casual diners and regulars who appreciate a comfortable reading nook or quiet space to meet up. The café has maintained its charm over the years while expanding its offerings, ensuring patrons enjoy delicious meals and beverages in an inviting atmosphere.

Description: El Loco offers top-notch Mexican cuisine with exceptional service and an inviting atmosphere, making it a standout dining spot. Customers praise its authentic margaritas and crave-worthy food like shrimp fajitas, while noting friendly staff who go above and beyond to make guests feel welcome.

Description: This cozy coffee shop offers a variety of specialty drinks and pastries, from classic favorites to innovative options. Friendly staff handle busy days with ease, despite operating solo at times, ensuring good service even when lines are long. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, perfect for both quick stops and leisurely mornings.

Description: The coffee shop offers a friendly and customizable atmosphere, with attentive service and quality drinks served quickly. Despite occasional issues like cold environments during winter and underwhelming food portions, it consistently provides great coffee options and has become a favorite among regulars. However, some visitors have faced challenges with pricing and menu offerings, leaving mixed impressions overall.

Description: Hill Street Cafe offers a lively pub atmosphere with great food and friendly service, though it can get noisy for quieter conversations. The restaurant is well-stocked with pub favorites like boneless wings and pizza, and consistently delivers delicious meals, making it a solid choice for both groups and individuals looking for a casual dining experience. Whether you're there before an event or just browsing, the staff ensures a warm and welcoming environment that caters to various tastes and preferences.

Description: The Daily Grind offers a delightful blend of fresh, high-quality breakfast dishes and exceptional coffee, with friendly service making every visit memorable. Its cozy atmosphere and extensive menu have made it a beloved spot for locals and visitors alike in Albany. Known for its unique flavors like the habanero mayo egg sandwich, the place consistently delights with both traditional favorites and innovative creations.

Description: This neighborhood Starbucks consistently delights with its warm, welcoming atmosphere and excellent service. Customers appreciate the quality of their drinks and frequent use of fresh ingredients, while the staff's attentive care towards customers ensures smooth interactions. Despite a few minor issues like preordering delays, the overall experience remains highly satisfactory.

Description: The coffee shop provides decent food and service, though there seems to be inconsistency with their stock levels, particularly for fresh items like bread and bagels. The atmosphere is clean but could benefit from more staff assistance during busy times. Customers appreciate courteous staff and timely service, especially when dining in or ordering takeout.

Description: Dunkin' at 439 Madison Ave, Albany offers excellent service and freshly brewed drinks, though its exterior surroundings can be less than ideal with safety concerns. The establishment is known for being clean and welcoming to customers despite occasional issues with rude staff or poor hygiene. Despite these challenges, the coffee shop consistently provides a positive experience, especially when patrons appreciate their convenience like free parking and ample restroom facilities.

Description: The coffee shop has mixed reviews, with some customers praising quick service and convenient options for busy times. However, frequent issues with order accuracy and long lines are common complaints. Despite occasional disappointments, there are instances where attentive staff and friendly environments keep customers satisfied.

Description: The coffee shop offers quick and affordable meals, with attentive staff providing a pleasant dining experience. Known for its diverse menu and clean bathrooms, it also features an al fresco section during warmer months, making it a great option for lunch or brunch. Despite occasional issues with limited menu items and pricing, the overall atmosphere remains welcoming, especially on sunny days.

Description: Banh Mi 47 offers a delightful dining experience with freshly baked bread for their sandwiches, providing an authentic banh mi experience. The coffee is noteworthy and complements their Vietnamese coffee tradition perfectly. The atmosphere is welcoming, and friendly service makes each visit memorable, making it a standout choice in Downtown Albany.

Description: The Starbucks at Stuyvesant offers a pleasant atmosphere with welcoming staff, though it lacks personal touches compared to other locations and feels larger and less cozy. Despite this, customers appreciate the friendly service and quality beverages, suggesting strong fundamentals but room for improvement in some areas. On occasion, patrons face issues such as incorrect drink orders or poor wireless connectivity, highlighting both strengths and challenges within this branch.

Description: This coffee shop has an inviting atmosphere with ample seating both inside and out, especially appreciated after its recent renovation. Patrons consistently praise attentive service and friendly staff who go above and beyond to ensure their needs are met. Offering a wide range of drinks from classic favorites to unique concoctions, the quality is consistently high, making it a favorite among frequent visitors.

Description: The coffee shop offers quick service, especially popular among those who prefer to order takeaway or grab their drinks through the drive-thru. Despite this, some customers have reported issues with rude staff and incorrect orders, leading to dissatisfaction. The atmosphere can be lively with a moderate noise level, often crowded due to both dine-in and takeout customers.

Description: Ms TM had issues with their refund request, prompting her to leave after being treated rudely and denied a refund. On the other hand, DJ Shawn Blaq's experience at this location was negative due to the manager's rude behavior toward customers and employees. Meanwhile, Ms Rita Carter praised the coffee shop for its consistent quality and accommodating staff, earning them a 5-star rating.

Description: Fresh N Pressed offers a delightful dining experience with its warm and welcoming atmosphere, where patrons can enjoy a variety of dishes including hearty home fries, savory quiche, and flavorful omelets. The staff is friendly and attentive, providing excellent service that makes customers feel appreciated. Patrons also appreciate the café's commitment to fresh ingredients, offering homemade sauces like a house-made chipotle sauce that complements their menu items perfectly.

Description: Uncommon Grounds offers an ideal environment for grabbing a quick breakfast sandwich or a comforting cup of coffee, with consistently high-quality bagels and outstanding service. The café is well-known for its friendly staff and diverse menu, which includes delicious baked goods and thoughtful beverages, making it a favorite spot in the area. Despite the frequent line-ups, the efficient service ensures that customers feel valued and are able to move through their orders quickly.

Description: The coffee shop offers delicious sandwiches with fresh ingredients, including homemade cookies and meats. Guests appreciate friendly service, even during busy times, and the welcoming atmosphere encourages dining both indoors and out. Despite occasional service issues, most customers find the price range reasonable for lunch and return to enjoy more of their menu items.

Description: Alias Coffee is an exemplary coffee house, praised for its exquisite espresso and friendly atmosphere. Known for its picture-perfect cappuccinos and cozy seating area, it also offers a variety of tasty treats. Guests appreciate the charming decor and peaceful vibe, often finding themselves drawn in for hours to enjoy their beverages and refreshments.

Description: JA Pequeno offers a cozy and modern atmosphere with green and bronze accents, featuring a variety of seating options including outdoor areas. The café provides excellent service and quality food, making it a pleasant choice for both locals and visitors alike. Despite some initial frustrations, the overall experience is warmly welcomed by customers who appreciate its unique charm and inviting ambiance.

Description: Diverse customers have praised Dunkin' Donuts for its delicious food and friendly service, especially during lunch hours when it's more relaxed. However, there are significant issues with cleanliness and adequate staffing, particularly in morning operations. The atmosphere can be chilly, which may affect the overall experience, though the prices remain reasonable at around $10-$20 per person.

Description: The coffee shop offers a delightful menu with options like chocolate chip pancakes and crispy chicken wraps, catering to both vegetarians and meat lovers alike. Guests appreciate the friendly service and clean atmosphere, though prices can be on the higher side for some items. It's especially popular among regulars who find it an inviting spot even during lunch hours.

Description: The coffee shop experiences varied widely, with some customers facing issues such as incorrect orders, undercooked food items, and poor service quality. Despite these challenges, there are also instances where customer satisfaction is high, particularly when using the drive-through service, suggesting room for improvement in overall service and accuracy.

Description: The coffee shop offers a unique and inviting atmosphere with its distinctive layout, impressive service, and delectable food options. It's a vibrant spot where you can enjoy traditional Middle Eastern cuisine alongside soulful music, perfect for both casual gatherings and special occasions. Known for their attentive staff and authentic vibes, the establishment has quickly become a beloved hub in the area.

Description: This Dunkin' has seen a decline in both service and atmosphere over recent visits, with rude staff and rushed customers creating an unpleasant dining experience. Prices fall within $10–20 range for brunch meals, offering a mix of traditional dishes like croissants and eggs along with more casual options. Despite its previous reputation as a welcoming spot, the current vibe is one of neglect and poor customer care.

Description: Iron Coffee is a charming little spot with great customer service and a cozy atmosphere. It offers delicious espresso-based drinks made in-house, though some customers might find the flavors simpler than what they're looking for. The establishment has outdoor seating options, making it a pleasant choice for those seeking a break from indoor settings.

Description: The coffee shop has consistently delivered excellent service and food over the years, earning top ratings from customers. Staff are known for their professionalism and quick responsiveness, making it a go-to spot for many patrons. Despite occasional hiccups, the overall experience remains positive with loyal customers recommending the establishment to others.

Description: The coffee shop faces numerous issues, including inconsistent service and food quality, slow drive-through operations, and frustrating customer interactions. Despite its potential for offering good coffee, it often falls short with cold croissants, incorrect orders, and understaffing, leading to a disappointing experience overall. Customers have reported long wait times without clear explanations or updates, resulting in frustration and dissatisfaction.

Description: The coffee shop offers both dine-in and takeaway options, with a reputation for friendly staff who are dedicated to their roles. Despite occasional service delays and food issues, customers appreciate its convenient location and cozy atmosphere, though some find it understaffed at peak times. Prices range from $10–20, with breakfast and brunch as the most popular meal types.

Description: Stacks offers a welcoming and convenient space for meetings and dining, with ample natural lighting, diverse beverage options, and attentive service. The atmosphere can be described as clean and modern but could benefit from more personal touches to enhance comfort, such as softer lighting or additional seating arrangements. Despite minor inconsistencies in certain offerings, the coffee quality remains consistently high across all visits.

Description: The coffee shop offers outstanding coffee and impressive fountains, though the atmosphere can feel sparse during quieter periods. Customers appreciate the consistent quality of their lunch meals and daily chef's specials, which are often priced at $10–20 per person, but some dishes suffer from inconsistent preparation and flavoring. Service is reliable overall, with a few standout instances where it exceeded expectations.

Description: Dunkin' offers inconsistent experiences depending on your order method and time of visit, with quick service for drinks but slower food preparation and delivery. Staff can be rude and unhelpful, particularly concerning forgotten or delayed orders. The atmosphere is average, with a consistent issue being the temperature control of hot items like coffee and bagels.

Description: The coffee shop is highly praised for its welcoming atmosphere and attentive staff who cater to various dietary needs. Customers appreciate the delicious shakes, teas, and friendly service, often returning for more. With multiple table seating options, it offers a relaxing environment where patrons can enjoy their meals or simply relax with a drink.

Description: The coffee shop offers a convenient location for travelers at an airport, with attentive service and reasonably priced meals. Despite its advantages, there are notable issues with pricing, customer service, and drink preparation quality, which seem to detract from what should be a pleasant experience in such a high-traffic area.

Description: The coffee shop offers a tranquil setting with books and board games, providing customers with a therapeutic atmosphere to enjoy their drinks. Known for its excellent service and delicious coffee, it caters to both casual visitors and those seeking a more intimate experience with friendly staff. The space is well-used and bright, enhancing the overall ambiance of the establishment.

Description: The coffee shop offers good quality coffee and treats, though the sandwiches are not highly rated by some customers. It's appreciated for its location near the museum, which makes it an easy dining option. Patrons particularly love the croissants and desserts, especially those who have visited multiple times over the years.

Description: The coffee shop offers a cozy and inviting atmosphere with delightful drinks, supported by friendly service. Residents appreciate the pleasant vibe and convenient amenities like discounts for frequent visitors and free parking. The staff consistently provide excellent customer service and quality beverages, earning consistent five-star ratings from patrons who value its offerings.

Description: The coffee shop offers a variety of healthy food options including fruit bowls, juices, and salads. Known for its fresh ingredients prepared right before your eyes, it also serves various beverages like coffee. Customers appreciate the friendly staff and clean environment, making it a popular spot in downtown Albany.

Description: Despite its improved location and spaciousness, this coffee shop struggles with communication issues, long wait times for orders, and inconsistent service quality. Staff struggle to understand customers, particularly those who are not fluent in English, leading to confusion and dissatisfaction among diners. The environment remains cold and impersonal, further exacerbating the poor customer experience.

Description: Choices offers a diverse menu ranging from Indian and Thai dishes to sushi, poke bowls, salads, and grilled options. The café consistently receives high ratings for its friendly staff and reasonable prices, making it a popular choice among hospital visitors. Every visit is memorable due to the variety of food choices and attentive service provided in a supportive atmosphere.

Description: Primrose Cafe offers a friendly and vibrant atmosphere, appreciated by both locals and visitors alike. Known for its quick, delicious meals and attentive service, it's a go-to spot for those looking to grab a bite or a cup of coffee on the go. Despite its compact size, the cafe manages to feel warm and inviting with its community-driven vibe.

Description: The coffee shop offers inventive and delicious burgers, praised for their friendly service and speedy delivery. Despite some minor issues with ingredients on one visit, customers generally recommend it, highlighting its standout burger creations and quick service as key positives.