Such a great brunch spot! Went here on a Friday afternoon and snagged the last table on the outdoor patio. Our server was quick to come over and drop off menus as well as take our drink order. I opted for the Almond Joy -- a boozy iced coffee with Bailey's and rum. It was delicious!! For food, I ordered the Super Breakfast -- eggs any style, breakfast meat, home fries and toast as well as pancakes. (I was hungry...) I got the cinnamon roll pancakes for a $2 upcharge and boy were they worth it! They were filled with cinnamon, walnuts and raisins, and topped with icing. (#treatyourself) My friend had the breakfast burrito and said it was good, but wished she ordered pancakes. Can't wait to come back and try more pancake flavors! read more

My love affair with Cafe Madison is over. The quality has gone SO downhill in the past few years. What happened to the home fries?! They used to be so good, now it just looks and tastes like the frozen stuff you can get anywhere. I kept giving them chances until the last time I was there with my partner and asked the waitress if it was possible to get one of the specials without bacon, she said they couldn't do any modifications to the specials which was totally fine, but my partner ended up ordering that dish and when it came out the two pieces of bacon that I couldn't modify were just laid crisscross across the top of the dish. So you mean it wasn't possible to not put the bacon on top?! I completely understand when restaurants don't let you make changes that ruin the integrity of the dish but this just seemed silly. There are much better places for brunch in the Capital Region. As much as it pains for me to admit, Café Madison just isn't worth it anymore. read more

I've been here before and have had great experiences but not so much this last time. Instead of sitting inside, we opted for outside because it was great weather. They could benefit with putting more effort into the outdoor decor. It was basic picnic tables and chairs, not very chic or inviting but practical. I ordered the Mediterranean omelete with a side of corned beef hash, and my partner had a French toast stack. They both came with home fries and we received them fairly quickly. I didn't get my hash with my order so I had to flag down one of the servers from the kitchen to bring it to me. Unfortunately, it had a piece of plastic in it so I couldn't enjoy it anyway. Out waitress was friendly and kindly removed that from our bill. My omelet was ok, not much flavor and it was the same for the home fries. My partner seemed to really enjoy his French toast stack, though. If I decide to return, I'll be sitting inside and I'll be ordering something else. read more

See all

I am writing this review from the parking because I didn't want to miss the opportunity to write review. First, the food was very tasty. I had the vegan burrito which was very flavorful and my guest had the French toast. The food was well seasoned. Second, the service was outstanding. More specifically, the staff was attentive but didn't hover. ESPECIALLY, after being there 20 minutes after they closed. We were so wrapped up in our conversation that we didn't notice the other guests leaving and the cleanup around us. Nowadays, I feel like establishments are not so considerate of the dining experience and rush you out. I've been coming here since day one, and they never disappoint. read more

Enjoyed a delicious brunch with friends this past weekend, and can't wait to return! We went in around noon on a Saturday, and it was packed, so much so, that we were told there was a 45 minute wait. Luckily, it ended up only being about half of that...but they could use a little bit more seating in the waiting area to accommodate for folks who do have a lengthy wait time. Once we were seated, we ended up in a booth with oversized pea green tufted sofas, which were quite comfy and cozy. Service was extremely friendly and helpful during our entire visit. I had a coffee, as well as a Bellini, both of which were yummy. For food, I ordered an omelet with sausage, cheese, and spinach, and a friend and I ordered the Cinnamon Bun pancakes to share, since I couldn't decide if I wanted something sweet or savory. The omelet was average, maybe a little on the thin side...the homefries and dill toast served with it were both really good. THE PANCAKES were honestly the best I have ever eaten, and I will be dreaming about them until I have an opportunity to return for more. The perfect amount of sweetness, and the walnuts added a perfect crunchy touch. As you can imagine, this meal kept me full for the entire day. Like I already said, I can't wait to go back. But perhaps not during prime brunch hours, unless I have a snack to keep me from getting hangry during the wait... read more

See all

Pretty good brunch food as well as lunch. I think what makes this place unique is its location. We were looking on yelp for a great brunch spot and the choices were minimal. We were so happy we found this spot. Overall the service was good, food was decent / yummy. Tea is serviced in an individual pot, which I really like. It can get a little tight on the weekends in there - especially at the smaller tables. Overall, a solid brunch or breakfast spot! read more

See all

My husband and I ate breakfast here today. It was our second time here. We have also been at the other original location several times as well and prefer that one more. We were here on a weekday and service was a bit slow at first (in terms of bringing us our juice and coffees, the food came out pretty fast afterwards). Portions are a good size for the price you're paying. Our favorites are the pancakes and the burritos. Very filling and tasty. read more

Having been a fan of the cafe Madison on Madison, I've wanted to try this location for a while. I have to say, I like this space much better- the inside is much brighter, with high ceilings and lots more light. In these crazy covid times, I think they've done a beautiful job with dividers and spread out tables. In a rare outing, my friend and I felt very safe in a secluded corner. The seasonal pumpkin French toast was absolutely to DIE for. The cocktails were ok- I personally would have liked to have a little bit more of a buzz for $12 for one, but I understand they're probably pretty strapped right now. Omelette and harsh browns were huge portions and scrumptious. Depending on the state of the world, I hope to be back for brunch soon read more

This is my all time favorite brunch spot! The specialty cocktails are to die for and have a nice kick to them. Many times I've been here, Zach has been our bartender. He truly makes the experience (and the drinks) absolutely amazing. From their classic mimosa, to their Cajun Bloody Mary, to their boozy salted caramel coffee. You are bound to find something you love! Their omelettes are out of this world, my go-to is the caprese omelette. You are also able to buy loaves of their homemade bread. read more

Cafe Madison - Caprese Omelette - New American Near Me - Albany, New York

My wife took me here for a surprise breakfast one Saturday. I had heard good things about this place, but had never been there to experience it first hand. Apparently, it had closed but has recently reopened, and also there appears to be at least two locations. We chose this one, but I have no idea how it compares to the other. Upon seeing the exterior for the first time, I thought it was a paint store. The lettering was colorful and cartoonish. Upon walking in, my impressions were confirmed. Color was everywhere and it reminded me of a paint factory explosion. It has the style of an art major who tried to throw this and that around under the misdirected guise of shabby chic. Metal pans are screwed to the wall, jar lids are nailed to the sides of the hall, and foam cushions are painted and attached to the ceiling. Seats by the door are heavy duty carts on wheels, and one is already dented up. It might exude a cool vibe to some, but to me it screamed cheap and loud. The music, by the way, was also extremely loud and it made it difficult to hear. But, we came for the food and not the atmosphere. I ordered the cinnamon bun pancakes with a side of bacon, and my wife had an omelet. My pancakes (2) were outstanding in every way, tasting like the guilty pleasure sweet bread treat that they were. The bacon was between crisp and chewy, though I favor mine more towards the former. A side cup of warm amber liquid came with the pancakes and I assumed it was fake syrup. It tasted like some chemical cleaner. We were told by the server it was real maple syrup. Minus a star for killing what should be such a simple condiment. My pancakes didn't need it though, so it wasn't missed. When I mentioned the issue to the waitress, she nodded and blamed the cooks. Apparently I am not the only one to notice this. My wife's omelet was good if not remarkable. Her hashbrowns were tasty but lacked any crunch. She put ketchup on it which made it tough to judge exactly how they came from the kitchen. In all, my food was perfectly cooked and served. Who has room in their tummy for 3 pancakes, which is also an option? My wife's meal was so-so. The service was friendly, despite being very busy. If you like this sort of environment, you would probably rate it 4 stars. I might be inclined to try the other location if it were more "conservatively" appointed. But, the food here will probably cause me to return sometime down the road. read more

Just came here to talk about my favorite breakfast/brunch place and I'm shocked it's not rated MUCH higher! It's in high demand and the line is normally out the door. Anyway, it's worth the wait. Every bite is delicious. Some go-to favorites include eggs Benedict, raspberry oatmeal pancakes, super breakfast, and all the omelets! I'm normally thumbs down to an omelet, but at Cafe Madison they're perfect, French omelets. Light and thin and yellow (no burnt brown)! This morning's omelet is what brought me here for this review. It's 5pm and I'm still thinking about how perfect it was. It had a huge medley of perfectly-cooked wild mushrooms on the inside and a bundle of arugula and a drizzle of truffle oil on the top. Please, please, Cafe Madison, turn this season special into a staple! read more

The way that omelette hit along with that cinnamon raisin toast. OMG! The service has always been amazing every time. The name speaks for itself and the decor is bursting with colors that light up the atmosphere. read more

I have long been a fan of the original Cafe Madison location, so I was excited to check out the new one on Northern Blvd. Major improvements: more space, parking, and a really clean and modern space. I like the setup quite a bit. For both locations, you can also use an app to get on the wait list, which helps to avoid the horrendous wait times that often plagued customers at the Albany location during peak rush times. The food is pretty much the same, with interesting rotating specials. I always love the oatmeal pancakes, which are a large serving for an affordable price (and you can add mix-ins like raspberries or chocolate chips). They also serve a decent eggs benedict, although I think it can be a little heavy on the hollandaise, making the English muffin or bread get a little soggy. Service can at times be a little slow - this is definitely not the place for a really quick meal. read more

Cafe Madison - Eggs Benedict - New American Near Me - Albany, New York

It was okay. I am a very big brunch kind of gal, and wasn't too impressed with Cafe Madison. Me and three friends went yesterday around noon, just before the lunch rush, so we didn't have a wait. We sat right in the front and typically I'm not a fan of being by the entrance for many reasons. The first is that when a crowd does come in it gets too noisy and second because it's easy to be forgotten about. All was true yesterday. I'm a vegetarian so I always have to search through the menu for vegan/ vegetarian options which was really easy at Cafe Madison. It clearly showed the vegan options so I wasn't skimming through the menu looking for a "v" or a plant next to the meal. I ordered the breakfast sandwich which had both tofu and Seitan. The tofu wasn't seasoned and the bread was sliced thick making it difficult to eat so it was okay. The home fries were definitely the highlight though, they were perfected seasoned and had the perfect amount of brown. My friends ordered the California avocado omelette, the farmhouse omelette and strawberry pancakes and more or less said the same thing. Our server was sweet but seemed new. When we ordered our mimosas she seemed a little skeptical that only two of us were drinking and that the other two wanted Orange Juice and coffee. She also didn't really seem conversational or check in on us which was a bit annoying when we needed extra coffee or water. Overall the place is cute and has a nice ambience but I am hoping the service is better on the weekend as opposed to during the week. read more

See all

This morning we received breakfast from Cafe Madison at our COVID test site here in Albany. Unfortunately, we have discovered mold in our cups of fruit. We had to throw them all away. As a member of the United States military, I am appalled that any business would try and feed my troops, nurses, and other Frontline staff moldy fruit. Our team is out in the elements swabbing patients through 10 hour days, 7 day weeks; We have been out here every day since 05 April. We have seen 30 degree days and 90. We have swabbed through snow, wind, rain, humidity...never ceasing for the well-being of our community, our neighbors, our country. The level of gratitude from Cafe Madison is evident in the quality of food they serve us. This morning, the quality was equivalent to a level I would not feed to a prisoner. My team deserves better. Everyone deserves better. With this said, we have a meeting in 30 minutes where I am going to strongly encourage we find another source of food for our breakfast. I will not stand by and allow my team to be fed spoiled food. To Cafe Madison, no response is required. Actions are far better than words. My only suggestion to you is to do better. read more

I am a Benedict afficianado. No two ways about that. So when your weekly specials have different benedict each week, that's an immediate plus for me. And the rest of the specials are sure to hit a target for anyone I choose to bring. And the old stand by of Rapsberry Oatmeal pancakes? Well, enough said. If this sounds like a review for the original Cafe Madison, well, it kinda is. Different location. Same formula. Same crowded brunch. Excellent wait staff. Line out the door. It is a carbon copy of the original. (Without the granite curbs to tear up the wheels on my car when I try to parallel park!!) Went here this past Sunday not expecting anything close to the original. And yet, it seemed like I was on Madison Avenue when it came to the complete experience. The influence of the original is obvious in the food and the space itself. They served a "Scrambler" benedict this day of blackened cajun shrimp over red pepper corn bread with an old bay seasoning hollandaise. I added irish bacon because, well, because I can. Turned out to be a nice edition. One of the things I love about Madison's benedicts is the balance of the flavors, textures and spice. First thing I did was eat one of the blackened shrimp. Holy cajun spice batman! That thing had kick! I'm thinking to myself that this is going to overpower the entire plate. Before the judging though, I decided to mix up a bite with the red pepper corn bread, irish bacon and hollandaise. The balance in this bite was legendary. Flaming hot shrimp, sweetness of the corn bread, saltiness of the irish bacon, creaminess of the egg yolk and hollandaise. This was a flavor and texture perfection in every single bite. If this is what I can expect with this place, I will for sure be back. I have had spectacular benedicts at the original. I have had some that were duds. As long as you keep the mix 90-10, we'll be good and continuing with the five star reviews. read more

Cafe Madison - "Scrambler" benedict. - New American Near Me - Albany, New York

Our favorite, reliable brunch spot in the area. We used to frequent the Albany location but now come to the Northern Blvd location as it's a little closer to us in CP. Can get busy on the weekends around prime brunch time, but we didn't have to wait more than a few minutes for our party of 3 today for a seat outside on a Saturday at 10:30AM, which was great! Service is quick, food is good, raspberry oatmeal pancakes are excellent. Coffee could be better, but the cups are always refilled without missing a beat. Specials are always creative and fun. Would highly recommend! read more

This Cafe Madison's food here is literally exactly the same as the other location. Which is absolutely amazing and well worth the long wait. I ordered the super breakfast and upgraded my pancakes to the cinnamon bun pancakes. The regular pancakes are good too but these are so much better. I have also had the apple and walnut pancakes and those are also amazing. In my opinion pancakes can be on the dry side, but these are the complete opposite. In addition they have house made bread which is out of this world. Thick slices with just the right amount of butter--not soggy with butter like some places. The homefries have good flavor, could be crispier. This location is more modern than the one on Madison, but nicely decorated. Small waiting area like the other location and there isn't a bar next door, so be prepared. read more

See all

When I heard that Cafe Madison was opening a new location that parking, I knew I needed to be there. We made it their second open weekend and the new restaurant space is gorgeous. Bright colors, inventive art (that incorporates kitchen supplies in fun ways), and the mid century touches behind the bar - all gorgeous. I even found the restrooms to be gorgeously decorated (though the giant whisk toilet paper holder may be cooler in concept than in practice). Paige was our cheerful, friendly, and patient waitress, who patiently put up with all of my questions. The amazing looking food the other table ordered? Cinnamon roll pancakes. Specials like the other location? Not yet, but hopefully in a few weeks. We split a bayou omelette and a banana fofana french toast. The portions are huge, so I'd definitely recommend splitting some of the sweeter options, like the pancakes or french toast. The banana bread was cut into thick, perfect slices, topped with fosters sauce and fresh banana slices. 10/10 would recommend. The omelette was fairly standard, with the star of that plate being the huge pile of thickly cut toast. And a random note because I'm me: their unsweetened iced tea is GREAT. It's fresh brewed and exactly what you want if you're a fan of fresh brewed iced tea. Check out the Nowait app to get in line virtually. We had a 45 minute app wait and our table was ready right when the app said it would be. It was so nice to spend that 45 minute wait on my couch and not standing around the restaurant! I'm looking forward to many more return visits, especially once they can get some stuffed french toast into the rotation. If things were this great two weeks into opening, I'm sure they'll just keep getting better! read more

Cafe Madison - Banana Fofana French Toast - New American Near Me - Albany, New York

See all

I downloaded the NoWait app because I know this place can get very busy on the weekends. The day I was went, it was pretty slow and I didn't have to utilize the app. There was no wait for a table. But I love the option to view the current wait time and "check-in" before arriving. The atmosphere was fun. There were a lot of little touches like bread pans lining the walls. When the weather is nice, they have big windows they open so you get an indoor/outdoor feel. It's too bad there's not much of a view but that has more to do with our area than anything else. The food was good and arrived quickly. Our table ordered a variety of items and enjoyed them all. The hot coffee was really good! But our waitress seemed to forget about us after the food was served so we sat with empty cups for most of our meal. This is where they lose a star with me. One of my favorite things about going out on a weekend morning is the bottomless cups of good coffee. read more

Cafe Madison - New American Near Me - Albany, New York

See all

Come here whenever I'm in town. Brunch everyday? Yes please. Great vibes. Great staff. Great food.

This place definitely has a great vibe to it. Good music, tables are quick in and out, and it's a great place to do brunch. Didn't have any drinks while I was there but it looked like a majority of people were enjoying their Saturday mornings sipping down some mimosas or bloody Mary's. I ordered the super breakfast and it was definitely a lot of food for the price which was nice. Food was definitely good but didn't wow me EXCEPT their fresh made bread. The toast is an absolute must get if you're ever stopping in here it was so good. Definitely would suggest this to friends in the area and would probably go again to test out something else on the menu! read more

Cafe Madison - Super Breakfast - New American Near Me - Albany, New York

See all

We loved Cafe Madison on our first trip to the Albany area, so we couldn't wait to go back on our next visit seven or eight months later. We went to the same location as the first time since we knew it was good. Well, the food was wonderful the first time but poorly made, and therefore way overpriced, the second. The Buffalo Seitan sandwich was horribly overcooked, with edges that could probably crack a tooth. Pancakes were not quite done in the middle. Service was ok, not great. The first time we came, when the food was excellent, was a Saturday morning and the place had a long wait. The second time was Friday morning with no wait and so few customers that we were told to choose our own seat, so I can't imagine that the chef was overwhelmed. I wish we had tried the other location, because the second time around, this location was a huge letdown. We won't be back the next time we're in town. read more

First time here. I ordered the filthy chai and the California Avocado Omelette. It was soo good!!! The filthy chai was stronger than I expected (not complaining). The food was so filling and tastey. The service was good as well and our waitress, Meghan, was very kind and helpful. Definitely will return to try out more of the AM cocktails. read more

We went a few weekends back and expected a wait, but when we arrived they sat us immediately and we were very thankful for that! On our way out the wait was out the door - so head there for opening! Cold brew coffee was different, not bad but nothing to speak of. We ordered and omelet and the french toast special of the day. Both were good, but nothing to brag about. The waiter was very friendly and offered some insight on various menu items. We thoroughly enjoyed their dill bread which was unique and flavorful. It was a bit expensive for brunch for two but we'd try it again! read more

Food is good and you will leave very full and satisfied. There use to be the Cinnabon pancakes on the menu daily, so it was a sad day when that was removed. I recently went and got a "super breakfast" which consisted of eggs, meat, toast, home fries, pancakes, and I chose a coffee to go with it. Plenty of food! What was upsetting was that I only got 2 pieces of toast (one piece sliced in half), along with the rest of my table. We looked at other tables, and they got the standard 4 pieces (2 pieces sliced in half). Other than that, my experiences there have been pretty good. Expect a wait for the weekends, especially later in the morning. read more

The food just isn't any good. Servers are hit or miss. Also, can't make a Chai for the life of them.

Cafe Madison is the Madison Cafe, but with PARKING! Same refreshing breakfast cocktails and inspired and delicious vegan (thank you!) options. But with PARKING! Today's experience was brought to us by Donna. Sassy like Flo only warmer, friendlier, and funnier. There should have been an extra charge for entertainment. Things we learned today: * If you order the vegan French toast so everyone can try it, you'd better move quickly--it disappears fast! Made with bananas, not eggs. * There is a thing. They call it *forest berries*. We have no idea, still, what forest berries are but we will order them every time we come in from now till eternity. They were a revelation. * If you make it out of bed around nine-thirty, pick up your grown kids by 10, and use Yelp to check in, your wait time is a reasonable 30-45 minutes instead of the hour+ wait we usually get when we just sleep until we wake up. Go, enjoy, and send our love to Donna! read more

If you come here on a weekend you will be waiting. Now that I have got that out of the way, this place is great for simple breakfast and lunch. The staff is friendly and the food is freshly made and comes out quickly. I usually order some type of omelette, so far the asparagus and crab have been my favorite, but the benedict are good as well. If you like a good brunch and are familiar with the original cafe, you will like this place. There are some reasons that I like it more than the original. It is much cleaner, possibly because it is new, but it is also very child friendly and there is some actual space between the kids. The booths are very large and sort of private, which really flows with brunch. Additionally I have not noticed this place operating much worse under heavy traffic over a mid tuesday. Sure it is slower, but some other places and dinners come to a halt. These guys seem to know what they are doing. I will remind that they are popular and if you show up at noon on Saturday, you will have to wait... read more

I had to walk out who wants to listen to loud rap/dance music on a Sunday morning breakfast and I love their food. Very disappointed

I gave this place another try this weekend when I was back in town visiting friends and it still really misses the mark. I've been to the Albany location plenty of times (albeit awhile ago) and it was always incredible. The first time I went here I think I remember enjoying it. The second time I brought my mom who ordered poached eggs-both eggs came out cooked all the way through basically like hard boiled eggs. Her home fries tasted like cardboard. I ordered the corn beef hash and it was clearly that canned hash you get from the store and it was undercooked. Not good. Went back with my friend the other day and ordered the California omelette which had avocado tomato onion and bacon with home fries and toast on the side. The home fries were hard and still tasted like cardboard. Omelette was decent but they put way more onions in then any of the other ingredients so I had to scoop those out. Also, I could be wrong but it tastes like they use those egg beater type stuff instead of real eggs which = lack of flavor. Weight staff is always very nice but they seem understaffed and don't really check on you throughout the meal so it takes awhile to get something like an extra napkin or a water refill. I hope it's old location is still amazing but this one certainly struggles. read more

Good food. Great atmosphere. The French toast was really good, only to be brought down by the fake syrup served... These would have been amazing if real maple syrup was served or given as an option, even if I had to pay for it. read more

Potatoes were reheated from what seemed like days ago and tasted like rubber! I guess the chef was in a big rush the day we went because eggs were served raw. Had a table of 6 people for breakfast and left with all the plates full of the reheated food and raw eggs only to head home and make breakfast for ourselves. Waste of time and money. Seating outside was nice though. read more

Great breakfast and lunch. Drinks are terrific too. Love the Decour. Waitstaff is super nice.

Around close to noon. The wait for 3 people was long. Waited close to 45 mins before we were offered a table. Once in the rear of the dining room multiple empty tables for guests were available. The wait shouldn't have been 45 minutes. Waited an additional 20 for pancakes. Cinnamon roll pancake was delicious, the wait was excessive. read more

the staff completely misled and ignored us. We called ahead, they said they had a table for us, even discouraged us from going elsewhere, we said we had a plane to catch. After 45 minutes of waiting they still had not seated us, when asked they just get. We had to leave hungry. read more

I recently was finally able to check out the new Cafe Madison location. I've frequented the Albany location many times over the last decade and was excited to see that they opened a new location. One of things to note about Cafe Madison, is that it is very popular. So check out their new wait list option available through Yelp - you can add yourself to the wait list (or just see how long the wait is), before you drive over, saving yourself a little bit of the wait. We were not aware of this option before our visit, but will be all over it if we return. The menu is very similar to the other location, with all of the usual breakfast options - a variety of egg options and omelets, delicious pancakes and french toast, and a selection of sandwiches. When I go out for breakfast, I generally get eggs, so I went with the Caprese Omelet. The egg part of the omelet was very thin and a bit dry, but the filling was delicious. Omelets come with home fried potatoes, which were great and your choice of their home baked bread. My dining companions both thought their food was alright (but not amazing), though the whole dining experience was so slow. I think my biggest complaint with Cafe Madison, is always that they are so busy, that I think their food suffers. For me personally, there are other places I prefer for breakfast/brunch, but I still go back to Cafe Madison periodically to see if it's gotten a little better. read more

45 minute wait for a table. Doesn't take reservations. Packed waiting- waiting outside. Albany brunch on Sunday is ridiculous.

Food was good but not as good as Madison Ave location for some reason. We had breakfast and were seated right away. Service was on the slow side. Bathrooms needed attention at 9 am! Looked like hadn't been cleaned or disinfected in some time. read more

Maybe I went on an off day or I had high expectations because I love their original location. I wasn't impressed with this location at all. I ordered the breakfast burrito and I probably could've gotten the same thing at Taco Bell. It was Lukewarm, the cheese wasn't even melted and the tortilla was soft and falling apart. The home fries tasted like the potatoes were just pulled from the dirt outside. I thought about sending it back but our server took too long to come back over. Glad i got to try this location, but i won't return. I love the original cafe Madison so I will continue to go to that location. read more