It's been so long since I've visited the Daily Grind. I really cannot say why I stopped going. It is a local gem that has served the area for decades. The breakfasts and coffee are solid. The staff is helpful and courteous. I showed up for breakfast recently. I ordered the Chorizo. Two eggs, two chorizo sausages with pepper jack cheese and spicy mayo on a sandwich roll. It was as good as I remembered. I also enjoyed the coffee included in the $11.45 price. I took the meal upstairs where there's additional seating. I ate it while seated inside the picture window, which is a good place to the activity along Lark St. The eatery is as eclectic as ever. There are signs and artwork on the walls from different eras that don't go together. The place is old and perhaps a bit musty. Still this place had so much history with the area and its mismatched decor is a part of its charm. Change may be good. But in the case of the Daily Grind, I'm happy to still be able to get a delicious meal at a reasonable price from a nice staff after all of these years. Comfort food at its best. read more

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Still thinking about this sandwich!! Daily Grind is definitely going to be my new go to spot for a breakfast sandwich and coffee! It's no wonder why they are so popular and also one of the oldest cafes in Albany and still doing so well today! The cafe is a cute spot, with stool seating indoor and some tables outside. It's a bit unassuming but the bustle of the place definitely reflects how popular it is. They have so many options of sandwiches and to create your own and it is delicious!! The rolls were perfect and not tough at all, the sandwiches were so well done, I highly recommend the Lark street, the eggplant was so crispy and yum! They have fun specialty lattes and coffee as well. The girls working were welcoming and nice. While there was a bit of a wait, it's worth it and the do have an order ahead option too. read more

Daily Grind - Lark Street Sandwich and Chorizo Egg - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, New York

Recently visited this spot for a quick breakfast on a recent trip to Albany. It's location is convenient in the hustle and bustle of the main town with lots of surrounding businesses. I love the space and got its a converted colonial home with multiple levels. when you first walk up to the counter, the menu is small and sweet and hand written on a blavkboard behind a friendly cashier. I picked a breakfast croissant sandwich to eat. Not a lot of non-pork options were there which was a bummer because I'm Muslim and not always in the mood for something veg. I also got a peppermint mocha to wash the creation down. Mocha was delicious and well made, the right amount of mintiness and sweetness. The sandwich was average. They can def be more imaginative with the flavors, it just didn't wow me that much. After having a hard time deciding what I wanted I turn around to grab a table to sit at and I see this huge menu on the wall with tons of other things I could have ordered. Im not gonna lie this really pissed me off because as I recall they did not have a paper menu of all their offerings at the counter where I ordered. The space needs a little better flow and some menu restructuring. Better flavor combos and more meat options. read more

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Highly recommended by Airbnb host. Friendly service, amazing variety of cold/hot brews, juice, muffins and breakfast sandwiches to wake up your morning. Also yummy sandwiches if you need a to go lunch!! Bar stool seating. Bustling little cafe!! read more

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Ask for a grilled muffin! I give them to friends and contractors when they come to work on the place, and everyone raves about it . People here are always friendly and talkative, I love the vibe and there is no other place I would want to go for coffee in the area. Cozy and feels like a Hometown coffee shop should. read more

I ordered the steak bomb breakfast sandwich and it honestly was delicious! The food was ready very quickly, and the staff were welcoming. The place is very cute overall. A sandwich order comes with a water or coffee! read more

Daily Grind - Steak Bomb - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, New York

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Whether your day is just beginning or, like me, your night is winding down as the morning comes to a close--there's no better time to treat yourself to a solid breakfast or a good cup of coffee. And let me tell you, The Daily Grind in Albany, NY is the spot. Open since 1976--that's 48 years of serving the community--this place is nothing short of legendary. From the moment I stepped into this cozy little café, I was met with a warm, inviting vibe that instantly made me feel at home. The atmosphere? Charming. The service? Phenomenal. I didn't catch her name, but the woman who helped me was absolutely delightful. Bright personality, striking tattoos, and a super cool hair design--she radiated individuality and kindness. A true hidden gem working in one of Albany's best-kept secrets. Let's talk prices--because this place is beyond reasonable. I grabbed a large coffee for just $3. But this wasn't just any coffee. I asked for a recommendation and was blessed with the suggestion of a Lavender Vanilla Latte. It may sound simple, but trust me--it was otherworldly. I've never had anything like it, and now I don't think I'll ever want anything else. Smooth, fragrant, flavorful--and again, just three bucks. As if that wasn't enough, I also ordered the Berry Blast muffin (another steal at $3). Here's the kicker--the barista asked if I wanted it toasted. Toasted. Muffin. Never in my life has a café offered that, and let me just say--it took that muffin from good to extraordinary. The Daily Grind doesn't just serve coffee and pastries--they serve experience, comfort, and character, all without breaking your wallet. I've officially found my new go-to spot. Highly, highly recommend. read more

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The ambiance was great. Very calm place to enjoy a good breakfast, everyone there was very friendly too.

This cute little place is perfect for a quick, delicious and quality breakfast! It's fresh made with REAL ingredients. The bagels are delish and the French toast was awesome. The breakfast plates are filling. Been here a few times and everything always comes out to order. Staff is great too, definitely chipper for a morning grind. Highly recommend if you're in the area! read more

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Felt the need to leave a great review. We were visiting Albany for the CrossFit Games and found the Daily Grind on our search for a bagel. We came back the next day for breakfast sandwiches again and had tons of people ask where we got our bagels. They were delicious! The staff is also great, very nice and efficient even when busy. Highly recommend! read more

Daily Grind - Build Your Own Egg Sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, New York

Do you want a quick tasty breakfast sandwich? Then this is the place to try out! The parking situation is street parking which is not bad. My brotha Dylan was able to find parking within a few seconds. Its not difficult to find the restaurant. You just have to put the address into the GPS and it will lead you to the Cafe. Its the cafe on Lark street. Once you get to the door you have to walk down the stairs and it will lead you to the cafe. You have to walk in and turn around to see the full menu of different sandwiches. The cafe is very cozy and the staff are very friendly. If they get annoyed then it means you are doing something wrong. The service was pretty fast even though they were really busy. We only had to wait a few minutes. Highly recommend coming with company so that time goes by quicker. What I ordered was the Chorizo Egg Sandwich since my brotha Ethan said he got it before which was very tasty. If you are craving a spicy meat sandwich then this is the sandwich to get. It comes with coffee, tea or water which is nice. Dylan and Julie got the steak wrap sandwich which looked very tasty as well. I would recommend this place if you are craving breakfast sandwiches! It is worth the wait and drive. read more

Daily Grind - Chorizo Egg Sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, New York

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Best espresso you can get delivered in Albany I'd say. One of the last old spots for coffee. Respect

These breakfast sandwiches and drinks were wonderful. I really loved this entire space and the food was delicious and I would definitely return. I'm only scooting it down one peg because it is pretty expensive. I loved my California sandwich but I didn't think it was worth 10$ The steak bomb was basically the same price and it's a lot more filling. I love the sandwiches and drinks but I think I would just like the prices to better reflect what you're getting. I would definitely recommend this place but just make sure you have some extra cash for this space. She's a little pricey read more

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Just ate the best breakfast sandwich of my life (the California) and drank an amazing lavender latte 10/10

Updating my review to reflect the current Daily Grind reality. I still have warm feelings toward this local icon, but post-COVID it really isn't quite the place I fell in love with. The downstairs seating where the old-timers used to gather has all been removed, along with a lot of the things I used to enjoy on the now much more pared-down menu. The cool Daily Grind mugs that you could get refills in seem to no longer be in use -- they definitely have moved to a model that emphasizes takeout vs being a neighborhood gathering place. There's still seating upstairs where they roast the beans, though, which is nice if there's free seats available, and very cozy when it's cold and grey outside. Also, the classic breakfast sandwiches remain among the best in town, making this still a worthy stop for a quick takeout breakfast. read more

Daily Grind - Lark Street egg sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, New York

A true gem hidden in the bowels of Lark Street, the Daily Grind is one of those places where they probably know every customer's name and what their "usual" is. It's tiny and cramped inside, and pretty dingy, but everyone is friendly and chipper and they served up every order, made to go. I got the salmon bagel and it was dee-licious! Smooth, silky waves of salmon on a schmear of cream cheese, along with lettuce and tomato, with red onions and capers. Every bite was full of flavor. I also got a large iced coffee, and the guy behind the bar called it a "bucket of ice." That's a new term for me, but it was appropriate. Dark and smooth, slightly bitter, just the way I like it. The Daily Grind has no pretense - it's a basic coffee joint with good, wholesome food and plenty of coffee to go. I recommend it to anyone working downtown Albany. Drop in, it's worth it! read more

Daily Grind - Salmon, cream cheese, tomato, lettuce, onion and capers on a toasted everything bagel, with a "bucket of ice". - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, New York

They say their "Rubens (sic) are the best in town". While I can't yet attest to that since this was my first in town, I can say it's a darn good sandwich! There were three folks ahead of me ordering food and coffees but the line and the kitchen moved swiftly. Menus are listed on blackboards in various areas and offer a good selection of breakfasts, sandwiches, wraps, soups, and salads. I ordered a decaf, sugar-free latte and the Reuben. Of course, I had to try the town's best! The coffee is great so, yes, friends don't let friends drink Starbucks ;) I took my sandwich home which is less than a five-minute walk. It was still steaming hot! Piled high with corned beef, sweet sauerkraut, a spicy Russian dressing, and stringy Swiss cheese, I can see why they tout themselves as the best. The sandwich came with a bag of chips. Since they didn't ask, I figured it would be a bag of plain chips but instead, it was Sour Cream & Onion. I happen to really like that flavor so I was happy to see them in my bag. My only suggestion to the restaurant is to use parchment paper instead of wax to wrap your cheesy sandwiches as the wax paper too easily falls apart and sticks to the gooey, stringy, delicious cheese. I look forward to many coffees from the Daily Grind as well as trying other items on their menu...next up: The Corned Beef Hash breakfast! I'm coming for ya! read more

Daily Grind - The town's best Reuben...perhaps so - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, New York

Love coming by in the morning for a quick espresso drink...or the random Saturday brunch...today was a steak bomb... read more

Daily Grind - Steak Bomb on everything bagel...pepperjack cheese and habanero sauce (not as hot as I thought it would be...it's perfect!) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, New York

I was pretty disappointed with downtown Albany. There seems to be one section on Lark Street with any interesting restaurants and shops and that's where we found the Daily Grind. Staff was very nice. The menu is huge and some of the breakfast items sounded amazing. We entered and were the only customers. We went with the coffee of the day (mudslide - just okay) and a Belgian waffle dish. While we were waiting it really filled up. There were at least 12 people by the time we left which was very concerning. The waffle took quite awhile and I was thinking of leaving without receiving it since we were all crowded together and definitely not enforcing social distancing guidelines. We finally got the waffle. It was very good. Tons of fruit salad, three waffle pieces and just very tasty. I probably would not return during these times as I didn't feel very safe waiting for the food. read more

Daily Grind - Really nice Belgian waffle meal - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, New York

The single best establishment for breakfast sandwiches in Albany. Hands down no one else is close. Staff are super friendly and atmosphere is very relaxed. Would recommend to anyone living in or visiting Albany read more

I love this coffee shop. What else can I say. Best part of living in Down Town Albany area by Lark Street is having access to some of the best local mom and pop drinks and eats. Some may think a little pricey, but they include coffee with your food orders, and that is a major plus, especially since their food is great. I used to go to Dunkin Donuts when I first moved here, until I wandered the neighborhood and found this. Makes no sense to me people hitting up a chain when there is local so much tastier and practically same price. I usually get the breakfast here, and all of it is great, plus the endless cup of coffee if you are seated. Even to go, I waited for my order, and sipped on my coffee, and they were so nice to refresh when my order was ready. They really make you feel at home. Cozy and quaint. read more

Daily Grind - Banger. Two eggs, two sausage, and cheddar cheese. Yuummm! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, New York

Omg the worst place ever. Everything on that menu was bad. I asked for a vegetable omelet and they gave me an omelet full of old onions from the night before. Even the pancakes were but. Insane how this place still open. We had 5 meals and no one was able to eat anything. read more

My girlfriends and I were skeptical about this place cause of the low reviews but we saw so many people going in and out. The coffee menu was good, lots of options. The Neapolitan drink was too sweet for me but that's okay I was warned beforehand. The people working were great and I love their energy. Only reason I'm taking out a star was because they were a bit over the place and forgot to make my friend's smoothie (and someone else's) and then made it wrong but it was a quick fix. read more

(a) there were mysterious black flakes in the bottom of my cappuccino which really grossed me out. imagine being in traffic with an actual mouthful of this sh*7. there was about a tablespoon of it in the bottom. (b) they don't know how to make a cappuccino, which should be 6-8oz with creamy foam, not 12-16oz with huge lacey bubbles what. a. joke. read more

Daily Grind - Mysterious black flakes at the bottom of my cappuccino - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, New York

Exceptional food and coffee, and the best smoothies I've had in my life. Feels like I walked into the 70's. There's a nice little area upstairs to eat, and the service is very quick and friendly. Highly recommend! read more

Stopped by while waiting for my train back to NYC and I can say that everyone in my group loved the food and drinks we had. Much love from visiting Texans. read more

Daily Grind - a sign on a door - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, New York

Coffee is very good and is local( capitol city roasters ). They also have a huge non alcoholic - beer selection . Ceasar salad was good , but nothing to write home about . Basil and tomato bisque was very good and tasted homemade. Staff were polite and attentive., But seem to over rush you . If your a Traveller in the area and want coffee/snack fix while you wai for your train , this place is for you. read more

Daily Grind - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, New York

DOWNGRADED: I wanted to see how this shop could handle the very basics, so I put them to the double espresso test. There were a few things that made me apprehensive off the bat. 1. The espresso beans were pre-ground and dug from a tub (not a major infraction, but it raised a red flag 2. My espresso sat on the machine until every last drop of water was pushed through the grinds into the cup below It turns out, that the beans were fine. They produced a decent crema on the top. But, the length of the draw was a critical blow. The espresso was over-extracted and bitter, and tasted like something I used to make in college on a $20 Krupps machine. And really, it is inexcusable. Luckily, I did not decide to live in this neighborhood, or I would be totally creeked. Eventually, I will try and make it back for their brewed coffee, but I am not hopeful. The glass pots it is brewed in are notorious for scorching coffee. But I am not going to judge it until I try it. The coffee bean and paraphernalia store upstairs, still looks pro missing. I will be back for that. More from me later. - - - ORIGINAL REVIEW 4*: Very good for what I had. It was a hot day, you see. And I just cannot drink hot coffee on a hot day. I know that some people can. It is much easier to hide the flaws of mediocre coffee when it's iced. Especially since I take cream and sugar in my iced coffee. Something I would never do with a good hot brew. Everyone I was with enjoyed their wraps and sandwiches. They cited the fresh tasting ingredients and simple preparations. But I am looking forward to heading back down to this cozy downstairs room in the fall. And checking out their beans to see how they do in my morning cup. read more

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Daily grrr-ind has strong caffeine. On a cold New England day in Albany, it's a good bet for hot, anything! Getting to this place, takes stairs, because it's subterranean. It is known for strong coffee & tea. Unfortunately also long lines. Rebel chef says: 3.5 read more

I was on my way to lake placid and we stopped in Albany to grab lunch. A friend had recommended checking out Lark street for lunch so we headed straight there. It's a typical coffee shop with sandwiches so honestly my expectations were low but we needed a bathroom- we both decided to order the pulled pork sandwich. Being from the south I don't necessarily have high expectations for northern barbecue but it was absolutely delectable! I would definitely recommend, it was not excessively saucy and it was a good size, plus you get chips! read more

Daily Grind - BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, New York

A great little coffee shop with coffee I can stand behind (ie: not too bitter). They were quick, polite and the did a great job with my hangover sandwich (3-eggs & bacon on an everything bagel). The only bummer was that they weren't able to serve my partner anything beyond a banana, cuz there was nothing Gluten Free on the menu. That said, they were so cool here that they directed us to gluten-free food a block away (to Berben and Wolff), which we thought was super thoughtful. Thanks Daily Grind!! Search #MetroVentureALB on Instagram for a better taste of our entire Albany Experience. read more

Daily Grind - (3) Eggs & Bacon on an Everything Bagel, please. #MetroVentureALB - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, New York

I had a steak bomb breakfast sandwich and a latte and both were hot and hearty. Prompt & friendly staff, lots of options, cozy cafe, and just a good all around spot to grab your breakfast essentials or sit a while. I carried out because it was winter & COVID season, but I would have loved to sit there a while. read more

I'm currently drinking out of my Daily Grind coffee cup that I bought some 9 or 10 years ago, and I still believe that "Friends don't let friends drink Starbucks." Originally I started coming here because a friend referred me to them, so I guess the motto is true! Daily Grind is one of the best cafes in Albany, and when I'm in town (rarely), they're always on my list of places to stop. The coffee is fresh, service is fast, and it's pretty decently priced. Never tried anything beyond a standard drip from them, but I'm basic. The world needs more unique businesses, and Lord knows Albany needs it as well. I'd much rather go here than the Dunkin' up the road that tows everybody, even if you're a customer. Daily Grind is my jam and definitely one of the best coffee spots in the area. read more

I love this neighborhood coffee joint. Cheap, fairly strong coffee, and tons of really yummy breakfast sandwiches. My personal favorite is the big banger on a poppyseed bagel- a little greasy, but hits the spot. Comes with a coffee for $11. Also a good place to study/work for a couple hours, good WiFi and the staff here is so nice. Very happy to say this is my regular coffee shop! As they post all over, "friends don't let friends buy coffee at Starbucks" Is it fancy, bourgie, pretentious, or high-end? Absolutely not. But therein lies its charm, I think - and a big part of the reason I love it. Everyone here is someone with a story, and that's worth every freckle or wrinkle I've seen. read more

I wanted to include a picture with this review but the food didn't last long enough to get a picture! This is my first time ordering from the Daily Grind - I was really craving some good coffee and a breakfast sandwich to help motivate me while working from home. I came across the Daily Grind on GrubHub and thought their menu looked decent so I decided to give it a try. I ordered an egg sandwich with sausage and bacon on a hard roll, and a caramel iced coffee with almond milk. My boyfriend ordered the steak breakfast sandwich. We were both absolutely blown away by how delicious the breakfast sandwiches are. They were so flavorful. We're moving out of Albany soon and are sad that it took us this long to try it! I also thought my coffee was delicious. I will definitely be ordering from here again if I get the chance. I recommend giving this place a try if you're in the area, or craving some motivation like I was! read more

Amazing business on lark street... food was amazing .... Staff was even better, very kind, helpful. There always working hard and doing a great job when I come in. read more

Lemme keep this short and sweet.... MUST GET CAPPUCCINO MUFFIN!! To dieeeeee for. so full of flavor and shots of espresso within that this was such a sweet escape from the savory meal i had beforehand. read more

I was very disappointed with the California sandwich I got from here. It had no substance- they put no avocado in it, there was the smallest piece of egg inside, and a very small amount of goat cheese... definitely not worth the $9.75 price. read more

Daily Grind - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Albany, New York

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I ordered the steak bomb sandwich for breakfast. It was easily the best breakfast sandwich I've ever had. I would definitely recommend it and I will definitely get it again when I'm in the neighborhood read more

This is the 4th breakfast place today that claims to be open on Yelp on a Saturday afternoon but they are actually closed. I'm getting hangry!! read more