I brought my dad here the day I brought my dad here the day prior to Father's Day late morning. I would recommend utilizing the wait in line program here on Yelp. We didn't have a wait once we arrived. I ordered a turtle iced coffee and I'd go back just for that. My dad ordered a steak menu option and I ordered the sundown. We were too busy talking and enjoying the food that I forgot to take pictures. The inside was a little loud where we sat, but to be honest I think a couple others were just loud talkers. They have a wonderful outdoor seating area in the front and back of the restaurant. Next time I'd love to sit outside. The ambiance was comfortable and just beautiful. Upon entering there is lovely English ivy growing all along the grass. This is a hidden gem that you wouldn't see if just driving down the road. I'll be coming back here for sure! read more

Had a fabulous lunch at Iron Gate Cafe this past Saturday! We used the wait list which was fantastic... very accurate with the timing of our table being ready . We all ordered the mother clucker sandwich on a brioche roll and we all gave it two thumbs up read more

We went for lunch with another couple to the Iron Gate Cafe. Street parking was a bit of a nightmare, but the restaurant itself was lovely, with dark wood paneling and stained glass windows. In better weather, there is a front and a back patio. The menu had breakfast and standard lunch fare like sandwiches, salads, soup, flatbreads etc. The food was good and arrived with chips and a pickle. The establishment offers a military discount, but be sure to ask for it up front because our waitress would not revise our check. Apparently this is a common policy now, that you cannot leave a tip with a gift card, so we had to gin up some cash for our server. Other than that little hitch, we had a pleasant experience. read more

Definitely worth the wait ! Great service and. The food was divine . I had the sundown Benedict . Roasted sweet potatoes really make this dish sing read more

Iron Gate Cafe - The sundown Benedict - Cafes Near Me - Albany, New York

We had such a wonderful brunch here so even though the wait can be very long, it was worth it. Tons of gluten free items on the menu. GF pancakes were so tasty, as was the maple syrup they came with. They reminded me of mochi in terms of consistency, which was great. I added chocolate chips to them, a side of fruit, and whipped cream and everything turned out absolutely delicious!! read more

Iron Gate Cafe - GF pancakes plus chocolate chips, side of whipped cream, and a side of fruit. Yum! - Cafes Near Me - Albany, New York

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everything is fabulous! location, food, service, vibe. A treasure hidden in the city. I always bring my out of towners here. :-D

Visited today for the first time, decided to go for a late brunch on a bustling Saturday. The atmosphere was lively and had a charming historic vibe with an edgy twist complete with The Ramones and The Misfits decor! The drinks were enjoyable, and the food tasted fresh. I had the French toast complete with brie and berries which was delightful. I'm definitely looking forward to coming back to explore more dishes on the menu. read more

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The food is okay but not particularly impressive. The ambiance is nice, but I wasn't satisfied with the service. I had brunch and wanted to drink more coffee, yet the waitresses only came by twice to refill my mug. I think this reflects a common issue nowadays -- you're expected to leave larger tips, but the quality of service isn't as good as it used to be. It feels like tips have become more of an obligation than a reward for good service. read more

great food great wait staff always so nice and welcoming would definitely in the Albany area

Friendly service, good food and beautiful architectural designs - in the heart of Albany

Was in Albany for a homecoming reunion. Very tough place to find good food. Eventually found a breakfast spot. The Iron Gate Cafe is set in a brownstone type building. Finally used their web based waiting list to get a seat. Ordered a caprese omelet. It came with home fries. Awesome!!! Coffee as well. Well prepared dish. 3 eggs, fresh vegetables in the omelet and quality cheese. Friendly service. I'm a breakfast person. The food rivaled my favorite north jersey spot, Raymond's and many of the top NYC restaurants like Bubby's. I wanted to order the French toast as well. But was afraid of the 3 hour drive ahead of me. Thank you to the staff. read more

Iron Gate is the perfect Albany brunch spot. The food is consistently excellent, and today was no exception. My son had a grilled cheese on sourdough with an ideal cheese pull, along with a terrific Tuscan chicken soup. I kept it simple and tried the the blueberry and peach sangria, which was refreshing and well balanced. The charm of the old home setting sets this place apart and makes the experience stand apart from other Albany restaurants. We love coming here and will definitely be back. read more

Great brunch spot in downtown albany. Cute interior and efficient service even on busy days. We once had a large group of about 16 or so and were able to reserve a whole room. The food has always hit the spot, they have a good variety, fun specials, and a good deal of vegetarian options. read more

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Great breakfast/brunch spot with a huge menu, warm atmosphere, in a charming historic old home. Lots of seating, friendly service. Stuffed French toast and latte were delicious. I was pleasantly surprised by how reasonable the prices are. Highly recommend. read more

Food and service were awesome! Loved the setting of the restaurant, nice and cozy!! Looking forward to going back when we return to Albany. read more

Great food and very exceptional service. Love eating here for brunch at the raspberry Brie French toast and orange juice. Both were delicious. Beautiful ambiance and decor read more

Outstanding! The entrance was what originally caught my eye but the food and service is the real magic in this place. Walking through the gorgeous gate entry you see why the name is so appropriate. Entering the building you're covered by trees with small berries and the sunshine breaking through the leaves. It's beautiful. Walking in we were greeted by an employee who gave us a kind and warm welcome and asked us what our preference for seating was. We sat outside and we're thrilled to enjoy the ambiance that we witnessed when entering the courtyard. Your waitress was sweet and perfectly attentive. The food was spectacular and for our second visit to this restaurant, I am 100% backing the raspberry and Brie French toast. It has the perfect balance of cheese and sweet fruit. The syrup that comes with it isn't completely necessary but is a delicious addition. I also ordered home fries to avoid commuting theft from the plates of others this time and washed everything down with a mimosa. Beautiful is the only word to describe this experience and I look forward to the next time I visit Albany. read more

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They don't accept reservation unless 5 people or more, we were visiting, called to make reservation, and we couldn't, but the costumer service was so nice and helpful and gave us a chance to come in without having to wait so long. The food and service was great!! read more

Delicious food, friendly servers, nice atmosphere. Definitely recommend and would go back. Large portions nice for sharing or leftovers

I forgot to take pictures but this was a cute place. Very deceiving from the outside because you think you're walking into a small cafe. But then you get seated and the place is a lot bigger. Old house made into a cafe. Very cozy and comfy. Staff was very welcoming. I had latte and the French toast with bacon. Both delicious. I was in the area for business and if I lived closer It would be a definite regular spot I would go to. They have a nice patio outdoor seating, but today was way too cold for it. read more

Looking for a restaurant for Sunday brunch n as always found iron gate cafe on Yelp with great reviews n thought we'd try it. I'll warn we had a long wait almost 90 mins. But the good thing was we put our name on the long wait list. Was 46 th () on the wait list. Checked in n we still had a long wait. So we drove around downtown Albany Capitol district n to RPI n got back to cafe n dropped to 12 th on the wait list n then it was just a few mins wait. Must be a good cafe for this long wait. Nice cafe w indoor n outdoor seating. Victorian house that's converted into cafe. Friendly welcome staff n clean restaurant n restrooms. We ordered the blue sky salad, Elvis Memphis scramble, Phoenix rising Benedict n farms house hash Benedict n cornbread. Blue sky salad had lots of greens, walnuts, blueberries, goat cheese w apple cider Vinaigrette. Was v fresh y n crunch. The Elvis Memphis scramble had bacon, sausage, onions, peppers w a pepper jack hollandaise sauce n grilled cornbread . Yummy n the corn bread was a generous piece. so good. The farmhouse scramble Benedict cane w crumbled sausage, roasted sweet potatoes n side of home fries. Was very good. And finally the Phoenix rising Benedict was w Ho muse made black bean sliders, sliced avocado n pepperjack hollandaise sauce. All the food was so delicious. All plates cleaned. Not a morsel left. Thank you for a great brunch. Worth the long wait. Will be back again if n when we are in the area. read more

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A wonderful brunch spot! The Iron Gate Cafe is located within a beautiful old building. When you walk in, there is a small bar, with several larger dining areas, set up in a way that I felt like I was eating in someone's fancy dining room. Very cool. There is lots of outdoor seating as well. The decor, music, and overall vibe was very pleasant. I had a peach Bellini and a grilled cheese with soup. The food was good, but I wish they had tomato soup available to complete the meal (chicken soup was delicious, just didn't go with the sandwich). My friend got the breakfast burrito and it looked and tasted great! We also had an infant with us and they were very accommodating and gave us a table in the corner where it was easy to navigate a high chair. Overall I was pleasantly pleased with this restaurant, and think it's a cute brunch spot to take your friends, significant others, family, or even for a solo dining trip. Other things to note: -Street parking only, but it was very easy to find on the weekend -Make sure to get on the waiting list through yelp! This place is quite busy, and getting on the waitlist allows you to see when you will be able to get a table and save time waiting -There is a (small) surcharge for bills paying with credit cards read more

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All of the items were amazing!! They were really flavor and filling, this is my second time going and I always have to pack to-go plates. My favorite item is the raspberry Brie French Toast, the flavors really compliment each other. The drinks are also filling and very good. The service was excellent. Very polite, and you will get your food on time. The atmosphere is also pretty cool. It makes you feel welcomed and comfortable. Every time I go to Albany, I have to eat there at least once!! 10/10 read more

This has been a fun spot for brunch with friends. We always try the mimosas and have yet to be disappointed. I've had a variety of their dishes and have enjoyed them, even when I've been skeptical - from me, that's a big compliment. I love sitting outside when the weather is right, but any of the rooms inside are a treat. The building is so old and so many of the original details are still there. read more

Never disappoints!! The food is consistently delicious. The ambience is amazing and the service is excellent. We have enjoyed eating at the restaurant for many years and now my grandkids are at the age where they enjoy it regularly and take their friends! Love the Iron Gate Cafe! read more

This place is off the chain! The atmosphere is so eclectic and cool feeling. The mother clucker (so fun to say haha) was delicious. Fries were perfectly cooked. The chicken wasnt dry. Wifey had the french toast and it was delicious. Definitely a must go to in downtown Albany. Our waitress was very pleasant and attentive. read more

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Went today with a large party of 20. They hosted all of us in their front room. The service was amazing and the staff was very friendly. Everyone loved the food and the atmosphere. The latte was delicious!! read more

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5 for all the hype. 4 for the wait, but decent food 3 for not so great corn bread Average... 4 As much as I'd like to believe all the 5 star hype, I'm glad to say I am in good company with other Yelp Elites. I've heard about this place for a while. Shamed to admit it is my first time eating here, since I moved to Albany, especially when it is just a few minutes walk from my home. Well, after being away from Albany for almost two months indulging in all the great grub in Austin, TX, I had a hankering for some decent breakfast on a Sunday morning coming down. Now, in my defense, I've driven by many mornings and saw the line out the door. That always deters me, since I have no patience for waiting, at least for breakfast. Today, though, I figured why not, especially since it was 8:40am and the place doesn't open until 9am. Got there around 8:50am, gate was closed, and the lady getting ready for the Sunday morning breakfast stampede was nice enough to yell, "We open in 10 minutes!" "Cool," I thought as I just stood there wondering what to do for 10 minutes, without taking my phone out and sending useless texts to others, just because. Well, I did anyways. "Guess where I am going?" I said to one friend. "Where?" my friend promptly replied on Sunday morning. That seemed odd. "I'm getting ready to have some breakfast at Iron Gate," I replied. Silence for a little bit, and then I was immediately un-friended, to only be re-friended minutes later just so he could complain about not being invited and then rant and rave about how it is the most awesome breakfast place in the world. "We shall see," I thought. Well, I have to admit the hash-browns and my eggs were great. I got the Elvis special only because I remember reading about it on guess where? -- YELP! It was all that it was cracked up to be and I got a side of their famous Hollandaise sauce, which I recommend doing, if it doesn't come with your order. It is that good. On to the disappointment, the corn bread. What can I say other than dry, tasteless and not corny at all. Tasted almost like something you make from instant corn bread mix you buy at the grocery store, but I could be wrong. To be fair, I did just come from months in the south, where corn bread is king, and tastes oh so good. Soft, moist, buttery, with a nice crust, and sometimes jalapenos to boot. So, this stuff just didn't cut it for me. Same goes with the pancake side that I ordered. I mean it was tasty and good, but not five star good. You want to know what 5 star pancake good is? Look up Kirby Lane Austin, TX. I have to agree with one other Yelper elite. Maybe I just ordered wrong. I will go back and try some other dishes. Some of the dishes looked much yummier than mine, especially the toast. Either way, it was still enjoyable and I look forward to trying it again, maybe without my Austin TX, food vibe goggles on. read more

Iron Gate Cafe - Elvis Special - Cafes Near Me - Albany, New York

Service, kind n attentive, food, delicious n well-received by omni n vegan folk, and the place is a stellar spot in Albany that reveals the creativity and dreamy ambience that a great menu, and love for food n folk/culture, deserves. If you need healthy food for friends that are on another planet of food choice-this is both a creative and practical choice for breakfast, brunch, n lunch in a town that has forgotten its healthy, food-optioned self. Best spot I ate at w/friends over the two weeks frustratingly searching. Where'd all the real menus of food diversity, vegan n gluten free food, and omnivore-friendly food sharing spots in the Capital Region go? Go here! read more

Great setting in old mansion nice lunch and breakfast fare. Street parking can be tough to find but it's worth it.

Totally satisfying between breakfast and lunch options it's a win win. We had the tofu scramble, chicken sandwich and French toast. Everything was delicious. I loved the outdoors seating. Only down side is the wait time. Is it worth the wait - yes. They said it was a 20min wait and we got in under 15. Staff was friendly, bathrooms are clean and ambiance was a chill outdoor courtyard vibe. Overall great experience and we'll be back to try other options on the menu. read more

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Cool but weird Elvis-style atmosphere. Very busy, recommend calling ahead to get on the waitlist. Menu is all day breakfast/lunch. Food was fair for the price. Good menu of coffees available. Was given 4 stars instead of 5 because the condiments at our seating were empty. #attentiontodetail read more

Iron Gate Cafe - Buttermilk Pancakes - Cafes Near Me - Albany, New York

Love it food was soooo good! Nick was a great server ! The place looked nice and very cozy!

Service 10/5 stars, our waitress was amazing. The tucked back dining and spot as a whole was great. We each got an entree and drinks, dirty chai with oat milk and an iced coffee mocha. Food was delicious and quick to come out. Would come back here in a heartbeat. read more

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Easily made reservations online. We were seated within 10-15 minutes of arriving. Our server was phenomenal and memorized our orders. I never got her name, but she was the blonde, tall one! I love how there are veg options!! And the drink menu is amazing. Of course, I had to order two things off the seasonal menu: eggnog French toast and peppermint latte. Both were delicious! Not too overpowering. The entire table ordered an assortment of food and we were all very pleased with what we got. read more

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The chicken was dry. It felt like a factory unit!! Indoor seating had 1.5 hour wait but outdoor seating was immediately available did not make sense. I enjoyed the salad however!! read more

The place is amazing, losts of old wood decor. Great friendly service. And the food is amazing!

My husband and I were in Albany for the day and looking for somewhere to get lunch. We searched "best brunch," and Irongate Café was the first hit. The restaurant is located in a historic house centered around an adorable courtyard with many plants and trees. We chose to sit in the courtyard. we did have about a 45 minute wait, even on a weekday, but there are lots of little shops to see in the area, as well as the monuments, plaza, and "the egg." We both got sandwiches for lunch and they were delicious. We also enjoyed the local beer selection. The service was very friendly and all-around great vibe. We are glad we chose Irongate café for our one meal in Albany. read more

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11/10, 11/10, 11/10 - this was our first time visiting , but my fiancé and I had been eyeing it for years! With a dedicated line that long outside, you knowwww it's worth it (pro tip: we actually joined the waitlist using the Yelp app & timed our arrival just right so we didn't wait outside at all). We sat inside - it's beautiful, historic and very charming. Inside or outside, you can't go wrong. Service was fantastic, our drinks were fresh && the food was perfect, it was soooo flavorful. Portions were just right too. Can't wait to come back & visit again!! read more

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Best breakfast ever! Run and do not walk to this place. The portions are just right. The ambiance is somewhat quaint like an upstate TGIFs but more cozy. And I really liked the personable nature of the waitstaff. We left with extras. Come hungry but come prepared to leave here with something. Highly recommended! read more