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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This is my favorite brunch spot in Albany! I went to college there, and whenever I go back to visit friends I always make sure to hit up Iron Gate. In the summer, I love sitting outside and enjoying the fresh air and the cute gated dining area. Inside there is a lot of eclectic memorabilia. The food is amazing every time, and the people who work there seem cool, although the place is always slammed so I never have time to chat much with them. read more

Friendly staff and too many excellent choices on the menu! The dining experience was comfortable and the building is super cool. Lunch was delicious! Not a single complaint. Will be sure to go back next time I'm in Albany! read more

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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The place was truly historic but hidden. If you're not local, look carefully for the place! I loved my cappuccino, cranberry juice and raspberry jam French toast. My husband got their pancakes.. definitely need to add a fruit bowl to blend in the flavor. I was on the prowl for delicious French toast! Our waitress was very attentive and thoughtful too! read more

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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Great food. Wonderful wait staff. All the food looks so good! In addition, they have great Vegan options. A must-go when in town!

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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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

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

The building is absolutely beautiful! We were looking for a great breakfast and Bloody Mary's and weren't disappointed. I had the sweet hash and my husband had the Ragin' Cajun breakfast, both really delicious and large portions. The waitress suggested the sourdough toast, and it was amazing! Great ambiance, great food and great service...highly recommended! read more

The food here is phenomenal! Everyone was pleased with the breakfast and lunch. Service was attentive and helpful. Wish we were local! Would love to come back. Love the atmosphere. read more

Iron Gate Cafe - We sat inside and had a great view of the awesome patio - Cafes Near Me - Albany, New York

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

This is hands down the best brunch in Albany! Everything myself and my friends have tried here has been absolutely amazing and we have yet to find a menu item that isn't delicious. They have an ever-changing variety of specials depending on the day so you can never get bored and can always try something new and seasonal. The restaurant is located in an old schoolhouse and each room is unique. The outdoor seating is quaint courtyards located in the rear and front of the restaurant. Staff are very attentive and knowledgeable regarding menu items. Make sure you join their online waitlist before going, the wait can be long on weekends! read more

Iron Gate Cafe - Ham and Brie melt - Cafes Near Me - Albany, New York

very enjoyable! had breakfast with my husband and 2 pups in their stroller on the back patio! My French toast was very good and my husband enjoyed his omelette! We hope to come back again soon as our waitress was so nice and made us feel so welcome read more

Iron Gate Cafe - Back patio - Cafes Near Me - Albany, New York

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Iron Gate Cafe was fantastic! Both the friendly/attentive service and the food were top notch! I ordered the chicken club sandwich which was cooked to perfection. The fries were great too! I tried to stop eating them but couldn't resist! This place appears to be popular with locals too. Around me were tables filled with friends who chose this place to catch up for a meal. I very much enjoyed my experience here and highly recommend Iron Gate Cafe for all who visit Albany! read more

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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Delicious food and amazing service . Very busy location- but still serves amazing food and professional service ! Really cool ambiance as well. read more

Food was really good, I recommend doing call ahead if your looking to stop by on a weekend day

All the reviews say it all!!! Just go and enjoy a fantastic meal, great service and wonderful environment. Either inside or out, we believe you will not be disappointed! Bathroom: 4 star. There are two unisex washrooms. The one I used was bigger than the other. Clean: 5 star Hot water: 5 star, almost immediately! (Hot water is my biggest concern, know why? Cause they are the bathrooms the staff use) Decor: 4 star had all the essentials Hands free: soap, towel dispenser and trash can...but not door. UPDATE: We had to go back the next day for two reasons... 1) To get one more great breakfast before leaving town. 2) To get our servers name so we can give a big shout out! Thanks Sam!! read more

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

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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Service is slipping and in need of pest control. The last few times we've been to Iron Gate the orders didn't come out correct or complete. The waitstaff will fix it, but it takes so long a person is half-way through their meal without their full order or everyone else in the party feels they have to wait and everything gets cold. Watch your quality control from order to kitchen to customer and the speed in responding to order issues. Also, there are a lot of mice on the patios and crawling up the ivy on the building. That's gross at a restaurant and the mice are too bold and run under outdoor tables. Serious pest control is needed for both mice and for a lot of bees in the early fall. read more

The service excellent. The staff was very friendly and courteous even when all the tables were occupied. The food was familiar and also had an appealing mix of perspective. read more

Found this place on Yelp - and later saw recommendations on Reddit. Back outdoor seating is perfect. Food was great. Benedicts were group favorite. read more

Their waitlist is a joke! We've tried numerous times to check this place out without success. I give up. We had been placed on a waitlist for 11:05 am on Mother's Day. We arrived a few minutes early then proceeded to wait another hour+ until we gave up when told there were still people ahead of us. It made for a bummer of a Mother's Day morning since we had other plans at 2 we had to leave. Very disappointing, I won't waste my turn again. read more

Great food and service! Join the wait on Google no need to call! Line is always big but goes pretty fast

Waited for 10 minutes for the host to stop talking to his friend while he ignored me. Tables are very crowded together which makes the atmosphere unpleasant. Food was just ok. Not worth the $$. read more

Service, food, coffee and mimosa were all excellent! Joined the waitlist on Yelp prior to arriving for Sunday brunch. read more

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Had a delicious breakfast with family on a Friday morning, lots of food. Amazing service, very attentive and friendly. Always love the garden scenery, we sat inside because it was a cool morning. Highly recommend! read more

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

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Excellent restaurant! The ambiance in a house setting is electric! The food is served fast, fresh and from very friendly staff. A must when you're hungry for good food! read more

Wondering... amazing service delicious food!!! Will be back. A total gem... I hate a mimosa in a small champagne glass ... didn't get a tiny glass here. It was delicious! read more

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My friends and I were staying near Albany for a wedding recently, and when a group of us wanted to go to brunch, I found Iron Gate Cafe--and I'm so glad we did! As soon as we walked in, the vibes were wonderful, welcoming, and warm: everyone said hello to us, and was very kind, and the decor of Iron Gate was lived-in and charming. There was a group of seven of us, and the staff was able to seat us right away, and even gave us our own room in the back of the space. Our server was awesome, and checked in while giving us enough time to review the menu (and seasonal specials). They were attentive and absolutely nailed our orders, even with seven of us, most of whom ordered a couple of different drinks. The food and drinks themselves were also delicious; I had an apple cider mimosa (easily my new favorite mimosa!), an iced coffee, and the Big Iron Breakfast Sandwich, which was warm, hearty, and an awesome breakfast sandwich. The peppers gave it a fantastic kick! I can't recommend Iron Gate more, and if I'm ever in Albany again, look forward to going back. read more

My favorite restaurant in Albany the Raspberry Brie French toast is The best. Their pancakes are amazing too read more

this is our favorite breakfast place in the area. service , food and atmosphere are all tops. get on the waiting list so you dont have to wait for a table there read more

Great food and service that we went back 2 days in a row! Will definitely make it part of my travel itinerary to Albany! Thank you Kevin and staff for amazing hospitality and great service Also the space is amazing and great play list of music read more

Breakfast is always great! It gets pretty busy yet their crew stays on top of it. Live the layout and the old building.

Amazing chill ambiance - very friendly and happy staff. I danced the whole time while eating my food lol it was just such a good vibe in there. We sat at the bar and ate every bite. The cappuccino was delicious, the pancakes are a must. Every omelet on their menu is full of Flavor, and the home fries were perfect. I will definitely be back to try more of the menu and drinks. Make sure you come before you're hungry because it's a busy place, well worth the wait! read more

Iron Gate Cafe - Elvis' Memphis Scramble on the left, Pancakes, Sunny side up Eggs, and Caprese Omelet on the bottom right. - Cafes Near Me - Albany, New York

Cool spot in Albany. Tasty food, nice vibe but long waits (add yourself to the waitlist before heading over!) staff was awesome

What a gem! Fabulous garden restaurant with two patios and a large indoor space. Award winning cuisine, great selection, deftly prepared by a world class kitchen! Watch out for the Cajun Bloody Mary - delicious! A restaurant is only as good as the staff...in this case - a homerun. We got to meet Samantha (Sam) today. Gorgeous, funny, welcoming, and as knowledgable as you might like on the reccs! Really made the day nice! If you find yourself in downtown Albany, give this great place a try. You won't be sorry! read more

Love the ambiance and food is amazing. So cute inside and the coffee is great. Always bring friends here when they come to town