If you're a fan of the Chipotle or Subway build-your-own style concept but want something a little different, Simone's Kitchen is definitely worth a visit. Mediterranean food done fast, fresh, and with plenty of options. The best part is the customization. Tons of fresh toppings, flavorful proteins, and some excellent dips and sauces that let you build exactly what you're craving. Everything looked fresh and the ingredients tasted like they were prepared with care. Service was friendly and efficient. The line moved quickly, orders were put together correctly, and it was easy to get in and out without feeling rushed. The atmosphere is casual and clean, making it a great option for lunch, a quick dinner, or a healthy alternative to traditional fast food. The only downside is the price. It's a little more expensive than some of the fast-casual chains, but the quality and freshness help justify the cost. Pizza Beast Score: 4/5 "Fresh ingredients, great Mediterranean flavors, excellent dips, and quick service. A little pricey, but the quality makes it worth the stop." read more

I was over the moon to find Simone's Kitchen inside Styvesant Plaza. I regularly frequent Athleta , Pottery Barn and Sur La Table as they happen to be just a few of my favorite places to shop. There's a good variety of stores as well as places for a quick bite all in one area. Did I mention lotsa parking? Now about Simone's Kitchen before I get side tracked.... At lunchtime it was super busy but very organized. The staff here appear good under pressure and the service is top notch. As I placed my order, the individuals behind the counter were friendly as well as attentive and very helpful. I can be picky, and always ask for extra greens whenever possible. I also like a generous amount of hummus and tahini when I get a Mediterranean bowl. Their chicken shawarma bowl, Greek meatball bowl and create your own bowl were all outstanding. You pretty much have the option of customizing just about anything you order, and they are happy to do it for you. The cleanliness factor here does not go unnoticed and I appreciate seeing the fresh produce and prepping and chopping that happens in front of you. There's also a good amount of drinks and pastries which I will try on my next visit. Their menu has endless possibilities and I will work my way through it haha. I almost forgot to mention how refreshing their iced cardamom tea was, wow! The food freshness here was big for me. I love it when I find a place that is tasty and healthful so I can go often and be guilt free. I will be back soon, probably next week! read more

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Fresh, flavorful, good quality food fast and at a reasonable price AND a local small business with a positive story. Simone's is simply great. All of their proteins have enough distinct flavor that they actually taste different and there is enough topping variety to keep it interesting from one visit to the next. Simone's isn't generic bowl slop nor questionable quality Chipotle. Meatballs, beets, and spicy tahini would be some of my recommended favorites. My family can't wait for the Glenmont store to open! read more

Simone's is one of my boyfriend's go-to spots for a quick and easy lunch. When I visited him recently in Albany, we Doordashed an order from Simone's to enjoy at home. While I loved the Cava-style BYO bowl options, I found some of the fillings I chose tasted much too sour, which made the overall bowl I made a little difficult to eat. Nevertheless, each bowl is topped with lots of food. And my favorite was the fresh pita that comes with each bowl. read more

Stopped in here to get something to eat to go. I had heard such great things about this place. I ordered the Mediterranean bowl which was excellent! Food is super fresh. There was a long wait but it shows how popular this place is. I could have ordered on line as well but I was not in a rush. I would recommend this place. Service was good. Friendly staff. read more

Always an excellent meal. Great Mediterranean food with a variety of bowls. They do a great vanilla cardamom coffee and baklava. They've also had some delicious soups. We go frequently and our daughter is there weekly when she is in college at the University of Albany. read more

Simone's Kitchen - Build your own bowl - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

Nice staff, prompt service and AMAZING bowls for lunch. They also pack it beautifully if you are taking your meal somewhere. This place had a line at the door this morning at opening time. read more

I love this place. The roasted tomato soup is killer and I love the flavorful sauces and all the add ons Lots of food for $12 I'm from SF which is known for its food, and coming to Albany--a place arguably not known for its food--- is made such a more pleasant experience knowing there is high quality delicious food read more

Simone's Kitchen - Big Mediterranean Burrito, roasted tomato soup, lil Lil Harissa Tofu - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

Very clean place with delicious food and some vegan items which is always a bonus. Prices are a tad high but the food is really good here.

One of the most delightful local chains in the Capital Region! Very reasonably priced food with fresh, delicious ingredients. Cute branding and great service. Definitely get the lentils! read more

Simone's Kitchen - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

There's no wonder Simone's just keeps expanding across the Capital Region, this place is fantastic. Everything tastes so fresh and clean, making a bowl or wrap is simple, and all the employees I've interacted with have always been so pleasant. Simone's has found a system that works and has honed it to operate at its finest. Their tofu is some of my favorite around, but what might be my absolute favorite thing at Simone's is the coffee. It is always so nicely balanced with a strong coffee base and excellent ratio of additions. Their current seasonal latte, salted tahini is truly excellent. I love Simone's and I highly recommend! read more

Simone's Kitchen is a Mediterranean inspired fast casual restaurant in Albany. The interior alone makes you feel as if you're somewhere in Greece. I got the falafel bowl which I enjoyed. They also have some really nice fresh juices that were very tasty! Overall highly recommend! read more

Simone's Kitchen - Falafel bowl - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

I came here with a few others and we had a good time. Having already eaten at their Schenectady location, I was a little bit disappointed at this place. To me, the split eating areas seemed to lack a little of the quaintness of the place. However, that had nothing to do with the food itself. I enjoyed picking and choosing my bowl, and I think one of my friends did too. That is where this place really shines. The other friend ordered a pre-made bowl which came with everything listed on the menu description. She was happy with it, but much of the mystery and excitement of seeing and trying new things is lost when you order it this way. Oh well. When we got in line around 6PM there were 3 people in front of us. By the time we got to the register there were 20 people behind us. That speaks more to how slow we were than anything else, but after we sat down and started eating the line moved quick and within 10 minutes it had calmed down. Service was very good. I dunno if all those customers got to-go or ate in the other room though. I really wanted to buy baklava but the line never actually stopped and I didn't want to wait in it just for dessert. Too bad there isn't an easier way to purchase it. read more

What a gem! We loved our make your own bowls here, the employees were so nice helping us select toppings and sauces. Everything tasted exceptionally fresh and delicious. There are truly options for everyone here. Ordering was easy and there were plenty of tables inside or easy to take the food to go as well. We can't wait to return and have told others to check it out. The portions are perfect. read more

Simone's Kitchen - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

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We used to be regulars at Simone's Schenectady location as a family, and we eagerly awaited the opening of the Stuyvesant Plaza store. Whenever we look for healthy, delicious, and clean food, Simone's is always the first place that comes to mind. I'm a loyal fan of the BYO Köfte Bowl, my husband loves their wraps, and my son is devoted to the pita sandwiches -- and of course, the lemonade. The service is always fast, the staff are friendly, and the place is spotless. We've never been disappointed. We even started planning our meet-ups there and ended up turning our friends into loyal customers too -- now we all sit together and talk about how good Simone's is read more

Glad to finally have some Mediterranean food in the area. I recently visited the Schenectady, NY location. I created my own bowl with chicken and it was great. Also try this lemon potatoes great side dish. Customer service was excellent. Nice small quant location. Make sure you come at a good time for parking. Just a little hard to find a spot but great location for the restaurant. read more

Excellent food, the line was fast even during dinner rush. The employees are very efficient and kind. I only wish there was outdoor seating because it was nice out. Indoor ambiance is good, but pretty cramped because the line was out the door. read more

Simone's Kitchen - Big chicken shawarma bowl with some pickled peppers and onions. Plenty of food. - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

Excellent bowl options for vegetarians. I used black lentils instead of rice or couscous to up my protein, plus harissa tofu, which was a nice portion. You get choice of small salad topping like tabbouleh, then more toppings like olives. And then more toppings including hummus and dressing!! Very tasty- couldn't finish it all, and I usually can. Small slice moist side bread in foil, too. Total about $17 with tip. read more

Simone's Kitchen - Make your own- vegetarian. I did black lentils and tofu for loads of protein. Excellent toppings!! - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

Food is delicious. It's priced okay. The service is fast. The restaurant has a nice decor. The staff is friendly

Good recommendation from a coworker! This place is like chipotle but just Mediterranean choices. I ordered the chicken shawarma bowl. Basically has chicken, white basmati rice which i love, fresh veggie, potatoes, garlic sauce and you have choice if spicy or not. I chose spicy. I would say this is really yummy. It is just a bit salty, not sure if the chicken or sauce. They give you a side of pita bread which is perfect to dip in the sauce or make it a sandwich. Im excited to try the other varieties they have. The service is great. The place looks really nice. It's something you could meet up with friends. Could be fast food but with class. Conveniently located by the Stuyvesant Plaza. read more

Simone's Kitchen - Big Chicken Shawarma - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

I've been on the search for a place like Mezeh which is in the city and Simone's kitchen definitely satisfies my cravings for a Mediterranean bowl! I'm glad they brought a location so close by in Stuyvesant plaza. The food is great and they have a good variety of choices to add into your bowl! The side of pita is also good too! My friends tried their small plates and baklava which looked delicious and I know I'll definitely be back again! All the workers were so friendly and the restaurant is so cute and open for casual eating with friends! read more

Simone's Kitchen - Lil Create Your Own - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

My wife and I were strolling through Stuyvesant Plaza in Albany and, by chance, came upon this restaurant which is new to the Plaza. The staff was extremely friendly. They were willing to modify any of their standard items to comply with our special requests. I ordered a (modified) chicken wrap and it was fantastic. Extremely fresh and quite tasty. My wife ordered Kale Tabbouleh and she weighed in on how terrifically good it was - again very fresh and tasty. The dining area is fairly large but broken up into a couple of areas. There are a lot of windows and we don't recommend sitting by one as it was cold that day and pretty cold by the window. So, the food was great. The selection was large. The staff very friendly and accommodating. We definitely recommend this new restaurant (new to Albany - they do have a couple of other locations in other cities). If you like Mediterranean cuisine you will not be disappointed. here. read more

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Simone's Kitchen - newly opened (as of this writing) Stuyvesant Plaza location. They have (or will have) other locations in Schenectady and Coxsackie. The predominant color in this restaurant is white. Customers order at the center hub and there is an L-shaped seating area surrounding that hub. It feels bright and clean in there. The place was also hopping. There were lots of people behind the counter and it seems like they were all needed as the foot traffic on this day, a Saturday approximately 2 weeks before the Xmas holiday, was constant. I got a sense the crew was busy, not in the weeds yet; surviving the barrage. I ordered small plates to go. Lahm-ajeen: spiced meat pie baked on a pita topped with pine nuts and yogurt. Keftedes: 3 Greek meatballs drizzled with yogurt & dill dressing (tzatziki-ish?), served with a warm mini pita. Tahini truffle: blend of tahini, oat flour, & maple syrup dipped in dairy-free chocolate. The standout for me were the keftedes. The protein was surrounded by the yogurt & dill dressing, pickled onions, some diced cucumbers, and, I think, sumac. The denseness of the meat was complimented by the bright acid of the dressing and pickled onions. The cucumbers provided freshness and crunch; good stuff. Lahm-ajeen was also good. Next time I may eat it in the restaurant because the 15 minute drive home didn't do it any favors. It would certainly have been better eaten hot/warm. I have yet to try the tahini truffle. It looks appetizing. There are several more items I'd like to try on the menu, harissa tofu or Turkish coffee, just to name a few. If today was any indication, this location of Simone's Kitchen could become a cornerstone of Stuyvesant Plaza. read more

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Always a great place to grab lunch or dinner! High quality ingredients and good portions

Freshly prepared bowls of Mediterranean food served over greens. Snacks, unique beverages and desserts are also available. I enjoyed the small falafel bowl with a half pita bread. Quick friendly service on top of that. Food was tasty and filling with a nice blend of various flavors that I enjoyed at home. read more

Simone's Kitchen - Lil Falafel - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

The hummus here is amazing, staff are super nice, and it's a really cute spot in Stuyvesant. Perfect for lunch with a friend.

Very disorganized at the Counter waited there for service nothing. Plus didn't look that clean I left with my wife never going back there.

The food here is delicious and fresh. For the price, I feel I am getting my moneys worth with size and taste. If you are a fan of CAVA, this is a good local dupe of the chain. But in my opinion it's even better! My order was sitting ready despite how incredibly busy they were. It seems like a hopping lunch spot but still great to do a pick up order with and not regret it. Will definitely be back! read more

Simone's Kitchen - Big Chicken Shawarma - Mediterranean Near Me - Albany, New York

Ordered online from here. When there was something wrong with the order they called me and straightened it out right away. They have a variety of indoor seating available. Reminds me of cava and flower child combined. They have a variety of healthy items. You can either make your own bowl or pick one of their premade bowls. read more

I would eat this every day. Fresh and delicious. Great prices for what you get as well. The little bowl is a perfect size. Would definitely recommend to all! read more

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First time going there with my son & we both loved it. We're looking forward to trying the location closer to home in Schenectady. Delicious! read more

Fantastic food , awesome service and always greeted by the staff... a definitely must come back !

Food here is absolutely amazing, so fresh and so flavorful. I created my own bowl and they have a ton of options. This will definitely become a staple for me. read more

Great service and food. Fun takes on tabouleh and the sauces, and Mediterranean burrito

Good food, nice mediterranean touch but not the best portions. Placing a few pieces of lettuce in the bottom of the bowl to give the illusion that the bowl is full is not a good business practice. read more

Food. Falafels too dry. Salads ok but the small was too small. Ambience noisy and basic.

It really doesn't get better than this place for Mediterranean food in the Capital District. Delicious, fresh, friendly, priced right. And they deliver! You won't be disappointed. Please check it out! read more

The food is amazing. I have tried a few different small plates. I enjoyed the cheese pie (which was like a little goat cheese pizza). Also the Keftedes (essentially meatballs with some pickled onion served with warm pita). The coffee with vanilla cardamom is addictive. Simone's Kitchen is my new favorite lunch spot. read more

Great food at Stuyvesant Plaza.... And tradish middle eastern music replaced the loud pop pap when we asked for it!

Always great! I used to go to the one in Coxsackie all the time until they closed temporarily for renovations. I have stopped to this one a few times now in Albany and they are the still so great! read more