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    Cafe Madison

    4.2 (798 reviews)
    Closed 7:30 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Cafe Madison Reservations

    Cafe Madison Photos

    CAFE MADISON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Madison

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    Chicken and Waffles
    Geena K.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance is 10/10 so cute and trendy -- no notes.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] FOOD. THE FOOD. I got the chicken waffle and it was one of the best chicken waffles with hot honey I've gotten maybe ever. Chicken was tender, waffle was crispy, hot honey was abundant. Hard to flag anyone down though (asked 2 people for an extra hot honey and never got it). Partner got a shrimp grits things and it was just alright. I would totally bring friends and family here for an excellent brunch experience. Reservation for when it's busy! Walked in for two and waited 10 minutes

    Xenia M.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Love the newly renovated updates at Cafe Madison![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] This is my favorite place to get breakfast in Albany! Everything from the hospitality to food is always on point!

    bar
    Muriel D.

    I've heard a lot of good things about Cafe Madison, so I was excited to give it a try. Street parking was relatively easy to find since I went on a Sunday (my abilities to parallel park, however, are another story). I expected the ambiance to be a bit more brighter on the inside but it's a pretty dim light interior, with some pockets of seating that were more bright (shown in the pictures). Food (3/5): I ordered the California Avocado Omelet and a hazelnut latte and my friend got the Florentine Beni and a lemonade. I thought my latte was well done, no complaints there. My omelet was also yummy, and the fillings were folded in nicely. The avocado, however, was unripe and bit too firm. The homefries were crispier than I thought they would be based on their appearance, which was a pleasant surprise, but they were also a bit cold and noticeably stale. The toast was also barely toasted, more like someone had just slabbed on a lot of warm butter onto a piece of white bread. My friend enjoyed her Florentine Beni (it looked very good too). We both finished our plates and were left feeling full. All in all, it was an okay meal. The menu also had a lot of vegan/vegetarian options, so it'd be a good spot for meeting the needs of anyone with dietary restrictions. Service (4/5): When I arrived, I was told it would be a 25-30 minute wait, which I was fine with because I expected it to be busy. Joined the waitlist and headed to a waiting area where my friend and I chatted to pass time. I appreciate that they have a separate area to sit and wait. This removes the awkwardness of blocking the entryway and allowed us to sit while waiting, very considerate on the restaurant's part. Our server was kind and attentative. Checked in on us during our meal and made sure we were all set throughout our time there. Also a ton of boozy breakfast drinks and creative shots to choose from.

    Super Breakfast with cinnamon waffle.
    Bombshell B.

    Food was cold and had to send back for hotter food. The taste of the food wasn't too good for me. Service was ok,not bad but not Amazing either. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance was clean and nice.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Super Breakfast with the Irish bacon and oatmeal raspberry pancakes upgrades! Awesome!
    Edward K.

    My wife and I were in town to pick up our daughter from her first year at a nearby college. We timed it perfectly for a mid-morning breakfast. Found Cafe Madison on Yelp and decided to give it a shot. Found street parking (had to download an app) and walked up to a nice looking restaurant. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Cool porch seating in front. Quite a large restaurant inside. Updated vibe, comfortable seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Have to agree with another reviewer that mentioned the dim lighting but our very nice waitress provided us a decorative lamp for the table.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our waitress also provided good advice regarding their food. My wife went with an omelette and enjoyed it. I went with the "Super Breakfast" and upgraded to Irish bacon and oatmeal raspberry pancakes. The Super Breakfast included two eggs, toast, and home fries to go along with the bacon and pancakes. Have to say, the oatmeal raspberry pancakes was one of the better upgrades I've done. Totally worth it, great texture and vibrant raspberry flavor! The house coffee was tasty as well. Really glad we tried Cafe Madison!

    Steph W.

    Tuesday brunch @10am Ambiance (5/5): The decor is so cute! It was nicely lit and open with several booths on one side and table seating on the other. Service (5/5): We had no problems getting seated and serviced throughout our meal. There were few in attendance on a random weekday. Seasonal Special: Croissant Beni $17 (5/5) which had a poached egg on a croissant. Interestingly, the dish sat on top of the hollandaise sauce rather than it drizzled on top. I requested for the house fries to be cooked well-done and it was indeed delivered as such! The fries were seasoned well and had a superior crunch to them! Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes $7 (4/5): I wish we had the ability to ask for a single stack because the 2 for $7 was way too much for us in a sitting. We left with 1 whole pancake untouched. Sadly one of the pancakes was meager in blueberry ratio.

    Seasonal frittata
    Jennifer L.

    Cafe Madison is such a great brunch scene and so I came back with a group of friends and family! They have lots of classic brunch staples as well as specialties and I always enjoy my meal here! The maple butter that comes with the chicken and waffles is absolutely amazing and so is their sourdough! Their coffee is also really good as well. Our waitress was super kind and attentive and our food came out in a timely manner as was delicious. I always appreciate the ambiance of the restaurant and it's super cute inside. I highly recommend this place for a meal!

    Palo-mosa. Best of both worlds!
    Amanda G.

    Best Brunch in Albany, eh? I concur. Mind you, this is the only brunch I've had in Albany but I FEEL CONFIDENT in my assessment. In town just for Saturday - Sunday but wanted something filling and comforting before going home. I made a deal with myself (mind your business) that I'd eat brunch if I found biscuits and gravy. Cafe Madison popped up on multiple best of lists AND guess what was on the menu?! The streets say the city location is better but the parking is easier at the outpost. I took my chances with the main location and found a spot right outside the door. Your Sunday mileage may vary. I was heavily considering getting it to go but thought I'd check out the interior first. I put my name on the waitlist (30 minutes around 11am) but quickly found a seat at the full service bar. I got a Paloma-mosa and the biscuits and gravy with scrambled eggs and a side of sausage. The BnG are a STEAL at $7. With my extras the total came to $13 + drink. Service was great. Bar stools looked suspect but were ultimately sturdy and comfortable. Food delicious. Nice social buzz in the bar and dining room. Loved it!

    Eggs & oatmeal raspberry pancakes
    Marina S.

    I really like this place for breakfast. I've been here twice. They expanded in the past three years. The service is quick and the place has lots of booths and comfortable tables. I had eggs and the oatmeal raspberry pancakes . The pancakes were delicious.

    My style less capuccino
    Sovy M.

    Beautiful indoors. Great Food. Great service. I had an issue with them that last time I was there last year in 2023. That I went back and fixed it. This time went again. Food was great, I just wish they would have a better capuccino machine and barista type stuff. My capuccino came in with just froth on top. Oh well, let's try some fancy capu froth styles. For two people $54 plus tip. Come on. My cousin's hot chocolate, came in cold and watery. We asked the server to get it done with milk please. They bring it back with milk, but cold again. I mean it's called "Hot Chocolate" guys. Then they microwaved and got it to us. Just because of the ambience and great service, we might be going back. Omelets were on point. Rye toast amazing.

    Juliet V.

    Cafe Madison is a reliably amazing breakfast/brunch spot. Delicious cocktails include Irish Coffee and different kids of Mimosas. The French Toast Stacker is a thing of beauty. Cinnamon lovers rejoice over the cinnamon butter spread that comes with it. That mixed with breakfast meat and maple syrup is a tastebud overload in a good way. Their Corned Beef hash Benedict has just the right taste and texture too. Service is friendly and efficient without feeling like they are rushing you. I am grateful for this reliable restaurant when I want to go out for breakfast.

    Weekend specials

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    The food was below average. No real skill in its preparation. Any average home cook can plate these meals. Why go out and pay.

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    Page 1 of 20

    Ask the Community - Cafe Madison

    Reservations are not accepted correct?

    Correct.

    Reservations at cafe madison?

    Always recommended... especially on he weekends!

    Do they take American Express?

    Yes. I was there a couple of weeks ago and used mine.

    View All 4 Questions

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    People searched for Breakfast & Brunch 1,876 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

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    PrimoHoagies

    PrimoHoagies

    4.6
    (7 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    Fantastic sub shop! Surprised it took me this long to try PrimoHoagies but it would definitely be…read moremy go to if I'm in need of a quick sandwich! Lots of great options and combos to choose from. I got the Mild Italian with sharp provolone and the works and it was delicious! They have 3 different sizes, small, primo, and whole which is great on either seeded or plain bread. Lots of side options too that I'd be curious to try. Service was great and quick and the space is convenient across the hospital and on a major street to drive through. Only street parking available.

    Primo Hoagies - New Scotland Ave, Albany Primo Hoagies is…read moreconveniently located on New Scotland Ave in a great area of Albany, especially for hospital staff, visitors, and local residents. Parking can be a little challenging depending on the time of day, but it's generally easy to access. I ordered the Italian sub, and it was delicious! Everything tasted fresh, was made to order, and the ingredients were well-balanced. The quality was definitely there. My only complaint is that after ordering what I believe was the regular-sized sub, I was still a little hungry. That said, would I recommend it? Absolutely. The food was tasty, fresh, and satisfying. Would I return? Definitely. The price point makes it more of an occasional treat for me rather than a regular lunch spot, but it's worth it when you're craving a quality sandwich. Rating: 4/5 Fresh ingredients, great flavor, convenient location--just be prepared for the prices and consider sizing up if you have a big appetite!

    Photos
    PrimoHoagies
    PrimoHoagies
    PrimoHoagies

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    The Cheese Traveler

    The Cheese Traveler

    4.8
    (226 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    Absolutely lucked into this place while visiting our daughter at a nearby college. We were headed…read moreto the donut shop next door and saw the sign for the cheese shop. (Certainly a lucky neighborhood) It looks small from the street but once you walk in, it opens up to a sizable store. We were greeted by a friendly staff member, he took the time to describe their cheese selection and the other things going on in the shop. He then pivoted to giving us tons of help selecting the right cheese. We sampled a couple of things and then he dialed in three choices for us to buy. (With an assist from another customer that insisted that we would love the Delice de Bourgogne) Prices were reasonable enough for the quality. We added some gourmet crackers that were neutral enough to not overpower the cheese. The next day, we made the three cheeses the focus of our lunch. The Delice de Bourgogne was the star of the show, a creamy, earthy, and savory masterpiece. The two year aged Gouda and creamy blue cheese were delightful as well! Truly glad that we walked into The Cheese Traveler!

    What a fantastic find -- a small but very well curated collection of cheeses, with an extremely…read moreknowledgeable staff who don't pressure you but provide help where needed. We appreciated the relatively local (Quebec, VT, NY) cheeses they have, and our destination cheese, Wisconsin Brick (which we had never tried before, and which they were quite willing to work with us on getting the appropriate size). The sandwiches looked delicious but we were there at the wrong time of day, alas, but we will 100% be back. If you like cheese, this is a destination location for the region.

    Photos
    One of the menu boards
    One of the menu boards
    Clockwise from top left: Cabrales, Lardo de Bellota Iberico and raspberries, Camembert topped with Manuka honey (outlier), Jamon Serrano
    Clockwise from top left: Cabrales, Lardo de Bellota Iberico and raspberries, Camembert topped with Manuka honey (outlier), Jamon Serrano
    Cheese Traveler Albany, NY

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    Cheese Traveler Albany, NY
    Cardona's Market

    Cardona's Market

    4.4
    (268 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    Cardona's Market is a traditional Italian market that feels like stepping into a neighborhood deli…read morein Italy. The shelves are stocked with imported pastas, sauces, and specialty items that make it hard to leave empty-handed. I ordered the Chicken Cutlet Sandwich, which was outstanding with a perfectly crispy cutlet and fresh ingredients. The macaroni salad was a great side, and the cannoli was the perfect sweet ending to the meal. If you're looking for authentic Italian flavors and a true old-school market experience in Albany, Cardona's is definitely worth a visit.

    My wife and I were in town visiting our daughter and wanted a light lunch before a boat cruise. My…read moredaughter recommended Cardona's and I'm glad she did. The market has that old time vibe of being part of the neighborhood. Amazing selection of Italian goods and some seating. Perhaps most importantly, a really nice selection of creative sandwiches, filled with high quality ingredients, that they can also put on a wrap. I loved the Rabe C, broccoli rabe, fried eggplant, provolone and hot pepper spread. Great flavor combo and a pop of heat from the pepper spread. My wife enjoyed a delicious roast beef wrap and my daughter enjoyed a vibrant pasta salad. All that plus a local orchard sparkling apple cider! Almost forgot to mention, the woman working behind the counter was pleasant and the staff were all professional. I can see why it's a local favorite!

    Photos
    Cardona's Market
    Spaghetti & Meatballs
    Spaghetti & Meatballs
    Italian Food

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    Italian Food
    Fiorello Importing & Luigi's Deli

    Fiorello Importing & Luigi's Deli

    4.8
    (70 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $

    I will always support local delis and restaurants however sometimes we have to be honest with…read moreourselves when writing reviews on places that we WANT to love. First off I'm not sure what food people in these reviews are eating, because in my experience the Italian mix sub was very bland, the bread was dry, and the meat looked pale and weird. That ambience of the place was nostalgic which is the reason why I gave it 3 stars and not 2. The woman helping me was friendly enough but made it a point to tell me how gas prices were fine at $4.10 per gallon as long as Trump was the president, which annoyed me because it gives an indication that details don't matter here. Given the taste of the $15 small sub I paid for it definitely tracks. Be your own critic, but for me it's the history of this place and not the food has people coming back. I won't be one of them.

    After all these years, Fiorello still serves the best Italian sub in this region in my book…read more Service is warm, friendly, and helpful like you'd expect from a mum and pop shop, and I love that this is a local family-run business. Some notable changes I noticed during the most recent visit include a big flat screen TV and tables and chairs indoors. The freezer apparently was out of order, but I would have loved to get their tiramisu which is also one of the best I've ever had. Their sub always strikes the right balance in the dressing, bread, meats, and toppings. Toppings are consistently good quality, and you can customise your sub by asking staff what you do and don't want on it. I hope they stay healthy and busy for decades to come.

    Photos
    Fiorello Importing & Luigi's Deli
    Baiocchi cookies with hazelnut and cocoa cream filling
    Baiocchi cookies with hazelnut and cocoa cream filling
    Large cheese pie

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    Large cheese pie
    605 Smash

    605 Smash

    4.3
    (24 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Since Restaurant 605 does not accept take out orders, I decided to give their other location, 605…read moreSmash a try. With that being said, I'm glad I did because 605 Smash was very good. To explain, I ordered a double cheeseburger with cheese fries and it was delicious. To breakdown, the cheeseburger was excellent. The meat was juicy and tender with top tier flavor. Likewise, the sauce on the burger was sweet and tangy which elevated the flavor. Similarly, the potato bun was fresh and tasty, but the bottom of it was a bit soggy. It was simply a great burger. In similar fashion, the cheese fries were pretty good. To make clear, the fries were hot, crispy, and flavorful. Furthermore, the cheese was great and really made these fries special. In summary, 605 Smash is a great place to grab some burgers and fries.

    The burgers here are fantastic; great flavor, cooked perfectly, and honestly one of the better…read moresmash burgers I've had in the area. I'm gluten-free, so I choose not to have the potato bun, which is a bummer because it looked amazing. My only gripe is the upcharge for a gluten-free bun. I completely understand paying a bit more for specialty products, but a $3 add-on felt a little steep. It actually kept me from ordering my own burger this time, so I just snagged a bite of my partner's (which was excellent). **I have had the gluten free option before and it was good, but udi's isn't my favorite (doesn't have very clean ingredients). Great tasting burger overall, but I just wish the gluten-free option felt a little more reasonable (or perhaps had a higher quality GF option for the higher price tag).

    Photos
    605 Smash
    Single smashburger with pickles, grilled onions, and secret sauce.
    Single smashburger with pickles, grilled onions, and secret sauce.
    605 Smash

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    Cafe Madison - breakfast_brunch - Updated July 2026

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