Whether you call the Capital Region home or you’re just visiting for weekend sightseeing, you won’t want to miss out on a brunch spread from one of these local favorites. From avocado toasts to extravagant Belgian waffles, satisfy your sweet or savory craving before you head out for a day of college visits, political building tours, or seasonal festivals in Albany.
Risotto
320 Northern Blvd, Albany
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Located in Loudon Plaza, this Capital City brunch favorite lets variety reign supreme. Take your pick between bottomless beverages like classic mimosas or poinsettias—that’s champagne with cranberry juice instead of orange—then dive into the fan-favorite chicken and waffles or one of the three-egg omelets (the bacon egg-avocado with sriracha hollandaise is tough to top). All weekend long, you can count on this Italian-Mediterranean fusion joint to serve up the good stuff.
City Beer Hall
42 Howard St, Albany
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Well-known for its late-night vibe, City Beer Hall is equally popular among the early crowd. Brunch-goers rave about the piggy omelet, which hits all the flavor cravings with applewood smoked bacon, breakfast sausage, rosemary cotto, pineland cheddar, and home fries. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, look to the Elvis French toast with caramelized bananas, hot honey, peanut brittle, broiled marshmallow, and whipped cream. To sip, take your pick because all entrees, sweets, and salads are served with your choice of a Narragansett lager, mimosa, Bloody Mary, or screwdriver.
The Olde English Pub
683 Broadway, Albany
This brunch menu is chock-full of classic breakfast items and creative cocktails. Pack your plate with savory ingredients in the way of the pub brunch sandwich—which comes with scrambled or fried eggs, cheddar, caramelized ham, and garlic aioli, served with home fries—and wash it down with a “pick your spritz” cocktail. If you prefer not to drink but still want to enjoy one of the handcrafted cocktails, don’t fret—many of the beverages translate seamlessly to a mocktail.
O’Toole’s Restaurant Pub
1814 Central Ave, Albany
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Brunch in a pub? You bet. O’Toole’s offers “a modern twist on breakfast classics” in the way of dishes like the Big Mouth Scramble, a mammoth of a brunch dish complete with bacon, eggs, peppers, onions, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and Cajun sour cream over home fries. You’ll need something to wash down all of that deliciousness—how about bottomless mimosas? And better yet, if you dine in on Saturday morning, you can look forward to trivia as you enjoy your bites and booze.
Jack’s Diner
547 Central Ave, Albany
If you’re looking for a good, but unpretentious meal, this is your go-to brunch destination. Feel-good diner dishes like eggs made your way and old-fashioned pancakes create an eclectic menu, while the retro-style interior begs to be photographed. So fear not if $18 for a Benedict seems out of your budget. Instead, follow the likes of frequent visitors like Albany politicians and even the famed Jurassic Park actor, Jeff Goldblum, and dig into an a.m. meal at this Central Avenue hotspot.
Josie’s Table
1475 Western Ave, Albany
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Culinary Institute of the Arts graduate Peter Darves-Bornoz opened this Capital City gem as a tribute to his mother. When it comes to brunch in Albany, it’s hard to beat this spot, which features farm-to-table cuisine with a focus on local and organic ingredients. With a menu that changes seasonally, it’s a must-visit this summer for diners who want to experience classics like eggs in purgatory, Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, and the farmer’s breakfast, which includes eggs, toast, crispy smashed potatoes, and your choice of breakfast meat. Don’t forget to order a mimosa and something to share for the table, whether it’s ricotta toast, roasted mushrooms, or truffle parmesan fries.
Wellington’s
144 State St, Albany
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Downtown meets down home with posh twists on brunch favorites like the Hudson Valley apple pancakes, New York Benedict, house-made pastrami hash, and much more. The swanky Capital Region restaurant pays homage to local farms, using fresh ingredients sourced from sustainable practices. On top of the finely tuned menu, the restaurant is visually stunning—complete with furniture of dark wood and bare metal—which certainly adds to the dining experience for anyone in the mood for brunch in Albany.
Ideal for Vegans & Vegetarians
Iron Gate Cafe
182A Washington Ave, Albany
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Iron Gate’s quirky memorabilia and antiquated charm make for a memorable brunch in Albany. Plant-based eaters will love the vegan French toast, topped with seasonal berries, granola, and maple syrup. For those who lack a sweet tooth, try the ultimate vegan breakfast sandwich, made with tofu, Beyond sausage, pickled red onion, avocado, and vegan cheese on a toasted ciabatta roll with home fries. But don’t worry, carnivores: the cafe has plenty of options for you, too.
Café Madison
1100 Madison Ave, Albany; 359 Northern Blvd, Albany
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With a menu devoted entirely to breakfast and brunch provisions, it’s no wonder why Café Madison is a morning favorite among those looking for brunch in Albany. Vegetarians and vegans should go for the loaded breakfast burrito, complete with refried beans, or the veggie scram with tofu, veggies, seitan chorizo, vegan cheese, and home fries. If you’re in the mood for a fruity cocktail alongside your breakfast, this café delivers with caffeinated cocktails, themed breakfast shots, and bubbly beverages.
Related: Grab Brunch at These Hudson Valley Restaurants Near Train Stations
