Cafe Madison

We were visiting Albany and stopped in for brunch. We sat at the bar, the bartender was friendly, he recommended the french toast special, it was AMAZING, so good that we bought one to go. The music and atmosphere were also great! Would come back and do it again!!

Four stars ultimately because the staff was so nice. I would say that the food was ‘good’ BUT the fact that it took forever and a day for our order to come out is what made it ‘not great.’ I appreciated that the menu had vegetarian alternatives though and I could see myself inviting a variety of people to brunch here because of this. The bad: not photographed is the plethora of spiders and dead bugs in the front window— that really killed the experience for me. If I returned, I think I would ask to sit outside on the patio instead.

We stopped in on a Friday mid morning in September for brunch with a group of 6. We were seated in the dining area immediately. Our server was friendly and attentive. The food was good. I didn’t have any alcoholic beverages but a couple in the group had bloody Mary’s and said they were good. Overall very nice experience.

Café Madison is an iconic spot that gets talked about a lot. I found the place really cute, the coffee was good, and their pancakes were excellent. Unfortunately, the brunch itself was a real disappointment for me. The potatoes were bland and fried, and none of the savory brunch options I tried were enjoyable. The only things I truly liked were the pancakes and the coffee.

We’ve been to Cafe Madison before and while we were sad to see our date restaurant good bye we understand the decision. The food is always amazing—who would expect anything else from their management?! The drinks were phenomenal and the bar tender was supremely kind and efficient…and his drinks were perfect.

I would highly recommend Café Madison to anyone and encourage them to try the Crème Brûlée French toast if they enjoy that type of food. More detailed breakdown of review below. Staff: D gave a fantastic recommendation for the Crème Brûlée French Toast! I had a craving for French Toast and heard good things about Café Madison so I decided to stop. She was friendly and asked for my food preference before giving a recommendation and seating me. Jada was my server and was very friendly as well. Food: The french toast had a delicious layer of custard and a caramelized sugar top. The whipped cream on the side wasn't homemade but was still very good and paired well with the strawberry slices. The butter side was made in house and added a subtle sweetness to an already rich dish but was not overpowering. I'm also glad there was no powdered sugar as I think that would have made the dish too sweet, although that's more of a preference. I also tried a Matcha Iced Coffee which was refreshing and not overly sweet. I requested a water as well to drink with the meal so I could enjoy the iced matcha more slowly. Atmosphere & Parking: I parked out front and paid for parking. I came for breakfast and there wasn't any difficulty finding a spot in the morning, but I could see busier times making parking close a challenge. I sat inside and the atmosphere was nice and fairly quiet. It was an overall enjoyable experience and I'm looking forward to trying another dish here soon!

Amazing vegan options here!! Love the vegan section of their menu. Great atmosphere in their new location.

We had an amazing time today. Josh made a wonderful Spicy Bloody Mary for us and was so friendly. We had Ramona and her lovely smile serving us and Josh also brought our food. The manager was so sweet and checked on us. Cameron runs a well oiled machine. Great job the way everyone takes care of each other and helps out in there. One of the other ladies even refilled our water as lur server was taking an order. You really dont have anything to worry about anything because some one will be by your table very quickly, and they seem very happy to help. Highly recommend!!

Café Madison is the spot for a solid Sunday morning brunch! Despite the 30-minute wait (which was well worth it), the vibe was cozy and inviting. I went all out with the Cheesesteak Omelette and Eggs Benedict -- and trust me, both dishes hit it out the park. The omelette was packed with tender steak and gooey cheese, cooked perfectly with every bite. The Eggs Benedict had the silkiest hollandaise, and that poached egg was chef's kiss! If you're looking for a brunch spot that'll satisfy your soul and leave you thinking about breakfast all week, Café Madison's where it's at. Pro tip: Get there early if you don't wanna wait, but if you do, just know it'll be worth every second.

This location is much much better than the Latham one! The new place looks so good. Elle was our server and the service was tremendous, no wait, great personality and wonderful! I had the Nashville hot burrito and my husband had the apple pie French toast. My partner finished the whole plate, so good. Great prices , ambiance and more, we will definitely be returning.

I went to this restaurant for a change of pace from my usual breakfast spot. It turned out to be a huge mistake. I had the shrimp and grits benedict, which was not very good. The grits were flavorless, the hollandaise sauce was supposed to be spicy but was not, and the home fries appeared to be overcooked frozen potatoes with no seasoning. The two shrimp the gave with this meal supposedly had seasoning on them but your couldn't taste it. On the plus side, the hostess was friendly and seated us promptly, and the restaurant itself was very nice and not crowded. The waitress who took our order was good up to that point, but after that she went downhill. I had to keep asking for what passed as ice water, and she didn't offer a refill on my coffee until I asked. However, she was at the table to my left four times and automatically refilled their coffee. I expected more considering all the 4 start ratings.

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!

Back again!! The server did a wonderful job. We had a great time and the food was perfect! Also the group we were with spoke so highly about the decor.

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.

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.

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!

Late brunch, a custom meaty omelette with a side of Irish bacon. Great service at the bar seating!

I placed an order and they lost it and the manager at the Madison location went above and beyond to make things right !!!!! thank you for making my daughters valentine special

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.

Really great atmosphere.. very relaxing. The waitress was just the sweetest. The drinks were amazing and the pizza was beyond delicious. I definitely would recommend very nice and very clean!

My family and I stopped at Cafe Madison for breakfast on a Sunday. We weren't there early in the morning, and it was not crowded. We decided to sit outside and were accommodated without a problem. The server was very attentive and brought our orders promptly. The food was very good. My kids ordered pancakes and French toast, while my wife ordered the basic breakfast and I ordered the super breakfast. We are definitely coming back for more when we return to Albany.

This is my first time at the new location a door down from the previous smaller place. I was hopeful the menu and service stayed the same. Well, we are extremely excited to report, they are even better than before. The location is beautiful with a very large bar and plenty of seating. Looks like in the nicer weather there is a patio outfront. Service at the bar was quick and helpful. Pictures show what we ordered and all the food was amazing! Probably one of the best brunch locations north of NYC and west of Boston! Must try! We WILL be back!

Visited this spot on a Sunday around noon (right as we were leaving the area), so a bit of a wait was anticipated - it's the weekend rush, after all. We didn't realize they close at 2 and arrived around 1:36, but the staff were so so sweet and it looked like quite a few regulars stayed after as well. Speaking of the staff, they were the incredible! Attentive and friendly, they elevated our dining experience. Portion sizes were impressively big! Each bite was a delightful journey, and we left feeling completely satisfied. Overall a great escape from the cold air outside!

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.

Visited Sarita@ Cafe Madison and it's fantastic! It's Cafe Madison's return to evening drinks and dinner. It's kinda the best of The Point redux.

I am big fan of their fried chicken and waffles! I'm pretty sure I've tried other things on their menu, but none stand out in my memory quite like the chicken and waffles . We like to go early to beat the crowds, but the food is just as good after waiting for a table.

We got seated quickly, and the staff were very friendly. I really liked my food, and I thought it was reasonably priced. The restaurant is pretty big, and had a lot of natural lighting which I love. Overall, good food and good experience.

Came here for brunch on a Sunday with 7 of my friends. They took our reservation and we were promptly seated. Our coffee took 30 mins to arrive. 7 dollars for a chai latte served in an 8oz cup. No One hour and 15 mins later, our food came. Nothing to write home about. Edible but not amazing.

I went to Cafe Madison for brunch with a group of about 12 people to celebrate a birthday. The restaurant was so accommodating and even put us in a private room (AND did separate checks for all 12 guests!). I ordered the breakfast sandwich on a croissant. It was delicious! The bacon was perfectly cooked and crispy, and the home fries were seasoned well. I will be back!

Great Food, generous portions, good service. I would recommend the wild mushroom omelette.

Love the renovations that they've done with the place. Definitely coming here more often for Brunch. Not only is the place better, there food menu and drinks are wonderful.

Went on a Sunday for brunch and there was a wait. We didn't mind and were seated within 20 minutes. Food was delicious and our server was on point. Very friendly and attentive, which was great because they were packed. It was our first time and we do plan on returning.

i really enjoyed the omelette and home fries! the staff was very friendly and restaurant itself was very cute.

I'm sad to say the menu these days is merely a shadow of its former self. All the unique and delicious things created by the original owner have been gradually stripped down and now under the latest owner there is just the typical boring breakfast fare. The seafood omelette was my absolute favorite and that was the first thing to go but I found other unique and tasty things. In fact, whenever I flew home it was a must visit stop on my itinerary every time. But now? Meh. And $9.00 for one waffle with nothing on it?? One dollar to add a blob of whipped cream??? Congratulations Owners--you have killed Cafe Madison. The people may still flock in...but the food is no longer created with the culinary love it once was.

This was my first time to Cafe Madison. I decided on the biscuits and gravy. I was disappointed in the gravy and the biscuit. The biscuits were burned and blackened. The service was great and I have no complaints in that area.

Good food, beverages and service were excellent. We went to see a play across the street at Steamer N.10 Theater afterwards. HIGHLY recommend Cafe Madison for a great night out

Great breakfast with excellent service. Their newly renovated restaurant is very nice and roomy. Better come early or you'll have to wait! Eat here often with the family & enjoyed every meal

Cafe Madison in Albany officially opened its doors at its new location about a month ago. My husband and I recently got a chance to stop in for breakfast. The restaurant--often listed among the top brunch spots in the Capital Region--announced months ago that it was moving from 1108 Madison Ave. to 1100 Madison Ave. where the Madison Pour House used to be. The move and impending renovation was met with a lot of anticipation by Cafe Madison fans. The new and improved Cafe Madison is a vast improvement. The lighting is a little bit too dim for my taste, but the business is now dramatically more spacious. I still remember how last summer tempers flared as visitors waited to be seated. On weekends, the waiting line bottled up near the narrow entryway and cash register area. It was so uncomfortable, especially since some of waits lasted over an hour. This time, there was no line. We were seated immediately by a very cheerful hostess. The space is pretty and comfortable. There's even a nice bar with flat screen TVs. It was busy on a Friday morning, but our server was friendly and helpful. I picked a Buffalo Chicken Beni special. It was a little bit too heavy on the Tabasco sauce, but I enjoyed it anyway. My husband had a mushroom omelette. As always, the coffee is very good. It's a little on the strong side. I like it that way. Right now, Cafe Madison in Albany is open for breakfast and lunch. Some of the staff came over to let us know that plans are in the works to eventually add dinner to the schedule on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. When they do, the nice bar and those big TV sets will make a lot more sense. The set up would serve as a nice sports bar. So look for announcements. Right now, staffers are getting used to their new digs, but things seem to be coming along really well.

Look, I'm going to level with you. I go into every establishment with an open mind and open stomach. I was very excited about the new space and new menu, but unfortunately it fell flat. While the new space is nice, trendy, and modern, the food left a lot to be desired. The breakfast pizza was a soggy, bland slab of mush and grease. The eggs on the grilled cheese beni were raw. The accompanying hash browns were also undercooked. I'd love to say the service made up for this culinary disappointment, but again, it fell flat. Not once did we get a refill of water or coffee. While our server admitted to being new, these are basic services most diners have come to expect. We also waited 27 minutes after finishing to be checked on and receive our bill. Thankful I had good company to help the time pass, but I don't think I can recommend this establishment in good conscious.

I've already posted about this place, but got new stuff that was incredible so here I go again... The French Toast Stacker we already knew we loved, but the chicken and waffles - OH MY GOD. Chicken cooked perfectly and the waffle had fresh jalapeños in it with a maple butter and hot honey syrup. This dish was AMAZING. Also, I am usually meh on omelets. It's an omelet, solid but not jaw dropping. I have to say though, this was one of the best omelets I've ever had. Cafe Madison is my favorite brunch place in the capital region and proves itself over and over every time I go!

Very cozy and welcoming dining room. Nice bar with TV's. Very friendly and attentive staff. We had breakfast and it was delicious. Nice seasonal specials as and regular comfort favorites. Nice seasonal cocktails as well. Lots of brunch and lunch offerings as well.

I had the Eggs Beni: it is an English muffin, sliced tomato, avocado, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce with home fries on the side. The fries are delicious, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is seasoned with a slight kick which makes it delicious. The hollandaise sauce taste homemade and quite tasty. The egg was over cooked. I like my poached eggs with a runny yoke. But besides that it's definitely worth getting. The added avocado takes it to another level. I recommend this. To drink I had a champagne dream. Which was quite tasty I def recommend it over the classic mimosas! The bartender was attentive and polite and she made the drinks worth ordering. Perfect balance of champagne and juice.

Started with a vanilla latte and it was sooooo good! The menu had many drinks on it which was a great surprise to me and they all looked deliciously creative! I had the Nashville hot breakfast burrito, it was very dry. I also had the French toast sticks which were good! My friend had a benny and she enjoyed it! Service was great.

Drove by town and stop for some breakfast. It was a beautiful day so we sat outside. Standard breakfast place. The waffles and pancakes were good. Service was great, staff was friendly. Would definitely stop by if we ever drove back.

Cafe Madison created a beautiful new space since their move/renovation. The decor is modern and comfortable, with big open spaces and a full bar. Unfortunately my experience with the food was extremely disappointing. The Nashville Hot Breakfast burrito was the worst brunch food I can remember. It consisted of thin, over-fried, extremely dry chicken, fried potatoes, eggs, and undetectable amount of cheese. They smear the top of burrito with hot sauce and ranch. The chicken is not 'nashville hot', it's the same chicken strips served with their chicken and french toast dish. It was folded more like a 'wrap' than a burrito, with the dry chicken tearing holes in the tortilla. The same fried potatoes that make up the majority of the burrito are also served as the side. I'll probably give Cafe Madison another try with hopes that the rest of their menu is less awful. Service was friendly and relatively quick. But overall the experience was not worth the 45 minute wait for a table at 11am on a Sunday. (No reservations, cant add your name to a list online)

Really enjoyed having breakfast here. Fun ambiance, great music and lively atmosphere. Had the chicken and waffles and the flavors were savory and mouth watering. The bacon steak had lots of juicy bites and surprisingly very southern grits to dip it in. Service was also on point. Very good for big groups as well. Seems like a go-to for brunch in Albany.

Cafe Madison continues to be one of our favorite brunch spots. The food is consistently good, you know exactly what you're getting every time you order it. Some of our favorites are the raspberry oatmeal pancakes and California avocado omelette. Don't miss out on their homemade bread! Since opening back up in the former The Point space, it has really opened up opportunities for larger parties, and much more space. They have a waiting area so you're no longer stuck in the little hallway! Drinks are fun, and creative. Coffee is good. Can't ask for much more!

I got the seasonal harvest omelette. Lots of veggies! The home fries ‍ . We sat in a separate room for a larger party. Service was good!

Nice place for family and taking your college kids out for breakfast. Good food, seemed to be very consistent.

The food and service are just as great as I remembered years ago. I highly recommend the California burrito! So delicious and great portion size.

Great for brunch! Food is delicious and imaginative with lots of choices for vegetarians, vegans, carnivores, and those who have dietary restrictions. The staff is friendly, welcoming, and accommodating. Cafe Madison is always packed, and there's always a long line of folks waiting patiently for tables, and its well-earned popularity is the reason I gave it four stars instead of five...well that, and the noise generated by the happy patrons! I'll keep going back.

The Hollandaise sauce was from a mix with no lemon flavor at all. After my 1st cup of coffee, I had to wait 10 minutes B4 the waitress came around, and then specifically ask for a refill. They brought out the wrong dish for my wife and asked if she had started to eat it as though they would not bring the correct one if she had taken a bite!

Found cafe Madison on Yelp while in the Albany area n stopped for late brunch/ lunch. Nice cozy restaurant. Friendly staff. There were so many items on menu and was a tough choice to pick what we wanted. We finally decided on the French toast stacker , Bayou omelette n the nashville hot breakfast burrito. All came w home fries. Delicious n generous portions. Not a morsel left. That's how tasty it was. Thank you cafe Madison for a great July 4 th brunch.

We used to come here all the time back in college a few years ago. It was really really good then. Were the last few times we've came. It's really not that good. It's OK honestly. The coffee is is nothing special at all, which is really sad.l

Awesome brunch spot in Albany. Was happy to discover this place when in town for a baseball tournament. Good coffee options, breakfast burritos and breakfast pizzas. My family loved it.

Good food, always a line but worth the wait! Staff is attentive and friendly but not imposing. Some of the best brunch food in the 518. They use individual containers of coffee creamer, but will get you milk or half-and-half, just ask!

Stopped here for lunch on the first day of their soft re-opening. The restaurant expanded into the space next door to the original; it's much more spacious with a new country modern vibe. Service was excellent. Even though they didn't have everything on the menu available, we still enjoyed an omelette and BLT in true Cafe Madison style.