Daily Grind

Ordered the chorizo egg specialty sandwich, regular latte and pistachio latte. The sandwich was pretty good but the lattes are really not good. The regular latte was milk with barely a hint of coffee so not sure it was made with espresso. The pistachio latte had a very strong flavored syrup flavor. Inside was very tight after ordering to get your drinks and food. There were some homeless people outside lurking around if you sat outside. Staff was nice. We came here because of all the good reviews but I think you can skip it if you have other options or coming from out of town.

Whether your day is just beginning or, like me, your night is winding down as the morning comes to a close—there’s no better time to treat yourself to a solid breakfast or a good cup of coffee. And let me tell you, The Daily Grind in Albany, NY is the spot. Open since 1976—that’s 48 years of serving the community—this place is nothing short of legendary. From the moment I stepped into this cozy little café, I was met with a warm, inviting vibe that instantly made me feel at home. The atmosphere? Charming. The service? Phenomenal. I didn’t catch her name, but the woman who helped me was absolutely delightful. Bright personality, striking tattoos, and a super cool hair design—she radiated individuality and kindness. A true hidden gem working in one of Albany’s best-kept secrets. Let’s talk prices—because this place is beyond reasonable. I grabbed a large coffee for just $3. But this wasn’t just any coffee. I asked for a recommendation and was blessed with the suggestion of a Lavender Vanilla Latte. It may sound simple, but trust me—it was otherworldly. I’ve never had anything like it, and now I don’t think I’ll ever want anything else. Smooth, fragrant, flavorful—and again, just three bucks. As if that wasn’t enough, I also ordered the Berry Blast muffin (another steal at $3). Here’s the kicker—the barista asked if I wanted it toasted. Toasted. Muffin. Never in my life has a café offered that, and let me just say—it took that muffin from good to extraordinary. The Daily Grind doesn’t just serve coffee and pastries—they serve experience, comfort, and character, all without breaking your wallet. I’ve officially found my new go-to spot. Highly, highly recommend.

The deli sandwich was good! The price is good, and it came with a small bag of chips. I think I’ll start getting my lunch sandwiches from here over a big chain. My small special request was acknowledged. I ordered through Door Dash, so can’t speak to the location/service itself - but very happy with the food.

This cute little place is perfect for a quick, delicious and quality breakfast! It’s fresh made with REAL ingredients. The bagels are delish and the French toast was awesome. The breakfast plates are filling. Been here a few times and everything always comes out to order. Staff is great too, definitely chipper for a morning grind. Highly recommend if you’re in the area!

Been coming here for years and it is definitely my favorite breakfast sandwich spot in Albany. Great food and great coffee. The Eggs Diamond sandwich (egg, Capicola, Egg plant, Garlic Mayo, Provolone) is my go to and it tastes the same every time I order it. Flavors are always consistent. Highly recommend for a quick breakfast sandwich and a coffee or lunch. Edit: Their smoothies are top tier!

The breakfast sandwiches were delicious, everything tasted very fresh. And the staff was very nice. Order downstairs, and there is more seating available upstairs.

The food and service is usually good but whoever trained the counter girl with glasses and curly hair needs to start over. She is purposely screwing with tipping customers making them wait longer than they need too. Food's ready but we gotta wait 5 mins for her to bag it up and staple the receipt to it. I won't be back soon.

This place was great! Busy and small but that's a good thing. Kip and Morgan rocked and set the chill, friendly, and humorous mood of this coffee shop. The oldest coffee shop in Albany (to the best of knowledge) and you can tell in a good throwback sort of way. Not only was this place sweet, the food and drinks were too! Hot cocoa was a great temperature and a helpful amount of chocolate taste too! "Friends don't let friends drink Starbucks" 👍

Recently visited this spot for a quick breakfast on a recent trip to Albany. It's location is convenient in the hustle and bustle of the main town with lots of surrounding businesses. I love the space and got its a converted colonial home with multiple levels. when you first walk up to the counter, the menu is small and sweet and hand written on a blavkboard behind a friendly cashier. I picked a breakfast croissant sandwich to eat. Not a lot of non-pork options were there which was a bummer because I'm Muslim and not always in the mood for something veg. I also got a peppermint mocha to wash the creation down. Mocha was delicious and well made, the right amount of mintiness and sweetness. The sandwich was average. They can def be more imaginative with the flavors, it just didn't wow me that much. After having a hard time deciding what I wanted I turn around to grab a table to sit at and I see this huge menu on the wall with tons of other things I could have ordered. Im not gonna lie this really pissed me off because as I recall they did not have a paper menu of all their offerings at the counter where I ordered. The space needs a little better flow and some menu restructuring. Better flavor combos and more meat options.

I ordered the steak bomb breakfast sandwich and it honestly was delicious! The food was ready very quickly, and the staff were welcoming. The place is very cute overall. A sandwich order comes with a water or coffee!

This cute little place is perfect for a quick, delicious and quality breakfast! It's fresh made with REAL ingredients. The bagels are delish and the French toast was awesome. The breakfast plates are filling. Been here a few times and everything always comes out to order. Staff is great too, definitely chipper for a morning grind. Highly recommend if you're in the area!

Best espresso you can get delivered in Albany I'd say. One of the last old spots for coffee. Respect

Do you want a quick tasty breakfast sandwich? Then this is the place to try out! The parking situation is street parking which is not bad. My brotha Dylan was able to find parking within a few seconds. Its not difficult to find the restaurant. You just have to put the address into the GPS and it will lead you to the Cafe. Its the cafe on Lark street. Once you get to the door you have to walk down the stairs and it will lead you to the cafe. You have to walk in and turn around to see the full menu of different sandwiches. The cafe is very cozy and the staff are very friendly. If they get annoyed then it means you are doing something wrong. The service was pretty fast even though they were really busy. We only had to wait a few minutes. Highly recommend coming with company so that time goes by quicker. What I ordered was the Chorizo Egg Sandwich since my brotha Ethan said he got it before which was very tasty. If you are craving a spicy meat sandwich then this is the sandwich to get. It comes with coffee, tea or water which is nice. Dylan and Julie got the steak wrap sandwich which looked very tasty as well. I would recommend this place if you are craving breakfast sandwiches! It is worth the wait and drive.

Just ate the best breakfast sandwich of my life (the California) and drank an amazing lavender latte 10/10

Updating my review to reflect the current Daily Grind reality. I still have warm feelings toward this local icon, but post-COVID it really isn't quite the place I fell in love with. The downstairs seating where the old-timers used to gather has all been removed, along with a lot of the things I used to enjoy on the now much more pared-down menu. The cool Daily Grind mugs that you could get refills in seem to no longer be in use -- they definitely have moved to a model that emphasizes takeout vs being a neighborhood gathering place. There's still seating upstairs where they roast the beans, though, which is nice if there's free seats available, and very cozy when it's cold and grey outside. Also, the classic breakfast sandwiches remain among the best in town, making this still a worthy stop for a quick takeout breakfast.

These breakfast sandwiches and drinks were wonderful. I really loved this entire space and the food was delicious and I would definitely return. I'm only scooting it down one peg because it is pretty expensive. I loved my California sandwich but I didn't think it was worth 10$ The steak bomb was basically the same price and it's a lot more filling. I love the sandwiches and drinks but I think I would just like the prices to better reflect what you're getting. I would definitely recommend this place but just make sure you have some extra cash for this space. She's a little pricey

Exceptional food and coffee, and the best smoothies I've had in my life. Feels like I walked into the 70's. There's a nice little area upstairs to eat, and the service is very quick and friendly. Highly recommend!

The single best establishment for breakfast sandwiches in Albany. Hands down no one else is close. Staff are super friendly and atmosphere is very relaxed. Would recommend to anyone living in or visiting Albany

They say their "Rubens (sic) are the best in town". While I can't yet attest to that since this was my first in town, I can say it's a darn good sandwich! There were three folks ahead of me ordering food and coffees but the line and the kitchen moved swiftly. Menus are listed on blackboards in various areas and offer a good selection of breakfasts, sandwiches, wraps, soups, and salads. I ordered a decaf, sugar-free latte and the Reuben. Of course, I had to try the town's best! The coffee is great so, yes, friends don't let friends drink Starbucks ;) I took my sandwich home which is less than a five-minute walk. It was still steaming hot! Piled high with corned beef, sweet sauerkraut, a spicy Russian dressing, and stringy Swiss cheese, I can see why they tout themselves as the best. The sandwich came with a bag of chips. Since they didn't ask, I figured it would be a bag of plain chips but instead, it was Sour Cream & Onion. I happen to really like that flavor so I was happy to see them in my bag. My only suggestion to the restaurant is to use parchment paper instead of wax to wrap your cheesy sandwiches as the wax paper too easily falls apart and sticks to the gooey, stringy, delicious cheese. I look forward to many coffees from the Daily Grind as well as trying other items on their menu...next up: The Corned Beef Hash breakfast! I'm coming for ya!

Omg the worst place ever. Everything on that menu was bad. I asked for a vegetable omelet and they gave me an omelet full of old onions from the night before. Even the pancakes were but. Insane how this place still open. We had 5 meals and no one was able to eat anything.

Love coming by in the morning for a quick espresso drink...or the random Saturday brunch...today was a steak bomb...

I had the best smoothie at The Daily Grind the other day! The flavor was guava with a squirt of whip cream on top. The staff offered to make a variety of flavors, even peanut butter, but I was very happy with my selection. The staff at The Daily Grind is super friendly. They work quickly. Their coffee is great, too. I haven't had a sandwich there yet, but the breakfast menu looks wonderful. I'll be stopping in for breakfast sometime soon. Thanks so much!

My girlfriends and I were skeptical about this place cause of the low reviews but we saw so many people going in and out. The coffee menu was good, lots of options. The Neapolitan drink was too sweet for me but that's okay I was warned beforehand. The people working were great and I love their energy. Only reason I'm taking out a star was because they were a bit over the place and forgot to make my friend's smoothie (and someone else's) and then made it wrong but it was a quick fix.

A true gem hidden in the bowels of Lark Street, the Daily Grind is one of those places where they probably know every customer's name and what their "usual" is. It's tiny and cramped inside, and pretty dingy, but everyone is friendly and chipper and they served up every order, made to go. I got the salmon bagel and it was dee-licious! Smooth, silky waves of salmon on a schmear of cream cheese, along with lettuce and tomato, with red onions and capers. Every bite was full of flavor. I also got a large iced coffee, and the guy behind the bar called it a "bucket of ice." That's a new term for me, but it was appropriate. Dark and smooth, slightly bitter, just the way I like it. The Daily Grind has no pretense - it's a basic coffee joint with good, wholesome food and plenty of coffee to go. I recommend it to anyone working downtown Albany. Drop in, it's worth it!

Stopped by while waiting for my train back to NYC and I can say that everyone in my group loved the food and drinks we had. Much love from visiting Texans.

Amazing business on lark street... food was amazing .... Staff was even better, very kind, helpful. There always working hard and doing a great job when I come in.

I was pretty disappointed with downtown Albany. There seems to be one section on Lark Street with any interesting restaurants and shops and that's where we found the Daily Grind. Staff was very nice. The menu is huge and some of the breakfast items sounded amazing. We entered and were the only customers. We went with the coffee of the day (mudslide - just okay) and a Belgian waffle dish. While we were waiting it really filled up. There were at least 12 people by the time we left which was very concerning. The waffle took quite awhile and I was thinking of leaving without receiving it since we were all crowded together and definitely not enforcing social distancing guidelines. We finally got the waffle. It was very good. Tons of fruit salad, three waffle pieces and just very tasty. I probably would not return during these times as I didn't feel very safe waiting for the food.

I love this coffee shop. What else can I say. Best part of living in Down Town Albany area by Lark Street is having access to some of the best local mom and pop drinks and eats. Some may think a little pricey, but they include coffee with your food orders, and that is a major plus, especially since their food is great. I used to go to Dunkin Donuts when I first moved here, until I wandered the neighborhood and found this. Makes no sense to me people hitting up a chain when there is local so much tastier and practically same price. I usually get the breakfast here, and all of it is great, plus the endless cup of coffee if you are seated. Even to go, I waited for my order, and sipped on my coffee, and they were so nice to refresh when my order was ready. They really make you feel at home. Cozy and quaint.

(a) there were mysterious black flakes in the bottom of my cappuccino which really grossed me out. imagine being in traffic with an actual mouthful of this sh*7. there was about a tablespoon of it in the bottom. (b) they don't know how to make a cappuccino, which should be 6-8oz with creamy foam, not 12-16oz with huge lacey bubbles what. a. joke.

Coffee is very good and is local( capitol city roasters ). They also have a huge non alcoholic - beer selection . Ceasar salad was good , but nothing to write home about . Basil and tomato bisque was very good and tasted homemade. Staff were polite and attentive., But seem to over rush you . If your a Traveller in the area and want coffee/snack fix while you wai for your train , this place is for you.

I ordered the steak bomb sandwich for breakfast. It was easily the best breakfast sandwich I've ever had. I would definitely recommend it and I will definitely get it again when I'm in the neighborhood

Daily grrr-ind has strong caffeine. On a cold New England day in Albany, it's a good bet for hot, anything! Getting to this place, takes stairs, because it's subterranean. It is known for strong coffee & tea. Unfortunately also long lines. Rebel chef says: 3.5

I had a steak bomb breakfast sandwich and a latte and both were hot and hearty. Prompt & friendly staff, lots of options, cozy cafe, and just a good all around spot to grab your breakfast essentials or sit a while. I carried out because it was winter & COVID season, but I would have loved to sit there a while.

I was on my way to lake placid and we stopped in Albany to grab lunch. A friend had recommended checking out Lark street for lunch so we headed straight there. It's a typical coffee shop with sandwiches so honestly my expectations were low but we needed a bathroom- we both decided to order the pulled pork sandwich. Being from the south I don't necessarily have high expectations for northern barbecue but it was absolutely delectable! I would definitely recommend, it was not excessively saucy and it was a good size, plus you get chips!

A great little coffee shop with coffee I can stand behind (ie: not too bitter). They were quick, polite and the did a great job with my hangover sandwich (3-eggs & bacon on an everything bagel). The only bummer was that they weren't able to serve my partner anything beyond a banana, cuz there was nothing Gluten Free on the menu. That said, they were so cool here that they directed us to gluten-free food a block away (to Berben and Wolff), which we thought was super thoughtful. Thanks Daily Grind!! Search #MetroVentureALB on Instagram for a better taste of our entire Albany Experience.

I'm currently drinking out of my Daily Grind coffee cup that I bought some 9 or 10 years ago, and I still believe that "Friends don't let friends drink Starbucks." Originally I started coming here because a friend referred me to them, so I guess the motto is true! Daily Grind is one of the best cafes in Albany, and when I'm in town (rarely), they're always on my list of places to stop. The coffee is fresh, service is fast, and it's pretty decently priced. Never tried anything beyond a standard drip from them, but I'm basic. The world needs more unique businesses, and Lord knows Albany needs it as well. I'd much rather go here than the Dunkin' up the road that tows everybody, even if you're a customer. Daily Grind is my jam and definitely one of the best coffee spots in the area.

I love this neighborhood coffee joint. Cheap, fairly strong coffee, and tons of really yummy breakfast sandwiches. My personal favorite is the big banger on a poppyseed bagel- a little greasy, but hits the spot. Comes with a coffee for $11. Also a good place to study/work for a couple hours, good WiFi and the staff here is so nice. Very happy to say this is my regular coffee shop! As they post all over, "friends don't let friends buy coffee at Starbucks" Is it fancy, bourgie, pretentious, or high-end? Absolutely not. But therein lies its charm, I think - and a big part of the reason I love it. Everyone here is someone with a story, and that's worth every freckle or wrinkle I've seen.

This is the 4th breakfast place today that claims to be open on Yelp on a Saturday afternoon but they are actually closed. I'm getting hangry!!

I wanted to include a picture with this review but the food didn't last long enough to get a picture! This is my first time ordering from the Daily Grind - I was really craving some good coffee and a breakfast sandwich to help motivate me while working from home. I came across the Daily Grind on GrubHub and thought their menu looked decent so I decided to give it a try. I ordered an egg sandwich with sausage and bacon on a hard roll, and a caramel iced coffee with almond milk. My boyfriend ordered the steak breakfast sandwich. We were both absolutely blown away by how delicious the breakfast sandwiches are. They were so flavorful. We're moving out of Albany soon and are sad that it took us this long to try it! I also thought my coffee was delicious. I will definitely be ordering from here again if I get the chance. I recommend giving this place a try if you're in the area, or craving some motivation like I was!

Lemme keep this short and sweet.... MUST GET CAPPUCCINO MUFFIN!! To dieeeeee for. so full of flavor and shots of espresso within that this was such a sweet escape from the savory meal i had beforehand.

I was very disappointed with the California sandwich I got from here. It had no substance- they put no avocado in it, there was the smallest piece of egg inside, and a very small amount of goat cheese... definitely not worth the $9.75 price.

DOWNGRADED: I wanted to see how this shop could handle the very basics, so I put them to the double espresso test. There were a few things that made me apprehensive off the bat. 1. The espresso beans were pre-ground and dug from a tub (not a major infraction, but it raised a red flag 2. My espresso sat on the machine until every last drop of water was pushed through the grinds into the cup below It turns out, that the beans were fine. They produced a decent crema on the top. But, the length of the draw was a critical blow. The espresso was over-extracted and bitter, and tasted like something I used to make in college on a $20 Krupps machine. And really, it is inexcusable. Luckily, I did not decide to live in this neighborhood, or I would be totally creeked. Eventually, I will try and make it back for their brewed coffee, but I am not hopeful. The glass pots it is brewed in are notorious for scorching coffee. But I am not going to judge it until I try it. The coffee bean and paraphernalia store upstairs, still looks pro missing. I will be back for that. More from me later. - - - ORIGINAL REVIEW 4*: Very good for what I had. It was a hot day, you see. And I just cannot drink hot coffee on a hot day. I know that some people can. It is much easier to hide the flaws of mediocre coffee when it's iced. Especially since I take cream and sugar in my iced coffee. Something I would never do with a good hot brew. Everyone I was with enjoyed their wraps and sandwiches. They cited the fresh tasting ingredients and simple preparations. But I am looking forward to heading back down to this cozy downstairs room in the fall. And checking out their beans to see how they do in my morning cup.

I don't know how this place doesn't have more stars, they have the BEST breakfast sandwiches you will ever have in your life. I used to live in Albany and this is one of the places that I miss going for the coffee & breakfast sandwich combo. Sure, it did take awhile to make but it was made with care and love with fresh ingredients. This place has a charm about it that no other coffee shop I have been to has. Forget starbucks, come to a place like this and I guarantee everyone will be friendly and you'll meet some interesting people. Upstairs is actually a really cool antique shop, definitely check it out sometime. I used to go upstairs and study and it was so relaxing just people watching and having my amazing food. Miss this place!

They know who they are, and do it super well. Lovely and cohesive staff, great selection and quick service. I particularly like their egg sandwiches. Not a place for pour overs if you get what I mean...but the coffee is solid.

Terribly slow service. If you plan on getting breakfast don't order from this place. With 4 employees behind the counter the excuse of short staff doesn't fly. How is it possible to take 30 minutes for an egg and cheese sandwich and a coffee it is ridiculous. Real terrible shit service from a local establishment truly disgusted

This used to be a great spot my wife and I have regularly went to. Unfortunately the service has gone way down hill. Rudeness at the counter waiting over an hour for our food that was called in ahead of time, just so it can be made incorrectly. My wife asked for eggs and sausage specifically not asking for cheese. They add cheese despite her dairy allergy. I'm not one to care about minor kitchen mistakes but if I call in an order, very similar to what we order every weekend, I should receive it. When we called to voice our frustration it seems they just handed the phone to anyone and get this. He was offended we called to complain. Actually yelling at my wife before she actually said what was wrong. Will no longer recommend to anyone. Another Lark Street spot turned to shit. Very saddened and disappointed by this change in the neighborhood

Don't waste your time. It takes forever to get your food and or drink here. The iced coffee is stored in a plastic bucket and was so gross we couldn't even drink it. The oat milk hot chocolate was basically just warm oat milk, so a waste of money. It took almost half hour to get a bacon egg and cheese sandwich. And it's so tight in there you have no where to stand while you wait that you're not in someone's way.

Spent $60+ on getting breakfast delivered. Food arrived quickly but that's where the positives ended. They forgot the french toast. Belian waffle looked amazing on grubhub. In reality it was cold, hard, and stale as though it had been sitting in the back of a cupboard for a week and did not include strawberries. One of the bagels was dry, stale, and old tasting and the other was mushy. Half my bagel sandwich was loose in the bag. I provided six different options for them to give me for the bagel (including plain) and somehow got sesame, which was not one of the six. The "granola" in the granola yogurt parfait appeared to be just soggy oats, nothing else and no crunch at all, and yogurt was runny and unappetizing. They were polite when I called about the missing french toast and refunded us for it without a problem (thus 2 stars instead of 1) but for $60 for breakfast for two people this was a big letdown.

The young lady assisting me in the morning at the register was such a sweet soul and made this experience nice. Also having such a pretty cafe set up, allows me to study and focus :)! Thank you Daily Grind!!!

The coffee is consistently decent and I really do appreciate the free one I get every year on my birthday (actually you get a $10 voucher off your whole meal for the record). However, the food options which do not contain any animal products are extremely lacking at Daily Grind. There are enough vegans in Albany to keep a number of almost entirely vegan establishments in business, you would think Daily Grind could do better than a bagel with tomato and guacamole. I mean, if you're going to do avocado toast, that's one thing, but the skinny shmear of prepared guac I got on my bagel was really depressing. On the bright side, I do appreciate the plant milk selection and all of the flavored coffees made from actually seasoned coffee beans, and not sugary syrups.

An unexpected great find! They have a variety of options, the food was great, and they serve breakfast all day. Service was great too and the people were very friendly. Highly recommend.

I love the Daily Grind!! This is a great place to stop for a cup of coffee, grab a sandwich, go for breakfast, or sit down and do some studying. They have amazing breakfast sandwiches and the price includes a coffee or tea, hot or iced. I like the Lark Street sandwich with an iced coffee. The sandwich has eggplant and smoked mozzarella and is quite delicious. It's an intimate setting and a great place to go and sit with one or two other people and have deep conversations about life.

Every time I come to this place I expect a surprise. Bought the Groupon coupon ticket after ONE good experience. That was mostly centered around their breakfast sandwiches. Those are delicious. The coffee is especially when it's a certain barista. I use to get the five dollar drinks the one th coupon from Groupon is for but I asked for almond milk and got dairy milk, and the mocha is nothing spectacular. I ask for an iced beverage and get a hot one. Ask for an americano and get some super sweet fruity coffee................ Here is a tip. Ask for something you don't want and you might get what you want....

Even they have good coffee, the lady behind the counter (blue short hair lady) has annoyingly rude attitude. I m not sure I would wanna pay again for this service. Thanks tho they serve good food.

Stopped in for a latte because I was recommended by a friend. It's a very small and funky hole in the wall place. They didn't have oat milk but was willing to try almond. The sizes are big, hence the 3 stars, but the espresso was bitter and sunk to the bottom. Coming from working in a coffee shop, I have never seen espresso sink to the bottom. Overall it was an okay experience.

Pros Excellent americano, temperature and taste. Milk alternatives; Almond and soy. Lovely snacks and treats. Million dollar bars. Cookies, etc. Cons No heavy cream Limited sugar alternatives Other thoughts Nice and cozy Up and downstairs. Downstairs has seating. Come For the coffee stay for the diveyness.

Got ripped off. They have the "menu" posted outside advertising a breakfast sandwich for $5.50. I ordered a bacon egg and cheese inside and it was $10, but came with a coffee or tea. I thought "well, it'll probably be a large sandwich," but nope. 1 egg, barely 2 pieces of bacon, and a lot of roll. I asked for an Arnold Palmer, but they had no lemonade despite a menu of different lemonades on the counter next to the register. Very disappointing experience. There's a much more substantial and tasty breakfast sandwich for $5 around the corner on Central called "The Breakfast Spot" which was way more satisfying. I will not return to Daily Grind.