Discover Albany College Edition: Off-Campus Dining
Looking to switch up your on-campus dining routine? From places to grab a quick bite in between classes, to sit-down restaurants to enjoy when your family comes to visit, Albany County boasts a variety of restaurants perfect for every occasion.
Keep scrolling for an Albany County dining guide for students at local colleges and universities.
University at Albany
Breakfast
Sit-Down Restaurants:
Peaches Cafe: 1475 Western Avenue, Albany, NY 12203Tucked in Stuyvesant Plaza, Peaches Cafe is a go-to spot for breakfast near the University at Albany. Reservations are not accepted.
Cafe Madison: 1108 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY 12208A quick 5-minute drive from campus, Cafe Madison is a popular spot that takes breakfast and brunch to the next level. Download the Yelp app before arriving to reserve your place in line.
Quick Bites/Takeout:
Uncommon Grounds: 1235 Western Avenue, Albany, NY 12203Across the street from campus, Uncommon Grounds is a welcoming spot serving up legendary bagels and fresh coffee for a quick breakfast.
Bountiful Bread: 1475 Western Avenue Albany, NY 12203Bountiful Bread, located within Stuyvesant Plaza, is a scratch bakery and cafe with a variety of breakfast items such as unique toasts (like New Orleans Toast and Cantaloupe Toast) and omelets on the menu.
Honest Weight Food Co-Op: 100 Watervliet Ave, Albany, NY 12206Honest Weight Food Co-Op, a 5-minute drive from campus, boasts a scratch kitchen with breakfast items, coffees and smoothies with plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free alternatives.
Lunch & Dinner
Sit-Down Restaurants:
City Line Bar & Grill: 1200 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203Across the street from campus, City Line Bar & Grill serves up elevated pub fare for lunch and dinner. Brunch classics such as chicken & waffles are available on Saturdays and Sundays. Reservations not available, but call ahead for parties of 10+.
Maggie McFly's: 1 Crossgates Mall Rd, Albany, NY 12203With 180 items on the menu, Maggie McFly's has something everyone will enjoy for lunch and dinner. Reservations not available.
Tara Kitchen: 1785 Western Ave, Guilderland, NY, 12203Tara Kitchen, nestled on Western Ave, is a short drive from campus. Award-winning Chef Aneesa Waheed serves up Moroccan comfort food packed with flavor. Reservations not available. *Lunch is available Tuesday to Friday only
110 Grill: 1 Crossgates Mall Rd, Albany, NY 12203Located in Crossgates, 110 Grill offers seasonally-inspired American cuisine and boasts an extensive gluten-free menu with a commitment to allergy awareness. Reservations are available for lunch and dinner.
Barcelona: 1192 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203Across the street from campus on Western Avenue, Barcelona specializes in upscale Mediterranean cuisine. Bring your parents or make plans for date night at the restaurant. Call for reservations. *Lunch is available Monday to Friday only
Quick Bites/Takeout:
CoreLife Eatery: 1229 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203For a quick bite to eat that is fresh and healthy, try CoreLife Eatery! Near to campus, pick up grain bowls, salads, bone broth bowls, soups, warm rice bowls and more for lunch or dinner.
Blaze Pizza: 1475 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203Tucked in Stuyvesant Plaza, Blaze Pizza has fast-fire’d pizza made with real ingredients. If you have dietary requirements, Blaze has house-made gluten-free dough, cauliflower gluten-free and keto crusts as well as vegan cheese available.
B.GOOD: 1475 Western Ave Ste #38, Albany, NY 12203Located in Stuyvesant Plaza, B.GOOD has healthy lunches and dinners handled with burgers, sandwiches, salads, bowls and more.
Maria College/Russell Sage Colleges/Albany College of Pharmacy
Breakfast
Sit-Down Restaurants:
Cafe Madison: 1108 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY 12208Cafe Madison is a friendly neighborhood spot that takes breakfast and brunch to the next level. Download the Yelp app before arriving to reserve your place in line.
Iron Gate Cafe: 182 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210Iron Gate Cafe, a family-owned and operated restaurant, is a short drive from campus that boasts brunch fare including omelettes, scrambles, pancakes, French toast and more. Join the waitlist before arriving.
Quick Bites/Takeout:
Mr. Bumbles Cafe: 263 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208 Nestled in the city of Albany's New Scotland neighborhood, Mr. Bumbles Cafe is a new eatery serving up breakfast (and lunch) items with fresh ingredients.
Sweet Eats: 540 Delaware Ave, Albany, NY 12209 A short drive away from campus, Sweet Eats is a great spot to grab gluten-free and dairy-free oatmeal cups, granola and bars.
COMING SOON: Honest Weight Kitchen at Maria College: 700 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208The Honest Weight Kitchen at Maria College will be opening up to the public soon! The eatery will serve Maria College students, but will also be open to the local community and residents of the New Scotland-Woodlawn Neighborhood. (Open until 5:00 PM, so offers lunch & dinner as well)
Lunch & Dinner
Sit-Down Restaurants:
The Cuckoo's Nest: 234 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203Located in the Pine Hills neighborhood, The Cuckoo's Nest is a go-to spot for Southern-style cuisine such as Nashville hot fried chicken, chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy and more. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Tipsy Moose: 261 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208Local favorite Tipsy Moose Tap & Tavern offers delicious comfort food for lunch and dinner in a rustic atmosphere. Reservations are not available.
Junior's Bar & Grill: 1094 Madison Ave Albany, NY 12208Nestled on Madison Avenue, Junior's Bar & Grill is a friendly spot for lunch or dinner with a menu offering salads, soups, wings, pizza, burgers, sandwiches, mac-n-cheese and much more. Reservations not available.
New World Bistro Bar: 300 Delaware Ave, Albany, NY 12209Tucked in the Delaware Avenue neighborhood, New World Bistro Bar is a cozy gastro pub with a seasonally-focused menu featuring innovative, fresh cuisine. Reservations available. *Open for dinner only
Recovery Sports Grill: 62 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208Recovery Sports Grill is a sports pub located near Albany Medical Center. The friendly establishment has wings, sandwiches, burgers and entrees on the menu. Reservations not available. *Open for dinner only
The Point: 1100 Madison Ave, Albany, NY 12208Located on Madison Avenue, The Point is an Italian-style eatery with a menu that features pizza, pasta and delicious entrees. Reservations are available. *Open for dinner only
Quick Bites/Takeout:
Ragonese Italian Imports: 409 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208Craving a sandwich? Locally-owned Ragonese Italian Imports has you covered with delicious hot and cold sandwiches. While stopping in to grab a sandwich, peruse the store's selection of prepared foods and pick up a few items for your next meal.
Bellini's Counter: 33 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208Pop into Bellini's Counter, located near Albany Medical Center, to grab a quick bite to eat such as pastas, salads or wraps for lunch and dinner.
Kuma Ani: 287 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208Kuma Ani, located on New Scotland Avenue, is a great place to order sushi for delivery or to-go and enjoy it back in your dorm. In addition to traditional sushi rolls, the restaurant offers sushi burritos, poke bowls and rice bowls.
Siena College
Breakfast
Sit-Down Restaurants:
Latham '76 Diner: 722 Loudon Rd, Latham, NY 12110The Latham '76 Diner is a classic diner that is open 24/7. It is a short 5-minute drive from campus with popular breakfast items available on the menu all day long.
Cafe Madison Loudonville: 359 Northern Blvd, Albany, NY 12204The Loudonville location of Cafe Madison is an 8-minute drive from Siena. Enjoy award-winning breakfast and brunch dishes from this popular eatery. Download the Yelp app before arriving to reserve your place in line.
Quick Bites/Takeout:
BARE Blends: 664 Loudon Rd, Latham, NY 12110Bare Blends is a smoothie shop with an entirely gluten-free and vegan menu. Stop in for unique healthy to-go breakfast options including overnight oats, acai bowls, raw vegan sweet treats and of course, smoothies!
Our Daily Bowl: 580 New Loudon Rd, Latham, NY 12110Our Daily Bowl, specializing in superfoods, is a 12-minute walk and 2-minute drive away from the Siena Campus. Choose from a variety of smoothies and acai bowls, such as the special "Siena" bowl for a healthy breakfast.
Lunch & Dinner
Sit-Down Restaurants:
Philly Bar & Lounge: 622 Watervliet Shaker Rd, Latham, NY 12110Philly Bar & Lounge, a 5-minute drive from campus, boasts a massive outdoor patio and a menu featuring coal-oven fired pizza, grilled burgers and sandwiches, Philly cheese stakes and more. Reservations are available.
TORO Cantina: 111 Wolf Rd, Albany, NY 12205 Located on Wolf Road, a 10-minute drive from Siena, TORO Cantina is one of the top spots in the Capital Region for Mexican cuisine. Between the top notch fare and vibrant atmosphere, dining at the restaurant feels like a mini-vacation. Reservations available.
The Century House: 997 Loudon Rd, Latham, NY 12110Need a spot to meet your parents for dinner? The Century House is a 10-minute drive from campus. The restaurant serves up delicious eats and is packed with historic charm. Reservations are available. *Open for dinner only
D'Raymonds: 269 Osborne Rd, Loudonville, NY 12211Located a 5-minute drive away from campus, Loudonville's legendary D'Raymonds is a local favorite. Featuring an extensive selection of mouthwatering Italian cuisine, it's a great spot for dinner with your parents. Reservations are highly recommended.
Milano: 594 New Loudon Rd, Latham, NY 12110Milano, a 4-minute drive from campus, is an upscale restaurant serving up Northern Italian cuisine. When your parents are in town, take them here to enjoy pasta and wood-fired pizza made from scratch daily. Reservations available.
Quick Bites/Takeout:
Saati Deli: 586 Loudon Rd, Latham, NY 12110From grilled sandwiches, to salads, to burgers, Saati Deli is a go-to spot for Siena students looking to pick up a quick lunch or dinner. Saati Deli even offers a 10% discount for all Siena students!
Burger 21: 622 Loudon Rd, Latham, NY 12110Burger 21, a 5-minute drive from Siena, offers a variety of unique burgers from the Tex-Mex Haystack beef burger, to the Hawaiian BBQ Pineapple chicken burger, to the Spicy Thai Shrimp seafood burger. Pick up lunch or dinner to-go and enjoy it back on campus.
Cardona's Market: 9 Cobbee Rd, Latham, NY 12110Cardona's Market, an 8-minute drive from Siena, offers pre-packaged meals to-go, fresh produce, cheeses, hot food items and fresh subs from the deli.
T-Swirl Crepe: 622 Loudon Rd, Latham, NY 12110T-Swirl Crepe, a 5-minute drive from campus, specializes in crepes created with 100% rice flour that is gluten-free. Open for lunch and dinner, pick up sweet crepes created with fruit or savory crepes such as a Thai Chicken or Shrimp Avocado crepe.
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