Cafe Madison

Cafe Madison

1100 Madison Ave, Albany, NY 12208, United States

+1 518-935-1094

Breakfast restaurant, Cafe
(1387)
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About This Place

Situated in the heart of Albany on Madison Avenue, Café Madison is a breakfast haven that masterfully blends classic comfort with inspired creativity. Specializing in breakfast and brunch fare, this cozy café consistently delights guests seeking both familiar favorites and unique, flavorful dishes that awaken the senses.

The culinary offerings here read like a well-curated celebration of morning delights. For those who crave a savory kick, the Hayride Omelette and the Nashville Hot Breakfast Burrito deliver bold, satisfying flavors layered with fresh ingredients and a touch of southern flair. Sweet tooth seekers will find their bliss in options like the Raspberry Oatmeal Pancakes or the indulgently rich Chocolate Cream Cheese Stuffed Cider Belly Doughnuts, punctuated with fudge and waffle cone pieces—a textural masterpiece. The iconic TenFold Stuffed French Toast and the Triple B Pancake are other standout dishes that showcase Café Madison’s inventive take on traditional breakfast staples.

For guests who appreciate gourmet tastes, the Wild Mushroom Omelette offers an earthy elegance, infused with truffle oil and topped with peppery arugula and parmesan—a perfect balance of rustic and refined. Meanwhile, the California Avocado Omelette combines creamy avocado, crispy bacon, and sharp cheddar in a harmonious blend that’s both hearty and fresh. Vegan diners are welcome, with options like the Vegan Loaded Breakfast Burrito and Vegan French Toast proving that plant-based meals can be just as satisfying and flavorful.

The atmosphere at Café Madison is warm and inviting, making it an ideal spot for morning gatherings, whether a casual meet-up or a lively brunch with friends. Several guests have praised the attentive, friendly service that complements the high-quality fare—creating a dining experience that doesn’t just satisfy hunger but genuinely uplifts the spirit. Outdoor seating is available for those who wish to soak up the gentle Albany morning sun, enhancing the relaxed yet vibrant vibe of the café.

While the majority of reviews highlight consistently delightful meals and excellent drink options such as the classic Mimosa and the robust Bacon Bloody Mary, there have also been thoughtful critiques that underscore Café Madison’s commitment to guest satisfaction. For instance, one visitor noted a hiccup with the avocado chicken salad but appreciated how promptly the team addressed it, reflecting a genuine care for the dining experience.

Overall, Café Madison stands out as a bright star in Albany’s breakfast scene—offering dishes that invite you to savor every bite, from the comforting to the adventurous. Whether you’re drawn by the promise of fluffy buttermilk pancakes, crave a creatively stuffed omelette, or want to indulge in decadent cinnamon-spiced French toast, this café delivers with heart and culinary finesse. It’s a place where good food, quality ingredients, and welcoming service come together to start your day on a truly satisfying note.

Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Outdoor seating Offers delivery Offers takeaway Serves dine-in
Highlights
Fast service Serves great cocktails Serves great coffee Serves great dessert Great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for breakfast Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol Serves beer Serves cocktails Serves coffee Serves comfort food Serves happy-hour drinks Serves healthy options Serves organic dishes Private dining room Quick bite Serves spirits Serves vegan dishes Serves vegetarian dishes Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast Serves brunch Serves lunch Catering Serves dessert Seating
Amenities
Bar on site Toilet Wi-Fi Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly Good for groups Popular with tourists Popular with university students
Planning
Usually has a wait Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards Accepts debit cards Accepts NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Good for kids High chairs available Kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking Free parking lot Paid street parking
Pets
Dogs allowed outside

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    07:30 AM - 02:00 PM
  • Tuesday
    07:30 AM - 02:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    07:30 AM - 02:00 PM
  • Thursday
    07:30 AM - 02:00 PM 04:00 PM - 11:00 PM
  • Friday
    07:30 AM - 02:00 PM 04:00 PM - 11:00 PM
  • Saturday
    07:30 AM - 03:00 PM 04:00 PM - 11:00 PM
  • Sunday
    07:30 AM - 03:00 PM

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • CM Potter
    1 month ago

    Service was amazing. But sadly, for the first time I was disappointed. Should have stuck with breakfast. Avocado chicken salad looked good but there was no avocado except the dressing. . My server made sure I got a side of it when I pointed it out. Chicken was unseasonedand dressing was lackluster. Couldn't taste the lime at all. Not enough sweet and sour for me. Romaine was gritty with sand. I'll definitely be back for breakfast again, though.

  • Anne Marie Pitre
    1 month ago

    We actually went to another highly-reviewed breakfast place but the parking was nil so we spotted this location in Google's recommendations and so glad we came for breakfast! On-street parking was easy to find. It was definitely busy which is always a good sign. We came for brunch this past Sunday. There was no wait to sit outside and enjoy the nice weather while eating. My son had a breakfast burrito, my littlest had the Belgian waffles with strawberries and whipped cream, and my husband and I tried the Florentine Beni and Crab Cakes Beni. I also ordered the granola parfait, which didn't come at first. But was delicious when I did eventually get it. We did have to request water for our table but I understand they were pretty busy. Maybe making that the initial part of the wait staff's initial greeting/process would probably go a long way in keeping guests occupied while they wait for food and drinks. All in all, the food was delicious, the wait times for food and drinks were as expected, the atmosphere was laid-back and family-oriented, and the prices were very reasonable. We would definitely return and recommend for brunch with the family!

  • Wolfren Xero
    2 month ago

    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!

  • Miss Val
    2 month ago

    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.

  • Monika
    3 month ago

    We tried the chicken and French toast and the Mediterranean omlette and loved both. The vibe and service are great too.

  • Bri Weible
    3 month ago

    We stopped here for breakfast before leaving town, and it was amazing. The people were so kind, the portions are large and the food (and coffee) were delicious. We got the cinnamon French toast sticks to start, and had the Florentine Beni, California Avocado Burrito and the Blueberry Pancakes. All of them were amazing.

  • Xavier Hotaling
    3 month ago

    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!!

  • M. Muun
    4 month ago

    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.

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