Park News Article
9 Must-Visit Coffee Shops in Albany!
August 30, 2024
Looking for some place new to get caffeinated in Albany New York? There are several amazing, locally owned, coffee shops located throughout the City of Albany, each with their own unique vibe and menu! Check out our list below featuring a variety of coffee shops that are certain to fulfill all your coffee cravings!
Hernan Lopez followed his dream, quit his job as a barista and shop manager and decided to open his own coffee business. Starting as a micro-batch roasting company at pop-up events in 2020, Alias Coffee (Roasters) has opened a second Capital District location right in Downtown Albany! Using only locally roasted beans to create their delicious tasting drinks including matcha’s, drip coffees, and lattes, Alias Coffee has been fueling both residents and visitors since they opened in the summer of 2023. Located in the historic Kenmore building at 76 North Pearl Street, Alias Coffee is open weekdays 7am to 5pm and weekends 8am to 5pm, just a quick walk from both the Quackenbush and Riverfront public parking garages!
Where can you get mac and cheese, donuts, and coffee that’re all vegan friendly? The answer, Bitchin Donuts, a fun and funky donut shop located on Lark Street, Albany’s “Village in the City”. Specializing in solely vegan products they not only have a large variety of different coffee products, but they also have unique foods that you can’t find anywhere else! Their incredible snacks are known as “Bitchin Bites”, and they consist of cauliflower bites, avocado fries, buffalo mac and cheese, and so much more! You can try all their one-of-a-kind snacks and delicious coffees at 193 Lark Street any day of the week from 7am to 5pm!
Blend & Brew isn’t your average coffee shop! This newly opened Downtown Albany café is the place to be for whatever you’re in the mood for. From deliciously crafted coffees and cappuccinos to satisfying fruit smoothies, juice blends, and healthy lunch options, they are the perfect stop for a workday pick me up! Located in the Omni Building at 54 State Street, just around the corner from the Green-Hudson Parking Garage, Blend & Brew is open weekdays from 7am to 4pm.
The Daily Grind is a family-owned coffee shop that started in 1976 and since their opening, they have used the same 1915 coffee roaster to roast all their coffee beans onsite! In fact, during their early years, they were the only store between Montreal and Manhattan to roast their own coffee beans in house! This Albany landmark offers a variety of amazing coffee flavors including snickerdoodle, chocolate coconut cake, cinnamon pecan, along with a full breakfast and lunch menu. Located at 204 Lark Street Daily Grind is a center square staple both locals and visitors looking for a delicious cup of coffee everyday between 7am and 3pm!
Founded in owner Mike Milliron’s garage, Iron Coffee is a combination of a love for strong, bold coffee and love for the community! Their coffee beans are roasted right in the coffee shop, and they even get all their dairy products locally sourced from a creamery in Salem, NY. Whether you’re in the mood for standard Hot Chocolate or a one-of-a-kind “The Dirty Hippie” there’s something for everyone on the menu. Iron Coffee believes that “[a] small local business is nothing without the community its apart of” and if you’d like to join their coffee community, check out their Albany location located at 811 Madison Avenue Tuesday through Saturday, 8am to 5pm!
Owners and husbands Alejandro and Jake-Griffin Diaz opened their first Capital District location, Jacob Alejandro, in 2020 in Troy, NY with the idea to bring delicious specialty coffees and one-of-a-kind experiences to the Capital District. They believed that you shouldn’t have to travel to places like Los Angeles, Seattle, or even New York City to get a luxurious cup of coffee, so they brought that experience to their coffee shop including their newest location, Ja. Pequeño. They are much more than just a coffee shop with decadent specialty coffees, they also offer education and consulting programs! Featuring homemade goods made fresh each day, single-origin coffees, lattes, and more, Ja Pequeño is located at 466 Madison Avenue, right across from Washington Park. Be sure to check them out Monday through Saturday from 7am to 4pm and Sundays from 7am to 2pm!
Burgers, Fries, and an Iced Coffee? Sign us up! From the owners of local Albany staple, Herbie’s Burgers, comes the “Little Herb Café”. Located in the Concourse at the Empire State Plaza, the Little Herb Café offers all your favorites! From Americanos to Iced Lattes and Blended Frappes, you can find it all at the Little Herb Café. Open weekdays from 6:30am to 5pm, you can fulfill your coffee cravings all day long! And when you are ready for lunch, grab a “Lil’ Herbie” burger and Herbie’s hand-cut fries from Herbie’s Burgers, located right next door.
Started by their love of cars and car shows, founders and New York State natives Joe and Rich, focused on speed, quality, and presentation to make sure their customers receive the best experience possible while also maintaining affordable pricing on their drinks. Motor Oil Coffee has all your favorite beverages including drip coffee, cold brew, latte’s, macchiato’s, chai’s and more! Within the City of Albany, Motor Oil has 2 locations in 2 of the city’s most exciting neighborhoods:
- 136 State Street – Right in the heart of Downtown Albany, Motor Oil on State Street is just steps away from the historic New York State Capital Building, the Empire State Plaza and all the exciting events at the MVP Arena and the Albany Capital Center. This location is open weekdays from 6:30am to 5:00pm.
- 25 Erie Boulevard – Located in Albany’s fastest growing neighborhood, the Warehouse District, you can find this location in Slip 12, the beautiful residential project in the former Huck Finns Warehouse (and more!) building. In the summer be sure to grab yourself an iced latte and enjoy a ride on the Ferris wheel located next door at Huck Finns Playland! This location is open Tuesday through Friday from 8am to 2pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 3pm.
Founded in 2014, Stacks Espresso Bar focuses on connecting the community with high quality coffee, teas, pastries, sandwiches and more; you can even have Stacks cater your next event! Stacks Espresso Bar has 2 locations within the City of Albany:
- 260 Lark Street – Located just a block away from historic Washington Park in Albany’s Center Square neighborhood, this location offers a variety of high-quality coffee-based beverages like Latte’s, Macchiato’s, Affogato’s, Cold Brews and Nitro’s along with tea-based drinks such as Chai’s and Matcha’s. This location is open every day 7am to 5pm.
- 488 Broadway – The Downtown Albany location offers the same delicious beverage menu as the Lark St. location but also offers a variety of food options like a classic bacon, egg, and cheese, grain bowls, sandwiches, and several vegan/vegetarian options. Stacks’ Downtown Albany location is only a short walk from all 3 ParkAlbany Parking Garages (Riverfront, Green-Hudson, and Quackenbush) and is the perfect place to grab your coffee before heading into the office or taking a walk along the Albany Riverfront. This location is open every day 7am to 5pm.
