Iron Gate Cafe is a hidden gem. The service was quick and the food is simple but very delicious!!

I brought my dad here the day I brought my dad here the day prior to Father's Day late morning. I would recommend utilizing the wait in line program here on Yelp. We didn't have a wait once we arrived. I ordered a turtle iced coffee and I'd go back just for that. My dad ordered a steak menu option and I ordered the sundown. We were too busy talking and enjoying the food that I forgot to take pictures. The inside was a little loud where we sat, but to be honest I think a couple others were just loud talkers. They have a wonderful outdoor seating area in the front and back of the restaurant. Next time I'd love to sit outside. The ambiance was comfortable and just beautiful. Upon entering there is lovely English ivy growing all along the grass. This is a hidden gem that you wouldn't see if just driving down the road. I'll be coming back here for sure!

This place is popular. Even on a weekday, there was a wait. Luckily, my dining companion got there earlier than I did and put our name down, so I didn't have to wait long. This cafe is huggggeee. Seriously, we kept turning the corner into another room with more tables. I don't think I've ever seen a restaurant laid out like this, in a big old house with tables nestled in every hallway and corner. Super charming. I went for the Buddha Bowl, which had roasted sweet potato, broccoli, sliced avocado, spinach quinoa, & fried tofu tossed in sweet Thai chili sauce. Generous helping of perfectly crispy tofu. Everything was fresh, well-balanced, and well-portioned. Their menu had lots of sweet brunchy things that would totally be my vibe on another day. Well worth the visit!

Best breakfast ever! Run and do not walk to this place. The portions are just right. The ambiance is somewhat quaint like an upstate TGIFs but more cozy. And I really liked the personable nature of the waitstaff. We left with extras. Come hungry but come prepared to leave here with something. Highly recommended!

Food is always great! I have Been here 4 times already :) All is good. It's awesome they have both indoor and outdoor seating.

A true Gem.... Located in an old Victorian home complete with an iron gate which beckons you into a secret garden/outdoor seating. Wish the weather had been nicer when we went but gives me an excuse to come back and enjoy out door dining. Almost missed the restaurant as from the outside it looks nothing like a restaurant. Such a cute and quaint place with an interesting menu. Restaurant is only opened for breakfast and lunch. We got there just before the lunch rush and would recommend reservations. Wait staff were friendly and came back by often. Food was excellent and special order did not upset them. We got a BLT and shrimp wrap for lunch would highly recommend if you are in the Albany area. Parking can be a challenge as they offer street parking only.

My family stopped for breakfast at Iron Gates Cafe while driving through Albany, NY. This little gem of a restaurant is hidden behind iron gates. Behind the gates is a cherry blossom tree to your left and a patio with outdoor seatings for warmer weather. There is also a back patio that I learned of later as well for additional seating guests who would like to have privacy but still be outdoor. We were immediately seated. Our waiter took our drink order and then came back later for the rest of our breakfast order, she did not rush us. Food came out relatively fast. We got to enjoy the scenery and my kids were given crayons to color. My husband enjoyed his breakfast burger. Who eats burger for breakfast? My daughter had the grilled cheese and French fries. She later admitted she only wanted it for the fries. So between the two of them, they had burger and fries for breakfast. My son ordered the mushroom and spinach omelette while I had the stuffed French toast with ham. We both didn't finish our dish. We ate about half of our meal. Both came with a heaping serving of home fries, while my son dish also came with an additional side of corn bread to top it off. My husband ordered an iced coffee while I had the matcha latte (which my daughter stole and drank all for herself) and a chai latte. The chai latte was better than the matcha latte. The matcha latte was overly sweet, perfect for my daughter. She drank every drop of it. The check came to a little over $100 for meals for four, and three drinks, plus tax and tip. It's definitely four stars for the amazing customer service and for the restaurant interior decor and atmosphere. I noticed that the dirty dishes were being handled within close proximity to the restroom area, literally in front of it. Not only was it very noisy but it also felt a bit unsanitary. I feel mixed about returning. 3.5 stars.

Wow, this place was simply amazing. I came here back in October 2023 with my son, who lives in the area. I am a breakfast/brunch girl, and this place did not disappoint. I do suggest an rsvp. They seem to stay consistently full. When you walk up, you go through the iron gate to the courtyard, which has seating outside. When you walk inside, it's like taking a step back in the 1800s as this place seemed to have a lot of the original features of this historic home. Me and my son shared in order to try multiple items. The apple cider mimosa was AMAZING and BIG. That was a first for me, and it was delicious. We split the Benedict and the French toast sandwich. Everything was delicious. I'll be coming back soon when I visit again. I've been dreaming about this brunch. The service was friendly and fast.

Best brunch in Albany, hands down. Anytime someone visits, we bring them here. The feeling of eating good food in an old brownstone just hits different. And it's perfect for the couple where one person loves breakfast food and one person loves lunch food because I can never make up mind and always leave happy. Pro tip: it gets busy so use the yelp app to hold your spot in line to limit your wait time. You won't regret it.

When it comes to a weekend brunch, my three top choices in the Albany area are cafe Madison, umana and iron gate. They're my splurge brunches (three steps up from a typical diner, and boozy drinks!) but man, oh man the waits are rough. Luckily, Iron gate allows you to join a wait-list so you can wait at the comfort of your own home.The inside is also quite quaint - it's a converted mansion with a lot of the old charm still there. The servers are great too - they've always been super friendly, helpful and accommodating. Iron gate has specials and those are my usual go to as I love trying something new. Last time, we tried a beet with a poached egg and hollandaise sauce and oh it was delicious and 'healthy'. On the flip side, we had an apple cider sandwich that might have spiked my cholesterol and diabetes through the roof - it was good but I needed to share the second sandwich. My friend tried the Cajun scramble (normal menu) and I'd 100% get that next time - well seasoned and cornbread was 10/10!