This is hands down the best brunch in Albany! Everything myself and my friends have tried here has been absolutely amazing and we have yet to find a menu item that isn't delicious. They have an ever-changing variety of specials depending on the day so you can never get bored and can always try something new and seasonal. The restaurant is located in an old schoolhouse and each room is unique. The outdoor seating is quaint courtyards located in the rear and front of the restaurant. Staff are very attentive and knowledgeable regarding menu items. Make sure you join their online waitlist before going, the wait can be long on weekends!

very enjoyable! had breakfast with my husband and 2 pups in their stroller on the back patio! My French toast was very good and my husband enjoyed his omelette! We hope to come back again soon as our waitress was so nice and made us feel so welcome

Iron Gate Cafe is one of my favorite brunch spots in the area! Their outdoor patio is perfect for enjoying the cozy atmosphere, especially when the weather is nice. The interiors are also gorgeous. One of the highlights is their ever-changing specials menu, offering fun options like unique drinks, soups, and mains. Their regular menu is consistently delicious--I love their Benedicts, omelets, breakfast burritos, and various coffee options. Their side potatoes are a standout favorite too! The service is always excellent--quick, attentive, and extremely kind. Just a heads-up: they're usually packed! If you're planning a weekend visit, be sure to join the waitlist online. Iron Gate Cafe is definitely one of our top picks for breakfast in the area.

Met a group of friends here for Saturday brunch. Service was friendly and efficient. They sat us in the back courtyard - an absolutely lovely setting with greenery and a working fountain in the middle of the courtyard. The variations on French toast and the breakfast sandwiches were all delicious as were the lattes (hot, cold and Chai!) I hadn't eaten here in a while and was glad to have been seated outside on a beautiful summer day.

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!

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.

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!