Daily Grind — Restaurant in City of Albany

I really wanted to give Daily Grind place 5 stars. I drove out of my way to get here, as they are WAMC underwriters and looked like just the kind of coffee place I love. I really don't like giving independent business low ratings. So I will try to be fair.

First, the good: wonderful beans, perfectly roasted and ground, delicious coffee. My wife ordered a regular coffee to go and it was fantastic. Four stars because if you just want a decent cup of coffee, there probably isn't a better place in Albany.

Now, the bad: I ordered a medium latte to go. Everything started out well, with the barrista throwing out the first shot as not perfect and then pulling a great-looking double shot of espresso. Then came the disaster. Just to remind everyone, a latte is made with steamed milk. Ideally, a bit of microfoam is gently created ("stretching" the milk) and then the milk is brought up to temperature without foaming ("shaping" the milk), preferably about 60-70C. Instead, the barrista let the steam run on full in the milk, heating it well above the desired temperature (I saw no sign of a thermometer), then dipped the steam wand in and out a few times in the hot milk, creating enormous, stiff, foamy bubbles in the now scalded milk. This mess was then dumped in the cup with the aforementioned perfect coffee. The result was hot enough to burn my tongue, and tasted of scalded milk.

Now, I understand there are some people who order coffee to go who complain about it not being hot enough when they get to their office half an hour later, but I would be surprised if they ordered lattes. But if this is a common request at the Daily Grind, maybe ask your customers whether they want their coffee overheated? It took my mouth days to recover from this assault, and I will assuredly not be back to the...

Whether your day is just beginning or, like me, your night is winding down as the morning comes to a close—there’s no better time to treat yourself to a solid breakfast or a good cup of coffee. And let me tell you, The Daily Grind in Albany, NY is the spot. Open since 1976—that’s 48 years of serving the community—this place is nothing short of legendary.

From the moment I stepped into this cozy little café, I was met with a warm, inviting vibe that instantly made me feel at home. The atmosphere? Charming. The service? Phenomenal.

I didn’t catch her name, but the woman who helped me was absolutely delightful. Bright personality, striking tattoos, and a super cool hair design—she radiated individuality and kindness. A true hidden gem working in one of Albany’s best-kept secrets.

Let’s talk prices—because this place is beyond reasonable. I grabbed a large coffee for just $3. But this wasn’t just any coffee. I asked for a recommendation and was blessed with the suggestion of a Lavender Vanilla Latte. It may sound simple, but trust me—it was otherworldly. I’ve never had anything like it, and now I don’t think I’ll ever want anything else. Smooth, fragrant, flavorful—and again, just three bucks.

As if that wasn’t enough, I also ordered the Berry Blast muffin (another steal at $3). Here’s the kicker—the barista asked if I wanted it toasted. Toasted. Muffin. Never in my life has a café offered that, and let me just say—it took that muffin from good to extraordinary.

The Daily Grind doesn’t just serve coffee and pastries—they serve experience, comfort, and character, all without breaking your wallet. I’ve officially found my new go-to spot. Highly,...

They say their "Rubens (sic) are the best in town". While I can't yet attest to that since this was my first in town, I can say it's a darn good sandwich!

There were three folks ahead of me ordering food and coffees but the line and the kitchen moved swiftly. Menus are listed on blackboards in various areas and offer a good selection of breakfasts, sandwiches, wraps, soups, and salads.

I ordered a decaf, sugar-free latte and the Reuben. Of course, I had to try the town's best! The coffee is great so, yes, friends don't let friends drink Starbucks ;)

I took my sandwich home which is less than a five-minute walk. It was still steaming hot! Piled high with corned beef, sweet sauerkraut, a spicy Russian dressing, and stringy Swiss cheese, I can see why they tout themselves as the best.

The sandwich came with a bag of chips. Since they didn't ask, I figured it would be a bag of plain chips but instead. it was Sour Cream & Onion. I happen to really like that flavor so I was happy to see them in my bag.

I look forward to many coffees from the Daily Grind as well as trying other items on their menu...next up: The Corned Beef Hash breakfast! I'm...