Saba Cafe — Restaurant in City of Albany

FOR MY LADIES: LISTEN UP I decided to check this place out after seeing a friend post it on their socials. NOTE: There is an entirely separate door for the cafe and a stair case that leads directly up to it (DO NOT ENTER THE RESTAURANT ENTRANCE). My friend and I had made the mistake of doing just that and we had the unpleasant experience of being cat called by the diners within it. One of the restaurant staff was kind enough to show us to the door. THEY ARE SEPARATE BUSINESSES. The place was empty, which is a little expected for a mid afternoon tea time. We were greeted and told to take a seat anywhere. There seems to be a side for women and a side for men (which is good for Muslims). The man provided us with menus and gave us some time to order. My friend ordered the Yemeni black tea and I ordered a karak chai and a pastry. While we were waiting on the drinks, we were served the pastry and complimentary tea. Later, when our drinks came out, the staff even offered us a pudding of some sort. The drinks were wonderful (on the sweet side for sure). The pastry was savory and not too sweet, the pudding was a new experience and it seemed to be made from some type of toffee (It was welcoming for my sweet tooth). The total may have been discounted but I’m not too sure. But it was super, super cheap. My friend and I spent a total of an hour and a half there and there was no sign of any other customers. After we paid, I asked the staff to lend me a box for the pastry that was left over. The staff gave me an entirely new pastry to go. The service was phenomenal. We will definitely be coming back. *For my Muslim ladies: I would avoid coming at night due to the presence of shisha and a more male dominated demographic. I would recommend potentially installing a barrier of some sort to separate the men and women’s side. I don’t know whether I would have been as comfortable with any male customers around. Overall, this is a gem of a place and I’m glad to see it open. They are open late nights, which will be welcomed...

I had an amazing experience at Saba Cafe with my family and friends! The atmosphere is incredibly welcoming, and the owner went above and beyond to make us feel at home. Their hospitality was top-notch, and you can tell they really care about their customers. The hookah, desserts, coffees and tea were fantastic, and we all enjoyed a relaxing and fun time together. Highly recommend this spot for anyone looking for a chill environment and great service! Can't wait to come back!

Thank you Badee for your hospitality...

Amazing place! Visiting Albany for the first time as I’m planning to move there soon and stopped here after dinner. Very clean, very comfortable and good atmosphere. Argileh was great, good selection of flavors. Turkish coffee was great too. But what stood out the most was not only friendly wait staff but also friendly owner who cares his customers are enjoying everything. Had good music, stopped by twice to make sure we were enjoying everything. This is going to be my regular place once I’m settled...