Michelin Guide Review: Café Capriccio Tucked away on an unassuming side street in Albany, Café Capriccio emerges as a hidden gem of fine dining in the capital region. The unpretentious exterior belies an intimate dining room with century-old artwork adorning the walls, setting a tone of timeless elegance within this atmospheric basement enclave. Upon entry, we were warmly greeted by Ryan, and Casey’s attentive yet unobtrusive presence ensured our evening began on a welcoming note. Their service, polished and personable, elevated the evening with a touch of charm and effortless hospitality. Our culinary journey began with a glass of Costamolino white wine, whose crisp, fruity notes and light sweetness provided an ideal accompaniment to the post-Thanksgiving mood. The stuffed shrimp starter followed, a delicate creation marked by subtle yet surprising flavors, served alongside freshly made bread—simple yet divine in its execution, a prelude to the indulgence ahead. For the main courses, the Delmonico steak, cooked to a precise medium, boasted impeccable seasoning and was tender to the bite. The duck, equally impressive, revealed mastery in preparation, a balance of richness and refinement that lingered long after the last bite. Portions were generous without overwhelming, though we found ourselves blissfully unable to finish. Desserts at Café Capriccio are a revelation in themselves. The pistachio cake offered a sublime nuttiness balanced by a delicate sweetness, while the tiramisu—airy and impeccably layered—proved a fitting conclusion to the meal. Café Capriccio is not merely a restaurant; it is an institution, where every detail, from the art on the walls to the precision on the plate, reflects a devotion to the craft of hospitality. Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of Ryan and Casey, and the remarkable kitchen team, this establishment secures its place among Albany’s finest. A true staple, Café Capriccio captures the heart with its charm and palate with its cuisine. An iconic culinary destination worthy of many returns.

Wow. This place. Service phenomenal, food sensational. Atmosphere was wonderful. No complaints. Warm bread, white table clothes all the way. Bar was nice as well.

+2

Recommended by friend and just amazing food and atmosphere. I had the barbecued sausage, mixed greens salad and spinach ravioli. All phenomenal!!

Small family run restaurant with attentive service and very good food. Would definitely go back! Tip - reservations are recommended. We got there before they opened and there were other people waiting to get in as well.

Incredible Italian spot in Albany - just don’t be surprised when the street it’s on reminds you of The Wire. The Risotto was to die for. Home made ravioli excellent. Cod with capers and side of risotto was also delicious. Worth sharing entrees so you can try more dishes. Pistachio cake and cheese cake desserts were amazing. The food is incredible. Wine is over priced a bit. Homey atmosphere really makes this place special. A must visit in Albany!

The food was amazing. We had a late reservation, so we front loaded the entire order when we sat down. Food was beautiful, delicious the music was present enough to be noticable but not so much that we could not share a private discussion. In short this was a great bookend to Mother's Day. The location is not my favorite part of Town, but high marks for this little gem.

I hadn't been here in over 20 years and it's better than I remembered. We had a party of 4. Beverages: Amalfi gin dirty martini, pear spritz, cybernetic, peroni. Apps: Grilled octopus, eggplant w/ four cheeses. Dinner: Salmon special, amatriciana cream homemade pasta with sausage, chicken francese with risotto, pork chop. Dessert: Pistachio & lemon cake. This is an institution! The service is impeccable. All of the pasta is homemade. The tomato sauce is very very good. The drinks are mixed perfectly and there's a great selection of beers, wines, spirits, cocktails and mocktails. The cutlery is fun with each steak knife being a different color handle. The parking isn't the best but there is on-street parking and pay-to-park options: 2 closeby lots and 2 closeby garages. There are a few steps to walk down to enter so I'm not sure about motorized wheelchair accessibility. I'm definitely adding this place back into the rotation and you should too!

This spot was so amazing! A true hidden gem- quaint entrance that opened up to an amazing atmosphere! Daniel was an excellent server and made great recommendations. We are definitely coming back here!

Fantastic all the way around! Outstanding authentic and original Italian cuisine coupled with friendly timely service! Beautiful decor too.

A Hidden Gem in Albany – Unforgettable Dining Experience! Café Capriccio is truly Albany’s best-kept secret! We hosted a corporate event here, and the experience exceeded all expectations. From start to finish, the service was impeccable—attentive, warm, and perfectly timed. The food? Absolutely phenomenal. Every dish was authentic, rich in flavor, and beautifully presented. You can taste the passion and tradition in every bite. Multiple guests at our event raved that it was one of the best meals they’ve ever had—and I couldn’t agree more. Whether you’re planning a special event or just looking for an outstanding meal, Café Capriccio is a must-visit. A true hidden gem that deserves all the recognition!

My Lord, where to begin? I begin by being ashamed to have lived in the area for most of my life, yet, somehow CC slipped by... until tonight. Tucked away in a little corner of the Mansion District, in the shadow of the Corning Tower (parking can be a challenge, but oh so worth the effort), there is a very good reason why CC consistently wins highest marks in so many annual "Best Of" reviews. Our intimate date night began with a perfect martini, segueing to a wedge salad with house-made gorgonzola dressing and lardons. For the main, I chose a house specialty, fresh-made tagliatelle pasta with squid ink sauce and fresh brined and grilled octopus, a taste sensation the likes of which I won't soon forget. Service was attentive, knowledgeable, but never imposing. We left fully satisfied in every sense, with a promise to return soon. Do not let this one pass you by.

Amazing meals, desserts, and drinks!! The servers were so friendly and warm!! The gorgonzola steak over gnocchi was to die for and so was the homemade pistachio gelato!! Best food I’ve had in the Capital Region!!

I’ve lived in Albany for 25 years and never eaten here - I’m mourning all the lost time and meals out that failed to meet this new standard. The food was excellent, the atmosphere cozy and the service was the among best I’ve had in a restaurant - every member of the waitstaff (and hostess) were checking in and supporting the dining experience at all tables. I find most places from Albany to Saratoga the experience is spotty or just ok - it’s obvious the culture here is one you can count on a great experience worth your money every time. I can’t wait to go back.l and I can’t wait to bring friends who have not been.

Everything was so fabulous! Great menu! Wonderful wine list and the staff is friendly, very knowledgeable and attentive. Go with your best friends, go for date night or with family. You will not be disappointed!

Can’t believe I waited 3 years to go here. I’ll be there once a month now. Awesome food and service. 10/10

We come here every year for Valentine's day, never disappoints! Cute romantic spot. Reservations are usually needed.

+1

The food was good. But the music was amazing, perfect volume, well curated. They even played one of my favorite ry cooder songs. Patricia, from the album he did with manuel Galbán. The album is called mambo sinuendo, you should check it out. Anyways, i recommend dining here

Went there for dinner before a concert at the Times Union Center. The meal and the service were wonderful! Portions were BIG. I'll know next time to get an appetizer size so I can get dessert ❤

It's been years since I ate here, but I am happy to say the quality of the food and service and VIP treatment is still the same! Absolutely 100% recommend this place to anyone!

Where do I start? This is the best restaurant I have been to in a long time. The chef is a genius and the owner is a hero. The napolitana no cheese gluten-free pizza could have beee mediocre or worse, but instead it was inspiring. The broccoli rabe was very tasty and cooked correctly with a lot of olive garlic. The grilled shrimp with prosciutto and grilled shrimp were good as they were, but the melon salsa really made the dish shine. The espresso was served in a cup they can clearly raided from my Nana’s cabinet. My only regret is they were out of gluten free pasta so I did not get to try the pasta dishes. In the end, I judge a restaurant but how creative the decor of the bathroom is. That’s how you know how hard the place is trying and if they have anything unique to offer. Café Capriccio did not disappoint. Bathrooms were painted Italian red white and green, with framed posters of old Italian movies. Five stars for the loo. They like to use their restaurant family resources, so one employee made a mosaic made of dish pieces for the wall, while another hooked the place up with an incredible cake company. They don’t fool around with quality here. I was so excited to eat the food, I failed to take pictures of it. To compensate, I took photos of the incredible outdoor seating, that did indeed feel like a Tuscan garden, as advertised. There is a private event room that is very cool and I hope to manufacture an excuse to have a group there one day. Go here before all the New York City people discover it and make it impossible to get a table.

+6

This place is a hidden gem. The food was amazing, atmosphere was perfect, and drinks were top notch. Pasta alla Carli with the homemade noodles was to die for. Best espresso martini I ever had, paired beautifully with the outstanding tiramisu. We can’t wait to go back!

Cameron was incredible with contagious amazing energy. She sat us late with no complaints at all. Such a lovely person! Definitely try the steak pasta xxx

Loved everything about our experience at Cafe Capriccio! The atmosphere reminded me of an unexpected place like you find in Italy. The service was outstanding, and the food was delicious and authentic! High reccomend!! We will be back.

+2

Hidden gem! Family favorite. The food is always impeccable and the service is top notch! Worth every penny! Stuffed shrimp was amazing ❤️

5 stars does not do this place justice. The business could be easily driven by without even seeing it, but you are missing something incredible. Hands down, the truffle pizza is by-far the best pizza i have ever had. They have a wood fired oven which cooked it to perfection and gave so much extra flavor. The Pork Osso was so tender, all I had to do was pull the bone and of the meat fell off. Almost every server at some point came to our table, including the bartender who made excellent drinks. This is a true customer experience focused business.

Best Italian cuisine so far I had in NY. We took burrata, prociutto plate, pizza with truffles, ragu pasta which was AMAIZING, and veal with crabs 🦀 and risotto, which was great. Highly recommend

+6

We had a wonderful experience at Café Capriccio! The waitresses were polite, attentive, and very well-trained. All of our orders arrived quickly and at the perfect temperature. I had a delicious non-alcoholic drink that I really enjoyed. For starters, we ordered the meatballs, which were excellent, and the house also offered freshly baked warm bread — simply irresistible! For the main course, we tried the pasta Bolognese and the Ravioli Della Serra, definitely one of the best raviolis I’ve ever had in my life. To finish, the desserts were truly spectacular: pistachio cake and tiramisu, both prepared with great care and absolutely delicious. Pure perfection! Highly recommend this place — don’t miss it 🧡

Beautifully crafted Italian cuisine with an intimate atmosphere. Delicious food, great cocktails! Highly recommend and will definitely be back next time I'm in Albany!

Came here when we stayed in Albany, they have great pasta and ravioli. The burrata ravioli was so good. My husband said this is the best Italian restaurant that he has never had. Leave some place for the dessert, it won’t disappoint you.

Food was exquisite and people were nice. We ordered three different pastas and they are all uniquely delicious. Highly recommend this place.

+1

The Staff were charming and perfectly attentive. We would put this restaurant on the level of an upscale NYC Italian Trattoria. Perfecto!

Amazing Meatballs and Eggplant Parm as appetizers!! Our entrees were delicious!! Our waitress was great!! She made sure we got what we wanted and was on top of filling water glasses!!

One of my all time favorite Italian restaurants in the area. Never disappointed when we go to capriccio. Amazing staff & authentic Italian cuisine! Truffle pasta is on of my favorites and can’t go wrong with any of the appetizers!

Incredible!!!! No other dining experience can compare to Joe’s chef’s table!!! Save up, get a group, and splurge! It will be the best party you have had!!!

House mixed green salad was nice. Also had their raviolis. Yum. Regretted not getting the fish of the day. It looked awesome.

It's funny that I only got to take a picture here once we've finished eating haha we were so hungry when we came in that's why we immediately dug in once the food was served. It was absolutely a fulfilling experience because the food and service are great. They also have a bar where you can order fine wine and other drinks!

Was a referral from the hosts of the Argus house my new go to place when traveling between NYC and the Adirondack mountains. Excellent food try the calamari neri or the catch of the day.

Our server, Ryan, was phenomenal. We had a big group and he was very attentive and funny. Food was good and we had a great time :)

I dined here one night while staying in Albany for a couple of days. This place is fantastic. Everything from the food and service is amazing. My server Danielle was warm, friendly and attentive. I also loved the ambiance and vibe of the restaurant. I highly recommend and I will most definitely stop in again the next time I am in the area.

+2

This place is for real. They got it together. Hit 5 stars in all categories for me. The food was so good I forgot to take pictures of the entrees. Service was attentive but not over done. The atmosphere, well go see for yourself. The cherry on top was definitely coffee and dessert. The cappuccino was finely crafted with attention and detail. Dessert was fantastic! I highly recommend this place!

Everything was fantastic with the exception of being put in a back room alone. I was dining by myself and was seated in a back room where another single diner was just finishing his meal. It was later in the evening & other tables were available in the main dining areas. There was no atmosphere to review.

This is the best restaurant around in my opinion. The food is always fresh where you actually feel better the next day after consuming. Service is always professional and efficient. Great for family meals, romantic dinners, parties, and fun Friday nights at the bar. The Chef's table is the best deal and experience around. Enjoy!!

Visiting from out of town we had a large group in for a celebration dinner. Cafe Capriccio was fantastic!!! The staff members were exceptional, the food was over the top, the wine selection was superb! I must give a special shout out to a team member who’s name I did not catch I believe he was kitchen staff we closed the restaurant last night he was leaving for the evening while we were waiting our hotel shuttle. A man came towards us (several women in our crowd) asking for money he jumped in and turned him around sending him away from us for which we were so thankful. Then the wonderful man proceeded to his vehicle and drove around to watch over us while we awaited our ride. Thank you young man for being our guardian angel last night!! I 100% recommend Cafe Capriccio for date nights for family gatherings! Truly a great experience!!

Mayleen

Great service, dessert was good, coffee was nice, dinner was amazing

+3

Eunice Mosaku

From the moment you enter, you’re greeted by a warm, inviting atmosphere that is both sophisticated and comfortably charming. It’s the sort of place where you can savor a leisurely coffee, enjoy a delightful pastry, or linger over a beautifully prepared meal. The menu is thoughtfully curated, offering dishes that are fresh, flavorful, and elegantly presented. Every item reflects care and attention to detail, and the flavors are consistently excellent. The service is gracious, attentive, and unobtrusive, exactly what one hopes for in a truly lovely cafe. Cafe Caprio feels like a refined little haven in Albany, perfect for both a quiet morning indulgence or a relaxed midday treat. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Jon Briccetti

It just doesn’t get better than Café Capriccio - i’ve been going here for 35+ years - it’s my #1 fav restaurant when I want to splurge (and go off my diet!). The Family meal room upstairs is a great experience. Franco & Carli are the perfect restauranteurs and their trips to Italy are fantastic. Highly recommend!!!

Max

The food was amazing. They had music playing in the bar area on the first we went. I had the Chicken Sorento, it was delicious. I don't stop eating until it was gone. My partner got the steak pasta she also didn't lift her head until she was finished. Great atmosphere and service. If you haven't been here, they are a must go to. Everything is fresh and tastes delicious.

Mike Catanzaro

Growing up in an Italian family, I am pretty picky about Italian American food. I must say, Cafe Capriccio is outstanding. The flavors they use are from various areas in Italy and I must say, some of them are hard to incorporate into dishes. They hit the nail on the head every time. This is one of the best Italian restaurants I've been to in the US. Way to go!

Joseph Patrick Paoloni

We’re here with 5 critical food connoisseur who know and lived good foods collectively 250 years from 5 different global regions. All had excellent meals. Service was excellent. Ambiance excellent.

christie swauger

Simply delicious! The food is amazing and authentic. Everything was to perfection and the house made pasta was superb. The staff were friendly and attentive, the atmosphere was relaxing. One of the finest meal experiences I've had in ages. Highest recommendation!

Mari Baci

I was staying with friends in the area who said this was some of the best Italian in the capital—and it did not disappoint. The restaurant itself is very charming, with a cozy, old New York Italian feel: plenty of grandma-style clutter on the walls and romantic, dim lighting. Our servers were friendly, attentive, and never rushed us. They poured our wine professionally and were helpful when answering questions. We started with the meatballs and the grilled octopus. Both appetizers were well sized but not huge, just enough for 2–4 people to share. I don’t eat seafood, but I tried some of the beans that came with the octopus, and they were excellent. The meatballs were also impressive, especially for restaurant meatballs. For mains, my friend and I split the Duck Scarpariello and the Duck Ragu. Both were flavorful and satisfying, though I personally wasn’t a fan of the duck sausage (everyone else loved it, though!). My friends raved about the squid ink pasta and fra diavolo. One friend ordered one of the specials, truffle pasta, which was very rich and truffle-y. Overall, this was a wonderful place. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was full of character, and the staff made us feel welcome. Prices are on the higher side, but I’d happily return.

Owen Flynn

Simply impossible to put into words how amazing the food, service and atmosphere are at Cafe Capriccio. Easily the best food and dinning experience I’ve had, this is a place I’d drive hours just to eat one of their dishes.

Jennifer Boateng

I enjoyed every bite of my food! Service was great! I would come back again and again! We had the wood roasted meatballs, stuffed ravioli with braised beef in a garlic cream sauce and stuffed chicken with mashed potatoes and veggies.

Rhett Butler

Café Capriccio offers an exceptional dining experience that leaves a lasting impression. The ambiance is warm and inviting, blending rustic charm with modern elegance. The menu is thoughtfully curated, featuring a variety of dishes that showcase fresh, high-quality ingredients. The food is nothing short of exquisite. From the expertly prepared pasta to the flavorful risottos and delightful desserts, each plate is a work of art. The flavors are vibrant, and every bite is a burst of deliciousness. The staff's knowledge of the menu enhances the experience, allowing them to make perfect recommendations. Service at Café Capriccio is outstanding. The staff is attentive, friendly, and genuinely passionate about providing a memorable experience. They are quick to cater to your needs while maintaining a relaxed pace that enhances your meal. Overall, Café Capriccio is a gem, offering a perfect blend of fantastic food and impeccable service. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a casual meal, it's a must-visit destination for food lovers. Highly recommended!

Udit Anand

Cafe Capriccio is a charming Italian restaurant that invites you with its intimate ambiance, nostalgic music selection, and courteous service. The food options on the menu are excellent and everything that we ordered was delicious and extremely well presented. The only area of improvement that I might highlight is that the service was not as quick and it seemed the staff was a bit stretched. Nonetheless, we had a wonderful time and will be back for more!

+7

Veronica Bentley

Now this place is something very special. Vegan/vegetarian options, upscale atmosphere, down to earth and friendly staff. Food is absolutely amazing. A diamond in the rough. If you didn’t know it was there you would drive right past and you would be missing out! Love it more every time I go and I will be going again hopefully soon. Suggest the pasta which is homemade and delicious, mushroom meatballs, chicken franchise, pizza, and bruschetta! Nothing better than sitting down to fresh baked bread with a dish of parmigiana to sprinkle and some olive oil to start. I miss it already💖

+9

Michael LaBarbera

First off, go eat here now. If you like Italian I will be shocked if you don't love everything at Cafe Capriccio. From start to finish the experience was surprising, fun and phenomenal. First greeted outside by the guide to help you navigate to the right door. More appreciated and needed than you may originally think. Our reservation was ready and waiting for us and we were seated immediately. You are further better by staff than really appear to enjoy working together and having fun. We found ourselves laughing and at ease immediately. The food, we had 4 patrons in total, 2 appetizers, 4 mains and 2 desserts. Everyone was in awe and every step of the meal was nothing short of perfection. The appetizers were the beats and stuffed clams. Both delicious, preferred was the clams the flavor exploded in our mouths. I should also mention the fresh bread they serve you, delicious and the oil and parmesan are already on the table for you. Mains were made up of 2 different eggplant dishes, a pasta dish and the scallop special. Everyone was in love. Eggplant on par with the best I've ever had at other Italian favorites. The scallops which my friend let me try again were perfection. They may have been the best I've ever had, with once again the flavor being tantalizing with every bite. Dessert we got the Pistachio option and Nonna's option. Both were amazing. The Pistachio cake stole the night. From all the perfection that was had this evening, the Pistachio cake reigned supreme. A perfect way to end our evening. I couldn't recommend Cafe Capriccio more. We were there visiting friends but you can guarantee next time we visit we shall be back. In the mean time please go and Enjoy!!

+3

Witch-King of Angmar

We came here on my birthday back in February, and it was absolutely delicious. From the salad appetizer to the drinks, everything was fabulous. We got the best seat in the house and it was so cute and homey feeling. So we decided to come back for our anniversary and I dare say… the food was better?? We got the meatball appetizer which was, SO GOOD. To die for. We scarfed those meatballs up as if we were starving. So flavorful and delicious with a great texture, the sauce was phenomenal. Then we asked our server for a recommendation for dinner and they did not disappoint! From the handmade fresh ravioli to the puttanesca sauce, mm mm. Delicious. Safe to say this is a great celebratory option in Albany. Can’t wait to celebrate something else!!

+3

Great experience ! I had no idea this place even existed. It’s definitely “in the cut”. The staff is friendly. Service was great. Ambiance is amazing. The food was delicious. I had the starter meatballs. I’d give them a 5.5/10. The actually meatball could use more flavor but the sauce was superb,8/10. I also ordered the butternut squash ravioli,10/10. Amazing! The homemade bread is also really good 10/10. I’m definitely coming back. The only real down side was the street parking. Took me a bit of time to find a spot.

Food Was very tasty. My wife's Ravioli Della Sera - very good, my Stuffed Chicken Amalfi ($32) also good but a tad overcooked, therefore a bit chewy. Service cold and business-like. As it was Friday evening we felt they wanted us out as soon as possible. Atmosphere good in a nicely decorated basement of an old house. Good selection of background music, not too loud. One thing was absolutely distasteful and out-of-place: a male waiter in shorts and short-sleeve shirt displaying tattoos on both arms and both legs! Not appropriate for a fine Italian restaurant.

One of the best Italian food we had recently in albany! Definitely would recommend this place if you want to have some authentic Italian. They start of with a homemade bread which was so soft and tastes soooo gooood, We had chicken Francese and pesto fresco pizza , both the dishes were amazing! Also the place was cozy(:

Overall a really good experience. Can’t beat the atmosphere for a romantic Italian dinner in the area. The food is good, though my party was varying levels of impressed. The fresh pasta dishes were a hit across the board, but some of the appetizers like the Grilled Octopus and Stuffed Shrimp were just okay. We did have a mild bill discrepancy that we had to get solved (charged for a drink we never received). But ultimately they fixed the bill and removed the item we didn’t get. This place is always a full house so just expect that it’s more likely you have to follow up on dishes/drink orders than other places. Staff was always friendly and apologetic when this happened though, so not a reason to avoid this place at all.

The food is still great, but their service has declined. The dining room could use some maintenance. We ate there last night for my birthday. CC has always been one of my favorite restaurants in Albany. When we were seated we were left with a printout of the nightly specials. At this price point I expect a server to tell you what the specials are and to offer recommendations. That’s how it used to be. After finishing the main meal the server would clear the table and explain dessert options while sweeping the table with a crumber leaving a renewed space for dessert. No more. Dessert menus were dropped at the table and main plates were removed. The booth we were in (closest to the door) needs to be reupholstered. Cracked and lumpy. Our food was great. I hope they return their service to its former high level. Otherwise it’s not the special dining experience it once was.

A total gem. We were staying at a nearby hotel on a Sunday night and it turns out very little is open in this area on Sundays. Thankfully Cafe Capriccio was! It's casual, charming, and comfortable! The staff was friendly and helpful. The food was great! The owner even came in and ate at the bar and was so nice to his staff. You can tell it's a loved family-owned spot with attention to quality and customer comfort. The pastas are made with homemade tagliatelle that was perfectly comforting. The pink sauce is a lot like a vodka sauce and delish. The eggplant appetizer is just like an eggplant parm, but not as big as a typical one. Perfect size and paired it with a side of pasta!

Jonathan Crawford

I would give 5 stars across the board but regardless of how great of an experience I had everyone can improve somewhere. Food was great service was excellent atmosphere was impeccable. We will definitely be back.

Restaurant was ok. Food was good but the service was too fast. Is fast pace environment. We ordered our drinks and appetizers first as usual but we were told by the waiters that we have to order everything at once, so we did. After we ordered, everything came so quick. Between appetizers and entree was less than 5 minutes. We were done in less than hour. So, if you want a quick and tasty food this is the place but if you’re not in a rush and want to enjoy your dinner, will recommend to go to another restaurant.

The food was nice and the dessert was phenomenal but it was overpriced for the amount of food you are presented with. Italian American restaurants are a dime a dozen in the capital region and there are many options that provide a similar experience for a fraction of the cost. Still worth a visit.

I really want to like this place but.. maybe it is the low ceilings. The food is good but no wow after going twice and sharing plates. I like the meatballs and the octopus and the side of veggies.

It was so bad I actually enjoyed how bad it was. You don't get to experience such an environment very often. Figure the food must be great if everything else was laughable but it wasn't. At times almost spit it out of my mouth partly because I was laughing about how bad everything was and partly because it was bad food. Left some money on the table and left too much money. Almost got held hostage but managed to escape. I would give it less stars but I actually had a really good time how funny it was. Once and a life time experience

Octopus was great. Pasta could be better. Ragu was very different from your typical Ragu.. in bad way.

Our neighbors raved about Cafe Capriccio so we finely decided to go on New Year's Eve. Perhaps their prix fixe nights don't represent a typical dining experience for them but I can't say we were thrilled with our dining experience. Our server seemed aloof and a bit brash. When she first came around to ask us for our drink order, we asked for a wine list. We asked again when she returned, we asked a second time. We finally stopped the hostess as she sat a table near us to provide us with a wine list which she provided. This was typical of our service that night. Dishes looked bland. (I failed to take pictures of our main dishes but they lacked garnishes). The bread seemed undercooked. The broth in the first-course pasta was watery. The steak came without any type of sauce. The baked potato was served with butter. The restaurant is situated in a basement and the dining room we were seated in looked like it hadn't been updated in decades. I can't recall what the background music selection was but I do remember it did not fit the occasion of a NYE dinner in an Italian restaurant. Will we go back? Well, it's been six months and while we tossed around the idea of returning, we've ended up choosing to go elsewhere.

BEWARE AND WATCH YOUR BILL The food was good but I was a bit disturbed they tacked on a 20% auto gratuity to our check. I was about to leave an $80 dollar tip until one of my guests noticed the addition to the bill. They told me because we were a group of 5 it’s automatic. Also, I can share honestly when we walk in the smell was not great. Yes white linen cloths on tables were nice but I was really thinking I was walking into an authentic Italian restaurant. The cedar panels, dated stuff and the prices are just not justified

Very double minded writing this review as it was a very weird experience... I'll start with the good, the food taste was great. The appetizers, my entrée and desserts were amazing! BUT there was a huge issue... While sitting in one of the booths, we were also sharing the table with a mouse. This mouse decided to show up at my shoulder level just after our appetizers had been served. I quickly jumped out of the booth and alerted the staff who were quick to react. They captured and disposed of the mouse and informed us that they were going to comp our whole meal. So while the food was great, the atmosphere was far from it. So take that into consideration when visiting. Photo of said mouse is attached due to the quick thinking and photography of my coworker.

Amina Puorro

It's in a tough part of town, we also got a flat due to the surrounding potholes be careful. The food was ok, It was very pricey compared to the quality and portions you receive. We went there for my fathers birthday and they charged to cut the cake and if you want to split the check it's not an option you have to split it amongst yourselves. It's small and in a basement but service was good a little snooty but ok. There are many other high end restaurants in Albany this personally was not one I would return to

+1

Job Req

Great little joint…overall good experience. Great flavorful red sauce . Bread was ok but very dry . Eggplant with four cheese was excellent. I am VERY disappointed with their special - salmon with Rissotto with saffron . The whole dish was floating in liquid . Fish was very tiny piece. Too moist . Risotto was over cooked loaded with saffron yellow water. I don’t like overcooked Pasta as much Rissotto being tiny pasta it was like a paste….. New name for this dish could be “Salmon with Pasty Pasta “

Jenn Jones

It makes me sad to post this because my first experience at Cafe Capriccio was phenomenal. Unfortunately, with each subsequent visit the service has declined. Tonight, we didn’t get one of the apps we ordered because the server misunderstood the request. Okay, honest mistake, and we weren’t billed for it. Fine. It took a bit but we received bread, which equated to about 2 servings for a party of 4, so we asked for and received more. It was delicious. The entrees were very good. Our drinks were good, although 2 of our party ordered sodas and were charged for refills. Given the food prices, that seems ridiculous, but okay. Then we ordered a dessert and a coffee. The coffee was downright cold. Not even lukewarm, but cold. We told the server and they “brewed a fresh pot” and it was fine, although not $5 coffee. Given the prices and location, my expectation would be that the food and service would always be spectacular. This place has been a staple in my bf’s family long before I came along, so I’m hoping this was just an off night, but given some other recent reviews, it sounds like this might be the new normal. I hope not. 🙁

The food was okay but overpriced. I’d prefer to go to Barcelona Restaurant instead. The pasta was decent but not worth the price, but I ate it anyway. For two people — two main dishes, one dessert, and two drinks — the total was $139.honestly any other mid range restaurant in the region will give you more bang for your buck and will probably be cheaper

Our reservation placed us at a cramped untenable booth in busy front dining area that clearly no one else wanted to sit at. We asked to move which was not a problem and ended up in back room which had a large party. Not much on atmosphere and service was perfunctory. Sadly only veg entree choice was plain old pasta w tomato sauce which wasn't very good. Shared salad was just ok and meager. Bread was dry. (3 small slices for 2 people.) Overall vibe was this place once had its day but like the atmosphere the menu was tired and certainly no real consideration for plant based diners.

First time back in a while due to the shootings in this area and we won’t be back. The food was ok (duck ragu) but the service was awful. Our waitress handed us our dishes without a word and we didn’t see her again until we got our bill, with only the slightest acknowledgment. I know she’s long term. We sucked up the bar prices and luckily chose reasonable entrees and wine, but the service is what made us realize the restaurant was not worth risking our lives for. It was my birthday, so underwhelming. We had talked about going back for years. Now we can put that to rest. Sorry to say Goodbye, Cafe Capriccio.

The food and ambience was good. Food tasted authentic. We ordered mushroom meatballs which was quite delicious and sauce was really fresh and the hero ingredient was basil. The pesto shrimp pasta was okay. Tomato garlic cream pasta was good in taste and had nice thick and creamy sauce. What was strange about this place is we saw two rats playing in a table near by which freaked us out initially and it also looked like they definitely have more. Last but not the list our experience was good until we left the place and suddenly one of the server chased us outside and asked for more tip rudely which was not acceptable and it ruined my date night.

Update : This is a response to the manager who reacted to my review which I presume all can read below. Never in my life have I received a call from a restaurant questioning a tip. You may not realize how customers react to such a call, but the tone of the call is critical. You sounded a bit angry, demanding and intimidating that the tip was not at least 18%. The tip was 16% which was adequate considering the service provided. I wrote this review in the hope all would learn how cutomers react to the policy of calling within minutes of departure to ask why the tip was in your opinion, inadequate. If a customer leaves 15%, perhaps they feel it is adequate? Why question it? I understand your explanation for calling so quickly but I disagree with the need to so quickly engage a customer. Do you think you build a business by making customers feel intimidated by their tip level? Do you think any one of the customers you call in such a manner will return? You need to realize that your tone was abrasive and insulting. I stongly suggest to you and the owners that you never call any customer regarding the tip level. Wait at least a day and try to sincerely ask about their experience without bringing up the tip. Maybe they will return after such a call because of demonstrated sincerety, ie, what could we have done better. A final note about customer relations. It takes years to gain a customer but seconds to lose one. Stop the quick calls, change the tone and make customers feel you care about them and the experience you provide. A night of firsts. First time at this restaurant and first time getting a call from a manager wanting an explanation for a 16% tip that generated what felt like an angry inquiry as to why? The call came within minutes of returning to the car creating an akward experience for all in the vehicle. Ironicly, it was the first time any staff asked us if everything was ok or did we need anything? Instead of writing about the food, we dwell on the attitude of a manager who was hardly serious in seeking to know what might have caused what she felt was a subpar tip. To say the phone call was intimidating is an understatement. My advice would have been to wait a day to reach out instead of a speed dial leading one to conclude the manager was ticked with the tip. The usual courtesies of have a good night or please come again were also absent. Yes, the food was good although other local Italian eateries have provided a better experience. Adding to the difficulty of the evening was a loud foresome next to us that prevented us from hearing the server's daily specials. They did try to reseat us but we were told it was too busy and we couldn't expect the server to tell folks to quiet down. You'll notice I have never submitted a negative review, prefering to say nothing when things were not enjoyable. Everyone can have a bad day and public reviews can be harmful if done with animosity. So instead, this criticism is offered in the hope people will learn from the experience. Anger from a manager is hard to diquise and should be tempered by a thoughtful followup that generates a tone of sincerity.

Had a terrible experience about a month ago, over $14.00 worth of risotto. It might sound petty, but bear with me. A brief backstory first. I came here with two friends last winter, one of whom was from out of town and had never had good Italian food before. He was so enamored with the food here he literally started tearing up. We came back the next night just us two, and had a lovely date night. He loved it almost as much the second time, and talked about Cafe Capriccio being a non-zero contributing factor to why he's considering moving up here. TLDR; he fell in love with this place, hard. Cut to a month ago. My friend is back in town, and insists we have to go to Cafe Capriccio again. We go, and get the little table in the corner of the upper dining room. We have a lovely evening, and he wants to come back again. We make a reservation for the following evening as we leave, and the wait staff seems delighted that we had such a good time. The second evening, things seem fine at first. We have one waitress who helps us, and takes our order. I see that risotto is $7 to order as a side dish, and we're both thinking about ordering it. We both order the special, a white fish with mashed potatoes, and ask if it's possible to substitute the mash for risotto. The waitress assures us it's possible, for a small up-charge. We say that's fine, and order both with a risotto substation. We work through our appetizer, the lovely eggplant dish, and the entrees arrive. At this point, a second waitress has transitioned to taking care of us, and brings us our fish with a little blob of risotto each of our plates, and shortly afterward comes out with two sides of risotto--each a sizeable full bowl of the stuff. She says, "I'm sorry, they put the ticket in wrong and entered your order as regular, with two sides of risotto, would you like to take them or have them taken off the bill?" We've got risotto, so we thank her but ask her to take it off, and she agrees. We think that settles things. We wrap up our meal, and by now a third waitress has started taking care of us. She brings us the bill, and I notice we've been charged full price for our specials ($47 each for a piece of white fish, mash, and a few green beans, yikes), as well as two separate entries for $7 sides of risotto. We think they forgot to take it off the bill, and eventually flag down that third waitress again and explain that we were told it would be taken off by the second waitress. She says she's going to go check, and vanishes for a while. The *second* waitress returns and explains that it was their understanding we had a conversation about being okay with the up-charge. We explain the course of events, and that if we had known we were going to get charged for the price of two full sides of risotto, we would have taken the other two bowls of risotto to go. We also explained that if we knew the "up-charge" would be the cost of a full side, we would have just ordered *one* side originally, and gotten our mashed potatoes as well. The waitress acknowledges that the miscommunication was on their side, and leaves again, to talk it over with someone. The second waitress returns with the check, explains that the misunderstanding was theirs, apologizes, and puts the check down, and *races* off. I open the little black check holder and sure enough, both risottos are still on the bill. We paid and left. The whole experience left a terrible taste in our mouths, and my date has refused to ever return. We spent around $150 each of the four times we were there, and would probably have made a point to eat there every time my friend was in town. They absolutely tanked any chance of us ever going back, over $14.00 worth of risotto, after some manager hung their waitstaff out to dry by refusing to take that risotto off the bill. And honestly the service kind of stank that time too, since we kept having different people working with our table, who were clearly more concerned about placating whoever was in charge over providing a positive experience.

Edit: Please double-check the math before making accusations online, and respect privacy. Apologies, but I had to lower the rating to two stars due to my experience. Food was around $184 and Tip was: $25 It was table for 3. Was it too little? Also, the rodent smell near the front door needs to be addressed. We do enjoy food and have found it to be good on many places around the country and world. However, it’s rare to come across owners who seem to care so little about their customers. This version softens the tone slightly while still conveying your concerns clearly. Old review: Food: The food was decent but not exceptional. Service: There is significant room for improvement in the service. It was merely adequate. Atmosphere: While I appreciate the establishment's desire to maintain its 42-year tradition, there are areas where improvements could be made. For example, the table felt cramped and lacked sufficient space for four people. Regarding the practice of calling customers to solicit feedback, while it's commendable to seek customer input, calling immediately after a visit, especially if the tip was below 20%, can be perceived as intimidating. Personally, I'm willing to pay the menu prices, but I believe that tips should be earned, not demanded. It's important to nurture customer relationships to encourage repeat business. If a 20% tip is expected, it should be clearly communicated, perhaps on the menu, website, or directly on the check. This would be more transparent than relying on post-visit calls. The current level of service does not justify a tip of 20% or even 15%. Many customers continue to tip generously out of respect for the restaurant's tradition and the quality of the food. I hope these suggestions can help improve the dining experience. Best of luck.

We haven't been in about 10 years, but we're incredibly disappointed when we walked in for our reservation and rudely told to come back in 20 minutes. We didn't realize the restaurant was not open until 5 and even when I said we had a reservation, we were told to go to a bar up the street and come back. I politely told the hostess to cancel our reservation and walked out. She called ten minutes later and asked if we coming for "our reservation." We won't be back. Incredibly disappointed.

My mother had made a reservation for a Saturday night. The restaurant has a policy that no-shows are charged a fee. We completely understand and we didn't ask for an exception to the policy. She died suddenly earlier that week. Although we were incredibly overwhelmed, we called the restaurant to cancel this reservation since we do not consider that fee to be trivial. There was no answer, so we left a detailed voicemail. The following day, we called again, and someone answered. Although it was busy and during service hours, we got a confirmed "okay, no problem" after making our cancellation. The reservation also went away on Open Table. The night that the dinner was supposed to happen, we got an email (we had gotten into my mom's email) that her credit card was charged $200 dollars from the restaurant. We immediately called, and were told that no one had previously called, and moreover, there were no exceptions to their policy and no chance at contesting the charge since they had called the reservation holder (our passed mother) to confirm our attendance and no one picked up (her phone was being held in the medical examiner's office). When we ended up emailing proof that we had called the restaurant multiple times days before the reservation, we were told by the manager that she didn't care about our story and hung up. Every time we have called since then we have been hung up on, and the manager has refused a refund and also refused an apology. I cannot imagine working for someone who acts like this. I understand policies, but I do not understand unwillingness to accept when something went wrong on your end. I would never recommend this place to anyone and think the business owner should do some serious reflection on how to treat costumers.

Called to place a order lady on phone was the rudest person. I asked about the pasta to go w meal. she had the worst attitude and told me to look at menu witch i already did to find pasta and couldn't. She was so rude I couldn't find and didn't call back .

We were really looking forward to celebrating my graduation with a special dinner at Café Capriccio. Unfortunately, the evening was deeply disappointing due to how we were treated by management. My brother-in-law and his baby had to cancel last minute, after we were seated, because the baby was sick. Our waitress let us know about a $20 per person no-show fee, said they wouldn’t charge it for the baby, and mentioned they might be able to offer a takeout entrée instead. She was kind and tried to help, but needed to check with the manager. The manager—Carly—came over immediately, already angry. She raised her voice in the middle of the dining room, said the no-show fee was actually $25 per person (not $20), and insisted they would be charging it for the baby. She dismissed everything the waitress said, loudly declaring she was new and “doesn’t know anything.” The way Carly spoke—aggressive, rude, and belittling—was completely unnecessary. We didn’t mind paying the fee—we understood the policy—but the way we were treated was unacceptable and deeply embarrassing on what should have been a joyful occasion. It got worse when my card was automatically charged instead of my dad’s, who had planned to treat me for graduation. When my mom walked over to ask if the charge could be placed on my dad’s card, Carly followed her back to our table and again raised her voice. When we calmly asked her to stop speaking to us that way, she snapped that we needed to stop. Other diners were staring—I would have been mortified if I were her. Carly repeatedly mentioned it’s a “family-owned business” and that she’s part of the family—as if that excused the behavior. But there were many open tables throughout the restaurant, despite their claims of being fully booked back-to-back for graduation weekend. The overall service felt cold and like we were inconveniencing them by even being there. The food was adequate for the price, but the atmosphere left a terrible impression. As we left, Carly sarcastically said “Congratulations on your graduation,” which felt more like mockery than celebration. We will not be returning and will be warning friends.

Guys ... I dont post reviews much but this restaurant handled a deeply sensitive situation with disappointing coldness. A reservation was made by a mother for her daughter’s graduation dinner. Tragically, the mother passed away before the event in a completly unexpected way. We called multiple times to cancel the reservation, explaining the situation, and believed it had been taken care of. Despite our efforts and the circumstances, her card was still charged a no-show fee. For a 'fine dining' establishment, this level of inflexibility and lack of basic empathy is unacceptable. Policies are important, but so is humanity, especially in the face of loss. We followed their policy by cancelling, but we were not met with accountability. No effort was made to understand or rectify the situation, even after multiple attempts to cancel in advance. We expected better from a place that prides itself on being high-end. Enforcing a fee under these circumstances is not just disappointing..it’s telling. You've shown exactly what kind of business you are: prioritizing profit over basic human decency.

Manager Carli’s Behavior Was Shockingly Unprofessional We were excited to celebrate my wife’s graduation here, but the experience was unexpectedly upsetting. Two from our party had to cancel last minute due to a sick child. When we informed the staff, the waitress was kind and explained their no-show fee, but said she’d check with the manager about possibly substituting a takeout entree. The manager, Carli, approached us with hostility—raising her voice, insisting on a $50 fee (including for the baby who wouldn’t have eaten), and embarrassing us in front of other diners. We didn’t mind the charge itself—it was the unprofessional, loud, and confrontational way she handled the situation. Despite asking for the charge to go on my father-in-law’s card, as he was paying, she refused and kept it on my wife’s card, who was being celebrated. She returned again to the table, loudly repeating her point to assert control. The whole situation felt unnecessarily aggressive and humiliating. There were multiple empty tables during our meal (attached photos), so the urgency about the no-show felt exaggerated. Carli’s final parting words—a sarcastic “congratulations”—summed it all up. Disappointing and unworthy of a special night. After the fact, we saw other reviews noting the same kind of aggressive behavior and public confrontation from Carli—followed by defensive replies instead of accountability. Sadly, this seems to be a recurring issue, not just a bad night. We won’t be returning—and would caution others celebrating anything meaningful here.

Chara Papoutsis

Cafe Capriccio used to be our go-to spot for special occasions—a charming, quiet, intimate place with consistently delicious food and top-notch service. So when I flew in from California to visit my 90-year-old uncle, who had just been discharged from the hospital, it felt natural to return here for what we hoped would be another memorable evening. Knowing how small the restaurant is, we made a reservation for a Thursday (to avoid the weekend rush) and even called ahead to inform them we’d be a few minutes late due to my elderly uncle needing extra time. They assured us it would be no problem. Unfortunately, from the moment we arrived, it was clear things had changed. Our table wasn’t ready, and we were asked to wait in the bar, which was extremely noisy—making it impossible for my uncle to hear. We checked in a few times and each time we were told it would only be a “few more minutes.” That “few minutes” turned into 40. No one offered us water, menus, or even checked in. When I finally asked for menus, it took another 10 minutes before someone acknowledged us. When I raised concerns with a young woman—who later identified herself as Carly, and a member of the owner’s family—she offered no apology and when I expressed my frustration with the poor communication, rather than trying to make it right instead she shockingly told me that I had “an attitude.” She then insisted we were “supposed to be at the bar anyway”—a fact that was never communicated to us upon arrival. The dismissive tone and lack of basic common courtesy and the absolute failure in customer service was truly astounding. As a former waitress and hostess, I understand that sometimes things run behind. What’s unacceptable is failing to communicate delays, failing to provide even minimal accommodations like water during a long wait, and treating your guests with disrespect. “Busy” is not an excuse for rude service, it’s clear after reading several other one star reviews that the poor treatment specifically by one person: Carly- is the main issue. She clearly hasn’t learned anything from the reviews or made attempts to improve so at this point, it’s a pattern and she should probably be replaced. To make matters worse, the fish special—was not good. It had that unfresh fishy odor and the portion was super small. Whether it was coincidence or punishment for calling out the poor service, I couldn’t say—but after the way, we had already been treated I certainly didn’t feel comfortable sending it back. I never imagined writing a negative review about Cafe Capriccio, but this experience was profoundly disappointing. The wait and the communication was unacceptable, the food underwhelming, and the attitude from management appalling. I will not be returning—and I can no longer recommend it to anyone.