Cafe Capriccio

Name: Cafe Capriccio
Address: 49 Grand Street, Albany, NY, United States, 12207
Telephone: (518) 465-0439
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.6

4.6 (2136)

$31 to $50

Italian

49 Grand Street, Albany, NY 12207

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 30, 2025

11:30 PM

Booked 10 times today

About this restaurant

Good for special occasions
Neighborhood gem
Great for fine wines

Cafe Cariccio, the region's only authentic Tuscan restaurant, has been a favorite dining destination in Albany for 30 years. The Cafe was voted Best Restaurant in the Capital District by Metroland Magazine for 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and many times previously. Jim Rua and Franco Rua are proprietors. The Cafe is open for dinner every night. See our web site for details and photos.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, Mediterranean, Sicilian
Hours of operation
Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(518) 465-0439
Website
https://www.cafecapriccio.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Franco Rua
Catering
Catering is available for small or large parties for pick up or for on premise events. Our menu is filled with our classics from our kitchen as well as the elaborate authentic Italian dishes that we serve at our Chef's Table.
Private party facilities
The Cafe has a wonderful private dining rooms for private events. Our Chef's Table, located on the second floor above the main restauant, can hold parties of 10-17 and is an intimate open kitchen concept room where the chef cooks in front of your guests. The room also features a private entrance and private bathrooms just for this room. Our private room has wireless internet, screens and private staff. Our rooms regularly host business events and speaker presentations as well as family event, birthdays, anniversaries as well as couples dinners with friends.

Location
49 Grand Street, Albany, NY 12207
Neighborhood
Albany
Cross street
Hamilton St.
Parking details
Parking available without charge at the OGS State parking lot at the corner of Hamilton and Grand Street to the right of the restaurant on Grand Street.
Entertainment
Walter and Julia Donnaruma perform jazz on Friday nights.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wine

Featured in

Best Restaurants in Albany

Popular dishes

What 2,136 people are saying

Cafe Capriccio reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.6Service
4.6Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Capital District
Neighborhood gem
Capital District
Great for fine wines
Capital District
Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Cafe Capriccio offers a delightful dining experience with "delicious food," a "cozy, romantic setting," and "friendly, knowledgeable staff." Guests rave about the authentic Italian dishes and exceptional service. Although some mention a rushed experience, many appreciate the "welcoming ambiance" and "fabulous jazz quartet." A must-visit for a memorable meal.

2,136 Reviews

C
Cathy
Unspecified1 review
1.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 2
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 2
The haughty attitude in this restaurant is not warranted. The food was mediocre, at best. The male server was rude, the pace was rushed, and food was dropped on the table in front of the wrong people with no one checking back to inquire about food quality. The seating is rundown and uncomfortable. The veal osso buco had no flavor and was in a bland red sauce. The steak on the steak pasta had no seasoning at all, the octopus also had a bland red sauce next to it. The stuffed shrimp were the best of the selections, but tiny with very little stuffing. This once iconic restaurant is now a huge disappointment.
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E
Erica VIP
New York City7 reviews
4.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The veggies and the pasta was a little overcooked and too soft. It was a decent meal, but not outstanding.
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J
Julie
Greater Boston2 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 21, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We were in town for the night and decided to go to this restaurant. The last time we were there was 29 years ago. It had been recommended to us then and we remembered having a delicious meal. It is just as good if not better now. I had the pork chop and it was delicious. The service was excellent. The atmosphere is really nice. Highly recommend for an authentic Italian meal and wonderful dining experience.
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L
Linda
New York City3 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 15, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Table for four celebrating Father’s Day and my 77th birthday. We consider this to be our favorite restaurant ever and Jim Rua is absolutely the best. We all had different entrées and appetizers, and they were all delicious. My six-year-old grandson came with us and they made a special effort to serve him something that he would like. We will always come back. I would recommend it to anyone.
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b
barbara VIP
New York City1 review
2.0
Dined on June 14, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Went to Cafe Capriccio to meet up with a friend for dinner who lives in the area and has always heard good things about it. The good: The food was very good. But the service made us feel the entire time like they were doing us a favor and couldn't wait to turn over the table. First of all, they won't take appetizer orders until you're ready to order your entree....dumb move, because I'm sure sometimes people just decide to skip the appetizer rather than grab something to start with while they're deciding. They also don't bring bread til you order. So after they asked us a few times (a few different wait staff) if we were ready to order, we finally did, and did order an appetizer, which came right away. Then, once we were eating, it seemed like they wanted to rush us. We wanted to take our time (which we would NOT have done if the place was packed), and the wait staff came around a few times to ask if we were done. My friend was still eating her entree. I said I'd like to see a dessert menu when they had a chance and was informed that they would bring that when everyone at the table was ready. But then they did bring it, and came around, while my friend was still eating to take my dessert order. I said I would wait til she was ready. She also ordered something to go for her mother, which came out right away, when we had barely started eating, so we asked them to take it back til later. We had an early reservation, 5:15, and if the restaurant was very busy and they needed the table, I could understand at least a bit, being rushed. But by 6:30 the place was practically EMPTY. They did NOT need the table and did not need to be swarming around us like that. It was not helpful, attentive service, it felt like they wanted the table. At no time were we sitting there without food just passing the time. I had a 2 hour drive ahead of me and we were certainly not looking to dally. We were there about 2 hours, for app, entree, and dessert, not that long.
Cafe CapriccioResponded on June 16, 2025
Hi, this is the manager who was there that night. Your guest arrived before 5p & had a drink while waiting. You arrived around 5:20 & one of our servers let you know the specials. Our small dining room it might look like it was not busy to some, we were full for our 1st seating in our 3 dining rooms - including the Governor of NY who was seated next to you. If it felt like you had a little too much attention, this could be the reason. Though, it was "empty" at 6:30 because we have another seating at 7p. Every table was in use again. We normally give 1.5-maximum 2 hours per table of 2 for the first seating, but you were allowed over 2.5 hours, as I moved other reservations around to accommodate. For a leisure meal, a later seating is best or simply us know so we can accommodate.
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H
Hiroko
New York City5 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 7, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We all enjoyed the wonderful yummy foods and the exceptional service last night! As always, Cafe Capriccio never disappoints us!
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Z
Zoe
Columbus1 review
5.0
Dined on May 31, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Incredible professional and knowledgeable staff that remembers what excellent customer service is! Outstanding food and drink that always looks appetizing. Even the bread and olive oil is tastier than anywhere else. Can’t wait until my next meal there 🥰
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C
Cynthia
New York City1 review
5.0
Dined on May 30, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
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.
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G
Greg
New York City14 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 28, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
the meal was amazing, the service was great, they made us feel welcome and they are make you feel like you are family
Is this helpful?
E
Edward
New York City17 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 27, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent meal as always! The staff is always accommodating and friendly.
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FAQs

Cafe Capriccio offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (518) 465-0439.

Cafe Capriccio is rated 4.6 stars by 2136 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 30, 2025

11:30 PM

Booked 10 times today

49 Grand Street, Albany, NY 12207

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
Hamilton St.
Neighborhood
Albany
Hours of operation
Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, Mediterranean, Sicilian
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Parking available without charge at the OGS State parking lot at the corner of Hamilton and Grand Street to the right of the restaurant on Grand Street.
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Franco Rua
Entertainment
Walter and Julia Donnaruma perform jazz on Friday nights.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wine

Website
https://www.cafecapriccio.com/
Phone number
(518) 465-0439
Catering
Catering is available for small or large parties for pick up or for on premise events. Our menu is filled with our classics from our kitchen as well as the elaborate authentic Italian dishes that we serve at our Chef's Table.
Private party facilities
The Cafe has a wonderful private dining rooms for private events. Our Chef's Table, located on the second floor above the main restauant, can hold parties of 10-17 and is an intimate open kitchen concept room where the chef cooks in front of your guests. The room also features a private entrance and private bathrooms just for this room. Our private room has wireless internet, screens and private staff. Our rooms regularly host business events and speaker presentations as well as family event, birthdays, anniversaries as well as couples dinners with friends.

Featured in

Best Restaurants in Albany

Cafe Capriccio

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Dining areas

Additional information

Featured in

Best Restaurants in Albany

Popular dishes

Grilled Octopus

Pork Osso Buco

Shrimp

Menu

What 2,136 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Cafe Capriccio offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Cafe Capriccio restaurant rated?

Is Cafe Capriccio currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

Featured in

Best Restaurants in Albany