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Cafe Capriccio, Albany, NY

Cafe Capriccio

4.6 (2142)
$31 to $50
Italian
49 Grand Street, Albany, NY 12207

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 19 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for fine wines
  • Neighborhood gem
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
  • 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.
  • 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

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What 2,142 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

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Upstate New York

    Great for fine wines

  • Capital District

    Great for fine wines

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Cafe Capriccio offers a charming Italian dining experience with "scrumptious & authentic Italian fare" and "exceptional" service. Guests rave about its "cozy decor" and "lovely Tuscan garden." The menu features "classic and quality Italian dishes" with perfect sauces, making it a "favorite spot" for many. Despite occasional service hiccups, the "outstanding" food and "welcoming" atmosphere make it a "must-visit" in Albany.
2,142 Reviews
  1. Edward

    New York City18 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food and service is always exceptional! One of my favorite spots.

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  2. Michelle VIP

    New York City8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent as always - the Tuscan garden is lovely.

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  3. William VIP

    New York City34 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Just a great meal. The place is charming and I am only disappointed I have not been sooner. We started with the meat antipasto and that was very good. My wife had shrimp pasta and she ate every bit and that does not happen. I had the sorrento and it was to die for. Can’t wait to go back

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  4. Joanne

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We enjoyed every bite as we sat in the bar at a cozy booth. Excellent!

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  5. Cindy VIP

    Phoenix / Arizona14 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on July 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    My Chasing Lions Chardonnay and the Chicken Franchese were outstanding! All 4 of us were pleased with our meals.

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  6. Elisabeth

    Pittsburgh / Western PA1 review

    5.0

    Dined on July 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our waiter was delightful, the food was scrumptious & authentic Italian fare. 10/10!!!

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  7. Cathy

    Unspecified1 review

    1.0

    Dined on June 28, 2025

    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.
    Cafe CapriccioResponded on July 1, 2025
    Hi Cathy, I am sorry you had this type of experience on Saturday night. I will be sure to speak to staff regarding the attitude and rushed service you received. We have team service, and other servers did say they checked in a few times with you. Regarding the flavor of the food, I have to say this is a first. We make everything by scratch and season appropriately. We have never heard a complaint about the Osso Buco, Romesco or strip steak that all have been on our menu for years, if not decades. I say this with care, but you might want to take a covid test. The booth you sat in was recently installed just a few months ago. Again, I am sorry you had a bad time and hope you would be willing to give us another try.

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  8. Erica VIP

    New York City8 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 27, 2025

    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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  9. 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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  10. 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.

    Is this helpful?

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 2142 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Upstate New York
  4. Capital District
  5. Albany

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 19 times today
Google Map for Cafe Capriccio

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
  • Phone number
  • 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.
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