Coffee & Tea Bars

Bailey’s Café Corner of Phila St. and Putnam St., Saratoga Springs, 583-6060, baileyscafe.com. A fun and friendly café located in a historic Saratoga landmark. Award-winning soups, creative salads, sandwiches and daily specials are offered. Full bar, coffee cocktails, espresso, lattes and cappuccino and tantalizing desserts. Fun foods including fondues and s’mores—toast your own marshmallows tableside.

Bread & Jam 130 Remsen St., Cohoes. 326-2275, breadandjamcafe.com. Unique, lively coffee house and music venue serving breakfast and lunch daily. Jazz brunch with homemade crepes on Sundays from 9AM-1PM.

Capital Grounds 145 Vly Road, Colonie, 869-3277. Fresh-roasted coffee. Espresso bar. Light fare including breakfast sandwiches, fresh-baked pastries and muffins. Coffee available by the pound. All coffee roasted on premises.

The Coffee Beanery Ltd. Rensselaer Amtrak station, 463-8770. The Coffee Beanery’s emphasis is on creating the “right roast,” roasting each different gourmet bean to ensure the perfect roast for optimum flavor. New flavors are served along with traditional favorites, specialty coffee drinks and gourmet pastries.

Coffee Planet 100 Milton Ave., Ballston Spa, 884-9913. This cozy coffeehouse in the rustic village of Ballston Spa features a full espresso bar, fresh-baked scones, muffins, croissants, cookies, soups and sandwiches. Acoustic music every weekend.

The Daily Grind 204 Lark St., Albany, 427-0464; 46 3rd St., Troy, 272-8658, dailygrind.com. At the Troy location, a true coffee bar with several tables, offering coffee-of-the-day, espresso, cappuccino, steamers, latte, and such munchies as biscotti and muffins. Select teas, sandwiches, beer and wine too. Open mic on Thursdays. At the Lark Street location, you’ll find more than coffee: Upstairs, there’s a retail store specializing in fresh-roasted coffee beans; downstairs there’s a European-style café offering an eclectic variety of light fare.

Emack & Bolio’s 366 Delaware Ave., Albany, 512-5100; Town Center Plaza, 1704 Western Ave., Guilderland, ebalbany.com. A cozy ice cream and coffeehouse chain, serving gourmet ice cream, espresso, smoothies, pastries and ice cream cakes. Great for parties. Fireplace and outdoor garden seating.

The Good Leaf Gourmet Tea Company 274 Lark St., Albany, 434-0132, goodleaftea.com. Albany’s only independent teahouse featuring more than 70 varieties of house brand loose-leaf tea, chai, yerba mate, bubble tea, and other “specialteas.” All tea drinks are fresh and homemade using in-house recipes; no prepackaged mixes. Also offering coffee, egg creams, home-baked pastries, and a retail teashop.

Java Jazz Café and Bakery Main Square Shoppes, 318 Delaware Ave., Delmar, 439-1727. Home of the Seattle Sub & Pita Co. Substantial line of gourmet coffees available, as well as espresso drinks. Special coffee flavors served daily, along with fresh muffins, scones and cookies.

Professor Java’s Coffee Sanctuary 217 Wolf Road, Colonie, 435-0843. A light menu features sandwiches, salads, quesadillas, wraps, stuffed breads, grilled paninis, croissants, bagels and pastries. Large selection of iced teas, coffees, fruit frappes, etc. It’s all served in an eclectic, comfy atmosphere, with a private study room available for students and live music on the weekends.

Spill ’n the Beans 13 3rd St., Troy, 268-1028. Voted Metroland’s Best Coffee Shop 2009. In-house fresh roasted specialty coffee from around the globe. Full homemade breakfast menu, unique panini and European sandwiches, homemade soups and baked goods.

Stagecoach Coffee 90 State St., Albany, 436-7233. An extensive beverage list, including latte, Italian sodas, specialty drinks and 35 different types of whole-bean coffees. Fresh baked goods, including scones, croissants and danishes, plus soups, sandwiches and salads. Fresh fruit cups, fruit and yogurt parfaits are also available.

Starbucks Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany, 489-1064; Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 581-9498; St. James Square, Niskayuna, 381-9340; Newton Plaza, Loudonville, 783-4544; 9 Clifton County Road, Clifton Park, 373-5794.

Ultraviolet Cafe 290 Delaware Ave., Albany, 434-0333. Located right next to the Spectrum 8 Theatres. This brightly appointed café has a laid-back, bohemian ambience, accented by changing art shows featuring the work of local artists. Offering certified-fair-trade coffee and organic whole-leaf teas. Hot beverages include a full range of espresso drinks, including cappuccinos, lattes, and iced espresso drinks. Also serving organic chai and European drinking chocolate. Cold drinks include fruit smoothies, frappes, tea freezes, fresh-squeezed lemonade and freshly brewed iced teas. Panini sandwiches, soup and quiche. Homemade cupcakes, banana bread, cakes, biscotti and cookies. Free wi-fi.

Uncommon Grounds 1225 Western Ave., Albany, 453-5649; 402 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 581-0656. Wide selection of aromatic, freshly roasted and freshly brewed coffees, teas of all kinds and obscenely wonderful desserts. Great bagels and muffins, too.

The Whistling Kettle 24 Front St., Ballston Spa, 884-2664, thewhistling kettle.com. Full-service tea lounge with more than 110 types of premium loose-leaf tea. Classy, comfortable atmosphere with outdoor seating and fireplace. Lunch and traditional afternoon tea menu. Bulk tea and accessories. Beer and wine also available.

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