Hill Street Cafe
180 Madison Ave, Albany, NY
Crema's Take
“This independent Albany gem has mastered the art of genuine hospitality, with staff like Alana and Morgan who remember regulars' orders and treat every customer like an old friend. Beyond excellent coffee, they're equally known for satisfying food—from wings to corned beef Reubens—and a clean, welcoming atmosphere that makes you want to linger or return every Monday like clockwork. Whether you're stopping by solo or gathering a group before a show, Hill Street Cafe delivers the kind of attentive, unpretentious service that keeps people coming back.”
What to expect
Google Reviews
My fiancée and I truly appreciated Alanah’s great service with a smile tonight!! We were welcomed by this nice young lady and accommodated to a beautiful seating area. The environment was very clean and the food was amazing thanks to the cook Sydney! If you’re looking for a place to take your family,friends and colleagues please visit Hill Street Cafe.
I come here every Monday and the same girl Alana is always working the bar. I always come here on my day off now because the food is great and Alana is amazing!! She knows my order, she’s never in a bad mood, she always makes time for everyone even if it’s busy— will definitely keep returning! Totally a new favorite spot because of her, I know I’m coming in tonight
The food was excellent. I had the wings and a corned beef Rueben. Morgan was the most knowledgeable and friendliest waitress I have ever experienced! Service was amazing even with a large crowd. The other customers were also extremely friendly. I highly recommend Hill Street!
My family walked in around 3:00PM on a Sunday. There was only 1 girl serving the entire restaurant from the bar to all tables! Although she was terribly busy, she maintained her professionalism. Especially she has kept being polite, nice, with a big smile all the time. Food was delicious. Especially its puffy pizza.
6 of us enjoyed dinner here on Sunday evening before a nearby show. If you have an event in the area, this is a great option for a centrally located restaurant. And they are open Sundays, which was hard to find. Even without a reservation, we managed to get in. However, we were there early; I suspect a table might have been harder to get later on. Service was amazing! Drink refills without asking, servers checking in just the right amount, and overall great customer service. It is a small pub, which means it gets loud. This was fine for us, but if you are looking for a quiet spot to have long conversations, this will not be the place you want. Pub food and pizza seems to be their specialty. Boneless wings were very good; a medium sauce had just enough spice. Mozzarella sticks also good (great marinara!) and a decent amount of them too. The pizza was delicious! I snuck a piece of my hubby's pepperoni pizza and loved it! Homemade sauce, great crust, and a nice balance of sauce to cheese. Sandwiches we ordered were good, just not outstanding. If I go back before another show, I would honestly order some more apps and pizza (I was thinking about getting chicken tenders, but didn't. Bet they are great!). Overall, a solid choice if you are in the area for a show and looking for some great pub apps and pizza.
Crema Reviews
You might also like
Cafe Dolce Albany
★ 4.8 (79)
Cafe Dolce is a warmly run neighborhood gem where the owner's genuine care…
Mr Bumbles Cafe
★ 4.5 (339)
Mr Bumbles Cafe is a queer-owned Albany gem where consistency and creativity…
The Eleven at Lark Hall
★ 4.6 (33)
Tucked inside Lark Hall, The Eleven blends coffee culture with a vibrant music…
The Scene Coffee & Cocktails
★ 4.3 (464)
The Scene is a vibrant Albany hotspot that brilliantly blends coffee culture…