The 10 Best Saratoga Springs Restaurants for 2023
Saratoga Springs is home to some of the best restaurants in New York’s Capital Region. From fine dining to casual cafes, Saratoga offers top-notch cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
This article outlines the 10 best Saratoga Springs restaurants based on food quality, service, ambiance and value. Whether you’re a local or visiting this historic and vibrant city, be sure to check out these top dining establishments.
15 Church – Sophisticated Fine Dining
15 Church is located in a beautifully restored historic brick building on Church Street in the heart of downtown Saratoga. White tablecloths, flickering candles and fresh flowers set the scene for sophisticated fine dining.
The friendly waitstaff share daily specials and provide spot-on recommendations. The menu features dishes like prime filet mignon with gorgonzola butter, garlicky spinach and crispy onions. Seafood options include fresh fish entrees and chicken or rabbit dishes.
An extensive wine list pairs perfectly with entrees, along with a selection of brandy, Scotch and Port. 15 Church offers a top-notch fine dining experience in an elegant but relaxed atmosphere.
Key Info:
- Location: 15 Church St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
- Cuisine: Fine Dining, Seafood, Steak
- Price Range: $$$
- Signature Dish: Filet Mignon with Gorgonzola Butter
Scallions – Fabulous Gourmet Dishes with Bold Flavors
Foodies flock to fabulous Scallions, just off Broadway on Caroline Street. The interior is filled with artwork – paintings and sculptures adorn the walls, shelves and even the colorful carved wooden tables.
The menu features gourmet dishes with unique flavor combinations, like seared scallops with vanilla leek fondue or duck breast with blood orange glaze. Soups, salads and fresh seafood are artfully prepared.
A favorite salad is the salmon over greens with a tangy dill cream dressing on the side. The chef offers seasonal tasting menus so you can sample the best of Scallions. Bold flavors meet culinary art on the plate at this standout Saratoga Springs restaurant.
Key Info:
- Location: 44 Lake Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
- Cuisine: American, Gourmet
- Price Range: $$$
- Signature Dish: Maple Leaf Farms Duck Breast
Hattie’s – Fried Chicken Done Right
For delicious Southern comfort food done right, pay a visit to Hattie’s Restaurant. This laid-back eatery is located in an 1845 house on Phila Street.
Hattie’s does fried chicken the classic way, with a crispy, crackling exterior and perfectly moist interior. Choose between white and dark meat pieces piled high on red-checkered paper. Sides like mashed potatoes, biscuits and cole slaw make the feast complete.
Hattie’s is open for lunch and dinner with first-come first-served seating. Grab a mint julep or local craft brew to accompany your meal. When only classic Southern fried chicken will do, Hattie’s hits the spot.
Key Info:
- Location: 45 Phila St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
- Cuisine: Southern, Fried Chicken
- Price Range: $$
- Signature Dish: Fried Chicken Dinner
The Local Pub & Teahouse – Farm-to-Table Gastropub Fare
The Local Pub & Teahouse sources fresh ingredients from local farms to create their seasonally inspired gastropub menu. Located just off Broadway, the Local Pub serves elevated pub grub in a cozy two-level space.
Start with duck fat fries or pretzel bites before moving on to entrees like grass-fed burgers, fish tacos or steak frites. Salads and flatbreads round out the menu.
An extensive local draft list quenches your thirst. Brunch brings breakfast pizzas, skillets and sandwiches to the table. The Local Pub & Teahouse supports regional agriculture while serving delicious farm-to-table fare.
Key Info:
- Location: 142 Grand Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
- Cuisine: Gastropub
- Price Range: $$
- Signature Dish: Grass-Fed Burger
Country Corner Cafe – Quintessential Breakfast Spot
For a quintessential Saratoga Springs breakfast, head to the popular Country Corner Cafe just off Broadway. Diners can choose to eat in the cozy downstairs or upstairs in the open, airy space.
Start your day right with omelets, eggs benedict or breakfast bowls. The fluffy pancakes and waffles are worth leaving room for. Heartier options include breakfast burritos and rancheros.
The attentive staff provide friendly service in this laid-back environment. Ingredients are fresh and locally-sourced when possible. Don’t miss their signature “1/2 and 1/2” orange and cranberry juice blend.
Key Info:
- Location: 25 Church St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
- Cuisine: Breakfast, Brunch
- Price Range: $$
- Signature Dish: Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
Chianti Il Ristorante – Elegant Italian Cuisine
For an elegant Italian dining experience, make a reservation at Chianti Il Ristorante in the upscale Saratoga neighborhood of Skidmore. The peaceful ambiance encourages lingering over dinner in this traditional white tablecloth restaurant.
Start with savory appetizers like smoked mozzarella and salumi or shrimp scampi. Homemade pastas are prepared fresh daily, sauces simmered long and slow. Seafood and veal dishes round out the traditional Italian offerings. An extensive wine list is available to complement your meal.
End your evening on a sweet note with a homemade Italian dessert like tiramisu or panna cotta. Chianti Il Ristorante offers exquisite Italian cuisine in a refined yet welcoming setting.
Key Info:
- Location: 18 Division St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
- Cuisine: Italian, Seafood
- Price Range: $$$
- Signature Dish: Lobster Ravioli
Mama Mia’s – Authentic Italian in Strip Mall Spot
Located in an unassuming strip mall on Route 9, Mama Mia’s serves up authentic Italian cuisine prepared by owner Giuseppe. The interior is enlivened by walls painted with scenes from the motherland.
Aromas of simmering pasta sauces and fresh garlic greet diners before they’ve even seen the menus. Hand-tossed gourmet pizzas emerge piping hot from the wood-fired oven. Seafood, chicken and veal entrees satisfy heartier appetites.
But the homemade pastas like gnocchi, linguini and rigatoni are the stars of the show. Eggplant rollatini stuffed with ricotta, mozzarella and marinara is a favorite. Save room for Mama Mia’s heavenly Italian desserts like tiramisu and cannolis.
Key Info:
- Location: 185 Ballston Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
- Cuisine: Italian
- Price Range: $$
- Signature Dish: Eggplant Rollantini
Mrs. London’s – Parisian Style Bakery & Cafe
Mrs. London’s Bakery & Cafe brings Paris to Saratoga Springs. This French-style patisserie and cafe is located right on Broadway, the city’s main thoroughfare.
Mrs. London’s is known for their great tomato cheddar soup, fresh salads and sandwiches layered with house-roasted turkey, ham or roast beef. There’s often a long line winding down the sidewalk and out the door.
Inside, shelves are filled with the bakery’s famous fresh sweets like croissants, macarons and eclairs. Grab a table or take your goodies to-go. When weather permits, the small patio allows for outdoor dining. Mrs. London’s is a Saratoga favorite for a quick lunch or afternoon pick-me-up.
Key Info:
- Location: 464 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
- Cuisine: Bakery, Cafe, French
- Price Range: $$
- Signature Dish: Almond Croissants
Phila Fusion Noodle Bar – Asian Fusion on Phila Street
Located right on bustling Phila Street surrounded by shops, bars and eateries, Phila Fusion Noodle Bar specializes in Asian fusion dishes. Their pad thai with chicken and extra peanut sauce is a top menu item.
Other Thai noodle dishes join fresh sushi rolls, crab rangoons and dumplings on the diverse pan-Asian menu. Craft cocktails like the fruity “flying iguana” complement the food.
Phila Fusion’s more formal sister restaurant Sushi Thai is located right next door, offering an expanded sushi menu in sleek digs. For delicious Asian fare in a lively setting, check out Phila Fusion Noodle Bar.
Key Info:
- Location: 54 Phila St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion, Sushi, Noodles
- Price Range: $$
- Signature Dish: Pad Thai
Wheatfields – Fresh Eats and Saratoga Vibes
For fresh, health-conscious eats with a side of Saratoga Springs vibes, check out Wheatfields Restaurant & Bar. Tucked away just off Broadway, Wheatfields’ three-tiered patio overlooks bustling Caroline Street.
The menu focuses on salads, sandwiches and bowls built on nutrient-dense ingredients like quinoa, kale and avocado. Signature dishes include the Santa Fe salad with chicken and creamy cilantro dressing.
At night, Wheatfields transforms into a lively bar scene with local beers on tap. Come for the upbeat urban backyard setting and fresh, contemporary fare. It’s a perfect spot for both daytime eats and nighttime fun.
Key Info:
- Location: 440 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
- Cuisine: Salads, Sandwiches, Bar
- Price Range: $$
- Signature Dish: Wheatfields Chop Salad
Best Saratoga Springs Restaurants: Final Thought
Saratoga Springs restaurants offer top-rated cuisine against the backdrop of this vibrant city. The excellent restaurants on this list range from upscale fine dining to hip gastropubs to casual cafes.
Visitors and locals alike flock to Saratoga Springs to enjoy the walkable downtown area, refreshing mineral springs, and world-class thoroughbred racing. While here, be sure to check out these 10 eateries for fantastic meals in one of New York’s most beloved cities.
From eggs benedict at a classic breakfast cafe to duck confit at an elegant Italian restaurant, Saratoga Springs dining has something for everyone. These restaurants use fresh, locally-sourced ingredients to create unforgettable meals.
So bring your appetite when visiting Saratoga Springs, and experience the city’s stellar culinary scene at these top recommended restaurants. You’ll discover why Saratoga maintains its foodie destination status year after year.