The 10 Restaurants In And Around Saratoga Springs, New York Worth Every Mile Of The Drive Upstate
Upstate New York has a habit of hiding big flavor in small historic towns. The racetrack crowd knows this area well, but the food deserves its own trip.
Spanish small plates, wood-fired steaks, homemade pasta, and waffles turned into breakfast art all share the same short drive.
A fried chicken recipe from a 1938 kitchen once went up against a celebrity TV chef. The chicken won.
I love that a single plate can carry that kind of bragging rights. And it’s only one stop on this list. Nearby, a dining room sits in a brick space from 1864, and a piano plays while dinner reaches the table at another.
1. 15 Church
Special occasions need a place that takes them seriously. Downtown Saratoga Springs has exactly that on Church Street.
15 Church is the refined end of the list, built around filets, lamb, and seafood. Dinner here leans polished, with table service from start to finish.
Let’s talk about that seafood first. The Chilean sea bass and the colossal shrimp are two of the names that pop up on the menu highlights.
Shrimp Calabrese is another option if you like a little more personality on your plate. Meat lovers can steer toward the Cowboy Steak or the pork tenderloin.
Save some room, because dessert pulls its weight here. Zeppoles arrive with salted caramel sauce, and there’s chocolate cake too.
Honestly, fried dough with caramel is a pretty great way to end a fancy night. It feels like a fair reward for the drive.
Prefer something more relaxed? 15 Church also has a spacious patio dining area, but it is currently closed and is scheduled to reopen in summer 2027.
Plant-based diners get real choices as well. The restaurant offers full vegan and vegetarian menus, which is not always a given at a steak-and-seafood spot.
Planning matters with this one. Reservations are required, and Saturday evening is the busiest stretch of the week.
Doors open at 4 PM Monday through Saturday, and the restaurant is closed Sundays. Monday tends to run quieter if you’d like an easier booking.
Anniversaries, birthdays, and big wins in New York all fit nicely here. Dress up a little and enjoy it.
Address: 15 Church St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
2. Boca Bistro
Brick walls from 1864 make a pretty good backdrop for paella. Boca Bistro serves Spanish cuisine and tapas right on Broadway in Saratoga Springs.
Small plates are the whole point here. You order a few, pass them around, and order a few more.
Start with roasted shishito peppers or stuffed dates. Garlic shrimp and ham croquettes keep the table busy too.
A plate of Serrano and Manchego brings the classic Spanish pairing of cured ham and cheese. It’s simple, salty, and easy to share.
Paella is another draw, loaded with seafood like mussels, clams, and shrimp. Order it when you’ve got company, since it’s made for sharing.
Want something bigger for yourself? The bistro steak handles that job, and a goat cheese salad adds something fresh.
Dessert is churros with chocolate. Dunking fried dough into warm chocolate is about as fun as eating gets.
Families fit in fine, with high chairs and a kids’ menu on hand. Vegan and vegetarian menus also make it easier for mixed groups.
Watch the schedule closely, because it’s a little unusual. The restaurant closes Wednesdays, and Thursday opens at 4:30 PM.
Other days start at noon, so lunch is a real option. Evenings fill up, and dinner reservations are recommended.
It’s a smart pick for a date or a small group that loves to graze. Bring friends who don’t mind sharing the last croquette.
Address: 384 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
3. Solevo Kitchen
Homemade pasta in generous portions is a strong opening argument. Solevo Kitchen makes that case on Phila Street in downtown Saratoga Springs.
The menu sticks with classic Italian cooking, and it doesn’t skimp. Plan on a full belly when you leave.
Lobster pasta is one of the headliners. Seafood fans will also find zuppa di pesce on the radar.
Lasagna holds down the comfort side of things. Gnocchi is another solid pick for anyone who loves soft, pillowy pasta.
Eating gluten-free? A chopped antipasto and Salmon Alla Gigi both come marked as gluten-free options.
The eggplant appetizer is worth a look before the main event. Then finish with tiramisu, because skipping it seems silly.
Got a dog riding along? Dogs are allowed, which is a nice bonus during a day of strolling downtown.
Outdoor seating is also available when the weather plays nice. Phila Street is walkable, so it pairs well with an evening stroll.
Hours run from 4 PM on weekdays. Saturday and Sunday open earlier at 1 PM, which makes a late lunch easy.
Wednesday evening is typically the busiest, so book ahead if that’s your night. Dinner reservations are recommended here.
Not hungry enough to dine in? Takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery give you other ways to grab that pasta.
It’s a lively stop that feels like a big Italian dinner without the fuss. Just pace yourself with the bread.
Address: 55 Phila St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
4. The Wishing Well
Live piano music and a crackling fire sound like an old movie scene. In Gansevoort, a few miles north of Saratoga Springs, it’s simply dinner.
The Wishing Well serves upscale American fare inside a historic building. A lighter fireside menu adds a more relaxed way to visit.
Appetizers lean classic, and that’s part of the charm. Chilled shrimp and warm baked brie are both on the lineup.
A Caesar salad rounds out the old-school start. It’s the kind of menu that feels right on a chilly upstate night.
Music makes this place stand out from the pack. A piano player often sets the mood while you eat.
The atmosphere tends to be quiet and romantic. Conversation actually works here, which feels like a small luxury.
Groups have room too, thanks to a private dining room. It’s a good fit for family celebrations or a rehearsal dinner.
Hours are short and sweet, Tuesday through Saturday from 4 to 9 PM. Sundays and Mondays are closed, so plan around that.
Thursday through Saturday evenings draw the biggest crowds. Dinner reservations are recommended if you’re set on a fireside table.
Parking is usually easy, with a free lot on site. Families can bring kids too, since there’s a kids’ menu and high chairs.
Want a night that slows down instead of speeding up? This is where you go.
Address: 745 Saratoga Rd, Gansevoort, NY 12831
5. Seneca Restaurant
Fire is the main ingredient at this Division Street spot. Seneca Restaurant builds its menu around wood-fired meat and seafood.
The room blends rustic touches with a classy feel. It works for a date night without feeling stiff.
Start with the house-made Parker House rolls, which are served with whipped honey butter and are listed as a vegetarian appetizer. Soft bread to open a meal is never a bad idea.
Fried chicken deviled eggs might be the most fun starter in town. Two comfort classics in one bite is a clever move.
Pierogies offer a vegetarian option for the appetizer round. They’re a nod to hearty, homestyle cooking.
For mains, the wood-grilled hanger steak shows off that live fire. Caribbean jerk chicken brings some spice to the table.
Seafood shines here too. Shrimp and grits, scallops, and swordfish are all names worth watching for on the menu.
Hours start at 5 PM, Tuesday through Sunday. Mondays are closed, so don’t show up hungry that day.
Thursday through Saturday evenings are the busiest. Dinner reservations are recommended if you want a good time slot.
Outdoor seating is available in nicer weather. Free parking also helps when downtown streets get crowded.
It’s a fairly fresh face in the local dining scene, and it carries itself with confidence. Smoke, char, and comfort make a strong trio.
Head here when you want dinner with a little edge.
Address: 17 Division St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
6. Hattie’s Restaurants Downtown Saratoga Springs
Some fried chicken has a résumé, and this one beat Bobby Flay on TV. That famous showdown put Hattie’s on plenty of travel lists.
The restaurant dates to 1938 and still serves Southern fare on Phila Street. It’s been a Saratoga Springs fixture for decades.
Fried chicken is the star, plain and simple. Crispy and comforting, it’s the reason many people make the trip.
Chicken and waffles take that idea one step further. Sweet and savory on one plate always feels like a treat.
Louisiana flavors show up too. Jambalaya and shrimp and grits bring a taste of the South to upstate New York.
Starters include fried green tomatoes and deviled eggs. The Good N Evil chicken wings sound like trouble in the best way.
Dessert means beignets or key lime pie. Choosing between them might be the hardest call of the day.
Warm-weather dining moves outside to the courtyard. It’s a nice spot to linger over that last biscuit.
Weekends bring brunch from 10 AM to 2 PM on Saturday and Sunday. Dinner runs Wednesday through Saturday evenings.
Mondays and Tuesdays are closed. Friday and Saturday nights are the busiest, so reservations help.
Dogs are welcome outside, and kids have their own menu. It’s an easygoing stop for the whole crew.
Address: 45 Phila St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
7. Augie’s Family Style Italian Restaurant
Family style means big platters and a lot of passing plates. Augie’s takes that idea seriously in the village of Ballston Spa.
It sits about seven miles south of Saratoga Springs. The short drive pays off fast once the food lands.
Dark wood sets the tone inside. The room feels relaxed, like a Sunday dinner at a relative’s house.
Classic Italian dishes fill the menu. Chicken dishes and creamy penne are two crowd favorites.
Ziti with sausage, broccoli, garlic, and oil is another hearty choice. Pizza is on the menu too for picky eaters.
Portions run large, so bring friends or plan on leftovers. Sharing is kind of the whole idea here.
Homemade tiramisu closes things out on a high note. It’s made from a grandmother’s recipe, which is about as Italian as it gets.
Early evening food deals let early arrivals snag appetizers. A private dining room also handles bigger gatherings.
Hours run from 4 PM most days and 3 PM on Sundays. Tuesdays are closed.
Thursday through Saturday nights get busy, and there’s usually a wait. Reservations are recommended to skip the shuffle.
Kids are welcome, with high chairs and a kids’ menu ready. Parking is usually plentiful, which helps on packed nights.
Come with a group and leave with a doggy bag. That’s a win in any book.
Address: 17 Low St, Ballston Spa, NY 12020
8. Forno Bistro
Candlelight and wood-fired pizza make a very persuasive pair. Forno Bistro offers both on Broadway in Saratoga Springs.
The space has a Tuscan style that feels romantic. An all-season patio adds a lively option outside.
Pizza comes out of a wood-fired oven. The Margherita keeps it classic with simple, bright flavors.
Pasta lovers should eye the Pappardelle Osso Buco. Wide noodles with slow-cooked meat make a seriously filling plate.
Pollo Panato is a breaded chicken dish for a more familiar choice. Calamaretti fritti gets the table started with crispy calamari.
Then comes dessert, and it’s a fun one. The S’mores Cannoli mixes a campfire favorite with an Italian classic.
Who knew those two belonged together? It’s the kind of creative twist that sticks in your memory.
Vegan and vegetarian menus are available, which helps mixed groups. Kids get a menu and high chairs too.
Dinner starts at 5 PM from Tuesday through Sunday. Mondays are closed.
Weekend evenings fill up quickly, so reservations are recommended. A private dining room can host bigger parties.
Broadway is the heart of downtown, so you can walk before or after. It’s a great way to work off that cannoli.
Address: 541 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
9. Nove
Brick-oven pizza just over the Saratoga line is a solid reason to cross it. Nove sits in Wilton, right next to the northern edge of Saratoga Springs.
The setting is refined, but the food is pure comfort. It’s elevated Italian without losing that homey heart.
Veal Parmigiana is one of the signature plates. Lasagna keeps the classics well covered.
Bruschetta makes an easy starter to share. Fried calamari and clams in white sauce are also on the radar.
Portions run large here. Fresh bread and pizza bread also hit the table, so pace yourself.
Pasta with creamy tomato sauce and meatballs round out the comfort lineup. It’s hard to go wrong with any of them.
Brick-oven pizzas give you a lighter path, or a great way to split a meal. They also make a smart takeout pick.
Sunday opens at noon, which is perfect for a lazy lunch. Other days start at 4 PM, and Mondays are closed.
Saturday evening is the busiest time of the week. Reservations are recommended, especially for bigger groups.
A private dining room handles celebrations nicely. Free parking makes arriving painless.
Families fit right in with a kids’ menu and high chairs. Grandma and the toddlers can both find something to love.
Address: 707 Saratoga Rd, Wilton, NY 12831
10. Iron Roost
Waffles do a lot of heavy lifting at this cafe, and they make it look easy. Iron Roost serves homestyle breakfast on Front Street in Ballston Spa.
Exposed brick walls give the room a cheery look. The setup is counter service, so you order and grab a seat.
The French toast waffle is a fun mashup of two breakfast legends. Why pick one when you can have both?
Savory waffles flip the script for anyone skipping sweets. Waffle sticks are served with powdered sugar and a dipping sauce, while savory options such as the Southwest Fiesta combine waffles with eggs, cheese, and vegetables.
Bacon and farm-to-table chicken sausage are popular sides. Breakfast potatoes also hold their own.
Lunch brings sandwiches and salads. The Roost Chicken Salad is one of the standouts on the menu.
Vegan and vegetarian menus are available, which is handy for picky groups. A good tea selection joins the coffee lineup too.
Hours are early and short. Tuesday through Friday runs 8 AM to 2 PM, and Saturday opens at 9 AM.
Sundays and Mondays are closed. Saturday mornings are the busiest, and a wait is common.
Weekday mornings tend to be calmer. Head over then if you want breakfast without a line.
Dogs can join you at outdoor seating. It’s a sweet way to wrap up a weekend drive through upstate New York.
Address: 36 Front St, Ballston Spa, NY 12020