• Iron Gate Cafe

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  • White Veg-options
Lacto
Ovo
American
Take-out
Breakfast
Non-veg

Serves meat, vegan options available. American breakfast and lunch spot in a sandstone mansion with garden setting. Vegan options include veggie burger, seitan sandwich, and tofu scramble. Open Mon-Sun 8:00am-3:00pm.


Venue map for Iron Gate Cafe
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25 Reviews

First Review by beingpeggy

Forbeszy

Points +95

Vegan
21 Apr 2024

Nice Vegan options

Sorry I didn’t take any pictures. Was caught up in the moment.
Got some hot tea, a vegan pancake, and Tofu crumbles.

Tea was the one pomegranate one I believe. Was really good. They server their hot teas with slices of lemon and honey. Didn’t use the honey. Was very good. They use loose tea which I do prefer.

Vegan pancake was great but now thinking back, I asked mine with chocolate chips, wasn’t sure which chocolate chips they used, I assumed vegan ones. I should have asked. But was really good. Got only a single pancake. So maybe that’s why it was smaller than I thought? Not 100% sure but vegan pancakes is something I haven’t had at a sit down restaurant in ever so I scarfed that down. Was really good.

The scrambled tofu came with veggies and potatoes. Was good. Got it with the vegan cheese on top. Can 100% smell the vegan cheese. Was good overall but was very watery. Tofu… don’t think they seasoned the tofu or since I love spicy, I tasted no spice since they probably went light with the spices.

I think I would give them another try if I’m in the area again.

Pros: Vegan options 3+ options , Some vegan add ons

Cons: Tofu scramble could be improved

metope

Points +237

Vegan
18 Aug 2023

Cute cafe with really good vegan breakfast

The tofu scramble was so good. Plates are big fyi. Come with an appetite or be ready to take some food home.

Pros: Flavorful tofu scramble, Yummy vegan sandwich

ditollap

Points +147

Vegan
09 Aug 2023

great for breakfast

I’m an oil free vegan. I had an almond milk latte and the gluten and oil free pancakes with syrup which were both tasty. My spouse had the black bean burger and said it was delicious. the outdoor patio in the back is lovely and dog friendly. service was a bit slow as it as crowded but servers were friendly and helpful.

Pros: vegan breakfast choices, oil free gluten free pancakes, outdoor patio/pet friendly

BettySlutsky

Points +827

Vegan
30 Jul 2023

Glorious experience!

I called ahead on a Sunday afternoon for our party of five and they were able to accommodate us when we arrived! The space is stunning, the staff are phenomenal, the menu was very well labeled.

My Buddha bowl was heavenly, my matcha latte with almond milk was pleasantly soothing, and even the home fries were exceptionally well-seasoned! For dessert I got the fresh fruit. My girlfriend got the black bean burger, which was also unusually flavorful! Everyone else in our party was a meatmouth, and they were also effusive in their praise for this establishment. Thanks, Happy Cow!

Updated from previous review on 2023-07-30

Pros: Delicious, Magnificent staff, Gorgeous space

Cons: Only two bathrooms for such a big place, Dogs in the outdoor dining area

RisaAllenLenney

Points +89

Vegan
23 Apr 2023

Love this place!

The vegan options were delicious. Several to choose from, so it was a hard decision. They changed a meal to make it vegan. Such character in the dining room as well.

Pros: Friendly knowledgeable staff, Good coffee

Cons: Very busy at times

AthLifer

Points +285

Vegan
15 Oct 2022

Good stuff!

Shared the French toast and tofu scramble with my daughter, wife got the breakfast sandwich. All was tasty, service was great. Would try lunch here for sure and come back next time in the capital.

Pros: Solid vegan options

steele

Points +114

Vegan
10 Apr 2022

Love it!

Beautiful atmosphere, fast kitchen, great service. We had the vegan bfast sandwich and vegan French toast. The sandwich was enormous with delicious bread and cheese. French toast was so yummy and not too sweet. Fresh coffee and almond milk. You can join the waitlist on their website.

H2OAddict

Points +686

Vegan
10 Jan 2022

Great for Brunch

We went here as a family and really enjoyed it. I liked that there was a large separate section of vegan options on the menu to make it easy to order. We got my toddler individual blueberry pancakes and had a tofu scramble and virgin Bloody Mary. The scramble had a sweet sauce I wasn’t super fond of and my husband said he prefers my homemade one, but it was so nice to go somewhere and try something new and k ow that the staff is knowledgeable on veganism. We will definitely return. I really want to try the French Toast!

Pros: Separate vegan menu section, Good variety of vegan options

kbw5044

Points +1236

Vegan
29 Sep 2021

Love this place

I love this place because a) it has delicious vegan food and b) meateater friends love it too so it's a great place to go out for a meal.

Pros: Lots of vegan options

KrisQua

Points +58

Vegan
30 Jul 2021

Great options

This place has grown on me and the vegan options on the menu keep growing too. Wish they were open for dinner too!

AriRobbins

Points +56

Vegan
24 Jul 2021

Amazing

All I can say is amazing and delicious. They have a dedicated vegan section on the menu making it really easy to figure out what you want, and the section is extensive. You can tell a lot of effort was put into it. The food was delicious and the waitress was informative. I may even come back for lunch. Also, you have to try the ultimate vegan breakfast sandwich.

alicialuciano

Points +18

Vegan
24 Jun 2021

10/10

Very happy with the separate vegan menu! The vegan buffalo chicken wrap was DELICIOUS and the seasoned fries were phenomenal! Definitely coming back, especially since the outdoor seating is dog-friendly!

veerwin6

Points +130

Vegetarian
16 Mar 2021

Delish vegan options

Vegan menu with several good options. My husband LOVED the buffalo wrap and I am still thinking about the vegan breakfast sandwich, it tasted so ‘realistic’! Simple and good food. It’s a casual place that has heated outdoor dining and the inside looked cozy as well. We will definitely be back!!

MaribethAbrams

Points +165

Vegan
18 Oct 2020

Great vegan options, hearty, cool atmosphere

Had brunch in the back courtyard on a crisp October morning, beautiful courtyard with a fountain in the middle - and heat lamps all over the place. Very happy with the vegan section of the menu, about 1/2 dozen vegan brunch entrees that included specialty items such as seitan, tempeh, tofu, vegan cheese, etc. We ordered the scrambled tofu and the buffalo seitan wrap. The seitan wrap was absolutely sensational. The scrambled tofu was very good and very hearty (a large portion that included really good homefried potatoes) but it was prepared more like a stir-fry than a scramble. No worries, will definitely be back, this place has a very cool, hip vibe, there was a large crowd on line waiting for tables as we were leaving (best to come on the earlier side on a weekend if you don't want a long line - we showed up at 10am and there was only a 10-min wait for inside and no wait for outside). Excellent waitstaff.

Pros: Above average vegan section on menu, Cool, hip atmosphere

JessMajewski

Points +39

Vegetarian
31 Aug 2020

Excellent Service and Food

My partner and I stopped here for breakfast we wound up both getting the Ultimate Vegan Sandwich! OMG SO GOOD i got a side of vegan ranch for it with home fries!

Pros: 5 Vegan options on the menu, Excellent pricing on the Vegan options, Outdoor patio

BrittanyHill

Points +109

Vegan
15 Aug 2020

Vegan Brunch

The food and drinks are always great. Its so amazing that there is a place with vegan options on their brunch menu. Love the ambiance of the place inside and outside on their garden patio.

SamFav

Points +32

Vegan
23 Feb 2020

Great brunch

Delicious and vegan friendly. Pretty decor and delightful staff.

TheSenate

Points +19

Mostly Veg
19 Jan 2020

Good, but slightly underwhelming

Beautiful cafe, however the menu is quite strange and options are rather limited. Food is very good though. I had a sandwich and buddy had a burger. I'd say give this place a shot, I certainly will come again when I come back to Albany.

elastimom

Points +19

Vegetarian
13 Oct 2019

Worth a visit

The vegan French toast was just ok. The bread was thin and topped fruit sparse. Not many vegan options in Albany, so their efforts are appreciated.

Pros: Good vibe , Friendly staff

Cons: drinks not labled vegan

BarryStP

Points +113

Vegan
26 Sep 2019

Cozy, historic & delish

Very historic old house serving good food. As the only vegan in the group, I had many choices and decided on the power bowl without egg and added marinated and fried tofu. Definitely worth a visit.

Pros: Numerous vegan options

Cons: No vegan specials or soup today

hannahmack

Points +29

Vegetarian
06 May 2019

Recently updated vegan section

They reorganized their menu to include a vegan section a few months ago. Much appreciated! Had a great experience with the ultimate breakfast sandwich last week (tempeh, tofu, daiya, avocado, tomato).

The vegan French toast is good too. Comes with fresh fruit and granola.

About a 1/6 of the menu is vegan, so that’s not their main priority here, but they served a great meal nonetheless.

Full menu is locally sourced. ❤️ They list the farms on their website.

Jvilmany

Points +20

Vegan
30 Sep 2018

Disappointing.

I wouldn’t recommend the vegan options, the sandwich was terrible (greasy, no flavor) and the tofu scramble had meat in it.

Cons: Vegan breakfast sandwich had no flavor, not good., Tofu scramble (vegan) had meat in it- awful.

MeghanGill

Points +52

Vegan
03 Jul 2017

Vegan Brunch!

I was super satisfied with brunch. I've been here about 4-5 times now. I realized it's a bummer when they don't have a vegan special because then you're kind of stuck with their tofu scramble (which is absolutely delish) and not much else. I've tried the vegan pancakes which was a special and absolutely recommend! My boyfriend and his friend that came with me are meat eaters and said it's one of the best brunch spots they've been to. It's nice that there are options for everyone! Not impressed with the drink menu though... every drink I've ordered tasted weak.

EmilyMusial

Points +64

Vegan
04 Jun 2017

not great for vegan breakfast

We went for breakfast and had the tofu scramble- kind of oddly prepared, as it's just cubed tofu with peppers and mushrooms. Not terrible tasting but wouldn't order it again.

Pros: big portions, gf bread available

Cons: vegan breakfast not great

beingpeggy

Points +75

Vegan
27 Jun 2016

nice to have vegan options

My office often orders lunch from iron gate, my favorite is the black bean burger, it's homemade and has good flavor, love the avocado and homemade ranch (depends on who prepares it, toppings can be skimpy). I've also enjoyed the "Joey" breakfast sandwich w/ tofu, daiya and sausage. That also hasn't been too consistent.. One time the sausage tasted like tasty seitan, another time it appeared to be Morningstar... Which isn't vegan. The two seitan sandwiches also have consistency issues... The philly relies on daiya cheese, which a couple times they only mention they are out of when they call my order as ready/it gets delivered. The buffalo wrap has been awesome, but I stopped ordering after it once was made with breakfast sausage seitan... Super weird flavor combo w/ hot sauce, ranch, celery and carrot.

Pros: yummy seitan!, interesting vegan options, vegan soups and cookies

Cons: consistency issues




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