FOOD / DRINK

We asked five foodie influencers to concoct their ultimate Spa City spread. Alexis Connor @saratogadining Drink: Strawberry rhubarb margarita from Next Door Kitchen & Bar—So refreshing! Appetizer: Tuna...

If you've never grabbed dinner or a drink at these five hidden gems, you're not alone. But Saratoga's best-kept secrets may not be secret...

Some people go to Caroline Street Pub to play darts, while others go to grab a drink (they now serve Aperol spritzes, people!) in...

More and more, Saratogians are looking for a fun night out, without the hangover. Here are eight local NA drinks that prove you don't...

It’s become a common occurrence across Briana Lin’s six Capital Region restaurants: Regulars often ask her to order for them. Always striving to bring...

This story is part of a larger editorial Food + Drink Guide that was included in our Fall 2024 issue. The Best Weeknight Specials in...

Tenants of the Collamer Building are about to welcome a new in-house breakfast and lunch spot—a delicious addition that the rest of the town...

You know when you finish your meal at a restaurant and the waiter—having just cleared your dinner plates—comes over to see if you’d like...

For the last few summers, Dango’s has been one of the hottest late-night bars in Saratoga, with the line to get in often stretching...

August Rosa has seen a lot in the decade since he opened his first beer store/bar in Albany.  “We’re all sick of talking about the...

With a name like The Wine Bar, it’s not entirely surprising that a lot of Saratogians don’t know that the longtime Broadway establishment serves...

Mark and Jullie Delos came to Franklin Square Market in a conscious effort to slow down their lives—to be in the restaurant business without...

When Mike Spiak decided to plant grapes on the family farm—which dates back to 1802—where he grew up, he never envisioned it growing into...

Ever wondered why Putnam Market and its adjoining wine room are located on Broadway, not Putnam Street? Longtime Saratogians know the (sort of obvious)...

There are passionate restaurant owners, and then there’s Sara Ali. Born to Egyptian parents and raised in Abu Dhabi, Ali got her master’s in...

If you’ve ever been in downtown Saratoga and craved a snack—not a full-on meal, but just something to tide you over—listen up. Mittler’s, a...

Ahead of a busy winter events schedule, the producers of CulinaryArts@SPAC—Kim Klopstock an Pam Abrams—sit down with SPAC President Elizabeth Sobol. Saratoga Living: SPAC’s CulinaryArts...

When Common Roots’ Bert and Christian Weber brewed their first beer together as a nod to their German roots, it’s safe to say that...

When you can’t grab a slice of New York City pizza, go for the next best thing: Saratoga pizza made by a former Manhattanite. In...

Photography by Rachel McNair/The Content Agency Lucy’s Bar is tiny, but it’s known for serving up decadent specialty cocktails that are huge on flavor. Come...

Winter nights out in the Spa City will take on a whole new meaning after The Bunker opens the doors to its new location...

This past Wednesday, Saratoga Living joined forces with First Fill Spirits to put on our third annual Whiskey Night in Saratoga tasting event at...

Forget the holidays—in Saratoga, Restaurant Week is the most wonderful time of the year. And it's almost upon us. Discover Saratoga's annual week of lunch...

Chef/owner Jeannette Liebers and her team at Sweet Mimi’s are celebrating their 10th anniversary with yummy favorites like lemon ricotta and cinnamon roll pancakes,...

Nothing beats the word of a local when looking for restaurant recommendations, so we asked five Spa City foodies to weigh in on Saratoga’s...

The most popular dish at a restaurant is the most popular dish for a reason: People like it, and they keep coming back for...

Tom Nardacci still remembers stocking the shelves and sweeping the floor at his grandparents’ corner store in Rensselaer where he grew up. “My grandfather...

If you’ve ever been hungry in Saratoga at 1am on a Saturday night (technically Sunday morning), you’ve likely found your way into Esperanto, which...

You can’t talk about Saratoga’s food scene without talking about Hattie Moseley Austin, a Louisiana native who found her way to the Spa City...

When Alex Lempka took over as executive chef of Hamlet & Ghost in 2021, the legacy of his predecessor loomed like a lingering spirit:...

From buzzy nightcaps and yummy vegan dishes to the inside dirt on each of Saratoga's coffee shops, no local food or drink was left...

The 2023 Saratoga racing season passed by in much the same fashion as track seasons of the last 150 years. Popular restaurants (*cough* Panza’s)...

Lucy’s Bar, with its bounteous décor, has been a recognizable Caroline Street fixture since it opened in the fall of 2021. But as word...

Launching any business in the middle of track season in and around Saratoga Springs can be a sink-or-swim situation. For Milton Tavern on Geyser...

It’s not a true piano bar unless people can lounge on it. Those are the rules according to Michael Panza, owner of Panza’s Restaurant....

Elevating your day at the track—or any summertime gathering—is now possible via one tidy to-go package. The centerpiece of these five-star picnic kits? A...

In the midst of a whirlwind Saratoga summer, it can be tough to carve out an hour or two to hit the spa for...

Photography by Rachel Lanzi/The Content Agency You’ve probably heard whispers throughout town about The Coat Room, a new speakeasy-style bar and restaurant that was rumored...

Amy Smith Owner, Saratoga Arms Hotel What’s the secret to running a successful business for 25 years? Without a doubt, it’s having great people on our team....

Photography by Konrad Odhiambo When Mario Cardenas took over West Ave Pizza in 2021, he already had a rabid following, thanks to two decades at...

Photography by Francesco D’Amico When people hear the term “wine bar,” their minds usually go right to having to pore through a bible-sized list of...

It's back, Saratoga. After a three-year hiatus, during which the much anticipated Universal Preservation Hall opened its doors, UPH's Shaken & Stirred celebrity bartender...

When Covid hit and Leigh Rathner’s job as a cameraman in Hollywood was put on hold, he used his newfound downtime to reassess his...

If there’s one person who could claim responsibility for the collective productivity of Saratoga Springs as a whole, it’s Josh Clark. If you don’t...

There’s no at better way to warm up one’s belly than by bellying up to the bar—so get out of the house and hit...

Saratoga’s Bread Basket Bakery has been much in the news in recent years: First, in 2020, it was purchased by Ed and Lisa Mitzen...

Even in the bitter winter, nothing goes better with a cold beer than some salty, spicy pub fare. “Tell me about it,” says Colin...

For the second year in a row, Saratoga Living teamed up with Washington Street whiskey shop First Fill Spirits to host a one-of-a-kind tasting...

Erika Dibble wasn’t the first to broadcast her grazing board creations on social media, and she won’t be the last. But in the wide...

A longtime Saratoga establishment, one that saw countless weddings, dinners, conferences and fundraisers hosted within its walls, is closing after more than 25 years...

Following the grand opening of First Fill Spirits on Washington Street last summer, Saratoga Living teamed up with the brand-new whiskey shop on a tasting...

It's that time of year, Saratoga foodies! Discover Saratoga's Restaurant Week will return Monday, November 7 through Sunday, November 13, and this year you've...

For the last few years, Comfort Kitchen has been known as a quick and easy place to grab a handheld lunch or perfectly plated...

Second grade teacher Emily Mopsik started her @slice.of.saratoga Instagram account to share photos and videos of the way her family-of-three lives: their love of...

Downtown Saratoga doesn’t really have a specialty grocery store—you know, the kind where you can grab groceries and a gourmet prepared meal on your...

Saratoga National has long been revered not only for its gorgeous 18-hole public golf course, but also for the unparalleled al fresco dining available...

I've taken exit 23 of the Northway tons of times—to get to Gore Mountain, Old Forge and Saranac Lake—but never for a dinner reservation....

The opening of Siro’s Restaurant each racing season always causes a stir in the Spa City, but this year, it’s even more newsworthy. That’s...

When a certain meme starts making the rounds of Saratoga’s hospitality workers’ group chats, the nightlife industry knows it’s time to get pumped for...

On Friday evening, 525 craft beer lovers descended upon the Canfield Casino for the Saratoga Lions Club's 9th annual Night at the Brewseum, the...

If you've never been to the bar at The Brentwood Hotel, which is located inconspicuously on the corner of Nelson Avenue and Gridley Street...

Anyone who’s been to Carson’s Woodside Tavern overlooking Saratoga Lake knows that the stunning views from the patio are almost as important—if not as...

Chad Dorrough and Chris McCarthy, owners of best-kept-Saratoga-secret The Hideaway at Saratoga Lake Golf Club, aren’t hiding away any longer. The restaurateur duo have...

Leyla Kiosse’s vision for The Yard Hatchet House & Bar sprung from her contempt for winter. “I do not enjoy the cold, snow or...

If you’re someone who saves Champagne for a special occasion, Clark Gale and Zac Denham’s new Phila Street bar, Bocage, is about to change...

It’s been a rollercoaster of a couple years for Artisanal Brew Works (ABW), a nationally known craft brewery that’s been serving Saratoga since 2016....

There’s no denying that when former Druthers chefs Mike and Shelley Spain opened Seneca in 2019, they raised Saratoga’s foodie bar a few notches....

The beauty of a side hustle—especially a wedding industry side hustle—is that when something like, oh, a global pandemic comes around, effectively decimating your...

If sipping on a stiff drink is your preferred way to keep warm in the winter, head straight to Lucy’s Bar, a creative new...

Want a wedding cake no one will expect, but (or should we say Bundt?) everyone will love? Look no further than Nothing Bundt Cakes,...

The Adelphi’s Women’s Wine Club has come roaring back with a vino-soaked vengeance after taking an extended break due to COVID. Originally conjured up...

The chicest restaurant trend to come out of COVID? Outdoor igloos, which give customers the triple benefit of dining al fresco (views for days!),...

Here at Saratoga Living we don’t use the word “unique” lightly. Something’s either one of a kind (i.e. unique) or it’s not. The single-barrel...

Nothing says “longtime Saratogian” more than a person standing on the rail at the track, wearing a vintage Chowderfest shirt. And nothing says “smalltown...

On January 8, Albany-based franchise BARE Blends became Saratoga’s very first vegan restaurant. Sure, some other Spa City eateries are herbivore-friendly, but none offer...

Let’s be real: The side dishes are the real stars of any given Thanksgiving spread, and, if we’re picking favorites, stuffing is at the...

For more than six decades, the third-generation, family-run Purdy’s Discount Wine and Liquor has been offering Saratogians a best-in-class customer experience. A big part...

Maple Walnut Old Fashioned Inspired by ski trips to the Mad River Valley in Vermont, this twist on an Old Fashioned features a winning combo...

The City of Saratoga's collective whiskey IQ shot up a couple points on November 17, as more than 60 whiskey drinkers—some new to the...

Before Saratogian Lindsay Ferrara, MS, RD, CDN, opened her own business in September 2020, she worked as an ICU dietitian, overseeing what and how...

These gifts are part of Saratoga Living‘s Holiday Gift Guide You Didn’t Know You Needed. Check saratogaliving.com every day until Black Friday for more gifts...

These gifts are part of Saratoga Living‘s Holiday Gift Guide You Didn’t Know You Needed. Check saratogaliving.com every day until Black Friday for more gifts...

This past Saturday, Saratoga Performing Arts Center hosted its Fall Flavor Fusion five-course plant-based dinner featuring NYC-based chef Jehangir Mehta, the latest in the...

This past year saw tons of vegan restaurants open up shop in the Capital Region—Albany got Wizard Burger and Subculture, Troy got a new...

When you stop by the new Washington Street whiskey shop, First Fill Spirits—and trust us, you’re going to want to stop by—don’t expect to...

Get your tickets now for Whiskeys of the World, a one-of-a-kind whiskey tasting event hosted by Saratoga Living and First Fill Spirits that will...

Every November, just as the weather starts to turn from cold to colder, Saratoga foodies get a much-needed pick-me-up. That bright spot is Discover...

Caroline Street is about to get a little boozier—with a splash of affordability. Kelsey Whalen, who currently co-owns the popular vegan/health food restaurant Whole...

You might have noticed that the powers that be behind America's food brands are making pumpkin spice everything these days. There's pumpkin spice Bailey's...

You’ve heard of beer flights. You’ve heard of wine flights. You may have even heard of macaroni and cheese flights (it’s true—they exist!). And...

After a difficult 2020-21 for most Saratoga Springs small businesses, let’s start off by giving them all—the shops, restaurants, firms, salons, practices, nonprofits, et...

For our latest panel, we asked three locals the same three questions about their favorite farmers' markets. Here’s what they said. Bill Gallagher Teacher, Watervliet Junior/Senior...

Your Sunday morning just got a little bit sweeter. In our next edition of Capital Region Cook-off, we’re pitting Jeannette Liebers of Saratoga’s Sweet...

Even though we’d really love it to stay hot, hot, hot year round here in Saratoga, there’ll be that inevitable day when you begrudgingly...

Naturally, any numbered list that has anything to do with the Saratoga Race Course this year should (and will) be topped by the fact...

Need some morning joe with a little extra oomph to power through that Saratoga summer project that's been nagging at you? Now, depending on...

Nothing spells Saratoga racing season like paying your admission fee, clicking through the turnstiles and making a beeline for Shake Shack. Now that the...

For the most part, tequila is either a you-love-it or you-hate-it sort of drink. Those who don’t care for margaritas—or licking salt off their...

Coming to Saratoga for the racetrack, but aren't sure where to eat? We've got you covered! Check out these four restaurants (three in Saratoga...

The next time you enjoy a delicious plate of Hattie's fried chicken, you'll know that the dollars that you spent on it went to...

Early risers have one more reason to rejoice this summer at Saratoga: The track's popular Breakfast at Saratoga will be returning this season. Breakfast at...

In case you missed all the cock-a-doodle-dooing on social media over the last week, here's some big news for the breakfast set: Mechanicville's Ugly...

This Bud's for you...plus some free concert tickets, too. Anheuser-Busch's Bud Light brand is running a promotion for the entirety of the summer of...

Now it's a real Saratoga racing season. According to the Saratoga Report, legendary Lincoln Avenue after-the-races spot Siro's, where all the high rollers go...

Saratoga Springs' own One With Life Tequila has packed quite the punch over the last few months. As you might remember, longtime founder Lisa...

Everybody can welcome coconuts back to Saratoga—and no, we're not talking about the long-gone Broadway record shop. Saratoga Springs natives and entrepreneurs, Trinity Mouzon...

Many of you have been forced to sit at the table until you’ve eaten every last one of your peas…and it shows, at least...

Brenda Jennings, Humpty Dumpty Ice Cream & Subs What is your go-to order at your ice cream shop? A chocolate cone dipped in chocolate What is your...

Vodka famously serves as the key ingredient of the Spa City’s signature summer cocktail, the Saratoga Sunrise (vodka/orange juice/grenadine), which is enjoyed all season...

Picture this: You’re getting together for a picnic in the Spa State Park with your extended family for the first time since COVID. Everyone...

The story of Golde begins with love. If you can believe it, 28-year-old Trinity Mouzon Wofford and her same-aged fiancé, Issey Kobori, met for...

If you've ever been to Nashville, you'll know that the city eats, breathes and sleeps country music. With historic venues such as the Grand...

If you've ever been in downtown Troy or Schenectady on a weekend evening, you may have come across a strange sight: a smallish covered...

You may have eaten there a million times and not realized just how undeniably great Saratoga Springs' Putnam Market is. The sandwiches, the chips,...

Next time you're on a tasting tour of the spring waters at the Saratoga Spa State Park, you might have to add one more...

It's time to get that summer garden planted, and what better way to do it than with 100 free cherry tomato plants, courtesy of...

Saratoga liquor lovers, rejoice! 9 Maple Ave, one of the last (and most beloved) Spa City watering holes to still be closed, due to...

Here's to hoping the subs stay the way they've been for 37 years: deliciously impossible to eat in one sitting. Today, Albany's 76-year-old, family-run...

Lattes are for softies, you say? They're best served for soy-loving sissies, à la "Drops of Jupiter"? Well, not on Death Wish Coffee's watch....

It's no secret that celebrity chef Bobby Flay is a fan of Saratoga. The Food Network star is a Thoroughbred owner, who often visits...