Best restaurants and bars near Saratoga Springs

Despite multiple changes in ownership and kitchen leadership, 30 Lake remains a destination for seafood. “It’s still one of the best places for cleanly shucked clams and oysters cupping mineral brine,” Susie Davidson Powell wrote in a January 2020 review. The restaurant “is holding its own as your steady date for the buy-a-pound, get-a-pound mussels at happy hour or a dozen oysters with cocktails at the bar.”

Address: 30 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs
Contact: 518-539-3474
Website: 30lake.com

550 Waterfront is a newcomer to the Saratoga dining scene but has already made a big splash. Times Union readers voted the restaurant into the runner up position in two highly contested Best of the Capital Region 2021 categories: best restaurant to open in the past year and best outdoor dining. 

It’s no wonder why. When Susie Davidson Powell visited the eatery last summer it exceeded her expectations. “A nautical, beachy interior with retractable garage doors boasts an unobstructed view of the 110 slip docks, and thick sailing ropes and a wooden hull are swagged from the ceiling,” she wrote. “Vintage water-skiing photos in the entrance repeat in the deli paper in which your fish tacos and chopped ahi tuna burger are served, and the winning casual menu races from Mexican street corn to seafood steamer buckets and fish fry.”

Address: 550 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs
Contact: 518-886-8654
Website: 550waterfront.com

Druthers Brewing Company has historically topped our Best of the Capital Region readers’ poll for years, and though in 2021 it was knocked from the first place spot, it is still an excellent option for outdoor dining, casual eats and, of course, locally brewed beer. 

Tried and true favorite dishes include Druthers famous gooey, cheesy blend of mac-n-cheeses which you can order on its own or topped with a protein of your choice, crispy confit chicken wings offered in a variety of sauces and decadently topped burgers served with a choice of fries or greens.

Address: 381 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
Phone: 518-306-5275
Website: druthersbrewing.com

Come for the craft cocktails, from smoky Sazeracs to frothy gin fizzes, but stay for the delectable dishes – Hamlet & Ghost’s special offerings may take you by surprise.

Hamlet & Ghost was the second place finisher in Best of the Capital Region 2021’s best to-go cocktails category, but we can assure you that their drinks will be even better when made to order and enjoyed there.

Address: 24 Caroline St., Saratoga Springs
Phone: 518-450-7287
Website: hamletandghost.com

“As a dining institution Hattie’s is as much a part of Saratoga Springs’ history as Yaddo or horse racing,” Susie Davidson Powell writes. 

“Hattie’s fare is the celebratory food of the rural South — rich, rib-sticking, fried, sweet. There are firm black-eyed peas, corn and peppers in the lemony Hoppin’ John rice salad; other staples include fried catfish, cobbler, pecan pie and of course fried chicken. Yellow-cornmeal hush puppies are cake-sweet and served warm with cold butter in a pool of honey.”

Address: 45 Phila St., Saratoga Springs
Contact: 518-584-4790
Website: hattiesrestaurant.com

Morrissey’s Lounge & Bistro, which is named for the gambler credited with bringing horse racing to Saratoga Springs, has recently expanded to replace the hotel’s fine-dining concept Blue Hen and now serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily as well as weekend brunch. 

“The Adelphi Hotel is a beautiful choice, the summer crowd familiar, the whiskey selection broad,” Susie Davidson Powell writes. Morrissey’s cocktails are a good reason to stop in and the sushi bar is unexpected but impressive. 

Address: 365 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
Contact: 518-350-7945
Website: morrisseyslounge.com

The Night Owl opened in October 2019, but thanks to a pandemic partnership between Jamaican chef Bjorn Burke and the owners of the cocktail lounge, you can now enjoy sticky wings and slow-braised oxtail sliders while sipping island cocktails as DJs spin dance hall, roots, reggaeton, bachata and soul. 

Address: 17 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs 
Contact: 518-319-2300
Website: saratoganightowl.com

“Beneath the huge blue sunbrellas, parties of up to 10 guests can dress the part, crush ice platters of freshly shucked oysters or wagyu cheeseburger sliders and roar at the TV as race commentators amp up their final-furlong banter,” Susie Davidson Powell writes. “Under cloudless skies and overlooking velvety greens this scene is hard to beat.”

Address: 458 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs
Contact: 518-306-2330 
Website: golfsaratoga.com

When Salt & Char first opened in July 2016, Susie Davidson Powell gave it her first four-star review after what was then nearly two years of reviewing for the Times Union. She commended the restaurant’s commitment to extensive local sourcing and partnership with organic, sustainable farms. 

“Though some of the artistry and excitement left with Kunz, you can still expect a pleasant meal, good wine and leather-pinnied table captains trailing servers in their wake,” Davidson Powell wrote in a subsequent review.

Address: 353 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
Contact: 518-450-7500 
Website: www.saltandchar.com

“It’s easy to appreciate the maturity of a menu punched up with cremas and aiolis, intensely flavored microgreens to match finishing slicks of basil- or cilantro-infused oil from Saratoga Olive Oil Co., and other happy endings like an apple-cider demi or sangria beurre blanc,” Susie Davidson Powell wrote in a Nov. 2019 review. 

Address: 17 Division St., Saratoga Springs
Contact: 518-430-2045
Website: seneca-saratoga.com

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