There is a good reason why Ambition has such a strong following and is the go-to spot for so many people living, working and visiting in Schenectady. Their home fries are 5 stars and they have a large breakfast menu that is great. But their dinner options are NEXT LEVEL! The fact that their tiny kitchen can consistently put out such incredible food is amazing. Now, the only sad part is they dont always offer dinner, its usually just for Proctors shows. But wow, if you get a chance to come for dinner, cancel all your other plans and come here. Fresh, delicious food from appetizers, through their huge main course portions and great deserts. Try something new and you wont be disappointed.

Its a funky little restaurant near a lot of little boutiques. The men were beyond friendly, we felt like home, being away from home. The bagel sandwich was Amazing and the muffins were moist and not too sweet. We loved it, even if you just go for a drink its a fun atmosphere.

Went for brunch. Crowded, fun atmosphere. We were sat quickly, and had drinks in hand within minutes. Ordered and sat back to sip and chat. Server came by a few times to check in.Our food arrived after about 45 minutes, so we were very ready to dig in. He had an omelet and home fries - both fine. Not great, but fine. I had a chicken salad wrap and some tortilla chips that it apparently comes with. Again, fine. Mostly bland. But neither were bad.Mimosas were good, iced coffee I would generously say was OK.Bill with a 20% tip came to $80.Will try again in a few months, but not sprinting back anytime soon.

What a cute place... food was delicious!!! Breakfast potatoes with peppers and onions are amazing!

Great staff welcomed us, and they took time offering samples of different brews. When finding out we were just stopping in they offered recommendations, and helpful tips. The coffee was delicious as were the pastries they offer! Make sure to get a Baileys chocolate chip muffin for the road! They even suggested warming it up to make sure we enjoyed it as much as possible. Really great local place, and one I will visit again anytime in the area

Excellent staff and affordable breakfast and lunch bistro style sandwiches and salads. GF Toast and sandwiches too!LGBT and everyone else friendly and safe. Clean as a whistle!

Ambition has been part of the heart of Schenectady since before the citys turnaround. A unique gay cafe that looks like a hole in the wall from a big city. The staff has always been relaxed and friendly. Its remarkable how they manage it year after year. The food is great too. Soups, salads, and sandwiches that have always been my go to for lunch. Several parking lots within a block or two. If you dont need fancy but still want good, I cant think of a better recommendation. Even the whistling kettle a couple of doors down isnt as good.

This is seriously a hidden gem. The atmosphere is trendy but laid back. Staff were amazing and the food was delightful! If youre ever in town you have to check it out.

I have been going here a good amount of times for breakfast and its overall very good. They are always consistent in delivering good food. The customer service is a good but the last time I went I was lacking a bit. The bathroom are very small and dirty, but the food and environment overall is pretty good.

Ambition is steeped in local flavor. I went there for the first time when I was in high school for an Open Mic. Later, I went to SCCC for college, and I often went to Ambition to just soak up the feeling of the place. The art on the walls, the relaxed atmosphere, the idea that I was in a place that had been around to feed performers before they went on stage later felt so cool.I headed back yesterday because I was in the area, and it hit me with so much nostalgia. Plus, the food was just as delicious as ever. The bread pudding muffins are out of this world good. Well worth a stop in for coffee and maybe a little something sweet.

Went to Ambition to get a to-go order for the first time today with a colleague, the staff was extremely friendly and the entire vibe of the restaurant is wonderful. So casual and relaxed yet eclectic. The menu has something for everyone and the food is phenomenal. I tried the Cranberry Club and it was absolutely delicious. Service was quick which was great for my half hour lunch break. Ill be making this my new lunch spot for when Im at the office. Do yourself a favor and try Ambition!

Do not eat here. Today I watched a new employee (first day) do a stellar and absolutely amazing job only to be verbally degraded and berated for a mistake that the owner and only cook, Mark messed up on. I watched this happen with my own two eyes. Even after she apologized profusely for HIS mistake he told her to leave. He physically pulled out trash to make the server feel bad mind you for his mistake. I wouldn’t let my dog eat here under his management. He’s a pathetic small man for doing what he did to this absolutely stellar server! Even his own staff were perplexed at his lack of decency and attitude. NO WONDER HES ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WORKERS. I wouldn’t be caught dead working for this feeble minded pathetic excuse of a man.

It had been a while since I swung by ambition cafe, but I wanted to show my friend this cute Schenectady staple. They do pandemic seating, but we found a spot near the back of the cafe. The staff was incredibly friendly, and very accommodating. The restaurant designed is very old school, with fun celebrity murals, photos and news articles about the cafe, bottle cap poles, and a fun mishmash of everything the owner collects.As I remember from the last time I was there, the menu is eclectic and has some nice vegan options. Most orders come with a bag of chips or a side salad, which was a pretty decent size. We were also thrilled to see that they had fountain sodas, so we could order our Diet Cokes.We both ordered Jeremys Package, which is made with grilled turkey, apples, bacon, tomato, cheddar, cranberry pesto, and balsamic reduction on pretzel bread. Boy did this sandwich live up to the hype. It was scrumptious, with a sweet little edge, and the acid of the crisp apple tartness balanced out the fattiness of the bacon and turkey. The pretzel bun tasted just like a pretzel, and it was warm and soft inside. Very happy!The salad is also very good. It was mixed greens, and I got the honey mustard vinaigrette. He worked really well, and was a perfect compliment to the dish.Im so glad we hit this place up for lunch. I forgot how great Ambition Cafe has always been, and Im really glad to see theyre keeping it up.

Young, ambitious crew but quite intelligent. Thanks for the chocolate bar.

Very slow service, bacon came out raw, sent it back... Returned burnt. Asked for over easy eggs, got scrambled. Hot boozy coffee came in a mason jar with no handle.

Restaurant only had one waiter for all 20 tables. The waiter could not remember anything we ordered even after telling him repeatedly. The coffee was brown water. Coffee took 20 minutes to arrive and waiter forgot to bring creamer or almond milk. After 45 minutes with no food and or coffee creamer we decided to leave. Worst restaurant experience in my life. How is this place open?

We had a delicious brunch bloody Mary and all . Thanks Ronnie for such great service.

I used to love this place. It has become one of the top worst places ive been to. The bagel and cream cheese with lox made me violently ill, and the waiter was inattentive to the point where after asking for silverware and waiting 15 minutes for it, i had to go back up to the counter to ask for it again, and thereupon had to wait several more minutes. No silverware, no straws, inattentive waiter and the food made me sick. Sad to say i will NOT be returning after this.

Staying in downtown Schenectady for the wedding of our dear friends. Stopped at Ambition for breakfast. Interesting old building with lots of atmosphere located on historic Jay Street. Had an excellent omelet, my wife had a generous portion of French Toast with fresh Strawberries. Friendly attentive service. Alcoholic beverages available as well.

Amazing coffee and amazing service. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a funky hole-in-the-wall coffee shop.

Fast friendly service. Food was excellent.

Super low-key and chill

Great breakfast and a cute little Cafe! Good meal choices and the prices are reasonable. There is a bar, in case you want a mimosa or bloody with your breakfast! Its also situated on a cute little closed off block where you can Browse the shops without worrying about traffic. Loved it... I will definitely visit again!

First time eating here and I would definitely go back. Delicious home fries, eggs and pancakes. The service was excellent.

Stopped for a late breakfast around 11:30 the other day. The server let me know that they stopped serving breakfast at 11:00 but he made several excellent suggestions off of the lunch menu. I ended up going with the lox 8 sandwich. It was delicious! Always great food, excellent service and very careful about complying to COVID-19 protocols.

Great place for lunch. More vegan options during the week not as many on the brunch menu. Amazing bloody marys.

So yummy and delish!! I just wish they would update the atmosphere. It is extremely dated and needs a serious makeover. It’s quite dark and dingy inside, like a bar. But the food more than makes up for it.

Greeted by a sign that said Happy Not Monday I felt immediately welcomed by Ambition Coffee & Eatery. The smell of grease and sugar promised a satisfying breakfast for my empty belly. Overall it was a worthwhile breakfast stop.The vibe was eclectic, with all the interesting images across the space. Enjoyed all the silly sayings, (e.g. Danger: Men Cooking, and Beware pickpockets and loose women.) posted everywhere. It felt, at least in part, like a small corner of Mardi Gras had found its way up to Schenectady.My meal; a meaty omelette was fine. I wouldnt say the best Ive ever had, but very, very far from the worst. My daughters pancakes were entirely uninspired; the white flour was evident in the rubbery nature of the meal. In all, I was disappointed by the menu. After such a high bar had been set by the decor, the menu was rather pedestrian. Had this been more of a local mom & pop diner, I would have been much less disappointed.The service was pleasant, and with car trouble, our server stood out by asking around for a garage recommendation from the locals. Totally above and beyond expectations.Overall, Id recommend Ambition if youre looking for a salt-of-the-earth breakfast with a funky environment. I would definitely go back after exploring other restaurants in the area.

Been here a bunch of times. They have delicious sandwiches with quirky names. The staff has always been friendly and the restaurant clean.

This place is excellent for breakfast, new menu. Brilliant Mimosas & Irish Coffee.Its the spot to go.

Wonderful brunch and very friendly even though it was quite busy 🙂

Good. And only place open for the public during the breakfast hours in heart of Schenectady, NY - downtown.Mr. with Martin@Co. guitar :-), instead pizza slice for the breakfast have bagel with cream cheese or hot oatmeal with the tea.Have a good week all!!!

Love the decor. The wait staff is amazing. The boozy bread pudding muffins are absolutely to die for.

Ambition for me is a comfortable #5star awesome! Great place to bring your heart right next to you, Here in my pictures,I was waiting to meet my true love for the 1st time, each second felt like an eternity,in anticipation of meeting the love I have now

Ive been coming here on and off for years, only because I moved out of the area....now Im back, so Ill be back more often. Great breakfast, great lunch, amazing brunch and generous cocktails. 5 stars for ambiance as well.

Comfy little cafe with eggs, pancakes and waffles for breakfast. Also, boozy and nonalcoholic breakfast drinks. We were there for a breakfast and had great experience

Just discovered this great local spot. Awesome breakfast sandwich for a great price!

Went here for brunch and ate outside, the staff warned us bees were a bit intrusive, they were right! As for the food and service, absolutely great! We had a Kahlua boozy Muffin, Barry Manilow pancakes, a meat lovers omelette (special of the day) and my husband ordered the Mimosa. Nothing to complain about, food was served fresh and quick, service was attentive and pleasant. We are very happy we tried Ambition! I highly recommend! Cant wait to try lunch there!

Some of the finest food around and Chef Guru Mark and the staff make the place very welcoming - great atmosphere.

Delicious, good drinks, service was very good. There was an issue with my dish, but they dealt with it right away. Well be back 😊

Delicious food, great atmosphere, and friendly staff

I love this place. Definitely had a unique atmosphere, with classic pop culture decor. Its humorous and laid back. You can get breakfast or lunch - their sandwiches are their specialty (try the Stacys Mom!). Also, gourmet coffee, chai and latte. One of the best hidden secrets in Schenectady. They have a full bar too!

Had a very nice, simple breakfast. We were well attended to and the food was very good.

Great crew great food great location best electrician ever

The morning adult beverages are a must! Friendly service, fresh ingredients and quaint little dining experience is why I would go back again and again.

Great friendly service in an eclectic atmosphere! Breakfast was great! Nice background music... Quaint enjoyable spot. Delicious coffee!

Cool atmosphere, perfect place for a light/tasty breakfast and a good coffee👌Portions are perfect size; not too small - not too large. Surpassed my expectations!

Awesome I had a mushroom, black olive and pepper jack omelet and their coffee is outstanding

Quaint and nostalgic. Menu - unique, trendy and healthy. On this day, with a party of 6, well received and somewhat timely. Most were not impressed with the food. One commented that the food was not as good as expected. Another said it was not up to its usual quality. May have been a tough day. Will try again.

We stumbled upon this fabulous luncheon place. My mixed greens salad with chicken, feta, grapes and house made dressing was plentiful and very flavorable. The others had delicious sandwiches on pretzel bread and other salads. We had a very attentive pleasant waitress. A definite return if in Schenectady.

Extremely unique little eatery, generous portions, fun and friendly staff.

Looking to have a great-tasting cup of joe ☕ in a shoppe that looks and feels like an adult version of an I-Spy Book?THIS eatery offers great food, friendly staff, and a fun atmosphere where you can bring friends for conversation 👫. However, you can tuck away into the back pockets of the dining room for caffeine and isolation should you not desire to people watch on Jay St.Their food is fresh, healthy, and tasty. Prices and portions are amazing! Consistently delicious soups and sandwiches. 🥪🥣Its a must if you are looking for a fun nook, lunch spot, or hang when new to Schenectady.

The food was extremely fresh and tasty.

Great place I definitely recommend it

Good food, friendly staff, cute place

Best place in town cant go wrong with them

Very pleasant people and place

Excellent Coffee and Breakfast! Hands down the best in Schenectady!

The place is great to go to cause there food is great 😊

Great brunch spot with good drinks.

Always a pleasure to eat here. The food is quick, delicious, and well priced. Im always able to get to my show on time, even if I left late.

Funky little sandwich joint with fantastic names for their menu items. Always friendly service and amazing lattes (which is basically like the icing on the cake for me... or maybe the mayo on the sandwich? Lol I digress). I have yet to be disappointed. Keep up the good work!

Quirky and relaxed environment. Every time I eat here I find something new and fun on the walls I may have missed last time. Great place for brunch, lunch or dinner. Plenty of options to choose from, and haven’t been disappointed yet! Staff is always friendly and upbeat.

Good food and service.

Great atmosphere and the food was amazing!!! The coffee was good as well, but it didnt have a wow factor to it. You could spend half the day looking at all the things they crammed into that small establishment. The staff was great as well, nothing bad to say about this place at all. Even the bathrooms have cute little posters in them.

Hello, Neighbor! Wonderful food and everyone is great to chat with that works here!

The dilemma with rating 5*s a small place like this is,... Its so perfect for you you may not want to draw in a bigger crowd but you want it to not struggle with keeping the doors open.I believe this place has a great formula for success. They take a great location with easy access and tons of locate draws near by, add in some greasy spoon vibes and eccentric decorations, then (most importantly) add a perfect amount of portion sizes of food and plate spacing equal the place I wish I could have my wedding reception in.Please get here and enjoy before they either appear in diners drive-in and dives or grow beyond this quaint local hot spot.

Cool little cafe.

Always loved this funky place.

Awesome spot for breakfast and coffee. The muffins are fantastic!

Ambition is s quaint restaurant in downtown Schenectady, NY. It is decorated with album covers from past decades, reminding us of our youthful​ listening pleasures. The menu had a fabulous assortment of sandwiches from chicken to tofu along with salads and soups. The sandwiches are named after local interests, and are quite​ unique. The servers are friendly and attentive, and you should get there early if you want a table as it fills up quickly at lunch. Enjoy the delicious food and the nostalgia. It is good and fun!

I loved the vintage artwork on the walls and the bottle caps that adorned the ceiling, it was so cheeky, and lovely! This place has a charm to it which I find cozy. It brought me back to my youth, when your friends bedroom was like an art gallery, a destination of peace. Also great food, my Lox sandwich was better than I imagined, so yummy! I had a chai latte that was absolutely scrumptious! Thanks for existing!

I love this bistro. The food is good. I absolutely love the crab cakes. I also love the variety of mimosas. Strawberry is my favorite

Excellent food, excellent service. Fun, funky, bistro.

Me and my Im only getting water daughter stopped in, I had a French omelette (brie, apples and bacon) with rye and home fries (on her suggestion) and the waiter got my daughter a lovely plate of fruit. We devoured it together and really enjoyed the flavor of everything... service was phenomenal. I got a bit of hot water to thin out the great coffee.They just need an airlock door (see my photo) the first three booths are a tad chilly.

Great place. Good food and coffee. Gluten free options. Highly recommended.

Great coffee spot! Has games and also couches in the side. I loved their coffee. Thanks for being hospitable.

Adam is awesome, and the food is amazing I recommend the gluten free bacon and egg sandwich it’s amazing

Really amazing shop..just..go see. Have muffins

This is my favorite place on Jay St. The atmosphere cant be beat, it is cozy, quirky, and quintessentially Jay St. They have the best coffee and lattés, delicious tea from Divinitea, and a delicious menu with great names. Today we had a Hot Cop, and a Black bean burger. Ive been coming here for years and Ive never had anything that was sub par. The staff are extremely friendly and knowledgeable. You should definitely check them out.

Great service and good food

Thank you Marc and staff for a wonderful Lunch. Also Thank you Andrew for the Delivery. Thank you for supporting Dining Out for Life Also.

Great, fast service. The decor is really interesting. Their hot chocolate is very good and not too sweet. The brunches are classic diner food done properly.

Such a great place! Great food and drink!

Such a unique experience with the vintage, music inspired decor and the friendly staff! The food is amazing, with its great breakfast and brunch choices, along with yummy salads and sandwiches for lunch. Theres something here for everyone! Jay Street is also a good place for shopping and visiting local bakeries and theater. Ambition is a place you will want to go again and again!

Good food, decently priced, and a very eclectic atmosphere. Breakfast and light brunch options are featured. I would highly recommend the brunch sandwiches.

Cozy, cute, and colorful coffeeshop in downtown Schenectady. The gallery in the far back of the place was very interesting. The food is good and the staff are very friendly.

I love this place, but my wife did not care for it. Ambition has awesome coffee, breakfast and small sandwiches. When I was still single, I would stop by for an afternoon coffee and brunch.

Came here for the first time. Loved it the omelette was amazing 😋😋. Definitely coming back.

Best coffee in Schenectady!Decent food at a reasonable price point. However, sometimes the food can be inconsistent. Mark the owner is great and almost always there. The staff is funky & fun, and maybe at times a bit silly ;-) But thats a part of the atmosphere.Enjoy! #schenectadydoesntsuck

Delicious, intimate eatery... Eclectic, vegetarian selections, home brews great combinations and fast service.Open breakfast and lunch only,. Only open for dinner on evenings where there is a show at proctors...Been here twice in the last week... Had the seafood chowder which was creamy and delicious.

A bit eclectic, food is very good.

Stopped here while waiting on a layover for Amtrak, great decision! I was able to get a nice mimosa, and the bacon and home fries are some of the best I ever had. The home fries are great, nice seasoning on them, I didnt need the extra salt I put on by habit. Prices are very reasonable, I would recommend this place to anyone. Only a few minutes walk from train station.

You had us at “real maple syrup.” To pour it over your excellent blueberry pancakes and strawberry French toast was icing on the cake! And the coffee is fresh! And so welcome. Looking forward to visiting again when we next travel through Schenectady. Thank you!

Ive only ever had great experiences at Ambition. The staff are friendly, and the food is delicious. Theres a great atmosphere between the catchy music thats always playing, and the colorful decorations adorning every inch of the walls and ceiling. Dont let Crabby Marc scare you - hes the best!

Entered near nine, it wasnt busy. This place has a good design. Menu is like a place in San Francisco I liked.

My fiance and I went in to have breakfast around 1030am on a Saturday and found Ambition to be not very busy. We sat in the room to left as you walk in and was immediately delighted by the decor. All sorts of various 1970 disco era album covers made you smile while waiting a very short time before having our server come to greet us and take our order. The food was delicious and very well priced. Staff is friendly and would definately go back.

First time at this place. Just had a fantastic dinner there tonight. Food was absolutely great. Theyre not typically open for dinner. I guess I have to try the place during the daytime too.

Probably one of the best breakfast places Ive been to. Food and even the ambiance was great!

Can I give this 4.5 stars? Please? Make an exception?Ambition is, among all others, reliable. You know youll be well-cared for by the friendly staff, and that there will barely be a wait for your meal even during busy times. The missing 0.5 star is in the lack of selection for the diner of particular diet. Their non-meat options are very classic vegetarian or near-vegan choices. Like I always say, grilled vegetables is not a creative vegetarian dish. None the less, Ambition offers good dishes, great tea or coffee [at least by diner standards], and a superb atmosphere. Tuck yourself into a comfy booth and hope your crush walks in the door within 10 minutes.