World Culinary

Best Southern restaurants in Albany, Saratoga Springs, Troy

29/07/2022 6:05 AM2 min read Susan S. Johnson

The ever-popular fried chicken at Hattie’s Restaurant in Saratoga Springs.

John Carl D’Annibale/Times Union

Crispy, crackling fried chicken. Flaky buttermilk biscuits. Rich, creamy macaroni and cheese. Fried okra, collard greens, fried green tomatoes … For me, it tastes like home: The love is baked right in.

Since 2016, we’ve asked you to nominate and vote for the best Southern restaurants in our annual Best of the Capital Region reader poll. Love is baked in there too: This category is one of our top vote-getters.

Here’s a rundown of the best Southern restaurant winners, starting with the 2022 finalists.

More: See all of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region winners. | Sign up for the Best of the Capital Region newsletter.

BEST OF THE CAPITAL REGION

Hattie’s Restaurant

2022: Winner

Jambalaya at Hattie's Restaurant on Phila Street Wednesday June 6, 2018 in Saratoga Springs, NY. (John Carl D'Annibale/Times Union) — Jambalaya at Hattie’s Restaurant in Saratoga Springs.

John Carl D’Annibale/Times Union

Best Southern restaurant: First place in 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016; second place in 2020

Address: 45 Phila St., Saratoga Springs

Phone: 518-584-4790

Website: hattiesrestaurant.com

BEST OF THE CAPITAL REGION

The Nest

2022: Third place

Pork-belly appetizer at The Nest in Schenectady. — Pork-belly appetizer at The Nest in Schenectady.

Steve Barnes/Times Union

Best Southern restaurant: Third place in 2022; runner-up in 2021

Best new restaurant: Runner-up in 2021

Address: 512 State St., Schenectady

Phone: 518-672-3018

Website: thenest518.com

BEST OF THE CAPITAL REGION

Allie B’s Cozy Kitchen

2022: Runner-up

Fried chicken drumsticks with macaroni and cheese at Allie B's Cozy Kitchen on Clinton Avenue on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union) — Fried chicken drumsticks with macaroni and cheese at Allie B’s Cozy Kitchen in Albany.

Lori Van Buren/Times Union

Best Southern restaurant: Runner-up in 2022, 2021 and 2020

Address: 353 Clinton Ave., Albany

Phone: 518-729-3472

Website: alliebscozykitchen.com

BEST OF THE CAPITAL REGION

Ya Ya’s House Southern Cuisine

2022: Runner-up

A view of a plate of collard greens, fried chicken, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese and a corn muffin at Ya-Ya’s House on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, in Schenectady, N.Y. — A plate of collard greens, fried chicken, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and a corn muffin at Ya-Ya’s House in Schenectady.

Paul Buckowski/Times Union

Best Southern restaurant: Runner-up in 2022, 2021, 2018 and 2017

Address: 135 Broadway, Schenectady

Phone: 518-382-9292

Website: facebook.com/yayasoutherncuisine

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