Fried-fish sandwich at Hooked Market & Kitchen  in Latham.

For 25 years, we’ve asked readers to nominate and vote for the Capital Region’s best new restaurants: those that opened in the previous year.

The restaurant business is tough — Steve Barnes regularly covers the ups and downs in Table Hopping — and not every business makes it for 25 years, or even two. But today we’re celebrating the restaurants that have made this list and remain open, 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. | Sign up for the Table Hopping newsletter.

Medallions of filet mignon with potatoes au gratin and broccolini at Farmhouse Tap + Tavern in Altamont. 

Best new restaurant: First place in 2022

A quick-service concept called 518 Donuts, featuring doughnuts, fried chicken as sandwiches or in doughnut batter, french fries, ice cream sandwiches and coffee and soft drinks, opened at 7 Southside Drive in the Shops at Village Plaza in Clifton Park. A downtown Troy location is also being planned. 

Best new restaurant: Second place in 2022 

Address: 7 Southside Drive, Clifton Park 

The oyster case and bar at Hooked Market & Kitchen  in Latham.

Best new restaurant: Third place in 2022

Best local seafood restaurant: Runner-up in 2022

Smoked lamb ribs at Sea Smoke Waterfront Grill in Green Island. 

Best new restaurant: Runner-up in 2022

Address: 10 Starbuck Drive, Suite 108, Green Island

Best new restaurant: Runner-up in 2022

Best of the Capital Region 2022

Winners: See who won in each category of the Best of the Capital Region 2002 contest. Prefer something for your coffee table or to stash in your car for quick reference? Order our 68-page magazine, and we’ll ship it to you free.

100 categories: These are the 14 new categories in 2022. 

See how far Best of the Capital Region has come in 25 years: These are the first winners from 1997. 

Want the latest updates delivered to your inbox? Sign up for our Best of the Capital Region newsletter.

Gravy fries with smoked cheese curd at the Tipsy Moose in Latham.

Best late-night spot: First place in 2022

Best new restaurant: First place in 2021 (Albany location), 2019 (Troy), 2017 (Latham)

Best barbecue restaurant: Runner-up in 2021

Best Southern restaurant: First place in 2020

Best bar for a drink: Third place in 2020

Best bar for beer: Second place in 2019; runner-up in 2018 and 2017

Best hamburger: Third place in 2019; runner-up in 2017 (Latham)

Best locally owned restaurant: First place in 2018 and 2017

Best spot for a working lunch: Runner-up in 2019

Three kinds of tacos with plantains at center left and sweet-corn esquites at lower right at Toro Cantina in Colonie. 

Best Mexican, Central or South American restaurant: Third place in 2022; runner-up in 2021

Best new restaurant: Second place in 2021

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

Best new restaurant: Runner-up in 2021

550 Waterfront Restaurant & Bar on Saratoga Lake.

Best restaurant for outdoor dining: Runner-up in 2022 and 2021

Best new restaurant: Runner-up in 2021

Address: 550 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs

Chocolate fondue flight; dark and white chocolate fondue served with apples, bananas, rice crispy treats, Oreos, pretzels, strawberries from Shaker & Vine at Mohawk Harbor in Schenectady.

Best restaurant for outdoor dining: Third place in 2022

Best new restaurant: First place in 2020

A view of the el vuelo de las margaritas (margarita flight) at Maggie McFly's inside Crossgates Mall in Guilderland. The flight is made up of a hibiscus, a spicy, a rose and a classic margarita.

Best new restaurant: Second place in 2020

Best new restaurant: Third place in 2020

Bourbon rosemary punch cocktail from The Bishop: Woodford Reserve bourbon, honey and rosemary syrup, grapefruit juice, Aperol and a a rosemary sprig garnish.

Best new restaurant: Runner-up in 2020

Best bar for a drink: Runner-up in 2020

Address: 90 N. Pearl St., Albany

Apple doughnut shortcake at 110 Grill at Crossgates Mall.

Best new restaurant: Runner-up in 2020

Best new restaurant: Second place in 2019

Address: 3 Wolf Road, Suite 101, Colonie

Exterior of Daley’s on Yates in Schenectady.

Best local restaurant: Runner-up in 2020

Best new restaurant: Third place in 2019

Best tea shop: Runner-up in 2019

Best restaurant to open in the past year: Runner-up in 2019

Address: 255 New Scotland Ave., Albany

Best new restaurant: Second place in 2018

Address: 223 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs

Best new restaurant: Third place in 2018

Address: 172 River St., Troy (There also are locations in Schenectady and Guilderland)

Fried half chicken bucket with sides of cornbread and mac and cheese at The Cuckoo’s Nest. 

Best Southern restaurant: Second place in 2022, 2021 and 2018; third place in 2020; runner-up in 2019

Best local restaurant: Runner-up in 2021 and 2020

Best new restaurant: Runner-up in 2018

Best diner: Runner-up in 2020 and 2019

Best new restaurant: Runner-up in 2018

Best new restaurant: Second place in 2017 and 2016

A 21-oz. bone-in cowboy ribeye and Alaskan king crab legs at Black & Blue Steak and Crab in Albany.

Best steakhouse: Runner-up in 2022, 2020 and 2019

Best restaurant for a romantic night out: Runner-up in 2018 and 2017

Best new restaurant: First place in 2016

Food at Druthers Brewing, with locations in Albany, Saratoga Springs and Schenectady. 

Best local brewery: First place in 2020 (Albany location) and 2019; second place in 2018

Best bar for a drink: First place in 2020

Best bar for a beer: First place in 2018, 2017 and 2016

Best spot for a working lunch: Second place in 2019; third place in 2020

Best restaurant for outdoor dining: Second place in 2018; runner-up in 2021

Best new restaurant: Second place in 2016 (Albany)

Best new restaurant: Runner-up in 2016

Best late-night spot: Runner-up in 2022

Best to-go cocktails: First place in 2021

Best bar for a drink: Second place in 2020

Best restaurant for outdoor dining: Runner-up in 2020 and 2019

Best hamburger: Second place in 2020; runner-up in 2021

Best bar for beer: Third place in 2019

Best bar for singles: First place in 2018, 2017 and 2016

Best spot for a working lunch: Third place in 2018; runner-up in 2020

Best new restaurant: First place in 2015

Best bar: Second place in 2015

Texas de Brazil in the Crossgates Mall in Guilderland.

Best chain restaurant: Runner-up in 2019

Best new restaurant: Third place in 2015

Address: 1 Crossgates Mall Road, Guilderland

Website: texasdebrazil.com/locations/albany/

Full slab of ribs at Texas Roadhouse restaurant on Wolf Road.

Best chain restaurant: Runner up in 2022; second place in 2019; runner-up in 2021

Best family restaurant: Third place in 2020 and 2018 (Colonie location)

Best Southern restaurant: Third place in 2019 and 2018; runner-up in 2017

Best barbecue restaurant: Third place in 2018 and 2017

Best steakhouse: Third place in 2016; runner-up in 2018 and 2017

Best new restaurant: First place in 2014 (Colonie); runner-up in 2015 (Queensbury)

Addresses: 105 Wolf Road, Colonie; 820 State Route 9, Queensbury

Phone: 518-453-3444, Colonie; 518-761-9300, Queensbury

The tex-mex haystack burger with french fries at Burger 21 on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015 in Latham, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren / Times Union)

Best hamburger: Second place in 2017 and 2016; third place in 2020; runner-up in 2019 and 2018

Best new restaurant: Runner-up in 2015

The mountain of nachos at Dave & Buster’s at Crossgates Mall in Guilderland.

Best family restaurant: Third place in 2016; runner-up in 2015

Best new restaurant: Second place in 2014

Address: 1 Crossgates Mall Road, Guilderland

Best bar for wine: First place in 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Best new restaurant: Second place in 2013

Best new restaurant: Third place in 2013

Best barbecue restaurant: First place in 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013

Best chain restaurant: Runner-up in 2021

Best Southern restaurant: Third place in 2019; runner-up in 2018

Best restaurant for outdoor dining: Second place in 2013; runner-up in 2018 and 2017

Best new restaurant: First place in 2011

Best new restaurant: Third place in 2011

Best chain restaurant: First place in 2015; third place in 2020; runner-up in 2017

Best place for the fastest sit-down lunch (that isn’t fast food): Third place in 2017

Best new restaurant: First place in 2010

Best new restaurant: Third place in 2010

Address: 18 Park Ave., Clifton Park

Best new restaurant: Second place in 2009

Best cocktails: Third place in 2010

Best Chinese restaurant: Runner up in 2015

Best new restaurant: First place in 2008

Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory.

Best new restaurant: First place in 2007

Best chain restaurant: Third place in 2022, 2016 and 2015; runner-up in 2021 and 2020

Rabbit rage pasta at MezzaNotte Ristorante in Guilderland.

Best new restaurant: Second place in 2007

Workers prepare a hamburger at Five Guys.

Best cheap eats: First place in 2020

Best hamburger: First place in 2019, 2018, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009; second place in 2008 and 2007

Best chain restaurant: First place in 2017; second place in 2021; third place in 2018; runner-up in 2022, 2020 and 2016

Best new restaurant: Third place in 2007 (Glenmont location)

A steak at 677 Prime in Albany. 

Best steakhouse: First place in 2021 and 2007; second place in 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2010 and 2009; third place in 2020 and 2008

Best restaurant for a romantic night out: First place in 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014 and 2013

Best bar to find politicians/lobbyists: Second place in 2017 and 2016

Best restaurant for an elegant night out: First place in 2015

Best restaurant: Second place in 2014

Best cocktails: Second place in 2008; third place in 2009

Best new restaurant: First place in 2006

Best hamburger: First place in 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005 (Halfmoon location); second place in 2013, 2011, 2010 and 2009; third place in 2012; runner-up in 2016

Best restaurant for kids: Second place in 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 (Halfmoon), 2007 and 2006

Best chain restaurant: Runner-up in 2015

Best family restaurant: First place in 2012 (Latham); second place in 2013 (Latham); third place in 2012 (Halfmoon)

Best new restaurant: Second place in 2006 (Latham); third place in 2005 (Halfmoon)

Best local restaurant: Third place in 2022

Best bar for wine: Runner-up in 2018

Best Indonesian/Thai/Vietnamese restaurant: First place in 2014, 2013 and 2012; second place in 2011

Best restaurant for a romantic night out: First place in 2004 and 2003; second place in 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2002

Best restaurant for an elegant night out: Third place in 2015

Best new restaurant: Third place in 2006 (Yono’s had moved and reopened.)

Best restaurant to pull out all the stops: Third place in 1999

Best new restaurant: Second place in 2005

Best new restaurant: First place in 2004

Best new restaurant: First place in 2003

Best new restaurant: Third place in 2003

Address: Adelphi Hotel, 365 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Best new restaurant: First place in 2002

Best spot for a working lunch: First place in 2020, 2019 and 2018

Best chain restaurant: Second place in 2020; runner-up in 2018, 2017 and 2016

Best vegetarian restaurant: Second place in 2020

Best place for the fastest sit-down lunch (that isn't fast food): First place in 2017

Best sandwich shop: First place in 2007; second place in 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008

Best new restaurant: Third place in 2002 

Best barbecue restaurant: Second place in 2014; third place in 2013; runner-up in 2016 and 2015

Best new restaurant: First place in 2001

Best family restaurant: Second place in 2017; runner-up in 2021, 2018, 2016

Best new restaurant: Second place in 2000; third place in 2001

A view of the Albany Pump Station in Albany.

Best local brewery: First place in 2022 and 2021; runner-up in 2020 and 2018

Best spot for a working lunch: Second place in 2020

Best bar for beer: Second place in 2006

Best new restaurant: Third place in 2000

Best microbrewery: Third place in 2001

Erica Smith is the managing editor for digital at the Times Union. She has worked in local news media for more than 20 years, and joined the Times Union in March 2020 (just as COVID-19 shutdowns began) after working in print and digital media in Virginia, Missouri, Indiana and Washington. Erica's also vice chair of the Local Media Foundation and collects typewriters.