You know I’m anxiously awaiting the Besties Food & Drink Issue, out in May. But for now, I’m tasting my way through the smaller list of restaurants that won honors in this Besties issue. From the Saratoga bar with the 518’s best bartenders and the Rensselaer restaurant with the best chef to a health food store worthy of your dinnertime attention and a candy store with all the nostalgic vibes, here are my personal Besties of the 2026 People & Places Besties issue.
Beverage: The Content Creator
Bocage Champagne Bar, Saratoga Springs
If you’re going to start anywhere, start in a space that instantly feels like home. I ordered The Content Creator—effervescent, chic, and way too easy to sip. (It’s made with vodka, Chinola passion fruit, lime, and sparkling wine.) Bocage is the definition of cozy, and the Bestie-winning bartenders truly make you feel like a regular from the moment you sit down.
Appetizer: Tomato Confit & Burrata Dip
Illusive, Rensselaer
Straight from the kitchen of the chef voted Best Chef, this dip lives up to its rep. Creamy burrata meets rich tomato confit in a bowl that you will want to lick clean (no judgment). Paired with crusty bread, it immediately raises expectations for what comes next.
Entrée: Baked Mac and Cheese
Honest Weight Food Co-Op, Albany
Sometimes the best meals aren’t fancy—they’re meaningful. The baked mac and cheese from Honest Weight—voted Best Community Co-op—hits all the comfort food notes with gooey cheese, golden breadcrumbs, and a homestyle soul. Whether you’re fueling up after errands or grabbing lunch with friends, this dish is like
a warm hug on a plate.
Dessert: Almond Buttercrunch
Krause’s Candy Shop, Albany
When I went to Krause’s, I wanted one of everything, so grabbed an assorted box of sweet treats. But word on the street (and from regulars!) is that the Almond Buttercrunch steals the show. Voted Best Candy Store, Krause’s is pure nostalgia, sparkle, and sweetness, all wrapped in one. And honestly? It lived up to every crumb of the hype.
