Universal Coffee

I am so glad I found this spot. Employees are super nice and discussed the menu options with me. Both of the drinks I tried were unique and delicious. The original hot champurrado reminded me of a hot cocoa but had little savory cornmeal and cinnamon flavors also. 😍 The banana champurrado was also amazing and was like a plantain drink, it seemed familiar and delicious but at the same time I have never had something like this before. I can't wait to come back and try other options! The Boba looks fun too. You should definitely check it out and support this unique local business!

I can say with confidence that this is the best coffee in Albany. It's also fun because it had a Latino twist which is fairly rare among coffee shops. Slightly spendy but you get what you pay for. The shop owner is also a great host and always greets and thanks me warmly and is always up for a conversation. If you're in Albany looking for good coffee and don't know where to go I would encourage you to check out Universal.

The service was so very good the champurrado ummm

I have traveled most the country and worked at a couple coffee shops when I was younger... this is by far the best coffee shop I've ever been to. All organic yet lower pricing than a regular coffe shops. They have regular options but a lot of different unique options. We tried 3 out of the ordinary choices and each one was amazing! We weren't sure what to expect but we were blown away. On top of amazing product and prices was an employee named Juan. A very genuinely friendly and very knowledgeable individual. He took the time to educate and assist in our choices. You can tell his great passion in coffee. This place needs to be everywhere! I tried their organic ice cream with espresso poured over it, SOOOOO YUMMY!

I was nervous to try a coffee drink with cornmeal in it, but the traditional champurrado espresso was amazing! I had decaf, because that's all I can have, and I'm happy to say that their decaf passes muster.
Service was quick, I had curbside pick up due to pandemic guidelines, and they immediately ran my drink out to the car, I didn't even have to wait!

Coffee was absolutely amazing! Great Prices! Cozy little shop and I knew exactly what I was getting, no suprises. Scones looked delicious but I wasn't hungry quite yet. Will be returning to see if the scones are as delicious as the coffee.

Essential stop for any visitor to Albany, or, for that matter, the planet Earth.

I stumbled across this amazing place by sheer good fortune. First, the essential point: the coffee here is DIVINE. It is beyond excellent; "excellent" is just too weak a word to capture the sublime, inspired joyfulness-in-a-cup that the staff prepared.

Ancillary virtues include the delightful good company of the people who work there; the ambience of the shop itself; and its location next to a similarly fantastic Mexican bakery (yum!). Seriously, don't dither: get your morning coffee here.

Very cozy shop, with excellent coffee and very helpful staff. Their coffee is a little different with a very distinct traditional Mexican twist on it, but this is one if the best cups of coffee I have ever had. 10/10 would recommend.

Great unique coffee shop. Don't miss out on this. You can get regular coffee drinks but so much more. I like the galleta (cookies) drink. It is a desert but have it anytime a day. Alex is owner and is my brother-in-law. Even if he wasn't this place would still get my thumbs up!

After recommending Universal Coffee to my guests we made a visit & they, including myself, enjoyed (understatement) the coffee. Today's espresso was Nicaraguan & cold brew Guatemalan. The espresso was flavorful & delighting, while the cold brew smooth & subtle.