Highly Recommended 14 Dinner Restaurants Near Albany, New York

Darren Simmons Walked in to a great little three piece jazz band by the bar. Very cool. The food was amazing and the atmosphere is very comfortable, almost to the point you don’t want to leave. The homemade bread and olive tapenade is a fantastic way to start. We had the melanzana eggplant appetizer, awesome. Entrees were penne romanoff with vodka sauce and Anthony’s pasta with sausage and meatballs, risotto frutti dimare and the risotto fungi. All were absolutely fantastic. It’s a must try if you love authentic Italian cuisine.

Ikraam Aslam First of all, this place is halal-friendly, which was a huge plus. They have both hot pot and Korean BBQ, and the menu is very well thought out with icons showing what is halal and what is not. The food was absolutely amazing. Everything was well-marinated, fresh, and delicious, from the poultry and seafood to the beef and lamb. Even the starters like rangoons and dumplings were so good that I ordered them several times. You get a 2-hour dining window, but around 1.5 to 1.75 hours in they’ll kindly let you know to start wrapping up, which honestly makes sense since by then you’re full and winding down. Service was outstanding. A big shoutout to Dylan, who was our main waiter. He was attentive, clear in communication, and incredibly fast. Anytime we placed an order through the iPad, the food came out almost immediately. Dylan and the rest of the staff were also quick to swap out our grills to keep everything clean and safe, which made the whole experience even better. Dessert deserves its own highlight: the crème brûlée was so good that I personally had about 10 of them, no joke, and the group went through nearly all of them. The ice cream options (taro, chocolate, vanilla, and cream) were also excellent. The overall experience of cooking the food yourself, enjoying high-quality meats, and having such attentive service made it one of the best dining experiences I’ve had. My tip: focus on the proteins and don’t fill up on carbs so you can really maximize the unlimited option. I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a great halal-friendly hot pot and BBQ experience. Amazing food, amazing service, and amazing atmosphere.

La Vashia Luckey One of my favorite restaurants in Albany! I love the oysters, caesar salad, side salads, lobster rolls, and the oyster Rockefeller baked oysters (when they had it) is delicious. I have been here several times and spent my birthday here. The food and drinks are phenomenal. The service and atmosphere is wonderful. I love the rotating specials. This is a must try and highly recommend.

Marty Byrde Come hungry because the portions are big and there is a lot to choose from. steaks are cooked to your liking and are spot on. everything tasted fresh. Louder, Rustic atmosphere and seems like they are steady busy so i would recommend booking reservations. We came on a Thursday night and it was a full house. service was great, very attentive and happy to make suggestions to orders. definitely worth a try if your in the area and in the mood for Italian American cuisine.

Daniel Farrow Had a great time. Food was delicious and the experience was good. I wouldnt label it a 5-star just because the atmosphere was more a casual dining experience. Prices were a bit high but the food was definitely worth it, although I was a little surprised when we got the check. B+

Michael Lupo Had a very enjoyable experience, including our large, delicious entrées, and our quick, attentive server. Everything was on point. Everything tasted amazing, and our food came out together, and at perfect temp. The server was very courteous, and checked on us regularly, but didnt hover. We were very happy with our dinner, and will be back again soon!

Tracey P. M. Restaurant Review: Texas de Brazil – A Pleasant Surprise with Endless Flavor We weren’t quite sure what to expect walking into Texas de Brazil, but we left both full and genuinely impressed. From start to finish, the meal exceeded our expectations. The salad bar was an experience in itself—almost overwhelming with how many fresh options it offered. The greens were crisp, the dressings delicious, and the lobster bisque stood out as a real highlight. Though it didn’t have chunks of lobster, the soup was thick, rich, and full of flavor. Once we flipped our little card over, the meat service began, and the variety was impressive—lamb, pork, multiple cuts of beef, and chicken. The flank steak surprised us by being exceptionally tender and flavorful, and the chicken was the standout—juicy, well-seasoned, and cooked just right. The filet mignon, though tender, was a bit of a letdown; the bacon wrapping overpowered the meat’s flavor. I didn’t try the lamb or pork personally, but others in our group did and gave it high marks. With the meats came a tray of sides: creamy red-skinned mashed potatoes, light and cheesy bread, fried plantains, and French fries. Everything was well-prepared, though I wasn’t fond of the coating on the fries. The mashed potatoes and cheese bread, in particular, were crowd-pleasers. The service was attentive and friendly. While the staff seemed a bit young and still gaining experience, they were trying hard and eager to please—which counts for a lot. The total came to $184 for three people (plus tip), with no alcohol or specialty drinks—just water. It’s certainly a splurge, but for the quality and quantity of food, it felt justifiable. And for a chain restaurant, the food was surprisingly fresh and flavorful. Would we go back? Absolutely. It’s not an everyday dinner spot, but for a special treat or when you just want to eat like royalty, Texas de Brazil is worth the visit.

Scott Vining My family and friends went to Black & Blue Steakhouse in Albany for a birthday celebration, and the entire experience was excellent. Our table service by Kat was fantastic—she was attentive, friendly, and made sure every detail was handled. The food came out perfectly prepared. I ordered the Wagyu steak, which was cooked just right, and my daughter had the salmon, which she loved. They even plated, dressed up, and served a cake we brought in, cutting it for the table and making it feel special. From start to finish, the evening was completely taken care of. A fantastic experience all around.

Tumbaros An Evening to Remember at Maggie McFly’s My partner and I recently went out to celebrate a wonderful milestone for our doggy daycare, Tumbaros Clubhouse. We chose Maggie McFly’s, and from the moment we arrived, we knew we were in for something special. Our evening was made truly exceptional by Dylan, whose service was nothing short of outstanding. Despite the late hour and a bustling atmosphere, he greeted us with genuine warmth, enthusiasm, and professionalism. Dylan guided us through the menu with remarkable patience and insight, creating a sense of anticipation for each dish that followed. It’s rare to encounter such exemplary service — the kind that makes you feel not just like a guest, but genuinely valued. Dylan’s attention to detail, kindness, and passion for his work elevated our evening beyond expectation. He embodies the very best of what hospitality should be. For anyone visiting Maggie McFly’s in Albany, I cannot recommend Dylan highly enough. His excellence sets a new standard for service, and our celebration could not have been more memorable

Amanda Evans My boyfriend and I went to The Hollow for dinner before our concert at The Empire, which is right next door. This place is phenomenal. Very unique space and amazing staff. Check out the menu there is a lot of vegan and vegetarian options and gluten free. We both had the ribeye with melted blue cheese and also the garlic smashed potatoes with the asparagus. For an appetizer we had the maple bacon brussels. Our waiter was very very kind and attentive. I definitely would go back again.

JA The atmosphere is pure English pub right down to the low ceilings. Winston scowling down from above the fireplace. I had delicious fish and chips with malt vinegar. The waitress was possibly the most attentive Ive ever had . Not overly intrusive but obviously observant of her tables and ready to fulfill any requests in a timely fashion and with a genuine and friendly smile. I ordered a sausage roll for later (pictured) the flaky pastry was sublime and the sausage just the right flavors that I remembered from my childhood cookery classes in my secondary modern 3rd year. A wonderful experience. Will definitely be back again. Maybe try the Kedgeree next

Lilly Elder Stopped in here for a bite on a whim just driving around the area, turned out to be an amazing decision. Gorgeous family run business with generous and thoughtful staff, I cannot find the words to express how pleased my friend and I were with our experience here!! The presentation of our food and drinks was phenomenal, they literally put little purple flowers in our drinks because we have purple hair, SO CUTE!!! Everything tasted just as good as it looks. You can taste the passion the chefs here put into their dishes! If you’re looking for a place with beautiful culture and good food, this is the place to go.

Ms B N Honest 110 Grill in Crossgates Mall is a gorgeous restaurant offering delicious food and drinks. The table & chairs along with the bar are clean, spacious and comfortable for sitting and enjoying a pleasant meal. The bar offers a nice selection of wines, liquors and beers. The customer service received was excellent., friendly and attentive. Making up for the Long Island Iced Tea I ordered which tasted more like just "Iced Tea". Nonetheless, beautiful restaurant offering a gorgeous ambiance and a delicious menu.

IQ Our second time here this time it was much better than the first time. We order a pound of king crabs a pound of snow, crabs, two lobster tails and a dozen clams and the butter garlic sauce. We had the chicken wings in the hot sauce for appetizer. Everything was delicious. We took the waitresses recommendation to add Ramen and she was right, it was amazing. Definitely worth the extra four dollars. Our waitress can’t remember her name she was very attentive. We can’t wait to come back again.