Albany is New York’s capital city, but it also has some excellent restaurants providing a wide range of cuisines. Whether you’re craving Italian, Greek, eggs benedict, or basic diner fare, Albany has you covered.
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Albany’s Best 7 Restaurants
Diner Capital City
Western Avenue
If you’re in the mood for diner fare, Capital City Diner is one of the greatest Albany restaurants to visit! There are wonderful alternatives for a wide range of palates, from beverages to sweets. Classic mixed cocktails include the Bloody Mary, Screwdriver, and Mai Taito, to mention a few.
This restaurant also serves speciality beverages for $10. The Happy Melon Punch, prepared with Melon Liqueur, Vodka, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice, and Sour Mix, and the Almond Joy, made with Rum, Cream of Coconut, Amaretto, and Chocolate Liqueur, are two of these beverages.
If you want something a little sweeter, this is an excellent choice. Glasses of red and white wines are available. Beer, both imported and domestic, is also available.
When I go out to eat, I usually get soup, and this is one of the greatest Albany eateries to do so.
This cafe does not skimp on soup, including a soup of the day, handmade chili, and Crock of French Onion Soup. If you’re not in the mood for soup, try the Salt & Pepper Calamari or the Crispy Coconut Shrimp topped with spicy pineapple & orange marmalade.
Whether you’re eating with a bigger group or simply want more variety, the Capital City Combo Platter ($15.29) includes buffalo style chicken strips or wings, salt and pepper calamari, mozzarella sticks, and cheeseburger sliders.
The range of grilled cheese selections on this menu struck out to me, including the Classic Grilled Cheese, to which you may add tomato, applewood smoked bacon or ham, or Canadian bacon for an extra fee.
The Greek Toast sandwich is constructed with ham and Swiss on white bread, while the South of the Border sandwich is made with avocado, applewood smoked bacon, and cheddar. If you like a sweeter sandwich, the Gouda, Apple, and Raspberry Jam sandwich may be for you.
Salads, sandwiches, burgers, panini and wrap sandwiches, pasta, chicken, fish, and diner staples like Yankee Pot Roast, Ham Steak, and Roast Turkey Dinner are all available on their large menu.
If you go to the restaurant for breakfast, they have a number of eggs benedict alternatives, including the West Coast Benny, which has two poached eggs with avocado and tomato on english muffin halves and is topped with Hollandaise sauce.
Buttermilk pancakes, Belgian waffles, and French toast are among popular morning items. The Apple Pie French Toast, served with sliced apples, cinnamon, and vanilla ice cream, is a novel alternative.
It would be a wasted opportunity if I did not mention the abundance of dessert choices, all of which are produced on-site, such as the Strawberry Shortcake, Chocolate Cream Pie, and Rice Pudding, to name a few.
This restaurant is ideal for late-night meals, since it is open until midnight on Sunday through Thursday and 1am on Friday and Saturday.
The Barnsider is a barnsider.
Sand Creek Road +15188692448480 Sand Creek Road
The Barnsider takes pride in maintaining a delicate blend of great cuisine, service, and environment. With a range of meal selections, this restaurant seeks to deliver great cuts of meat and seafood to its customers. It’s no surprise that it made my list of the top Albany eateries.
The Premier Top Sirloin, which is characterized as having no fat, no bone, and just superb flavor, is the steak that made this restaurant renowned. In addition to the Sirloin, other options include Beef Wellington, Steak Au Poivre, and Ribeye.
Grilled Chicken Over Linguini Pasta and Chicken Florentine are two of the restaurant’s chicken entrees.
If you prefer fish to meat, The Barnsider has several options for you, including Baked Stuffed Shrimp, which comes with 3 or 4 jumbo shrimp stuffed with a rich clam sauce and lightly topped with bread crumbs, and Blackened Salmon with Orange Honey Butter, which is described as fresh salmon dusted with Cajun spices, seared on a red hot cast iron, and topped with a medallion of orange honey butter.
You may round up your meal by ordering some dessert. Deep Fried Ice Cream and Turtle Cheesecake are just two of the numerous possibilities offered.
Make a reservation at 518-869-2448 if you want to eat here.
The Iron Gate Café
Albany, NY 12210 +15184453555182 Washington Avenue
Iron Gate Café, a family-owned and run company in downtown Albany near the historical center square, established in 2004.
Iron Gate Café is well-known for serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Elvis Memphis Scramble, which is created with three eggs scrambled with bacon, maple sausage, green peppers, and onions and topped with pepper jack hollandaise, is available all day. This entrée is accompanied with grilled cornbread. The Phoenix Rising benedict, which comprises of avocado, house-made black bean sliders, and pepper jack hollandaise, is also an interesting alternative.
Lunch is also available all day and includes items such as the Buffalo Chicken Salad with breaded chicken, red onion, carrot, cucumber, tomato, mixed greens, and blue cheese dressing, as well as The Mother Clucker sandwich with fried chicken thigh, cherry peppers, chopped lettuce, pepper jack cheese, chipotle aioli, and a fried egg on a toasted brioche roll. This sandwich is accompanied with french fries.
The menu also includes vegan alternatives for breakfast and lunch, such as Vegan French Toast and Tofu Scramble, which is created with marinated tofu, spinach, green peppers, and onions. It is also served with home fries. The Vegan Buffalo Wrap is available for vegan lunch.
I always like it when Albany eateries offer a photogenic ambience, and this one certainly does with its outside terrace.
To save time once you arrive, be sure you join the waitlist before you arrive. Please keep in mind that the restaurant is closed on Tuesdays.
Capriccio Café
Grand Street
Café Capriccio, one of Albany’s greatest restaurants, is on a mission to deliver wonderful, genuine, regional Italian food that will entice you to return time and time again.
Café Capriccio has a diverse menu that includes antipasti and salads as well as pizza, spaghetti, and main meals.
Risotto with local veggies, fresh herbs, and provolone is one of the menu’s specialities. For an extra fee, you may add shrimp, grilled chicken, or sausage. The Stuffed Eggplant is an eggplant packed with spinach and roasted peppers that is topped with our four cheese mix and the vegetable of the day.
You may reserve a table at Café Capriccio with Open Table. Please keep in mind that this restaurant is only open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. everyday.
Cuckoo’s Nest
Albany, NY 12203 +15186507215234 Western Ave
The Cuckoos Nest introduces Albany to inventive southern comfort cuisine, delivering traditional favorites for lunch and supper. Specific menu options for lunch include Jalapeno Popper Deviled Eggs, Fried Green Tomatoes, and the Nashville Hot Fried Chicken Sandwich.
Shrimp & Grits, Lobster Mac and Cheese, and St.Louis Style Ribs are among the dinner options.
This restaurant is unusual in that it feeds 34 people in family size selections (which are exclusively available to-go), including the Hot Chick Soul Bowl Platter, which is mac & cheese topped with fried chicken breast, spicy sauce, ranch, bacon, and gruyere. Please inquire about pickup time and keep in mind that this service is not available during weekend brunch.
Reservations are highly advised, and please keep in mind that the restaurant is closed on Mondays.
The Cuckoos Nest was ranked first among Albany restaurants on Yelp in April 2019, indicating that it is a definite local favorite.
Druthers Brewing Co.
+151865079961053 Albany, New York 12204 Broadway
Druthers Brewing Company has numerous locations, with the Albany facility opening in 2015. This is one of the top Albany restaurants since it is located in a 17,000 square foot warehouse established in 1901.
There are various areas on the menu. Sesame Ginger Fish and Fried Chicken and Waffles are among the choices under the Best of What’s Around Section.
If you’re searching for a snack to share with a bigger group, there are plenty of possibilities, like Chimichurri Brussels Sprouts, Loaded Monkey Bread, and Chicken Verde Tacos.
If you’re looking for something more substantial, the eatery serves salads like the Strawberry Fields and handhelds like the Drutherbird Fried Chicken Sandwich. There is also a selection of burgers and pizza.
It would be a shame if I didn’t mention the beer options, which include the All-In IPA and the Play For Keeps.
This menu is unusual in that it is revised seasonally four times a year, so double check online before going out to dine.
Resy allows you to book reservations online.
Restaurant Athos
1814 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203 +15186086400
If you’re craving Greek food, Athos is one of the greatest Albany restaurants to visit. The National Herald named it one of the top Greek restaurants in the country.
If you wish to start your dinner with a typical Greek spread, they have Tzatziki, Tirokafteri, and Pikiliato to mention a few.
There are several soup and salad alternatives. Try the Athos Seasonal Salad or the Avgolemono Soup (traditional chicken and lemon soup).
When it comes to entrees, the Kota Sta Karvouna and the Grekolimano are two alternatives.
Open Table may be used to make reservations.
Visiting more places in the area? Check out our other tasty guides:
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