Albany Restaurants and Dining

(Albany, New York - NY, USA)

The Capital Region offers a good choice of dining options, with a healthy selection of restaurants located in the state capital of Albany. Eateries serve up much more than simply takeaway fast food, such as hamburgers and fries.

Some of the most tempting dishes in Albany can be found being served up in local wine bars and bistros, while coffee shops provide a good place for a hot snack during a shopping trip. Many restaurants open for lunch from 11:30 until 15:00 Monday to Saturday, opening for dining on a daily basis between the hours of 17:00 and 21:00. Others remain open from 11:30 until 22:00 or later, seven days a week.

For some of the best dining in the city, take a stroll along historic Lark Street, roughly north of downtown Albany and on the eastern side of Washington Park. Lark Street offers a handful of very decent restaurants, bars and lively cocktail lounges, which are generally good value and popular with university students.

Where to Eat

Sandwiched between Washington Avenue and Madison Avenue, Lark Street is a particularly lively part of Albany when the evening arrives.

Bar-hopping is a popular activity here, and if you are looking for a bite to eat, then restaurants worthy of consideration include the likes of Soho Pizza (just across from the Lark Street Flower Market), Hot Dog Heaven and McGuire's, where dining specialties include filet mignon, grilled Maine lobster tail, oven-roasted Chilean sea bass and sesame-encrusted Ahi tuna.

Also located on Lark Street, in central Albany, is the Bombers Burrito Bar. Sitting just across from the Trinity United Methodist Church, Bombers features 'Happy Hour' specials between the hours of 11:00 and 19:00, when cheap margaritas are flowing. Tuesday nights offer a regular trivia quiz, while Thursdays are known for their live acoustic music.

Restaurants in Albany are also in good supply along Pearl Street. Dining establishments and bars lying on North Pearl Street are regularly frequented by office workers from nearby downtown government buildings. Elsewhere in the city, recommended eateries include the Athos Restaurant (Greek cuisine) on Western Avenue, Katrinella's Bistro (Italian food) on Madison Avenue, and the New World Bistro Bar (American-style dishes) on Delaware Avenue.

Established as long ago as 1913 and standing on State Street is the family owned Jack's Oyster House, where fine dining and sophistication is combined. Popular dishes here include grilled steaks, scallops, ribs, pesto salmon and shellfish risotto.

Of note, if you are especially youthful in your appearance and planning to pay a visit to some of Albany's bars, then be sure to bring your ID with you, since ID checks are commonplace.