Albany, New York: City of Lights, City of Magic!

January 7, 2020 9:28 AM

I find myself traveling to Albany for two nights next week (three, actually, but the first night I'll be getting in super late). Are there any really terrific restaurants in the walkable part of downtown? My standards for really terrific are broad and malleable -- I eat anything, it'd just be nice not to eat in the hotel. Also, my evenings are generally wide open -- if there was some appealing theater or music thing that happened to be taking place on either the evening of Tuesday, 1/14 or Wednesday, 1/15, also in the walkable part of downtown Albany, I'd be fascinated to hear about it.
posted by LizardBreath to Travel & Transportation (9 answers total)

I work in downtown Albany. Unfortunately it's not a hotbed of fine cuisine. Most of the places in the downtown area are bars first and restaurants second. The Hollow is pretty good, and if you're willing to go a few blocks north on Broadway Druthers is a decent brewpub. 677 Prime is good if an expensive steakhouse is of interest, and I've heard The Bishop is good. If you like donuts, check out Cider Belly in the morning.
posted by jkent at 9:51 AM on January 7, 2020

I don't remember how walkable it is from downtown, but if there's anything playing at The Egg I would check it out as it's definitely unique
posted by JZig at 10:52 AM on January 7, 2020

I've had some terrific meals at New World Bistro. Might require a cab ride from where you are, but worth it I think.
posted by Pineapplicious at 11:02 AM on January 7, 2020

I had a really nice lunch and cocktail at Dove and Deer a year or so ago when I had a few random (car-less) hours to kill in downtown Albany. I recommend it!
posted by mskyle at 11:30 AM on January 7, 2020

Cafe Capriccio is where I would go. Traditional Italian, reliably wonderful homemade pasta.
posted by veery at 12:50 PM on January 7, 2020

Yono's, on the ground floor of the Hampton Inn on Chapel Street downtown (near the Palace Theater, if you happen to be seeing a show), is always a contender on the various "best of the Capital Region" lists; the chef is Indonesian and the menu is a mix of Western and Indonesian dishes and flavors.

Yono's also has a more casual "brasserie" sister restaurant in the same building called DP — though in fact I've eaten at the latter and was presented with both restaurants' menus for ordering.
posted by letourneau at 6:29 AM on January 8, 2020

Yono's I have actually been to on a prior trip, and thought it was terrific, for any other Albany travelers reading this thread.
posted by LizardBreath at 7:27 AM on January 8, 2020

I really like Ama Cocina.

Dancing With the Stars is in town on Wednesday, if that's something you'd find entertaining.
posted by metasarah at 10:17 AM on January 8, 2020

Cafe Capriccio was terrific — the kind of oldfashioned red sauce Italian with really good vegetable dishes.

And Ama Cocina was also fun. Good margarita, nice tacos, ludicrous churro-based ice cream dessert.

Thanks, everyone! Next trip I’ll try the other suggestions.
posted by LizardBreath at 12:15 PM on January 16, 2020