Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in Albany by diners
Fine dining in the U.S. isn't what it used to be. Many customers are no longer interested in classic white tablecloths and 16-ounce New York strips; instead, it's about cutting-edge culinary experiences.
Although steakhouses have defined fine dining in America since the 19th century, that started to change in the mid-1990s. Elite chefs like Thomas Keller at the French Laundry unearthed a whole different kind of tasting experience (with 40 courses), and a new age of fine dining was born. Soon, prix fixe meals—a French style of serving with a set menu—became the norm for fine dining in the U.S.
Between the rise of chef's tasting menus and consumers' continued desire to have diverse culinary experiences, the restaurants that grace the pages of top-tier restaurant reviewers like Zagat or the Michelin Guide look very different today than they did 30 years ago. Restaurant goers aren't just looking for high-quality food. They want the type of menu that will tell a story. They want creative ingredients they've never tried before. They want to be transported into a whole new world.
With so many innovative menus and restaurant experiences popping up across America to choose from, it can be challenging to choose where to go for a special evening. Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated fine dining restaurants in Albany using data from Yelp. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself.
Only businesses with at least five reviews and at least level 2 pricing (i.e., $$ to $$$$) were considered. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with five or more locations nationally (based on Yelp data) were not included. Restaurants in certain lower-cost categories (like "diners," "buffets," and "food trucks") were excluded. Data is as of Aug. 19, 2024.
Read on to find a potential restaurant for your next special meal out!
#29. Jacob & Anthony's Italian
- Rating: 3.5/5 (130 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1475 Western Ave. Albany, New York
- Categories: Italian
- Read more on Yelp
#28. El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant II
- Rating: 3.5/5 (226 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 289 Hamilton St. Albany, New York
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Delmonico's Italian Steakhouse
- Rating: 3.6/5 (329 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1553 Central Ave. Albany, New York
- Categories: Italian, Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Ralph's Tavern
- Rating: 3.6/5 (326 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1328 Central Ave. Albany, New York
- Categories: Italian, Bars, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Namu
- Rating: 3.6/5 (172 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1770 Central Ave. Albany, New York
- Categories: Korean
- Read more on Yelp
#24. D'Raymonds
- Rating: 3.7/5 (298 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 269 Osborne Road Albany, New York
- Categories: Italian, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#23. TORO Cantina
- Rating: 3.7/5 (228 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 111 Wolf Road Albany, New York
- Categories: Mexican, New Mexican Cuisine
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Black and Blue Steak and Crab
- Rating: 3.8/5 (379 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1470 Western Ave. Albany, New York
- Categories: Seafood, Steakhouses, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Tanpopo Ramen and Sake Cafe
- Rating: 4.1/5 (447 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 893 Broadway Albany, New York
- Categories: Salad, Ramen, Soup
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Maharaja Indian Restaurant
- Rating: 4.2/5 (250 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 10 Wolf Road Albany, New York
- Categories: Indian
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Albany War Room Tavern
- Rating: 3.8/5 (33 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 42 Eagle St. Albany, New York
- Categories: Bars, Sushi Bars, Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
#18. dp An American Brasserie
- Rating: 3.8/5 (172 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 25 Chapel St. Inside Hampton Inn & Suites Albany, New York
- Categories: New American, Indonesian, Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Rain Modern Chinese
- Rating: 3.9/5 (352 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 259 Lark St. Albany, New York
- Categories: Dim Sum, Cantonese, Tapas/Small Plates
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Mosu
- Rating: 3.9/5 (130 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 111 Wolf Road Albany, New York
- Categories: Asian Fusion, Hot Pot, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Nicole's Restaurant
- Rating: 3.9/5 (116 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 556 Delaware Ave. Albany, New York
- Categories: Italian
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Yono's Restaurant
- Rating: 3.9/5 (175 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 25 Chapel St. Albany, New York
- Categories: Indonesian, New American
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Cafe Capriccio
- Rating: 4.0/5 (227 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 49 Grand St. Albany, New York
- Categories: Italian, Mediterranean, Wine Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Lanie's Cafe
- Rating: 4.0/5 (287 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 471 Albany Shaker Road Albany, New York
- Categories: Italian, Salad, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Savoy Taproom
- Rating: 4.0/5 (169 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 301 Lark St. Albany, New York
- Categories: Cocktail Bars, New American
- Read more on Yelp
#10. 677 Prime
- Rating: 4.1/5 (309 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 677 Broadway Albany, New York
- Categories: Steakhouses, Seafood, Venues & Event Spaces
- Read more on Yelp
#9. MezzaNotte Ristorante
- Rating: 4.1/5 (120 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2026 Western Ave. Albany, New York
- Categories: Italian
- Read more on Yelp
#8. The Copper Crow
- Rating: 4.2/5 (73 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 904 Broadway Albany, New York
- Categories: New American, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Athos
- Rating: 4.2/5 (338 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1814 Western Ave. Albany, New York
- Categories: Greek, Mediterranean, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Grappa '72 Ristorante
- Rating: 4.2/5 (325 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 818 Central Ave. Albany, New York
- Categories: Italian
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Moliendo cafe
- Rating: 4.3/5 (73 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 791 Madison Ave. Albany, New York
- Categories: Colombian
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Caffe Italia
- Rating: 4.3/5 (132 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 2080 Western Ave. Albany, New York
- Categories: Italian
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Kismet Mediterranean Grill
- Rating: 4.4/5 (161 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1116 Madison Ave. Albany, New York
- Categories: Mediterranean
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Iron Gate Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (941 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 182A Washington Ave. Albany, New York
- Categories: Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Mazadar Mediterranean Kitchen
- Rating: 4.7/5 (256 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1839 Central Ave. Albany, New York
- Categories: Mediterranean, Afghan, Halal
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Kiersten Hickman, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 299 metros.
