Restaurants in Albany

“Was really sad to see my favorite unique + quality brunch spot in the bay change format to being fast casual. It was such an easy brunch pick to take out of towners or friends to.

Now instead, they've become easily one of the best fast-casual food in the bay. So I really can't complain. I guess their format changed worked because I've eaten here more often than when they were full service. The value for the money you get here is pretty nuts. Still just as good ingredients & just as good preparation, all at a more approachable price point & form factor. What really gets me is I'm truly getting restaurant quality cooking for a unique cuisine I don't see very often, just a version that works better to-go. When you compare to some of the other casual lunch/dinner places in the area that have a similar format, it's really no competition. You'd be hard pressed to find a better way to spend $20-30/pp. I also love that they kept some of my favorite guilty pleasures from when they were a full service restaurant, like the knafe pancake.

Their in-house online ordering system is pretty slick and a good deal too. Works just as well as doordash without any of the bloated prices. Wouldn't mind seeing this spread around to more restaurants.”

“Friends here visiting and found this gem of a place! Best thing is we didn’t have to go far! Food was delicious!”

“I've been wanting to try this place for a while and finally decided to check it out while celebrating a frienniversary. We didn't make a reservation, and were still able to be seated right away on a Saturday night around 830pm or so.

Fairly busy but atmosphere was still good. Service was great considering how busy they were. The food was awesome. Everything tasted fresh and flavorful. Unfortunately, this was one of those dinners where it didn't occur to me to take pictures until afterwards. 😅”

“I don’t know who Al is but I love that man because the burgers here AMAZING! One bite takes me back to my childhood in the most wonderful way. The combination of charbroiled high quality meat, fresh tomatoes, lettuce, and onions is just perfection. Thank you 🙏🏼”

“todo delicioso 😋 y fresco y muy limpio”

“The best pork bun in the Bay Area, no joke, great value!”

“Low key, relaxed vibe, cool tunes, best drinks. And a stellar taco truck in the parking lot. Very friendly staff. 5 stars all day, every day.”

“My Chinese friend introduced me to this restaurant a while ago, and I really enjoyed it! I was recently in the Berkeley area and decided to stop by again. The food was just as delicious as I remembered! We ordered the Sichuan spicy fish, Dry-Fried Green Bean, and Dry-Fried Beef.Everything was so flavorful and authentic!! 😋”

“Un rendez-vous avec la bonne gastronomie le service rapide et l’endroit agréable merci 🙏”

“We went at lunch time, the server was efficient but also very patient, answered all our questions with smiles. Both my friend and I enjoyed our very tasty dishes. I had left over to take home for another meal. My Pickled Bean & Pork Mix Noodles was so delicious I ordered one to go for my son. The restaurant decor was simple and classy. From chopsticks to tea cups and plates, everything was thoughtfully presented. The place was quiet, we were able to talk at our regular conversation volumes. Both of us were pleasantly surprised at the high quality of service and food. We will definitely go back to try more unique dishes.”

“beat indian and nepali resturent in albany area.free parking and delicious food.highly recommended”

“It’s been a long time since I last visited and it was all and more than I remembered. I eat only whole plant foods that are gluten-free & SOS-free (no salt, oil, sugar). I ordered the large plate, no seasonings, with sauces on the side and their chocolate pie for dessert. The soup was salty so I guess I should’ve asked. All in all a colorful and beautiful lunch made with love!! Updated from previous review on 2026-03-17”

“I order the pumpkin curry. It was delicious. I also ordered the Tom Ka chicken soup. It was too tart, the chicken over cooked. A disappointment for a soup I usually love”

“Atmosphere, customer service, prices and the freaking food is amazing 😍. Highest rated casual dining from Hayward to Vallejo! For good reason! This is a must if in the area. We will be back!”

“It’s the best Restaurant in town came with Family and we had a great time! Food was great and drinks 🍹 we all loved the dessert as well! Just amazing service and food! My Favorite for sure! 2914 College Ave Berkeley Ca”

“Absolutely the best French pasteries I’ve had on this continent!”

“Prettiest coffee shop imaginable! The coffee shop itself is a vintage airstream and it’s parked within a really beautiful garden store. So you can sit and have your latte amongst all the beautiful plants.

I got a special treat this morning and chose the seasonal cinnamon mocha latte. It was absolute perfection.

And the people working there are super nice”

“Hal’s is IMO the best cafe in Albany - all the baristas not only serve beautiful, delicious oat cappuccinos but they also create a warm and welcoming atmosphere that makes u want to stick around. If you’re lucky they’ll be brewing a fresh batch of chai and your nose will wonder if you’ve died and gone to heaven.”

“Our first visit but absolutely not our last! What delicious flavors! Everyone loved their desserts, the toppings are incredible (vegan hot fudge, vegan caramel, toasted almonds,) and we all left full and happy! Definitely stop in when you’re in the neighborhood!”

“Try the newest special the Cajun Tropical Wet Burrito! It’s so yummy and amazing! 😋I highly recommend this restaurant. Also, great customer service and quick service. Great quality with great prices! 😉”

“SO fresh and yummy. Amazingly varied menu options for both drinks and food. Such kind staff and easy kiosk ordering. Beautiful location and very nice indoor and outdoor seating!”

“I have been coming here as far back as I can remember and the great quality, friendly service and warm local vibes have never changed. This is what small towns are all about!”

“1111 Solano is a new location for this restaurant. Previously near Craneway and before the pandemic in Point Richmond. Same chef, same staff, and same excellent food and service.”

“We arrived here shortly after opening on a Sunday morning and we were seated immediately. We had the vegetarian omelette and hash brown hill along with an Americano. The omelette was 5/5 and well seasoned. The hash brown hill was hearty and deftly seasoned. We really enjoyed the Americano! The dining area is welcoming. We will be back.”

“Fantastic Eastern Mediterranean food. Mazze plate was a fantastic start with great variety. Chicken kebab was seasoned and cooked perfectly so chicken was still moist and flavorful. Lamb ribs were outstanding. Portions large. Staff attentive. Restaurant is quiet, and a little bit dark and old-fashioned in decor.”

“Good food, I always like to eat over here because food are soo good and tasty, momo is best and chowmein too”

“This place is always so good, creative sushi options with high quality fish. While it has minimal atmosphere, everyone is super friendly visit after visit there is something yummy and unique to try. Like the deep fried shisho leaf with salmon and hamachi toro appetizer pictured.”

“I love this bar/club. It's a small dive bar with great shows. I saw Manic Hispanic this week. I was up front and center. A friend saw the same band last week in SoCal but was separated from the band by the typical bigger show barricade. The Ivy Room gets packed, but what a fantastic place to see bands!”

“Very much reminiscent of a lot of Midwest neighborhood bars. Very comfy and good service. No food besides things like chips but they encourage bringing in takeout”

“Everything I've brought home from Picnic was made with obvious exquisite quality and care! Their condiments are a boon to our meals, great rotisserie chickens, sandwiches, sides, everything! I get excited when my travels take me nearby and I've got time to go in!”

“We were in the area, nice 👍 to be able to enjoy our yogurt plus close to coffee shop as well & lots of benches to relax👋🤙👋”

“Great lady who gave me her charger since I was stuck there in Albany area with a dead phone and in need of getting an UBER. So I went in, asked for charger and ordered their chicken+Beef Teriyaki lunch box. And it was delicious. Got my phone charged too. Happy customer here. Will eat there again if in the area.”

“La Val’s Pizza in Albany is such a wonderful local gem! The pizza is always fresh, flavorful, and made with care. Their Indian-style pizzas are absolutely delicious — especially the Butter Chicken Pizza and Chicken Tikka Pizza. The flavors are unique, rich, and so satisfying.

The owners and staff are incredibly friendly and welcoming, and you can really feel the family-owned atmosphere. The service is great, the portions are generous, and there are plenty of options for both pizza lovers and vegetarians.

If you’re in Albany and looking for delicious pizza with something different, I highly recommend giving La Val’s a try. You won’t be disappointed! 🍕❤”

“The best beer ever and the best staff ever and super cute and I just love this place so much and everyone should go here right now.”

“We've been coming to this restaurant for many years, throughout a few different owners. This is the best incarnation of the space I have seen! This sashimi is buttery and the portions are exceedingly generous. The chicken karage is made fresh, and comes out piping hot and full of flavor!
We will be back!”

“Food Very tasty 🤤 authentic Korean food delicious friendly staff decor trendy modern nice clean.”

“Ate here 4 times. 1: salmon w fish, 2nd: branzino w lime , 3: seabass eggplant and 4th: sweet sour fried pompano. all of them were excellent. thai fish cakes and mushroom dumpling for appetizers were great . My wife had Tom yum soup and coconut pad Thai : both of which she loved . our service was great as well. we live in San jose but we're up in Berkeley for about a few weeks and this Thai restaurant is better than any in South Bay. highly recommended!”

“This is a gem. From the outside, it doesn't look like much but the food and the kind staff are the stars here. My favorite is the tumeric soup. I'm not vegetarian but the tofu version of this soup is every bit as delicious as the other versions. I'm also a big fan of the lemongrass chicken bahn mi. This is a complex and delicious sandwich (watch out for the jalapenos). I'm from San Jose, CA so I'm used to wonderful Vietnamese cuisine and this is the best in the Albany/Berkeley area.”

“Delicious food and awesome service 😊”

“this place has been my go-to since forever! the food never disappoints and the customer service is fantastic! i-slice has a special place in my heart and i would always recommend this place!”

“This spot had matcha yummy and the employees were very nice and quick...easy drive thru as well in and out no problem
They also have smoothies and other refreshments”

“Eunice Gourmet Café is a hidden gem! The coffee was amazing. I tried The Ash sandwich and was completely blown away fresh ingredients, perfect flavors, and honestly one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had. I’m more than willing to drive the extra distance just to have it again!

The owner was incredibly friendly and welcoming, which made the experience even better. If you’re looking for amazing food and a warm, inviting atmosphere, don’t miss out on Eunice Gourmet Café. Highly recommend!!”

“i was expecting a standard to go breakfast spot, but the food totally blew me away. the portions are huge and everything comes out super fresh, way better than i thought it would be. my freind got the burrito and i had the breakfast sandwhich and we both loved it. definately going back next time im in the area.”

“Delicious food! Great Bar and desserts! Super friendly staff and owners.”

“Scones are freshly baked, delicious, yams and eggs, my favorite, it’s healthy and yummy, hot mocha/chocolate taste great, not an ordinary….. love it 😍”

“Great food and quick service! A must try place if you’re in the area!”

“pizza is great, but love the pasta especially the alfredo sauce and they were super helpful! one of the few places i would actually go back to for pasta, even with a 40 min drive + toll!”

“The food is amazing! We had a great experience”

“23 years a customer, only great meals! Looking forward to stopping by on my next visit to the area.”

“Went to dinner with a few of my lady friends after seeing a show in the city, this was the perfect ending to a phenomenal day. I had the crab cakes and they were delish, a couple of people in my group had the fried chicken/fried catfish combo and that looks delicious as well. I highly recommend Lizzy’s Cajun Cafe.”

“This is our second trip the little star and we did not get disappointed the pizza especially was my favorite. The wings were good. The drinks were exceptional. The service was good place was clean and bright.”

“This place saved me from a terrible morning, and not just because I desperately needed caffeine! The barista was kind enough to point me in the right direction when my phone died, and the coffee itself was DELICIOUS”

“Food is delicious! My server was welcoming and the food was served hot and neatly. I was offered GF and vegetarian options that were delicious! Definitely recommended.”

“Treated my parents to a lovely dinner from Kiana for their 50 th wedding anniversary!!! Everything was delicious!”

“Words cand describe how delicious this food was! Not my first time either! 10 out of 10 for me! VERY FRIENDLY AND ATTENTIVE STAFF! Make you feel so comfortable OMG IM DEFINITELY GOING BACK! 🤤🤤🤤🤤♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️”

“The kouign-Aman and croissants were the very best pastry I have ever had from Starter Bakery. I am from Eugene Oregon and would drive back down to Berkley/Oakland area for this pastry any day! The bread is amazing as well... Well done Starter Bakery! B"”

“Bua Luang is hands down the BEST Thai restaurant in the entire Bay Area, not just in Albany! I have been enjoying Thai cuisine all around the Bay for over 25 years. My family and I have Thai food at least 2-3 times a week, so we have tried many (and I mean MANY) Thai restaurants over the decades, and without a doubt we all agree that Bua Luang offers the freshest, tastiest, and most delicately prepared Thai cuisine of all. Every dish is packed with the freshest ingredients. The flavors and textures are amazing. Restaurants in Thailand don’t make a Pad Thai as delicious as the Pad Thai at Bua Luang—believe us, we have tried Pad Thai all over Thailand and we still longed for the Pad Thai at Bua Luang. The chef at this restaurant is a culinary master!

Not only are the dishes at this restaurant superb, the atmosphere is serene and delightful. The indoor space is clean, cozy, and modern with soft old-world touches and whimsical lighting. The ambiance music is very pleasant. It’s not too loud, and it’s easy to talk with and hear others in your party. If you choose to dine outside, you are greeted by the most beautiful outdoor seating area on all of Solano Avenue. The space is gorgeous and inviting. And then there is the staff: always friendly and attentive. They provide a truly exceptional dining experience all around.

This restaurant is an absolute gem. If I could give it more stars I would. Don’t walk, run to this spot!”

“Always delicious Indian food! My family and I always come here when we are in the neighborhood. Maude and Rosemarie are very gracious hosts. I highly recommend this restaurant seven days a week. :)”

“The owner was really nice”

“I've been going to Nomi's for years, and I love it so much. It's a great location and whenever I'm meeting with friends or walking around, we always get drinks at Nomi's first. I love their Thai tea and their mango green tea (although it does have caffeine, so I suggest ordering it earlier in the day).”

“Gordo's is just the frigging best. I know it is actually "Gordo Taqueria", but I've called it "Gordo's" for 25 years and I can't change! You guys are great!”

“Great experience at Starbucks! The coffee was excellent, the staff were friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere was clean and relaxing. I really enjoyed my time here. Highly recommended!”

“Great place to get some work done (plenty of outlets). Indoor and outdoor seating. Coffee and pastries were good but it’s definitely on the expensive side (a large latte is $6.50)”

“What can I say you guys rock!!! This is just like the pizza 🍕 I grew up with I came in because I hadn’t eaten all day and I was hungry. You’re pizza hit the spot I will definitely come back. The woman who took our order was very friendly thanks for making my day”

“Good cheap eats. Sort of fun to get your own chai, as much as you want.”