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!”

“Amazing place! The food was beyond amazing, we especially loved the black cod truffle hand rolls (we got them three times each because of how good they tasted) - you taste the truffle butter so well and the fish is ‘cooked’ to perfection, the flavour addicting. We loved how they waited for us to finish each hand roll before bringing the next one so the seaweed wouldn’t be moist. The place itself is very nice and the waiters are super attentive. There’s a nice quiet ambiance music in the background making it very easy to talk.
This is a great place for a nice date night.”

“Best saag I’ve ever had! Wonderful salmon tandoori. Amazing chai 👏🏻!”

“todo delicioso 😋 y fresco y muy limpio”

“One of the best Cumin Lab seasoned with veggies, elegant radish and some red peppers!

Accompanied by herbal tea and delicious Thai Tea.

I came in for dine in, food was super fast and delicious, rice was sweet and fresh. Thai tea and herbal tea were also freshly made and served.”

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

“This place will always be my favorite Hunan restaurant in the East Bay. I've been here several times already and it hits every time!! I've dined solo and taken my family and friends here. It's that good. Super consistent in flavor. Street parking.
Must try:
- Eggplant with green beans
- Vine pepper fish
- Spicy fried chicken
- Lamb stir fry with chilis
I'm really going to miss it when I'm not longer living near by.”

“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”

“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.”

“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!”

“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 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”

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

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

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

“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!”

“They have the most perfectly brewed coffee in the east bay!! Very well balanced, clean and smooth tasting. Staff is very nice too. Such a beautiful spot too, inside a nursery.”

“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”

“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.”

“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! 😉”

“I love this place, I work right around the corner and always look up to getting some lunch there. They recently introduced Indian food bowls to the menu and it was sooo good, I got the butter chicken and it was amazing. Customer service is great they always make me feel welcome and the trust is there, I know I'll never leave disappointed and will enjoy my meals.”

“They have wonderful, cheap froyo. the lady who i presume is the owner is super friendly and gives very generous portions. I haven't tried their ice cream, but they have lots of flavors.”

“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.”

“really great and affordable vietnamese restaurant in albany.
SO many vegan options, all of which are very good.
outdoor seating and indoor seating options, on street parking.”

“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!”

“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!”

“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 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.”

“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!”

“Delicious food and awesome service 😊”

“What an amazing night at Chez Mansour! We went to watch Terga Group, and everything was absolutely wonderful. The music was incredible, the ambiance was vibrant and welcoming, and the food was delicious.

On top of that, the owner is extremely kind and made us feel right at home. You can really feel the passion and care behind this place. A perfect spot for a great evening with live music, good vibes, and amazing food.

Highly recommend, we’ll definitely be back!”

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

“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!!”

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

“The customer service here is excellent. Every time I stop by, I’m happy with the service provided, and I’m happy to continue to support this local spot. The staff always make sure that you are getting the exact drink you want.”

“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!”

“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.”

“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👋🤙👋”

“Als big burger is my dad and Is favorite comfort food spot. Their garden burgers are great and now that they’ve returned to their old fries we were thrilled!!

Their ranch is amazing aswell and we love getting a chocolate shake with extra malt. The staff is also always so kind!”

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

“The restaurant is small, so we had to wait outside during the busy weekend.

The servers were very friendly, kept us updated on the wait, and explained the menu.

The fish was fresh, there were lots of delicious rolls to choose from, and our kids absolutely loved the crispy chicken katsu.”

“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.”

“The owner was really nice”

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

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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”

“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 😍”

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

“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"”

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

“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!”

“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.”

“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”

“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. :)”

“I like the iced Americanos here 💗
Bagels are fine but remember the food service closes at 12pm.
Wifi is weirdly unconnectable sometimes”

“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! 🤤🤤🤤🤤♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️”

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

“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!”

“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!”