Great food and the service was perfect. We will definitely make a return visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ashley McDonald
4.5 stars! You can not beat the service here. We especially love the cheese selection. The food is always great, but we wish the main menu would change a bit. It can also seem really cramped.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Marc d'Acunzo
Julian the best
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hanger Steak and Frites with Béarnaise Sauce
Gary Sirlouis
Underwhelming, I have dined here multiples times. The last two times the main entree.was subpar. The duck confit description stated ”duck legs”. Wrong, it is one legs and thigh. Online it shows two legs…I have ordered this multiple times. This time it was more like duck jerky. Completely overcooked, unable to cut with a steak knife. My prior visit the cassoulet was over cooked and the sausage was charred to a crisp on the underside.
Cheese tray and servers are always excellent. There is one more visit in me at L’ albatros.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
Judd oberhauser
This restaurant was amazing. From the wine suggested by our sommelier, to the poutine appetizer, to the veal short ribs - everything was amazing. Our waiter, Joe, was incredible. I will certainly dine again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dan McNeil
Can't go wrong here
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Stephen Wallace
If I could give it 10 stars I would. I'm 45 and this somehow became one of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had. They were 10 stars in every category, food, atmosphere and service. They threw a no hitter on this night. Wish we knew about this place sooner. If your traveling and happen to be in Cleveland or if your coming up from Akron or whatever, you need to stop in and say hi. You won't be disappointed. Shout out to our server. I think his name was John. He did an awesome job.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jennifer May
Excellent food, amazing service, very convenient to Severance Hall.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Darlene Bowen
I said I would not post this but 2 to 2 1/2 months ago I had a bad experience. The food and service was excellent, as always. I had a problem with Julian, Zach’s son, who now claims he is now the owner. I was trying to use a gift certificate my son bought me. I was sitting at the outside bar and he made a spectacle of me, embarrassing me in front of the other patrons. I was so embarrassed!!! I have been going to this restaurant for years and even longer when it was That Place on Bellflower, That Place and Flower when Isabel owned it. I would tell all I know ,since probably 1978, that it was my favorite restaurant in Cleveland but, no longer and I feel bad. I LOVED the restaurant-the food, the service and ambiance. I will miss it greatly but will not return after the treatment I received-and it wasn’t the first from Julian.
Tracey Schwartz
Hats off to the chef! The food, service and atmosphere deserve Michelin stars. Our server, Nico, was AMAZING. This is a must try restaurant for those who truly love and appreciate good food. You can tell Chef prepares everything with love.
L'albatros remains one of Cleveland’s most consistently rewarding dining experiences. Tucked away in a beautiful setting, it perfectly marries the sophistication of a French bistro with the unpretentious warmth of a neighborhood spot. The atmosphere is the first thing that draws you in. Inside, the space is undeniably cozy, making it ideal for everything from a date night to a casual catch-up at the well-stocked bar. During the warmer months, the experience elevates further with the lovely patio, a lush, inviting space that feels like a true urban escape. It’s hard to imagine a better place to spend a summer evening. Now, for the food: L'albatros is one of those rare restaurants where you truly can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The kitchen maintains an incredibly high standard, ensuring the food never disappoints. While every dish is crafted with care, the duck confit is a true standout—crisp-skinned, tender, and rich, it's a perfect execution of a classic French staple. For something a little unexpected, the roasted vegetable pizza is a surprisingly brilliant choice. It’s fresh, flavorful, and a testament to the kitchen's versatility. Whether you're seeking comfort food elevated by French technique or just a fantastic cocktail in a beautiful setting, L'albatros is a must-visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Columbus OH
Several other reviewers have noted inconsistencies at this restaurant, and my recent experience unfortunately confirmed their observations. Perhaps the outdoor seating offers a more pleasant ambiance, but our indoor dinner reservation at 8:15 PM on a late October weekend left much to be desired.
The indoor dining area is uncomfortably cramped. A few tables near the bar are awkwardly positioned within a high-traffic, noisy area adjacent to the waiting line, making it difficult for diners to enjoy their meals. The open kitchen, located directly by the entrance, appeared somewhat disorganized, and the overall setting - plastic chairs and bare tables without tablecloths - conveyed an unexpectedly casual impression for a restaurant of this caliber.
Service was uneven throughout the evening. Although we were seated promptly and received menus and water quickly, our server took an unusually long time to return for our order. When he finally did, he mentioned that bread would be brought to the table; however, it never arrived. Meanwhile, neighboring tables were served bread more than once. Only after I inquired with another staff member did the bread appear.
The food itself was disappointing. My entrée, the trout, was bland and poorly executed. The accompanying green beans were undercooked and lacked seasoning, while one of the two fillets, placed underneath the top piece, was badly burned. I brought this to the waiter’s attention, and he promptly had another portion prepared, but it was concerning that a badly burned piece of fish was served in the first place.
Dessert wasn’t much better and failed to leave a memorable impression. Overall, the experience fell short of expectations, particularly given the restaurant’s strong reputation. I left wondering why this place has such high ratings. By contrast, the French restaurant on Bethel Road in Columbus provides a far more refined dining environment, superior service, and consistently well-prepared cuisine.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Yun-Huei Jen
We traveled from Cincinnati to Cleveland and have tried many fine dining restaurants in Cincinnati, such as Jeff Ruby, Boca, and Jag’s. On our way back, we found this restaurant with very high reviews, and my friend really wanted to give it a try. We made a 4 PM reservation since we needed to drive back to Cincinnati. Around 3:40 PM, the restaurant called to ask where we preferred to sit. My friend said we wanted to sit at the bar. However, when we arrived, the host seated us at a table. I asked again to sit at the bar, but the bar area was completely empty and looked like it wasn’t even open. After waiting about 5 minutes, a server finally came over. I ordered an Old Fashioned. A few minutes later, he came back asking if we were ready to order. There was no menu introduction at all, and he kept pushing us to place our order. My friend chose the escargot and duck confit. We wanted to start with these two dishes first, then decide what to order next. But the server told us he had to take our full order. That meant I was forced to order an entrée as well. He explained it was because of the kitchen’s “operations” and that the kitchen was busy. But it was 4 PM, and the restaurant was clearly not busy at all. The way he insisted felt disrespectful. I have never heard of a fine dining restaurant requiring guests to order everything at once and not allowing us to start with appetizers. I ended up ordering a medium-rare steak. When it came out, the entire surface was burnt, and it tasted like burnt char. A good steak should never be served this way. My friend and I were very disappointed with both the service and the food. We still left a 20% tip, but we will not be coming back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Brad Wells
Food was very nice and fresh. The seasoning was amazing and flavorful. However, the bread was cold and soggy. General service was friendly and professional, but servers spilled water often and put dish on table a bit too harshly. Atmosphere was cozy and warm, but the tables were a bit too close and crammed. Overall, the experience was average for the hefty price tag.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
John Meese
Have always had a good experience Until last night French onion did not have enough broth .. a bowl of bread and cheese Pate mousselin was like a bowl of whipped Vienna sausage .. no seasoning Crote monsieur was full of charred mystery meat .. inedible .. would have sent everything back but the server in his tacky blue Hawaiian shirt was nasty from the get didn't want to hear anymore of his nasty mouth .. Simple solution .. we'll never return ..
Great food and the service was perfect. We will definitely make a return visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
4.5 stars!
You can not beat the service here. We especially love the cheese selection. The food is always great, but we wish the main menu would change a bit. It can also seem really cramped.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Julian the best
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hanger Steak and Frites with Béarnaise Sauce
Underwhelming, I have dined here multiples times. The last two times the main entree.was subpar. The duck confit description stated ”duck legs”. Wrong, it is one legs and thigh. Online it shows two legs…I have ordered this multiple times. This time it was more like duck jerky. Completely overcooked, unable to cut with a steak knife. My prior visit the cassoulet was over cooked and the sausage was charred to a crisp on the underside.
Cheese tray and servers are always excellent. There is one more visit in me at L’ albatros.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
This restaurant was amazing. From the wine suggested by our sommelier, to the poutine appetizer, to the veal short ribs - everything was amazing. Our waiter, Joe, was incredible. I will certainly dine again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Can't go wrong here
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
If I could give it 10 stars I would. I'm 45 and this somehow became one of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had. They were 10 stars in every category, food, atmosphere and service. They threw a no hitter on this night. Wish we knew about this place sooner. If your traveling and happen to be in Cleveland or if your coming up from Akron or whatever, you need to stop in and say hi. You won't be disappointed. Shout out to our server. I think his name was John. He did an awesome job.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent food, amazing service, very convenient to Severance Hall.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I said I would not post this but 2 to 2 1/2 months ago I had a bad experience. The food and service was excellent, as always. I had a problem with Julian, Zach’s son, who now claims he is now the owner. I was trying to use a gift certificate my son bought me. I was sitting at the outside bar and he made a spectacle of me, embarrassing me in front of the other patrons. I was so embarrassed!!! I have been going to this restaurant for years and even longer when it was That Place on Bellflower, That Place and Flower when Isabel owned it. I would tell all I know ,since probably 1978, that it was my favorite restaurant in Cleveland but, no longer and I feel bad. I LOVED the restaurant-the food, the service and ambiance. I will miss it greatly but will not return after the treatment I received-and it wasn’t the first from Julian.
Hats off to the chef! The food, service and atmosphere deserve Michelin stars. Our server, Nico, was AMAZING. This is a must try restaurant for those who truly love and appreciate good food. You can tell Chef prepares everything with love.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
L'albatros remains one of Cleveland’s most consistently rewarding dining experiences. Tucked away in a beautiful setting, it perfectly marries the sophistication of a French bistro with the unpretentious warmth of a neighborhood spot.
The atmosphere is the first thing that draws you in. Inside, the space is undeniably cozy, making it ideal for everything from a date night to a casual catch-up at the well-stocked bar. During the warmer months, the experience elevates further with the lovely patio, a lush, inviting space that feels like a true urban escape. It’s hard to imagine a better place to spend a summer evening.
Now, for the food: L'albatros is one of those rare restaurants where you truly can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The kitchen maintains an incredibly high standard, ensuring the food never disappoints.
While every dish is crafted with care, the duck confit is a true standout—crisp-skinned, tender, and rich, it's a perfect execution of a classic French staple. For something a little unexpected, the roasted vegetable pizza is a surprisingly brilliant choice. It’s fresh, flavorful, and a testament to the kitchen's versatility.
Whether you're seeking comfort food elevated by French technique or just a fantastic cocktail in a beautiful setting, L'albatros is a must-visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Several other reviewers have noted inconsistencies at this restaurant, and my recent experience unfortunately confirmed their observations. Perhaps the outdoor seating offers a more pleasant ambiance, but our indoor dinner reservation at 8:15 PM on a late October weekend left much to be desired.
The indoor dining area is uncomfortably cramped. A few tables near the bar are awkwardly positioned within a high-traffic, noisy area adjacent to the waiting line, making it difficult for diners to enjoy their meals. The open kitchen, located directly by the entrance, appeared somewhat disorganized, and the overall setting - plastic chairs and bare tables without tablecloths - conveyed an unexpectedly casual impression for a restaurant of this caliber.
Service was uneven throughout the evening. Although we were seated promptly and received menus and water quickly, our server took an unusually long time to return for our order. When he finally did, he mentioned that bread would be brought to the table; however, it never arrived. Meanwhile, neighboring tables were served bread more than once. Only after I inquired with another staff member did the bread appear.
The food itself was disappointing. My entrée, the trout, was bland and poorly executed. The accompanying green beans were undercooked and lacked seasoning, while one of the two fillets, placed underneath the top piece, was badly burned. I brought this to the waiter’s attention, and he promptly had another portion prepared, but it was concerning that a badly burned piece of fish was served in the first place.
Dessert wasn’t much better and failed to leave a memorable impression. Overall, the experience fell short of expectations, particularly given the restaurant’s strong reputation. I left wondering why this place has such high ratings. By contrast, the French restaurant on Bethel Road in Columbus provides a far more refined dining environment, superior service, and consistently well-prepared cuisine.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
We traveled from Cincinnati to Cleveland and have tried many fine dining restaurants in Cincinnati, such as Jeff Ruby, Boca, and Jag’s. On our way back, we found this restaurant with very high reviews, and my friend really wanted to give it a try. We made a 4 PM reservation since we needed to drive back to Cincinnati. Around 3:40 PM, the restaurant called to ask where we preferred to sit. My friend said we wanted to sit at the bar.
However, when we arrived, the host seated us at a table. I asked again to sit at the bar, but the bar area was completely empty and looked like it wasn’t even open. After waiting about 5 minutes, a server finally came over. I ordered an Old Fashioned. A few minutes later, he came back asking if we were ready to order. There was no menu introduction at all, and he kept pushing us to place our order.
My friend chose the escargot and duck confit. We wanted to start with these two dishes first, then decide what to order next. But the server told us he had to take our full order. That meant I was forced to order an entrée as well. He explained it was because of the kitchen’s “operations” and that the kitchen was busy. But it was 4 PM, and the restaurant was clearly not busy at all. The way he insisted felt disrespectful. I have never heard of a fine dining restaurant requiring guests to order everything at once and not allowing us to start with appetizers.
I ended up ordering a medium-rare steak. When it came out, the entire surface was burnt, and it tasted like burnt char. A good steak should never be served this way. My friend and I were very disappointed with both the service and the food.
We still left a 20% tip, but we will not be coming back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Food was very nice and fresh. The seasoning was amazing and flavorful. However, the bread was cold and soggy. General service was friendly and professional, but servers spilled water often and put dish on table a bit too harshly. Atmosphere was cozy and warm, but the tables were a bit too close and crammed. Overall, the experience was average for the hefty price tag.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
Have always had a good experience
Until last night
French onion did not have enough broth .. a bowl of bread and cheese
Pate mousselin was like a bowl of whipped Vienna sausage .. no seasoning
Crote monsieur was full of charred mystery meat .. inedible .. would have sent everything back but the server in his tacky blue Hawaiian shirt was nasty from the get didn't want to hear anymore of his nasty mouth ..
Simple solution .. we'll never return ..
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
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