Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Albany Ale & Oyster

    4.5 (544 reviews)
    ModerateAmerican, Seafood
    Open 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order The Albany Ale & Oyster Takeout or Delivery

    The Albany Ale & Oyster Photos

    Business Info

    THE ALBANY ALE & OYSTER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    More like The Albany Ale & Oyster

    Recommended Reviews - The Albany Ale & Oyster

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Juliet V.

    Albany Ale and Oyster never disappoints. We like to go for family gatherings especially with their new larger space. The cocktails and beer selection is always on point. The food is consistently good too. I had the Lobster Kimchi Reuben this time and it was quite delicious if messy. The sauce/dressing was a variation on Russian dressing and tasted delicious. The lobster was sweet and buttery and contrasted nicely with the tangy kimchi. My husband had the tuna tartare. It was fresh tasting. Others in our party had clam roll, regular Reuben and Caesar Salad. All were enjoyed.

    Apple Cider
    Jayden N.

    I have been loving this placeee! I started loving oysters recently J don't know where it came from but this has been my go to especially since it's close to where I am. I love their different choices in oysters, but if you aren't an oyster person but still like seafood they have many other options. Services is 10/10, nice waiters/waitresses, and the ambiance makes me think I'm at a cozy bar.

    Helderberg
    Raya V.

    I love their bar and I love their Helderberg Salad!!! I don't eat oysters but I'm told they are $1 on Sundays and that I have to try them lol. The service is great and the bar is cozy. I love the wood grain in there.

    Wyatt A.

    Great food, great presentation, upscale atmosphere and friendly service. The knocked star was for a few minor reasons. The fries were over salted, like the saltiest fries I've ever had. Just have salt shakers. Water glasses are tiny requiring constant refills but with a packed bar that's difficult, and our food took a bit to get to us and it was literally just a burger and a sandwich. The staff was super friendly and mentioned they had new chefs and two big parties attending which slowed them down. I'm overall happy with my experience there, just minor hiccups.

    Disco chips
    Cassidy R.

    I come here so often and it's my favorite spot to eat in Albany right now. The happy hour deals are great and all of the food is so delicious. You can really tell a lot of thought has gone into each dish. Every time I've been the food has been spectacular. The drinks taste great and the pours are very generous. The new location is so beautiful and the ambiance is great. The staff is wonderful. I can't think of a single thing i would change about this restaurant. It does get busy sometimes so you may have to wait to be seated but I've never had to wait more than ten minutes and I usually grab a drink at the bar while they get the table ready.

    Kimchi Turkey Reuben
    Kristen K.

    Had a wonderful girls night at Albany Ale & Oyster. This was my first time visiting the restaurant. For food, we shared the crab dip and pretzel sticks. For my entree, I ordered the kimchi turkey Reuben. It wasn't on the drink menu but the bar made espresso martinis for my friend and I. The crab dip was great. Perfect balance of crab and cheese. The pretzel sticks were fine. They were satisfying but I wouldn't say they are a must order. I appreciated the freshness, flavor and portion size of the Reuben but the kimchi was too spicy for my palate. If you enjoy heat, that dish is for you. I tend to be more sensitive to spice so it very well might not be considered spicy to the average person.

    Tuna tartar
    Letia C.

    Divine! The moment you walk in your immediately taking by the aesthetic. Very costal mid century style. Love they have multiple seating options (front, bar, oyster bar, back, outdoor). The servers were all very friendly and welcoming! Now let's get down to the food! The food was excellent. Never had an oyster a day in my life until this day! Let me say the oyster is super fresh and tasty! The disco chips are a musty try! The tuna tartar pairs well with the disco fries. The kale salad was delicious as well. Tried the crab stuffed oysters, they were good but not my favorite.

    Shubhi G.

    I'm not usually an oyster person, but The Albany Ale & Oyster may have just changed that! We tried their oysters with cocktail sauce, champagne mignonette, and caviar. I especially loved the cocktail sauce--it was so flavorful and complemented the oysters perfectly. I didn't care much for the stuffed oysters but the ceviche was a standout--fresh and full of flavor. For drinks, my partner had the ODB and absolutely loved it, especially the blue cheese stuffed olives. They also had a nice selection of draft beers. I can't recall the name of the one I had, but it was exactly what I was craving. For mains, we went with the lobster roll and the Reuben. Both were just okay for me. The lobster roll felt a bit dry, and the Reuben didn't particularly stand out. I did love the tiny paper bag the chips came in--such a cute touch. The oysters and ceviche were definitely the highlights for me. We finished with the chocolate torte, and it was surprisingly good, especially for someone who doesn't typically go for torte hehe. Overall, I really enjoyed the vibe at The Albany Ale & Oyster. The staff was warm and welcoming, and the interior had a stylish, ambient feel that reminded me of my favorite brunch spot in NYC. So coming back for those oysters!

    Adrienne B.

    Stopped in for Always great food and service. Their cocktails are superb. Companion had Joe's Gimlet - a gingery, limey delight (standard is vodka, but I like it made with gin.) I tried one of the featured drinks: the Ginionette. It is wonderful if you like a savory cocktail. It's made with a specially made champagne mignonette. Savory and briny, like a really dirty martini but without the sharp olive kick.Garnished with a cocktail onion. Delicious!

    Ceasar salad, yum!
    Tonya H.

    Stopped in for Sunday lunch because my friend wanted to take advantage of the oyster special. Over they did not disappoint! The tomato soup was also outstanding!

    Caviar Triple IPA
    Corie Y.

    I had to make a return trip to Albany Ale and Oyster after they moved to their new space in the same plaza. The new space is bright, modern, cozy and offers a beautiful bar, with an exclusive Oyster bar area with front row seating to all the action at the raw bar and wood fired oven. Excellent cocktail selection with great mixology. The ODB isn't just a dirty martini, it's olive oll washed gin, dolin dry, cracked black pepper, castelvetrano brine and blue cheese stuffed olives, and it's perfection. All of their cocktails are unique and well crafted. I have had a lot of the menu so far but I really wanted to try the disco chips and WOW. They were perfection on a plate. House fried thick cut chips (more like fries) seasoned with salt and vinegar, topped with this delicious dill crème fresh sauce and rainbow trout roe. And, Sundays are $1 oysters so you know I had to. The Fish Filet, Best Reuben, Kimchi lobster Reuben, lobster roll, burger, entrees, appetizers, everything I have had has been amazing. The whole menu rocks. This place is the place to be.

    Crab Dip
    Shannon T.

    Always an interesting tap list at this spot, you'll find amazing local brews as well as hard to find ones from all over. Love the option to try them in different pour sizes as well including the option to create a flight. Sunday is a favorite day to visit for $1 oysters - a perfect way to try them out especially if you're new to them. Otherwise the crab dip is another great starter. Everything I've had here has been delicious, but I cannot recommend their burger enough. It's in my opinion one of the best burgers in the capital region. On top of everything, the staff here is fantastic and the space is beautiful!

    Henry B.

    Excellent food and wonderful drinks. I had a fun time and everything went great for lunch with my aunt.

    Hot lobster roll

    See all

    17 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Mia H.

    Mia H.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    22 hours ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    17 days ago

    It was very delicious! I love their oysters they are always delicious and perfect! :) the waiters are always very nice!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Henry B.
    5
    163
    1448

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bob H.
    470
    6
    0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Arlene G.
    81
    34
    25

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of April L.
    275
    578
    4081

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Mia H.

    Mia H.

    Thank you David!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Ewa T.
    32
    21
    7

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 14

    The Albany Ale & Oyster Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Albany Ale & Oyster

    Heard you have a 7 fishes menu Please let me know where I can find it? Thank you

    Yes! They posted it on their instagram. Dressed oyster Tinned fish-… 

    Is there a long wait for a table for 2 on a Saturday evening?

    Not long. They are definitely hopping (it’s a great place). They take no reservations but are ready, attentive, and have a new large space. We went on a Saturday at 6 and it was slamming. We only waited around 15 minutes.

    Do they have oyster shots available?

    Yes..

    Is there a parking lot, or is it street parking?

    Hi there is a parking lot in the back of the building and street parking in the front

    Are they serving Oysters (as of Sept 14, 2020) under the covid protocols?

    We serve oysters everyday and on Sundays there is even a dollar selection. We are following all of the cdc guidelines and Covid protocols

    Is this restaurant dog friendly? if so, is there an outdoor seating restriction?

    It is dog friendly on the patio!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    The Excelsior Pub

    The Excelsior Pub

    4.3
    (68 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $

    I was on the hunt for a Garbage Plate in my new home of the Capital Region; this is the only place…read moreI could find one on the menu...and I looked all over. I spent way too much time toiling with the prospect of not being impressed by a plate 200+ miles from Rochester. In my head, I said to myself, there are plates in Rochester that don't even impress; why should I give the time of day to someone so far removed? It took me over two years to finally pull trig. In retrospect, I am kicking myself. Portions aside, the plate here is absolutely fantastic, like wtf. The meat sauce seems to keep the obligatory warmth of nutmeg and cinnamon, but has a delicate spice that absolutely delights in its own way. The mac salad lights up my tongue with the zest of celery and the home fries give me the crunch that I deserve. The burgers are the greasy vessel that I have come to expect, but offer much more cohesion than a typical plate. I am barely exaggerating when I say this might be Top 2 plates of my lifetime. Couple that with an awesome atmosphere and an amazing happy hour and you've got gold. Thank you guys for scratching my itch.

    We stayed one night in the Hilton and found this place on Yelp, read the menu, saw some photos…read more Looked fun with the NY state inspired items and they had pinball machines my kids could play. We walked over there, went inside and was greeted right away by a very welcoming young lady. The place was empty. Monday at 4:30 of course. We sat near the pinball machines and she gave us menus. The smell of urine was so strong that my 14 yr old said "we are not eating here." Clearly we left.

    Photos
    The Excelsior Pub
    The Excelsior Pub
    The Excelsior Pub

    See all

    Ruth's Chris Steak House

    Ruth's Chris Steak House

    4.2
    (111 reviews)
    4.7 mi
    $$$$

    Absolutely the best steak house that my wife & I went there for our 15th wedding anniversary. 1st…read moretime there. ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING WAS OVER THE TOP. From Michael the manager, meeting & greeting us to checking in on us while we were dining, to Emma, our server waiting on us, anticipating our every single need, to the food being cooked to perfection. I cannot recommend enough how this is the go to place in upstate NY. THIS IS THE PLACE We waited for a few members of our party with two martinis at the bar, which cost $38. I deconstructed the Cosmo, which was a splash of peach and kettle one which was a three dollar of charge for an $18 drink. We had the back room for a large party (9)Servers staff were friendly and accommodating. I was surprised at how long it took too get seated. The seafood tower of lovely had asked for warm butter. The side dishes are all à la carte but the potatoes and the asparagus excellent. Mistakes were done as ordered just been prepared for price shock. I recommend the crème brûlée for dessert and the naughty Irishman coffee.. overall was a nice experience with attentive, weight, staff and creative and with a sense of humor! I personally cannot afford to go there except for very special occasions. A meal at Ruth's Chris feels like an event. There's so much anticipation. Yes, the prices are high but it seems that you get what you pay for. A wonderful meal with top notch service and ambiance. I did not find it pretentious. I was concerned that it might be. There is no dress code. While some dressed up, others were casually dressed. One man even showed up in a very wrinkled shirt and the staff treated him as well as any other guest. The wait staff is amazing. Our server was Valbon. He was gracious, helpful and very thorough in describing food preparation. My friend had a Porterhouse Steak prepared medium well done with just a bit of pink. It was a massive steak. He said it was prepared perfectly. Same for the mashed potatoes and asparagus. I don't eat much red meat. Valbon recommended the sea bass for me. It was remarkably tender. I enjoyed the sautéd vegetables, too. I was amazed that I finished my entire meal. My friend took part of his giant steak home and enjoyed it the next day. I asked for a light cocktail. A vodka-based Lemon Drop martini was recommended for me. It's a popular drink there. It was just right. Ruth's Chris is a chain. I know that some people frown on eating at restaurant chains because of quality concerns. But Ruth's Chris is fine dining and the food preparation is apparently held to high standards. Our meals were enjoyable. It was our first time trying this restaurant to celebrate my wife's birthday. They added decorations on our table and also gave my wife a small cake and candle which was a nice gesture. Steak was great and service was excellent. Our server was very friendly and even the manager stopped at our table to greet us. We will definitely come back.

    It was our first time trying this restaurant to celebrate my wife's birthday. They added…read moredecorations on our table and also gave my wife a small cake and candle which was a nice gesture. Steak was great and service was excellent. Our server was very friendly and even the manager stopped at our table to greet us. We will definitely come back.

    Photos
    Dining
    Dining
    Chopped salad
    Chopped salad
    Ribeye and lobster

    See all

    Ribeye and lobster
    Joe's Grill

    Joe's Grill

    3.9
    (9 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $

    We stopped here just to have a couple of drinks. Fun friendly atmosphere. Dogs are welcome!read more

    What does "dive bar' really mean anyway? It's a terrible word, and furthermore I think it is been…read moreco-opted by the younger generation. There, I said it. Joe's Grill is not a place to go see and be seen. It's not where you go chasing the latest cult beer can release. One might look at it and think it's not a place to go for the food either. Those people would be wrong. Are there regulars in there, sucking down beers on a Saturday afternoon? You bet there are. If you get there early, you might even inadvertently sit in one of their seats. But don't worry about it. You're just visiting. They know you'll be gone before too long. Actually, if you order food, you might be at Joe's longer than you might suspect. The food is cooked to order, and it's worth the wait. The wings are seriously good. Now I want to go back and try the pizza. Actually, I want to try a lot of the things on the menu. I'm not entirely sure about the dining room. There's a pool table right in the middle. And while nobody was playing, I found sitting at the bar felt like a much more natural place to be. But this isn't the place to come with a group. They have beer on tap. But beer in bottles is probably a better option. Judging by the empties, It looks like they go through a lot of bottles, so I would expect product cycles through with some regularity. When drinking macro brews, I prefer them to be impossibly cold. But old refrigerators aren't quite up for the task. Still, that's okay. Because do you know what Joe's has that places with colder refrigerators don't? Character. And it's not a character that can be created or imitated. You can't artfully decorate your way to a soulful bar on a forgotten stretch of Central Avenue. But you should find a way to get yourself there. For fried fatty foods, beer in bottles, and some classic rock on the jukebox. It feels wrong to take an Uber or a Lyft. Maybe you can have the car pick you up or drop you off next door, and you can walk the 90 feet to Joe's. Then maybe you could feel like you're part of the neighborhood. More than anything else, this is a neighborhood tavern. And Albany's taverns are this region's diamonds in the rough. They may not look like much, but the culinary and cultural wealth they hold inside is staggering.

    Photos
    Joe's Grill
    Looking outside at Central Avenue and the Freebie 90 in the background
    Looking outside at Central Avenue and the Freebie 90 in the background
    Penne with Sausage

    See all

    Penne with Sausage
    Union Seafood

    Union Seafood

    3.9
    (30 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    Union Seafood on Central Avenue in Albany is described as "Chinese meets Louisiana," according to…read morethe restaurant's website. I've been there before and the crazy, giant fiberglass crab on display in the entrance is always a hoot. So is the fiberglass shark head on the wall in the dining area. I like a place with a sense of fun and humor. I also like this place for its seafood boils. The good news is that this restaurant--which was very good to begin with-- has gotten even better. Last time I showed up, the server brought the seafood boil still in its boiling bag and cut it open in front of me. It was up to me to reach into the hot bag and pull out its contents. There was steam everywhere. A hot mess, indeed! This time, the kitchen took care of the boiling bag for me. Instead, they beautifully arranged the boiled seafood on a large platter. Wow. It looked amazing and tasted even better! This time, I'd asked for a Number 4 with mix of seasonings, including garlic and butter. There were: one big lobster tail, plenty of shrimp, clams, crawfish, potatoes, corn on the cob, hard boiled eggs and extra veggies. It was described as enough to feed three people. Coincidentally, we were a party of three. We also ordered a Cajun Fried Rice for good measure. We really didn't need it. We were so full. The fruit drinks were great, too. Union Seafood is a franchise with locations in Troy and Schenectady. They're owned by Larry Weng who also opened Ji Bei Chuan Rice Noodles & Ramen on Western Avenue in Guilderland, according to local news reports. In celebration of May being AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Month, it's probably fair to say that Asian-American owned restaurants such as Union Seafood have added much variety to the overall dining experience in Capital Region. Vive la différence.

    Ive tried this once last year and i like it. Brought my friend there yesterday. They have combo…read morechoices. We chose the 1/2 lb shrimp, 1 lobster tail, clams, crawfish. It's a lot and the seafood is fresh. I would say 3 people could share. We had it mild and mixed sauce. Maybe order hot next time since i did not taste the spiciness. We both enjoyed it. Price is not that bad. The place is huge but kinda datk inside. Service is great though. For dessert we got the coconut cake. It is kinda frozen. But it taste good. Surely coming back!

    Photos
    Union Seafood
    Hibachi! NEW
    Hibachi! NEW
    Union Seafood

    See all

    The Albany Ale & Oyster - tradamerican - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...