15 Spots to Eat Around the World Without Leaving Albany

While overseas travel might be on pause, you can still take your taste buds on an international culinary adventure! Savor flavors from Italy to Shanghai to Greece, all without leaving Albany County.

Please visit each restaurant's website or social media for updated information on takeout options and onsite dining before arriving. The information provided below is subject to change.

Umana Restaurant & Wine Bar

Feed your soul with comfort food from around the world at Umana Restaurant & Wine Bar. The welcoming eatery focuses upon community. It was named after "Umana Yana," or "the meeting place, purposefully built to foster communication of diverse people throughout the world" in the language of the Wai- Wai Amerindians. It is the only spot in the Capital Region that serves up Ethiopian fare every night with menu staples such as Ethiopian Injera Plate and the Ethiopian Meat Platter. The restaurant embodies the spirit of diversity and celebrates global flavors with dishes such as Egyptian Lo Mein, Senegalese Dibi Lamb Dinner, Coconut Curried Goat and more.

Umana Restuarant & Wine Bar is currently open for takeout.

Ala Shanghai Chinese Cuisine

Searching for authentic Chinese cuisine? Ala Shanghai Chinese Cuisine in Latham is frequently lauded as one of the top places in the Capital Region for traditional Chinese cuisine. From Shanghaiese soup dumplings, to dim sum, to Shanghai Lo Mein, to sticky rice for dessert, experience the tastes and flavors of China without leaving Albany County at Ala Shangahi. 

Ala Shanghai Chinese Cuisine is open for indoor dining.

ama cocina

Spice things up at downtown Albany's ama cocina! The funky eatery serves up a fresh take on modern Mexican street food. Chow down on nacho pies, Mexican pizza, gigantic burritos, street corn, or jalapeno-goat cheese cornbread muffins. Switch up Taco Tuesday with unique, rotating varieties such as fried scallop, duck carnitas or smoked trout tacos.

ama cocina is currently open for curbside service and a limited takeout menu.

Yono's

Downtown Albany's Yono's is an intimate upscale restaurant with big flavor. As a native of Indonesia, the restaurant's founder Chef Yono Purnomo has crafted a menu featuring his own signature blend of contemporary American fare with Indonesian influence. The dishes utilize seasonal, farm fresh ingredients from Upstate New York that are expertly puncuated with exotic spices and global flavors. Yono’s is the longest tenured Four Star restaurant in the Capital Region and boasts an impressive wine list.

Yono's is open for indoor dining by reservation only.

Athos

You don't have to fly across the ocean to escape to the Mediterranean! Guilderland is home to Athos, the only restaurant dedicated to serving up Classic Greek Cuisine in the Capital District. Grab Greek favorites such as beef souvlaki, macedonian lamb, moussaka, pastichio or chicken kalokairi in the main dining room. Relax at the Taverna bar while sampling the restaurant's famous Greek-style wings or a chicken, beef, salmon or lamb gyro.

Athos is open for indoor dining by reservation only.

La Empanada Llama

Tucked in Albany's Delaware Avenue neighborhood, La Empanada Llama specializes in dishes with a Peruvian twist. Owner Maria T. Lloyd moved to Albany from Peru and started selling her Peruvian dishes at festivals and farmers markets before expanding to a restaurant. Enjoy Peruvian-style main dishes such as Arroz Con Pollo, Cabrito and Cau Cau Vegeteriano. The restaurant's popular empanadas are a must-try, so choose from a variety including beef, chicken, shrimp and more! The eatery also offers many gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options.

La Empanada Llama is open for take out and delivery.

Lazeez Restaurant

The Central Avenue Business Improvement District is a vibrant corridor of Albany where foodies can "taste the world in one place." One of the many restaurants offering international cuisine on Central Avenue is LaZeez Restaurant. The inviting eatery fuses the traditions and flavors Pakistan and Northern India to create fresh and delicious dishes. LaZeez utilizes an old Clay Oven (Tandoor) and the Indian Wok (karhai) to serve up low-fat, non-greasy foods.

LaZeez Restaurant is open for pickup and delivery.

Café Capriccio

Legendary downtown Albany restaurant Café Capriccio is one of the top places in the Capital Region to dine on authentic Italian cuisine. Inspired by countless trips to Italy, the romantic eatery specializes in house-made pasta, cured meats & cheeses. The restaurant is self-proclaimed as "Albany's Authentic Italian Table" with mouthwatering wood oven pizza and a variety of house-made pasta dishes.

Café Capriccio is open for dine-in service and takeout.

Olde English Pub & Pantry

Transport your taste buds to London at downtown Albany's Olde English Pub. The must-visit pub greets diners with a bright red British telephone booth near the outside entrance - it's the perfect selfie-spot! Sip on British ales in the lush garden patio or head inside to dine on traditional English fare such as meat pie or fish and chips. The cozy pub's interior is decked out with Union Jacks and a painting of Winston Churchill presides over the fireplace. Cheerio!

The Olde English Pub is open for takeout and patio dining.

Tanpopo Ramen and Sake Bar

Situated in the Warehouse District, the iconic Miss Albany Diner has transformed into Tanpopo Ramen and Sake Bar. The ramen noodle bar serves up full bowls of Japanese Ramen, dumplings, fried crab rangoon, and hot sake. The restaurant provides a truly unique experience where diners can taste authentic Japanese cuisine surrounded by the diner car's Art Deco charm.

Tanpopo Ramen and Sake Bar is open for limited dine in seating and takeout.

Cardona's Market

Cardona's Market has been a friendly Albany staple for 75 years. For three generations, the Cardona Family has brought the finest quality Italian products to Albany. Nestled in the Delaware Avenue neighborhood, the family-owned Italian foods market offers pre-packaged meals to-go, fresh produce, cheese, olives, a variety of jarred specialty products, hot food items and fresh subs from the deli.

Place your Cardona’s order online for in-store or curbside pickup! You can even pre-order and select your pickup time.

Mamoun’s Falafel

Mamoun's Falafel has been serving up Middle Eastern cuisine in Albany since 1985. The menu features Syrian & Lebanese specialties such as falafel, shis kabob, curry, hummus and more. Cap off the meal on a sweet note with a delicious honey cake and turkish coffee.

Mamoun's Falafel is open for takeout and delivery.

Celadon Thai

Located in Latham, savor the flavors of Thailand at Celadon Thai. The chef-owners Berm Chanprakhon and his wife, Yaya Wongprasert, moved to the Capital Region from Bangkok after a stint in Los Angeles. Serving up authentic Thai cuisine, order dishes such as Massaman Curry, Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles, Thai Fried Rice and a variety of specials. The restaurant has received rave reviews and recently opened a second location in Schenectady.

Celadon Thai is open for pickup and takeout.

Hong Kong Bakery & Bistro

Hong Kong Bakery & Bistro saves you the trip to Chinatown (and across the pond!) with authentic Hong Kong-style comfort food on Wolf Road in Colonie. The restaurant has an extensive menu with dishes featuring the ingredients and methods used in Hong Kong dim sum restaurants. After dining on steamed pork buns, rice, noodles and more, don't miss the Chinese-style pastries, cakes, buns and cookies from the bakery.

Hong Kong Bakery & Bistro is open for dine-in service and takeout.

El Mariachi

With two Albany locations (Hamilton Street and Washington Avenue), El Mariachi is a go-to spot for traditional Mexican and Spanish cuisine. Many of the authentic dishes are created from family recipes and specialties from Puebla, the hometown of restaurant owner Patty Bermejo-Bholamm. One of her five brothers specializes in Spanish cuisine, so El Mariachi expanded from traditional Mexican food to also include paella and seafood dishes from southern Spain. A few of the top dishes served at both restaurants are Pollo Al Chipotle, Tacos Al Carbon and Cochinita Pibil.

El Mariachi's patio is now open for outdoor dining. Reservations are required.

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Michelle Ancona

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Michelle Ancona
Michelle Ancona is the Content Marketing Manager for Discover Albany. She grew up in Boise, Idaho and moved to the East Coast to attend Marist College. After working at several PR agencies, she joined Discover Albany to follow her passion of showcasing all the wonderful events, experiences and attractions that New York's Capital City has to offer travelers and locals alike!

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