War Room Tavern

Staying at the Marriott across the street and stumbled into the downstairs bar area while looking for the sushi restaurant I’d found on Google. Was in for an adventure! Bartender Frank was super friendly and full of fun facts about Albany. Tried the Sashimi dinner and was very impressed by the sushi quality and the mochi dessert. Accidentally stumbled upon trivia night (political theme… it was tough!) and had a good time through that as well. Not at all how I pictured my Monday night going, but glad I took a chance on this place!

Ava, our server was outstanding. Even though the tavern was a tad busy she was able to check on us multiple times making us feel welcomed and noticed, Todd the owner was incredibly nice and welcoming, definitely recommend the war room.

Adam Jusino

The War Room Tavern has some of the best quality sushi around. 🍣🥢 I had the opportunity to go there this past weekend and enjoyed chef Saso's Omakase. Would highly recommend to anyone. The black cod was probably the best piece of cooked fish I've ever had. Amazing flavor, perfect texture. The striped bass tataki was bright and fresh. Each piece of nigiri was carefully garnished with elements to elevate each bite. The negitoro roll was buttery and the plum roll was perfectly tangy. On my prior visit, Jimmy was behind the sushi bar and showered us with delicious nigiri and more toro than I've even seen on one plate. Can't wait to go back on my next trip through.

Quentin

Went on a whim from Google maps. Unassuming storefront, beautiful upstairs dining room. We ordered one of the sushi courses and the fish was fresh, tender, and delectable. The rice was cooked to perfection and served its role perfectly as a pedestal or cushion to the nigiri. The flavors of the individual nigiri were augmented by unique ingredients like wasabi, shiso leaf, and caviar. The restaurant's atmosphere was relaxing and made more than enjoyable by our kind hostess/waitress. Now designated as our go to sushi place in Albany we can't wait to go back! ごちそうさまでした！

Eric Petersen

Loved this place! Some of the best sushi I’ve ever had. The staff was incredibly friendly, and the upstairs atmosphere was warm, calm, and relaxing. I was in Albany on business and ended up eating here two of the three nights — it was that good!

Thomas Fris

First time customer following Siena's opening night win at the the MVP center. Lobster roll and accompanying salad were both fantastic! Also had a nice fruity, hoppy and bitter but delightfully creamy and smooth Nor'easter IPA from Chatham, NY

Kevin Thomson

It was a long day for my wife and I, so we were looking for some Sushi. We found this place on Google and are glad we went. Jimmy did a fantastic job as our Sushi chef. Presentation was terrific and food was very fresh. Our server was always there in case we needed something. The memorabilia throughout is quite astonishing. We even got a picture in front of Teddy Roosevelt's moose! Lisa showed us around and talked to us a little about the history and business. It is a really nice nook to dine at, and there is a nice bar downstairs that was packed with people on a Tuesday night. Todd really has something special happening here!

Renat Akhmetshin

The Albany War Room Tavern is a hidden gem in the heart of Albany that effortlessly combines historical charm with a modern, welcoming atmosphere. From the moment you walk in, you’re surrounded by unique decor that pays homage to the city’s political and cultural past—making it a destination as much as a dining experience. The food is outstanding, with a menu that feels thoughtfully curated. Every dish I’ve tried has been flavorful and well-executed, with fresh ingredients and great attention to detail. The cocktails are also worth mentioning—creative, balanced, and served with style by bartenders who clearly know their craft. What really sets the War Room apart is the service. The staff are warm, attentive, and genuinely passionate about making your visit special. Whether you’re stopping in for a casual drink or planning a night out, this spot delivers a memorable experience every time. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Albany or locals looking for a place with character, quality, and a story to tell.

Andy Kuhn

Jimmy made me the best toro I have ever had. The rolls were just as wonderful. Make a reservation to get the best snacks around.

Patrick Cooney

A rare treat! Hands down best and freshest sushi in Albany/Capital District. We came in early on a Saturday, Todd greeted us and we had the place ourselves. The ambiance is amazing, classic photos of NY politics. We also sampled some of the pasta offerings, fantastic sauce, like Moms sunday gravy. Check it out!

Jeremy Gibbs

My buddy and I arrived, the kitchen had just closed. The kitchen is closed between 2 and 4 PM. However, the manager and the head chef agreed to let us put our order through anyway because we were here just after 2 pm. We both ordered the dry edge New York strip, it was fantastic. For everybody bitching that the drinks are overpriced and not strong, I beg to differ. The drinks were perfectly made and definitely worth the money. This is probably one of the best steaks I’ve had and the Capital district. Everything was cooked, absolutely perfectly. The bartender Shelly is fantastic :).

Kate McKay

Staying at the Marriott across the street and stumbled into the downstairs bar area while looking for the sushi restaurant I’d found on Google. Was in for an adventure! Bartender Frank was super friendly and full of fun facts about Albany. Tried the Sashimi dinner and was very impressed by the sushi quality and the mochi dessert. Accidentally stumbled upon trivia night (political theme… it was tough!) and had a good time through that as well. Not at all how I pictured my Monday night going, but glad I took a chance on this place!

Sam Stothart

Ava, our server was outstanding. Even though the tavern was a tad busy she was able to check on us multiple times making us feel welcomed and noticed, Todd the owner was incredibly nice and welcoming, definitely recommend the war room.

Brett Sears

Went to the War Room for the first time last night. It was a great meal in a cool little spot downtown. The dining room is small and appointed with local and state-wide political memorabilia. Drinks bar downstairs, if you wanted to drop in for a quick cocktail. Dinner was with my wife and three kids. We were greeted warmly by the host, and a table was ready for us by the sushi bar where we could watch Saso work. Our server came by shortly and we ordered our drinks as she explained a couple specials. The menu is simple with a few American staples like a burger or grilled cheese, steaks, fried chicken. The descriptions of each dish were pretty fancy. The sushi menu is incredible. We ordered several different kinds of sushi, and my son had the vegetarian sushi platter. It was served with miso, a salad, and an incredible array or vegetarian sushi. He loved it. My other son loved the California roll; best he's ever had. The sushi was served beautifully. I had a burger and fries as well. Perfectly done, flavorful, and the fries were crisp and seasoned well. Daughter also had the chicken and waffles with a peach compote sauce. She said it was tasty. Dessert included cheesecake, red velvet cheesecake, and banana pudding. All were excellent. Our server was attentive and present, but not overbearing. She did an excellent job. Five of us ate; dinner, sushi, and 4 desserts plus one bar beverage brought the total bill to about $208.00 with the tip. And yes, there is a slight surcharge for using a credit card, which is weird. Also, the men's room had no paper towels to dry my hands. (I informed the bartender, and he apologized profusely and took care of it right away.) But everything was soooo delicious and the dining room is comfy and pretty cool in an old Albany building by the convention center. Head to the Albany War Room, eat some sushi and some tasty food, and enjoy your evening. You won't be disappointed. One regret: I didn't get my picture with Saso, the legend. I'll have to go back!

Antonia Larson

I didn’t know what to expect when coming here but I’m so glad I did! The decor is neat and the place has a really funky vibe! I’ve been to a lot of Albany restaurants but this one is very unique. Molly, server/bartender, was so sweet and knowledgeable, she’s great!!!! She suggested one of the tastiest red wines I’ve had! The sushi was very great quality too, you can tell the chef has a lot of experience and the food is very authentic, fresh, and beautifully made. 10/10 would recommend this neat spot to anyone :)

We celebrated my college graduation at the Albany War Room Tavern, and it could not have been a more perfect choice! The food was AMAZING—every dish was packed with flavor, beautifully presented, and honestly some of the best I’ve had in a long time. The menu has so many great options, and everything we ordered was absolutely DELICIOUS. The service was just as impressive. Karyn was fantastic—warm, attentive, and so much fun—and the host (we kept calling him Bob, although I’m pretty sure that wasn’t his name!) was equally SUPERB. They both made the evening memorable and definitely seemed entertained by our group in the best way. The atmosphere was great too—comfortable, lively, but not overwhelming. We didn’t have to wait at all thanks to making a reservation ahead of time, which made the whole evening smooth and stress-free, especially for a Friday night. From start to finish, everything was wonderful. I’d highly recommend the Albany War Room Tavern for a celebration, date night, or just an amazing meal. We will definitely be back!

This review is really only for the bar, but I love this place. I go to the bar downstairs for a drink and some fantastic sushi. Sometimes, when it's slow, the bartender will disappear upstairs for a while, but that's never bothered me- I'm never here when in a hurry. I come here to have a beer or whiskey with some sushi and just chill out. I always enjoy it.

Joanna Succi

We celebrated my college graduation at the Albany War Room Tavern, and it could not have been a more perfect choice! The food was AMAZING—every dish was packed with flavor, beautifully presented, and honestly some of the best I’ve had in a long time. The menu has so many great options, and everything we ordered was absolutely DELICIOUS. The service was just as impressive. Karyn was fantastic—warm, attentive, and so much fun—and the host (we kept calling him Bob, although I’m pretty sure that wasn’t his name!) was equally SUPERB. They both made the evening memorable and definitely seemed entertained by our group in the best way. The atmosphere was great too—comfortable, lively, but not overwhelming. We didn’t have to wait at all thanks to making a reservation ahead of time, which made the whole evening smooth and stress-free, especially for a Friday night. From start to finish, everything was wonderful. I’d highly recommend the Albany War Room Tavern for a celebration, date night, or just an amazing meal. We will definitely be back!

Brooke G.

This review is really only for the bar, but I love this place. I go to the bar downstairs for a drink and some fantastic sushi. Sometimes, when it's slow, the bartender will disappear upstairs for a while, but that's never bothered me- I'm never here when in a hurry. I come here to have a beer or whiskey with some sushi and just chill out. I always enjoy it.

First time visit to the War Room Tavern. Atmosphere is fascinating if you're a history buff. We enjoyed trying to identify the public figures in the pictures on the wall. Menu had variety to satisfy all 3 in our party. None of us tried the sushi, but stuck with the traditional fare. Small beer selection but it had something for everyone. I ordered the Eric Adams Vegan Black Bean Tacos, and they were were very large, filling, and good. My BIL ordered a War Room Burger and he raved about how good it was. Wife had the grilled cheese and said it was over the top on cheese & taste. A gentleman appeared at our table and introduced himself as the owner but I was confused as I thought I had read on their website the executive chef was the owner - my bad. Owner was a very nice gentleman, who greeted other tables, too. I heard him give a family free desserts. I ordered the tiramisu, which was tasty but not as light as I like at other places. Prices are indeed on the expensive side, so I don't see us making this place a regular stop, but I'd gladly visit again. On the weird side, for some reason there was painting being done on the entrance and hallways, and despite my best efforts, I still got paint on my hand when opening the door to leave. I know I wasn't the only one to get paint on my hands.

EJ Smith

First time visit to the War Room Tavern. Atmosphere is fascinating if you're a history buff. We enjoyed trying to identify the public figures in the pictures on the wall. Menu had variety to satisfy all 3 in our party. None of us tried the sushi, but stuck with the traditional fare. Small beer selection but it had something for everyone. I ordered the Eric Adams Vegan Black Bean Tacos, and they were were very large, filling, and good. My BIL ordered a War Room Burger and he raved about how good it was. Wife had the grilled cheese and said it was over the top on cheese & taste. A gentleman appeared at our table and introduced himself as the owner but I was confused as I thought I had read on their website the executive chef was the owner - my bad. Owner was a very nice gentleman, who greeted other tables, too. I heard him give a family free desserts. I ordered the tiramisu, which was tasty but not as light as I like at other places. Prices are indeed on the expensive side, so I don't see us making this place a regular stop, but I'd gladly visit again. On the weird side, for some reason there was painting being done on the entrance and hallways, and despite my best efforts, I still got paint on my hand when opening the door to leave. I know I wasn't the only one to get paint on my hands.

Erielle Scott

The food here was absolutely amazing — fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. However, the service was disappointing. When we arrived, no one greeted us, but a kind sushi chef told us to sit wherever we liked. After we sat down, the server emerged from the back and immediately began interrogating us about whether we had a reservation — even though we were the only ones there. Strangely, she didn’t ask the same of other guests who arrived later. One of our sushi rolls came out incorrectly, and instead of calmly resolving the issue, the server argued with us about it, which was both uncomfortable and embarrassing in front of the other tables. I also had a 15% hotel guest discount, but I accidentally left my coupon in the room. My colleague had hers, and I showed my hotel room key to confirm I was also a guest. At first, the server said she wouldn’t honor the discount without the physical coupon, but then said she would just combine our checks and apply the discount to the total. The only reason I’m giving this place 4 stars is because the food truly was exceptional. I’d consider returning — but I’d definitely ask for a different server next time. Unfortunately I didn’t get her name.

Ok let's start with the good: Sushi is excellent. Fish is very fresh and I appreciate the Chef Saso's take on a rainbow roll (I forget, but it was either yellow tail or striped bass instead of crab stick.) Fried zucchini fritters were delicious and tasty. $18 - a little pricey but appropriate for the rest of the menu's pricing. That is where the good ended. The bad: We ordered the fried chicken poutine and lobster roll. The fried chicken poutine was good - the white gravy sauce is excellent. However, it was supposed to come with cheese curds, and it did not. It came with small chunked cheese instead. It also did not come with the "hindquarter" as described on the menu. For $30, we were served a very small amount of chicken breast (see photo.) For this price point, we expected to have a little bit more chicken, appropriately described cheese curds and chicken type, and not a plateful of (what seemed to be) frozen fries - not even fresh cut fries. Same with the lobster roll – as you can see in the picture, it was a very small amount of lobster that didn't even fill the small bun that it was in. For $34 this is overpriced and not worth ordering. The lobster meat was good and seemed fresh, but I mostly paid for frozen fries and a basic bun. I realize this isn't Maine, where lobster rolls are overflowing for $25, but I also expect that a restaurant charging $34 for a lobster roll would appropriately fill the bun they are using for their roll. And have fresh cut fries. Otherwise I would suggest to the restaurant to use a smaller bun that fills with the amount of lobster meat they are using, or fill the current bun with more lobster meat. Service was subpar. The waiter we had was kind and nice, but did not check on us at all between serving us food. He also kept forgetting things. I had to ask 3 times for a lemon for my green tea, and he forgot our containers for leftovers when he brought the bill. Then when he brought a container it was the wrong lid that didn't fit the base. Again - guy was nice. But just not a great waiter. A couple things I didn't bring to the restaurant or servers attention at the time: my napkin (cloth) has crusty food residue/stains on the backside after unrolling. And the soy sauce on the table was empty - we had to grab it off another table for our sushi; I would've told the waiter but he never came by the table again and/or I wasn't able to get his attention until our main meal came. All in all, If I was going to go back, I'd only go back for the sushi. And that's a maybe, because of the price point. I expect much better quality and accurate menu descriptions for the price point of this restaurant.

The war room has a confusing vibe to it. It’s a tavern downstairs but they also have a dining area and the food ranges from burgers, to expensive steaks, to sushi. The sushi was fresh but the lobster Mac and cheese was not good; it was really oily and didn’t come out looking anything like the pictures I saw from other posts. The drinks are about $20 each and they are also poorly made. The place seems overpriced for the quality of what you’re getting. The extra star is for the nice hostess and fresh sushi, but everything else was a bust in my opinion. I won’t be back.

Update: I'm not sure what happened to this restaurant in the three months since I last ate here, but damn the results are shocking. I made 6:45pm reservations for my husband's birthday for a party of 7 through the Open Table app in March of this year. We arrived early to get a drink in the bar before dinner. The drinks were not consistent and definitely not as good as the first time. I will note that bar staff was training, so likely this is the cause. When it came time to be seated, the dining room was full and the host seemed surprised at our group and wasn't aware of our reservation. We were led up to a third floor which initially seemed kind of neat. Until we realized that it was not heated and the lighting was so dark we couldn't see the menus even seated right next to the windows. When our drink orders were placed, they were taken by the same staffer that was being trained behind the bar when we arrived. She returned with the host to take our dinner orders and it became clear these staffers didn't understand what was on the menu. A couple members of my party tried to order the Sushi & Sashimi meal which is listed on the menu. The staff thought they were ordering two meals each and trying to explain to the staff that no they weren't each ordering the individual sushi and sashimi meals (which would have cost an additional $37 each!) was a joke. 45mins after the order was 'placed' we looked around and realized that none of the drinks had arrived, nor did the appetizers. Another party seated shortly after us was making similar comments about how it was taking. At this point, it was nearing 8pm, everyone was starving and it became clear we would not be eating anytime soon. I consulted with the wait staff and she said the drinks were 'almost ready' and I asked if our food order had even been started. She didn't know. I told her, please tell the kitchen not to bother because we're leaving. On the way out, we ran into the host and another man I think was the owner and again explained we would try back another night but please cancel our order. They offered to comp our drinks, but frankly that was not going to solve the issue at that point. We needed to eat and so we wound up going home and ordering take out sushi. This is especially frustrating when contrasted with our first experience at the War Room. I just don't understand how the quality and experience here tanked so quickly. Dropping my review to two stars as a result and really hoping whatever issues there are get figured out because it was amazing when it was working. Original Review: I had dinner with two others here on a Friday night and it was delicious. I had the Lobster roll and my other party members had the sushi dinner. Everything was amazing. The service was great and the space felt very cozy. Will definitely return.

M K (coopersmom820)

Ok let's start with the good: Sushi is excellent. Fish is very fresh and I appreciate the Chef Saso's take on a rainbow roll (I forget, but it was either yellow tail or striped bass instead of crab stick.) Fried zucchini fritters were delicious and tasty. $18 - a little pricey but appropriate for the rest of the menu's pricing. That is where the good ended. The bad: We ordered the fried chicken poutine and lobster roll. The fried chicken poutine was good - the white gravy sauce is excellent. However, it was supposed to come with cheese curds, and it did not. It came with small chunked cheese instead. It also did not come with the "hindquarter" as described on the menu. For $30, we were served a very small amount of chicken breast (see photo.) For this price point, we expected to have a little bit more chicken, appropriately described cheese curds and chicken type, and not a plateful of (what seemed to be) frozen fries - not even fresh cut fries. Same with the lobster roll – as you can see in the picture, it was a very small amount of lobster that didn't even fill the small bun that it was in. For $34 this is overpriced and not worth ordering. The lobster meat was good and seemed fresh, but I mostly paid for frozen fries and a basic bun. I realize this isn't Maine, where lobster rolls are overflowing for $25, but I also expect that a restaurant charging $34 for a lobster roll would appropriately fill the bun they are using for their roll. And have fresh cut fries. Otherwise I would suggest to the restaurant to use a smaller bun that fills with the amount of lobster meat they are using, or fill the current bun with more lobster meat. Service was subpar. The waiter we had was kind and nice, but did not check on us at all between serving us food. He also kept forgetting things. I had to ask 3 times for a lemon for my green tea, and he forgot our containers for leftovers when he brought the bill. Then when he brought a container it was the wrong lid that didn't fit the base. Again - guy was nice. But just not a great waiter. A couple things I didn't bring to the restaurant or servers attention at the time: my napkin (cloth) has crusty food residue/stains on the backside after unrolling. And the soy sauce on the table was empty - we had to grab it off another table for our sushi; I would've told the waiter but he never came by the table again and/or I wasn't able to get his attention until our main meal came. All in all, If I was going to go back, I'd only go back for the sushi. And that's a maybe, because of the price point. I expect much better quality and accurate menu descriptions for the price point of this restaurant.

Kate Villaseñor

The war room has a confusing vibe to it. It’s a tavern downstairs but they also have a dining area and the food ranges from burgers, to expensive steaks, to sushi. The sushi was fresh but the lobster Mac and cheese was not good; it was really oily and didn’t come out looking anything like the pictures I saw from other posts. The drinks are about $20 each and they are also poorly made. The place seems overpriced for the quality of what you’re getting. The extra star is for the nice hostess and fresh sushi, but everything else was a bust in my opinion. I won’t be back.

Kate Fitzpatrick

Update: I'm not sure what happened to this restaurant in the three months since I last ate here, but damn the results are shocking. I made 6:45pm reservations for my husband's birthday for a party of 7 through the Open Table app in March of this year. We arrived early to get a drink in the bar before dinner. The drinks were not consistent and definitely not as good as the first time. I will note that bar staff was training, so likely this is the cause. When it came time to be seated, the dining room was full and the host seemed surprised at our group and wasn't aware of our reservation. We were led up to a third floor which initially seemed kind of neat. Until we realized that it was not heated and the lighting was so dark we couldn't see the menus even seated right next to the windows. When our drink orders were placed, they were taken by the same staffer that was being trained behind the bar when we arrived. She returned with the host to take our dinner orders and it became clear these staffers didn't understand what was on the menu. A couple members of my party tried to order the Sushi & Sashimi meal which is listed on the menu. The staff thought they were ordering two meals each and trying to explain to the staff that no they weren't each ordering the individual sushi and sashimi meals (which would have cost an additional $37 each!) was a joke. 45mins after the order was 'placed' we looked around and realized that none of the drinks had arrived, nor did the appetizers. Another party seated shortly after us was making similar comments about how it was taking. At this point, it was nearing 8pm, everyone was starving and it became clear we would not be eating anytime soon. I consulted with the wait staff and she said the drinks were 'almost ready' and I asked if our food order had even been started. She didn't know. I told her, please tell the kitchen not to bother because we're leaving. On the way out, we ran into the host and another man I think was the owner and again explained we would try back another night but please cancel our order. They offered to comp our drinks, but frankly that was not going to solve the issue at that point. We needed to eat and so we wound up going home and ordering take out sushi. This is especially frustrating when contrasted with our first experience at the War Room. I just don't understand how the quality and experience here tanked so quickly. Dropping my review to two stars as a result and really hoping whatever issues there are get figured out because it was amazing when it was working. Original Review: I had dinner with two others here on a Friday night and it was delicious. I had the Lobster roll and my other party members had the sushi dinner. Everything was amazing. The service was great and the space felt very cozy. Will definitely return.

Not recommended, can't speak for the sushi which did look to be high quality and made with care. Server was friendly but untrained for food service. Started with Edemame dumplings which were good, only problem was there was only one edemame bean in 6 dumplings... Entrees are overpriced bar food. Could have gotten better at a random dive bar for 1/3 of the price. Chicken Parm was cooked perfectly but the sauce was skimpy and subpar, did not include advertised broccoli rabe. I didn't bother asking for it. Black bean tacos had quality ingredients but was not made with the level of care you expect for a $30+ entree. Brisket sandwich was okay but forgettable, teenage boy was unimpressed. French fries were good. Cocktail was okay, stingy on the booze. Decor is unique and interesting.

We went on my birthday, i was very excited to try this place. The menu online had so many things i wanted to try. It started out good, walked in gave our name to the host for our reservation & was seated right away. We had 2 people serving, who didn't seem to know what other was doing. Our drinks were ordered & came in a timely manner. We then ordered, we had a combination or kitchen & sushi items. We ordered truffle fries as an appetizer, they came out timely, this is when things went wrong. My son & i ordered sushi as our mains while my husband,mother & father had kitchen entrees (chicken parm, lobster roll & fried chicken poutine). The sushi came out, and the server told us our kitchen items will be out in a few minutes, 30 minutes later, 40 minutes our other entrees are still not out. The server seemed to be avoiding us and when she did speak to us she was rude. We were told there was nothing they could do & she doesn't work in the kitchen. My husband got up about at the 50 min mark & told the server to cancel his order. The server eventually said she would comp our meal, but then told us she canceled everything, misunderstood that my husband was the only one who canceled his meal. The manager came by & was equally as rude. Mind you ask other tables got their food, this all could have been avoided if they were honest & told us they were sorry & they forgot to put the order in or that they didn't fire it yet, instead they kept saying it was coming. I worked in hospitality & this was not done right! We ended up leaving out meal was comped but only 2 of us had eaten & they were hungry. Lets just say it was a memorable birthday but not in a good way. I will say the sushi was delicious.