Love the new space and additions to the menu while keeping the classics! Excellent service, exceptional food, great cocktail and beer selections. The burger and reuben are always tasty. The oysters were fresh and briney. Very delicious! The chocolate torte was the perfect end to a delicious dinner.

What an amazing experience! The roasted oysters were delicious and the brown butter poached lobster roll was amazing! The service was also fantastic! We will definitely be back the next time we are in Albany.

Update 8/10/2025: we've continued to frequent Albany Ale and Oyster since they moved to their new location a few doors down from their previous restaurant. The place is beautiful with a comfortable, welcoming bar as well as plenty of tables and an outdoor space. The food is still exceptional. I order either the Green Curry Tofu (AMAZING) or the helderberg salad without cheese and with crispy tofu. This is seriously the best salad I've ever had. Maple vinigret and tons of pecans over mixed greens plus the tofu which is cooked to perfection. I could seriously eat it ever day. As always, the beer list is extensive and the beers are served cold with just the right amount of foam. We decided to try Albany Ale and Oyster House on a chilly, rainy Wednesday afternoon since we had to be on New Scotland Avenue for an afternoon doctor appointment. I'm so glad we did, and also happy we arrived just as they were opening because we were able to sit at the bar and visit with one of the owners, Mia. We tried a flight of beer opting for all pilsners, one each from Italy France, Czechia and from our own New York region; all tasty, just the right amount of foam and nice and chilled. I ordered the Beyond brat which comes with comes with kale slaw and honey mustard, crispy potato chips in a brown paper bag for soaking up the oil and keeping them crispy, and a mixed green salad with the best sesame honey dressing. I love good salads and this one was perfect, with dressing on each lettuce leaf. Mia said they take their salads seriously, and you can tell. My partner had the Reuben and he proclaimed it the best he ever had. Overall the taste, presentation and preparation of the food was perfect. Combined with the cozy atmosphere and the friendliness of the owner and all who work there; Albany Ale and Oyster House is now one of my top favorites in the area

My wife and I had a great time from beginning to end during a busy night. The hostess checked us in and gave us a menu immediately so we could prepare for when we were seated. Once we got a table, our server Josh was excellent in every way. He gave us good recommendations, he was fun, and he was attentive. The oysters were fantastic. The lobster roll and the French dip were also fantastic. Looking forward to when we come back.

Albany Ale and Oyster is top notched all around. We were greeted immediately upon entering, and this gray great service continued throughout our meal. Their happy hour is wonderful - $20 cold and hot lobster rolls and $2 oysters and clams. Plus, the food was tasty.

$1 oysters on Sundays have been amazing the last 2 weeks. The burger is OK. 2.5/5 don't recommend based on the other items Available. The turkey rubin was amazing!5/5 The tuna tartare was amazing!5/5 The muscles were very tasty!4/5 The beer selection is great, it seems to rotate often, i like that a lot. 5/5

Great place!! We started with a dozen beautiful big oysters, each. The cocktail sauce and extra lemon wedges put it over the top!! Our server, Eric was great! Very attentive and it was very busy Sunday around 1:00! Tuna Tartare special was delicious as well as husband's Heldenberg Salad with blackened salmon add-on. Will be back soon!!

Food is really great. Drinks are excellent. Love this place.

Great food and amazing beer list. Servers were excellent and it was a really nice ambiance. Keep up good work!

Tasty food, friendly service. Only low note, no French fries. Try their hard cider....so good!

Great oysters, delicious mains, friendly staff , nice outdoor semi enclosed eating space and fair prices

Oysters awesome! Happy hour 3-5 pm $2.00 oysters. Lobster bisque specidl bowl $15.00 worth it!!

Stopped by during a visit to Albany and was very impressed with everything! Our server was very friendly and attentive and was able to give us recommendations in the city. Great beer selection. Highly recommend the butcher board/cheese board combo and the oysters, which were some of the freshest I've ever had.

Great little hip place with indoor/outdoor seating, a full bar, and beautifully prepared food. We really enjoyed the cheese plate, lobster Cobb, and French Dip. This may become our new tradition when we visit Albany.

For the first time I chose their brown butter lobster roll, and I could not believe how good it was. I don’t even think you could find anything this good in Maine. Their oysters are always amazing too.

My favorite go to place in Albany at the moment. Great selection of oysters, the most delicious oysters around. The tomato soup is to die for, drinks are great as well. Not a fan of the dinner selection, they’re a little bit too bland for me, but besides that it’s a great place to grab a bite and service is great.

We got the surfboard and buttered lobster roll (pictured). Both were fabulous! The wait staff were professional and attended to our every need. Although I didn't drink any of their beers, my friends said they were superb. Definitely an awesome spot, will go again!

The waiters here are just so amazing! They were incredibly nice and attentive even though it was busy and close to closing. The food and drinks were also so good! Definitely come on $1.50 oyster Sunday nights!

Amazing! Friendly staff, great atmosphere and delicious plates…definitely recommend a visit!! I’m planning to go back already!

This was my first experience at Albany Ale and Oyster. I found the restaurant very clean and inviting. I am a Reuben lover, and I was told they were known for them. It did not disappoint. The corned beef was so so tender and the taste was perfect. I also tried Grapefruit Peel Calculation IPA, which really hit the spot. I definitely would recommend and return.

Everything about this place is outstanding! Food, service...the beer/cocktail menu is one of the best in the Capital District

What a delightful evening our friends & I had At Albany Ale & Oyster~ we were greeted immediately on a busy Sunday evening. The waiter was attentive and knowledgeable. For appetizers we shared the oysters and cheesy pretzels. I had the delicious fresh mozzarella and chicken sandwich, two people had the French dip and another enjoyed the kimchi turkey reuben. Finishing the evening off with the rage cake cheese cake. Everything here is fresh and full of flavor. The side salad served with every sandwich is a nice bonus and the dressing is perfect. This is a gem in Albany for sure! Already thinking of what we will get next time!

So good. Great server, amazing beer selection, pretzels were awesome. Lobster roll...excellent. very relaxed vibe. Perfect for our group of 8.

Had a great experience at Albany Ale and Oyster. Four people with all different beer preferences, so lots of flight samples were ordered. Beers selection was great, a broad enough to appease our varied tastes.

This restaurant never ceases to impress me. The service is exceptional, with wait staff member India and bartenders Brian and Tyler delivering professional, efficient, and impeccable care. The food is consistently fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented with a touch of originality. It’s a neighborhood favorite and a must-visit for guests seeking a memorable, high-quality dining experience. And, Stuart Little loves the front porch!

I haven't been out to eat with a friend since before Covid started so I was looking forward to going and it did not disappoint! We were able to get a table outside on this nice sunny day. Our waiter was pleasant and able to tell when we needed something or didn't. I had the strawberry basil lemonade which was tasty but not sure I would pay $10 for it again because it tasted pretty week. I got a dozen oysters for $1 each on Sunday's which is a steal! Super fresh. I then had the warm lobster roll which was loaded with lobster meat. Accompanying it was a peanut noodle salad and chips. We took our time eating, drinking and chatting and never felt rushed even though it was a busy day. No complaints! Can't wait to go back again.

Specials were amazing , the dressing applied to the salad amazing , customer service was great , will be back again have to try the lobster roll ,

+2

Excellent experience. Enjoyed one of the best burgers I have had in recent memory. Server was attentive but not a bother. Beer list was nice and had a few really good options. I'll be back.

Great great vibes. Bar up front is gorgeous and bartenders know what they’re doing! I appreciated the mix of local and top shelf liquors. $1 oysters were amazing - perfect drinks and apps place or sit at the bar and chat.

$1 oysters and warm lobster rolls 🤤 Planning my next trip to Albany NOW LOL!! I was not able to try the tap because I was driving but everything was delicious and very reasonable!

Great staff, great food, and of course, ale and Oysters **note: The pizza isn’t from the a Ale House but no matter how many times I’ve tried, I can’t remove it from the posting. I don’t believe the Ale House has pizza on the menu, but if they did, my guess is that it would be good 🙂

We hosted a 30 person shower at Ale and Oyster today. We had an absolutely fabulous experience. The food was outstanding and the waitstaff somehow managed to be even better. The restaurant was very accommodating and prepared for a group of our size. We would 100% recommend for a party of this size. We will certainly be back!

I went for Sunday brunch with my daughter. It opened at noon and it's very popular. Oysters were 1.00 a piece , limit 12 per person. We only got a dozen but they were fresh and tasty. We got the Kale Ceasars salad with chicken and the chicken cobb salad. The greens were very fresh and customized to each salad. There were many additions to the salads, like crispy prosciutto, cherry tomatoes, cheeses . Lots of locals and repeat customers were there and the staff knew their names. Many seating options, lots of menu choices , it is a happy place , great service.

Great food and drinks. Oysters are bangin' and the sandwiches are awesome. They do a brown butter lobster roll because, let's be real, that's the best way to lobster roll. Tried the chicken schnitzel last time I went, and it was delicious, highly recommended with extra anchovies.

Been quite a few times now. Always a happy camper on the way out. If you’re an oyster fan, or the one who likes finding an oddity on the menu, here you must go. I mean come on, a lobster Reuben! A must go!

We love this place. They've got consistently great food and an awesome selection of beers. We've had nothing but good service. It's a comfortable restaurant and has street parking out front. Their rueben is delicious. Love the salad they offer with their sandwiches. The chips are crisp and salty. We had the daily special the other day which was a sliced bbq beef with cheddar. We mentioned that we were going to split the sandwich so they did it for us...splitting the salad and chips as well. They're awesome! Get a beer flight and sample some of their drafts. Find one you like? Have them can it for you right then and there and take it home. My sister-in-law had the lobster roll a few weeks back...honestly, we've had better but everything else has been great. (It was a bit tough and lacked flavor.) PICTURES: Bench seating (they also have seating at the bar, high tops, and tables outside), the to-go wall, French Dip, Lobster Roll, Daily Special, beer flights (#24 Solaire is odd and funky - only if you dare), canning beers to go, ice cold & freshly canned drafts.

+4

Ok... Every week a different dollar Oyster... Love it... Summer time vibe with the menu... Lobster Rolls... Great New England style rolls... thick... buttered up and grilled... Both Lobster Rolls are killer... Grab a Bloody Mary... Make your own Oyster Shooters... Definitely heading back for more...

This week I had the opportunity to have dinner with a friend at Albany Ale & Oyster. My first time there - and I was so impressed! It can be challenging these days to find a spot with terrific customer service and delicious food. This spot has both. We started at a small counter by the front window while waiting for a table to open up. I had the berry hard cider and we put in an order of the Cheddar and Chive Pretzels for an appetizer. I love a good pretzel and this one was exactly what I hoped for; soft but chewy. And the cheese dipping sauce was a wonderful accompaniment. We were moved to a nearby table when the pretzel arrived. I loved that the food came out at a decent pace, with plenty of opportunity for conversation in between the appetizer and the meals we ordered. And the meals - sooo good! I had to order the Reuben I had heard so much about. I absolutely cannot believe how much food came with my meal for the money I paid. A sandwich heaped with corned beef and sauerkraut, each half could have been the whole thing and I wouldn't have been mad. Served with a bag of homemade crisps and a generous side salad with dressing. I could only finish the salad, some of the chips, and one of the 2 halves (my husband was very happy to help with the leftovers I brought home). I cannot wait to go back and also for warmer weather to sit outside at one of the patio tables.

+1

Wonderful meal...everything was delicious! Servers could have been a bit more personal and genuine. Regardless it was such a cute atmosphere and the food was great.

A friend and I had dinner at Albany Ale & Oyster a few days ago. Let me tell you, we had such a delightful experience! Right away our server India was extremely attentive and informative! My dinner companion has a shellfish allergy, right away, India made sure to inform the kitchen staff! We both ordered the French dip sandwich - (which I would absolutely order again) when our meals arrived India asked if we would like any side sauces - when we could not decide, she brought us a "flight" of sauces! I thought they only did that with beers! My friend ordered a cocktail and I asked what kind of non alcoholic beers were served - our server was able to rattle the list off with zero effort! Definitely looking forward to my next visit!

Inhaled this lobster roll!! Could’ve ate two, it was so good & the side salad that came with it was simple but delicious

Foodies on a road trip driving home from Cape Cod struggling to read reviews and choose a place. The menu looked good and the food was great! Had our favorite soft pretzel of all time. Loved the cheese dip and it was fresh and delicious…. we order hot pretzels everywhere! had the oysters Rockefeller special. It was fresh and enjoyed the rock mixture with a chewy piece of bacon garnish. We got a Reuben that was thinly sliced and piled high. Great rye bread and came with a side salad and chips. Delicious. Also got two French dips which also came with a side salad and chips. There was no gristle on the steak that had to be removed while eating. Loved the cheese and the ciabatta was fresh. This will be our new place when we drive home from the Cape every year!

Dinner tonight was at Albany Ale & Oyster. I've been reading nothing but good things about this place and they didn't disappoint. Friendly and efficient staff. Good food at reasonable prices. For a place that has oysters in the name, we didn't notice anyone eating seafood at dinner! The time for that is their happy hour in the afternoons when their seafood prices are slashed! Huge beer selection and a large interesting wine selection. Both of which had a lot of new to me items. We'll be back.

I can't wait to go back. The oysters were delicious, the shucker did a good job bc there weren't any bits of shell. I didn't care that much for the shrimp cocktail, it was fine enough (wish they gave you regular horseradish and not an aioli) but there are better things on the menu. I think their grilled shrimp were better than the shrimp cocktail, and had them added to the Caesar salad. I'm not normally a huge Caesar salad fan but my husband ordered it and I'm so glad he did! It was absolutely delicious (and you should add an order of grilled shrimp to it lol). Our lobster roll was good. I liked the fries. Our server could have been a little more attentive but overall everything was great. I liked their homemade hot sauce (glad that didn't charge for it either, bc they charge for their other sauces). We're looking forward to going back, I want to try the crab dip - it looked great!

Great atmosphere and food! Wait time for dinner at 7 pm for a table outside was pretty long, about 45 minutes, and the food took a bit longer to come out, but otherwise great service (also this is labor day, so that's probably why it was a bit slower). I shared the green curry cod, along with the house burger. Both were amazing and if I ever come back I'll order the same. The house burger has a great brioche style bun, and the cod wasn't fishy at all, and has a great texture.

Very good food and a nice outdoor dining spot out on the sidewalk. I had the kimchi turkey reuben. It was very good. It’s nice to have some cool options like this as opposed to the typical Reuben. Another person got the lobster roll and the Beratta with Pesto that was amazing. They were very busy, but the service was still very good. We had a party of 5 and everyone found something good on the menu.

Everything is perfect every time I go to A&O! The burger is the best burger in the area. The oysters, ruben, lobster roll...all have been fantastic. And the staff are always amazing. Not that I need validation, but I just like food. So brought a chef friend from Detroit there and they were likewise super impressed and loved the entire experience.

Excellent food and service. We really enjoyed our visit. Staff was very friendly also

Stopped in for dinner before a concert. Food was excellent, the French dip was delicious. Service was attentive if a bit slow but it was crowded. I will definitely go again.

Its been a couple of years since i've been in here.. i went for lunch yesterday 7/18/2023 and let me tell you. The Bruschetta was AMAZING, highly impressed! The Lobster Reuben was also amazing! The staff was great as well. 10/10 recommend.

Wow! Great meal! Great sandwiches (Caprese, Rueben) and oysters , inviting surroundings, fun conversation with bar staff! Can’t wait to go back on our next trip through Albany. Go!

Ale & Oyster is one of our favorite spots in the Capital Region, bar none. We had a perfect lunch today, splitting a dozen oysters and a reuben and both were a delight. Our server Josh was excellent, he put forth great effort to be engaged with us and go above the mark to make a normal lunch into a great one. This place rocks, and they have great staff on hand. Loving the porch seating at the new spot as well.

What an incredible first experience here. It was a Tuesday evening and the restaurant was slow according to our waitress...the service was wonderful, the food was incredible...and the dessert (pretzel with cinnamon/sugar and a chocolate ganache). Bliss!!! Sorry no pics of dessert as we ate at home😉

+1

Came here on a Monday in early afternoon with a group of five and we were able to sit right away. This was my first time visiting in the new space and it was absolutely beautiful! We were sat in the back room all by ourselves which was actually perfect because we had a baby with us who was eating in a restaurant for the first time :). The staff was incredibly kind, gracious, and patient. I rarely have lobster rolls in the “off” season and on main land, but I decided to take a chance and it was delicious!! It tasted fresh and had the perfect amount of mayo and seasoning. I also tried a bit of the fish filet and wow this just melted in my mouth. Fried to absolute perfection - so flaky and delicious. We finished off with the honey butter cake and this was sooooo decadent and good. If you feel like treating yourself, don’t think twice about this!

I had a very nice meal at Albany Ale and Oyster. The lobster roll was done perfectly and the oysters were great. The Apple cider donut beer was stellar! I highly recommend getting the cheesecakes they offer, they are made locally and they are to die for. Service was great and very fast as well.

+2

Immediately my friend and I were greeted and brought to an available table. The server was friendly and great at recommending one of the 50% bottles of wine. I then ordered the cheese plate and when it was delivered each cheese and jam was described with what it pairs well with. I felt as if we were at a wine tasting also trying cheese and fruit. We then ordered entrees which everything was delicious. I would definitely recommend and will continue dining here!

Delicious, fast service for drinks and food orders and our food came out even faster (I’m talking like 10 min after ordering) Everything tasted delicious! I haven’t felt satisfied with a restaurants service and quality of food in a long time. It’s safe to stay that Ale & Oyster finally ended that years long streak. I will be back!

I took a quick trip up to Albany, and the woman at our BnB suggested we go here for dinner. Our waitress, Darby, was friendly, engaging, and helpful. The food was magnificent. From the soup, to the entrées, to the dessert, and drinks. I had the Lobster Bisque and Lobster Cobb with a Hoodie Season to drink. For dessert, the Brown Butter Cake with a Plump Up The Jam. They fat-wash all their liquors in-house, which adds extra complexity to the drinks. I highly recommend this spot and will be returning in the future.

La Vashia Luckey

One of my favorite restaurants in Albany! I love the oysters, caesar salad, side salads, lobster rolls, and the oyster Rockefeller baked oysters (when they had it) is delicious. I have been here several times and spent my birthday here. The food and drinks are phenomenal. The service and atmosphere is wonderful. I love the rotating specials. This is a must try and highly recommend.

+6

Christina Jager

They did a remodel/shift a while back and I love the new atmosphere! The food is always top notch, love the oysters! The cocktails are also five star, interesting and tasty!

Ryan Goodwin

My wife and I have been talking about coming here for years and somehow never made the time. Huge mistake — instant regret the moment we sat down. We were completely blown away. From the service, to the cocktails, beer selection, and of course the food, everything exceeded expectations. We started with the oysters, which were exactly what we were craving. Having both grown up going to the Cape, we’re admittedly picky, and being able to get truly fresh, well-sourced oysters this far inland is nothing short of impressive. The Hoodie Season cocktail was just what the doctor ordered — so much so that I had three. Then the entrées absolutely stole the show. My wife’s mussels were unlike anything we’ve ever had before, cooked in an apple cider broth with bacon and served alongside sweet potatoes — chef’s kiss. My cod masala was everything I hoped for and more. Everything tasted incredibly fresh, bold, and thoughtfully prepared. We couldn’t have been more satisfied. Top it all off with fantastic, friendly service from Lauren and Noah, and you’ve got the perfect date night. We’re already looking forward to coming back for more great food, great drinks, and great people. 10/10.

Nehal Shahanawaz

I’ve heard great things about Albany Ale and Oyster and they lived up to expectations. The crab dip was amazing I couldn’t get enough of it. I have ordered the Reuben a few times and it is the best I’ve had. I would recommend subbing the kraut for kimchi and adding spicy Russian sauce. The service was also great! I hadn’t really tried oysters and my waitress gave me lovely recommendations to start off with. For anyone in the capital region, I would highly recommend trying this place out.

Gio Nap

The oysters were unbelievably fresh and the highlight of our meal. We loved the fried calamari with a punch of heat from the red peppers and jalapeños, braseola bites, French dip, Rueben, clam strip roll, and burger. Great food, friendly atmosphere, and tasteful decor.

Erik Defibaugh

It has been years since I tried fresh oysters on the half shell, but that is usually when I'm on vacation near the coast. I didn't imagine that a little shop in Albany had fresh oysters that were so good. I ordered three PEI oysters on a half shell, and after tasting them, immediately ordered three more. Honestly I could have sat there all night with a glass of wine and the oysters however I wanted to try something made on premises, so I ordered the green curry cod. I love a nice curry, and the sauce and the rice was amazing! The cod itself was a bit on the tough side, so I told my server, and the kitchen sent a fresh new order. I can't say enough about how well they rectified the situation. I don't usually complain and send back food, but I have to admit they handled it very well! I will definitely be back as the freshness of the oysters paralleled any oceanside location I have eaten oysters at. The service was impeccable as multiple staff asked how everything was. Since everything had gone so well, I decided to try their tuna tartare. The tuna was well cut with no tough pieces, it was well spiced and the garlic and onion in it combined with the freshly fired baguettes. Since a decent raw bar doesn't come around very often around here, I will definitely keep this little spot busy. Keep up the excellent work! 🙂

Melody Cristo

Top tier restaurant in Albany. I've never had a bad meal here, and good prices for oysters on Sundays and during happy hour. Unique cocktail and wine selection.

Melissa Fleck

The charm of New Scotland Ave. keeps giving the neighbors life. The remodel of the best corner lot in the city. Cheers to Ale & Oyster for an epic vibe + menu.

Shannon Pitts

Clam chowder is different with great flavor. It is a thinner soup and has crispy onions. Warm lobster roll was excellent. Cold noodle Asian salad was a great side and a large portion. Great local draft beer selection. Energetic smaller dining area around the bar with some additional seating in the back.

Rebeca Go

My husband and I love coming here! It’s our little local gem. We love the food and the ambiance. They moved and upgraded from their old place. They’re doing a fantastic job!

+6

Emily Hamman

Stopped in on our way through Albany and were not disappointed! Everything we tried (clam chowder, tempura cauliflower, and lobster rolls) was amazing!! Gluten free bread option too. Service was a little slow for wanting a quicker dinner, but other than that, fantastic experience!

Ivets

I have to admit, after I placed my order, I was thinking about the negative review I would write on the $22 salad I was about to pay for. Which, by the way, cost less than the $20 lobster roll the hubby got for happy hour (but more on that later). To my surprise, the salad was so worth $22! It had to be one the BEST salads I've ever eaten. The salad was tossed with a delicious homemade dressing and they did NOT skimp on the toppings of gorgonzola, prosciutto, egg, avocado, chicken, cucumbers, etc. I would order this again in a heart beat, even at the $22 price point. Now, about the happy hour. You can read the details on their menu but we had $2 oysters (all types). And like I said, the hubby got a $20 lobster roll (which comes as either cold lobster salad mayo style or warm butter style) along with homemade chips or a side salad. Tons of beers and ciders on tap. I can't wait to get back there!

+2

The staff was wonderful. The food was decent. A little bland and over priced. The facility is accommodating and allows for good conversation.

Had such a beautiful time here the other night. From the host to the bartender to our server, the service was impeccable and felt so natural. 4 stars because we didn’t love the negroni cocktail but the snap pea martini is something I’m trying to recreate at home.

My husband and I use to enjoy the lobster roll Happy Hour deal. Just a couple of years ago you could get a hot or cold lobster roll for $15. The price went up to $20 for a short while and now it is $24. We no longer go as this is not any special deal. You get kettle chips or greens with it. If the price is going up to that price, at least offer french fries with it. Too bad....it seems like since covid, restaurants have really gotten out of hand with their prices.

Burgers and Reubens are pretty good. It can get quite busy though, so the wait can be long.

Went for the first time for dinner since they moved. New place was nice w/a good atmosphere and much bigger. Wait staff was fantastic as well. Nice girl & attentive. Between the music and a lot of other people conversing, I found it a bit loud when trying to have a conversation with the person across from me, but not horrible like a bar scene can be. Oysters cant go wrong. Fantastic. Also ordered their staple corned beef sandwich which I’ve had before and is usually stellar. This time the sandwich had some fat in in, but I still polished it off, so not unbearable where I wouldn’t return. Overall, I liked the coziness of the old place but not the wait times they had. Went to new place at 6pm on a Friday and sat right down.

The staff were very accommodating and attentive to our group. Friends loved the turkey Reuben. This was one of the better smashburgers I've had in the area. The house chips and salad were very fresh and tasty (would prefer a fry option). We also enjoyed the rotational draft selection menu. Would be great to see a separate menu of Oyster preparation options. We're anticipating our next visit at the new location to try the new menu and raw bar options!

The food and the service are always consistently great, but it is SO frustrating that there are still no reservations for parties less than 8. For a place that does not have any space whatsoever to wait in, often I would rather go somewhere else where I can make a reservation than risk having to stand awkwardly right in front of the door for a half hour waiting for a table, constantly feeling like I’m in the way. I truly don’t understand the decision to not take reservations.

This is a unexpected gem in the midst of one of the best group of restaurants and bars on New Scotland Ave in Albany. Short walk to Tipsy Moose, The Fountain, Graney's sports bar and the Ale and Oyster. The happy hour features $20 lobster rolls which are amazing. All the oysters, 4 types are $2 each with great hot sauce. We enjoyed a pretzel plate with 2 mustards and great brews. Terrific staff and very attentive. You won't go wrong, especially on a warm night with the outside tables.

While it is a bit pricy, this place offers a fine line between fancy and accessible which can be greatly appreciated by those of us boasting an average income in this day and age. If you want a nice meal that won't be super cheap but is still within reason, this place is for you. Also great that they offer fresh oysters of large variety. Beers pricey though.

Dejesus Brandt

Great food and friendly service in an upscale atmosphere. The only downsides were over-salted fries and tiny water glasses that needed constant refills. Our food took a while to arrive, despite just being a burger and sandwich. The staff was friendly and mentioned new chefs and large parties slowing them down. Overall, I had a good experience despite these minor hiccups.

Kristen Kiehart

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.

Shubhi Gautam

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! 🦪

+8

The food was really wonderful once you got the waitress to come over. Service was very slow. The food was great, and the oysters were very tasty. The bar seems limited on choice. I wanted a dirty Martini with kettle and no kettle wrong olives uses as well, I asked for Jameson, no, not available either.

Calamari was cold and chewy. Chowder was good but I could have done without the fried onions as topping. I ordered a lobster tail and specified I did not want the wrapped tail. Received a wrapped tail so I peeled off the prosciutto and tried to cut the driest lobster tail ever. I ate half and left the rest. Hangar steak was cooked to right temp but had no flavor. For the price we would expected higher caliber cuisine.

Meli Mel

Food quality is great! But portion size for clam chowder is not appropriate for $13. I received a cup that was 1/4 empty. Please give bigger packaging for the soups.

Vanessa Leathem

I ordered the Happy Meal as it sounded like a good value for a cheeseburger, fries, 3 oysters and sparkling wine. The burger only had one patty which would have been fine if it weren’t paper thin. The fries are your garden variety frozen fries. The oysters were the size of my thumbnail/tiny. The best item was the sparkling wine. Up until tonight, I haven’t had a bad meal. I’m not sure if I will return but if I do, I will stick to the regular menu, not the happy hour menu. Our server was good but I think was trying to give us the hint to free up the table as we didn’t receive any water refills and she took the glasses and napkins away. We got desserts to go so hopefully that will be satisfying.

Clifford Craft

Ordered calamari appetizer. Worst I've ever been served. Extremely overcooked, leathery & flavorless. Ordered bowl of clam chowder. It was certainly better than the calamari, but oddly seasoned for New England style chowder & just warmed tgrough. They had a wide array of beverages on offer. I ordered a Diet Coke with lemon & received a wedge of lime instead. Altogether, I would label the exprrience mediocre at best & not money well spent.

I walked into this restaurant and was completely ignored. The staff glanced at me, then went right back to what they were doing, no greeting, no offer to seat me, just nothing. I stood there waiting with zero acknowledgment. I’ve never experienced service this unwelcoming. There were plenty of seats available. No customer should be treated like that. I ended up leaving and taking my business elsewhere. Definitely not returning. I can’t comment on food because I was not seated/served at all.

I waited over 15 minutes without anyone taking my order, even though the restaurant was not busy. Staff were serving other tables promptly but ignored mine completely. As an Asian traveler, I felt unwelcome and uncomfortable, as if my presence was not appreciated. This left a very negative impression before I even had a chance to try the food. I would not return.

Nonnie Monet

Picked up my order when I was on break from work got the French dip sandwich and a kale salad. The French dip came messy the kale Caesar salad. Caesar salad wasn’t even a kale Caesar salad. It was more like a spring salad that they tried to top a little bit of Parmesan. It’s kind of just ridiculous because I would’ve went somewhere else for my lunch break instead of to this place! Would not recommend it would not come back

D M

This was our weekly go to place as a family of 6. Always predictably good and consistent. The last few times have been just ok but we wrote off anything unsatisfactory to an off night. Tonight we did take out for two. 2 Reuben’s and 2 soup. Both sandwiches had burned bread. But what really bugged me was the $8 tomato soup and the $12 clam chowder. Both came in a 10oz cup that was only full to the 8oz mark. That worked out to $1 per ounce for tomato soup and $1.50 per ounce for clam chowder. The 10oz cup seems to be intentionally a rip off but under filling it too? There isn’t a doubt in my mind that they are serving far more than 8oz of soup when we ordered it every week when eating in. Great new building and I didn’t mind paying an increase built into the menu to offset that. But this was disappointing enough to be our last time eating here or recommending it.