Location: Albany
Top Restaurants in Albany
Albany Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Albany
Albany is the county seat of Linn County, and the 11th largest city in the State of Oregon. Albany is located in the Willamette Valley at the confluence of the Calapooia River and the Willamette River in both Linn and Benton counties, just east of Corvallis and south of Salem. It is predominantly a farming and manufacturing city that settlers founded around 1848. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population of Albany was 50,158. Its population was estimated by the Portland Research Center to be 51,583 in 2013.
Things to do in Albany
1. Sybaris
Overall Ratings
5 based on 170 reviews
Reviewed By CKF - CT
Our friends took us to Sybaris, one of their favorite restaurants. The atmosphere was lively, and our waiter, Jesse, extremely knowledgeable and engaging. However, I was underwhelmed by the small menu selection, most of which did not interest me. I chose the flat iron steak, medium rare. It was delivered rare, and I will say they did a good job of refiring it to be medium rare. Tasty, but no where near the best steak I've ever had.
I know many people like this restaurant. For me, it was very expensive and not the food selection I prefer. You will most likely enjoy it, but I will not be returning.
2. Novak's Hungarian Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 427 reviews
At Novak’s Hungarian Restaurant, we have been proud to provide an authentic Hungarian dining experience to the Albany area. We use the freshest ingredients and the richest flavors to bring you a truly unique dining experience. Our founders, Joseph and Matilda Novak immigrated to the United States from Hungary in 1957. They are proud to of brought traditional Hungarian recipes with them. Our signature dishes are bound to leave you wanting more. Try our cabbage rolls, chicken paprika, or kolbasz sausages! Take advantage of our lunch buffet from Monday through Saturday, or our dinner buffet from Monday through Thursday. We are also an artisan bakery and would love to make a special pastry or dessert for you. Are you looking to cater your next event? Novak’s Hungarian Restaurant is the perfect choice for small and large catering events. Drop-in today and have a meal with us. At Novak’s Hungarian Restaurant, you’re family.
Reviewed By Mort1000 - Albany, Oregon
Have gone twice - both on weekdays to get the buffet discount. Some of the best tasting
"comfort food" we've ever had - both buffet and a la cart. Both times the waitresses were very friendly and helpful. On evening visit one of the owners - second generation family member stopped by and talked to us at length. We left very well-fed and feeling very welcome.
3. Vault 244 Bistro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 182 reviews
This is described as an upscale bar/tapas place. I haven't yet been there, but from walking by it looks intriquing. It offers outdoor tables.
Reviewed By QualityInspector1 - Seattle, WA
This place really wowed me on my last trip to Albany. I am.glad I ventured out and tried this restaurant and lounge. They have a excellent happy hour menu and I loved the Brussel sprouts. Great bartender and the service was excellent. Bar has a nice selection of local and popular spirits, beer and wine. I look forward to visiting them again and trying their dinner menu in my next visit.
4. Frankie's Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 207 reviews
At Frankie's we pride ourselves in embracing the Farm to Table experience, and sustainable food and business practices. To us this means finding and sourcing the freshest, seasonal and local products to use in our kitchen. Its also about really digging in, and partnering with growers, farmers, foragers, fishermen and ranchers in our area for the best products around. Frankie's menu changes seasonally and proudly showcases local food and a wine list with producers who respect artisanal techniques.
Reviewed By Mariko S - Port Hadlock
We were at the Linn County Fairgrounds for a dog show. We try to find new and great food in the area (we come twice a year). We love locally sourced and fresh. We were not disappointed. Drinks were good, Nice selection of foods and moderately priced. We would come back again.
5. Brick & Mortar Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
Reviewed By ClaudiaJoLee2016 - Corvallis, Oregon
My husband and I tend to revisit the same places over and over. Boring. But recently we've decided to try some different places and today that meant a visit to Brick and Mortar in Albany. Thanks to traffic on HWY 20 from Corvallis, we arrived at 1:40 p.m., only 20 minutes before closing. No problem! We were greeted like it was opening time instead of nearly time to close. We were seated quickly and had water and menus nearly immediately. Our waiter was great and kept our bottomless sodas filled without us asking. My husband had the chicken fried steak from the breakfast menu. It was delicious and included home fries and eggs. I tried the Buffalo and Liege (a Belgian style of waffle) from the lunch menu. It is a fried chicken sandwich made with two waffles and including a buffalo sauce. I'm a wuss when it comes to heat, so I had the sauce on the side. A bite of chicken with waffle with lettuce, tomato, purple onion and just a bit of the buffalo sauce was wonderful! The sandwich came with yummy, perfectly seasoned fries. So glad we tried this place and I can't wait to go back!
6. First Burger
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 129 reviews
First Burger restaurant is a collaboration of a talented staff that make the restaurant go. At First Burger, we use the freshest local ingredients to create hamburgers the way they ought to be: hand-formed, generously sized, made-to-order, and delicious. We're looking forward to seeing you when you come in to dine.
Reviewed By Michael W - Portland, Oregon
My wife and I first met chef Jason when he trained at Sybaris Bistro. Subsequently, he worked as a chef at Clemenza's, First Burger - in its successful first incarnation - and, later, enjoyed his food at Frankie's. Now he and his wife, Tammy, have...MoreThank you Michael. We love seeing you and your wife.
7. Cascade Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 257 reviews
Reviewed By Kairho1 - Ocala, Florida
Well known style of casual restaurants and comfortable bar/lounge oriented towards both travelers and locals. We ate in the lounge, with the full menu, so we could watch the Olympics. Great service and excellent food from a moderately long, but complete, menu. Everyone's an old friend here.
8. Elmer's Restaurant - Albany
Overall Ratings
4 based on 122 reviews
A Northwest favorite since 1960. Our 25 locally owned Elmer's Restaurants take pride in their communities and source local, farm-fresh ingredients.
Reviewed By K W - Lebanon, Oregon
Food is a little pricey although it is good.... but the thing that will keep me from going back is that they let people bring their dogs into the restaurant....I refuse to eat at a place that has no idea how to set boundaries for people. I guess if you don"t mind a little barking and yelping with your bacon and eggs this might be the place for you.
9. Loafers Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By PALMER B - Blanding, Utah
My daughter had told me that she was impressed with the food at Loafers. I'm always impressed with a good prime rib. Loafers features Prime Rib on Friday nights so we went to satisfy my curiosity and both our appetites.
We ordered "Seared ahi Poke Style" for an appetizer. It was delicious and ample for two or more. I ordered the "Prime Rib" and chose soup over salad. The soup was clam chowder and was as good as I've ever eaten. However, I was disappointed with the Prime Rib, it was tough, unevenly cooked being medium well on one side and rare on the other. I'd ordered medium rare. It didn't arrive with the ordered saut`ed mushrooms and when they did arrive they were overcooked. The baked potato was perfect, the condiments very good. My daughter ordered the "Baja Style Cod Tacos" which she described as, "Perfect, delicious, just right everything."
I most definitely will return but not for the Prime Rib. The sandwiches, burgers and other dishes I saw looked fabulous, gotta try them and the fish tacos.
10. Cellar Cat
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Cellar Cat is a wine-centric bistro and bar in historic downtown Albany Oregon. With our multi-award winning executive chef, our award-winning mixologist and the friendliest, most welcoming and attentive servers around, Cellar Cat is THE go-to place for dinner. lunch, brunch or a leisurely craft beer or bottle of wine enjoyed on a lazy afternoon. Our New American food is honest (the seasonal ingredients fresh, not hidden beneath heavy sauces or trickery). Our century-old brick building is kept cozy with the help of linen tablecloths and tapestry wall hangings. French-onion soup. Croissant bread pudding. New York Steak. Glorious fried chicken with mashed potatoes. Weekend additions. House made pastas. Smoked beef brisket sandwiches. Steak salad. The list, the deliciousness, goes on and on. Craft brews on tap. Classic and contemporary "cat tails". Marvelous wine. Cellar Cat - the North West's new cultural center and home away from home. THE place to Be Here Now. Meow.
Reviewed By Amie M
This was our second time having dinner here, we love it but it's a fairly expensive place for dinner and drinks so we don't go often. The grapefruit lemon drop is outstanding, my new favorite drink!! I loved that there were so many options for the cheese plate and I was extremely pleased with how moist and flavorful the fried chicken was!! We will be back!
