2 Best Restaurants in Albany, Albany and Central New York

A favorite of local politicos, this intimate, wood-paneled eatery serves northern Italian and Mediterranean food. The breads and pastas are made on-site, and you can't miss with the risotto of the day.

Young professionals, important legislators, and out-of-towners flock here to eat northern and southern Italian fare in a dining room where casual clothes mix easily with jackets and ties. Lombardo's is known for veal, pasta, and seafood dishes, and has some of the best waiters in the region. The lengthy menu manages to be a mix of sophistication and comfort food. The shrimp wrapped in savory prosciutto and silky mozzarella and baked in tomatoes is a winner.