This place is amazing! great food great service! Nick is an incredible host! will be back here ASAP

What an excellent lunch spot! It's a must stop! We came here for a quick lunch spot after a tour of the state capitol. Well worth it! The Smash Burger and Chicken Wrap were great. Seasoned to perfection and very tasty! The house salad was ok nothing to report home about! Service and ambiance were great. I would return here for a dinner! Highly recommend. read more

See all

This review is strictly for brunch on a Sunday, and directed at ownership/management: You guys, really? First, your Brunch menu and food are excellent, when we finally got our food - after roughly an hour of waiting - I was instantly reminded of why Dove and Deer is great - bold flavors, excellent preparation, gorgeous plates all in a city that desperately needs it. Second, I really felt bad for the 3 people responsible for running an entire restaurant on a Sunday (two waiters and one person in the kitchen). They did their absolute best, were so kind and apologetic, but obviously completely stressed out and frazzled. Tables got up and left after waiting for someone to get back to them - and we almost did too. It's unfair to restaurant staff to put the burden of running an entire place on them. I get if someone called off and you're short staffed 1 or 2 people, but did everyone call off? Besides 3 people? Come on. You have a real opportunity to be a go to brunch destination, my advice is to staff appropriately and give it a real go or risk customers not getting to experience the greatness that is your food - and taking their dollars to someplace far more mediocre. The only reason this isn't a 2 star or 1 star review is because of how hard your staff tried, and how good your food is (when it finally shows up). read more

I wish it met my expectations, maybe I hyped it up in my head too much and they were having an off night but it really was a lackluster experience. I called earlier in the day to ask about the menu on the website which reads, "Autumn 2025." They said they are still using that menu although he corrected me on the phone and said fall/winter 2025-2026 which is what it actually read on the menu when we were in the restaurant, ok. He asked if I wanted to reserve a table, I had not planned on it but appreciated the suggestion so I did, table for two, 5:30pm. We arrived just before 5:30pm to a busy restaurant. The server who created us at the door looked around and suggested we sit at a high top at the bar. We asked about the dining room, she looked around and said there would be a wait. I mentioned I had a reservation for two at 5:30pm and she said that reservations are normally for groups of six or more and suggested the high tops in the bar area again. Our server in the bar area was polite and although he didn't seem super knowledgeable about the vegan items on the menu he said he would ask about anything he was unsure about and get back to us. The Kung Pao Brussel Sprouts came out first, very deep fried, very greasy, there was hardly any green remaining inside them. The Vegan Lo Mein seemed very light on the vegetables or tofu if there was any and the portion size considering the price. The fried tofu bahn mi was alright, the fries were some type of coated frozen fry and I am guessing, not vegan. We appreciate vegan items on the menu but I think it is important to be more clear about the ingredients and sauces. I am sure servers don't like getting asked a million questions and as a customer, I'd rather eat somewhere I don't have to worry about cross contamination or play a guessing game about menu items. Those large open tables for six against the wall we were told weren't available, yeah, they remained empty the entire time we were seated in the noisy bar area and could barely hear each other while sitting at a high top table, made to sit six people. Still trying to figure out the calculus on that one. Other food looked good going out past us but Dove & Deer is just not our cup of tea. read more

Dove + Deer - Kung Pao Bussel Sprouts - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Albany, New York

See all

Great Food, Shocking Customer Service -- Management Needs Serious Attention I visited twice -- first on Easter Sunday, where the food was genuinely excellent and the experience was wonderful. I was excited to return. However my second visit was a completely different story. As a party of two at a walk-up seating establishment, we were denied a table that was visibly open and available -- solely because it was a four-top and management wanted to "hold it just in case" a larger party arrived. No reservation system, no waitlist, no other parties walking in -- just an empty table we were not allowed to use. What made this experience particularly disappointing was the manager's demeanor. Rather than offering a warm explanation or alternative solution, the interaction felt dismissive, judgmental and unwelcoming. It left me genuinely questioning whether we were being assessed by appearance rather than treated as valued guests. Here's the business reality -- a party of two who ordered appetizers, two entrees, drinks and dessert on our first visit likely spent comparable to many parties of four. Turning away willing, enthusiastic customers to speculate about hypothetical future ones is simply poor business practice. The food deserves five stars. The management on this visit deserves immediate retraining. I hope ownership sees this and takes it seriously -- because the kitchen is doing its job beautifully. The front of house let the entire experience down. read more

Dove + Deer - Seared Ahi Tuna - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Albany, New York

It's been awhile since I have been impressed with a restaurant, and at first, when the short rib came out with a steak knife, and looking a bit dry, I was afraid that I made a mistake coming here. But alas, I had no reason to worry. Other than the very thin, outer layer, the short rib was moist and tender. The flavors and textures of the broccoli rab, butter, cheese, polenta, and beef paired perfectly, and the portion was generous. My wife enjoyed her burger, truffle fries, and off the menu drink. The server handled all of our requests with ease, and the place itself had a very welcoming, European bistro quality to it. Based on every table being full on a Monday night, this is a neighborhood gem that's well known and appreciated. We can't wait to come back here. read more

See all

A must-go! A group of us came for drinks and apps on a Thursday and it was a great time! There were 6 of us and we were promptly seated without any issues, although I'm unsure if they do or don't do reservations. They have great cocktails, the pear Paloma was delicious. They also ran out of some of their cocktails that night but our waitress was great with giving us other recommendations. However, their Guinness wasn't the best pour for our experience. We split the wings, truffle parm fries, and mini wagyu hotdogs, all of which were delicious. The wings are a must if you're deciding on an app and you can never go wrong with the fries! However, I think the mini waygu hotdogs could be skipped--they didn't taste like anything better than a hotdog and for the price and portion, you could definitely opt for something else. Otherwise, the bar seating and sports games were fun and they also have darts too. A great place in the neighborhood to get together with friends or on a date! read more

Dove + Deer - Chicken Wings - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Albany, New York

They don't accept reservations unless your party is six or more, but we didn't have any trouble getting seated when we went. The restaurant is a nice and quaint spot. It's a perfect spot for a date night with dim lighting and good background music. They offer a solid cocktail menu but the wine selection is limited if that's your drink of choice. I ordered the Wagyu with mashed potatoes and asparagus. It was absolutely delicious, which I highly recommend. Our waiter was friendly, which made the experience even better. read more

We were downtown for a conference and decided to try the Dove and Deer for lunch. The place is super cute, inside and outside. Our waitress was nice. But good grief that chicken sandwich was good! The salad was fresh and the fries were crispy! I was told the "smashed" burger was juicy and delicious! We both had hot tea with our lunch and had a marvelous time overlooking the sun washed streets lined with brownstones. I recommend you try it! read more

See all

Through all the years, I never made it to Dove + Deer until recently. It's such a cute neighborhood bar, I am not surprised it was packed in a Saturday night. A wide array of diners and drinkers enjoying their evening made a lively atmosphere. The cocktail menu was solid and I ended up with a gin cocktail as usual. We were only in the mood for bar snacks at the time, so we got some wings and Brussels sprouts. The wings were perfectly cooked and juicy, I love a good dry rub because it maintains a great crisp. The Brussels sprout had a great Asian flavor and crunchy peanuts. This was a quick stop for me, but I would definitely return to try more! read more

See all

The service was incredibly friendly and the food was amazing. The atmosphere was refined and fun. It was a great stop that will be made again. The only "issue" was it took a longer time than desired for the food to come out but the cocktails covered that wait time wonderfully! We all had the grocer and it was fantastic! read more

See all

What an amazing restaurant! If you're looking for a place for a special event, I think Dove + Deer would be a great option. Very elegant inside, amazing food, and pricey but manageable prices for a special dinner. Everyone was friendly and knowledgeable about all the dishes. I ordered truffle Parmesan fries as well as the beet pasta, admittedly too much food for one person. Both had plentiful portions. The fries tasted clean and flavorful, exactly how I expected these Parmesan fries to taste. The beet pasta was very good as well! They use the beets moreso to color the dish, giving it its distinct color, so you can enjoy the dish even if you hate beets. The flavor was creamy, almost like an alfredo but not as strong. I would order it again. I suggest my combo, since both are moderately priced with lots of food, I spent around $30 read more

See all

Great food. Great ambiance. Great service. We had a family of 5 dinner and the servers were very accommodating.

I've been looking forward to checking out the restaurant, Dove & Deer, since I first encountered their food when their chef was highlighted at the annual Summer Gala fundraiser here in Hudson last year. Their chef served an incredible amuse-bouche with gooseberries and the chef who was there sharing the amuse-bouches was wonderfully charming and the food was incredible! I was so impressed that I've been following their social media since then and have been looking forward to visiting the restaurant all the while! I was recently in the area and while I unfortunately wasn't able to visit the restaurant in person- I was able to order through Door Dash and the meal was incredible! We ordered an assortment of things to share and were thrilled with everything! -Spicy Kale Caesar with shredded kale, croutons, and shaved parmesan! -Truffle Parm Fries with scallions and truffle aioli! -Mini Wagyu Beef Hotdogs made with wagyu beef, served in buttery toasted buns, and topped with mustard, ketchup, and relish! -Hot Lobster Dip made with lobster claw and knuckle meat, gruyere, gouda, fontina, spinach, scallion, and crispy wontons! It is often very difficult for a restaurant to adjust their menu to translate to takeout; and for them to do so where every single dish was not only delicious but also mostly with a great presentation, says a great deal about their attention to detail. This is a restaurant I look forward to dining at again many more times over the years! read more

Dove + Deer - Spicy Kale Caesar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Albany, New York

One of me and my fiancés favorite places to come! The food is very good, service is great and the drinks are fairly priced. Pretty spacious and great vibe! read more

Dove + Deer - Chicken wings and DD Smash Burger w/ Truffles Friestruffle - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Albany, New York

Olivia is a fantastic bartender. Funny, engaging and a ball buster. A true professional.

Great small plates outside with truly good service and drinks. The inside and outside location during the spring summer and fall are a great option! read more

Food was excellent. Staff was very nice. Tried the burger special and a rage cakes slice of pistachio cheesecake. Place was crowded on a Tuesday but I was able to get a spot against window. Would be be again. read more

Dove + Deer - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Albany, New York

See all

When Dove + Deer first opened, there was a limited menu. That's not the case any more. My husband and I came for dinner and drinks. On this nice, warm Spring evening, a number of customers dined outside, but we opted to go inside to enjoy the air-conditioning. I picked the Crispy Chicken Sandwich which came with a generous side of fries. Crispy, crunchy, it definitely was all that. I enjoyed it. I saw a review complaining the sandwich was bland, but I disagree. The fries were tasty, too. It went well with Peroni, an Italian lager from a Japanese company. My husband ordered the Eggplant Cheesesteak. It came with a side of Spicy Kale Caesar salad. He really enjoyed his meal. For a guy who's picky about vegetables it was amazing to watch him finish the salad. It had caramelized onions and slivers of cheese. I tried some and it was delish. Our bartender was Carla. She was welcoming and helpful. read more

See all

Excellent all around experience. Great food and great service, no issues and I've been here multiple times

Had dinner before a show at the Egg. Great location and walking distance to the venue. Everyone enjoyed their food selections (salads, burgers and sandwiches). Service was awkward and not overly friendly. It was quite loud inside so it was hard to have a conversation. I recently heard that this restaurant is closing which is always sad to hear. Don't know the reason for closure but whomever winds up taking it over has an excellent location to work with. read more

See all

Stopped in for a couple drinks and some food, and wasn't disappointed. This place was hopping around supper time after work crowd likely. Drinks were tasty and well done. The beer I had was ok, some sort of double ipa that tasted like a white beer. We order some wings to share, and that came out fast. The seasoning was well executed but they were baked not fried, leaving them a little soft and not like good chicken wings. Our friend orders the crab cakes and said they were pretty solid. Very cute inside. Service was great. Would go back and try some different food. read more

See all

Very happy with my experience at this restaurant tucked in the corner of a cute neighborhood in Albany. I sat on the patio - except for slightly loud music early on, it was a cozy vibe. The vegetarian dishes I had were very flavorful, with the highlight being the charred and crispy Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts. The service was very kind and attentive, although it took a little while to find someone to get seated and get a menu early on. I would definitely return on my next visit! read more

Came here during the week for my boyfriend's bday dinner. Our food was great!! And the restaurant is so pretty. Our server Hailey was amazing, she checked on us a lot and had great recommendations. Would definitely come back. read more

See all

Service is great!! Burger was heavy on the oil and salt, but the salad was really good! I would just go for drinks and appetizers, maybe not the dinner menu. read more

Dove + Deer - the greens were really good! DD Smash Burger was okay - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Albany, New York

It was a lovely night so we sat outside. Service was good although I got the wrong drink (a lemon cilantro margarita) & only got an apology. To be fair, I drank it, didn't love it but since I tasted it & it would have gone to waste) Otherwise a nice place with kind staff & food was good Smash burgers & fries were very tasty! The Chipotle Alfredo was divine - really great! Will return and recommend drinks and dinner! read more

Good atmosphere but sometimes it can get very loud and crowded. My burger was first undercooked and then burnt a bit- but it was still the best burger I've had in the area! read more

Dove + Deer is a delight. I've been here on a couple of occasions now--most recently to warm up a December evening with some delicious food and beverage. Their Utica greens were my first encounter with Utica greens and have convinced me to order them whenever I can now--so delicious and a wonderful dish to share. They also have a lovely cocktail menu with a little something for everyone. I had a hard time deciding between their spiced sour cocktail (their version of a whiskey sour) or their Dewitt (maple forward version of a bourbon old fashioned). Ultimately, I opted for the Dewitt and was pleased. I've also tried a couple of their salads with their kale caesar with salmon added shining brightly in my memory. The service is lovely and the prices are about what you'd expect to pay at a trendy local spot ($12-$13 for cocktails and $20-$32 for entree). If you find yourself in Albany--this is a must stop. Get to it! read more

Dove + Deer - Utica greens - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Albany, New York

Wonderful experience. Lovely service (thanks Hailey), excellent food and fun seating at the front window overlooking the beautiful architecture in the neighborhood. We are only here for one night and I will be thinking of the delicious hummus board for weeks to come. read more

See all

Been here several times and the food is delicious. The salmon dish, tropical salad, ramen, hummus board - amazing. it's a cute restaurant with indoor/outdoor seating. On Wednesdays they have a local band and on weekends a DJ. I have experienced the local band and I thoroughly enjoyed. Service is very attentive and pleasant. Nick, the Manager, is a sweet young man who aims to please. I highly recommend Dove and Deer...you won't be disappointed. Nina read more

Dove + Deer is a quaint, corner location Classic American restaurant. It's entrance and dining room are very well lain out. Somebody's question on Yelp was, is this a good place for groups 6-7. In my opinion, not. The tables are for 2. There are also a bar area and window seating for dinner. For dinner I ate a Chicken Sandwich and a side salad, that at about $16 was priced just right. The meat was fresh and cooked. Salad, bun, fries were all Manhattan-quality. The water came in a bottle so as to help oneself. The coffee was strong. This Chef-Yelpie thinks it's a good date spot, an idea for a quick business meet over lunch or an aptly located beer/bar spot for bar hopping in the Capital District. The food is delicious. This restaurant is a 5 star that stood out to me due to its diligent, friendly, chatty staff and it's clean interior. Next time we come I will order another meat dish and maybe a beer to see how fresh the wells and draughts are. My waitresses were very affable. The tile interior and the shiny glass and mirrors all give this place a modern-yet-in-the-outdoors feel. One can sit on the deck outside, eat inside (like I did) or play a game of darts in the game room in the back. One of the very few places in my recent memory (and I eat out and Yelp, a lot about it) where the staff, the waitresses/bartender greet diners upon arrival! Dove + Deer is an instant NY Classic. Sad to see, that between my dinner out and today this Restaurant has gone up for sale in the newspaper. Review: 5 read more

See all

Dove and Deer is such a treat! We went for my partner's birthday dinner and had the best time. Our server, Alex, was an incredible host -- patient, kind, and full of great food recommendations. We started with the kung pao brussel sprouts and crab sliders, both of which were fantastic. I had the red snapper for my main, and it was equally delicious. Our party loved the cocktails, and we couldn't resist dessert -- the carrot cake and the cookie + ice cream combo were both outstanding. Every part of the experience was a delight. I'll definitely be coming back next time I'm in the area! read more

Great ambiance. Low lighting (but not so low that you can't read the menu), cozy atmosphere, great outdoor seating which unfortunately we couldn't take advantage of due to the rainy weather. Good service. As far as the food, I had to deduct a star because my dish was just so bland. I got the stuffed peppers which were stuffed with quinoa and some roasted veggies - no spices, herbs, or seasonings mixed in. It didn't even taste like they salted it. The red pepper coulis it came with added some flavor but that was it. However, I sampled my table mates' plates (the pesto pasta and tequila chicken) and they were very flavorful, so I definitely just picked the wrong dish. Certainly willing to give Dove and Deer another try! read more

Dove + Deer - Stuffed peppers with red pepper coulis - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Albany, New York

I have nothing but good things to say about Dove + Deer. The staff is very friendly and welcoming, the bartender is always extremely attentive - regardless of who he or she is, the drinks are amazing and the food is delicious. My favorite dish on the menu is the Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts, which are absolutely delicious and among the best I've ever had. You can't go wrong with any dish though. The restaurant has a bar area with some bar seating and TV's along with dartboards play a game or two if you are so inclined, and there is also a very nice seating area with waiter / waitress service. I'm a big fan of this place and always bring whoever I'm traveling with here whenever I am in Albany. read more

See all

A must go! No reservations. So go early. Small and cozy. Nice ambience. Food and service are amazing. Four of us tried several appetizers. D&D Brussels sprouts were amazing. My wife had beet pasta that was superb and I had the strip steak which was perfect. The mashed potatoes and asparagus were delicious. This place is a can't miss. read more

Hit or miss. The menu changes periodically, but some good things I've had include the tuna entree and beet pasta dish. The burrata salad and brussels on the app menu are good. Unfortunately, they aren't very good at cooking steak to the temp you request. The burger is mediocre. All the cocktails are really good though! read more

Great food, fast service. I love the Brussels sprouts. They were tasty and perfect to split

Food was very fresh. I got their spicy Caesar salad with salmon. It was delicious. The greens with the shredded parmesan combination made the salad robust. Then that spicy sauce part of it enhance the flavor. If you go definitely get this. I would get this 3 times over again if I had the funds lol. No but seriously it's good. I will say though the salmon was a bit over cooked and could use more flavor to it because it was lacking on that end. You won't be too full but satisfied even if you don't get appetizers. I still think you should order it because you never know you might like the salmon. My experience definitely can be different from yours based off tastebuds and how the cooking staff feels that day lol. The service was great. The waiter was the one who told me to get the Salad. He knew what he was talking about which shows even the staff eats the food there which is a great sign and was very polite and nice. I forgot what drink I got but that things got me tipsy fast. Off that one drink so the drinks are good as the food. In addition, if you have a spouse bring her here at night they have nice areas where it can come off as romantic. My spouse and I had great conversations at this place and felt really comfortable there. read more

Never made it in. They "lost" my reservation, even after I called to confirm. It was raining and cold that day too, which just added to the sourness since there was no warmth in the apology over putting my family out. read more

Food and service were excellent! Had smash burgers w/truffle fries and super fresh salad greens.