Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    La Empanada Llama

    3.8 (108 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 7:30 pm

    Order La Empanada Llama Takeout or Delivery

    La Empanada Llama Photos

    Business Info

    LA EMPANADA LLAMA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - La Empanada Llama

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos - La Empanada Llama

    Empanadas and their salsa verde
    Santaliz G.

    The empanadas are amazing, especially their green sauce (salsa verde). It's a cute small place and I love the life size llama statue they have there, I believe they mostly work as a takeout place as most empanad places operate. The portions in the discs are fair, I don't feel like I'm eating air with dough and it's so flavorful. The time estimate was on point as well. (I got my order within the expected wait time). And the staff are friendly. Definitely going again!

    Arroz Con Pollo Lunch Special
    Pauline L.

    I have a new ideal for comfort food. It's the Arroz con Pollo lunch special from La Empanada Llama in Albany. I wasn't having a bad day and I wasn't looking for comfort --but one bite of that Arroz con Pollo--and my day got even better. It's all in the seasonings which at times seem magical. The restaurant serves up Peruvian cuisine. I placed the takeout order by phone. The woman who answered was very nice. Of course, I had to try the empanadas, too. They were plump, hot and crispy. I ordered one beef empanada, which came with delicious light green cilantro sauce. I also ordered the Dulce de Leche empanada which was filled deliciously sweet gooey goodness. I also had a purple corn beverage called Chicha Morada. It was very tasty. The staff is efficient. My order was ready in 20 minutes. The restaurant is small, but you'll find there's seating for casual dining. There are two large toy llamas on display to "greet" you as soon as you open the front door. What an enjoyable lunch. I can't wait to visit again and work my way through the rest of the menu.

    Arroz con Pollo and 4 Empanadas- Dinner for 4
    Ashlee D.

    I have only gotten delivery so I can't speak to the atmosphere, cleanliness or staff but the food!!!!!!!!!!!! I ordered it for lunch yesterday and dinner today. That's a good review right there. I had the arroz con pollo with a side of fried plantains. The rice and beans were so well seasoned and not dry like some other reviewers have found. I've now tried 5 of the savory and 3 of the sweet empanadas. I think my favorite so far is the cabbage and chorizo. I would drink the green side sauce with a straw! Also, I have found it be reasonably priced. Tonight we got the family dinner which came with plentiful arroz con polo and your choice of 4 empanadas for only $28. Highly recommend this establishment!

    Helen Z.

    Made a large group order of empanadas after a day of hiking, and they got them ready within the specified time. We picked them up and they were labeled on the clear tops as they always are. The inside of the shop is small and decorated with some life size llamas and some not. I honestly loved all of the flavors I tried: arroz con pollo, Mexican (creamy beef mixed with guac--no extra charge for guac!), and cau cau (potatoes, mushrooms. Can't really decide on a favorite but it might be arroz con pollo for now. The empanadas went so well with the salsa verde and were fresh and crispy. We each easily inhaled three because we were starving! Two of them may have been mislabeled, but it may have been our mistake... I would definitely order again and am curious to try the tacu tacu and the cabbage and chorizo next time and maybe a smoothie. P.S.-tried the tres leches cake a few days later and it is absolutely delicious! I would come here just for that if I wasn't in the mood for empanadas. It's not too sweet and has the perfect amount of sweet milkiness soaked into the cake.

    Beef Empanada Chicken Empanada Fried Plantains
    Jessica P.

    I got this at the farmers market so maybe it wasn't as fresh as it could be. It was slightly greasy, but had already sat for probably an hour by the time I got my food. The chicken empanada was very good and I enjoyed that along with my plantains. The beef empanada, however, was flavorless. I was looking forward to the sweet/savory with beef and raisins and I just got bland. I don't think I'd try them at the market again.

    Cabrito with rice and beans and plantains.
    Loretta H.

    My first experience with an empanada was a few years ago while traveling. I was told not to expect the same experience from every empanada. So, good friend and I have been going out trying different more diverse eateries. This was my pick of the week. I read online that they had goat. Oh boy! So, friend chose both a beef and a chicken empanada. I decided on lunch - cabrio. This dish begins with a small salad followed by lunch being served in a small metal container with white rice and black beans with a plentiful amount of stewed goat in a very tasty sauce. Also ordered a chicken empanada because when in Peru, order empanadas. Also part of lunch was a handful of roasted/fried plaintains. Wow. After eating empanada - did dip in the tangy green sauce - ate a portion of rice/goat and took the rest for another day. Desserts were available but tres leeches cake wasn't ready yet. Next visit I must try the sweet empanada. Yes, I will need to keep this in my repertoire of food establishments. There is no private parking lot (on street) and is a small place (4 tables). But staff are lovely. Fun place to try new food.

    La Peruanita Empanada
    Juliet V.

    Fast, filling and flavorful. This takeout hit all the sweet spots. We ordered the family Arroz con Pollo for 4. It came with 4 empanadas. We chose the Peruanita, the chicken, the Mexican and one with chorizo and cabbage. We added a Mac and Cheese one as well. All were very good if not remarkably different from each other in my opinion. The empanadas were not greasy, a bonus. I did love the tangy cilantro dipping sauce that accompanied them. The chicken and rice dish was also good with tender chicken on the bone and tasty rice with small diced vegetables. Again, warm and tasty and hit the spot. My son gobbled up his Mac and cheese empanada. Comfort food supreme. This was a good value for a family meal. I'd like to try a dessert empanada next.

    Large quinoa salad
    Kylie M.

    I am so sad to give this place only two stars as the food is good, but I had the most unpleasant interaction with management. I've ordered from here in the past and it's always been quite delicious, so I was excited to get a $40 Groupon for dinner. The day came and my boyfriend and I were excited to pig out on some empanadas,so I called them up and ordered just about two of every empanada. This totally innocent order really really angered the manager who essentially yelled at me through the phone That empanadas are not dinner and that the Groupon clearly states it is for dinner use. Totally taken back by how angry she was at me, I quickly checked the fine print of the Groupon which said nothing. I then Told her I had no idea that that was a stipulation as it wasn't in the Groupon, and asked what the parameters for the order where. This seemed to make her even more upset and she kept angrily scolding me when all I was trying to do is order what I thought was a (not well rounded but legitimate) dinner. Maybe it is obvious to most that empanadas are not a dinner, but to be greeted with such anger over an innocent mistake has left me feeling pretty bad this last hour and doesn't make me want to go back there anytime soon. Go check the place out because it's good, but just make sure you know empanadas are NOT dinner!

    two llamas in a store
    David H.

    I'n short, I have had better and tastier food in prison. Seriously, the chili with rice at Green Haven isn't 1/2 bad but this place redefines the word bland. My wife and I stopped m today for some take out and my 1st experience with empanadas was almost as much of a disappointment as my wedding night. We both went with the beef option whose taste was helped ever so slightly by the accompanying green (?) sauce it comes with. Approx $9. Unlike General MacArthur, I will NOT return.

    Gloria E.

    Restaurants like this deserve to be eaten at. I notice that a bunch of the low reviews are from delivery or through GrubHub, not from coming in and sitting at a table. Ordered a little of everything off of the dinner menu (which begins at 2pm or so). The cabrito (goat) was tender and the sauce went well with the rice and beans, which are plain but pretty traditional. The plantains were awesome! Just lightly fried, nothing too crazy, but some of the best freshly made plantains I've had in a while. The empanada menu has so many types to try. Really enjoyed the chorizo empanada and the vegetable one, and there was a specialty one with some odd fillings that still tasted great. Service was fast, bathroom was clean, and a glimpse at the kitchen shows that pretty much everything is made fresh in a regulated kitchen! Loved the green sauce on the side with everything!

    Leo Y.

    I'm happy to see more and more Peruvian restaurants opening up in the region. Lots of dough, rice, beans, potatoes, and other veggies make for great cold day meals. We tried most items on the menu, and were most impressed with the loaded nachos and dulche de leche empanada. Everything else we had was delicious, and I recommend trying all of the empanadas, as well as everything else on the menu! They take Android/Apple pay with the NFC reader for square, as well as most major credit cards. Ample street parking on Ten Eyck Ave.

    Arroz Con Pollo y Plataños

    See all

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John C.
    158
    53
    20

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dan H.
    397
    7
    4

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Leo Y.
    181
    1014
    1456

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Egahh B.
    10
    104
    31

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Grace Y.
    81
    68
    40

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Always quick. Good, consistent, comfort food. Plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of James R.
    2
    117
    64

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - La Empanada Llama

    You might also consider

    L'Roca

    L'Roca

    4.7
    (18 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    Boyfriend and I were in Albany NY for one night - he wanted to go to Cheesecake Factory, but the…read morewait is apparently typically long on a weekend night (I have no idea - never been there!) so we decided not to chance it, and uber'ed from our hotel to this restaurant, hoping it would be good. I'll be honest - my heart sank as we got there, I almost cried. The neighborhood is *sketch*. The outside of the restaurant didn't look like much - but I felt better once we got in. Beautifully decorated with great lighting, lounge-style atmosphere. Great Latin music. We sat on the bar side as it was less busy. Beautiful bar with lots of options! Bartender made us **amazing** margaritas... omg were they strong! Loved it! Since we had never been there before, we played it safe. First we went with a fried calamari appetizer - not the best, but not bad - but then it's not typically something you'd order at a Mexican food restaurant. Boyfriend had the street steak tacos as main - hold the cheese as he forgot his lactaid, lol - and I had the steak quesadilla. Delicious! We loved it. The steak was especially well seasoned, not overcooked and sides were yummy. We ended the evening with churros - definitely homemade and on par with the ones we love at El Mirador in NH. Boyfriend even took his life in his hands and had some of the ice cream, couldn't resist - it was that good! Overall, as Boyfriend put it - this is absolutely a hidden gem type of spot - service was spectacular, food was delicious and we would totally return! (**Seated next to us were two young women on an obvious first date - girl #1 showed up, then girl #2 showed up a few minutes later with a big bouquet of flowers... what a nice touch! We just wanted to put it out in the universe - we hope you guys make it, you were super cute :)**)

    L' Roca was good. Food was tasty. Atmosphere is very nice. Service was a little slow at times. I…read morewasn't in a rush, but arrived hungry at lunchtime on a Saturday. I was warmly greeted, seated, and given a menu and then it took some time, well after I was ready, to be visited to place my order. No biggie, but I was ready and it wasn't busy, with guests at 1 other table. When I finished my meal, I waited again. Not a huge problem but a lot of side work was being done vs providing service. I let server know I was all set and he acknowledged then continued to make drinks for kitchen staff. I had ordered lemonade but after checking, it looked like they were out, so he offered the juice (without explaining). Food was very tasty. Lunch was $37 before tip, for 3 tacos meal, 3 empanadas app, and the fruit drink.

    Photos
    L'Roca
    L'Roca
    Pepper Steak

    See all

    Pepper Steak
    Daisies Pasteles

    Daisies Pasteles

    4.5
    (15 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    Daisie's has grown. I was the first to write a Yelp review for this business more than 2 years ago…read morewhen it was solely a bakery featuring Daisie's awesome tres leches (3 dairy) cakes. Months later, Daisie began offering occasional meals. I know that it has become a full fledged eatery. What a nice menu! It wasn't very busy when my friend and I stopped in for an early dinner just before 5pm. The business is still very cute and clean. Daisie has added a lot of Mexican candy and snacks to her inventory. We came primarily for tacos. My friend had chicken tacos. I had chorizo tacos. They were on small soft corn tortillas and were as delicious as they were authentic. I also had an order of flautas. They were three crispy rolled tortillas filled with shredded chicken and topped with shredded lettuce, cheese and sour cream. They were good, too. So was the slice of tres leches which we shared. Daisie wasn't in but there was a very friendly and efficient young woman behind the counter who took our orders and served the meals. The dishes came out of the kitchen in a timely manner. It appeared to be well run whatever hiccups previously existed were gone. We enjoyed the meal and stayed so long that we almost ran late to catch a show. I left in such a hurry that I forgot my bag on a seat. I didn't get very far before I noticed my mistake. I called ahead and when I returned, the young woman welcomed me. There were no customers at the time, but she put my bag behind the counter for safe keeping which was reassuring. I was so grateful and she was so gracious, I insisted on giving her a second tip / reward as a gesture of appreciation. It was a great experience all around and I look forward to returning to eat my way through the menu. Thanks so much.

    I love this local restaurant! The baked goods are delicious and their tacos are sooooo tasty,…read morefilling and reasonably priced. The employees are really nice and service is quick and attentive. It's a cute small store, there are a few spots for eating but it's more of a bakery vibe than a restaurant. I can't wait to go back and try out more of their menu!

    Photos
    Empanada
    Empanada
    Cake
    Cake
    Daisies Pasteles

    See all

    La Empanada Llama - peruvian - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...