Rosanna's -- A Genuine Gem That Deserves Every Star There are restaurants you visit and forget, and then there are restaurants that stay with you long after the last bite. Rosanna's is firmly in the second category -- and after an exceptional dinner that left both of us completely satisfied and already planning our return visit, I cannot recommend this place highly enough. [[HIGHLIGHT]]From the moment we walked in, the ambience set the tone for the entire evening. Warm, inviting and thoughtfully designed, Rosanna's strikes that rare balance between intimate and lively -- the kind of space that feels equally suited for a romantic dinner for two or a celebratory night out with people you love.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The lighting is soft without being dim, the energy is buzzing without being overwhelming, and every detail of the room communicates that this is a place that genuinely cares about the experience it creates for its guests.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service matched the atmosphere perfectly. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable and genuinely enthusiastic about the menu -- not in a rehearsed, corporate way but in the way that only happens when staff actually love where they work and believe in what they're serving. Questions were answered with confidence and warmth, dietary considerations were handled graciously and without any fuss, and the pacing of the meal felt exactly right. Not rushed, not forgotten -- just perfectly timed. It is the kind of service that makes you feel like a valued guest rather than just another table to turn over. Now the food -- where do we even begin. We started with the Shrimp Balls and they were an immediate knockout. Perfectly seasoned, beautifully presented and gone far too quickly. The arugula dip alongside them was bright and fresh -- a genuinely clever pairing that elevated what could have been a simple appetizer into something memorable. This dish alone would be worth coming back for. For mains we ordered the Wild Mushroom Risotto -- elevated with a grilled shrimp skewer addition that turned an already outstanding dish into a complete and deeply satisfying meal. The risotto was everything a great risotto should be -- creamy without being heavy, deeply savory with layers of earthy mushroom flavor, finished beautifully with truffled pecorino that added just the right amount of richness. The shrimp skewer on top was perfectly grilled, plump and fresh -- a brilliant pairing with the earthiness of the mushrooms. Our dining companion ordered the Boneless Beef Short Ribs which arrived tender, deeply flavorful and beautifully plated -- the kind of dish that makes you close your eyes on the first bite. What makes Rosanna's truly special is that everything works together -- the room, the service, the food and the overall feeling of being genuinely well taken care of. This is not a restaurant that relies on one strong element to carry the others. Every component earns its place. Whether you are celebrating something special, treating someone you love or simply in search of a great dinner in wonderful company -- Rosanna's delivers on every level. Do yourself a favor and make a reservation. You will not regret it. And the pellegrino soda was great I got the blood orange! And we took the olive oil orange cake to go yum! read more

Rosanna’s - Risotto with shrimp skewer - Italian Near Me - Albany, New York

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I haven't been to Rosanna's since it opened originally, and it has since changed hands, and so did the menu items. The cuisine was Italian inspired, and heavy on vegan and gluten free option, which is a great find locally, if you're looking for that. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We were sat upstairs and I enjoy the ambiance here.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I will note that the chairs are uncomfortable, which does not make a cozy dining experience.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The cocktail menu was really great, a lot of gin options which is right up my alley. I had the Corpse Reviver and a glass of wine, both were great. We started with the shrimp balls, which sounded intriguing. They ended up being delightful, almost like loose crab cakes. The flavors were great and I loved the pesto. For my entree, I opted for the lemon mushroom tagliatelle. The pasta was very fresh and chewy, loved that. I enjoyed the combination of lemon and mushroom on the dish, but there were so many different mushrooms of all different textures, that some bites were more enjoyable than others. The snapper puttanesca was gorgeous as well. Overall it was a good meal, but I might have liked it a little more before the change. Definitely a great option if you are looking for dietary restrictions. read more

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This was the absolute worst experience I've ever had! I've been there a handful of times prior to the new management. Under the new management however, I will never be returning. I arrived for my reservation as my partner was parking and sat for 10+ minutes before someone even acknowledged I was there and offered water. When they came in, a waitress came over and apologized for not offering me water while I waited. Fine. We went to order dinner and it took 25 minutes for THE WORST gnocchi and tagliatelle to arrive. The gnocchi was supposed to be cacio pepe and it would've better served as wallpaper paste. The tagliatelle had zero taste or flavor and the noodles were raw. Both came out cold. The only saving grace was we didn't have to pay for the monstrosity of a meal and we will never have to go back. read more

We have enough family members and friends that are either vegan, or gluten intolerant, or dairy intolerant, that we really appreciate how well Rosanna's handles it. There are plenty of choices, and with some dishes, like their patatas bravas, where the aioli is so good that we double checked that it was, in fact, vegan. Now it just so happens that the ones with the most restrictions are the most difficult ones as well, when it comes to ordering, and the staff never lost the smile on their face. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place itself is very cute, with an upstairs, a downstairs, and some large rooms for private parties.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It's not a inexpensive meal, but I know that they use quality ingredients, and appreciate the choices and selection. While we can't afford to eat here on a regular basis, it's our go to for those special family gatherings where everyone needs to be accommodated. read more

Rosanna’s - Fish - Italian Near Me - Albany, New York

The food at Rosanna's is all amazing. I love that they have such a decent selection of vegan options, which makes it a great choice for when my parents are visiting. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The space is quite pleasant, warm and inviting.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service is attentive while not being too hovering. I would highly recommend and will definitely be back. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Friendly service, great ambience without the stuffiness.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The braised short rib beef was very satisfying- tender and flavorful, served over soft creamy polenta accented by sweet mini peppers. Delicious. Our server recommended the crispy artichokes over the Brussels sprouts which would otherwise have been my default, and I'm glad he did- I've never had artichokes that interesting in texture and flavor. He also strongly recommended the chicken which I need to try next time. Great meal! read more

Rosanna’s - Crispy artichokes - Italian Near Me - Albany, New York

We came to Rosanna's to celebrate after some friends were sworn into the New York bar, and this was a great place to celebrate. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant interior is cute and homey, and we were seated quickly.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The servers were kind enough to congratulate us and make us feel celebrated throughout the experience, which was great. Though they were understaffed that day, they did their best to check in on us and were attentive. The drinks were good and very strong - the alcohol content really sneaks up on you. The salad was delicious and a good start to the meal. The restaurant had a bucatini bar for lunch, which was a great concept. I was sadly a bit disappointed with my dish. The sauce was not salted enough and lacked flavor and the pasta was a bit too hard. My non-celiac friends said their dishes were tasty, though, so it could just have been the gluten free version that didn't live up to expectations. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]What a lovely little spot in Center Square![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Parking was surprisingly easy on a weekday at 530. [[HIGHLIGHT]]They have a cute patio which I would love to return to to sit on during a cool summer evening.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]My friend and I were seated right away; the table decor and ambiance are chef's kiss.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I got the lemon mushroom tagliatelle with added lemon airline chicken. It was delicious! Lemon is kinda my thing so this was meant for me. It was a large enough portion to bring some home. My dining companion tried the swordfish and ate every bite. Both of us got the lemon berry marscapone cake to go. Also incredible! The 1 star was lost because I wanted pasta with a protein but no dishes come like that. So it adds up. $23 for pasta then $13-$15 to add a protein. I wish they had like 2 options with pasta and protein for like $30 maybe. I will return but not necessarily add to my frequent stop list. (Also I'm a middle aged mom that gets little free time and doesn't know how to parallel park anymore so take that with a grain of salt.) read more

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A beautiful spot for a romantic dinner or cozy spot to meet friends or family! I dined here on a weeknight and I absolutely love how beautifully designed the space is from the floral wallpaper to the dark walls. They did an incredible job on the design! Their wine list is super impressive. They really took the time to curate a list of wines that aren't common and perfectly compliment the food. They also have a selection of cocktails and beer too. Their menu is full of pasta dishes with various sauces and you have the ability to add protein as well. They also have a variety of larger and smaller plates to share. I went with the Roast Butternut Bucatini and I added some roast chicken. The sauce was so creamy and delicious. I also loved the herb ricotta that came with the pasta. Highly recommend! Reservations are recommended especially if you have a larger party. They also host private events in their private event space upstairs. read more

Rosanna’s - Roast Butternut Bucatini with chicken - Italian Near Me - Albany, New York

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Italian food highlighted by a thoughtful wine list and cozy decor.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The bar area immediately to the left of the entrance is petite but welcoming.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]We sat upstairs in a dining room directly across from a party space. The party size space had beautiful wooden beams and smoky sconces on the walls[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The tone reminded me of the fantasy restaurant in the series The Rabbit.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] My favorite wine of the evening was a Vermintino. Not surprised because I love sauvugnon blanc. We also had a glass of refreshing not too sweet prosecco. The chefs passion at Rosannas shines through in the quality of the food. They offer many gluten free items which is not custom with American Italian fare. I enjoyed the boar bolognese most but the arancini was a close second. Also the starter focacia bread with arugula pesto is an absolute flavor bomb. Make sure you visit Rosannas when near Dove Street. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Rosanna's is the perfect restaurant for a romantic dinner or intimate girl's night.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The entrees were delicious and perfect portion. Highly recommend the espresso short ribs. It melts in your mouth. Tiramisu was not overly sweet and the espresso martini complimented it perfectly. It was also priced fairly compared to other places. read more

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We dined here when we first moved to town and I couldn't stop thinking about this place--[[HIGHLIGHT]]the decor is so great and so many GF options, I loved it, so we keep coming back.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]This place gets packed with people quickly--every table is full by 6:15pm and the bar barely has 8 seats in it.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] There's only on-street parking, so give yourself lots of time to find a spot to park. Each time we've been there, there's only been 1 server, and even though he hustles, you gotta be a bit patient. Standard drinks, like cosmopolitan, are not made in standard ways here, so ask about ingredients. Ordered the pork chop this evening, not sure why they need to put chili flakes on green beans--it was too much for me--perhaps because they're responding to other reviewers who have accused the food of being too bland--it was never too bland for me, and now it's got a lot of spice. Food is always reliably good and it's worth the wait--be sure to make reservations. Can't wait to go back again! read more

I had the beef cheeks, and they were good but bland. We also had the chicken piccata and it was heavy with lemon, more than it required. The bruschetta was excellent as were the shrimp balls and mushroom appetizers. [[HIGHLIGHT]]They had a party going on up stairs so they were very busy.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I also thought it odd that they served no bread or dinner rolls for the type of restaurant they are. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place was very clean and decorated very well and plenty of street parking available.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Cool, cozy space, food was fantastic.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I felt like everything on the menu was classic with an interesting twist. GF options were extensive and possibly one of the best gf pasta dishes I've ever tried (I had the arrabiata). I will be dreaming about the artichoke app for a very long time. GF focaccia was a nice treat for someone who usually can't eat bread at Italian places. Server Mike was great. Will be back! read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Amazing food, cozy atmosphere![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Food was very impressive. Found on Yelp based on rating and thought it was worth a try. read more

My husband and I had dinner at Rosanna's on a Friday night. I am diagnosed celiac and was blown away by the wide range of GF options on the menu, the knowledge and attention to detail from our waiter and overall quality of food. Everything that we ordered was simply delicious and I felt 100% safe eating here knowing that they took great care to ensure the safety of my food. This will be a regular spot for us moving forward! read more

The roasted cauliflower main was very disappointing, the other dishes that my group had were decent. Service was great!

A hidden gem! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Everything was fresh, perfectly balanced and seasoned with excellent ambiance and service to top it off.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I had the beans and Greens with Rigatoni, husband had the swordfish. Super happy with our meal. read more

Rosanna’s - View out window - Italian Near Me - Albany, New York

Came here while visiting family in Albany. If I lived close by I'd come here often. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The historic building is cozy and beautifully restored.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service was friendly and attentive. I had the sausage and polenta, which was delicious; my companions enjoyed the seafood skewer and salmon as well. It made for a lovely evening. read more

Rosanna’s - Historic setting - Italian Near Me - Albany, New York

My friend took me here for my birthday last week, and I had a great time. The spot is intimate, though the chairs are on the smaller side. There wasn't a place to put my purse other than the floor, but I was able to grab a chair from another table to place it on. The food was top-notch--seriously delicious! They also made a fantastic mocktail Cosmo using Seedlip, which I really appreciated as a sober person. It was nice to have a real mocktail, not just grape juice. The service was excellent, and the staff was kind and respectful. I'd definitely come back. It's on the pricier side, considering the area, but there was street parking available when I went read more

Rosanna’s - Lemon Mushroom Tagliatelle w/ Lemon Herb Chicken Breast at a non-alcoholic Speedlip Cosmopolitan - Italian Near Me - Albany, New York

My boyfie was kind enough to treat me to a celebratory dinner after I finished a big capstone project for my Master's program. While Rosanna's takes reservations, I don't think it's entirely necessary. On arrival, there were plenty of seats available, though we also DID come on a Thursday afternoon. Our service here was so delightful! I felt that our waitress was attentive enough, but also gave us space to enjoy a romantic date night out. Rosanna's menu does change seasonally, but when boyfie and I came the night we did, we shared the snapper with tagliatelle and seared scallops with cauliflower puree. While not necessarily my all-time favorite dishes, I was very impressed with the food we ordered. The snapper was grilled to perfection. The seared scallops paired beautifully with the cauliflower. And the tagliatelle, though slightly overcooked to my liking, came with a delicious tomato wine sauce. I really enjoyed Rosanna's, and I would love to come back here again for another special occasion to celebrate! read more

Food was kind of bland, tried a few things. Service was rushed. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance was nice but nothing special.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Amazing place, great service great food.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The Bolognese was amazing. I highly recommend.

I cannot believe I have yet to write a review for Rosanna's. It's probably the restaurant I recommend the most to others and the one my partner and I have the most date nights at, so I best get this review in before its sale is finalized and the Rosanna's I know and love is, extremely sadly, no longer. The aesthetic and vibe here is so cute and cozy, I love the wallpaper, the decorations, the fixtures, everything -- you walk in and you feel like the place is hugging you. But it's really the food that keeps me coming back again and again. The menu is small, and I love it that way -- they have a dozen or so things they execute beautifully -- you don't need anything else. We love starting our meals with the Pane Rustico, particularly because it comes with a whole roasted garlic that when spread over the warm bread is so so good. Although the menu is small, I have never had trouble finding something vegetarian to eat. Their eggplant parmigiana is my favorite preparation of that dish I've had, the tri colored tortellini with vodka sauce is delicious, as is the Ravioli ala Rosanna, and the Cacio e pepe and the gnocchi when they're available. During one of our visits their pizza special was a fried eggplant pizza and it was so good I still think about it often. We love finishing our meals here with cappuccinos and a dessert to share -- usually the tiramisu but sometimes we get enticed by the seasonal bread pudding option. As with the food menu, the cocktail menu is small but well-curated and greatly executed. I particularly enjoy their bourbon-based Il Marito and the gin-based Rosanna. All the staff we've ever interacted with have been lovely and the service is warm and prompt. TLDR: Great vibe, delicious food and drink, friendly service. My favorite Italian restaurant in the Capital Region. read more

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I thought that I was in luck because I didn't have reservations, but the hostess said that a 4 top just cancelled. Perfect. The place was nice inside. The sink in the bathroom was so tiny and cute. The dining area was cozy. First disappointment, it took forever for the food to come. The kids were getting anxious. When it finally came, it was pretty underwhelming. My pork belly was like the size of my thumb. Not nearly enough to fill me up. It tasted good though but wasn't anything above average and certainly not worth $32. My fiancé had the cast iron wild salmon ($34) that was supposed to be one of their specialties. It was devoid of flavor even though it was cooked well. It came with an overcooked pasta that tasted like it was tossed in a can of crushed tomatoes. Our oldest had the steak. They were out of Bison so it was a NY Strip for $38. Steak was mostly good, but a little tough. Not too much flavor in a NY Strip and the sauce didn't add any. The potato nubs were good. Overall, tiny portions of average to well below average food. Surprised this place was reviewed as well as it was. I do not recommend and won't be back next time I'm in Albany. Save yourself $100 and go to BK. You'll leave with a full belly and wallet. read more

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Just an idea but maybe serve Italian food? It's not that complicated to add maybe some staples like chicken parm, lasagna, etc. Spaghetti and meatballs is about the closest this place gets and it's like 35$ for a meal that still leaves you hungry. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's got great potential, nice atmosphere and everything so hopefully things get better.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Just visited for a very expensive dinner and we were really disappointed. The antipasti and primi courses were both dumped on our table at the same time. The cacio e pepe gnocchi was in a very average tomato sauce, and our server mysteriously wore a latex glove on one hand throughout service. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The arms of my dress kept sticking to the table.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. ? The mains and desserts were fine, but at $300 for two, the experience just wasn't there. read more

the food was amazing, the drinks were amazing, leanne was amazing. y'all should go here

Amazing place, excellent food my favorite was pasta, and the burrata was delicious!! Thanks to Mike for the hospitality!! My daughter loves the shrimps !! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place was so beautiful and cute.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Delicious food. The artichoke was fenomenal and the vegan cauliflower was amazing. Service was great and the wine selection was ok too.

We visited Rosanna's for my birthday dinner from the recommendation of the cheesecake Machismo's owners and we enjoyed our night so much. The decor of Rosanna's Italian kitchen is classic and elegant. Their safety procedures for COVID-19 were well-established. The staff was friendly and courteous. The options on the menu are limited and perfect for us since we are not familiar with Italian dishes. We had Burrata as our appetizer and Zappa de Pesci for our entree. The food was decent and delicate. The tomatoes in the Burrata were fresh and sweet. The portion of Zappa de Pesci was great to share between 2 of us and the seafood was cooked properly & flavorful. It was a great romantic dining experience and we highly recommend it for dating couples. read more

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We really enjoyed our meal at Rosanna's. Of the 4 entrees we ordered, we liked the pork ragu mushroom ravioli and the duck with pumpkin polenta the most. The ravioli and the polenta were especially delicious. I wish the beef cheeks could have been more tender. The snapper was decent but the accompanying pasta was rather basic. The restaurant had a quaint and cozy atmosphere and the service was great. read more

Rosanna’s - Duck, ravioli, snapper, and beef cheeks - Italian Near Me - Albany, New York

We use to travel a lot and have experience in variety of restaurants around the world. This one - Pretend to be a fancy Italian restaurant. In fact - Waiting time is too long. Dishes very small. Still hungry after very expensive dinner. They just strip customers out of their money. Disappointed. read more

Adorable ambience with a fun, veggie-forward take on Italian food. An attentive server made it even better. I'll be back!

We stumbled upon this charming old building that houses a brand-new restaurant. What a find! Kelly (our server) and Rachel (owner and chef) were easy going and fun to talk with. The toasted foccacia bread was heavenly and the pork was scrumptious. The salmon and gnocchi was delicious. Lots of vegan/vegetarian/GF options on the menu. An absolute keeper. read more

Service and food is 10/10, so fresh and fast! The restaurant is super homey and great for dates and family dinners :) read more

Rosanna’s - focaccia, potatoes, and salad - Italian Near Me - Albany, New York

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Rarely review a restaurant but as someone who struggles to find dairy free options I love that they have many items denoted on their menu that they will do vegan options for! The vegan version of the Caesar salad was excellent as was my rigatoni dish! read more

So glad we got to go to this place! Great service, reasonably priced food and drinks, wonderful atmosphere and DELICIOUS CLAM PASTA. I wish I lived closer so I could have it every week. Rosanna's menu tells the story of the building and it's former occupants which handed an additional level of appreciation. The atmosphere is cool and laid back with a classic flair-- it's careful to avoid being overly hip or serious. Really enjoyed my experience here and would definitely be back. read more

Rosanna’s - Inside - Italian Near Me - Albany, New York

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I have been wanting to visit Rosanna's since it opened in 2020. It did not disappoint. The place itself has a great old school yet trendy vibe inside. The food was impeccable. My husband had the carbonara and I enjoyed the meatball and polenta appetizer. The app is plenty big enough to be a meal. Several cocktails and glasses of wine later and they have made a fan out of me. I truly cannot wait to return. read more

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I was out of town traveling for work. I had just arrived in town after driving for about 3 hours. After checking into my hotel and looking at Yelp for a few reviews - I was extremely excited to eat at this establishment. I had driven around the area trying to find parking when I finally did. I went into the restaurant and told the host table for 1. I was waiting when she said "she technically cannot sit anyone because they are understaffed, I could try to go to Dove and Deer across the street." Little did she know how exhausted I already was and extremely hangry. I walked out without even trying to convince her that I was ONE person. Poor attempt to try to accommodate one person. read more