Bangkok Bistro is the finest combination of sushi bar and Thai restaurant in Schenectady! We really love this place. Their Thai chicken ravioli is one of our favorite dishes, and we also enjoy their red curry and those fabulous spring rolls. They've also got a duck salad that is really out of this world, and spiced yellow curry with chicken, carrots, and perfectly cooked potatoes. That's a dish that's definitely worth trying. There's also a sushi bar here which is of quite good quality, and we'd recommend the tuna rolls most highly here, and the avocado rolls for the vegetarian crowd. Not just a Thai restaurant and sushi bar, this is also a martini bar! And their martinis are fantastic. Try the Rafi Martini if you love a creamy dessert-like martini. Always a great place to hang out with good friends and enjoy a great meal!
268 State St
Schenectady, NY 12305
(518) 374-2806

Bombers Burrito Bar has got to be one of the most modern and upscale Mexican restaurants that we have ever visited. Perhaps THE most modern and upscale. It's a huge venue, with lots of great burritos and margaritas to fill your tummy and quench your thirst. Clearly if you're seeking the most authentic Mexican food, this kind of a trendy place isn't going to be the spot to get it, but what they do serve is solid good food (including wings that are a favorite of many!) along with very delicious drinks. The bar scene is great here, always busy with lots of attractive people enjoying the ambiance. Is it more about the atmosphere than the food? Sure. But every now and then, what's wrong with that? Chilling at a laid back bar like this with a burrito and a beer is not to be missed.
447 State St.
Schenectady, NY 12305
(518) 374-3548

Villa Italia is an irresistible Italian bakery where you can indulge in some of the most delicious delicacies that this slice of Europe has to offer. They've got so many good things here, including delicious cream puffs, tiramisu, tri-color cake, and more. You can order all these little treats by the pound if you like, making it easy to order for parties and in a way that will save you the most money. The coffee is wonderful too. If your nuptials are coming up in the near future, you will certainly want to consider Villa Italia as the source for your wedding cake... they make truly beautiful ones and are really the best at what they do. At the time of this writing there was a deal available where booking with the Stockade Inn got you a free wedding cake from Villa Italia, so you may want to check and see if that's still the case! Definitely recommended for special occasions and for every day!
226 Broadway
Schenectady, NY 12308

Aperitivo Bistro is a must in Schenectady if you love fine Italian food. It's a gorgeous restaurant with plenty of seating in two different areas. We recommend asking to sit in the front dining room because it's so beautifully decorated. The back dining room is much more sparse and simple. They've got amazing appetizers here, including a surf and turf tempura sushi roll that is our absolute favorite. For your entree you can't go wrong with one of their classic pizzas, or perhaps a perfectly cooked to order steak. You'll want to note that Aperitivo Bistro is owned by the same man who owns 667 Prime, Prime at Saratoga, and Tavolo at the Glen Sanders Mansion. So you know you are getting that same quality and then some whenever you choose to dine here. Highly recommeded!
426 State St
Schenectady, NY 12305
(518) 579-3371

Five Guys Burgers and Fries is famous all over for their wonderful hamburgers and those unbelievable fries, and this location in Schenectady is no exception to that quality rule. Mmm mm mm, everything is just so good. The hamburgers here are famous for being juicy and delicious, and the fries are cooked in peanut oil so they are really a cut above the rest. We've got to remind you that it's not just about the burgers and fries here though... they also have really fantastic cheese dogs that both you and the kids will love. Who wouldn't? They are amazing. The free peanuts are a nice touch too, that everybody really seems to enjoy. Before we first tried Five Guys, our friends warned us that the fries are for sharing. The portions are SO huge, it's impossible to eat a whole order on your own. So good!
418 Balltown Rd
Schenectady, NY 12304
(518) 346-5728

Cella Bistro is a fantastic American restaurant where you can dine on delicious seafood, steaks, tapas, and more. We love the mussels here, really tasty and perfectly prepared. The tapas selections are very nice here. Try the truffle oil with asparagus and egg, or the deep-fried chick peas with lime and cumin. If those flavors aren't enough to drive you wild, then we don't know what is! If you're in the mood for a boisterous evening with a louder crowd, opt to sit in front of the restaurant. If you're looking for a romantic dining experience with your loved one in a more quiet, subdued atmosphere, try the back. We've been so impressed with this restaurant, and really consider it one of the very best on this list. Be sure to try their cocktails too, they are very impressive and moderately priced!
2015 Rosa Rd
Schenectady, NY 12325
(518) 381-2081

Peter Pause Restaurant is a wonderful Italian restaurant that's got some of the very best chicken parmesan that we have ever had, and they have it as a sandwich too, which is a very nice choice for lunch! You'l feel like you're visiting your grandmother's house when you sample some of these delightful classic entrees. The fried eggplant is delicious, and the meatballs are just unbelievable. We love the freshly baked Italian bread here too. If you have never had stracciatella, or if it's one of your favorite things in the world, you will definitely want to give this Italian egg drop chicken soup a try at this establishment. Theirs is truly one of the best that we have ever tasted. Excellent ravioli and cavatelli too. The only downside to this restaurant is that they close at 2:00PM on weekdays. Highly recommended.
535 Nott St
Schenectady, NY 12308
(518) 382-9278

Mr Wasabi is a sushi bar that we were at first reluctant to try, because for some reason that name reminded us of the name of a chain restaurant or a place that would be inauthentic. However, we were wrong! We really love this place. They have some of the freshest sashimi in town, and they really have a wide array of unique items for you to try here. For lunch we especially enjoy the beef bento boxes and the hibachi salmon bento boxes, and even the miso soup is just excellent here. The spicy salmon rolls are very good, and the gyoza and unagi nigiri are two of our other favorites on the menu. Try the green tea ice cream tempura for dessert. It doesn't get any better than that!
1671 Union St
Schenectady, NY 12325

Kabul Night is an Afghan restaurant nestled into an old building on Union Street. We love the location, the ambiance, and the style of this establishment. They have takeout here, but we really recommend coming in and enjoying the ambiance while you nosh on those delicious treats from Afghanistan. We love the kadu borani which is a spicy yet sweet butternut squash, and the kabob murgh and kofta kabob (chicken and beef kabobs) are really flavorful too. If you opt for the managers special #2, you will get a mixture of tikka kabob, kofta kabob, and kabob murgh, and needless to say that one will be any kabob fan's favorite! We would very strongly recommend the lunch buffet as a way to introduce yourself to these incredible Afghan tastes.
402 Union St
Schenectady, NY 12305
(518) 346-0202

Cafe Nola is a Cajun and Creole seafood restaurant that will transport you directly to New Orleans without you ever having to step foot outside Schenectady! The gumbo is really fantastic here, with delicious chunks of perfectly cooked andouille sausage, delicious okra, and just the right amount of spice without being overly hot. Our absolute favorite item here is the fried oyster po boy sandwich. They slather on delicious etoufee sauce, and it's served on a French baguette! That's a nice change of pace. If you enjoy blackened catfish, you will love their blackened catfish sandwich. They put on a nice heavy heaping of hot peppers too, which really complements the flavor very well. Save room for dessert so you can enjoy their chocolate pcean pie or perhaps the beignets!
617 Union St
Schenectady, NY 12305
(518) 357-8628