Stella Del Mare

Stella’s is an unassuming Italian market that is in the shadow of another large Italian restaurant next door. In fact, I did not see Stella’s at first until a friend had to point out the difference. At any rate, at 10:30 am until they sell out, Stella’s sells amazing hot Italian dishes. It changes day-​to-​day so call ahead for their specials.
What sets Stella’s apart is the Quality. They are fresh and offer huge portions and are simply delicious. I really was stunned that such a «hole in the wall» could offer such amazing foods. But the line at lunch time always extends the length of the store, and it is always a scramble to get the dish you want. But it is all good so you won’t necessarily be disappointed if you aren’t able to get what you want. Each dish comes with a side of bread. Lots of veggies dishes ala carte or combined with another entrée. For a veggie side and and entrée is usually around $ 12.00. This may seem expensive until you see how much food and how delicious it is. You could easily get two meals out of some.
They sell the same sandwiches everyday which are the best in the neighborhood.
Since Stella’s is really a neighborhood market, there’s very little seating. There’s some near the coolers along the wall, but the hustle and bustle of the market and people ordering do not make for relaxed, low-​key dining. Most people take their orders to-​go.
Stella’s has a large selection of beverages and imported Italian goods. There are home-​made desserts, including tiramisu, in a smaller cooler by the front.
Get there early, or order ahead, and enjoy! Really great.

Best Italian takeout around, not to mention the reasonable price tag. Try something new, you will not be disappointed. Eggplant rollatini with spaghetti in oil and garlic may have been the best takeout lunch I ever had. Get there early to see the massive selection of premade dishes they offer for lunch, but don’t be fooled they sell out in record time. Be sure to feed the parking meter, as the city of Albany knows about this hot spot for lunch and tries to cash in on hungry customers running in and out.

Was looking for an Italian sandwich place for lunch near work, and I think I found it, for today and for a lot more tomorrows! As I was searching Unilocal,I knew a 5 star rated grocery that comes up for ‘sub sandwiches’ had to be the real deal. Authentic Italian in every way! I had the Italian Mix sandwich, and no other deli or sandwich chain even comes close. The bread is crusty but perfectly soft inside, the meats are what Boarhead wishes they had, and you get what I got in Sorrento. Had the cucumber and onion salad, which is all that was left at 1pm after the downtown crowd ate most everything else. Tiramisu reminded me on the North End bakeries in Boston.
So here’s another 5 stars for the real stuff and for keeping it real!

I came in here today, in what is easily my 100^th visit. I work two blocks up the street, and I’m fairly confident I came here three times a day for two years straight.
Jerry is the best! The purveyor of some of the tastiest food in downtown Albany. I honestly think it’s better than many well reviewed Italian restaurants in Albany. Everyday they make massive trays of delicious food, and it’s different every day. Always several types of pasta, various proteins, salads, and soups. You can almost always mix and match so that you get to try everything. Some of my personal favorites include pork loin and potato, lobster ravioli, eggplant rollatini, and chicken cordon bleu.
Somehow, they sell it all for under 10 bucks. And they give you easily enough food for two lunches, or lunch and part of dinner. You also get a fresh buttered roll with every meal.
They also make great and gigantic sandwiches. And have great desserts.
Do yourself a favor and make sure to visit Stella Del Mare the next time you are in Downtown Albany. You will never, ever find a better deal for excellent authentic Italian food made with love and car.
Go early though. Often by 1:00 they are running low on things, and by 2:00, almost always sold out of everything. Or you can call ahead and they’ll reserve something for you. They also close on all holidays.

Delicious and affordable Italian favorites. Portions are large. Everyone downtown Albany knows about Stella Del Mare so get here early on weekdays. Say hi to Jerry and Rosanna.

I go here all the time fresh food made Daily delicious! service great! love jerry he’s such a nice person as well as the rest of the co/​workers/​family I will continue to go to this place I love it!!!

Best food in downtown Albany. Amazing quality at a reasonable price. Every day there are several different hot food. It is like eating in Italy. Super nice people too. I especially like the penne and artichokes with olive oil.
Chicken and egg plant Parmesan are excellent too with high quality ingredients.
Love, love, love this place.
Oh, and they have homemade biscotti too!

The owner is like an anti-​soup nazi. He actually wants to give you MORE food than less. But I don’t see that as necessarily a good thing, since that means you pay a lot more too. One time I ordered lunch to go for myself, but they tried to give me enough food for 3 people because they didn’t bother asking me how much of it I wanted. The cost was a mere ~17 bucks, but it was too much food for my digestive cavities to handle in one eating. I told them that I wanted a normal lunch for one person (me) and foolishly paid for it all anyway (because my hunger was deceiving me). I do not appreciate them not asking exactly how much I wanted and then trying to stuff as much as they can in my order so that they could get rid of unsold food (this seems like an obvious tactic of many places). But alas, this be only a small qualm. The food taste was good anyway at the cost of gaining excess calories and slightly skinnier wallet.

Very authentic Italian food, just like mom makes. Went in the back and was introduced to the cook. She had SIX pots is sauce cooking. It smelt wonderful. A destination place in a tough neighborhood. Call Guy Fieri!!!

Stella Del Mare is one of the best kept lunch secrets in Albany. I haven’t been there in years because I no longer work in down town. The owner is a really nice guy who cooks everything from scratch. You can get a huge container of food for 7 $. You can mix and match different foods too. One container is easily two meals. I also remember that they have an awesome catering menu. The food for my high school graduation was from here and it was delicious and reasonable. The menu changes daily so it is exciting to see what you may get from day to day. Some favorites are the linguini w/​clams, chicken cordon blue, penne w/​zucchini in cream sauce, and the sausage and peppers.