New restaurant planned for former Albany eatery

Riilaxx Tavern to open in Sheridan Avenue space left by Ama Cocina closure

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A new restaurant called Riilaxx Tavern is planned to open in the downtown Albany space that was previously occupied by the now-closed Ama Cocina restaurant on Sheridan Avenue.

Why it matters

The opening of a new restaurant in the former Ama Cocina space represents an opportunity for economic revitalization in downtown Albany, which has seen some retail and dining turnover in recent years as the city works to attract new businesses and foot traffic to the area.

The details

Riilaxx Tavern will be moving into the 3,500-square-foot space on Sheridan Avenue that was previously home to the popular Mexican restaurant Ama Cocina, which closed in 2025 after a 10-year run. The new restaurant will feature an American tavern-style menu and full bar.

  • Ama Cocina closed in 2025 after a 10-year run.
  • Riilaxx Tavern is planned to open in the former Ama Cocina space in 2026.

The players

Riilaxx Tavern

The new American-style tavern restaurant planned to open in the former Ama Cocina space in downtown Albany.

Ama Cocina

The Mexican restaurant that previously occupied the Sheridan Avenue space in downtown Albany before closing in 2025 after a 10-year run.

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What’s next

The new owners of Riilaxx Tavern plan to begin renovations on the former Ama Cocina space in the coming months with the goal of opening the new restaurant by the end of 2026.

The takeaway

The arrival of Riilaxx Tavern in the former Ama Cocina space represents an opportunity for downtown Albany to attract new dining and foot traffic to the area as the city works to revitalize its urban core.