In 19th century Dublin, Albert Nobbs is an eccentric man in the latter part of middle age. He works as a waiter in Morrison's Hotel run by the stingy and controlling Marge Baker. Albert is hard working and saves his money so that one day he will be able to carve out a better life for himself. He wants to own his own business rather than work at the hotel. Beyond his work colleagues, he is all alone in the world.