OHIO
From Fine Dining to Deli Legends: The 12 Best Restaurants in Akron Today
By Jamie Dutton | Aug. 18, 2025
Aladdin's Eatery
AUTHOR BIO: With family spread across the Midwest and a job that has her in airports regularly, Jamie Dutton finds herself across the center of the U.S. regularly. She’s partial to BPTs a Bell's.
I travel to Akron regularly for work, and every trip feels like a small pilgrimage.
Not because I’m searching for anything spiritual, but because this is the hometown of LeBron James, the player who spent years dismantling my beloved Pacers. As much as I’d rather forget those playoff heartbreaks, it’s impossible not to think of him here—his presence is everywhere. Still, between meetings and memories of buzzer-beaters, I’ve found another reason to come back: Akron’s restaurants, which make their own case for greatness.
After years of eating my way through the city, I’ve narrowed it down to the places that stand out. These are the best restaurants in Akron.
Aladdin’s Eatery
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
Aladdin’s Eatery might be a regional chain, but in Akron it feels like a reliable friend. The menu stretches wide—falafel rolled tight in warm pita, lamb shawarma, fattoush crisp with lemon and herbs—and the portions lean generous. It’s healthy without being smug.
Best for: Fresh, affordable Middle Eastern fare that never misses on flavor
Beau's Grille
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
Beau’s Grille is the kind of hotel restaurant that refuses to act like one, thanks to chef Beau Schmidt, who’s been running it like his personal stage for decades. The menu sprawls from cedar-planked salmon and barbecue baby back ribs to prime steaks and the kind of loaded salads that can pass as dinner. The patio, with its stone fireplace and live music, makes a strong case for lingering long after the plates are cleared.
Best for: A lively night out that feels more neighborhood favorite than hotel dining room
The Blue Door Café & Bakery
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
The Blue Door Café & Bakery looks unassuming from the street, but inside it’s a shrine to breakfast done with French precision. Chef Michael Bruno turns out croissants so buttery they practically dissolve, brioche French toast that arrives in a tower, and quiches that could hold their own in Paris. Weekends bring a wait, but that just means more time to argue over whether you’ll go sweet, savory, or surrender and order both.
Best for: A brunch that proves Akron can play at the same level as the big culinary cities
Corner Provisions
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
Corner Provisions has quietly become Akron’s new favorite gathering spot, pairing cozy, wood-lined charm with a menu of fresh, locally sourced American fare under Chef Fernando Pintos. Expect shareable starters, seasonal entrees, a thoughtful drink list, and enough soft lighting to make every meal feel intentional. Casual meets carefully curated in the best way.
Best for: Elevated American dishes and drinks in an inviting, relaxed space
Crave
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
Crave has long been Akron’s stylish answer to the question of where to eat when you want dinner to feel like an event. Chef Aaron Hervey built a menu that zigzags from duck tacos to Korean BBQ ribs to ahi tuna with wasabi mashed potatoes, each plate leaning just enough off-center to keep things interesting. The cocktails are just as playful, and the colorful dining room hums with the energy of a place that knows it’s the city’s dining room.
Best for: Creative plates and cocktails that turn a regular night into something more fun
Diamond Deli
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
Diamond Deli has been feeding Akron since the ’90s, a no-frills counter spot where the sandwiches land heavy and the lines at lunch tell you all you need to know. The menu is a wall of choices—stacked pastrami, turkey piled high with avocado, corned beef that could double as ballast—and the staff keeps things moving with the efficiency of a pit crew. It’s the kind of deli that becomes habit fast.
Best for: Classic, overstuffed sandwiches served with zero fuss
Family Vansa Ghar Restaurant
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE
Family Vansa Ghar is one of Akron’s freshest arrivals, serving Indian and Nepali dishes that go well beyond the usual curry house staples. Think momos steamed to order, richly spiced biryanis, and homestyle dals that taste like they came straight from someone’s kitchen rather than a restaurant line. It’s the kind of place where comfort and discovery share the same plate.
Best for: Indian and Nepali cooking that feels both authentic and new to Akron
Ken Stewart's Grille
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
Ken Stewart’s Grille has been Akron’s power player for decades, with Ken himself still pacing the floor like a coach on the sidelines. The menu swings from potato-crusted halibut to A5 Wagyu, with indulgences like lobster deviled eggs and a filet mignon sandwich that eats like a full meal. If you’ve got room left, the Peanut Butter Bomb arrives molten, a dessert that earns its own highlight reel.
Best for: A classic Akron steakhouse experience where indulgence is the game plan
The Lockview
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
The Lockview built its reputation on grilled cheese and manages to make the childhood staple feel like an adult decision. The menu lists more than a dozen versions—everything from a straight cheddar classic to one stacked with mac and cheese, bacon, and jalapeños. Add in craft beer, a rooftop patio, and a buzzy late-night energy, and it’s easy to see why this place sticks.
Best for: Indulging your inner kid with grown-up grilled cheese and a cold beer
Swensons Drive-In
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
Swensons Drive-In is Akron’s original claim to burger fame, a carhop joint slinging Galley Boys since 1934. The signature double cheeseburger comes crowned with two secret sauces—sweet and tangy in a way that defies explanation—and best chased with a milkshake thick enough to test your straw. You’ll eat in your car with headlights flashing for service, and somehow that ritual makes the food taste even better.
Best for: Retro drive-in burgers that locals swear are the best in Ohio
Taqueria La Loma
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
At Taqueria La Loma, the tortillas are made fresh, the al pastor turns slowly on the spit, and the lengua and carnitas remind you why tacos are best kept simple. It’s quick, affordable, and packed with flavor—proof that sometimes the most memorable meals come wrapped in paper and eaten with your hands.
Best for: Authentic tacos that don’t need dressing up to impress
