Every town has its own unique story and things that set it apart! Akron, Ohio, definitely has its own unique story. In the 1910s, the population of Akron doubled, making it, at that time, the nation's fastest-growing city.
It does have a long time of history in manufacturing rubber and tires. In fact, once upon a time, the Goodyear tire company gave Akron its very own nickname, “The Rubber Capital of the World." Also, it once was the center hub of airship development.
Today, it definitely has lots of other things going for it, which makes it a fun and interesting place to visit. We are going to dive in talking about the food, which is what pretty much everybody is concerned about when they choose a place to visit!
Downtown Akron Restaurants
Do you LOVE cheese? You can literally find a restaurant centered around melted cheese and smoked Gouda. If you like cheese on everything then you need to go to the Lockview down on Main street. There are plenty of places to enjoy great cocktails or a brew while enjoying the hustle and bustle of Market Street.
Of course, what would Ohio be without a sports bar around every corner? They serve up delicious pub-like food menu options that won’t totally ruin your budget? You could even try some fancy and daring restaurants that serve buttermilk fried alligator, or short rib empanadas down on Market Street. Buttermilk fried alligator...that is something you just have to try!
Pizza, pasta, and garlic bread can also be found amongst the massive amounts of Italian restaurants around.
Let’s not forget sushi and other Asian cuisines. For the vegetarian, there are definitely options for you. If you’re in the mood for steak you can always visit the Diamond Grille for a fulfilling and satisfying experience.
A lot of the downtown Akron restaurants will be found on Market Street and Main Street.
Restaurants Near Akron Airport
It’s never fun to fly hungry, especially when you end up having to spend way more money on snacks on the plane, than if you had just stopped to grab something to eat on the way. So let’s discuss some options near the airport.
There are a lot of fast-food restaurants near Akron airport. Though that may not be up your alley (because of a diet or health restrictions), there’s good news. There are other more solid and healthy places to eat before you take off. There’s a seafood grill, barbecue restaurant, steakhouse, an Italian grill, and good old fashioned hamburgers.
Mexican Restaurants Akron
Mexican restaurants in Akron won’t let you down. You can find a good old-fashioned homestyle Mexican restaurant and a few different places that serve a variety of Mexican food types. You can find many of those options, definitely on Market Street and Exchange Street. There are options for casual dining and plenty of margaritas. There is Micasa Mexican Restaurant which has a very clean and almost commercial looking like it might be a chain. The great thing about most of the options available is that they have really great portion sizes. By great, I mean large.
Italian Restaurants Akron
There’s a wide variety of options from casual pizza places to more fancy pizza places. There are Italian cafés, especially one on Pond Drive. Over on Hawkins Avenue, there’s an Italian restaurant that specializes in Italian street food! Ethnic street food is usually always on point! That sounds like quite an adventure.
All in all, it looks like in the Akron area there are more authentic and upscale options than your typical hole-in-the-wall pizza places.
Seafood Restaurants in Akron
Seafood restaurants in Akron also seem to host a good variety of options. You can try boiled seafood in a bucket along with a sushi bar. This is over on Exchange Street. That restaurant is called the Boiling House. There are some lounges and grills that serve seafood, along with some other traditional cuisine that you might find in an American restaurant. You can experience restaurants where they serve specialty items like chowder, king crab, kingfish, or just basic fish and chips!
Indian Restaurant Akron
Indian restaurants are great options for vegetarians usually. A menu at an Indian restaurant can tend to have very vegetarian-friendly dishes. There’s one particular Indian restaurant called Saffron Patch in the Valley that actually has a great children’s menu. This is great because Indian restaurants aren’t always the most children-friendly.
Indian restaurants in Akron aren’t extremely common, but there are at least 10 good ones to choose from and some are even buffet style
Akron Sushi Restaurants
Akron sushi restaurants are kind of all over the place; they are definitely not lacking. One interesting combination though over on Main Street it’s called Cilantro Thai and Sushi restaurants. If you love Thai food and if you love sushi, you can have a world of fun there. It is also a highly rated restaurant.
There are also quite a few restaurants that don’t only just serve sushi, but they also offer other Japanese food standard meals. One restaurant serves sushi, but gourmet-style like Sushi Pizza and Duck Fajitas!
Chinese Restaurants in Akron
One would assume there are Chinese places galore to eat at. However, if you’re wanting to try something different, then the House of Hunan over on Waterloo Road is a great option. Chinese restaurants in Akron do vary a little bit, but you mostly find the same traditional options. Hunan food is from a very particular area of China and they have distinct food and flavors—a very delicious choice.
German Restaurant Akron
German food is very rich and heavy. You best go with a ravishing appetite. You can find plenty of places that serve schnitzel, grilled meats, and lots of sausages. If you’re looking for fine dining, Edgar's Restaurant on Nome Street is a good option.
American Restaurant Akron
Anywhere you go, you can count on a good old fashioned American food restaurant when you are finished trying all the exquisite cultural cuisine. There’s plenty to choose from, but if you’re looking for something a little bit different, check out the Blu Plate over on Market Street. Along with their great traditional American dishes, they also serve up live music as one of their highlights. Additionally, you may want to check out Farmer Boy Restaurant, Edgar's Restaurant (which offers a more fine dining experience and overlooks the lovely Good Park Golf Course), and the Waterloo Restaurant.
New Restaurants Akron
It’s always fun to check out what’s new and exciting in any area, and restaurants are definitely always one of those new things popping up in a city. There is a new pizza joint over on Exchange Street. If you’re into a great hookah lounge and a coffee shop, there is one not too far from the downtown. In addition, you’ll find lots of other new restaurants that have their own unique spin, but offer things we love like sushi, Thai food, pitas, and all our American favorites.
Kid-Friendly Restaurants Akron
No need to worry about what type of restaurants will be good for the kiddos. Kid-friendly restaurants in Akron abound. Places that serve grilled chicken and rice, pizza, lasagna, and more exist all around. One great option to try is Akron Family Restaurant. They serve great breakfast all day long.
In addition, if you want to try something really cool, there’s even a drive-in restaurant. You never even have to get out of your car.
Romantic Restaurants in Akron
You will notice that romantic restaurants in Akron are pretty spread out in different parts of the city. It looks like steak houses and Italian restaurants are some of the main choices that you have for a romantic dinner.
Lanning’s Restaurant is an upscale steak and seafood place that could be impressive and romantic.
Nice Restaurants in Akron
Nice restaurants in Akron run along the river. There are some nice upscale options like Beau's on the River. It has a river view and serves up new American-style cuisine.
FAQ
Where Do Locals Eat in Akron?
The locals eat everywhere, but one noted spot is called Mr. Zubs. They serve some interesting sandwiches like roast beef on a bun that comes with tater tots in the sandwich.
What Food is Akron Known for?
There’s quite a number of restaurants that Akron is known for, but one of the restaurants is called Crave. They have great lunch options. If you like fusion types of food, this might be a great restaurant for you, because they like to experiment with different kinds of flavor combinations. They have a huge menu that offers large plates, unique appetizers, and out-of-this-world sandwiches. It is also kind of a playful and quirky environment with elegance in the atmosphere.
One thing we know for sure is that you will not go hungry in Akron! Though we could not cover all of the options, we know that you will find many food options that will make you quite happy and complement a wonderful trip.