Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in Akron by diners
Fine dining in the U.S. isn't what it used to be. Many customers are no longer interested in classic white tablecloths and 16-ounce New York strips; instead, it's about cutting-edge culinary experiences.
Although steakhouses have defined fine dining in America since the 19th century, that started to change in the mid-1990s. Elite chefs like Thomas Keller at the French Laundry unearthed a whole different kind of tasting experience (with 40 courses), and a new age of fine dining was born. Soon, prix fixe meals—a French style of serving with a set menu—became the norm for fine dining in the U.S.
Between the rise of chef's tasting menus and consumers' continued desire to have diverse culinary experiences, the restaurants that grace the pages of top-tier restaurant reviewers like Zagat or the Michelin Guide look very different today than they did 30 years ago. Restaurant goers aren't just looking for high-quality food. They want the type of menu that will tell a story. They want creative ingredients they've never tried before. They want to be transported into a whole new world.
With so many innovative menus and restaurant experiences popping up across America to choose from, it can be challenging to choose where to go for a special evening. Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated fine dining restaurants in Akron using data from Yelp. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself.
Only businesses with at least five reviews and at least level 2 pricing (i.e., $$ to $$$$) were considered. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with five or more locations nationally (based on Yelp data) were not included. Restaurants in certain lower-cost categories (like "diners," "buffets," and "food trucks") were excluded. Data is as of Aug. 19, 2024.
Read on to find a potential restaurant for your next special meal out!
#17. Papa Joe's Iacomini's
- Rating: 3.6/5 (180 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1561 Akron Peninsula Road Akron, Ohio
- Categories: Italian, New American, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Diamond Grille
- Rating: 3.7/5 (164 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 77 West Market St. Akron, Ohio
- Categories: American
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Dontino's Italian Restaurant
- Rating: 3.8/5 (92 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 555 East Cuyahoga Falls Ave. Akron, Ohio
- Categories: Italian, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Luigi's Restaurant
- Rating: 3.8/5 (764 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 105 North Main St. Akron, Ohio
- Categories: Pizza, Italian
- Read more on Yelp
#13. D'Agnese's at White Pond Akron
- Rating: 4.0/5 (195 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 566 White Pond Drive Akron, Ohio
- Categories: Italian, Lounges, Music Venues
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Cilantro Thai & Sushi Restaurant
- Rating: 3.8/5 (330 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 326 South Main St. Akron, Ohio
- Categories: Thai, Sushi Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Merchant Tavern
- Rating: 3.8/5 (219 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1824 Merriman Road Akron, Ohio
- Categories: Gastropubs, New American
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Ken Stewart's Lodge
- Rating: 3.8/5 (152 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1911 North Cleveland Massillon Road Akron, Ohio
- Categories: New American
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Dean Martin's Lanning's
- Rating: 3.8/5 (136 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 826 North Cleveland Massillon Road Akron, Ohio
- Categories: Steakhouses, Seafood, Wine Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Wise Guys Lounge & Grill
- Rating: 3.8/5 (65 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1008 North Main St. Akron, Ohio
- Categories: American, Seafood, Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Ken Stewart's Grille
- Rating: 3.9/5 (184 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1970 West Market St. Akron, Ohio
- Categories: Steakhouses, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Crave
- Rating: 3.9/5 (431 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 156 South Main St. Akron, Ohio
- Categories: New American
- Read more on Yelp
#5. dba - dante boccuzzi akron
- Rating: 3.9/5 (211 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 21 Furnace St. Ste 402 Akron, Ohio
- Categories: New American, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Edgar's Restaurant
- Rating: 4.0/5 (132 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 530 Nome Ave. Akron, Ohio
- Categories: Barbecue, Seafood, Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Kingfish
- Rating: 4.0/5 (194 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 115 Montrose West Ave. Akron, Ohio
- Categories: Seafood, New American
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Beau's Grille
- Rating: 4.1/5 (98 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3180 West Market St. Akron, Ohio
- Categories: New American
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Trattoria Vaccaro
- Rating: 4.2/5 (158 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1000 Ghent Road Akron, Ohio
- Categories: Italian, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Kiersten Hickman, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 299 metros.
