This place has been a staple in Akron for decades, so my husband and I dined there last night to celebrate our anniversary. We won't be going back. Don't get me wrong: the food is fine (in the most mediocre sense). Full disclosure: We don't eat red meat, so I can't comment on their steaks, which is what the place is known for. This is a classic case of tradition masquerading as fine dining. There's no subtly or nuance to the cuisine. The oysters Rockefeller was overly sauced, and the salad was overdressed. My salmon was a bit overcooked, but the baked potato was very good. The dessert, a brownie with ice cream, ate like a Little Debbie squirted with Hershey chocolate sauce. I will say that our server was wonderful and was working very hard. The ambiance, however, was sad. We were seated in the bar area on very uncomfortable wooden benches. Honestly, it felt like a Cracker Barrel. At the bar was an obnoxiously loud man dropping F-bombs and saying homophobic things. He pretty much ruined any enjoyment we had a hope of having. Finally, Diamond Grille doesn't accept credit cards, which we knew, but again, our enjoyment was dampened by having to keep track of how much everything cost so we didn't spend more than the cash we had gotten out of the ATM on our way. The hostess told us they were planting their feet and never taking cards, and I just don't understand why, in the 21st century, a business would alienate customers like this. All in all, this place is resting on its past reputation, and in my opinion, it's unearned. read more

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Had a wonderful evening dining at the Diamond Grille! The ambience was lively, and the service was exceptional. Started out at the bar and ordered a Manhattan. It was ice cold and perfectly crafted. We were then sat at a booth where we enjoyed our meal. Two people in the group ordered steaks that were prepared exactly as ordered. I had the salmon grilled, and it was delicious! We also had wines by the glass and another perfectly crafted cocktail (French 75). I recommend this restaurant and can't wait to come back! * don't forget to bring cash-- it's the only form of payment that is accepted! read more

If you're from Akron, then you know that the Diamond Grille is an Akron landmark for their decades of serving amazing food. Nine decades, exactly, as they celebrated their 90th anniversary this month! We knew we wanted to be there for pork chop week, so we made reservations to guarantee a spot. It was everything we hoped it would be All the courses were included with the menu - she started with the shrimp cocktail, while I went with the stuffed banana peppers. Those appetizers were followed by a fresh and colorful salad. A drink was included as well, so I ordered an Old Fashioned. It was perfectly poured and an absolute delight to sip on once the star of the show arrived... Two double cut pork chops They were massive! But they were also incredibly tender and juicy. Lightly seasoned and ringed with a yummy fat ribbon Yummmm. We both chose the brownie sundae for dessert and you can tell by the photo that it was the perfect way to end a delicious meal. Cheers to 90 more, Diamond Grille, and thanks for a romantic evening read more

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My family and I have been coming to Diamond Grille for years to celebrate birthdays, holidays, or just enjoy a date night. This Akron staple, with over 100 years of history, never disappoints. The staff is always professional and attentive, ensuring a great experience every time. We love starting with appetizers--banana peppers are my favorite, and the shrimp and crab cocktails are phenomenal. This is the first place that made me love cocktail shrimp! Their homemade garlic vinaigrette elevates a simple salad, and I always get mine with feta and extra cucumbers. On Wednesdays, the prime rib is a must-try. Otherwise, the scampi with rice pilaf (served with a candle-warmed butter dish) or the Boston strip steak are excellent choices. The service and food quality are consistently top-notch, making this one of my favorite restaurants. read more

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We visited this classic Akron restaurant for our recent anniversary dinner. The service was excellent. The interior is elegant, and our table felt spacious and comfortable. The food was not great or unique in the way you might expect for a fine dining experience, but it was good (scallops, steak, asparagus) and the portions were generous and included bread and salad. The sundae with the sparkler was the perfect finish for our celebration. The rear entrance is a bit confusing and too close to the open kitchen door. read more

Diamond Grille - Complementary Sundae - American Near Me - Akron, Ohio

So amazing, this is our valentines/anniversary place. Cool little place that's cash only, with the best steak and shrimp cocktail I've ever had. I dream of the shrimp cocktail. Very nice servers. So great! read more

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Second time here. I had previously been with a large group for dinner and my steak was flavorful and cooked accurately but lacked any meaningful crust or char. Today i went for lunch alone, probably one or two other guests in the building. Ordered the burger medium, a wedge salad, and a San Pellegrino--which the server partially poured into a wine glass before noticing the lip stick still on it. Not a huge deal but i wouldve rather drank all the marked up water i ordered. More indicative of a place lacking attention to detail than anything. Burger arrived missing onions it was supposed to come with, and the rock hard roma tomato slices were cut in a careless manner that even the Whopper i had at Burger King last week had done better with. I ordered medium but i wouldve been happy a little over OR under, its a $17 burger not a prime ribeye, but the cook overshot entirely. Not a speck of pink or drop of moisture remained unfortunately. Again utter lack of attention. Sear was great although of course it would be cooking an inch thick patty well done. Its evident this place uses the cheapest condiments and produce it can get by on. Its a joke that they refuse credit cards while acting like the quality of their food is anywhere near even chain steakhouses. Very unfortunate as its a cool little spot and personally i love the dated look, i just wish someone would breath life into the food here to compensate and surprise new guests who may have judged it for not modernizing its look. Yes folks, indeed its too good to be true. Diamond Grille has been forgotten about inside and out. read more

Celebrated my birthday at Diamond Grille. Had a reservation on a Saturday night. Seated immediately. Vibe was very old-school, art deco interior and was like being a bit in a time warp. Food was more than solid. Our party had a couple of filet's, strip with bleu cheese and lobster tail. Like the fact that the entrees come with salad and a side. Steaks were well-prepared, everyone was pleased. Wife said the lobster was a little tough, but was a really nice size. Came with bread for the table. Drinks were solid, had a nice wine list, but we didn't have any wine. Service was excellent. Seemed well staffed and did not notice anyone having service issues. Since it was my birthday, got a nice complimentary ice cream. Only issues was the bathroom is downstairs and those with mobility issues might have a problem. I'm in my late 60's and felt like a kid in the place..... Also some don't like that it is cash only, not a problem for me but if you didn't know ahead of time could be an issue. read more

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The best steak in Akron!!! Service was amazing. Atmosphere is very cool. Definitely worth the visit. Awesome experience.

The steaks were amazing. The atmosphere was even better. We loved the ice cream at the end to celebrate my dad's birthday 10 out of 10 if you don't come to diamond Grill, you're missing out. Love jacob (age 8) read more

Service was fantastic, not rushed at all....we were there for 3 hours. Food was amazing. We didn't eat a single thing that we didn't love. The prices that are listed in yelp are incorrect. We paid double from what is listed on yelp....(bone in ribeye is listed as $35 and it's actually $76- as an example).... But it was worth it! read more

It was our first time eating at Diamond Grill. The food was amazing! Our server Lisa, was a gem!! Perfect way to Celebrate my husband's 50th!! Will definitely be back! read more

Not what it used to be. High cost for mediocre food. Tough steak under cooked. Halibut over cooked and dry. read more

as I waited for my takeout I had the pleasure of chatting with all the girls working there today. gems- all of them. cheery and kind. the filet sand and wedge....exceptional. read more

Walking into the restaurant is a time warp to the early 1960. I think Don and Betty Draper would be regulars. The wait staff have decades of experience and the meals are served without a hitch. The ribeye I ordered will be my breakfast for the next few days. read more

I love steak and Diamond Grill has great steaks. Try the oysters Rockefeller as an appetizer- my wife loves them. Service is excellent. Staff is friendly amd laid back. This is an old school steak house with a rat pack vibe but it isn't stuffy. No pretentious attitudes here. read more

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It had been 20 years since I was there and it didn't disappoint. Love the vibe of the place, The main dining room is a 1950s movie set, but original to this place. Founded in 1935 and updated in the 50s. Helpful, cheerful and professional staff. A great place to converse over a great meal. Sauerkraut balls were not a favorite, put everything else was just great. The long bone ribeye was excellent, the best. The home fries were served homestyle, which was fine, but I didn't want to share... they were so good! If you are planning a day in Akron, include the Diamond Grille... and time travel with taste ;) yes it is cash/check only, has always been ... It is printed in bold at the bottom of the menus ... if you don't like it, then don't leave a bad review for your inability to read. read more

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Iconic and Legendary! I travel alot for work and have had the pleasure to eat at the top steakhouses in the U.S. This is hands down the best from a food quality and service stand point. Even being cramped and dated in appearance--does not matter--the experience is The Best! Willie Fries with the ribeye is my favorite! Love this place and love that it's in my Akron hometown! read more

Cleveland scene rated top 10 restaurant 1. we walked in & we didn't feel welcomed at all 2.went to the restroom...it wasn't dirty but didn't feel fresh3. you can not eat at the bar (never heard of that ) 4. stuffy, old feel over all not welcoming 5. TOP IT OFF in small print (no credit card) in small print bottom of the page cash or CHECK lol atm is in the restaurant just tacky (check lol) over all the sides, feel we did have cash but over all not worth being there. spent $22.00 we left 9.00 -10 in tip so we weren't being cheap just felt unwanted. read more

Diamond Grille - sides - American Near Me - Akron, Ohio

In my opinion, this is the finest Ribeye in NE Ohio! I'm a huge fan of Diamond Grille! I have eaten here at least 100 times in my life and I live in Downtown Cleveland. It's worth the 40 minute drive for me. Personally, I'm stunned by a sub 4-star rating from my peers. I've never had a bad experience. The Shrimp and Crab Cocktail are top notch. The cocktail sauce is extra spicy. Steaks are generous and come with a side and salad. I always upgrade the Wedge to include bacon/egg (not sure why it isn't standard) The French Onion Soup is also solid. The show starts and stops with the Long Bone Ribeye. I like it more than any steak in Cleveland/Akron. The Filet is solid, but not as good as the king bone. They serve a Porterhouse special on Tuesday and Prime Rib Special on Wednesday. Bar pours well. Wine list is solid, not great. Atmosphere is reminiscent of old school "Mad Men/Don Draper" Steakhouse. You'll love it! read more

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The ladies who work here are amazing and sweet! The food is quality, however you want it prepared it's made your way. This place is simple and delicious come, with you CASH or CHECK no cards Everything is amazing I love the fresh fish and different specials each day! Love the decor also. read more

Old school cool meets really good quality steakhouse food. We are DC foodies, so coming from easily the best foodie town in the country to Akron Ohio, we didn't expect any real wows. Steaks were phenomenal, sides were good, apps fantastic. A little strange going somewhere that only takes cash or check but that's about the only hiccup. Looks like it belongs as part of the set of Goodfellas or Sopranos inside-my husband said the old fashioneds were good too. Great place for a nice dinner. Bring cash. read more

I'm only giving 2 stars bc the food was phenomenal, however the service was below par for such an expensive restaurant. I've been sober for 9 years, so you can imagine my surprise when the VIRGIN drink that I ordered had alcohol in it. When I told the waitress "this has alcohol in it" she thought I was applauding how strong it was.... The rest of the service was just slow and mediocre (comparable to any chain restaurant, but less friendly and slower). Overall, the food was good but not worth breaking my sobriety for read more

Wow! This a must if you're in the Akron area. We had several appetizers and they were all to die for. The shrimp and lobster were great but the Double Thick Peppered and Smoked Bacon was out of this world. All the cocktails were tasty and have a good selection of bourbon and scotch. I ordered the Long Bone Ribeye and it was cooked to perfection. The steak was good just right and full of flavor. The peppercorns were good but wish they were cracked and not whole. read more

Diamond Grille - Long Bone - American Near Me - Akron, Ohio

My dream, old-school + perfect "fancy dinner" place. So art deco + fabulous. The food is just what I love: fabulous wedge salad, steak, crème brûlée. Akron realness. Thoughtful but unfussy service. Can't wait to go for my bday dinner soon! read more

Steak was way overdone and the service was subpar. Bummer because it was so highly recommended.

It's been a few years since I have been to the diamond Grill. Yesterday I was lucky enough to go to this restaurant and have an amazing meal. The best Way to describe this place is it a throwback to a great era of our history. Now the food is amazing I had a strip steak and it was beyond fantastic. I highly recommend the diamond Grill. read more

Diamond Grille - Woohoo - American Near Me - Akron, Ohio

Funny story here. My friend works down the street from this place and never went it. One day he decided to stop to check it out. After a few more visits he invited some friends. Take note I do not eat steak. This is a steak house. Many different cuts available. My friends eat steak. Let's get started. This place sits alone with a neon sign flashing its name in downtown Akron. They provide free valet parking, which allows you enter the back door. The inside has a Madmen type of vibe about it. A mix of 50s and 60s decor, old school Mural wallpaper of old towns and drapes. The drink list is extensive with selects of wines, beer and liquor. The best are the old style mix drinks; sidecar, French 57, grasshopper, and stingray. They provide a mix of bread and butter to get you started. Appetizers like ship cocktail and baked onion - I loved and highly recommend. The dinners are pricey but again I don't go to many steaks places so they might be right were they should be. A side salad and a choice of potatoes come with. *Bonus* they offer a vegan stir fry!! My husband and I split the dish. I got the salad and he got the potatoes. They teriyaki sauce was a bit heaven but the veggies were cooked perfectly. My friends all got steak. 3 different cuts. They all loved it and had extra to take home. Not one complaint about the food was made. The service was excellent. This is a cash only places, so stop at the money machine before going! Sorry no photos. But their website has some nice ones. I didn't want to be rude and pull out my phone to shoot pictures. Plus this was a classic or classy joint;) read more

Sometimes the tides of time wash away the originality of classic American dining; however, when you step into Diamond Grill, you are brought back to a bygone era of timeless elegance! This Akron landmark had long been on my list of restaurants to patronize, so after much delay, I finally took the dive and made a reservation! There are some things money can't buy, but for everything else - there is not Mastercard - because cash is the only payment option here! From the outside, it looks rather unassuming, with an rear entrance surrounded by a parking lot with valet service. I parked on the street out of sheer convenience. Upon entering through a small hallway, it emptie9s into the main dining area, with the bar situated in the front and booth seating in the back. The interior is intimate, with white cloth tables pairing with low lighting and soft candles, creating an ambiance that is unambiguous. After being seated the server shortly arrived and went over the menu. With so many good classical options that range from steaks (Filet Mignon, Boston Strip, Prime Rib, Surf and Turf) and chicken, to seafood (Atlantic Salmon, Swordfish, Perch, Scallops, Lobster Tail, and Jumbo Shrimp, deciding was a challenging task. I eventually settled on the Tossed Diamond Salad - a mix of baby spinach with vinagrette - and broiled Atlantic Salmon with baked potato and broccoli. My friend opted for the Boston Strip. Complementary bread was served, which was warm and perfectly set the stage for the main entree. The salad and baked potato were superb, while the salmon was generously portioned and expertly prepared! My friend offered me a piece of his Boston Strip, which was done m9edium and quite flavorful! It made me miss eating red meat, prior to which I hadn't had any in over 10 years. Overall, we were thoroughly impressed with the service, food, atmosphere, and overall experience. This vintage display of fine dining and classic fare shines brightly across the vast dining landscape. read more

Diamond Grille - Candle lit table - American Near Me - Akron, Ohio

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I adore the Diamond Grille. Everything was great. I was only able to eat there once thus far but look forward to it in the future.

The Diamond Grille is a Gem of a Steak House. Many major Cities are lucky to have a Historic Restaurant that is still true to the day it opened, that's just classic Dining! read more

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I sent an iMessage to the Diamond Grill on September 27, 2023. I never received an answer. I indicated... "I had dinner at The Diamond Friday night, September 22. I started eating there when I was 12, back in the 50s. The Diamond Grill has always been something special...and still is. Though, I live in Columbus, now, and my dinners there are a little less frequent. My dinner Friday night was fabulous as usual...with one caveat. The bread basket was ordinary at best. The bread had no crust and was something I would expect from Kroger. I continue to LOVE The Diamond. But, I would like to love it completely. Please start serving fresh hard rolls and hard crusted bread worthy of your fine restaurant" I'm hoping that The Diamond Grill addresses this problem. It really does diminish an otherwise very fine experience. read more

This was the first time I'd been back to the DG in many years, so I didn't know what to expect. I'd say my expectations were exceeded. We arrived at 5:15 on a Saturday for a birthday dinner - did not have reservations. The DG is in a decent part of downtown. The parking lot feels safe and they have on-site valet. The hostess seated us quickly given the restaurant was not very full since it was early for the dinner crowd. We asked for bar seats (we prefer that) but they said they don't serve food at the bar on Fri or Sat nights. Seemed odd, but ok. It turned even more odd after I spotted a gentleman eating at the bar about 30 minutes later. The wait service was prompt and professional, if not a little rushed. It was clear they were trying to flip our table quickly for their later reservations. They have some nice old-school service touches which we really enjoyed. Unfortunately, they would not accommodate a special request - we only wanted one full entree, plus to add a fish/steak (a 'duet', if you will). They said they could add the second item, but they would charge full price even if we didn't want the side dishes with it. Obviously, they could have met that request, they just chose not to. We started with a couple of martinis which were very tasty. The side salad was very good - recommend the garlic vinaigrette dressing. The French onion soup was great. The petite filet (medium rare) and grouper (blackened) were both quite good. The wine selection by the glass is limited. Bonus: they even brought a little ice cream dish to help us celebrate the birthday. So the kicker is, when we went to pay the bill - no credit cards accepted! Wow. For an expensive dinner, that was a real surprise. Not everyone is walking around with $250 cash on them. We were lucky that between the two of us we could scrounge up enough cash to pay the bill and tip well. Overall, it was a very good dining experience and I'd go back again if I was going to be in the area. read more

Dinner salad was underwhelming. Baked potato might've been the best I ever had. Steak was dry and lacked flavor. Service was excellent!

I almost walked past the place cause it didn't look very nice from the outside but when I went in I was surprised by the nice atmosphere. The server was very nice and attentive then the food started coming. The bread wasn't warmed so butter wouldn't spread. The salad was warm and soaked in dressing. Sodas out of cans. The fries were good and the filet was a nice cut and cooked correctly but served with a nasty little garnish and in a pool of blood. When I went to leave they informed me cash or check only and if I wanted to use a debit card I had to use this sketchy machine that didn't give me cash and wasn't a normal charge bay then had to give that slip to the bar tender. This place needs some updates and some help with their food. read more

Diamond Grille - Pool of blood my steak came in - American Near Me - Akron, Ohio

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The ultimate in old school dining! The outside of the restaurant does not do justice to the magnificence inside! If you are in the mood for a really great steak, this is the place. They are known for their filets and also their fish. Now I am not a fish girl, but I have always gone with fish eating peeps and they LOVE the fish options. The sides are also fantastic and served family style. Becca, our waitress was awesome and did really well with our large group. The ambience is my favorite part. It is like traveling back in time. The wall paper in the main dining room is beautiful, but so are all the littler, more intimate rooms. Finally, be prepared, The Diamond Grille is CASH ONLY. read more

Great food great service Anna is the best grouper and sirloin both excellent wine choices simple and good

Overpriced with glacially slow service. And the food was barely decent at best. Salad tasted like it came out of a grocery store premade salad kit. The pork chop came with an apple sauce that tasted like it came out of a baby food pouch. read more

Went with a group of coworkers for lunch. We were immediately "greeted" with the question "Did you make a reservation?! I don't have the staff here to help you, if you had made a reservation we'd have asked one more person to work today." We didn't have a reservation, and after that attitude we were kind of hoping we'd be turned away, but we were "allowed" to dine there. Carpet on the floors and old dirty wallpaper. We were told right away they were out of burgers. That leaves a 6 oz steak and some chicken or one kind of small fish on the menu. I got a chicken salad wrap that was clearly out of a premade mix, and a small side of fries. My coworker ordered a coffee, and was served it in a soup cup with no handle. I don't get the hype, and will not return. Unless I can find a time machine and go back to when it was good and had friendly service. We all left hungry due to the small portions. read more

Food and service are the best in the entire Akron area. Steaks and seafood are reasonable priced . Salad snd sides are included. Service is always superb. read more