Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Some Akron families have been celebrating birthdays at the same steakhouse for three generations, and nobody has ever needed a credit card to do it. That is not a typo.
The place in this story still asks for cash, still lays white tablecloths, and still treats a long bone ribeye like the main event of the week. One longtime fan first ate there as a 12-year-old in the 1950s and kept coming back after moving to Columbus.
Another drives about 40 minutes from downtown Cleveland and claims to have eaten there at least 100 times. Downtown Akron holds plenty of stories, but few have lasted this long without changing much.
Keep reading to learn where it is, what to order, when it is open, and the one rule that catches first-timers off guard every single time.
A Downtown Akron Landmark Since 1941
The address has not budged in generations. Diamond Grille sits at 77 W Market St, Akron, OH 44308, on the edge of downtown in Summit County, Ohio.
It is a classic steak house, and it wears that label proudly. The restaurant offers steak and seafood in a white-tablecloth setting with vintage decor and an old-school feel.
The website points back to 1941, and the restaurant recently marked its 90th anniversary. Few dining rooms in Ohio can claim that kind of staying power.
From the street, the building does not look flashy. Longtime fans often advise newcomers not to let the outside scare them away, since the real draw waits indoors.
For road-trippers, Akron sits within easy reach of Cleveland, and some regulars make the drive just for dinner. Columbus folks have been known to plan trips around it too.
Locals tend to speak about the place the way they speak about a hometown team. If someone grew up in Akron, odds are good they know exactly which corner of Market Street holds the Diamond.
So the location is settled. Now comes the bigger question of how a steakhouse lasts nine decades.
Nine Decades of Akron Memories
Ninety years is a long time for any business. For a restaurant, it is close to a miracle.
Diamond Grille has carried Akron through many eras, and its story is mostly told by the people who keep showing up. One diner started eating here as a child in the 1950s and still calls it something special after moving away to Columbus.
Others treat it as their go-to for anniversaries and Valentine’s Day. A couple might return year after year, booking the same kind of table for the same kind of milestone.
Birthdays are a big part of the tradition as well. The restaurant has a customary cake with sparklers for birthday guests, though some celebrants politely pass on the fireworks.
Growing up in Akron, many residents heard the place described as the spot for great steaks and a pleasant evening out. That reputation has been handed down like a family recipe.
Not every chapter is perfect, and opinions do vary on certain visits. Still, a restaurant does not reach 90 years without doing plenty right.
History explains the loyalty. The dining room itself explains the mood.
Art Deco Style and a Mad Men Mood
Time travel is cheaper than people think. All it takes is a dinner reservation on West Market Street.
The interior leans hard into vintage style, with art deco touches and a dark, low-lit dining room. Fans often compare the setting to a Mad Men era steakhouse, the kind of place a 1960s ad executive would book for a big client.
White tablecloths set the tone. The bar is a looker too, and some guests consider it worth a stop on its own.
Not everyone falls for the old-fashioned look. Some find the interior a bit worn, and the entrance can feel confusing without an obvious host stand.
That split opinion is part of the charm for many regulars. The room was never trying to be trendy, and it shows.
The pace matches the decor. Meals here are made for lingering rather than rushing, so a quick bite is not really the point.
A dim room and a slow evening set the stage nicely. The real headline, though, comes off the grill.
The Long Bone Ribeye Steals the Show
Every classic steakhouse has a signature cut. At the Diamond, that crown belongs to the long bone ribeye.
It is the steak people bring up most, and devoted fans call it the finest ribeye in Northeast Ohio. One regular even ranks it above any steak in Cleveland or Akron.
The bone-in ribeye arrives aged and cooked to order. Portions are generous, so arriving hungry is a smart plan.
Steaks typically come with a side and a salad. That makes the meal feel complete without a long list of add-ons.
Fans who love the cut tend to describe it with a classic old-school char. The goal here is a straightforward, well-cooked steak rather than a fancy reinvention.
Results can vary from night to night. A few diners have had steaks come out off-temperature or missing the sear they wanted, so speaking up about doneness is wise.
When everything lines up, though, the long bone is the reason people make the drive. The rest of the steak lineup deserves its own spotlight.
Filets, Strips, and a Tuesday Porterhouse
Ribeye fans get the headlines, but the rest of the menu holds plenty of beef worth a second look.
The Royal Filet Mignon is a popular choice, and some call the 9-ounce filet the best in Summit County. The Boston strip has its loyal crowd too, and it can be so large that finishing it becomes a team sport.
Strip steak shows up on plenty of tables. Large filets are another common order for those who want something lean.
Timing matters for deal hunters. The restaurant runs a porterhouse special on Tuesday and a prime rib special on Wednesday.
The Tuesday porterhouse for two comes highly recommended by local food folks. One respected Ohio chef even calls it the best steak she did not cook herself.
A tenderloin steak sandwich is another option. It is less of a sandwich and more of a 6-ounce filet with Texas toast and toppings.
Pork chop week has been a seasonal treat, with courses included in a set menu. Beef lovers are not the only ones who leave happy.
Starters and Sides From Another Era
Before the steak lands, the table usually fills up with classics that never went out of style here.
Shrimp cocktail is a big favorite, and some couples say they dream about it between visits. The cocktail sauce runs extra spicy, which suits fans of a little kick.
Seafood starters go beyond shrimp. Oysters, crab cocktail, and Dungeness crab cocktail all appear on the radar.
Akron touches show up as well. Sauerkraut balls arrive golden brown with a dipping sauce, and stuffed banana peppers make another solid opener.
Home fries are the side people mention most often. Simple potatoes done right fit the whole theme of the place.
Wedge salads can be upgraded with bacon and egg. French onion soup gets a nod from regulars too.
Sides are not perfect for everyone, and some find certain dishes on the salty side. Bread has also drawn mixed opinions over the years.
Still, a few classic starters and a plate of home fries make the wait for the main course pass quickly.
Seafood for the Non-Steak Crowd
Not every guest at a steakhouse wants a steak. Thankfully, the Diamond plans for that.
Seafood shares top billing with beef in the restaurant’s own description. Blackened halibut has earned praise for being cooked just right.
Scallops come with bacon and mushrooms over rice. Surf and turf is available for anyone who refuses to choose.
Lobster tail sits on the menu as well. Opinions on it vary, so steak may be the safer bet for a first visit.
Groups of mixed eaters tend to do well here. One table of eight enjoyed everything from appetizers through dessert, with a mix of orders.
Dessert deserves a mention too. A brownie sundae makes a fine finish for anyone with room left.
The menu is classic rather than experimental. That suits a crowd that comes for tradition.
With the food covered, there is one practical detail that every first-timer must know before heading out.
Bring Cash, Seriously
Here is the twist that surprises more newcomers than anything on the menu. The Diamond Grille is cash only.
It is the most talked-about detail by far. Some diners have reached for a credit card when the check arrived, only to learn the rule at the last minute.
Planning ahead fixes the problem. A stop at an ATM before dinner saves everyone some stress.
Budget wisely, too. A dinner for two with extras can land somewhere around $220, and a pair of surf and turf orders with drinks has topped $300 before tip.
Opinions on value differ. Some feel the meal delivers five-star quality at a three-star price, while others expected more for the cost.
Steaks usually include a side and salad, which helps the math. Weekly specials like the Tuesday porterhouse and Wednesday prime rib are worth checking.
The cash-only policy is part of the old-school identity. It is a little inconvenient and very much on brand.
Money sorted, the next step is getting a table.
Reservations, Hours, and Timing
Walking in on a whim can work, but it is a gamble. Reservations are strongly recommended.
The dining room can fill up even on a Monday night. Local regulars sometimes stroll in for their usual tables, which adds to the crowd.
Hours are straightforward. The restaurant opens 11 AM to 10 PM Monday through Thursday, and 11 AM to 10:30 PM on Friday.
Saturday is dinner only, from 5 to 10:30 PM. Sunday the restaurant is closed.
Weekday lunch hours give daytime visitors a chance to stop by. That can be handy for anyone passing through Akron.
Service tends to be friendly, and many servers earn warm praise by name. The pace can be relaxed, though, so build in extra time.
Experiences at the door are not always smooth. Some guests have felt unwelcomed at the entrance, so a confirmed reservation helps.
For a fall drive, a Tuesday porterhouse night makes an easy plan.
Worth the Drive to Akron
Some restaurants chase trends. This one simply keeps setting the table the way it always has.
Diamond Grille suits date nights, anniversaries, birthdays, and group dinners. It works best for diners who enjoy a slow evening and classic cooking more than flashy plating.
Families celebrating milestones will feel at home. Steak lovers from Cleveland, Columbus, and beyond have long treated it as a worthy road trip.
It is not flawless. Cooking can vary, the decor shows its age, and the cash rule can catch anyone napping.
Still, the long bone ribeye, the shrimp cocktail, and the Tuesday porterhouse keep loyal fans coming back. The overall score sits at a solid 4.4 stars from hundreds of diners.
Bring cash, book ahead, and arrive hungry. Ask for the steak exactly how it should be cooked.
Akron has changed plenty since 1941. This corner of Market Street, happily, has not changed much at all, and that is exactly the point.
