Akron's Northside User's Guide

Though there currently are not a lot of places to visit in Akron’s Northside District, it is still a fun place to visit for a meal or drink. Over the past few years, Northside has gone from quasi-shady to sheik. Heavy gentrification has brought new offices and business to thrive in the once shambley buildings and brought others to visit the newly revived district.

If you want to get some great food, head to The Northside. Their food is provided by Crave which is a catering service. The food is really unique featuring foods from classic menus, like fried green tomatoes, to contemporary, like caramelized banana smores. Combine that with the live music that Northside offers nightly, and you’ve got a great night. Even more interesting then the food is the history of the building. Back in the day this building was a “house of ill-repute,” that’s right, a whore house!

In the same building as Northside is Studer’s Wine Side. This is a drastic change from Northside. This is a quiet, smoke-free establishment offering a large variety of wine. If you’re a wine connoisseur check this place out.

Luigi’s is an Akron institution. The have great lunch specials that keep the dining rooms crowded during the week. On the weekends, they draw a great post bar crowd serving up pizza until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Try their Pizza Bianco; it’s killer. My buddy Eric says they “have a great jukebox.” Let me translate, the jukebox hasn’t been updated since 1976; I hope you like Cat Stevens. Be warned: Luigi’s DOES NOT accept credit cards.

Jack’s, just across the parking lot, offers a mix of art glass, live and fake plants, and coffee. Swing by on your way to work and pick up a mocha or grab a gift for birthday gift for a forgotten co-worker. Next to Jack’s is Car Gear where you can buy racks for your car. Across the way is Neil Leeson’s Design Studio. This is a design firm that also has a store up front to showcase their work. Down the road is the Akron Northside Railroad Station. It’s part of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway. If you’re into Akron history, this is a must see.

Northside Directory

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