AKRON, Ohio -- If you're in downtown Akron during the holidays, you've got your choice of skating in Lock 3, swinging away at Polar Putt-Putt, racing down the Reindeer Run slide or hitting up the storefronts on Main Street. Maybe you're seeing a concert or show at Akron Civic Theatre or E.J. Thomas Hall. You've got your choice of restaurants, depending on your mood. Here's a guide, based on styles of food.

11 downtown Akron restaurants to visit during the holidays

Here're a guide to 11 downtown Akron restaurants to visit during the holidays, whatever your hankering.



By Marc Bona

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COMFORT: The Lockview

207 S. Main St., 330-252-5128.

Melted cheese, from American to smoked Gouda, whatever your cheesy heart desires. Huge craft beer selections and fantastic BTG wine list. This place acts as one-stop bar shopping, so to speak: Lunch crowd, dinners out, kids/families and hipsters all get their cheese on happily. (Peggy Turbett, The Plain Dealer)





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DRINK AND A VIEW: 3 Point

45 E Market St., 330-535-6410.

Hit the Akron Art Museum a few steps away, then come here and sit at the bar facing the sloping Market Street. Choose from happy-hour specials, cocktails, wine and beer (including ever-present tap handles of Thirsty Dog Brewing Co., the largest brewery in Summit County). (David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com)





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SPORTS BAR: Barley House

222 S. Main St., 330-374-0925.

Cavernous space, a bajillion televisions and a huge bar with tons of beer choices and pub-food offerings that won't break the bank. (Lynn Ischay, The Plain Dealer)





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ADVENTUROUS: Crave

57 E. Market St., 330-253-1234.

With an almost clublike ambiance, Crave is great for its outgoing menu options like buttermilk fried alligator tail, short-rib empanadas and Banh-Mi Vietnamese marinated flank steak. (Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer)

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PIZZA: Luigi's

105 N. Main St., 330-253-2999.

Old-style pizzas, classic booths, and plenty of wall hangings to keep the kids occupied. Nothing fancy here, from the basic Chianti or bottle of Budweiser, but it's down-home pizza and Italian dishes. Start with a double-cheese salad in this authentic Akron restaurant. (Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer)

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DRINKS OR DINING: Bricco

1 W. Exchange St., 330-475-1600.

Can't decide whether you want a bar to hang out in or a dining room for a nice meal? Bricco has both, clearly internally separated from each other. The bar area is home for high-top tables and a long bar facing televisions. The dining room is segregated for your eating pleasure. Bricco has been a mainstay in downtown Akron for 13 years. (Lonnie Timmons III, The Plain Dealer)





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ASIAN: Cilantro Thai & Sushi

326 S. Main St., 330-434-2876.

Thai food with plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. More than a dozen app offerings will tempt; all are under $10. It's a great space in the heart of Main Street.





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STYLISH: Dante Boccuzzi Akron

21 Furnace St., 330-375-5050.

Luxurious, creative modern American cuisine with Italian touches, wonderful portion sizes and a great rock 'n' roll-themed space (best menus in town). Creamy Italian Polenta with sausage mushrooms and pepperoni? Yes, a great topper after shopping or not shopping. It's off of Main in Chrissie Hynde's old VegeTerranean space. (Lonnie Timmons III, The Plain Dealer)





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STEAK: Diamond Grille

77 W. Market St., 330-253-0041.

You don't go here for any reason other than to satisfy a serious – and we mean serious - beef hankering. Note: Cash-only. (Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer)





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Marc Bona, cleveland.com

GLUTEN-FREE: Jilly's Music Room

Next to Luigi’s, this joint’s menu offers all gluten-free dishes. From Wasabi deviled eggs to goat-cheese-stuffed dates, it’s got a nice assortment of nibbles. Like the slogan says, it’s not just a club, and it’s not just music.

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MEXICAN: Nuevo Modern Mexican and Tequila Bar

54 E. Mill St., 330-762-8000.

This restaurant has modernized Mexican food ("casual upscale"). Like Tequila? Your biggest challenge will be narrowing the choices. Nice selection of gluten-free and vegetarian dishes. (Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer)



