I live right behind the place and have been there quite a few times now. I have sampled a bunch of things on the menu. My first impression was, wow, this place is tiny. Despite the smallness of it, I usually never care about that anyways, it turned out to be one of those great tiny places you love going too. I have mostly had breakfast food, because it's my favorite. Dans barnyard is my favorite dish and I get it often. It's so big it's usually two meals for me! I also tried the Harvey and it was great as well. Their pancakes are also great, they are as big as your plate!! I have never had cold coffee, bad food, or heard anyone arguing I believe those reviews are phony. The prices seen a bit expensive, but when you see the amount of food it doesn't matter. Love valley cafe! Get their quick! read more

Nestled in The Valley in an area concentrated with apartments, bars, and other assorted businesses, the Valley Cafe is a tiny little diner with a big heart. The interior is inviting and clean, the service is friendly and frequent, and the food is good and delivered in a timely manner. However, nothing about this cafe makes it stand out from other Akron-area diners I've frequented over the years. It's a solid, neighborhood cafe...no more, no less. If I lived closer, I could easily see myself becoming a regular here. My only, minor complaint: keep the coffee warmer. My first cup was lukewarm, but my second was better. read more

I absolutely love the Cafe. I live in the apartments nearby and my boyfriend and I have made it a weekend habit to visit the cafe for breakfast. We are actually moving within the next few months, and have already made the decision that our weekly trips to the cafe will have to continue via an extended route. As far as the food goes, it is a pretty basic breakfast menu, but the portions are perfect, and the food is simple and homey. I have yet to try something that is not cooked well or does not taste wonderful. The service is amazing. The staff is always kind, happy, and courteous. Each person goes out of their way to make the dining experience enjoyable. The only aspect that could be seen as a negative is the small dining area. There are only about 10-15 tables. However, I enjoy this, as it gives the cafe a more personal and home-like feeling. Additionally, wait time due to the seating space, has never been a huge issue with us - the longest wait we have ever had was about 15 minutes, and that only occurred one time, every other time we have come we have been seated within 2-3 minutes or immediately. read more

We love valley caf!! The food is always fresh and tastes fantastic, and portions are great for the prices. I highly recommend the amish cinnamon toast combo! It's absolutely delicious and my all time favorite breakfast dish. They run an awesome take out service too-- we have never had them mess up an order and we order all the time! Both lunch and breakfast are awesome, and you really can't go wrong with either. Warning: the pancakes are twice the size of your face! Make sure you've got plenty of room before heading down there because you'll want to order the whole menu. read more

We came here this morning for breakfast because of the great Yelp reviews. We were immediately greeted with a smile when we walked in. The place is very small and somewhat busy but we got a table right away. Our waiter was awesome. He was very busy but made time to chat for a couple minutes. I missed his name but he's very tall and sweet as sugar. I ordered the country fried steak and eggs with grits. Very nice portion sizes. I'm upset that I forgot to take a picture before I dug in. I thought for sure I'd need more gravy for the country fried steak, but it turned out to be very tender and flavorful. It would have even been good without gravy. The eggs were perfectly cooked (always over medium). My husband had the special which was a breakfast sandwich with sausage, Canadian bacon, eggs and cheese inside two pancakes. He loved it and barely shared a bite. The employees all seemed happy to be there and very attentive to the customers and the quality of the food. This is definitely a place we will return to. read more

I was FULL when we left. They are very good at breakfast food, do not miss the glazed cinnamon French toast. The food and service are excellent. Be ready to possibly wait for a seat, but things have always moved quickly for us. read more

Came for breakfast with a friend during a stressful period in both of our lives to refocus and relax. I remembered the restaurant from my first year in Akron while looking for an apartment where I had a viewing scheduled. I had gotten lost and I stopped and asked for directions and the staff was very kind and helped me out the plaza back there. Food was great and plentiful for the price. I ordered an omelet with feta, spinach and tomatoes. Friend ordered a veggie breakfast sandwich. We both had hash browns and it all tasted just like I made it at home which is a good thing. Coffee was standard coffee. Our waiter was wonderful, extremely personable and friendly, we had a few laughs and chatted after he brought us our change. It was a nice quaint and homey experience that made us both feel a lot better and left very happy :) read more

I recently ate breakfast at Valley Cafe after being recommended it from a co-worker. Honestly, I don't even know where to start. It was terrible. We sat almost elbow-to-elbow to the couple next to us. The decor was off-putting. The coffee was mediocre and the food was not satisfactory. What is going on with the sausage gravy?! It tasted as if there was sand in it. I tried to resign it to the fact maybe the flour was not incorporated into the roux very well but something was way off. Service was decent. Never going back. read more

Best breakfast I've had in a long time. Got the Country Fried Steak and it was the best I've ever had... and I've had a lot of country fried steaks in my day. Service was great too! We'll be back for lunch. read more

My first visit to the Valley café and it was fabulous! Outdoor patio tables and the inside tables were all full so we elected to sit at the breakfast bar. Our waiter, Michael, was so accommodating. My friend and I don't eat carbs so he helped us order ala carte to keep us on our diet and still have a grand breakfast. Plenty of staff, quick service, and delicious special are awaiting you. Lots of coffee refills and a to go cup later and we were beaming ear to ear with our delightful dining experience. Ask for Michael's section when you visit. read more

Valley Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Akron, Ohio

Um ,,, YUCK ! Had a salad and club sandwich, all the food was wilted and Old tasting ,,, not fresh at all. The bacon seemed cooked ahead and stored in fridge and put directly on the sandwich with cold/old tasting grease on it ,, had an off taste too it also. Never be back ! Wait staff slow , not attentive ! read more

I ordered the shrimp and grit cakes ($11.99) they were delicious I had no complaints until my stomach and even my friends (we had the same thing) wouldn't settle then unfortunately I ended up throwing up for about 30 minuets straight which was very painful for taste I recommend but I wouldn't visit again read more

Valley Cafe - Shrimp and Shrimp and Grit Cakes $11.99 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Akron, Ohio

My boyfriend and I had just finished up a long bike ride from the Valley to Peninsula and back so it was time to chow down for sure. He was super-excited to try this place because we always drove past it but never actually got to stop in. We snagged the very last table available outside and I dashed in to get a menu. Clearly, I hadn't realized this was a sit-down restaurant, not a self-serve one. The drive-through was what made me think that, but anyhoo. The host was a very lovely lady who brought out our menus and utensils and the waitress came promptly after. My boyfriend got his usual at most diners: egg whites or eggbeaters, scrambled, with home fries and dry rye toast. I usually meander around the menu trying to find a non-egg option that isn't filled with loads of fat and calories. This time though, I felt like I deserved a splurge after that intense bike ride so I ordered the only type of eggs that I've always liked: eggs benedict. Of course, I ordered it without the Canadian bacon. I asked if I could sub the home fries (not a fan) with something else like vegetables or fruit and she said she could only sub grits. I stuck with the home fries. What I did appreciate was that our waitress came back a few minutes later and asked if I could take a slice of tomato in place of the Canadian bacon. That's the kind of thinking I really like in a restaurant. The service was great, nothing to complain about at all. So, the food. My eggs benedict looked great and the eggs were poached pretty perfectly. However, the sauce was super-heavy and kind of flavor-less. There was way too much of it and the english muffin didn't seem toasted at all. Maybe I'm wrong and it's not supposed to be toasted? I don't think so... The home fries were ok after a liberal seasoning of the hot sauce they keep on each table. My boyfriend said his eggs were great, not runny or overcooked, and the toast was actually really darn good. All in all, depending on what you order, I think you can have a pretty decent meal. Maybe try to avoid a more complicated type dish from them and stick with the classics. It's certainly not a destination spot. (Fresh Start in Twinsburg is definitely worth a trip to visit.) I wouldn't come back in a hurry but if I did, I'm eager to try their cabbage soup. It seems like a specialty of theirs and with my Polish roots, I cannot resist a cabbage. Tip for vegetarians: Unless you're willing to special order a menu item without the meat, there are actually very few vegetarian options save for a veggie pita and some of the breakfast dishes. It's kind of surprising because most people who stop in are those walking or biking on the trails nearby. You'd think a few of them would be vegs. no? read more

Maybe it's that I have high standards, but this place left me bored and underwhelmed. I was expecting something "like" home-cooked and what I got was nothing near. Sloppy, unevenly cooked food (not just one item, I'm talking eggs, pancakes, hash, even the toast!) with an atmosphere that was cramped, hot, and sort of dirty looking. Not going to return here. read more

Great brunch food. The place is run down, but always have great service, bottomless coffee, and delicious food!

The cafe is in a great location but the coffee is consistently served cold and the manager ignores this issue. He treats his employees w/disrespect in front of customers and employees. The cafe has been known to cheat on the sales taxes. My family frequented this cafe, but will never go back. read more

Everything here is delicious! Comfortable atmosphere, staff is OK. Not usually super friendly, but not rude in anyway. Just seems like they get you your food and leave you alone which isn't a bad thing. read more

Great breakfast. I got the eggs benidict and my husband got the chocolate pancakes and bacon. Everything came out really fast and the wait staff was very nice. We saw a lot of people who had road there bikes here because it is right off the tow path. We will have to try that next time. read more

Highly recommend! Went in on a Sunday morning and it was very busy but service flowed very well. Never felt rushed nor did food take a while to come out. The cinnamon French toast was awesome. Slight crunch and not too sweet - amazing. We also had the waffle which was also very good. Overall great find - a must try! read more

Service was pretty good. It was crazy busy but everyone was nice. Got corned beef hash and was so excited I was ready to eat the famous potatoes..corned beef was delicious..potatoes were mush not crispy at all i picked all the meat out couldn't take it. Coffee good..although I wasn't offered a to go like others were. Husband said pancakes were good. Sausage patties were big. I will go back get something different will have to ask for cripy potatoes :( read more

First time here and it was good. I had the Shrimp over Grit Cakes. Service was good also, the two ladies that were working had great personalities. I will be back when I am in the area. read more

Love this place! Friendly service and pretty cool it used to be a bank I remember going to when I was a little kid!

I love to take my kids to the Valley Cafe as a lunch treat. They always get chocolate chip pancakes with bacon, and I get the blt sub and fries. Good, simple food. Great service. The owner often comes to the table. I prefer this place to the numerous chains around Akron. read more

This place is awesome , service was great . Felt like a down home country atmosphere .

If you love breakfast and brunch, this is the place to go! The Valley Café is a small family owned restaurant that not only has inside seating but a nice patio as well. Service was quick and food was cooked just right. It is a small place so you may have to wait 5-10 minutes before getting a table. I will be going back. read more

Valley Cafe - a place I'd definitely recommend if you're in or around the Akron area. The food was delish and the staff was friendly. Costs was reasonable and what i remember was that all the patrons seemed satisfied. When they expand...easily a 4.5/5 star cafe. read more

Had a giant pancake, eggs and bacon after a ride at the Hampton Hills Mountain Bike Trails. Staff was great, coffee was good. Definitely recommend it. read more

Valley Cafe is one of the best places to eat in the Valley! My favorite is the Monday Grown Up Mac N cheese, It is only available on Mondays but its worth going in on Monday for. As for Breakfast, the Cafe always serves a great breakfast. The food is brought out quickly and very hot. We eat there at least 2 or 3 times a month and NEVER have had a bad experience! The staff are fast and friendly! Karen, Kara, and many other of the wait staff welcome you when you come in and work very hard to serve you. I have never once heard chef BJ say anything disrespectful to his staff. In fact he has come out on several occasions and has said hello and talked to us. I love this little cafe in the middle of the valley. Its great food and clean and bright! ( though the decorations are a little to kitsch) read more

This is a perfect spot in the valley. We typically stop here for breakfast after a ride on the towpath. Love the outside tables. The special omelet--spinach, tomato and feta is my FAVORITE!!! Wait staff is always courteous and timely. read more

Great food, service, prices. The staff was friendly, attentive, and our food was served in a timely manner. We will be back!

Once in a while I'll go off the beaten path and try something new, today was that day with Vally Café. I ordered a burger with fries. First thing I was disappointed with was that the bun was bigger than the burger (reminded me of the old Wendys commercial). Secondly the toppings were skimpy except for the tons of onions. Usually those are minimal compared to lettuce and tomato (which there was little of). There was also very little mayo, if any, on it. I had to add ketchup to season the burger. Once I did that it was a great burger. The fries were pretty good, a little soft for my taste but generally crisp enough. I like the place, friendly people, but on my visit I was annoyed by a fellow diner. For some reason he decided to be rude and play his cellphone, watching some videos with the audio on. A young kid who apparently doesn't know manners in a restaurant. I wish the Café had said something to him, but they were his age and apparently knew him. He did stop once his food arrived but it was disturbning to my experience never-the-less. I will give this place another try. I noticed specials on the board, which seem good to try sometime as well. So overall a nice place, just wish I had a wider burger that was seasoned better and that they cared for their patrons and asked the kid to turn off his sound or use headphones. read more

I was there a few weeks ago with my daughter and we arrived just before they closed maybe about 2 o'clock. The staff was very friendly but the food was quite undesirable. My daughter ordered the chicken salad and it looked a little bit like cat food. My food was mediocre. We were the only customers and they were about four employees working at the time unfortunately I couldn't get a coffee refill. Wishing them the best but I don't think I will be back. read more

Best stop for breakfast in the valley. I've been comming here for years and am always impressed. The staff is super friendly and classy. Jenny has my coffee ready as soon as I walk in and Shelia gets my food to me pippin hot! Michael always stops by to ask how work is going. Jammie is on top of the coffee refills like a boss. The entire staff is amazing and deserves raises. My only complaint is that bj is being super stingy with the flock check ins. I can get free home fries... Woo. As a once a week regular I want more variety in the meals. 10 check ins for Amish bacon at the cost of regular. read more

Such a cute place! We ordered the Dan's barnyard, shrimp and grits, and cinnamon roll pancake. The portions were huge and so flavorful! The hospitality and service were beyond any breakfast place we've been to in Akron. We will be back! read more

This is a tiny little restaurant that we went out of our way to find based on reviews. The food was very good - home-cooked and authentic. The service was attentive, and quirky (in a good way). We were greeted at the door by the owner/chef. Very enthusiastic. Our waiter was a lifer there and couldn't have been more of a cheerleader for the restaurant. We ordered the hash and the breakfast sandwich and both were hot and tasty, nothing groundbreaking but that's not what they're after. The portions were nice The coffee is filled constantly and if you want more to go no worries. One thing that was not wonderful, when you walk in you are staring at the inside of the men's restroom, but they were remodeling so perhaps that will be changing. There is a pretty extensive menu and If we are in the area we would come again. read more

Stopped in for a quick lunch. Chicken salad sandwich. Nice size and very tasty, but could have been served with chips. Service was good and attentive. Caren K read more

Coffee is amazing food is amazing staff is amazing The restaurant is quaint and doesn't look like much but they definitely exceed expectations. They have options for all food lovers read more

I never have to worry or think twice about the Valley Cafe, I know its always going to be wonderful and comforting food! Im addicted to their Omlettes and the pancakes are wonderful! My boyfriend says their Gyros are the best hes ever had! Its a cute little place and just one of those places you can go to and you always feel at home. Not expensive at all and a good amount to choose from. Definitely somewhere you can go every week and make a tradition without getting tired of it. Who gets tired of breakfast anyways? read more

The Valley Cafe is a small restaurant located in what looks like a converted bank building. We had stopped in on Fat Tuesday for some Cajun food. We ordered the smothered shrimp etoufee special. It looked good when served and tasted great with just the right amount of heat. It could not have been better. My wife ordered the grits with cheese and bacon. She said they were good and she liked them. My grandson who can eat a large pizza by himself with no problem ordered three fill the plate pancakes. He liked them but they were large enough that he could not finish them and had the remainder boxed for later. The menu was the type that has a little something for everyone. The manager took the time to talk with us to be sure that we enjoyed the meal. read more

Your money goes a long way here! The portions are big and the people are friendly. We went for breakfast and then went back to bed after eating ourselves into a food coma. Worth it. read more