Akron's Porchlight Coffee Co. Wins Readers' Choice for Best Burger

Local cafe and coffee shop recognized for its standout food menu alongside its brews.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 11:29am

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A vibrant, high-contrast silkscreen print featuring a single, iconic burger icon repeated in a tight grid pattern, rendered in a neon color palette with heavy black outlines to create a modern pop art aesthetic.Porchlight Coffee Co.'s award-winning burger takes center stage in a bold, pop art-inspired celebration of Akron's thriving food scene.Akron Today

Porchlight Coffee Co., a four-year-old cafe and coffee shop in Akron, Ohio, has been crowned the winner of The Beacon Journal's March Madness-style competition for the best burger in the city, as voted by local readers.

Why it matters

Akron's food and beverage scene has been rapidly evolving, with new independent cafes, restaurants, and eateries opening up and vying for the attention of discerning local diners. Porchlight Coffee Co.'s recognition as the city's top burger spot highlights the growing reputation of this neighborhood hangout for its quality food offerings in addition to its coffee.

The details

Porchlight Coffee Co. opened its doors in Akron four years ago, establishing itself as a go-to spot for specialty coffee drinks as well as a selection of delightful eats like sandwiches, salads, and burgers. In a recent reader poll conducted by The Beacon Journal, Porchlight's burger was voted the best in the city, beating out other local favorites in a March Madness-style tournament format.

  • Porchlight Coffee Co. opened in Akron four years ago.
  • The Beacon Journal's reader poll and burger competition took place in March 2026.

The players

Porchlight Coffee Co.

A four-year-old cafe and coffee shop in Akron, Ohio, known for its specialty coffee drinks and delectable food menu, including the reader-voted best burger in the city.

The Beacon Journal

A local newspaper in Akron, Ohio, that recently conducted a reader poll and March Madness-style competition to determine the city's best burger, which was won by Porchlight Coffee Co.

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled to be recognized by our loyal customers as serving the best burger in Akron. It's a testament to the hard work of our team and our commitment to using high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients.”

— Samantha Wilkins, Owner, Porchlight Coffee Co.

The takeaway

Porchlight Coffee Co.'s win in The Beacon Journal's burger competition highlights the growing culinary reputation of this Akron neighborhood cafe, which has built a loyal following for its exceptional coffee and food offerings that go beyond the typical cafe fare.