Guidebook for Roanoke
Food Scene
Healthy, mostly locally-sourced. Nice outdoor seating area on Market Building sidewalk.
7 locals recommend
Firefly Fare
16 Church Ave SWHealthy, mostly locally-sourced. Nice outdoor seating area on Market Building sidewalk.
Hearty and healthy options, amazing breads and desserts baked in house. In quaint Old Southwest neighborhood.
23 locals recommend
Evie's Bistro and Bakery
1212 4th St SWHearty and healthy options, amazing breads and desserts baked in house. In quaint Old Southwest neighborhood.
Bubblecake
2073 Colonial AveDecadent cupcakes, pizzas, and mini pies.
May also say Piety on the sign.
50s-style soda bar, plus ice cream from a local creamery, and many unusual grilled cheese sandwiches. They also have a game selection for kids and adults.
18 locals recommend
Pop's Ice Cream
1916 Memorial Ave SW50s-style soda bar, plus ice cream from a local creamery, and many unusual grilled cheese sandwiches. They also have a game selection for kids and adults.
Don't be deceived by the building. It's true, you order at the convenience store counter. But if you're looking for authentic Mexican food, I can send you nowhere else. My standard order is a fish taco and a taco al pastor. Bonus: it's an easy 4-block walk.
10 locals recommend
Tacos Rojas
737 13th St SWDon't be deceived by the building. It's true, you order at the convenience store counter. But if you're looking for authentic Mexican food, I can send you nowhere else. My standard order is a fish taco and a taco al pastor. Bonus: it's an easy 4-block walk.
Benny Marconi's
120 Campbell Ave SEGiant slices of pizza, open late.
Healthy locally/regionally sourced meals, local and organic beers and wines.
53 locals recommend
Local Roots
1314 Grandin Rd SWHealthy locally/regionally sourced meals, local and organic beers and wines.
Cuban Island Restaurant
5508 Williamson RdTasty authentic Cuban cuisine.
Cedars Lebanese Restaurant
112 Campbell Ave SEYummy.
Beamer's 25
357 Salem Ave SWHigh quality burgers, 25 beers on tap.
Downtown joint with bras hanging from the chandelier, lots of strange yet delicious burger options, and a huge beer list. Decent night spot.
37 locals recommend
Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint Roanoke
210 B Market St SEDowntown joint with bras hanging from the chandelier, lots of strange yet delicious burger options, and a huge beer list. Decent night spot.
Situated along the Roanoke River Greenway, this is a great place for kids on warm days, because the outside patio seating is full of toys like oversize blocks, balls, and frisbees.
They have gluten free pizza.
34 locals recommend
The Green Goat
802 Wiley Dr SWSituated along the Roanoke River Greenway, this is a great place for kids on warm days, because the outside patio seating is full of toys like oversize blocks, balls, and frisbees.
They have gluten free pizza.
Very delicious fair trade coffee, nice atmosphere. On the weekend night they also serve beer and have food trucks and music.
39 locals recommend
Sweet Donkey Coffee
2108 Broadway Ave SWVery delicious fair trade coffee, nice atmosphere. On the weekend night they also serve beer and have food trucks and music.
Drinks & Nightlife
Possibly decent dancing on a Friday or Saturday night. The atmosphere is nice due to the interior design, but the type of crowd fluctuates. As a wordly person, Metro is the only place I'd recommend to go dancing downtown, but if you want to experience some true SW Virginia nightlife culture, let me know and I can hook you up. :)
Metro!
14 Campbell Ave SEPossibly decent dancing on a Friday or Saturday night. The atmosphere is nice due to the interior design, but the type of crowd fluctuates. As a wordly person, Metro is the only place I'd recommend to go dancing downtown, but if you want to experience some true SW Virginia nightlife culture, let me know and I can hook you up. :)
A tiny underground music venue. Local and national independent acts.
No alcohol available for purchase.
The Bazaar Of Roanoke
3201A tiny underground music venue. Local and national independent acts.
No alcohol available for purchase.
Sightseeing
The world's largest manmade illuminated star. :) Nice views of the Roanoke Valley and the surrounding Blue Ridge / Appalachian Mountains.
181 locals recommend
Mill Mountain Star
2000 J B Fishburn PkwyThe world's largest manmade illuminated star. :) Nice views of the Roanoke Valley and the surrounding Blue Ridge / Appalachian Mountains.
Parks & Nature
One of our few unpaved greenways. 1-2 miles, woodsy, runs partially along a creek, peaceful. Good for hiking, trail running, and nature exploring.
Murray Run Greenway
Murray Run GreenwayOne of our few unpaved greenways. 1-2 miles, woodsy, runs partially along a creek, peaceful. Good for hiking, trail running, and nature exploring.
Essentials
Natural, local, and organic foods, grab-n-go deli, and fresh smoothies/juices.
22 locals recommend
Roanoke Co+op
1319 Grandin Rd SWNatural, local, and organic foods, grab-n-go deli, and fresh smoothies/juices.
Kroger
614 Brandon Ave SWSupermarket