An excellent coffee shop requires a combination of high-quality coffee, a welcoming atmosphere, and…read moreexceptional customer service. Its success depends on skilled baristas who are knowledgeable and friendly, a comfortable space with amenities like Wi-Fi, and a menu that offers variety beyond just coffee.  After being awarded the NC Triad Yelp Squad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, celebrating their contributions and accomplishments throughout the year, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea in Salem, Virginia, is a perfect example. I arrived at the City of Salem Farmer's Market parking lot, which is adjacent to the back entrance of Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea. And parked my Lexus there after reading the sign that one could park there for 2 hours free, Mondays through Saturdays 6AM - 6PM. After entering through the back door, I noticed that there was a small private dining room there and a hallway with its wall full of paintings from local artists for sale. The hallway lead to a wooden furniture with display shelves with the Coffee Shop t-shirts, mugs, and bags of coffee grains for sale. The environment was comfortable and welcoming, created through elements like clean spaces, good lighting, and appealing decor of artworks for sale from local artists. Their granite counter and very nice pastries display cases gave the place an elegant look together with its original hardwood floors. I waited in line in front of the ordering counter until it was my turn to order. I was welcomed by friendly and professional staff, who were very knowledgeableabout their products. I young lady who took my order and a young gentleman who served my coffee. I ordered a Breakfast Plate with two fried eggs, over easy, four bacon strips, and a white toast with butter. And to drink a Mocha Coffee. The young gentleman who made my coffee recognized me from when I did a review of their Downtown Roanoke location, and made me feel at home. The cook in the kitchen did an awesome job cooking my eggs over easy, (just the way I like them), and the four strips of bacon, even though they were very skinny and for that reason shrank somewhat. The medium Mocha Coffee was amazing. Someone who I believe was the Caffee Shop manager was very kind and helpful, and brought the plate to my table. After enjoying my food I went back for something sweet and ordered one of their Cinnamon Rolls which were made in-house. It was one of the best cinnamon rolls that I've ever had. I finished drinking my Mocha Coffee while enjoying the cinnamon roll. In conclusion, I had an extraordinary dining experience there, and highly recommend this Coffee Shop for breakfast, lunch, or even for an afternoon snack. Everything about the place was wonderful. But above all, their customer service was exceptional.

I stopped in here to get a vanilla latte to go. The girl behind the counter was cheerful but her…read morecountenance changed when I didn't give her the tip she was expecting. I asked for an extra shot of espresso but I don't think she gave it to me as I didn't taste it. The place is very hip and had tons of seating. They are in the historic district so it was nice place to go to. I would go to this place again if I was in the area.

I will not be returning to this Starbucks location. Nothing against the employees, but general…read morecustomer service is extremely poor. I simply requested a light roast drip, but their machine for that had "exploded" yesterday. They offered a roast Americano instead. That was no problem and I accepted. I am disappointed by the fact that I paid well over five dollars for a week Americano. It is not even worth drinking. I thought Starbucks was supposed to be a decent coffee shop. While I have been disappointed there many times before, this last visit reinforces my notion to never go back. Drip coffee at a gas station is so much more worth it.

Generally, the service is friendly and courteous. The experience is typically, above average…read morecoffeehouse experience (like most Starbucks). The cleanliness is hit or miss. Sometimes it's spotless and other times in a little wild disarray.

Love love love this place. The boba is great, I 100% recommend the Thai tea! Also love the gelato,…read moreI've had the taro, bubblegum, and strawberry cheesecake and they are all amazing. The macarons and mochi donuts are super yummy as well!!! My partner and I love coming here and getting boba together, it's so good every time. The owners are also pretty friendly. It's very cute inside as well, but limited seating.

Didn't realize how extensive this menu is! We only ordered apps for today, but the crab Rangoons…read moreand spring rolls really hit the spot! Excited to try the boba and sushi next! The atmosphere is quite quiet, so we chose to take it to go, but the design and interior is so fun and funky! Highly recommend!

Next month it will be a year since this women-owned business transitioned from a beloved food truck…read moreto a charming brick-and-mortar location in the heart of Salem, Virginia. After being awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, celebrating their contributions and accomplishments throughout the year, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants, businesses, and entertainment venues, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Bean Bliss Coffee Bar in Salem, Virginia, is a perfect example. As I drove by the window display of this quaint and one-of-a-kind coffee shop, I couldn't help but to think what kind of secrets that shop held. It wasn't just coffee; it was an experience, a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Once inside, its rustic design and cozy decor, created a warm and inviting atmosphere, in which to relax and enjoy an expertly crafted coffee, with a food item imported from local providers. Its walls showcased local artists' work, and its small living room with a sofa and coffee table, in the front of the shop, made one feel relaxed and at home. The owner herself, a friendly and very hospitable lady, welcomed me behind the counter, and explained how she wanted her coffee shop to be a place where members of the community could come to relax, work, and catch up with friends. When it came time to order, I ordered a couple of Bacon & Cheese Frittatas, a Cherry Danish, and a Mocha Coffee. Everything was amazingly delicious. While I ate there was another customer working on his laptop computer at another table, and a young lady customer arrived, ordered her coffee and breakfast and went to enjoy it at the comfortable sofa and coffee table area in front of the shop. Before I left, I went to the back to use their restroom, and before I reached it, there was a blackboard wall full of well wishes for the owner of the store, handwritten in color chalk, from customers of all ages. As I was ready to leave, I thanked the owner for her hospitality, and also wished her well. I highly recommend this Coffee Shop and encourage all those reading this review to give her your total support.

The new guy in town!…read more So many options, so many flavors, and so many different snacks and treats to get you through the day! A couple small tables and a couch available if you choose to stay awhile, but quick and friendly service is abundant. I was very excited to try a blue raspberry latte... spoiler alert: it's DELISH. We also tried their honey bee specialty which hit the spot. Prices are a bit steep, but quality syrups and grounds helped make up for it.

One of our new local favorite hangouts!!! The interior is set up in such a fun and loving way. The…read morebubble teas are great and freshly prepared utilizing only the finest ingredients. We come here at least once per week. Customer service is excellent and you feel valued from the moment you walk in. You must check them out!

My husband found this place while working. He always told me about it and finally we visited…read moretogether and I can't express enough how amazing the drinks and food is here! Took me by surprise that they have Pho here too!! We will have to come back for that. The barista was super helpful and sweet, didn't loose patience despite the many questions and changes we made. We ordered Thai tea w/regular boba pearls (my favorite), Mango Tea w/mango poppers (popping boba), and a Watermelon Freeze. We also ordered one Egg roll and one Korean Corndog. Everything exceeded my expectations. The drinks were amazing and the snacks we got were delicious! You have to come heck this place out! Everything from the decorations of the establishment to the cups used for the drinks screams to me how the owner is giving their all to make this place a great place to grab a drink & a bite! It's a very welcoming place, relaxing atmosphere will most definitely be back soon!

I'm sure this place is great mid day, but in the afternoons it's rowdy and full of aggressive…read moreteens. it took over 30 minutes just to receive a coffee. great selection of ice cream and crepes and bubble tea flavors. Unfortunately I won't return for coffee, as there are too many local options with more selection and much faster production.

Lucky cat Tea is the best bubble tea shop in all of Salem. The service is excellent. The cute shop…read moreis just such a vibe. Everyone there is so nice and kind and full of so much diverse people and unique individuals. I totally recommend this place to everyone. My favorite bubble tea to get is the lavender with tapioca pearls. I'm a regular, and this place is honestly to die for you really gotta stop by one day. They also have mochi donuts now and I had a milk tea one and it was literally the best thing I ever tasted.

For some time now I have been driving by this coffee & tea shop, and today I decided to take the…read moreroad less traveled, Starkey Road, and pay this place a visit. And what I found completely amazed me, and exceeded my highest of expectations. After being awarded the NC Triad Yelp Squad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, celebrating their contributions and accomplishments throughout the year, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea, near Tanglewood Mall, in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. The Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea on Starkey Road in Roanoke, VA, is a former bank that was converted into a coffee shop by Blake Construction, a company that also handles many of their projects. This location opened in 2012, after the original downtown Roanoke store was established in 1990 by founder Dave Johnson. The Starkey Road location featured a unique renovation, including turning the old vault into a walk-in cooler and adding a drive-up window.  When I entered the Coffee Shop today, I was attracted by its magical cozy ambiance and by the fine lines and curves of its renovation architectural design. Known for its artisanal coffee blends and curated tea selections, I was also impressed with their menu, that besides freshly baked pastries, also included a nice egg variety plates for breakfast and creative sandwiches for lunch. The place offered a cozy retreat for coffee enthusiasts. College students could take advantage of their Free WiFi to research and write their reports using their laptops. Friends could meet there to spend quality time talking to each other. Entrepreneurs could use the place to brainstorm business ideas over a cup of savory coffee. Art enthusiasts could view the artists display works, and even purchase one to add to their collection. When it was my turn to make my order, I approached the counter and a bright and friendly young lady took my order. I ordered a breakfast plate with two fried eggs over easy, bacon, and white toast, with a large Mocha Coffee to drink. The cook did an excellent job cooking my food, just how I had asked it done. At the entrance there was a Community Bulletin Board with different announcements and advertisements. I happened to find one for this year's performance of the Nutcracker at the Burgland Center, which I had been wondering about when ticket sales were selling. In conclusion, I highly recommend this coffee shop, not only for its great coffee and tea, for its food menu, for its exceptional customer service, and cozy atmosphere, that together make for an extraordinary dining experience.

Over the top incredible service. My mom and I are frequenters, and I get a large PSL every time I…read morecome through Roanoke! They hands down have the best out there, and always the perfect light ice temperature lattes. Today, we had a little explosion (matcha everywhere...) and yet the baristas immediately came to help and mop and made a new one before he even finished mopping. HUGE shoutout Dakota for your sweet demeanor and all your help!!!

I have mixed feelings about this Starbucks. When I arrived for the first time, the place was clean…read moreand very well organized. They had all the tumblers and mugs neatly placed on the display shelves and stands. I was very impressed with the large size of the store and variety of the nice looking and comfortable furniture. As a Reserve Status Starbucks member, today was Triple Star Day, so I went to their counter and ordered an Iced Caffè Mocha Grande and paid with my app's Starbucks account to be able to get the Triple Stars for every dollar spent. Then I sat down at one of the comfortable seats, and enjoyed drinking my coffee while I studied the New Reward Program from Starbucks explained in their app. As I did so, I discovered a Reserve Status exclusive drink: The Ube Tiramisu. So I went and ordered one to celebrate becoming a Reserve Status member. The barista wasn't aware of this so inputed some of the ingredients in the register but some details of the ingredients of the recipe were missing. To top it off, he charged me 200 Rewards Stars to pay for it without me asking him to use Stars to pay for it, thus not allowing me to take advantage of my Triple Star Day offer. When I discovered this in the receipt, I went back and asked him to return my 200 Stars and charge the dollar amount of my drink from my account. He said it was not a problem and did it. I trusted he had done it and sat down to drink my coffee. After I finished drinking it, in no time at all, I noticed my glass was filled with ice up to the top, thus it had had very little coffee. I went up and brought it to the attention of the store manager and showed him my glass, and he insisted that was how it was done. I got upset at his insistence when you could clearly see the glass full of ice that left very little room for the coffee. So I left and when I got home and reviewed my account, noticed that the barista hadn't given me back the 200 Stars, that he had taken away, even though he had charged me for the coffee. I immediately called Starbucks' Headquarters Customer Service, and told their knowledgeable and hospitable customer service representative my story and he apologized for this store doing this to me and made it right. For this reason I am giving this store 3 Stars, when it should have been less, but I do so with a buyer beware, and am not sure I will return there again.

Solid Bucks ! No complaints l. Ben was very helpful helping me work through what I wanted to order,…read moregiving me solid suggestions and I was very pleased with it. I got a brown sugar shaken espresso with white mocha. Came in a Sunday afternoon it was slow. My husbands drink was too "pepperminty" for him so Ben suggested how to order for future and gave him a shot, per our request, to add to the current drink to dilute that flavor. Great service !

Fantastic food and great environment! Every time we are in town we stop by for a croissant!!read more

What a cozy family style feeling when you walk into this bistro. The pastry case was loaded with…read morebeautiful cakes & macarons. I chose the mango mousse cake - WOW it's light & airy & refreshing , the flavors & textures all compliment each other. The young gentleman at the counter was friendly and ready to serve. I also picked up two chocolate ganache macarons for my husband to try later on. I tried their strawberry & cream iced latte - it was just okay - I didn't get much vanilla taste in my latte. Overall, would definitely come back to try more of their desserts & maybe try lunch next time too!

Just the other day as I was driving around doing some errands, and looking for a place to have an…read moreearly dinner, I discovered this fresh casual restaurant in the heart of Downtown Salem, in Salem, Virginia. At first, I was attracted by its white building front with light green awning and pink highlights around the building and its front door as well as around the restaurant's front sign. Its small patio in front with black iron outdoor dining furniture also attracted my attention. So I drove around looking for a place to park my pearl white Lexus, and I was lucky to find just across the street a few empty free 2 hour parking spaces. I parked in one of them and proceeded to walk to the restaurant. On one of its front windows it read: "Freshens - Fresh Food Kitchen." As I walked in, I immediately felt comfortable in this clean and bright environment with modern decor. The walls were brick walls painted white and decorated simple, with framed enlarged photographs of close-up of fruits & vegetables like tomatoes, corn, and strawberries, just to name a few. The floors were light color hardwood floors. Lit menus were located above, behind the counter, with items such as Smoothies, Grilled Flatbreads, Salads, Artisan Melts, Acai Bowls, and Rice Bowls. When I finally found the "Order Here" sign, located above an area of the counter, a friendly, young lady employee greeted me, and when I told her this was my first time there, she tried to find me a paper menu, but they had ran out. I ordered from the menu on the wall. To drink I ordered a Maui Mango Smoothie, that had mango, strawberries, and bananas. And to eat I ordered their a BBQ Bacon Chicken Grilled Flatbread. The Maui Mango Smoothie had just the right texture and tasted amazing.The mixture of its three fruits made it tast almost like guava, which is also one of my favorite tropical fruits. When my Grilled Flatbread was ready, they called me to pick it up. It tasted amazingly delicious! While I was eating, several other customers came by. Most of them had ordered already and just came to pick up their food "To Go." Others stayed and ate it there. The food and the smoothie were so fresh and healthy that I felt great after I finished them up. Oh, and for dessert I had a sliced of their Peanut Butter Pie and it was so soft and tasty, that made me want to return soon. After I returned home, I did my research and found out that this establishment was recognized as the 2026 leading Vegetarian Restaurant in Salem, Virginia. I highly recommend it and had wonderful healthy dining experience there.

They were really helpful on the phone with my call in order, walked in staff was super cool and…read morewelcoming and the smoothie is just what I needed. Stuff is really cheap I will definitely be back.