Brood Restaurant and Bar

•$$$

It is said that valuable things come in small boxes, but never in my wildest imagination did I…read moreconceive of a place like Stellina. After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I also was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at their Yelpies 2025 Award Ceremony, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, and where last year I was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year Award, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants 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 Stellina, in Downtown Roanoke, is a perfect example. Stellina (which means "Little Star" in Italian) is a secretly hidden little bar within the very popular Italian Restaurant Fortunato, but with its own entrance through a door on the right of the restaurant. Its only indication of its name is a small letter board behind one of its front windows, stating its name and hours of operation. This bar was constructed with reclaimed wood from the Old Crow distillery and opened in December of 2016. Since then its gain a reputation as the ideal spot for hand-crafted cocktails in a cozy and intimate atmosphere. It seats only about 20 people, with 7 at the bar. Not that long ago it gained recognition by being featured in the New York Post as one of the world's best small bars. All that I can tell you about this place doesn't do justice to the experience of visiting the place for the very first time. After stepping inside, I was mesmerized by the simple yet effective, elegance of the establishment, complimented by the beautifully dressed young lady, server/bartender. Her elegant style and mysterious personality contributed to the character and ambiance of this one-of-a-kind relaxing place. The very hospitable young lady welcomed me and handed me the drink menu, while asking me if I also planned to dine there. I answered in the affirmative and asked her if they had any Mocktails. To my surprise, she pointed out that one side of the Drinks Menu were all non-alcoholic drinks, including mocktails, bottled mocktails, wine by the glass, and beers. I ordered one of the mocktails and by the end of my meal, I think I must have tried a few. She then brought me Fortunato's menu, and I ordered the Fritto Misto as appetizer and the Pork Milanese as my main entrée. I enjoyed both course immensely. A lady employee brought me the food from Fortunato's Restaurant through a door that led to the restroom area of Fortunato's Restaurant, pass the kitchen. For dessert, that Which I consider the "Grand Finale" of a wonderful fine dining experience, I ordered their Tiramisu and Hot Chocolate. They were absolutely mouthwatering. I highly recommend this place and can't wait to return in the near future.

Tried to get reservations at Fortuna, but could not. Stellina offers their menu and is right beside…read morethem. Stellina is small and on a Friday they were packed in. Scored at the bar which worked fine for me. Service was lukewarm, but still ok. Service started out slow and improved. However, no check-ins were performed at all. I was given a cocktail and food menu. I knew I wanted an Old Fashioned and dropped an order for their lamb meatballs. Shortly after I decided on the eggplant Parmesan main. My drink with Rittenhouse Rye bourbon was tasty, just not much of it price at $17 steep too! I also ordered a specialty hot rum drink with pumpkin spice at $10 that was amazing! The meatballs hit quickly and were devoured! So yummy! About 15 minutes later the main dropped and was huge! Really quality and flavorful for a vegetarian dish. Overall the food was better than the service and prices were stretched. 3.5 rounding down due to service.

Bar

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Bloom

4.6(100 reviews)

5.7 mi

I've dined at Bloom numerous times now and I must say the food is amazing. It's delicious and…read morecreatively presented. The blueberry waffle ( with fried chicken ) was delish, fluffy on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside. The potatoes with aioli were crispy with just the right amount of spice. My daughter got the burrata toast.. divine! Our waiter, Michael, was attentive, informative and very pleasant. We sat in a nice booth in the main dining room which has cool vibes and a countertop kitchen so we could see the production. Love that Bloom offers Sunday brunch on special occasions. Delightful experience from booking to finish. Looking forward to our next visit!

We got their price fix Japan menu and it was delicious! The salt bread was great, light and airy…read more Other standouts include the shrimp skewers and mushroom onigiri. The broth in the onigiri was perfect and balanced the crispy rice really well. Atmosphere was nice and chill, really great for a date or a group dinner

The bottles of water. The quality of the water reflects the quality of the restaurant.

Close-up of a fork holding a shrimp from the Shrimp "Caesar" menu item.

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A fork holds a piece of the Happy Rangoonies.

Show Pony

3.9(12 reviews)

4.7 mi

I cannot believe I have not written a review for this place when I go literally every week. Show…read morePony is such an amazing addition to the Roanoke area. Every Monday they have $2 oysters which always makes it worth going. The drinks here are AMAZING!!! it's so unique and so delicious! I enjoy that the food menu will have rotating items on top of permanent items. I cannot recommend the chicken tenders more. Everyone who works there is always nice and welcoming.

Very loud. Hard to hold a conversation. Food was good the first time around. They changed their…read moremenu the second time we arrived so I was disappointed when they didn't have the item I ordered the last time and there wasn't much to my liking.

The bar with its ceiling and ceiling lamps.

The House Ice Cream. A picture is worth a thousand words.

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A work of art Mocktail.

Sidecar

4.6(87 reviews)

•$$$

Amazing service at the bar beforehand where our group of 6 took a lot of our bartenders time with…read moresome questions, luckily it was pre dinner rush so we didn't halt service for others. We then proceeded to supper on the other side to enjoy the following: lobster thurmidor, oyster sampler, crab louie, canard frites, and affogato. This was a wonderful experience with courteous staff...our only hiccup came at the end of the meal. We were ready to leave and had to wait 15 minutes to be able to get our servers attention to get our check.

This spot was fantastic! Brought friends for a celebration meal and it was great. Pregnant friend…read morehad attentive accommodations made for temp of food and mocktails without having to ask, there was tons of variety on the menu and everything was absolutely delicious. Prices were great for the quality, definitely do lots of plates to share. The tomahawk was so tender and flavorful, dipping sauces for frites were plentiful. Only complaint was on the mussels themselves being quite tiny. Nice cozy vibe and not too loud.

The Host's station with the name and logo of the restaurant in the background.

The main entrée: Cotelette De Porc. Beeler's Duroc Pork Chop, Cherry Gastrique, Swiss Chard, and Lyonnaise Potatoes.

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Lucky Restaurant

4.3(367 reviews)

First time trying Lucky and I'd give it a 4.5 rounded up to a 5. The menu is local farm based so it…read morechanges seasonally and is a bit limited. I was disappointed because I was hoping to try a soup or scallops I'd seen in Yelp pics but they weren't in the menu this time. Which is the roll of the dice you pay for fresh creative menus. Dining area and bar have a nice vibe with attractive art work. Dim lighting and smaller tables make it cute for a date or a solo business diner like myself. The lucky cube drink was creative and tasty. Brussel sprouts were also unique with a tahini sauce on top and perfectly crispy chickpeas. I'd seen "Smoke in Chimneys Trout" on a few menus in Roanoke this trip but never heard of that before. Looked it up and learned something new. They are trout that are local and prized for living in a lime stone aquifer rather than a river. Giving them a clean light slightly sweet taste, no essence of mud that can come with other river fish. I've never ordered trout in a restaurant, But when in Rome... Lol. The fish itself and the portion was really good. Wish I could remember my waitress' name. She was knowledgeable and just had a really warm, friendly energy.

I came in for the fried chicken because other reviews were very positive .. the coating was v…read morecrunchy , plus , however it was really burnt ! Ir was really over cooked ; plus had little flavor . Needs a little salt and pepper .... Better chicken at Popeyes or Bojangles .. Mashed potatoes were excellent . I wa not impressed with the Kale and still think there may be fatback in it ... even though the server swore there was no pork on the dish .. anyway you can try for yourself .. maybe I just came on an off night . My server was very nice ( Alyssa ) BTW.

The first, small and cozy dining room as you enter the restaurant is used for small groups.

The Smoked Seven Hills Meatloaf with brisket, pork, shoulder, house bacon, peas, and carrots.

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A close-up of a bottle of cold water placed on my table as soon as I arrived and served every time my glass got empty.

Martin's Downtown

3.9(131 reviews)

When I first reviewed this Downtown Roanoke Restaurant, I focused on their drinks and food. But…read morethis time around I couldn't help it to discover why this place is the center of Roanoke's night life. After being awarded the Triad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, I decided that it would be appropriate this year to go back to this restaurant and write a follow-up review, since my initial review was one of my reviews that contributed to me obtaining this highly esteemed Award. I arrived on a Thursday evening with a 6:15pm reservation which I'm glad I had made because later I found out that this place gets to be a full house on Thursdays. A young lady host greeted and welcomed me at the Host's station as soon as I arrived. She checked my reservation and had my table all ready for me. Located in the middle of this very popular Restaurant Bar, gave me a nice view of the entire place, and with a light high above I had a perfect lighting to photograph my drink and food as part of my review of the place. My server Jillian arrived soon after I was seated. She had a wonderful personality and welcomed me with a friendly smile and very pleasant attitude. After answering me some questions about their Mocktails, I ended up ordering their Raspberry Burro. For dinner I ordered their BBQ Bacon Chicken Kababs with a side of their special fries and a salad. While I was waiting for my food to arrive I observed the place quickly filling up and I found out that tonight was Music Bingo and Live Music at 9:30pm with no cover charge. It brought me back to my college days in Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts, where the night life was a thing to look forward to. Suddenly I discovered the key of Martin's popularity and the important role it plays in contributing to making the City of Roanoke a Star City indeed. I enjoyed my drink and the Chicken Kababs with the side of special fries were amazingly delicious, as well as the salad. They have a good variety of quality items on their menu and their chefs amazingly deliver. I invite you to read my first review where I celebrate their Cuban Sandwich and Slaw, and view my photographs that accompany my review. What a night. Besides the food, I enjoyed playing the Music Bingo, which one of the card titles was The 1970's. One of the best years of my life, when I attended High School in San Juan, Puerto Rico and College in Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts. During that time I also won a Saltwater Fishing Tournament at the young age of 17 by catching a 405 pound Blue Marlin off the coast of Isla Verde, Puerto Rico. It was the best of times for me. My server Jillian provided exceptional customer service, checking on me at the appropriate times. For dessert I ordered their Glazed Doughnut Bread Pudding, and it was so good, I can't wait to return to have it again. What an extraordinary dining experience I had that night. I highly recommend this restaurant and bar for when you feel like having a good time, alone or with family and good friends. I promise you will be able to sabor what a Five Star review is all about, and experience for yourselves why Martin's is one of the City of Roanoke's most precious gems.

I was told to check this place out while I was in town. When I arrived they had a trivia contest…read moregoing on, I didn't participate but sounded like fun. The service was good. Sat at the bar and had a burger which was pretty good.

The outdoor sitting area and window of Martin's Downtown.

The exit of the restaurant.

Martin's Downtown - The sitting area of the restaurant. Notice the wood and black steel details of the tables and chairs, creating a warm and cozy feeling.

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The sitting area of the restaurant. Notice the wood and black steel details of the tables and chairs, creating a warm and cozy feeling.

Stock Cafe

4.3(23 reviews)

6.5 mi

In town for work and staying at the Fire Station One boutique hotel. Stock is located on the first…read morefloor so of course I had to try them. WOW! This place is a win for flavor and atmosphere. Kaitlin was the bartender and she also waited on me. She was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. The bird-watcher drink she made me was SO delicious. I had the Kapsalon appetizer as my meal. It's kind of like a chicken shawarma salad over hand cut fries with a creamy herb dressing. Seating was flexible, I had the choice of outside back patio, inside at a table, or inside on a couch in the studio. I picked the couch and felt comfortable like at home. The whole place is very cool. I plan on staying here again for future work trips and will definitely try a lunch here sometime this week.

So much more than a cafe! If you're feeling fancy, Stock is a fantastic choice for food and drinks…read moreof incredible quality at a great price point. Set inside an old firehouse, at the back of a high end furniture store, this place made me feel like I was having a night out in a big city. My husband and I at sat at the bar and ordered pork schnitzel with warm potato salad and hanger steak with frites smothered in gouda cheese sauce. The pork and steak were cooked perfectly! The hanger steak tasted like a much more expensive cut of meat so clearly this is not the chef's first rodeo. And that cheese sauce was ridiculous. My husband enjoyed their $9 happy hour old fashioned and I loved my glass of cab sauv from Fableist. Our server gave us the perfect amount of attention as well. I neglected to take more pictures of the space but, it's gorgeous. This is a Roanoke gem for sure!

The pathway leading to the entrance to the restaurant.

A fork with some fries.

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Close-up of a spoonful of the special dessert mentioned in the review.

Rockfish Food and Wine

4.0(144 reviews)

4.7 mi

Based on noticeably high prices we went expecting a high end dining experience and got just the…read moreopposite! The server was friendly and helpful but that is the only positive comment. 1. The Caesar Salad was really small, over-dressed and croutons, dry, hard and not bite-sized. 2. Fried Oysters were greasy, tasteless, overpriced, mostly breading, overly watery. Not an appropriate way to prepare Oysters. 3. The deep-fried Grits were breaded with Panco, not the right product as they are grease sponges and the Grits were mushy, too few and came with no dipping sauce. 4. The Tuna Tacos were the best item but only average at best. Very little tuna tartar and not chopped, not much flavor, served over tiny, raw, corn tortillas that should have been buttered and crisped in a pan. 5. The live Jazz with Lenny Marcus was great but the PA system was poor and one could not understand the vocals. 6. Seated right under a ceiling fan on high and AC set low and was quite uncomfortable.

Roanoke's Historic Grandin Village has many restaurants of all sizes and types but one that stands…read moreout is Rockfish Food & Wine. Founded in 2005 by Olivia and Rocky Byrd, this family-owned and operated fine-dining restaurant was established to bring a high-end yet relaxed seafood and wine dining experience to this area. It offers a seasonal menu and an extensive wine list of over 270 selections. After being ranked 4th among Yelp's Top 50 Most Prolific Elites of 2025, a distinction recognizing my consistent community engagement and high-quality contributions, 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 establishments, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to go back and write follow-up reviews on those places that impressed me the most during 2025, and Rockfish Food & Wine located in the heart of Grandin Village, one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Roanoke, Virginia, is the perfect example of one of them. After making a 5 o'clock reservation on the Toast platform from the restaurant's website, I did some errands and then proceeded to drive to the restaurant located at 1402 Grandin Road. (This is considered the Main Street of this neighborhood) The restaurant's building is located next to a small 7-Eleven, and doesn't have parking, but I found plenty of on-street parking spaces good for an hour or in some cases two, and free after 5 o'clock. I picked one of them and parked my pearl white Lexus there. When I entered the restaurant, a young, elegant lady greeted and welcomed me behind the Host's station. Soon after she took me to the requested booth, I found out her name was Kayla and she would be my server. While I was reviewing the menu, she brought me a carafe of cold water with a glass, and a small dish with slices of a baguette and butter. She then took my order. To drink, besides the water, I ordered a Strawberry Fields Mocktail. It had just the right taste and was brought to my table by the bartender herself. To dine I started off with a Crispy Oysters appetizer which was delicious. Followed by a Dinner Mixed Green Salad, which was one of the most delicious salads I've ever had at a restaurant. It had many ingredients and tasted amazingly delicious. For my main entrée I had their Ribeye Filet Au Poivre median rare. It came served with roasted mushrooms, green beans, and cheesy mashed potatoes, and was cooked medium-rare just as I ordered it. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the high-quality food. My server provided exceptional customer service, filling my glass with water, and pointing me out the restaurant's owner who was an elegantly dressed, distinguish looking lady with lots of charm and a great personality, who had moved here with her husband and co-owner from California's central coast with a vision of creating a fine-dining restaurant which they felt the local area needed. I also found out through my server that every Thursday the restaurant had live Jazz music to a full house audience, and I would need to make reservations early. Seated at the table next to mine were a distinguished looking couple which I established conversation with and found out that the lady was Dr. Laura Treanor, the fifth president of Virginia Western Community College, who began her term on July 1, 2025. She had succeeded Dr. Robert "Bobby" Sandel, who retired after over two decades of service, and is leading the college with a focus on institutional effectiveness, instructional quality, and student success. For dessert I had their Vanilla Cheesecake with mixed berry sauce, which had missing the fresh berries described on the menu. I had just had such an extraordinary dining experience that I didn't even mention it. Before leaving and after paying the bill with my Harvard Alumni World Mastercard, I had the opportunity of meeting the founder and co-owner of the restaurant, Olivia, and thanking her and her husband for such a wonderful dining experience I had today and always whenever I dine there.

Another view of the dining area of the restaurant.

The Filet Mignon main entrée.

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A separation wall near the entrance behind which is a stage and a large group table and chairs.

1882 At The Pine Room

4.5(6 reviews)

6.5 mi

Stopped in for a nightcap. Busy place most of the time so be prepared to wait a bit. Just had a…read morewhiskey neat so can't say much about my drink but Deb tried to get an expresso martini. They were out of the things to make it and the one they tried was not too good. A cool hotel bar to chill.

Our group spent plenty of time here. The bartenders were great. A special shout out to to Bethany…read more(I believe they was her name). They after party to the wedding we attended was held here and she did a great job in taking care of us. Foodwise, I recommend the crispy cauliflower. Perfect with the Get Bent IPA on draft.

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Hello sunshine

Betty & Veronica’s

5.0(1 review)

5.0 mi

Betty & Veronica's makes the BEST cheesecakes! We have tried their Blueberries & Cream but our…read morefavorite is their Banana Pudding Cheesecake. It is AMAZING!!! They are working on finding a business location but will meet up with you once you order. Their service is excellent and they schedule a time and local pickup. It is worth it, but looking forward to seeing them with a shop window so the rest of Roanoke can see what they are all about. Their customer service sets the bar for any other bakery in Roanoke and beyond. In short - they are wonderful! Forget any other cake - make your birthday, anniversary or other special event cake a Betty & Veronica's Cheesecake! They have a full menu with plenty of exquisite choices on their Facebook page! The best desserts in Roanoke! You MUST give them a call! Tell them Tom sent you!

10" Salem's Revenge strawberry cheesecake

Official Logo

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Banana Pudding Cheesecake

Brood Restaurant and Bar - desserts - Updated September 2026

People who viewed Brood Restaurant and Bar also viewed

Mrs.B’s Restaurant and Bar

3.8

(17 reviews)

Our server was attentive, cheerful, and helped accommodate our kiddo who has dietary restrictions…read more The food was fresh, hot, and delicious! We enjoyed eating out on the patio watching the sun go down behind the mountains. We were simply passing through from PA to TN and were happy to find this gem! We enjoyed the fried pickles, burgers, Reuben, and kids menu.

Sweetest little Ma &Pa spot along Main Street. It's a SUPER easy spot to get to from 81. Get off at…read moreone exit, drive 4 miles to the restaurant then when leave continue on same road for 1/4 mile and boom ... back to 81. Couldn't be more convenient. Plenty of parking on street and on side street area in front of water. Skip the franchise places and head on over to this quaint locally ran restaurant. They have indoor seating, outdoor seating, and a small bar area. They do have ice cream and milkshakes when you enter. You can pick out your dessert before your meal. There is a bar with beet on draft, canned/bottled alcoholic drinks, and even wine. The menu offers a variety of choices from burgers, salads, wings, quesadillas, cheese steaks, etc. Lots of options. You will not have a hard time finding something to tempt your tastebuds. We ordered the homemade pork rinds for an app. They came to the table popping!!! So fresh and delish. Highly recommend if you like them. We then ordered The Hunter (cheeseburger with bacon) and wings. The wings were saucy and delicious. The burger was awesome! The roll was pretty fantastic as it was buttered and toasted. We upgraded to onion rings as a side which were great as they weren't heavily breaded. All in all, a terrific meal. The people here make the experience even better. Natalie waited on us and she was very friendly and attentive. John was the other server who was just as equally friendly and attentive as Natalie with his tables. The prices are incredibly reasonable for the quality and quantity you get. Just a fabulous find. Don't pass this one up!!! Show them some love. You won't be sad. PS - tore into the burger before remembering to take a pic (it was just that good)!!

1772 Rooftop on Main

4.2

(35 reviews)

We had the best evening celebrating a 50th anniversary at 1772. The food was delicious, the service…read morewas wonderful, and Caroline took such great care of our family. It's one of our favorite local spots, and we can't wait to come back for more special occasions, and plenty of ordinary nights out too.

Today I happened to have taken the road less traveled and it led me to a whole new world in dining…read moreexperiences. One which I can only describe with one word: Extraordinary! After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I was also awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at their Yelpies 2025 Award Ceremony, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, and where last year I was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year Award, 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 1772 Rooftop on Main, a very unique restaurant and bar, located in the historic town of Fincastle, Virginia is a perfect example. From the moment I heard about this place I couldn't help stop thinking about going there one day and having a memorable dining experience. One like none other ever before. The owners of this restaurant had that rare creative imagination of coming up with the concept of a restaurant and bar located in a historic building with lots of character and charm. Starting from its quaint handcrafted bar and dining room located next to its semi-open kitchen on the first floor, to the rooftop open dining patio with stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the historic Fincastle Courthouse, originally designed by Thomas Jefferson. This together with the uniqueness of the rooftop patio having a bar made out of an old Beechcraft V Tail Bonanza plane that was purchased from Black Dog Salvage in Roanoke, Virginia. Once a fully functional aircraft is now the center of attention of the 1772 rooftop dining patio. After making a six o'clock reservation for a Friday evening to this family-owned restaurant and bar, I checked on my cellphone and driving on the alternative route of 220 it would only take me 31 minutes to get there from Roanoke, Virginia. I enjoyed the ride in my pearl white Lexus Luxury Edition listening to music on its powerful radio. When I arrived it didn't take long for me to find a huge parking lot conveniently located about a block away from the restaurant. Once inside, a friendly young lady greeted me at the Host's station and confirmed my reservation. I asked to be seated at the indoor dining room where I could see their kitchen and observe their operation, and then I would visit the rooftop on my way out. She leadi me pass an area of beautiful wooden shelves with item for sale, and through a hallway into the indoor dining room and bar, where she handed me the menu. It didn't take long for my server, another young lady, to welcome me, answer some questions about the menu, and take my order. The menu was not large but full of very desirable items that would want to make me return to try them all. I ordered a Pepsi to drink. A House Salad to start off with Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing. And an 8oz tender top cut Sirloin, their Baseball Sirloin as my main entrée. It was served with whipped potatoes and sautéed zucchini & squash. The salad was simply amazing. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the quality of their food. The main entrée was also exquisite. They had a wonderful team of chefs who knew how to bring out the best in every dish they prepared. For dessert I had a slice of their Peanut Butter pie. It was delicious but brought frozen and thus hard to eat. I would suggest they do something to thaw the pie a little like they do in other restaurants for the customers to better enjoy the dessert dining experience. When finished eating, I paid with my credit card and went upstairs to the rooftop. It was wonderful. A full-house of customers enjoying a good time together, with good food and good drinks. All the servers were very friendly and welcoming, creating the ideal ambiance for an extraordinary dining experience and night out.

Black Birch Restaurant & Tap House

4.2

(11 reviews)

This is a bar/restaurant in a hotel lobby. We sat at the bar and were pleasantly greeted by the one…read moreand only server. I ordered a grilled salmon dinner that included a small salad and a serving of garlic mashed potatoes. My wife ordered chicken strips and fries. The salmon was good. The salad was good. The potatoes not so good. The chicken strips were good. There are a few booths along a wall as well as the bar area to eat. Biggest gripe is the wait time on your order being cooked. It must be a one man show in the kitchen( at least the night we were there). Overall the food was ok/good. Service was friendly and fast but......there are better places around town to eat. If I could add a 2&1/2rating that's what it would be. My very good rating max is 4 stars so I couldn't put a 3 star rating here. Sorry guys. Might have been a bad night for dinner but I'm telling about my experience that night

For perspective I am Diamond level member with IHG, this means nothing other than I stay in a IHG…read moreproperty 3-4 nights a week and have ate many a dinner in their onsite restaurant. Never once have I had a single issue worthy enough to mention. Also for perspective it's 8pm, it's been a 14 hour day and I surly was in no mood to get into my car when it's less than 20 degrees outside and the wind howling, but I did. Sat at a table for over 15 minutes, bartender avoided me as she was in deep conversation with another patron I suppose. Moved to the bar. Got a TUDE from her with a "I would have came over, you didn't have to move". Then another guy just walks up, she gives him a menu and then his drink, I have neither. Finally she comes over my way, I asked if I could place a take out over. She grabs a menu, drops it in front of me and walks to the other end of the bar without asking or taking my drink order. She starts at the other end of the bar taking drink orders for all the other patrons who already have a drink in front of them. My daughter was a waitress while in college so I'm extremely empathetic toward wait staff, my lowest tip is 20%, good service 30% and excellent pays 40%. Tips are how they earn a living. Walked out.... also the menu is vastly different than what is offered on their website. Also I guess it may have been the chef- working extremely hard the entire time holding up a wall. What's sad in the end is I'll bet a 100 to 1 that not even a peep will come of this review from hotel or restaurant management.

Bruno’s Clubhouse Bistro

3.6

(29 reviews)

We got there before the crowd. Great service. Good food. Nice view of the fairway. Both of our…read moremeals were brought out fresh and hot. My only suggestions would be to serve the fish and chips on a plate rather than a basket. It's not that easy to cut the fish sitting on top of a bed of fries. The cod was very good.

We had one of the worst restaurant experiences at Bruno's I've ever had at ANY restaurant. We…read morewaited over two hours for our food, which is simply unacceptable. It was over 45 minutes for the first two items to be delivered to our table (one was wrong and the other (a pizza) was cold...) and then we waited over an hour for the other 5 dishes. Throughout the wait, there was little to no communication from the staff about the delay, and we were left to simply wonder if we had been forgotten. By the time the first couple items finally arrived, the experience had already been seriously tainted (no meal is worth sitting around for two hours without clear updates or any meaningful effort to make things right). A sincere apology, regular communication, some gesture to acknowledge the excessive wait, or even a single visit from someone besides our server would have gone a long way, but none of that happened. And yet, it took over an additional hour before the rest of the food arrived (and once all the meals arrived, we were still missing multiple sides that we had to wait on). After we finally got our check (it was over 2 hours from the time we ordered our food), we still never got a single visit from a manager, and our server kept telling me that she got yelled at by the kitchen manager every time she went to check on our food. So I asked ask to speak to the manager and was directed to Charley Herndon (the bar manager) and was told that he was so incredibly sorry but that the only thing he was authorized to do was to give us a $30 on a $180 check. I paid the bill and told him that was an unacceptable way to be treated, so he gave me Tiffany's (the owner) cell phone number and said she'd genuinely be glad to hear from me and that "maybe she could offer me a gift card or something." Well, Charley and Tiffany, I'm sorry to say- I understand that restaurants can get busy and unexpected problems arise, but good customer service is about how those situations are handled. Unfortunately, Bruno's failed on absolutely every level. So after it was all said and done, it cost me $200 ($197. 83 to be exact) to feel like we got royally screwed. If you value your time and expect even the most basic customer service, I'd recommend dining elsewhere...

Billy's

3.7

(396 reviews)

•$$$

Originally had reservations for a different place for dinner but landed on Billy's and wow, so glad…read morewe decided to change our plans and dine at Billy's. On special they were offering Black Grouper and one option for how to prepare it was blackened and it was absolutely amazing! Also, they had a special dessert, Key Lime Cheesecake and my lady had the filet... it was all perfect, exceeding our expectations.

People ask me all the time: "What is your favorite restaurant in Roanoke, Virginia?" And my reply,…read moreafter considering all of the wonderful restaurants in this Star City is ... "Billy's", in the heart of Downtown Roanoke. After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I also was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at their Yelpies 2025 Award Ceremony, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, and where last year I was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year Award, 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 Billy's in Downtown Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. From the very first time I visited and dined at Billy's, I fell in love with it. I don't know if it was its history. Its historic building was constructed in 1912 and originally housed the Ritz Hotel. Then in 1979 John and Betsy Williams opened "Billy Ritz," named in homage to the building's history and a former local saloon. For 29 years (1979 - 2007) the Williamses operated the restaurant, making it a popular downtown fixture. In 2007 the restaurant closed and in 2008 the building was purchased by new owners: Neel and Neal Keesee. Following extensive renovations that preserved its historic character, the restaurant reopened in May 2012 as "Billy's". And since then Billy's operates as a popular downtown dining spot with a focus on fine dining, and is celebrated for maintaining a piece of old downtown Roanoke history while providing modern, upscale dining. Or maybe it is, its refined American cuisine with a focus on steaks and fresh seafood, such as scallops, shrimps, lobsters, mahi-mahi, southern salmon, or catch of the day. Or its drinks, a well-curated bourbon bar with an extensive wine list and signature cocktails. It might also be its elegant and historic atmosphere, with a clasic dining room, a trendy outdoor patio, and private dining rooms to host private events and celebrations. Or even its corner location in one of the most valuable and desired areas in the heart of Downtown Roanoke. But even if all of the above are an important factor in my selection, I would say that last but most important of all is its staff; from its managers, its cooks, its bartenders, and its servers. They are not only knowledgeable, professional, and hospitable, but together form a team with the goal of making you feel at home there and having an extraordinary dining experience. That's why I say: "Any day can be made special by dining at Billy's." This Saturday, I went to dine there after making my reservation in the Open Table app. Even though they could not honor my initial table request for a window view table in the main dining room, the manager was kind enough to accommodate me at a window view table of another very quaint dining room facing the outdoor patio. I believe it was table 54, served by the very friendly, kind, and efficient server, Savannah. She first brought me an amazing drink prepared by my favorite bartender. Then she gracefully took my order. I had Four Bacon Wrapped Scallops as appetizer. An 8oz Filet cooked medium-rare with a Lobster Tail enhancement, Cheddar Smashed Potatoes, and Grilled Asparagus, as my main entrée. And for dessert, my favorite, their famous Crème Brûlée. She did an excellent job in making sure I was well taken care of by coming by at the appropriate times and even when she was serving a large table in the main dining room, she made sure to send the principal host to see if I needed anything. As I was dining, the restaurant's manager came by my table to say hello, and that is something I truly appreciate from any quality restaurant I dine at. What an outstanding dining experience. And even if I was only one customer dining there that busy evening, the following day I received a text message from one of my fellow Yelpers who was in town for a week of conferences and was looking for a place for a "friends' get-together. And without any hesitation I recommended Billy's. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a good word is worth many customers. And thus, I give this restaurant a 5 Star and now you know why.

Crystal Spring Grocery

4.6

(20 reviews)

A nice specialty grocery with deli counter…read more I was too late to catch the deli counter but browsed and got a loaf of sourdough from a vendor. From my limited experience I would return.

Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined such an extraordinary Grocery and Cafe that opened…read moreits doors in 2019 after quality extensive renovations to Tinnell's Finer Foods, when it closed its doors after 82 years of serving the South Roanoke community. When I came to visit this place for the first time I had no idea that it had a close relationship to the River and Rail Restaurant which I reviewed last year, giving it the highest rank of my Five Star reviews ever. When doing my research for this review I found out that the long-time Roanoke residents, Whit and Lauren Ellerman, the owners of Crystal Spring Grocery, are also the owners of the River and Rail Restaurant, located on the same block as Crystal Spring Grocery. The Ellermans clearly have an eye for recognizing the possibilities of vacant buildings and the talents of others and a vision of how they can come up with something as wonderful as this establishment. Gourmet grocery store and Cafe is a short definition of what Crystal Spring Grocery Company is all about. But I must go more in depth of what makes it so special and unique beside being gourmet. First of all I was very impressed with the interior design of the building space. Simple yet beautiful in its simplicity. I particularly loved its shiny whitish gray floors, and the green furniture and design, throughout the Grocery as well as Cafe. Also, I was very impressed with the windows and lighting treatment of the place. Second, I was very impressed with the quality and organization of the food items and wines, in the Grocery area. Third, with the menu items and quality of the food coming out of the kitchen of the Cafe. I had an Iced Sweet Tea to drink, and a Chicken Sandwich with Fries to eat. Everything was amazingly delicious. And last, but not least, I was highly impressed with the quality of your employees; with the ones behind the counter up front and the ones taking the orders and handing them out in the Cafe area. They all were so friendly and welcoming and at the same time so knowledgeable and organized, providing exceptional customer service individual and working as Team players. I highly recommend this Grocery and Cafe to everyone reading my review and viewing my photographs accompanying this review. This place is another gem in the this neighborhood.

Awful Arthur's Seafood Company

3.2

(73 reviews)

Today was my first time eating at this restaurant and although I love their Downtown Roanoke…read morelocation one, and have giving it 5 Star reviews, this one I feel deserves only 2 Stars at best and that's giving it too many because I feel it's one of the worst Seafood restaurants I've ever eaten at. From the time I arrived at their parking lot that where I parked was not even paved but full of rocks and dirt, I started questioning in my mind, how would it be inside. When I entered through their back door, it was their bar area and some high tables and chairs for people to eat in that area, but I didn't see anyone to greet you nor a sign to say "Seat Yourself." So I kept walking forward. There were a couple of pool tables along the way with customers playing pool. When I reached up front, the Host wasn't at the Host station but as I waited there standing up, one of the servers came by, greeted me, and took me to one of the booths. She handed me a copy of the menu which you could tell were run down around the edges. Only the Summer Food Specials one was in good condition. To drink I ordered a Sweet Iced Tea. It tasted watered down and had no lemon slice in it. Yet the server was so nice that I felt sorry for her because she had nothing to do with the quality of the drinks nor the food prepared there. The ambiance of the place was Ok, but not as nice as the one in Downtown Roanoke. I didn't like that other than the booths all their tables and chairs were the high kind. Another thing, my favorite item in their Downtown Roanoke restaurant menu was not even in their menu here. I invite you to read and view my photographs and video of their Downtown Roanoke restaurant to see the difference. For food I ended up ordering the Piggyback Scallops (bacon wrapped Scallops) and as the main course, their Seafood Platter with fried Jumbo Golf Shrimps and Cod Fillet, with rice pilaf and onion rings as side, and it also came with two Hushpuppies. My server goes back to put the order and next time I see her she is bringing me my main course and forgetting about my appetizer. When I mentioned it to her she tells me she'll go put the order in now. To be brief the Cod Fish was the only item that looked and tasted fresh. The shrimps where somewhat soggy, the onion rings looked awful, the rice pilaf was lukewarm and the Hushpuppies were burnt outside and raw inside. The scallops didn't taste fresh wrapped in mostly raw bacon. I asked for tater tots as a replacement for the onion rings, and even them were not cooked well. And if this wasn't enough, my Keylime Pie I ordered was not fresh. It was mushy like if it had been left out for a while. I invite you to view my photographs because a picture is work a thousand words. After I paid and was leaving and walked by the kitchen I glanced in and it didn't look that clean to put it nicely. Then when I went to the restroom to wash my hands it was also not very clean. I felt I wasted my money there and wouldn't recommend this restaurant nor plan to return.

Christina took great care of us until her shift was done. She didn't even rush us to tab out with…read moreher, we had to ask so we could tip her out. Originally went to Macado's in Salem and it was unbearably warm. Only had national brands on tap. Schooners weren't cold. Came here because it smelled like someone shit in the front of All Sports. Glad we came here next! Everything is clean. AC and fans running. Patrons and staff are fun and bubbly. We were immediately offered a food menu and I regret we never got hungry enough to use them. The music is upbeat and fun. The beer, liquor, Red Bull and food selection is massive and all encompassing. If you can't find exactly what you want here, there's a problem.

Lucky Restaurant

4.3

(367 reviews)

First time trying Lucky and I'd give it a 4.5 rounded up to a 5. The menu is local farm based so it…read morechanges seasonally and is a bit limited. I was disappointed because I was hoping to try a soup or scallops I'd seen in Yelp pics but they weren't in the menu this time. Which is the roll of the dice you pay for fresh creative menus. Dining area and bar have a nice vibe with attractive art work. Dim lighting and smaller tables make it cute for a date or a solo business diner like myself. The lucky cube drink was creative and tasty. Brussel sprouts were also unique with a tahini sauce on top and perfectly crispy chickpeas. I'd seen "Smoke in Chimneys Trout" on a few menus in Roanoke this trip but never heard of that before. Looked it up and learned something new. They are trout that are local and prized for living in a lime stone aquifer rather than a river. Giving them a clean light slightly sweet taste, no essence of mud that can come with other river fish. I've never ordered trout in a restaurant, But when in Rome... Lol. The fish itself and the portion was really good. Wish I could remember my waitress' name. She was knowledgeable and just had a really warm, friendly energy.

I came in for the fried chicken because other reviews were very positive .. the coating was v…read morecrunchy , plus , however it was really burnt ! Ir was really over cooked ; plus had little flavor . Needs a little salt and pepper .... Better chicken at Popeyes or Bojangles .. Mashed potatoes were excellent . I wa not impressed with the Kale and still think there may be fatback in it ... even though the server swore there was no pork on the dish .. anyway you can try for yourself .. maybe I just came on an off night . My server was very nice ( Alyssa ) BTW.

Schooners

4.1

(38 reviews)