Corbin's Confections may not be anything special to many, but to others, it's like finding the pot…read moreof gold at the end of the rainbow. After having been selected as number 4 of the Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I also was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at the 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 Corbin's Confections, in Salem, Virginia is the perfect example. I don't know you but to me, I love sweet treats and bakery items. A dinner is not complete if I don't have a sweet dessert. Yet we have people with food allergies that can't afford this luxury. Corbin's Confections was born out of the motherly love of a mother for her son, Corbin, who is anaphylactic to peanuts and all tree-nuts. She wanted to create a bakery that her son and other's with similar allergies, can experience the joy of eating baked goods without having to worry that something would happen to them, because of some ingredient that the food contained. Her mission was "To provide a place where anyone with gluten, peanut, or tree-nut allergies can get tasty treats." Today, I had the opportunity to visit this bakery and meet with Shana, the owner of this women-owned business. She was so friendly and welcoming and realized the service she was providing the community was a very special one. She told me that all bakery items there were gluten free, peanut free, and tree-nut free. It is also mentioned on the store window, right under the name of the bakery. Even though it was almost closing time, she still had some delicious and safe treat on display in the display cases, like cupcakes, donuts, and other savory items. We were interrupted by a customer who wanted to find out information about placing an large order for a gathering of some sort. Listening in was how I found out that she also provides custom options for special occasions and dietary needs, She also provides custom options for special occasions and dietary needs, including lactose intolerance. I thought to myself, how in the past some kids with food allergies might not want to attend birthday parties of their friends in order not to embarrassed by being the one one who didn't have a piece of the birthday cake. Well now, if the parents are aware that their sons and daughters have friends with food allergies, they can have the cake and other sweet treats made here, and that way, everyone can enjoy the party without any concern. Definitely see how this business can provide better quality of life to many in our community and therefore give it my total support and urge you to do the same.

Stopped here to get some gluten free donuts for the kiddos. Had the one with chocolate and pink…read morefrosting, just pink drizzle and lemon, blueberry. They were all absolutely delicious. Very moist and full of flavor! They were pretty small for the price, though. The shop was cute and welcoming. Something I thought was a little odd. They had a sign on the wall, basically stating what they did and did not serve. But the manner it was written seemed a little rude and unprofessional, in my opinion. Definitely would come back in the future to sample the other delicious looking confections!

My go-to for all sweet and savory items! Staff is super friendly and helpful. Owner takes great…read morepride in preparing quality and unique items. Something yummy every week to try! The shop is warm and welcoming and easy to get to!!

I just went in and got the chocolate chip cookie on the baker's recommendation - it was ABSOLUTELY…read moreAMAZING! She was so sweet and the shop is super cute

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!

Bruster's Real Ice Cream is a favorite of my wife's and mine for ice cream and other desserts in…read moreRoanoke, VA. For the people out there that like places such as Cold Stone Creamery, Bruster's is even better in my opinion. The staff is usually friendly and helpful in helping customers make a decision. They will let you sample any flavor if you want to try one. As for the ice cream, it is smooth, rich, and delicious and comes in a variety of unique flavors. They have all the staples including chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, but the rotating-unique flavors are where the real fun is. I am a fan of the chocolate mudslide and the cappuccino and my wife likes anything loaded with chocolate and peanut butter. Most of the time, I order a milkshake, but sometimes there is nothing like the hot and cold combination of cinnamon-vanilla ice cream on an apple dumpling. It is important to note that Bruster's is an outdoor counter-service ice cream shop and the lines can get long during peak season, but the wait is worth it. There is some limited seating to the side of the building featuring red benches and umbrellaed tables. All of these features make this place an ideal summertime stop. The next time you are looking for quality ice cream, be sure to give Bruster's a try.

Friendly staff, great ice cream. All the different flavors makes it hard to decide. Love their…read moreapple pie with a scoop of vanilla!

Great, fresh bagels a walkable distance from downtown. I particularly like the jalepeno cheese…read morebagels, but all of them are really good. They also often have other baked goods for sale that are delicious as well. There is no seating inside or outside, but the counter service is great. They also often go to the Wednesday and Saturday farmers market with a great selection of treats.

This place's website notes that this is not a brunch cafe but a bakery. So if you want your bagel…read moretoasted with butter, you'll have to take it home and do it yourself. This was fine for my needs, and indeed I like places with a narrow focus, but it might come as a surprise to some. The space was minimal. I was a bit surprised to see bagels packed in threes; I was expecting to be able to pick them out by flavor one at a time. I was also a bit surprised that the cinnamon rolls their website promised didn't seem to be there, though a few other intriguing baked goods were on sale. Ultimately, I took some mouthwatering rosemary and sundried tomato bagels along with some plain ones for comparison, as well as a chocolate babka cake. The bagels had that bit of sourness that makes them worthwhile, and a nice bit of browning. The babka cake, which I worried would not have enough chocolate, delivered satisfaction on a per-bite basis. What I wanted out of my baked goods is pretty much what i got.

They had a huge 30 year anniversary banner hanging. I didn't see any specials or deals but I am…read moreimpressed they've been around this long. Friendly staff. Nice selection of flavors. Today was a little cleaner than usual. The tables and chairs were not sticky and the napkins well stocked. The prices were reasonable. I wish they offered a lower sugar option. I love ice cream but theirs is among the highest ranked for sugar used and on the bottom for having low carb options

A cute little ice cream shop - featuring Hersheys Ice Cream - and a small selection of chocolates…read more Our favorite chocolates are the lemon cream and cherry cordials. The young ladies working the counters have always been friendly.

It is often difficult to plan a party when you live out of town and a cake is key to party…read moreperfection. I gave instructions for what I wanted and just told her to make it pretty and it was. This was the best tasting cake. Everyone enjoyed it. Great cake/icing ratio. I can't possibly describe the deliciousness. The icing was not too sweet and the cake was perfection. If you ever need a graduation cake or cake for any occasion, I highly recommend this shop. We were so pleased with the results.

I take my birthday cake VERY SERIOUSLY. The buttercream is the most important part. This place…read morepromises buttercream and they deliver it! My cake was filled with peanut butter buttercream and coated in a heavy blanket of regular buttercream, then roses. I will dream of this cake for a very long time! There was some confusion about when they closed but the owner was amazing and went out of her way to be sure my mom could pick it up on my birthday,

There is a Homestead creamery which is outside of Roanoke and is affiliated with a farm. However,…read moreit is a long way to get to and is not open on Sundays, so I was glad to find that this shop sells that particular local ice cream in the location that is easier to get to. It is a basically 100% dairy operation so if you are seeking non-dairy ice cream. It is a basically 100% dairy operation so if you are seeking non-dairy ice cream then Blue Cow is a better destination (despite the name). However, if you want a full flavored dairy ice cream, this place delivers. I was a little miffed that their flavors had a Virginia Tech tinge, which is not my affiliation, but the Hokie Berry was a delicious flavor and their mint chip was strong. There isn't a whole lot else immediately around, but this shop was reasonably busy.

I heard about this new ice cream creamery in Vinton, Virginia, that opened a few months ago, and…read moreafter visiting their website, and seeing they had Peanut Butter Ice Cream, decided to go and try it out. The Down Home Creamery is located in a small, modern, red brick, business building on 116 S Poplar Street in Vinton, not too far from the Vinton Library. As one enters the glass doors of the creamery, the decor is modern black and white with accent wood and light color hardwood floors. The place is very clean and well maintained and has a freezer with 24 flavors of ice cream right as you enter and covered with very clean and clear glass doors for one to see and appreciate the different flavors available. It also has many bottles filled with toppings, as well as a variety of Waffle cones and bowls. The atmosphere is very relaxed with fresh air circulation that make you feel comfortable when ordering and eating your ice cream. There was a young lady attendant who greeted me with a smile and took my order of two scoops of Peanut Butter Ice Cream in a Waffle Bowl. The Waffle was fresh and crispy, while the ice cream had just the right smoothness to bring out its flavor at its best. The young lady attendant spent time cleaning the counter as I ate my ice cream in one of the tables of the place. Two other customers arrived while I was their and they were fascinated by the many flavors that they ordered a scoop of several of them. I really enjoyed the place, the service, and the very creamy ice cream. If any of you are like me, that just love ice cream and eating it in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, I highly recommend this creamery. And as for me, I definitely will be coming here some more from now on and tell others about the place.