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.

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!

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!

Rarely does one find a restaurant that is so unique, that from the time you walk in, you feel right…read moreat home. 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 Hanging Rock Tavern is the perfect example. Little did I know that this smokehouse-style restaurant, known and loved by the Roanoke County community for its American classics, craft beverages, and live music, and that had temporary closed due to partnership changes, had quietly re-opened two weeks ago, with a new menu, under new ownership, but run and operated by the previous owner Greg, and with a new General Manager Chris. I arrived around one o'clock in the afternoon for a late lunch. Minimalist yet inviting, the restaurant's facade featured a sleek, unadored wood sign, its name and logo intricately carved and softly backlit, for a warm, sophisticated glow. Upon entering the restaurant, I was immediately struck by the warm welcome from a hospitable lady who greeted me at the door, making me feel right at home as she offered me any table I desired and handed me a copy of the menu. Not long afterwards, my server Mary greeted me to take my order. She recited the day's specials and mentioned there might be only one serving of the special brisket left. Despite liking several other special entrées, I immediately ordered the Brisket because I loved it and wanted to try their version. To drink I ordered a Cherry Coke, which was my favorite of the Coke brand which they carried. As I looked around, I was fascinated with the place, with its well sorted bar, its stage for live music, its diverse and enticing menu, its relaxing ambiance. The perfect place to enjoy a drink with a meal, listening to live music. My server arrived with my drink, and with it she brought a small paper bowl filled with in-house made kettle potato chips. They were so crispy and tasty. Them my main entrée was served. It contained a generous amount of well seasoned and cooked Brisket, with in-house made, fresh mashed potatoes, and green beans. As I was eating, the former owner and now right hand of the new owner came to visit my table. We engaged in conversation and that's how I found out they had re-opened only two weeks ago. After finding out who I was, he invited me for a tour of the outdoor of the restaurant in the back. After completing finishing eating my amazing Brisket with mashed potatoes and green beans, I enjoyed a slice of cheesecake with strawberry syrup for dessert. It was so soft and moist, the perfect cheesecake. As I was taken to the tour in the back, as was fascinated my the large space they had there. I got to see the Smokehouse. It was made with quality wood and was very clean inside. They also had an outdoor bar, a Herb Garden, and lots of picnic tables under wooden roofs. I was also told that way in the back they also had a larger parking lot for the convenience of their customers. Wow! What a wonderful place. I thanked him for the tour and we went back inside to say goodbye to everyone who I had met and had made this an extraordinary dining experience.

The food, service & outside area for entertainment. Everyone should try this establishmentread more