Food Scene
A local institution for the young & young-at-heart.
Serving up a variety of nostalgic staples after a hard day's w̶o̶r̶k̶ play:
Hand-Squeezed Lemonades, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches & Ice Cream (Floats).
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Pop's Ice Cream
1916 Memorial Ave SWA local institution for the young & young-at-heart.
Serving up a variety of nostalgic staples after a hard day's w̶o̶r̶k̶ play:
Hand-Squeezed Lemonades, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches & Ice Cream (Floats).
The de facto breakfast biscuit pitstop for those mornings you need something hearty to counteract last night's concoctions.
Their menu runs the gamut, from fully vegetarian biscuit options to the highly-piled-but-rarely-finished Cowboy Crippler.
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Scratch Biscuit Company
1820 Memorial Ave SWThe de facto breakfast biscuit pitstop for those mornings you need something hearty to counteract last night's concoctions.
Their menu runs the gamut, from fully vegetarian biscuit options to the highly-piled-but-rarely-finished Cowboy Crippler.
Inexplicably quaint artisan bakery & café.
Be sure to get there early. With a limited rotating baking schedule, and prominent restaurants & shops picking up their early morning allotments, early birds are rewarded with the worm at this Downtown Roanoke diamond.
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Bread Craft
24 Church Ave SWInexplicably quaint artisan bakery & café.
Be sure to get there early. With a limited rotating baking schedule, and prominent restaurants & shops picking up their early morning allotments, early birds are rewarded with the worm at this Downtown Roanoke diamond.
A delectable downtown diner.
The perfect place to people-watch while pecking at breakfast staples including signature scrambled eggs, sandwiches, and skillets.
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Scrambled
32 Market Square SEA delectable downtown diner.
The perfect place to people-watch while pecking at breakfast staples including signature scrambled eggs, sandwiches, and skillets.
A done-up dive bar serving up wagyu burgers that would make Willy Wonka blush.
With trippy toppings including peanut butter, potato chips, mac & cheese, and...donuts for buns? If the collection of blasphemous burgers isn't enough for you, slip into their ridiculous selection of over 100 beers to conquer.
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Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint Roanoke
210 B Market St SEA done-up dive bar serving up wagyu burgers that would make Willy Wonka blush.
With trippy toppings including peanut butter, potato chips, mac & cheese, and...donuts for buns? If the collection of blasphemous burgers isn't enough for you, slip into their ridiculous selection of over 100 beers to conquer.
A little bit of everything you want, and a lot of things you didn't know you needed.
Martin's poured its foundation as the curator of Roanoke's live music scene, and built a culture of Southern Americana eats, weeknight trivia, and daily specials on top of it.
Once the sun goes down and the dinner crowd heads home, Martin's live music scene goes full tilt until closing time.
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Martin's Downtown
413 1st St SWA little bit of everything you want, and a lot of things you didn't know you needed.
Martin's poured its foundation as the curator of Roanoke's live music scene, and built a culture of Southern Americana eats, weeknight trivia, and daily specials on top of it.
Once the sun goes down and the dinner crowd heads home, Martin's live music scene goes full tilt until closing time.
A local family's Columbian twist on the (un)arguably best burgers of the Roanoke valley.
If you think double-fried tostones are a crazy idea as a side item, you're going to lose your mind when you see them moonlighting as burger buns.
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FarmBurguesa
1908 Memorial Avenue SouthwestA local family's Columbian twist on the (un)arguably best burgers of the Roanoke valley.
If you think double-fried tostones are a crazy idea as a side item, you're going to lose your mind when you see them moonlighting as burger buns.
Bernard's Gastropub is quickly becoming Downtown Roanoke's not-so-hidden gem. An atmosphere of intimacy where each entrée personally passes through the hands & standards of owner Chef Jonathan Bernard.
If you have time to visit a single restaurant in Roanoke, this is the one.
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Bernard's Gastropub & Eatery
303 S Jefferson StBernard's Gastropub is quickly becoming Downtown Roanoke's not-so-hidden gem. An atmosphere of intimacy where each entrée personally passes through the hands & standards of owner Chef Jonathan Bernard.
If you have time to visit a single restaurant in Roanoke, this is the one.
Whenever the inevitable "...best place for cocktails?" question arises, the only valid answer is Lucky. Those lucky enough to find a seat at the bar, prepare yourself for an always aromatic, sometimes acrobatic, and often pyrotechnic show of bartending prowess.
For the spontaneous traveler wishing to drink as the ̶R̶o̶m̶a̶n̶s̶ Roanokers do, ask about their signature off-menu cocktail: The Cube
(...but you didn't hear it from me).
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Lucky Restaurant
18 Kirk Ave SWWhenever the inevitable "...best place for cocktails?" question arises, the only valid answer is Lucky. Those lucky enough to find a seat at the bar, prepare yourself for an always aromatic, sometimes acrobatic, and often pyrotechnic show of bartending prowess.
For the spontaneous traveler wishing to drink as the ̶R̶o̶m̶a̶n̶s̶ Roanokers do, ask about their signature off-menu cocktail: The Cube
(...but you didn't hear it from me).
If there were a restaurant in Roanoke exceptional enough to vie for a coveted Michelin Star, Bloom will unequivocally be the kitchen to receive it.
Bloom blurs the lines of a traditional dining experience. With barstools whose view overlooks an open kitchen instead of an open bar, your dining entertainment features a choreography of chefs creating edible artwork before your eyes. A far cry from the common bartender backdrop.
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Bloom
1109 Main St SWIf there were a restaurant in Roanoke exceptional enough to vie for a coveted Michelin Star, Bloom will unequivocally be the kitchen to receive it.
Bloom blurs the lines of a traditional dining experience. With barstools whose view overlooks an open kitchen instead of an open bar, your dining entertainment features a choreography of chefs creating edible artwork before your eyes. A far cry from the common bartender backdrop.
Repeatedly featured in Southern Living magazine as one of the "100 Best Restaurants in the South" for good reason.
Lead at the helm by John Beard celebrity chef, Aaron Deal, this southern bistro takes pride pickling its own vegetables, curing its own meats, and creating its own condiments...all in-house.
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The River and Rail Restaurant
2201 Crystal Spring Ave SWRepeatedly featured in Southern Living magazine as one of the "100 Best Restaurants in the South" for good reason.
Lead at the helm by John Beard celebrity chef, Aaron Deal, this southern bistro takes pride pickling its own vegetables, curing its own meats, and creating its own condiments...all in-house.
The original location of the small-batch, artisan ice creamery founded in Roanoke. Its cult following couldn't keep the secret hidden inside the Roanoke Valley, and it has since exploded to fame with locations splattered throughout the state.
Ice cream aficionados rejoice! Check boxes you never knew existed, with exotic flavors including Goat Cheese w/ Blueberry Swirl & Strawberry Balsamic.
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Blue Cow Ice Cream Co.
1115 Piedmont St SEThe original location of the small-batch, artisan ice creamery founded in Roanoke. Its cult following couldn't keep the secret hidden inside the Roanoke Valley, and it has since exploded to fame with locations splattered throughout the state.
Ice cream aficionados rejoice! Check boxes you never knew existed, with exotic flavors including Goat Cheese w/ Blueberry Swirl & Strawberry Balsamic.
Texas Tavern is best enjoyed inebriated.
And don't you dare take that the wrong way...this Roanoke institution is unquestionably enshrined into our city's culture, and locals will die fighting you on that hill. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and every holiday except Christmas. It doesn't take a rocket surgeon to understand why the cult classic cuisine of this short-order diner is a hit before & (mostly) after your posse's evening bar crawl.
The menu is the same as it was when my granddad took me to tell me about his granddad taking him. Bring cash, because they don't accept new-fangled bank cards. And bring a bit of patience because, with only 10 barstools, as the framed sign behind the counter reminds you: "We seat 1,000 people... 10 at a time."
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Texas Tavern
114 Church Ave SWTexas Tavern is best enjoyed inebriated.
And don't you dare take that the wrong way...this Roanoke institution is unquestionably enshrined into our city's culture, and locals will die fighting you on that hill. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and every holiday except Christmas. It doesn't take a rocket surgeon to understand why the cult classic cuisine of this short-order diner is a hit before & (mostly) after your posse's evening bar crawl.
The menu is the same as it was when my granddad took me to tell me about his granddad taking him. Bring cash, because they don't accept new-fangled bank cards. And bring a bit of patience because, with only 10 barstools, as the framed sign behind the counter reminds you: "We seat 1,000 people... 10 at a time."
Local Entertainment
In a world of constant change, The Grandin Theatre celebrated its 90th anniversary as the historic, geographic & cultural crown of the Grandin Village Historic District.
Blockbusters from today & yesteryears screened daily, Friday through Monday. Your classic concessions are available in their lobby, alongside beer & wine options for the older kids among us.
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Grandin Movie Theater
1310 Grandin Rd SWIn a world of constant change, The Grandin Theatre celebrated its 90th anniversary as the historic, geographic & cultural crown of the Grandin Village Historic District.
Blockbusters from today & yesteryears screened daily, Friday through Monday. Your classic concessions are available in their lobby, alongside beer & wine options for the older kids among us.
A rare & whimsical museum where handling artifacts is encouraged. An ageless adventure amongst over 55 playable pinball machines with production dates ranging from the 1930's to the present day.
That pinball machine you remember from childhood? You'll probably find it here. Seriously.
One flat rate grants you hours of unlimited pinball play.
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Roanoke Pinball Museum
1 Market Square SEA rare & whimsical museum where handling artifacts is encouraged. An ageless adventure amongst over 55 playable pinball machines with production dates ranging from the 1930's to the present day.
That pinball machine you remember from childhood? You'll probably find it here. Seriously.
One flat rate grants you hours of unlimited pinball play.
An interactive museum loaded with a playable collection of classic arcade games, modern home consoles, and other gaming technologies.
A flat fee opens the door to hours of free play on over 300 games.
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Roanoke STARCADE
1 Market Square SEAn interactive museum loaded with a playable collection of classic arcade games, modern home consoles, and other gaming technologies.
A flat fee opens the door to hours of free play on over 300 games.
Sightseeing
The world's largest freestanding illuminated man-made star. Hike, bike, or cruise up the winding roads & trails of Mill Mountain to its summit. There you will discover the Roanoke Star and its overlook towering 1,045 ft above sweeping views of the City of Roanoke.
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I-Mill Mountain Star
2000 J B Fishburn PkwyThe world's largest freestanding illuminated man-made star. Hike, bike, or cruise up the winding roads & trails of Mill Mountain to its summit. There you will discover the Roanoke Star and its overlook towering 1,045 ft above sweeping views of the City of Roanoke.
The Roanoke River Greenway features 8 miles of paved trail meandering alongside the Roanoke River. Its gentle slopes wind from Roanoke's West End District through Wasena Village & South Roanoke, ultimately landing in the Town of Vinton.
Easily navigable for all types of adventure, from strollers to cyclists.
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Roanoke River Greenway
Roanoke River GreenwayThe Roanoke River Greenway features 8 miles of paved trail meandering alongside the Roanoke River. Its gentle slopes wind from Roanoke's West End District through Wasena Village & South Roanoke, ultimately landing in the Town of Vinton.
Easily navigable for all types of adventure, from strollers to cyclists.
Features rooftop gardens with 360-degree views of the Roanoke Valley from the heart of Downtown Roanoke.
Watch throngs of farmer's market patrons move about the city square below. Peer through the labyrinth of skylights into the Science Museum's Parakeet Garden below. Don't forget to bring an extra quarter or 2, if you wish to feed the koi fish schooling in the rooftop pond.
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Center in the Square
1 Market Square SEFeatures rooftop gardens with 360-degree views of the Roanoke Valley from the heart of Downtown Roanoke.
Watch throngs of farmer's market patrons move about the city square below. Peer through the labyrinth of skylights into the Science Museum's Parakeet Garden below. Don't forget to bring an extra quarter or 2, if you wish to feed the koi fish schooling in the rooftop pond.
Breweries
Downtown Roanoke's premier microbrewery with a local cult following. With a heavy emphasis of quality over quantity, this place fills up quickly on weekends & nice evenings.
Its handsome wood-finished interior taproom opens up to a dog-friendly outdoor beer garden flanked by a three-story tall "fractured" mural by artist James Bullough.
Skip across the street to Golden Cactus Brewing to add another notch in your Roanoke brewery belt.
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Big Lick Brewing Company
409 Salem Ave SWDowntown Roanoke's premier microbrewery with a local cult following. With a heavy emphasis of quality over quantity, this place fills up quickly on weekends & nice evenings.
Its handsome wood-finished interior taproom opens up to a dog-friendly outdoor beer garden flanked by a three-story tall "fractured" mural by artist James Bullough.
Skip across the street to Golden Cactus Brewing to add another notch in your Roanoke brewery belt.
This new brewery on the block is shaking things up.
Bright & boisterous murals envelop this brewery to greet your arrival. Its interior opens to an industrial chic atmosphere with warehouse windows that bathe the taproom & its desert vegetation in natural sunlight.
Directly adjacent to Bick Lick Brewing Company, this golden boy is a natural addition to your beer crawl.
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Golden Cactus Brewing
214 5th St SWThis new brewery on the block is shaking things up.
Bright & boisterous murals envelop this brewery to greet your arrival. Its interior opens to an industrial chic atmosphere with warehouse windows that bathe the taproom & its desert vegetation in natural sunlight.
Directly adjacent to Bick Lick Brewing Company, this golden boy is a natural addition to your beer crawl.
With oversized warehouse doors opening to sprawling stone gas firepits, the lines quickly blur between Twisted Track Brewpub's split-level taproom & outdoor patio.
With no slight intended to their amazing in-house brews, we say this...their pub grub is even better.
#CheeseSteakGang
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Twisted Track Brewpub
523 Shenandoah Ave NWWith oversized warehouse doors opening to sprawling stone gas firepits, the lines quickly blur between Twisted Track Brewpub's split-level taproom & outdoor patio.
With no slight intended to their amazing in-house brews, we say this...their pub grub is even better.
#CheeseSteakGang
While this may be a satellite brewhouse from Charlottesville-based Three Notch'd Brewery, the beers that flow are all brewed a few feet away from the bar, in-house.
The hardest decision you'll have to make during your duration here is what tastes better...the pints or the craft kitchen's mind-blowing bar fare.
With palate-provoking provisions delightfully infused with one of their very own locally-brewed beers, you can add another beer or 2 to your nightly tally when you brag to your friends tomorrow.
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Three Notch'd Craft Kitchen and Brewery - Roanoke
24 Campbell Ave SEWhile this may be a satellite brewhouse from Charlottesville-based Three Notch'd Brewery, the beers that flow are all brewed a few feet away from the bar, in-house.
The hardest decision you'll have to make during your duration here is what tastes better...the pints or the craft kitchen's mind-blowing bar fare.
With palate-provoking provisions delightfully infused with one of their very own locally-brewed beers, you can add another beer or 2 to your nightly tally when you brag to your friends tomorrow.
The newest tasting room from the burgeoning Olde Salem Brewing Company, hailing from our neighboring Town of Salem. Its hype is growing so fast, it couldn't be contained in a single town.
Boardgames & brews abound in this window-clad, sunlight-drenched tasting room.
Olde Salem Brewing Company
315 Market Street SoutheastThe newest tasting room from the burgeoning Olde Salem Brewing Company, hailing from our neighboring Town of Salem. Its hype is growing so fast, it couldn't be contained in a single town.
Boardgames & brews abound in this window-clad, sunlight-drenched tasting room.