Exploring a city characterized by culinary collaboration
Nestled in the valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Roanoke, Virginia’s culinary scene shines as brightly as its iconic landmark star. The midsize city is blessed with an outsized number of local farms and markets, talented makers, bartenders, bakers, and cooks who embrace their culinary passions, whether it’s the food of their homeland, dedication to technique, or commitment to local sourcing.
There’s a palpable sense of pride within the food community that prioritizes lifting up others, spurring a spate of innovative pop-ups, joint ventures, and collaborations that are infusing the food scene with dynamic energy. All that bright shining light infuses the hospitality here with a warmth that’s like Southern hospitality on overdrive.
Best Places to Eat and Drink
Best Lunch with a Side of Retail Therapy: Crystal Spring Grocery
This gourmet grocery is a go-to for a midday nosh like made-to-order sandwiches, Sunday brunch (try the fried chicken biscuits), and grab-and-go dips, salads, and Yard Bull Meats’ charcuterie. Score edible gifts like RND Coffee beans or Storied Goods cocktail cubes.
Best Progressive Dinner: Sidecar, Fortunato, Blue Cow Ice Cream
Sidle up to Sidecar’s bar for a New Fashioned and Belgian frites with curry ketchup, then walk over to Fortunato for a speck-and-fennel pizza and bucatini all’amatriciana. Finish with a short drive down to Blue Cow Ice Cream for an ice cream flight (don’t miss the blueberry goat cheese).
Best Street to Eat the World: Williamson Road
Embark on a global gustatory adventure off the beaten path: Feast on bánh mì at Viet Sub, share a Cubano at Cuban Island Restaurant, slurp ramen at Ike’s Kitchen or pho at It’s Pho Time, snack on falafel at Bethlehem Restaurant & Grocery, and order tacos at Lupita’s or Taco Riendo.
Best Place to Get Your Carbs On: Bread Craft
This cheery downtown staple turns out rustic loaves, French-style pastries (like Thursday’s kouign amman), and crave-worthy brunch dishes, like croissant french toast with candied bacon or a baker’s omelet studded with house sourdough.
Best Nosh + Beer Combo: Food Hut with Golden Cactus Brewing or Blindhouse Beer
Food Hut’s flavor-bomb sandwiches plus craft suds equals a next-level pairing. Try the beer-battered fish sandwich with Pickle Rick, a dry-hopped sour from next-door’s Golden Cactus, or Blindhouse Beer’s Starlight Road, a citrusy, mixed culture ale that’s ace with a quickly delivered Cubano.
Best Spot to Catch a Food Truck or Pop-Up: Sweet Donkey Coffee House
Sweet Donkey is as much a draw for its rotation of food trucks and pop-ups as it is for its seasonal lattes. Seek out Queen’s Vegan Café’s fried mushroom sandwiches, Kefi’s homey spanakopita, Empanada Nirvana’s flaky empanadas, and Eatza Pizza’s wood-fired sourdough pies.
Best Style & Substance: Stock Café
Inside the chic dining room, sup Nordic-inspired fare like gravlax smørrebrød and pan-seared whole trout, or enjoy appetizers like duck meatballs with lingonberry barbecue sauce while lounging on a custom sofa in Txtur’s flagship showroom.
Best Sustainable and Seasonal Share Plates: Bloom
Cozy up to the bar with a seasonal cocktail or into a booth for dishes like roasted potatoes with garlic scape aïoli, carrot-beet hummus, or beef skewers with jade beans. End with Crème Fresh’s mind-bending dairy-free ice cream.
Claim to Fame
Cheese slaw, a locally famous dip/spread that’s like pimento cheese’s long-lost cousin, is a zippy mix of shredded swiss cheese, mayo, chopped green onions, banana peppers, and pickled jalapeños. Pair it with crackers and crudité or spin it into an epic grilled cheese. Find it to-go at Crystal Spring Grocery or the Jamison’s Farm Market or atop gourmet hot dogs at Fork in the Market.
Where to Shop
Crafteria
Visit Crafteria for artisan home goods, like The Slap Shop’s funky mugs or Maples Wood Shop’s striking peppermills, and Virginia-made products like Lindera Farms ramp vinegar and In a Jam salted watermelon jam. For scratch-made Puerto Rican food, don’t miss Delicias Boricuas’ walk-up window inside.
Roanoke City Market
Peruse the historic market for local produce, honey, preserves, baked goods, and artisan wares. Post shopping, refuel at the nearby Weiner Stand, Roanoke’s oldest restaurant, or across the street at the iconic City Market Building for Sticks & Spoons ramen. For more downtown shopping and eating inspo with a side of history, book a walking food tour with Tour Roanoke.
Barrel Chest
At Barrel Chest, sip cider, wine, sake, or beer from the tasting room’s 40-plus rotating taps, then shop for Virginia-made beverages like Basic City Beer Co. Bask IPA and bottles from Early Mountain Vineyards and Gabriele Rausse Winery. At special events, look for pop-ups like Hot Knots, whose Bavarian pretzels are excellent with craft brews.
Where to Stay
The Liberty Trust
The Liberty Trust is a historic bank-building-turned-boutique hotel. The gorgeous lobby features stately marble columns, the original vault (which doubles as private dining), and cozy seating nooks. The stylish guest rooms echo a banker motif with tweed suiting, wood tones, and retro lamps. Drop by The Vault for eclectic, globally inspired dishes like pork bao buns or khachapuri, a Georgian cheese bread, paired with clever cocktails like the Marilyn Monroe, crafted with Brady’s Distillery gin.