Best Restaurants in Roanoke
Dining in Roanoke is an adventure in culinary pleasure combined with environmental awareness
When you need to refuel after a day hiking through the Blue Ridge Mountains or enjoying the many cultural activities in this historical town, you’ll find locally sourced food, fresh seafood and vegetarian fare wherever you pick up your fork.
Visit Hollywood for a Meal
Treat yourself to some down home Southern cuisine at Hollywood’s Restaurant and Bakery. Be sure to order the bleu chips, made from thin-sliced potatoes that are fried and accompanied by bleu cheese aioli, tomato and green onion, for your appetizer—they're a local favorite. You’ll find a host of vegetarian options at Hollywood’s, and if you're a meat-lover, the Cajun meatloaf can’t be missed. No matter what you eat for lunch or dinner, save room for dessert—all the sweet treats are made from scratch. You might want to sample more than one.
Stop at the Fork in the Alley
When you get out of your car at Fork in the Alley, you’re immediately greeted with the smell of a wood-fire oven. It’s a certified-green restaurant, which means that it's energy-efficient and sources local food whenever possible. As you might guess from your parking-lot experience, the restaurant specializes in wood-fired pizza, but it also offers dinner entrees and some of the best burgers, dogs and pulled-pork sandwiches in town. Top it all off with a large selection of craft beers, too. Snuggle up to the fireplace out on the deck, even when it’s chilly out, and enjoy live music nightly. You'll find Fork in the Alley in the South Roanoke Neighborhood Village, or call for the Fork Cab, a 1967 Checker limousine that will give you a ride for free.
Wine and Dine at Rockfish
Visit the historic Grandin Village section to dine at Rockfish Food and Wine, known for its popular brunch service, seafood, steak and chicken. Arrive early for brunch; the eggs Benedict (in several varieties) is a crowd pleaser. Rockfish is small and the decor is warm and inviting with gleaming wood floors and white linen tablecloths—and prices are moderate. The wine list includes more than 170 offerings; ask your server for a recommendation for one that pairs perfectly with your meal. Listen to live music while you dine every Sunday night, but reserve your table early—the restaurant books up when there's music on the menu.
Enjoy Farm-to-Table at Firefly
You'll enjoy fresh farm-to-table dining in a relaxed family environment at Firefly Fare in downtown Roanoke. Firefly Fare is tucked in the historic City Market Building, where you'll also find local shops and art. Park in the garage around the corner; then stroll down the covered porch of City Market through the lobby to Firefly Fare. Enjoy your meal sitting at the tables in the lobby or on the porch, where you can people-watch and enjoy the bustling energy of the space. Firefly Fare’s menu changes frequently, based on the availability of locally sourced, fresh food. Check the chalkboard for daily specials.
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