15 Best Restaurants in Roanoke, VA

Roanoke is an independent city in Roanoke County, Virginia.

Its population as of the 2020 census was 100,011.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Roanoke comprises 42.5 square miles of land and 0.3 square miles of water.

It is located in the Roanoke River in the southern part of Shenandoah Valley.

Its previous name was Big Lick, but it was changed to Roanoke in 1882.

This city has exciting tourist attractions like museums, zoos, and amusement parks.

With fun destinations come exciting restaurants that locals and tourists can enjoy.

Take a look at the best restaurants in Roanoke, Virginia!

Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill

Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill is located on Valley View Blvd.

This restaurant promises " good food, drinks, and good times."

Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill is a bar and grill where you can find the most savory grilled dishes you're craving.

They have chicken wings, burgers, pasta, barbeque platters, seafood, and steaks, served in significant portions!

Rest assured that the food they serve is fresh and perfectly cooked daily.

Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill also has vegetarian and gluten-free options, so everyone is welcome here.

Billy’s

Billy’s in Market St. is a restaurant that offers classic American cuisine.

Its comfortable and elegant atmosphere will give you a home away from home vibes.

Billy’s was built in 1912, so its decades and decades of experience in the culinary industry guarantee only the best dining experience.

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menu items are available.

Don't miss out on their 16oz prime rib served with cheddar mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus.

This mouthwatering dish is best partnered with a glass of wine or even two.

You may also order a seafood platter consisting of fried or grilled scallops, shrimp, cold water lobster tail with vegetables, and risotto.

Billy’s also features a variety of cocktails meticulously crafted by their bartenders.

Athens Corner Grill

Athens Corner Grill is an upscale restaurant in South Jefferson St. that offers Greek, Mediterranean, and American cuisine.

This restaurant is well known for its authentic gyro made using their secret family recipe.

Athens Corner Grill only uses the freshest ingredients to ensure the utmost quality of each food they serve.

Their chicken, beef, and even soup items are freshly made every day by their experienced chefs.

Even their baklava or galaktoboureko are made every day from scratch!

The Athens Corner Grill menu recipes came from the owners' Greek grandparents.

Hollywood's Restaurant & Bakery

Hollywood's Restaurant & Bakery is a Southern-inspired restaurant on Williamson Rd.

Mark Henderson and his wife, Chris, opened the restaurant in 2002.

This restaurant promises to serve you only the freshest and most flavourful dishes that will surely not leave you disappointed.

Highchairs for toddlers are available, and the interior design of Hollywood's Restaurant & Bakery is wheelchair-friendly so that everyone can enjoy good food and drinks here.

You can enjoy house-made soups perfect as appetizers.

Sandwiches, seafood, and steaks are also available.

Don't miss their fried oysters, hummus platter, and grilled salmon served with honey, ginger barbeque sauce, mashed potatoes, and sauteed vegetables.

A hearty meal is not complete without Hollywood's Restaurant & Bakery's cream puff or salted caramel mousse!

The Regency Room

The Regency Room is an elegant restaurant within the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center on Shenandoah Ave.

This restaurant stands out from others in its AAA Four Diamond Designation Rating.

Only three restaurants in the state of Virginia have earned this prestigious rating.

Inside, you'll feel like you're in a royal dining hall because of its high-class decorations and beautiful chandeliers.

The Regency Room opened in 1939 and currently offers French-inspired Southern cuisine.

Each dish is made from fresh ingredients and garnished meticulously.

Live entertainment is also available on an occasional basis.

The Regency Room's double-cut lamb chops, pan-seared rainbow trout, and char-grilled filet are just some of the best dishes you can order and enjoy.

A wide selection of bourbons, coffee, and other alcoholic beverages are also available.

Cedars Lebanese Restaurant

Cedars Lebanese Restaurant is a family-owned restaurant on Campbell Ave.

It serves authentic Lebanese dishes that will give you a glimpse of Lebanon's rich and exciting culture.

You may enjoy your food inside or at the relaxing outdoor seating of this restaurant.

Mediterranean and middle eastern options are also available.

There are also vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and halal items on their menu.

You'll also be entertained by Lebanese music while enjoying your hummus, falafel, potatoes with sumac, and raw kibbeh-kibbeh nay ye or fresh beef mixed with crushed wheat and seasoning.

One of Cedars Lebanese Restaurant's best-selling items is its four-piece meat pie.

Classic beef and lamb shawarma are also available.

After a mouthwatering food adventure, order a cup of Lebanese coffee.

The River and Rail Restaurant

The River and Rail Restaurant is located on Crystal Spring Ave.

This restaurant and lounge are famous for their craft cocktails.

This place also excludes a cozy atmosphere perfect for hours-long bonding sessions with friends and family.

Every item you'll see in The River and Rail Restaurant's made from scratch daily by their team of experienced chefs.

The ingredients they use are locally sourced to assure quality and support local farmers and sellers.

Order their premium wines and beers along with spicy pork rinds, whitestone oysters, or a jar of pickles.

Why not try their oyster wraps and chicken breast served with squash, tomato, peanut gravy, roasted peanuts, basil, and mint?

Frankie Rowland's Steakhouse

Frankie Rowland's Steakhouse is Roanoke's premiere steakhouse in South Jefferson St.

It also offers over 120 choices of wines, 130 liquors, and 70 martinis.

Frankie Rowland's Steakhouse is known for its signature pineapple martini made only from the freshest pineapples in the region.

This is also the best place to find USDA prime beef fresh-cut steaks.

Frankie Rowland's Steakhouse's 20oz New York strip and Kansas City strip are some of the top choices of every diner in this restaurant.

But seafood, chicken, and vegetarian options are also available here.

Cafe Asia

Cafe Asia in Alley Gateway Blvd B1 serves authentic Asian cuisines for locals and tourists to enjoy.

It started business in 2008.

One of the most exciting parts of this restaurant is its sushi bar, where you can taste authentic and savory sushi prepared and served by chefs who are experts in their craft.

The best options you can try at the sushi bar are tuna tartar, seared tuna, spicy Kani salad, and sesame seaweed salad.

Several sauce options for your sushi can also be ordered.

Cafe Asia is also vegetarian-friendly, and vegan and gluten-free items are also available.

Their classic miso and wonton soup served with egg and scallions are perfect for cold weather.

Of course, any Asian restaurant is incomplete without some noodles and rice dishes such as pad Thai and Singapore rice.

Montano's International Restaurant

Montano's International Restaurant can be located along Franklin Rd.

This casual and lively restaurant serves a variety of cuisines from different parts of the world.

Montano's International Restaurant is also perfect for watching sports and listening to live music while eating.

This 330-seater restaurant also has a beautiful patio.

Montano's International Restaurant's over 50 years in business prove that you'll only taste the best and most delectable dishes you could ever imagine.

If you're someone on a strict diet or just someone who wants to watch what they eat, their homemade soups with no unnecessary salt and sugars are perfect for you.

Their meat, vegetables, and seafood are always freshly bought from local farmers.

Aside from good food, Montano's International Restaurant also sells 200 brands of microbrewed beers.

Lucky

Lucky is a farm-to-table Southern cuisine restaurant on Kirk Ave.

You can also try out some refreshing and satisfying crafted cocktails here.

Its elegant yet chic atmosphere is perfect for a girls' or boys' night out!

Lucky's location is also near some of the trendy destinations in the city.

While you're here, make sure not to miss their chicken wings, oysters, octopus, and meatballs.

Charcuterie and various cheese options can also be partnered with their cocktails.

Order their citrus cove regatta or rum, pastis, orgeat, lemon, Lake Anawanna, or a concoction of tequila, watermelon, lime, amaro, and tajin.

Alexander's

Alexander's is an American fine dining restaurant in Jefferson St.

It started business in 1979 with a traditional warm light ambiance and white tablecloths.

This refined restaurant remains one of the most famous destinations for locals and tourists who want to experience an upscale dining experience.

Alexander's has salads, soups, entrees, and desserts, all served and garnished meticulously.

You must try out their wild-caught halibut amandine and Louisiana shrimp étouffée.

These are some of the most spectacular dishes on this restaurant's menu.

The grains, lettuce, and fruits in each dish are also grown locally, and the seafood they serve is delivered straight from the coast.

202 Social House

202 Social House is on Market St.

It has both indoor and patio dining areas.

This place is well known for its laid-back and classic American dishes, perfect alongside a bottle of draft beer.

202 Social House's interior features stone bricks, adding a more casual and homey feel.

There is also a television on the walls, perfect for afternoon relaxation while enjoying your all-time favorites such as chicken wings, sandwiches, pizzas, and more.

202 Social House also hosts events like birthdays, rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, bridal showers, and business lunches, among others.

It features multiple private rooms with a capacity of up to 50 people and has complimentary audio-visual equipment you can use for a presentation or slide show.

Fork in the Alley

Fork in the Alley is a brick-walled bar and restaurant on Crystal Spring Ave.

It is inside an ex-carriage house, which adds to the restaurant's relaxed and homey feel.

Enjoy live music performances here.

Fork in the Alley offers chicken tenders, fries, quesadillas, nachos, salads, pizzas, and sandwiches that both children and adults will surely love.

You can make your pizza here at the Fork in the Alley.

Split their large pizzas among your friends and family.

Draft beers are also available, of course.

Rockfish Food and Wine

Rockfish Food and Wine is in Grandin Village on Grandin Rd.

This modern bistro, established in 2005, is famous for its seafood specials and seasonal menus.

This restaurant's bar also offers a wide selection of top-notched wines.

You'll also enjoy some live music performances while savoring your delicious food at Rockfish Food and Wine.

For starters, why not try some of their fried oysters, classic caesar salad, smoked salmon flatbread, or mixed green salad?

Then follow it up with their satisfying pork chop, pesto-seared salmon, seared duck breast, and chili pineapple barbeque tofu.

Finish it with a slice or two of Rockfish Food and Wine's lemon cheesecake, mocha truffle torte, or cobbler with vanilla ice cream.

Final Thoughts

You'll never run out of places to eat in Roanoke, Virginia.

This city is famous not only for its touristy destinations but also for its diverse and wide selection of food hubs.

Each restaurant has everything you could ever ask for.

Prepare yourself for an exciting gastronomic adventure at the best restaurants in Roanoke, Virginia.