One of the best parts of exploring a new city is discovering its food scene, and Roanoke, Virginia did not disappoint. During our recent visit, Jenn and I set out to experience some of the most talked-about restaurants in town — from cozy breakfast spots and hidden local gems to craft breweries with great eats and elegant dinners at The Hotel Roanoke.
We started our mornings with hearty Southern comfort food like biscuits and gravy at Scrambled, sampled unique dishes like Zing Fries at Food Hut RKE, and enjoyed flavorful international cuisine at Taaza Indian Restaurant in Grandin Village. Each place offered its own personality, from casual and laid-back to refined and upscale, and together they gave us a real taste of what makes dining in Roanoke so special.
Whether you’re in the mood for a quick coffee, a casual lunch, or a memorable dinner, Roanoke’s restaurants deliver quality, variety, and plenty of local flavor.
Below, we’re sharing our favorites from our trip — places we visited and can recommend — to help you plan your own foodie adventure in Virginia’s Blue Ridge. We barely touched the surface though, with many more restaurants on our list for a future visit.
PS - Most of the images in this article are ours; however, we had to pull some stock footage because of an issue with one of our cameras.
Scrambled in Downtown Roanoke
Scrambled in downtown Roanoke turned out to be the perfect way to start our day. I ordered scrambled eggs with bacon and a hearty plate of biscuits and gravy, while Jenn went with scrambled eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit. Both of us enjoyed its rich, smooth coffee, which paired perfectly with breakfast on a rainy morning.
We sat outside on their covered patio, and even with the light rain, it was a cozy and relaxing spot to enjoy our meal. The service really stood out — friendly, attentive, and quick to make sure we had everything we needed. The food itself was excellent, especially the gravy on the biscuits. Their unique blend of black pepper and sage gave it a flavor that set it apart from other versions we’ve tried. Jenn’s fruit was also impressively fresh.
Scrambled is right in the heart of downtown Roanoke, and it’s exactly the kind of place we love to find when traveling — casual, welcoming, and serving up delicious comfort food with a local touch.
Food Hut RKE
Food Hut RKE is one of those hidden local gems that you almost stumble upon — and we discovered it during our Brews and Views e-bike tour.
While Jenn and I didn’t have time to order food ourselves, the couple riding with us did, and we quickly realized why this spot has such a strong reputation. He ordered their popular chicken sandwich, which is made with locally sourced chicken that’s brined in sweet tea. It smelled incredible, looked even better, and he said without hesitation it was one of the best chicken sandwiches he’s ever had.
We did get to sample their Zing Fries, and wow — these crispy fries are topped with house-made garlic butter, a zingy aioli, fresh parsley, and chives. They were hot, fresh, and packed with flavor, easily some of the best loaded fries we’ve tried anywhere.
Food Hut RKE is located inside Golden Cactus Brewing, which makes the experience even better. You can grab a craft beer, settle in at one of the big tables, and enjoy a casual, laid-back atmosphere surrounded by western-themed décor, pinball machines, and video games.
We ran out of time to come back and try more of their food during this trip, but it’s firmly at the top of our list for our next Roanoke visit.
Taaza Indian Cuisine
Taaza Indian Cuisine in Grandin Village had been recommended to us by our Brews and Views guide, and as big fans of Indian food, we couldn’t wait to try it.
The restaurant was busy when we arrived, but we were seated right away at a high-top table in the back corner — our preferred spot. We started the evening with a glass of wine and an appetizer of roasted pappad served with mint and tamarind chutney. The pappad was crisp and flavorful, and both chutneys were excellent — fresh, tangy, and the perfect way to kick off the meal.
For our entrées, I ordered Saag Paneer with rice, and Jenn went with the classic Chicken Tikka Masala. Both dishes were served in very generous portions — so much that we couldn’t even finish them. The flavors were bold and delicious. We had asked for no spice, but the dishes still carried a bit of heat, just enough to enhance the flavor without overwhelming the meal. Everything tasted fresh and carefully prepared, and it was some of the best Indian food we’ve enjoyed anywhere in the Blue Ridge.
Taaza has a casual yet refined atmosphere with darker décor and lighting that gives it a cozy feel. Most guests were dressed casually, though some had dressed up a bit for dinner.
Parking in Grandin Village can be a little tricky — free spaces were all taken, but we easily found a spot in the pay lot right behind the restaurant. It only cost a couple of dollars for two hours, which was no issue at all.
Between the attentive service, the fantastic flavors, and the portion sizes, Taaza definitely ranks high on our list of Indian restaurants and is a must-visit when in Roanoke.
Breakfast buffet at the Hotel Roanoke
One of the unexpected highlights of our stay at The Hotel Roanoke was their incredible breakfast buffet. This spread is huge and covers just about every breakfast favorite you could imagine — scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, hashbrowns, grits, sticky buns, pastries, fresh fruit, yogurt, and cereals. On top of that, they offer made-to-order omelets, along with fresh juices, hot coffee, and tea.
Jenn and I both went for omelets, paired with a mix of sides including bacon, fresh fruit, and crispy hashbrowns. Everything we tried was fresh, flavorful, and well-prepared. The service was attentive without being overbearing, and the whole experience felt relaxed and enjoyable.
The dining room itself has a more formal look and feel, with classic décor that matches the historic charm of the hotel, but casual dress is perfectly acceptable. If you’re staying at The Hotel Roanoke, the breakfast buffet is not only convenient but absolutely worth taking advantage of. It’s a great way to fuel up for a day of exploring Roanoke.
Note: the breakfast buffet is not complimentary and open to the public.
Mrs B's in Buchannon Virginia
After our kayaking trip in Buchanan with Twin River Outfitters, we worked up quite an appetite. Locals — and Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge — both pointed us toward Mrs. B’s Restaurant, conveniently located right across the street. We grabbed a table out on the deck and settled in for a relaxing lunch.
To start, we ordered a couple of their seasonal strawberry drinks: a strawberry mojito and a strawberry margarita. Both were refreshing and the perfect way to cool off after being out on the river. For an appetizer, we tried the house-made pork rinds with pimento cheese. The rinds were made to order, arriving at the table hot and still crackling, and the pimento cheese was outstanding — creamy, with just the right amount of spice.
For lunch, I chose the strawberry and candied nut salad with honey bacon dressing, while Jenn went with the Italian sandwich. Both dishes were fresh, flavorful, and surprisingly elevated for such a small-town spot.
The casual atmosphere, friendly service, and the number of locals dining there made it feel like a true community hub. Mrs. B’s impressed us as one of the better small-town restaurants we’ve come across in our travels — a place we’d happily return to.
The Pine Room Bar at the Hotel Roanoke
The Pine Room restaurant in the Hotel Roanoke itself was closed for a private event the evening we planned to dine there, so we headed to the hotel’s bar instead. The food still came straight from The Pine Room kitchen, and it turned out to be a great choice.
We started with the Hearth Fired Bread, served with garlic oil, parsley, and marinara. It was essentially pizza dough, but light, airy, and absolutely delicious.
For dinner, Jenn ordered the Summer Berry Salad, while I went with a Caesar Salad topped with shrimp. We decided to keep things on the lighter side that night, but the menu offered plenty of tempting options — from flatbread pizzas and jerk chicken to a bone-in ribeye and their Smokehouse and smash burgers.
The bar itself is gorgeous, tucked just off the main entry and lobby. It was lively and busy each night of our stay, in part due to wedding events happening at the hotel. The bartenders were fantastic — friendly, attentive, and clearly skilled. The mixologist in particular was impressive, crafting unique cocktails that kept guests coming back for more.
Sweet Donkey Coffee
Sweet Donkey Coffee is a beautiful old home that’s been transformed into one of Roanoke’s most popular coffee shops, and it didn’t take us long to see why. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with a casual, friendly vibe that makes it just as comfortable for hanging out as it is for grabbing a quick to-go order.
When we stopped by on a Sunday morning, the place was bustling with customers, both inside and out, but the service was still quick and cheerful.
The coffee here is excellent, with lots of unique house-made flavors. Jenn and I tried a lavender latte and a maple latte, and both were smooth, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. To go with our drinks, we enjoyed one of their in-house yogurt parfaits — yes, they even make their own yogurt — and a chocolate croissant. Both were fresh, delicious, and a perfect pairing with our lattes.
Sweet Donkey Coffee is one of those spots that feels like a true local hangout, and we loved our time there. It’s definitely a coffee shop we’ll return to on future visits, and one we’d recommend to anyone looking for a great cup of coffee in Roanoke.
Scratch Biscuit Company
Scratch Biscuit Company was high on our list for breakfast in Roanoke, and when we arrived, it was clear we weren’t the only ones with that idea. The line stretched out the door, and unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to wait it out. Still, after talking with locals and hearing from Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, we quickly learned why this little spot has such a big reputation.
Known for their fresh, made-from-scratch biscuits, the menu features a variety of hearty breakfast sandwiches and Southern favorites. Popular picks include the fried chicken biscuit, sausage and egg biscuit, and their country ham biscuit. They also offer rotating specials, along with sides like cheesy grits and crispy hashbrowns, making it a true comfort food stop for breakfast lovers.
The restaurant itself is small with limited seating, which adds to its cozy charm but also means it can fill up fast. On busy mornings, a to-go order might be the best way to enjoy their biscuits without the wait.
Scratch Biscuit Company is absolutely staying on our shortlist for a future visit, and next time we’ll be sure to carve out enough time to get in line and finally taste those famous biscuits for ourselves.
