Best Dining in Roanoke, VA
Top Restaurants & Foodie Favorites in Virginia's Blue Ridge
Roanoke's dining scene combines Appalachian traditions with modern culinary innovation. From James Beard-nominated chefs to historic diners, the Star City offers diverse flavors that reflect its mountain heritage and growing cosmopolitan vibe. This guide covers must-try establishments that define Roanoke's food culture.
Fine Dining Experiences
Fortunato
202 Market St SE • Italian • $$$
This intimate 40-seat trattoria brings authentic Northern Italian cuisine to downtown. Their house-made pastas (try the pappardelle with wild boar ragu) and extensive Italian wine list have earned them Wine Spectator awards three years running.
Must order: Osso Buco Milanese with saffron risotto
The River and Rail
2201 Crystal Spring Ave • New American • $$$
Chef Aaron Deal's seasonal menu highlights Appalachian ingredients with French techniques. The restaurant occupies a renovated 1920s service station, blending industrial charm with white-tablecloth service.
Local tip: Ask for the off-menu chef's tasting experience (5 or 7 courses)
Iconic Local Institutions
Texas Tavern
114 Church Ave SW • American • $
Operating since 1930, this 10-stool diner serves what locals call "the cheeseburger in paradise." The chili (ordered "all the way" with onions, mustard and relish) has fueled generations of Roanokers.
Know before you go: Cash only. Learn the lingo - "One with" means cheeseburger with onions.
The Roanoker Restaurant
2522 Colonial Ave SW • Southern • $$
Family-owned since 1941, this spot perfected the art of Southern breakfasts. Their buttermilk biscuits (served with apple butter) and country ham appear on virtually every "Best of Virginia" list.
Pro tip: Come hungry for the "Appalachian Breakfast" - eggs, sausage gravy, fried apples and buckwheat cakes.
Foodie Hotspots
Bloom
Plant-forward • $$
Creative vegetarian dishes like smoked carrot "lox" and mushroom bourguignon showcase local produce in a cozy downtown space.
Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint
Burgers • $$
Wagyu beef patties with outrageous toppings (like peanut butter and fried egg) paired with 30+ craft beers on tap.
Cabo Fish Taco
Baja-style • $$
Zesty fish tacos and margaritas in a vibrant setting. Try the blackened mahi with mango salsa.
Local Dining Tips
- • Most fine dining spots are concentrated in Downtown and Grandin Village
- • Reservations recommended for dinner (especially weekends)
- • Check for seasonal specials featuring local morels, ramps, and trout
- • Many restaurants participate in Roanoke's Restaurant Week (January & July)
