Pleased to find a boba shop in Roanoke, I certainly wanted it to succeed. The hours are a bit odd,…read morebut there was some notable quality of ingredients. However, ordering a fruit-flavored tea with one topping set me back over $10 with tip. Unless tea is being brought from the Strait of Hormuz, this seems unrealistic to me. I've had a lot of better bubble teas for a better value, but of course these were in bigger cities. Maybe it's just too tough to bring a quality product to Roanoke. I hope the area can support a place like this, but I'm a little skeptical unfortunately.

I remember the first time I had a drink with Boba. It was a unique experience in and of itself. And…read moreso when I found out that this Panda Boba had just opened its door in a very desired location in Vinton, Virginia, I had to be the first one to go explore and see what it was all about. Located across the street from Pollard 107 South Restaurant, in the Town of Vinton, Panda Boba is housed in a modern, small open space area furnish with simple yet elegant and comfortable furniture. The owners are a couple Vietnamese immigrants who were very welcoming and hospitable when I entered the restaurant for the first time. The menu included a great variety of flavored Bubble Teas and Smoothies with the option of including two types of bobas: the traditional ones which are chewy, small tapioca pearls that are commonly added to bubble tea drinks. Bobas are made from tapioca starch extracted from the cassava root, giving them a distinctive chewy texture when you bite into them. And another type that are filled with flavored juices inside so when you bite into them these flavors are released. The wife and one of the owners of the business was the one I first met when I arrived to this unique business. She greeted me warmly from behind the counter with a big smile. There was a small menu on the counter and a large, lit version hanging from the wall behind the counter. I ordered a Mango Smoothie with the Bobas that had the Mango flavored juice inside. She immediately went to work making my Mango Smoothie with bobas. As she was doing so, her husband, the co-owner, and son arrived. It brought back some happy memories because when I was growing up my father also opened a cafeteria business in San Juan, Puerto Rico, that ended up being very successful and made it possible for me going to the college of my choice. As I sat down drinking my Smoothie through a wide straw that allowed the bobas to slip up, a couple came in and made an order as well. They also seemed happy to have this new business here. I highly recommend that those reading this review go and try it out. You'll discover a refreshing drink with bobas that will give it a special texture never to be forgotten.

One of our new local favorite hangouts!!! The interior is set up in such a fun and loving way. The…read morebubble teas are great and freshly prepared utilizing only the finest ingredients. We come here at least once per week. Customer service is excellent and you feel valued from the moment you walk in. You must check them out!

My husband found this place while working. He always told me about it and finally we visited…read moretogether and I can't express enough how amazing the drinks and food is here! Took me by surprise that they have Pho here too!! We will have to come back for that. The barista was super helpful and sweet, didn't loose patience despite the many questions and changes we made. We ordered Thai tea w/regular boba pearls (my favorite), Mango Tea w/mango poppers (popping boba), and a Watermelon Freeze. We also ordered one Egg roll and one Korean Corndog. Everything exceeded my expectations. The drinks were amazing and the snacks we got were delicious! You have to come heck this place out! Everything from the decorations of the establishment to the cups used for the drinks screams to me how the owner is giving their all to make this place a great place to grab a drink & a bite! It's a very welcoming place, relaxing atmosphere will most definitely be back soon!

Pho Saigon is a wonderful little restaurant with a calm, relaxing atmosphere and peaceful music…read more The dining area is always clean and beautifully decorated, making it a great place for a date or a quiet meal. My favorite dishes are the pho and the pork spring rolls with peanut sauce--they're absolutely delicious! The wait time is always reasonable, and the customer service is consistently friendly and welcoming. I highly recommend Pho Saigon to anyone looking for authentic food and a cozy dining experience.

Located at Market Square Center, a strip-mall on Orange Ave in Roanoke Virginia, this Asian…read morefamily-owned Vietnamese restaurant, has been in business since August 2011. I'm not an expert in Vietnamese Cuisine, nor do I profess to be, but I can tell when I eat good food and I have discovered it in fancy restaurants as well as in many hole in the wall ones. Today I decided to get off the road most traveled, to end up in this Asian family-owned Vietnamese Cuisine restaurant. As I arrived I immediately saw its simple but very effective white sign with large black print with the restaurant's name and telephone number. Inside, the place was very clean starting from its large front window and glass door. Decorated very simple with plants, family items saved throughout the years, and artworks hanging from the walls, its shinny hardwood floor and simple lamps hanging from the ceiling, join with the nice looking wooden furniture to create the right amount of elegance and at the same time relaxed environment. I received a warm welcome and genuine greeting from a Vietnamese gentleman who had me take a seat and handed me the menu of the restaurant. To drink I ordered the Vietnamese Iced Coffee. It was so rich and delicious with its condensed milk. For appetizer I ordered the Pork Spring Rolls served with a Peanut Dipping. For a better idea of how good they were, I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review, because a picture is worth a thousand words. As my main course I ordered the Stir Fry Noodles with Grilled Pork and Shrimps. It came out in a square, light green plate. And it both looked and tasted so good that I immediately identified with the best of Vietnamese Cuisine. In conclusion I highly recommend this Asian family-owned Vietnamese Cuisine restaurant for its amazing food, relaxed environment, wonderful customer service, and extraordinary dining experience.

Didn't realize how extensive this menu is! We only ordered apps for today, but the crab Rangoons…read moreand spring rolls really hit the spot! Excited to try the boba and sushi next! The atmosphere is quite quiet, so we chose to take it to go, but the design and interior is so fun and funky! Highly recommend!

Originally I came to this shop with a friend to have some Gelato for dessert, after an early…read moredinner, but what we found was an Asian family-owned business with a very interesting decor and an extensive menu. Conveniently located on 1 W Main Street, in the heart of Salem, Virginia, right next to the farmer's market, Lucky Cat Cafe is a charming buble tea and homemade gelato store with a cozy atmosphere and a wide selection of other items, such as ice-cream, coffee, hot chocolate, fresh sushi, mochi donuts, macaroons, and other sweet treats. They have a free parking lot and free street parking. The cafe is decorated in anime style with lots of posters and figurines for sale. As first-time visitors we were very impressed with the store's vibrant decor and welcoming ambiance. It is the perfect spot to visit with family or friends, to share quality time with while enjoying one or more of their delicious and refreshing treats. At the Lucky Cat Cafe we can find something for everyone. When we first arrived, an Asian lady who seemed to be the owner, greeted us behind the counter and gave us a warm welcome. She answered all our questions and invited us to look around the store. When I found out she was of Chinese origin I said "Xie Xie" to her that means Thank you. I also expressed my pleasure in visiting her Asian family-owned business and her appreciation for this was returned with a big friendly smile. Even though I had invited my friend here for a Gelato. As soon as he saw the Mochi donuts he ordered two, inviting me for one of them. I asked for the original flavor, and loved the texture as well of the flavor of the Mochi donuts. Then we went to the Gelato freezer display case, and looked at all the interesting flavors they had. My friend had a scoop of the Taro Gelato in a cup and zI had one of Mango, my favorite fruit. I asked for the bill and paid with my credit card. Tip was optional by clicking a spot in the payment computer. The Mango Gelato was so delicious. It was very creamy and refreshing, with just the right temperature. While eating the ice-cream at one of the round tables with my friend, I noticed the cleanliness of the place. When we finished with the Gelatos, I told my friend that I wanted to support this Asian family-owned business some more and invited him to a Buble Tea with Bobas. He had the Matcha Tea with Lychee Bobas and I had the Mango Tea with Mango Bobas. They were very good and refreshing and the owner appreciated our business. While we were there other customers came by for Gelato as well and to look at all the small figures they had for sale. In conclusion. I highly recommend this Cafe and Ice-cream Shop for their fresh, flavory, and refreshing menu items and their amazing customer service. They seem to enjoy seeing customers go to their store and make you feel right at home there.

Excellent food and service. Every dish we've ever had here is amazing!…read moreSushi, noodles, soups, Asian dishes. All are great!

After being ranked 4th among Yelp's Top 50 Most Prolific Elites of 2025, a distinction recognizing…read moremy consistent community engagement and high-quality contributions, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to go back and write follow-up reviews on those restaurants that impressed me the most during 2025, and Cafe Asia 2, in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example of one of them. This Asian fusion restaurant in the Cave Spring area of Roanoke, is definitely one of my favorite restaurants of all times. And my first visit and review is something that I will always hold very dear. When you finish reading this review I invite you to go back and read that review and view my photographs accompanying that review, for it was a very unique dining experience that I will never forget. From the time you arrive at this restaurant the contemporary building design seems to beckon you to approach and enter. I love their unique logo design made up of letters and a number of a particular font that communicates a certain air of distinction. Once inside, you're like in another world altogether. If the outside of the building was impressive, the interior immediately captures your attention and mesmerizes you with it's beauty. When I arrived today, a very lovely and distinguished lady, dressed very elegantly, welcomed me and led me to the table of my choice. Later did I find out that she was the owner of the restaurant, and I had an opportunity of talking with her about the restaurant, its Sushi Bar, and Sushi chefs. Soon after, my friendly server, who was from Indonesia, came to introduce himself and take my order. To drink I had a Vietnamese Iced Coffee. It was served in a tall glass and tasted marvelous. As appetizer, I had the Dim Sum Platter. It contained 3 shrimp dŕhumai, 3 pork dumplings, 3 pork wasabi shumai, and 2 roasted pork buns. One of those items was extremely spicy, I had to drink water to cool down. The others tasted reasonably good. As my main entrée I had the Lobster Tail Tempura Maki. It was very colorful and tasted, and completely filled me up. My original server did an excellent job serving me the food and coming by to check on me. But then he disappeared and another server, also Indonesian came to bring me my main entrée. I think it might have been a shift change, but feel the first server should have let me know about this fact. But if the first server wad excellent, the second was amazing. He answered all the questions I had about items on the menu, and while delivering special dishes to other customers, he allowed me to photograph this food for the benefit of the readers of this review. Then, at the end, he helped me choose the dessert to have for the Grand Finale of my meal: the Banana Basket. It was amazingly delicious and had slices of bananas, kiwi, mangos, whipped cream, and strawberries. And topped with caramel and chocolate sauces. Considering its friendly and relaxing ambiance, its extensive menu with a wide range of Asian dishes, from traditional Chinese entries to a full sushi bar with raw and cooked options, and its amazing customer service, I definitely highly recommend this restaurant from my own experience. Every time I've dined there I've had an exceptional fine dining experience, and as I'm leaving I'm already looking forward to returning.

I wasn't expecting much from Rainbowl, but the chef's special burrito bowl was delicious. Perfect…read morefor quick, easy, on-the-go dining. The place is clean and the owner was really friendly. Customer service from the staff behind the counter wasn't the friendliest. Still worth a stop if you want something fast and tasty.

So good and fresh. Love poke and I am glad I was able to find a good spot around my hotel in Salem.read more

It's not easy to be able to find a Philipino restaurant near by, but we're very fortunate to be…read moreable to have one here in East Vinton, just next door to Roanoke, Virginia. And what an amazing cuisine it has. A woman owned small business, it reasantly opened it's doors in a location that was closed for nearly 5 years. Franchesca, the owner and chef of the restaurant and store is a proud Philipina entrepreneur living in the US with a passion for food and cooking of her native land cuisine, and a fervent desire to share it with all living in her neighborhood and communities near by. She majored in Hotel and Restaurant in College and as soon as she was presented with an opportunity to make her life dream come true she went for it. I first found out about her restaurant and store by discovering its website online, which by the way was wonderfully designed with useful information about her native cuisine, with an extraordinary menu with professionally taken color photographs of the different mejor items on the menu. Besides her great cooking and business skills, she also has wonderful technology and communication skills. When I phoned her restaurant's telephone number to double check the hours of operation of the restaurant and make sure it was already opened, a recording answered wirh a request to leave a message with any question for her about the restaurant. I decided to call again later rather than leave a message and as soon as I hanged up I received a text message explaining that she had to travel to the Philippines for a short period of time and the date when she'll be back to open the restaurant again. When I called again after she was back, a friendly voice answered the phone, so happy that I was interested in visiting her restaurant and trying out her food. She explained about the trip like if she had known me for a long time with a warm and friendly welcome and positive attitude. She confirmed that the restaurant would be open this Tuesday from 11:00am to 7:00pm, and every Tuesday through Saturday at these same hours. So I invited a friend of mine and we went on Tuesday and arrived around 4:00pm. The restaurant store was located on Stewartsville Rd in East Vinton. Housed in a humble yet very clean, relatively small building. It had a large color poster behind one of the windows with a composite of professionally taken color photographs of many food items of the menu. There were plenty of parking spots in front and around the restaurant, including Handicap parking. The small parking lot Restaurant's front sign was placed over the previous old sign. Inside, the place was clean and comfortable with the dining area on the right with burgundy color booths and the store on the left, and the kitchen in the middle. The owner greeted us behind the counter at the entrance with a warm greeting. She gave us a copy of the menu, asked us to have a seat, and took our drinking order. We both ordered Thai Tea and went to seat at a booth with our menus. In a short while she came to take our order. I ordered a Pinoy Lumpia as appetizer, a Crispy Pork Kare-Kare as my entrée, and my friend ordered a Lechon Kawali. The appetizer was amazingly delicious: crispy on the outside and with shredded pork with tasty sauce in the inside. My entrée was the Filipino famous peanut butter stew with crispy fried pork belly. It tasted just amazing. My friend's entrée was the Lechon Kawali: deep fried skin-on pork belly served with jasmine rice. It also looked wonderful and according to my friend, tasted delicious. For dessert I had their Tiramisu y my friend had the Signature Ube Mocha Cake. Everything was amazingly delicious. While we were eating several other customers came in to dine as well, and the owner of the restaurant came by at the appropriate time to talk to us and bring us water. I highly recommend this restaurant and their amazing cuisine. They have the best deep fried skin-on pork belly, and other amazing entrées, and the owner chef had such a great personality. It truly was an extraordinary dining experience.

Wonderful place to enjoy home-cooked Filipino dishes. Food…read moreand service were great. Price was reasonable. Go-to place If you are craving for something different! Ordered Lechon Kawali, Sisig, Mongo, Pancit Bihon, and Lumpia. Wife was all smiles as she delightfully ate their version of Mocha Cake with Barako coffee. They also have a small store for Pinoy products and other stuff.

We've been twice and their noodle bowls are some of the best in Roanoke…read more Very clean and very tasty! Will be back soon

Went there for lunch and they did not disappoint! I had the beef bulgogi and my wife had the Korean…read moreCarbonara Noodle. Delicious and served at perfect temperature and was absolutely delicious! Excellent service from wonderful employees. Excellent atmosphere and convenient location in Cave Springs. We will definitely be back!

Looking for a place to have some dessert after finishing having an early dinner, I happened to find…read morethis place by the name of Sugar Cube Cafe. And never in my wildest dreams did I imagine what I would find inside. After being awarded the Triad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Sugar Cube Cafe in Roanoke, Virginia, is the perfect example. This family-owned Bakery, Cafe, and Gift Shop is located in a small outdoor strip mall across from the Valley View Mall in Roanoke, Virginia. The owners are a husband and wife couple with a very enthusiastic family member who works there welcoming the customers, introducimg its products, and taking the customers orders. From the time I parked my car in the extensive parking lot next to their corner shop, a van parked next to me and it so happened to be the owner of the shop who is of Asian origin. When he saw I was headed the way of the shop, he introduced himself and gave me a warm welcome. Later inside I had the opportunity of meeting his wife and co-owner, who made my Boba Coffee that I ordered. When I entered the shop I was just expecting to find gourmet cupcakes, but what I found besides the wonderful cupcakes, were gourmet cheesecakes, macaroons, bubble coffee and tea, milkshakes, ice creams, mini pancakes, large cookies, and even Ramen Noodles and Udon, among other treats. The shop also had many stuffed animals and Asian dolls and posters and toys. I ordered a Midnight Magic Cupcake and a Boba Coffee with French Vanilla Cream. The Cupcake was $5.00 and the Boba Coffee was $10.00. The items here are not cheap, but they are definitely worth the money. I invite you to view my photographs and videos accompanying my review to get a better sense of the place and its products for sale there. It has a cozy atmosphere and friendly staff. And I highly recommend you give them a visit and support their business. You will be happy you did.

Extremely awesome experience! Highly recommend! Staff was amazing, atmosphere was amazing, food…read moreand deserts were great!

Cute little coffee shop in an open space that is also a little market but the market does open up…read moremuch later than the coffee shop. Loved that we could bring our dog in to hangout. The only thing was that the individuals taking our order on two different days and different people seemed a little indifferent. We tried the Purple Haze and the Honey Bee Lattes. Purple haze was delicious but the Honey Bee Latte had a lot of cinnamon. We also tried their Chorizo, Sausage and Cheese Burrito with salsa. Great flavor but there was a lot more egg and not enough chorizo. They also have a lot of pastries and baked goods. We did get a chocolate muffin which was very good. Overall I would recommend, it's a cute spot.

Coffee was good, breakfast sandwiches were great except for the fact that I ordered them on bagels…read moreand discovered they were on sourdough bread when I got home. Staff was helpful and polite but couldn't locate the key for the community bathroom in the mall area. I will go back though next time we visit as it's rare that everything is perfect all the time.