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 The River and Rail Restaurant located in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example of one of them. Going back to this restaurant after the great honor that I had received from Yelp, made me recall the first time that I dined here. I invite you that after reading this review, you go back and read that one, and view my photographs accompanying it, because it's one of which I am most proud of, and an experience that I will never forget and forever cherish. I arrived at the restaurant on time at five o'clock sharp and as I waited for them to open I had an opportunity to meet and chat with a couple who had been loyal customers of this restaurant for years since it first opened. They, as well as I, were aware of the beautiful location of the restaurant on one of the most exclusive neighborhoods of Roanoke. As soon as the doors opened, I allowed them to enter first and then when the host came back she gave me a warm and friendly greeting, welcoming me back, and took me to an ideal table, where I had a perfect view of the entire restaurant, from their open kitchen, to their bar, to the entire dining room and entrance, allowing me to capture in photographs the real feel of the ambiance of this cozy, yet elegant, upscale Southern, New-American restaurant known for its scratch-made dishes using locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients, including house-cured meats and pickled vegetables, as well as very creative cocktails. Shortly after I was seated, my delightful server Caroline arrived, and after a warm greeting took my order. To drink I order their Strawberry Fields Forever Mocktail. As appetizer I ordered a half dozen Oysters together with their famous Oyster Wraps. And as my main entrée, the Painted Hills Filet, cooked medium-rare. All the staff seemed so happy to see me and the manager came by to say hello and congratulate me for my outstanding Yelp accomplishment of 2025. My excellent server made sure that my order was well-paced, came by at the appropriate times to fill my glass with water and see if all was to my liking. Everything tasted amazingly delicious. Starting from the unique taste of my creative mocktail, to my flavorful appetizer, to my exquisite Filet main entrée that was so tender and cooked just right. The chefs in this fine dining restaurant are amazing and the quality of their meats is top notch. For dessert I had one of my favorite desserts, since I first had it there, their Dark Chocolate Panna Cotta. This dessert is absolutely mouthwatering. What an extraordinary dining experience I once again had there. Fine dining at its best. For those very special occasions, I highly recommend this restaurant. Or you can always make any day special, by dining there.

The River and Rail is a small establishment so I'd recommend making a reservation no matter the…read moresize of the party or the day. The food comes out fairly quick, the menu is concentrated while still offering a large variety of options. The cocktails are good, though neither of us ordered from the cocktail menu, they have a full bar so you can order whatever you please. Service could be a little more vocal/communicative but it seems staff is perhaps limited? It was good but there's room for moderate improvement for sure. The Chicken Liver Mousse was absolutely amazing and I'd return again and again specifically for this dish (go ahead and order extra bread to come with it)!!

I have eaten at some of the best restaurants in the world, but in none have I had such a wonderful…read moredining experience like I always do at Bernard's Gastropub & Eatery. After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I also was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at their Yelpies 2025 Award Ceremony, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, and where last year I was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year Award, 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 return to those special ones, that have made a difference in my life and highlight them, for the benefit of the public, so they too can have an opportunity to appreciate the qualities of a one-of-a-kind fine dining experience. And Bernard's Gastropub & Eatery in Downtown Roanoke, is a perfect example. Bernard's was born out of the love of two culinary aficionados turned professionals that in someway have managed to create a restaurant with an environment that transmits this intimate love to the hearts of their customers through the attention to detail in its extraordinary customer service and amazing culinary masterpieces. Today, I felt like dining at this restaurant, which I admire for its consistency in always far exceeding my high expectations of what a fine-dining restaurant should be all about. Not knowing if they would have a table for me at this late time on a Saturday early evening, I drove in my pearl white Lexus to the nearest private parking lot and gave them a call to inquire as if they could give me a reservation for the next ten minutes. A gentleman, who later I found out was named Matthew, and would be my server, answered the phone with a very polite and welcoming voice; answering my question of what was the special dish of the day and to come on down, that my reservation was assured. As soon as I arrived to the small, very elegant foyer in front of the Host's station, he came out to greet me and instantly recognized who I was. My only request was that he give me a low table because at my age seating at a high table was a bit uncomfortable. He went back to see what he could find and ended setting me up with what I consider one of the best tables of the house, and I was so appreciative of his last minute accommodation. The menu was already setup on my table. He poured water from a special bottle into my water glass and asked if I wanted something else to drink. I asked for a Mocktail and since he also was a bartender, he prepared me one of the best mocktails I've ever had. To dine, I started out with their Mussels Carbonara appetizer, which came in a bacon parmesan cream sauce that was simply amazing, and served with toast points. As my main entrée I had the Dinner Special of the Night, the Seafood Trio. It had a delicious, giant size crab cake in the middle, scallops, and shrimps, with parmesan risotto sautéed heirloom tomato, spinach, and nice size asparagus, with a burre blanc sauce. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the high-quality of their food and magnificent ambiance of the place. Everything was so delicious that only one word could ever describe them: priceless! For dessert I had their very famous Butterscotch Banana Pudding, which the chef makes at the moment ordered. It looked spectacular and tasted amazingly delicious: a culinary work of art. What a great way for the Gran Finale of an extraordinary dining experience!

Salty Salty They have potential to be good…read more But they use the same seasoning on fries - and French Onion Soup. Sub par food expensive. Not worth it.

My friend and I decided to come to The Hatch restaurant on a Friday afternoon for an early dinner…read morebefore driving out to Rocky Mount. So much you could say about The Hatch and that it's popular for seafood. The menu was simple and limited. We arrived around 5:30pm on a brisk March 2026 Friday early evening. We found parking nearby and walked to the restaurant after over feeding the meter. We probably spent about an hour here before we paid for the bill and left the downtown Roanoke area. On this day, I decided to pay for myself and my friend, since he was celebrating his birthday. My friend and I spent about an hour here and it was a nice venue to have dinner with friends. My friend got the fried chicken thing with sides, whereas I got the ultimate po'boy sandwich with a side of fries. It seems like The Hatch tries to elevate Cajun / Southern food with familiar flavors and dishes in a more modern and lavish setting. For the price and perceived value I gotten from my meal, it was generally okay. I have had po'boys that was a tad cheaper but had more proteins stuffed into the sandwich. It was delicious and definitely nice to have after a day of touristing in Roanoke. The prices seem reasonable here in hindsight and the staff here was friendly and helpful. If you enjoy Soul food and Cajun cuisine with flair, consider coming to The Hatch in downtown Roanoke, if you're in the area. We happened to get here without minimal waiting for a table, which was a good thing. Definitely worth coming to check out if you're in the mood for something different than your usual burgers and fries or tacos. The overall experience here at The Hatch restaurant in downtown Roanoke, Virginia was decidedly good yet decent too. The ambiance was typical and quiet. My friend and i were sitting in the quieter side of the restaurant, which was nice and we had a nice conversation while waiting for our meals to arrive. It was comfortable and definitely air-conditioned. Not sure if they had Wi-Fi but I did not need it anyway. The restaurant itself was very decorative and clean. The meal I had was delicious and definitely. It was served with a smile from the server. I enjoyed every bit of the restaurant itself because it was a nice and quiet dinner and it was here in Roanoke. A quiet town in Virginia that is away from the hustle and bustle of Richmond and Washington DC, but has his own flare. Maybe it could've told something better than a po'boy or had other entrée at the time, but I decided to have that po'boy sandwich with weird version of French fries. It was an OK place to be although the mail was delicious regardless. I could recommend coming here, if you're really hungry, but I probably wouldn't come here again. If my future travels permit me too, though. Don't get me wrong, it is a good place, but it's not for me. Check it out, though, you may like it. The Hatch restaurant is located in downtown Roanoke, Virginia. They are situated physically at 32 Market Square SE in a busy downtown section. They accept major credit cards as well as cash. As far as parking goes, my friend used a paid parking lot that was a short walk away from the restaurant. He inadvertently overpaid for the time allotted but we got the time in that we wanted. There may be other spots in the downtown area but it may not be free. Decide what's best for you and head on over to The Hatch Roanoke. If you're like me and love public transportation, you can consider the Star Line Trolley that travels from the third street bus terminal. Other than that, you'll need to travel to the third street bus terminal from your point of origin. And of course, there is always uber and lyft to get you here comfortably and conveniently, if you decide to take that route. However you get here, you can come and enjoy. The Hatch seems like they're a casual eatery in downtown Roanoke. They try to be upscale with southern creole cuisine. It is a nice place to dine, of course. Check it out for yourselves. This place might be the hidden gem that you're dying to try in the heart of Roanoke. I liked it but it could have been a bit more better. 4.0 stars for the overall experience. Support local! B

The service was good, but slow. The deviled eggs were…read moreexceptionally delicious, but expensive. I'm not complaining though. I had the seafood tower and although the portions were small it too was very tasty. The macaroni and cheese was excellent! The coleslaw was good too.

I placed an online order for an event of 20 people. To order online was effortless. Arrived on the…read moreday of pickup, everything was ready, packaged accordingly, the server that assisted me double checked the bags, explained what was in each bag. He confirmed that we had enough plasticware, sauces, seasonings and helped me carry my order to my car. My food was prepared correctly, presentation was great (considering it was a carry out order), and precise. Flavor of the food was perfect. It was hot, tender and a wonderful smoked flavor. Sauces were extremely savory. I would most definitely recommend Due South BBQ for your next event.

Picture a no-nonsense Southern BBQ joint--the kind where you smell the smoke before you even open…read morethe door. Inside, it's all worn wood tables, checkered paper, and the low hum of conversation over country music. The walls might have a few local photos or license plates, but nothing fancy--this place lets the food do the talking. The pulled pork sandwich is the star. It comes piled high, the meat slow-smoked for hours until it practically falls apart. Each bite hits with that perfect balance--smoky, tender, just a little crispy on the edges. Then there's the sauce situation. You've got options lined up on the table--sweet and sticky and tangy vinegar-based. Half the fun is mixing and matching until you land on your perfect combo. On the side, golden hush puppies arrive hot and crisp--crunchy on the outside, soft and slightly sweet inside. The fries are perfectly salted, and just begging to be dipped in leftover sauce. And dessert? Banana pudding, served cold in a simple cup with layers of creamy vanilla pudding, sliced bananas, and soft vanilla wafers that have soaked just enough to melt into everything. It's rich without being heavy--the kind of dessert that feels like it came straight from someone's grandmother's kitchen. It's not fancy, it's not trendy--but it's exactly what you want when you're craving real, honest BBQ.

I'm a huge Mission BBQ fan. They ate one of the most consistent restraunt chains out there…read more This was my first trip, but will not be my last. Super and friendly service at the counter to kick off my visit. The dining room was spic and span. My order was a two meat platter of, pulled pork and lean brisket w/ side of green beans. It comes with cornbread. My son moist brisket, pulled pork w/ side of macaroni and cheese. Also cornbread. The manager expedited the food and was awesome! Then he came out to bring slices of smoked sausage samples. After learning we had a new customer/ to the store the desert flowed out by the manager. A cherry cheesecake. Our meals were amazing, especially our fave the pulled pork. Upon departing staff came by to take our trays. Otherwise it's self bussing. No reason to not elevate to full 5 stars.

The staff is always friendly and accommodating here. I'm a single mom and have young children and a…read moremanager once went out of his way to help me get a high chair and wrangle my kids to a table, even bringing refills once for them. The food is pricey but to be expected for BBQ I always get the brisket and add on a third side and it's about $30 a pop. This time it was late about closing and the brisket was very dry. I would go earlier in the day to avoid getting the dry leftovers. The sauces are okay, the Mac and cheese is very good. Overall a great place to dine.

First time trying Lucky and I'd give it a 4.5 rounded up to a 5. The menu is local farm based so it…read morechanges seasonally and is a bit limited. I was disappointed because I was hoping to try a soup or scallops I'd seen in Yelp pics but they weren't in the menu this time. Which is the roll of the dice you pay for fresh creative menus. Dining area and bar have a nice vibe with attractive art work. Dim lighting and smaller tables make it cute for a date or a solo business diner like myself. The lucky cube drink was creative and tasty. Brussel sprouts were also unique with a tahini sauce on top and perfectly crispy chickpeas. I'd seen "Smoke in Chimneys Trout" on a few menus in Roanoke this trip but never heard of that before. Looked it up and learned something new. They are trout that are local and prized for living in a lime stone aquifer rather than a river. Giving them a clean light slightly sweet taste, no essence of mud that can come with other river fish. I've never ordered trout in a restaurant, But when in Rome... Lol. The fish itself and the portion was really good. Wish I could remember my waitress' name. She was knowledgeable and just had a really warm, friendly energy.

I came in for the fried chicken because other reviews were very positive .. the coating was v…read morecrunchy , plus , however it was really burnt ! Ir was really over cooked ; plus had little flavor . Needs a little salt and pepper .... Better chicken at Popeyes or Bojangles .. Mashed potatoes were excellent . I wa not impressed with the Kale and still think there may be fatback in it ... even though the server swore there was no pork on the dish .. anyway you can try for yourself .. maybe I just came on an off night . My server was very nice ( Alyssa ) BTW.

Excellent Espresso Martini's! 3 beans with great foam. Love there Blacken Chicken on a salad…read more.. Very fresh Salads. Highly recommend.

We celebrated our granddaughter s 22nd birthday on Sunday. We had reservations at 6 pm. We arrived…read morewith the cake. The hostess suggested we let them refrigerate it, which was a great idea! Our meals came out exactly as ordered. The drinks flowed. (The bloody Mary is epic!!) Our server was so attentive. Going back soon for brunch.... and more bloody Mary s!

I have been to this place a wide variety of times, and every single time they have impressed me…read more It's beautiful inside, the staff are wonderful and accommodating. For the food, everything I've had has been a 10/10. My go to is a half order of the biscuits and gravy! It is always so flavorful, the biscuits are giant and fluffy. The gravy is seasoned perfectly. My second go to, as well as my girlfriend's is the hot honey fried chicken biscuit. Portion wise that thing is hugeee, most of the items are so they are absolutely worth what you pay! The chicken is so tender and crispy, breading is amazingly seasoned as well. This paired with the jezebel sauce is heaven on earth. I cannot express how much I love this place, their food is wonderful, their biscuits are massive, and their service is great. Only issue I've ever had was my delivery order never showing up (not their fault but the delivery drivers) and they immediately comped and replaced my meal. 100% recommend.

Never again. Was excited to try this place as this is my 1st time visiting…read more Pros - ABSOLUTELY NONE Cons Coffee is absolutely disgusting Freezing cold insids inside Food wasn't hot Unseasoned eggs Overseasoned fried green tomatoes Undercooked French toast Severely undercooked bacon that they refuse to cook well done and gave a lame excuse as to why they couldn't. Bacon was all fat. Save your money and go somewhere else!

We were seated almost as soon as we walked through the door. Our server was understanding about…read moreneeding a table downstairs. We got our drinks quickly. The cherry cider had a tart flavor which went well with my food. We had Nachos as an appetizer. We tried a wrap, a U pick two- I chose a salad and Brussel sprouts, and a chicken sandwich with a side of Mac and cheese. We enjoyed everything but the Nachos were very flavorful. The area to be seated downstairs is small and close to the bar. There is also additional seating upstairs.

I think it is a solid 4.5 place. Highly recommend this place if you are in Roanoke…read more 1. Service: top notch. Randy is the coolest guy, knowledgeable and nice. 2. Food: good. Love that you can have decent food on top of your drinks. 3. Drinks: excellent Bloody mary was great! and strong. Irish coffee was so good! Beers on tap are good too 4. Ambience: relaxed, well lit, 2 stories of brewery and nice big tables if you want to have a big group or play board games while drinking. Such an awesome spot!

Texas Tavern is one of those rare dining places that has become practically a historic icon in the…read moreCity of Roanoke. This dinner is housed in an old but well maintained tiny building on Church Ave SW in the heart of Downtown Roanoke. Opened 24 hours, 7 days a week, it is one of the few places where you can go have breakfast, lunch, or dinner, any time during the day. For this review I decided to wake up early in the morning and go visit it while it was still dark outside. You know turning an everyday event like having breakfast into a one of a kind adventure. As I arrived I was impressed to see this old, small, brick building, very well maintained, painted white, and very well lit all around and highlighted with a red neon light all around it on top. There were two men talking in the corner outside and one inside talking to the employee there and who was just about to leave. The decor of the restaurant was that of an old American dinner. After all, it first opened in the 1930's, but very well kept throughout all these years, and extremely well clean. Even the counter and ten red stools had that antique look, but nice and clean. It was like stepping back in time, very surreal, with even a working Coke machine inside. Here they only take cash as payment, but to remind you of the present, it contained an ATM machine inside a corner inside to help you have access to cash. At this time there was only one employee working there, but he was so welcoming and with such a nice personality and positive attitude in life. He started working here 5 years ago, around the time of covid, after having to change jobs, but has loved and enjoyed this job ever since; and it showed. The dinner was full of signs on the walls, including the menus. One of my favorites was a cartoon that said "Texas Tavern HOME of the CHEESY WESTERN." Another said: "Since 1930 we serve only H&C Brand Coffee. They also had for sale some souvenirs of the place, including a book with the title of Texas Tavern Four Generations of Millionaires Club by Shari L. Dragovich. It was $23 and signed by the author. For breakfast, I ordered from the Club Breakfast Menu, 3 Eggs over easy, Bacon, and White Toast with Butter, and a cup of coffee. The eggs were small but had the yellow color of fresh farm eggs and tasted the same, and their white toast was fresh and soft, from Flowers, with butter spread on them that made them taste just wonderful. Sometimes it is the simple things in life that bring the most joy. The cup of coffee with cream and sugar was nice and hot and tasted amazing. I enjoyed talking with Ryan, the employee, while having my breakfast, and am looking forward to return to have their famous Cheesy Western, Hotdog Chile, Hotdog, and Burger. In this little hometown restaurant I had one of the best breakfast dining experiences of my life. Very memorable indeed. I highly recommend this place to all of you reading my review. You will not be disappointed, and it will be an experience you will always cherish and never forget.

A 24 hour cheap eats spot serving up burgers and dogs under $5. When you ask for a recommendation,…read morethey'll likely say the cheesy western which is a cheeseburger with pickles, onions and cabbage relish. They offer it with bean chili and you can get onions added in. The place is a 10 seat dinner and at roughly 2 am on a Saturday, will have at leave 15-20 people crowded it looking for a post bar meal. They employees were nice and will talk to you about what to get and make recommendations. I will say, this is somewhere I liked trying but may not return.