This was a disappointment and given the almost universally positive reviews, I'm not sure if my…read moreexperience was an anomaly or if Halwa is benefitting from a college town, grading on a curve situation. I came by last Wednesday morning for a bit of caffeine and a bite to eat before my top-tier chum who literally went to the school of hospitality (down the street at VA Tech) and I embarked on our road trip into Kentucky. I'm a hardcore morning person and it's often difficult to find coffee places that are open before 8am. The primary reason I came here was because they opened at 7am, well before most of the businesses in the area did. That's a point in their favor at least. And it's cute in there. Per my accompanying picture, there's a lot to take in, with tons of items on the walls and on display, and I needed a solid minute or two just to look over the large menu, which featured a lot of different types of coffees/lattes, as well as a significant number of Middle Eastern influenced snacks and pastries. I literally got over there just as the doors opened (promptly right before 7), so I had the run of the place for my short time in there; I have no doubt this place is hopping when students are actually on campus and don't feel like frequenting the obligatory Starbucks for whatever reason. Maybe it's just a personal palate issue but I didn't like anything I had. Since this was a very specific type of coffee establishment, I tried the Turkish Coffee. That one for sure just wasn't my speed - it's a super tiny portion, pretty much akin to a shot or two of espresso, and aside from the first two or three sips, was literally just grounds. My gut says that's just how Turkish Coffee is, and I won't be sampling that again anywhere. I did see some intriguing lattes including one of my all-time chums Rose, so that was probably the call in hindsight. I also selected two food items, both of which were also unfortunately misses for me. One was the baklava, a pastry I'm very familiar with and tend to really like. This was, I'm sad to say, the worst I've had. The biggest issue is that you can barely taste the main ingredients, namely the pistachio and honey. You know what you can taste, see and feel on your tongue though? Sugar. Lots of sugar. For some bizarre reason, they make their baklava here with a layer of this crystallized sugar. I don't know why, but it honestly ruins the item and drowns out the actual flavors you should be tasting. Arguably an easy fix, but I only took a few bites of it. I also got a Lebanese puff pastry, which looked intriguing but just didn't have much of a flavor. This was my first time trying it, so maybe it's supposed to be on the blander side for whatever reason, but it mostly just tasted like dough to me, especially the areas closer to the edge (not all that dissimilar in my experience from a croissant). The service was fine; there was just the one young woman behind the counter opening up for the day, and everything I ordered was provided within a few minutes. I got two coffees (a "normal" one for my chum as well), and the two pastries, which came to close to $30. I think that's a little pricy, especially for a place right off of a college campus, but your mileage may vary. Normally I'd recommend avoiding an establishment where I literally didn't like anything, but my gut says it's still worth stopping by. Just don't get what I got.

This contemporary and relaxing bakery and coffeehouse located in Blacksburg, Virginia, specializes…read morein Egyptian and Lebanese inspired desserts and baked goods. But above and beyond their Middle Eastern pastries and unique drinks like Turkish Coffee and Mango Madness, it is an inviting environment with comfortable tables, chairs, and couches, to spend quality time socializing with good friends or with a laptop connected to the internet with their Wi-Fi, doing research for that special project. 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 Halwa Bakery & Cafe is the perfect example. After having dinner with a friend at another restaurant, we decided to come here for dessert. When we arrived, it was easy to find a parking space right around the corner of the Cafe. The place had outdoor furniture to be able to enjoy your food and drink outdoors in nice weather. Inside, the beautiful hardwood floors and exposed ceilings, together with the unique lighting treatment, gave special character to the place, and providing an extraordinary environment in which to better enjoy the moment. On the left of the ordering counter there is a couple of large blackboards with the menu written on them in color chalk. On the right, there are several display cases with Sandwiches and Pastries for one to observe and make better choices. My friend ordered a Baklava Cheesecake and I ordered a Peanut Butter Special Cake. As we sat down enjoying our desserts, that were amazingly delicious, the place was full of people. Some working on their laptops, others socializing, and others simply enjoying their food and drinks. As we were leaving, I saw on one of the walls two framed newspaper articles from The Roanoke Times, with color photographs, on this Blacksburg bakery with Mediterranean pastries. I highly recommend this place as a perfect environment to enjoy some cultural food and drinks, either alone, with your laptop, or with good friends.

I was surprised that they suggest a 20% tip, yet you have to get you own water, remove your own…read moreplates and cups and clean the table. Food was ok. I had the Capresse Omelette, too much vinegar drizzled on top of it and it needed salt. My friend had the Quiche Lorraine and she said it tasted good but the presentation was non- existent, they just reheated a slice and put it on a plate ( ??) I don't get that the rave is all about. We did not see anything special worth returning for.

Seating can be a challenge if you get here mid morning on a weekend but the food is worth the…read morepotential wait. Some of the specials are crazy, like French toast with pickled jalapeños, but somehow it worked. The baked goods selections are worth checking before you leave as well!!

Is it Lucky 8 cosmic Cafe or Outer Space!!???? 2 times I…read morewent when website stated it was open and both times it was closed!!!

We didn't make it in time to try Lucky8's main menu items, but woo! were those nachos satisfying!…read moreWe came in around 4pm on a Sunday and were able to order the nachos directly from the owner, who was out on the patio. We had a lovely chat about Floyd and received great service. Most importantly, food was great! Seating is all outdoor as part of the Outer Space complex.

Food was fantastic, we had a few special requests that they handled well. Service was good, nice…read morecasual atmosphere. Were with friends who live in the area and they are regulars so when friends visit, this is a first choice

We arrived late evening after several stressed hours on the interstate through a constant cold…read morerain. We were thrilled to find, hot homemade soup and delicious wraps with truly fresh, clean (no preservatives) ingredients. The friendly staff and quiet atmosphere was just what we needed for the last hours of our long trip home. We have plans to make this a regular stop on our frequent trips home from northern Ohio.

One Love Coffee House is more than just a place to get coffee. It was created with a focus on…read morecommunity and connection; providing a space for customers to relax, socialize, or work in a comfortable environment. As you enter the Coffee House doors, you begin to see the above take form. There are different seating areas with comfortable furniture. There is an area where paintings from locals of the community decorate the walls and are for sale. Another area with arts and crafts for sale as well. Free WiFi so customers can drop by and do some work as they drink a cup of coffee. While I was there, a customer did just that. The owner gave me a warm and friendly welcome and explained all the food items they had for breakfast and lunch. They have freshly baked New York Bagels shippedfrom New York daily. To drink I ordered a medium Caffè Mocha. To eat I ordered a Breakfast Sandwich with a Cloverdale Plain Bagel, with Bacon, Egg, and Cheese. And finish with something sweet, a Cherry Danish. The Mocha was amazingly good The Bagel was very large and fresh; crunchy on the outside and soft and moist ingredients the inside with a nice size portion of Bacon, Egg, and Cheese. I spent some time there and was able to meet one of the employees who happened to arrive during this time. I also met a nice older couple who enjoy eating at different restaurants and I recommended them Crooked Shoreline Steak and Seafood from Daleville, which I just finished eating there and few days before, and was the first to review this restaurant for Yelp. They loved the oral recap of my review and promised they would go that same event to dine there. They in turn recommended me Nakhon Thai Cuisine which I will be doing there and reviewing for Yelp next Tuesday. Amazingly, what I wrote about at the beginning of this review did take place during the time I was there. God has blessed this Coffee House in a very special way, and it was providing more than just food and drinks for the body, but also for the soul. I highly recommend this Coffee House to all reading this review and viewing the photographs taken for it. In this day and age that it is hard to find a place like this to enjoy a cup of coffee, meet interesting people to socialize with, and do some productive work. This Coffee Shop has a refreshing concept that everyone in the community should take advantage of and contribute to its success as well as benefit from it.

You cannot beat the customer service here. I asked Autumn to make me absolutely anything (I gave…read moreher my old favorite and left her to her own creativity) and she could not have been more receptive or have made a better drink!!! She crafted a maple dirty chai with gingerbread cold foam and all I can say is WOW. Not only that, but she knew all the customers by name, checked on everyone, and even refilled waters at their tables. Autumn truly made my day!

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!

I love this place! Always top-notch service and smiles from the staff. The baked goods are…read moredelicious, food from the menu is also great but my favorite part of coming here is the salad bar, it is always so fresh and has every single topping that I want with homemade ranch and hot pita bread.!

Such a gem of a restaurant! Great food, coffee and smoothies. We didn't try any of the baked…read moregoods but they looked delicious. Will be back for sure.