Really this is the place to meet a friend for coffee. They have pastries from Breadcraft and a nice…read moreselection of beverages. The space is comfortable and nice outside seating options. They have art supplies to choose from or you can bring your own, they also have different sets to choose from. the staff have all been nice and excited to help you.

What an innovative idea, to come up with a neighborhood café where you can enjoy delicious coffee…read moreand pastries, and at the same time create beautiful art. After being awarded the NC Triad Yelp Squad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, celebrating their contributions and accomplishments throughout the year, 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 uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Canvas & Coffee Art Café that very reasantly opened in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. I woke up one day inspired to go have breakfast in an out of the ordinary café and while searching the net just happen to find this place that just opened, located at the Grandin Commons off Grandin Road, right next to the Post Office, and off I went with the enthusiasm of the adventure of the journey and thinking what I would find there. And what I found was amazing. Housed in a beautiful restored Victorian house turned Mini-Mall, named Grandin Commons, with six other businesses, was this cozy little café with its entrance on the first floor of the house. As I entered I was impressed with the simple yet elegant decor and its beautifully restored hardwood floors. On one of the walls were three artworks from a local artist in exhibition and for sale. On the other walls were framed blank canvases representing them being open to your artistic imagination. Small square tables and chairs filled the room for customers to sit and enjoy their coffee as they get their creative juices flowing. In the following room was the Café station neatly organized with the menu on the wall and pastries from the very well known bakery Bread Craft, inside a square glass dome. Next to it were the art supplies and different size canvases with price list. Sarah, a friendly and lovely young lady greeted and welcomed me to the Café, and kindly explained how everything worked. You could purchase and size canvas and were provided with the paints. They had both oil paints and watercolor paints. I also found out that you were welcome to come just to have coffee and a pastry and watch how others painted. I explained to her that my art was Photography and that I was there to have breakfast and review the place so that others would find out about it. She loved the idea and took my order of a Mocha Coffee and a Chocolate Croissant. While she prepared my breakfast I looked around and talked with her. The idea to open this place came from her and her husband Esteban. They shared a dream to have a place where creativity, coffee, and community met. A place where people felt truly welcomed and discovered the joy of creating. "Coffee brings us together, and art gives us room to express ourselves." Very true indeed. They also plan to hold events and workshops there, as well as have a rotating exhibition of local artists on the walls of the place. Needless to say, my coffee and chocolate croissant were delicious and I got to meet a very special person with very noble ideas. I highly recommend this place and encourage the community to give them your total support.

One of the most beautiful specialty stores that I have ever seen, is the Cardinal Bicycle Grandin…read moreVillage Bike Shop and Café. In three words, I would describe it as: "It has Class." Located in Grandin Village, one of the most desired neighborhoods of Roanoke, Virginia, the establishment has an extraordinary Café, better than many stand alone ones, with a menu developed by the executive chef of the very popular and award winning River & Rail Restaurant. With a combination of tables and chairs, a counter with high chairs, and a comfortable space with a sofa, coffee table, and comfortable chairs, this place has the perfect ambiance to enjoy a specialty coffee or smoothie with an item from the unique menu for breakfast or lunch. While there I enjoyed their Cardinal Brunch Burrito, that contained chorizo, among other ingredients. And to drink I enjoyed their Mocha Coffee Smoothie. Both were amazingly delicious! I had the opportunity of meeting the owner of this very unique local business, specializing in Bicycles and everything associated with them. I have never seen such an amazing variety of quality bicycles under one roof. From professional bicycles for racing and mountain riding, to little ones with two back wheels for learning how to ride. They also carry an amazing assortment of bike and bike riders accessories, from helmets, to outfits, to backpacks, just to name a few. The place also has a Service department to expediently repair bicycles. The very hospitable and knowledgeable owner told me that they also organize diverse group bike rides for all levels, including beginner Greenway explorations ("Ride with Billy"), "no-drop" intermediate/advanced road rides ("L'Eroica"), "fun" mountain bike rides ("The Mullet"), and longer Saturday road rides, plus special events like Holiday Lights Tours, all departing from their Roanoke Grandin Village location, with post-ride food and drinks at the cafe.  I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the quality of their products and food. And I highly recommend it if you are a bike aficionado, just starting out with this interest, or even if you enjoy Café fine dining in a warm, cozy, and hospitable environment.

I am an avid cyclist and was introduced to this business via a friend who lives in Roanoke. We had…read moreavocado toast, breakfast burrito, and grandin bowl and they were all delicious! The service was excellent!! I really wanted a cycle shirt that they did not have in my size. Toby even offered to have an employee bring one back from one of their other locations. Now that is impeccable service!!!

A total hidden oasis! I came here not knowing what to expect and discovered the perfect sanctuary…read moreto unwind. They have a short but absolutely wonderful menu where every choice is a winner. It is an amazing spot to enjoy quality time relaxing or sharing a glass with special people. Highly recommend! After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I was also 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 businesses, 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 Stave & Cork in Downtown Salem, Virginia is a perfect example. As soon as I arrived, an elegant yet friendly lady greeted and welcomed me, explaining this unique establishment and what it had to offer. I explained how today I came to learn about the place and have dinner with a non-alcoholic drink since I was driving. She served me a glass of water and explained the different items on the menu. The menu included artisanal cheeses, charcuterie boards, house-made dips, and made-to-order paninis, as well as a Cheesecake Flight sweet. I ordered the Peaks of Otter Panini which contained Pulled Pork, Swiss Cheese, Pickles, and Mustard. And was served with kettle fried potato chips. While I waited for my order to be served on one of their beautiful polished walnut tables, I observed how some guests had a Wine Flight paired with a Charcuterie Board. And how their knowledgeable staff and owner guided the guests through unique varietals. When my food was ready it was brought to my table. The Peaks of Otter Panini was amazing. It had fresh, juicy pieces of pork, that together with the Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard tasted more like a gourmet Cuban Sandwich. And the chips were also fresh and crispy. Before leaving I walked around and noticed they had a back dining room as well as an outside dining area. Their wine selection focused on small, boutique wineries, offering a diverse range of local, domestic, and international wines. They also had some shelves full of local artists woodwork items for sale. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and its high-quality food, wines, and products from local artists. On my way out I met with a local couple of friends and remained talking with them for almost an hour. Again, I highly recommend this place and am looking forward to returning with some friends.

What a fun and classy spot! My husband and I stopped in for the first time and received a warm…read morewelcome. We couldn't decide at first between a flight or a glass of wine so we were offered a splash of the chardonnay to help us decide. We both went with a glass and got a generous pour for $12. The wines rotate regularly and they offered vintages from different parts of the world. I loved the exposed brick walls and comfortable seating. We will have to try the food next time!

Drinks are wonderful and bartender is great. Beautiful place and ambience. I would recommend to…read moreanyone

All stars, all day. Daniel and Erin are top notch and always provide the best experience.read more

After nearly a month of the Grand Opening of Café Suerte and Suerte Spanish Restaurant & Wine Bar,…read moreI came to have breakfast at their Café for the very first time. Café Suerte is a bright, airy Spanish café located inside the Promissory Hotel in downtown Roanoke. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 7:00AM through 2:00PM, it features local coffee, made-to-order breakfast, bocadillos for lunch, and grab-and-go market items. The café seamlessly transitions into Suerte, a full-service regional Spanish restaurant led by Chef Josh Labreque and Chef Stacia Dougherty, which serves authentic Madrid-style tapas and paella in the evenings. Dinner hours of the restaurant being Tuesday through Thursday 5:00PM - 9:00PM, and Friday & Saturday from 5:00PM - 10:00PM. I arrived on a beautiful Saturday morning at around seven-fifteen and parked my pearl white Lexus in an on-street parking space across the street from the café's entrance through the Promissory Hotel on Campbell Ave., that was once the First National Exchange Bank. Once inside the building, I was immediately greeted by the Promissory Hotel's professional and welcoming Front Desk staff while passing through to the café's entrance on the right. There, behind the counter of the café, a distinguished young lady welcomed me, showed me a copy of the menu, and took my order right in front of the counter. I was amazed to find attached to the menu that they had chilled Gazpacho soup, for that was one of the recommendations I made in my direct thank you note and feedback I made to Stephanie Payne who was the restaurant's representative who informed me of their Opening Day after my request for this information. Alexis, the café's barista took my order and had me take a seat at the dining room, while she relayed the information to the kitchen, and proceeded to prepare my coffee. The menu was short but with some delightful and very appetizing items. I ordered the Bocadillo de Antxon, which was a fried egg, with chorizo, mojo rojo, garlic mahonesa, and potato chips on a brioche roll. Mahonesa (and its more common spelling, mayonesa) translates from Spanish to English as mayonnaise. It refers to a thick, creamy cold sauce made as an emulsion of egg yolks, oil, and vinegar or lemon juice. The term "mahonesa" specifically honors the city of Mahon on the island of Menorca, Spain, which is widely recognized as the birthplace of the beloved condiment. The Bocadillo de Antxon came with a small, refreshing salad which contained seasonal greens, cucumber, red onion, almond, aged Manchego, and piparra yogurt dressing. What a morning treat! As if this wasn't enough, I also ordered something sweet from the menu's "Dulces" area. The Churros y Chocolate. These were deep fried pastry dough covered with cinnamon sugar and served with warm ganache.panache. I particularly liked the lite gourmet twist that the chef gave the churros making them more soft and airy than the commonly known Spanish Churros but nevertheless with an amazing, interesting texture and taste, dipped in hot chocolate. To drink I ordered a Mocha Café Latte. When my server/barista brought the order to my table it was first a treat to my eyes and to my phone. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a real sense of the high-quality food and distinguish-looking yet relaxing ambiance. What an awesome breakfast and an extraordinary breakfast dining experience. I highly recommend it to all who are around the area as well as an excuse to plan a trip to the area, stay at the New Promissory Hotel, dine at Suerte, and enjoy all the many attractions that the Star City has to offer.

Absolutely. Come here. Great prices and great food. The inside ambience is incredible with a dining…read moreroom, quality bar, and lounging area. Great and sweetest service from kind people. Two months open and they deserve all the business they can get!!

My server Lidia was so attentive and sweet!! She was enthusiastic and it really made it a very…read morespecial birthday for me! We got the Shrimp and Grits and the Chicken and Waffles. Highly recommend. I liked how sugary the waffles are. We'll be back again soon.

All the food at Well Hung was excellent. I ordered the fried mushrooms, a spinach artichoke…read moreflatbread, and a salad to share with my date. All the food tasted really fresh, although I think I could replicate the salad at home fairly easily. My favorite dish was the fried mushrooms. The mayonnaise and scallion balanced out the fried food well, and there was also a hint of lemon present.

I originally was attracted to this business by the curiosity of its name. But when I arrived at the…read moreplace, I immediately fell in love with its "cozy, welcoming, community-focused café atmosphere." As a wholehearted yelper, I enjoy taking the road less traveled in search of one-of-a-kind places and bringing them to the attention of the community, so they too can share in the joy of the discovery. Located in "an industrial neighborhood-turned-brewery-district," off Salem Ave, west of downtown Roanoke, Blindhouse Beer is a "saison-focused brewery and biere café." As soon as I entered the place, a friendly and welcoming gentleman, named Chris, greeted me from behind the counter. After I asked him, he explained how their name was "inspired by an old Appalachian term for a windowless cabin used to sober up the mind, reflecting the founders' intentional approach to brewing." He explained how they specialize in "open-fermented and barrel aged beers in the Belgian Saison tradition." After inquiring about their food menu, Chris showed me a framed menu that included a few selections of 10" specialty pizzas from Black Box Pizza in Lynchburg, Virginia. They also had some cookies for sale from Kind Bakery, located in Roanoke's Wasena neighborhood. I ordered a Hyper Cold non-alcoholic amber-style beer, since I was driving, and a Suprema Pizza and asked if he can add pepperoni for an extra charge. I then went ahead and paid for what I owed with a credit card via Google Pay tap. The pizza was delicious, from the dough to the cheese and ingredients, and was an excellent compliment to their beer. Besides their own beer, they also have available Classic European Continental Lagers, such as traditional Czech Dark Lagers and crisp German Kellerbiers, as well as beers from high-rated independent Canadian breweries. A customer came by and bought a six pack of one of these to take home, as well as a glass of their Blindhouse Beer to drink there while working on his laptop. Frequently they hold alternative music acts as well as have private events. I highly recommend this place to share some quality time with family and friends.

The BEST craft brewery in Roanoke! And just in case the rotating in-house styles aren't calling…read moreyour name, Blindhouse carries a handful of stellar beers from other craft breweries around the country as well as a few ciders and/or wines. Their pizzas are also delicious! Cheese, pepperoni with hot honey and suprema with bacon, veggies and chili oil are all wonderful pairings with their brews. On a recent Thursday evening, there was also a bluegrass jam happening in the taproom. So fun!! Love this funky little gem.

I was looking for a great hotdog place and stumbled into absolute heaven…read more After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I was also 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 businesses, 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 The Scalded Dog Houtdog Co. in the Bonsack area of Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example and a dream come true. Owned and operated by a local father-and-son duo, Nick and Landon, The Scalded Dog Hotdog Co. is a popular mobile food business based in the Bonsack area of Roanoke, Virginia. Nick and Landon launched the business with the simple goal of creating "a really good hotdog." The food trailer officially debuted at the Ace Hardware on Brambleton Road in Southwest, Roanoke. Following its early success, the business partnered with Lowe's in Bonsack operating as a regular weekend fixture. But due to strong community demand, they have expanded their operational hours to a Friday-Monday schedule and have built a second, much larger trailer to scale up operations. Their name plays on the classic Southern and Appalachian idiom "run like a scalded dog," which means to move incredibly fast or bolt suddenly. Their menu focuses on unique, elevated hotdog creations. Some of their most popular items include: The Scalded Dog (A signature creation crafted by Nick and Landon), Mango Diablo (A specialty sweet-and-spicy dog), The Carolina (A classic Southern style dog), and the Chicago Dog (A traditional city-style build), among others. As well as the newly introduced: The Smokehouse, an all beef Jumbo sized hotdog collaboration with Big Daddy's BBQ, featuring their sliced all beef brisket, white cheddar Mac, topped with their signature gold sauce, and sweet n spicy pickles.They have also currently introduced sides such as their Street Fries and Triple Churros. Today I drove in my pearl white Lexus to their location in the parking lot of the Bonsack Lowe's. There I was fortunately enough to meet Landon, one of the co-owners of the business, and also the co-designer of the business logo together with his father who are both gifted artists as well. The father also owns the Image Ink Studios tattoo parlor, located on 4118 Franklin Road, in Roanoke, Virginia, where they specialize in custom black & white and color ink tattoos, as well as Laser removal and skin rejuvenation. Landon was inside the large, new trailer when I arrived and gave me a warm welcome, also explaining the menu to me and the items they had ran out. It seems they have become so popular that you have to get their early if you want to make sure they have a particular item from the menu. For example, when I got there today, they had ran out of their now famous Smokehouse Hotdog. Besides all the different named hotdogs that they have, one can also customize one of them by adding from the list of free toppings or from another 50 cent toppings list. I ordered The Chicago, The Coney, their Triple Churros, and their Sweet Cream Orange Dreamsicle to drink. And conveniently paid using Tap On with Google Pay. I sat at one of their picnic tables and enjoyed my meal there. Everything was amazingly delicious. The hotdogs were delicious, and the churros, one of the best I've ever had. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the high-quality of their food. In conclusion I had an exceptional dining experience and highly recommend this place for when you feel like having "a real good hotdog," and other amazing comfort food, cooked and prepared by very friendly and hospitable individuals.