You, our loyal readers – and perhaps even more loyal diners – have spoken once again about the wonderful bounty of restaurants that grace our valley. Your participation in our annual voting – to the tune of 31,000 individual votes in 119 categories, resulting in 383 mouth-watering platinum, gold and silver awards – is a compliment both to your discernment and to the meals, dishes, drinks, desserts, chefs, staffs and dining rooms that make up your selections.
Best of the Best
Best Overall Dining
- Platinum: Carlos Brazilian International Cuisine
- Gold: Local Roots: A Farm-to-Table Restaurant
- Silver: Montano’s
Best New Restaurant in Town (since July, 2011)
- Platinum: Billy’s
- Gold: The River and Rail Restaurant
- Silver: Remini’s Cafe
Best New Chain Restaurant (since July, 2011)
- Platinum: LongHorn Steakhouse
- Gold: Chick-fil-A (Salem)
Most Creative Menu
- Platinum: Local Roots
- Gold: Blue Apron Restaurant / Red Rooster Bar
- Silver: Metro!
Best Expense Account Dinner
- Platinum: Frankie Rowland’s Steakhouse
- Gold: Carlos
- Silver: The Library (since closed)
Best Hotel Restaurant
- Platinum: The Regency Room at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
- Gold: Shula’s 347 inside the Sheraton
- Silver: The Elephant Walk Restaurant & Lounge at Holiday Inn Tanglewood
- Honorable Mention: First & Sixth inside The Patrick Henry
Best to See and be Seen
Best Remodel/Relocation
- Platinum: Billy’s
- Gold: Shakers
- Silver: Thelma’s Chicken & Waffles
Place You Never Get Tired Of
- Platinum: Montano’s
- Gold: Luigi’s Italian Gourmet
- Silver (tie): Blue 5, Local Roots
Best Simple Meals
- Platinum: Famous Anthony’s
- Gold: The Roanoker Restaurant
- Silver: Thelma’s Chicken & Waffles
Food so Pretty You Hate to Eat it
- Platinum: Local Roots
- Gold: Metro!
- Silver: Blue Apron Restaurant / Red Rooster Bar
Best Diner, Drive-In or Dive
- Platinum: Texas Tavern
- Gold: Community Inn
- Silver: Ernie’s Bar & Grill (since closed)
Best Late-Night Dinner
- Platinum: Texas Tavern
- Gold: Fiji Island
- Silver: Macado’s
Best Late-Night Dinner (Chain)
- Platinum: IHOP
- Gold: Wendy’s
- Silver: Waffle House
Most Diverse Menu
Best Buffet
- Platinum: Red Palace Chinese Restaurant
- Gold: Golden Corral
- Silver: Taaza Indian Cusine
Most Affordable Dinners
- Platinum: Famous Anthony’s
- Gold: The Roanoker Restaurant
- Silver (tie): K&W Cafeteria, Macado’s
- Chain Winner: Cheddar’s
Most Affordable Lunches
- Platinum: Famous Anthony’s
- Gold: Paul’s Restaurant
- Silver: Crock and Roll
Best Deli
- Platinum: New Yorker Delicatessen
- Gold: The Brambleton Deli
- Silver: Montano’s
Best Takeout
- Platinum: Szechuan
- Gold: Cafe Asia
- Silver (tie): Crock and Roll, Grace’s Place
Best Healthy Plates
- Platinum: Wildflour Market and Bakery on 4th Street / Wildflour Café at Towers
- Gold: Local Roots
- Silver: Firefly Fare
Deal You Gotta Try
- Platinum: Jimmy Sardines
- Gold (tie): Grace’s Place, SoRo Chill & Grille
Best Sunday Brunches
- Platinum: The Regency Room
- Gold: Rockfish Food & Wine
- Silver: Local Roots
No Tabasco Required
- Platinum: Alejandro’s Mexican Grill
- Gold: The Quarter
- Silver: Taaza Indian Cuisine
Best Quick Bites
- Platinum: Texas Tavern
- Gold: Crock and Roll
- Silver (tie): Burger in the Square, Famous Anthony’s, Roanoke Weiner Stand
Best Quick Bites (Chain)
- Platinum: Chick-fil-A
- Gold: Chipotle
- Silver: Panera Bread
Best Outdoor Patio
- Platinum: Fork in the Alley
- Gold: The Quarter
- Silver: El Rodeo on Brambleton Ave.
Best Sidewalk Dining
- Platinum: Metro!
- Gold: Alejandro’s Mexican Grill
- Silver: Awful Arthur’s Seafood Downtown
- Honorable Mentions: Blue 5, Cornerstone Bar & Grill, Fork in the Alley, Habana Cafe, Horizon Bar and Grill (closing), Local Roots, Queso Southwestern Grill
Best Gluten-Free Choices
- Platinum: Local Roots
- Gold: Pop’s Ice Cream & Soda Bar
- Silver (tie): Happy Belly Deli, Jimmy Sardines
Locavore’s Dream Come True
- Platinum: Local Roots
- Gold: Lucky Restaurant
- Silver: The River and Rail Restaurant
The Personal Touch
Best Overall Staff
- Platinum (tie): Local Roots, Luigi’s Italian Gourmet
- Silver: Blue 5
Top Chef
- Platinum (tie): Nate Sloan at Local Roots, Scott Switzer at Blue Apron Restaurant and Red Rooster Bar
- Silver (tie): Aaron Deal at The River and Rail, Chris Dye at Blue 5
Restaurant With the Best Maitre D’
- Platinum: The Library (since closed)
- Gold: Luigi’s Italian Gourmet
- Silver (tie): Alexander’s, The Regency Room, Local Roots
Favorite Foods
Best Local Pizza
- Platinum: Grace’s Place
- Gold: New York Pizza
- Silver: Frank’s Pizza
Best Chain Pizza
- Platinum: Papa John’s
- Gold: Pizza Hut
- Silver: Domino’s
Best Subs & Sandwiches
- Platinum: New Yorker Delicatessen
- Gold: Macado’s
- Silver: The Brambleton Deli
Best Barbecue
- Platinum: The Blues BBQ Co. & Grill
- Gold: Three Li’l Pigs Barbeque
- Silver: Wildwood Smokehouse
Best Hot Dogs
- Platinum: Roanoke Weiner Stand
- Gold: Fork in the Alley
- Silver: Texas Tavern
Best Chili
- Platinum: Texas Tavern
- Gold (tie): Crock and Roll, Roanoke Weiner Stand
Best Local Hamburgers
- Platinum: Burger in the Square
- Gold: Martin’s Downtown Bar & Grill
- Silver: Texas Tavern
Best Chain Hamburgers
- Platinum: Wendy’s
- Gold: Red Robin
- Silver: Hardee’s
Best Steak
- Platinum: Frankie Rowland’s Steakhouse
- Gold: Coach & Four
- Silver: Luigi’s Italian Gourmet
Best Steak (Chain)
- Platinum: Outback Steakhouse
- Gold: LongHorn Steakhouse
- Silver: Logan’s Roadhouse
Best Fried Chicken
- Platinum: Thelma’s Chicken & Waffles
- Gold: The Homeplace
- Silver: The Roanoker Restaurant
Best Chicken
- Platinum: Thelma’s Chicken & Waffles
- Gold: The Homeplace
- Silver: Luigi’s Italian Gourmet
Best Chicken (Chain)
- Platinum: KFC
- Gold: Chick-fil-A
- Silver: Bojangles’
Best Buffalo Wings
- Platinum: Allsports Cafe
- Gold: Macado’s
- Silver: Mac and Bob’s
Best Buffalo Wings (Chain)
- Platinum: Buffalo Wild Wings
- Gold: Hooters (since closed)
Best Ribs
- Platinum: Smokey Bones
- Gold: The Blues BBQ Co. & Grill
- Silver: Blue 5
Best Fish and Chips
- Platinum: Annie Moore’s Irish Pub
- Gold: Awful Arthur’s Seafood
- Silver: Harbor Inn Seafood
Best Seafood
- Platinum: Harbor Inn Seafood
- Gold: Stephen’s
- Silver: Awful Arthur’s Seafood
Best Biscuits
- Platinum: Tudor’s Biscuit World (since closed)
- Gold: The Roanoker Restaurant
Best Biscuits (Chain)
- Platinum: Hardee’s
- Gold: Bojangles’
- Silver: Red Lobster
Best Bagels
- Platinum: Roanoke Bagel Co.
- Chain Winner: Panera Bread
Best Grilled Cheese
- Platinum: Pop’s Ice Cream & Soda Bar
- Gold: Crock and Roll
- Silver (tie): 309 Winery (since closed), Macado’s
Bread Lovers’ Dream Come True
- Platinum: Bread Craft
- Gold: On the Rise Bread Company
- Silver: Wildflour Market and Bakery on 4th Street / Wildflour Café at Towers
Best Appetizers
- Platinum: Blue 5
- Gold: Montano’s
- Silver: Local Roots
Best Appetizers (Chain)
- Platinum: Applebee’s
- Gold: T.G.I. Fridays
- Silver: Cheddar’s
Best Small Plates
- Platinum: Blue Apron Restaurant / Red Rooster Bar
- Gold: Metro!
- Silver: Local Roots
Best Salads
- Platinum: Wildflour Market and Bakery on 4th Street / Wildflour Café at Towers
- Gold: Panera Bread
- Silver (tie): Montano’s, Ruby Tuesday
Best Soups
- Platinum: Crock and Roll
- Gold: Wildflour Market and Bakery on 4th Street / Wildflour Café at Towers
- Silver (tie): Local Roots, Pop’s Ice Cream & Soda Bar
Best Soups (Chain)
- Platinum: Panera Bread
- Gold: Olive Garden
- Silver: McAlister’s Deli
Best Vegetarian Menu
- Platinum: Wildflour Market and Bakery on 4th Street / Wildflour Café at Towers
- Gold: Local Roots
- Silver: Firefly Fare
Best Comfort Food
- Platinum: The Homeplace
- Gold: Thelma’s Chicken & Waffles
- Silver: The Roanoker Restaurant
The Sweets
Ace of Cakes (Best Desserts)
- Platinum: Wildflour Market and Bakery on 4th Street / Wildflour Café at Towers
- Gold: Bubblecake Bake Shop
- Silver: Viva La Cupcake
Dessert to Un-Diet for
- Platinum: Bubblecake Bake Shop
- Gold: Wildflour Market and Bakery on 4th Street / Wildflour Café at Towers
- Silver: 309 Winery (since closed)
Best Yogurt
- Platinum: Sweet Frog
- Gold: Frogurt
- Silver: Menchie’s
Mouthwatering Baked Goods
- Platinum: Wildflour Market and Bakery on 4th Street / Wildflour Café at Towers
- Gold: Bubblecake Bake Shop
- Silver: Bread Craft
Mouthwatering Baked Goods (Chain)
- Platinum: Panera Bread
- Gold: The Fresh Market
- Silver (tie): Dunkin’ Donuts, Golden Corral
Best Chocolate/Candy Store
- Platinum: chocolatepaper
- Gold: Baylee’s Best Chocolates
- Silver: Nancy’s Candy Co.
Best Local Ice Cream
- Platinum: Pop’s Ice Cream & Soda Bar
- Gold: Katie’s Ice Cream & Chocolates
- Silver: Homestead Creamery
Best Chain Ice Cream
- Platinum: Maggie Moo’s
- Gold: Bruster’s
- Silver: Dairy Queen
Drink Up
Best Local Craft Beer
- Platinum: Roanoke Railhouse Brewery
- Gold: Blue 5
- Silver: Local Roots
Best Beer Selection
- Platinum: Blue 5
- Gold: Montano’s
- Silver: Local Roots
Best Wine List
- Platinum: Montano’s
- Gold: Frankie Rowland’s Steakhouse
- Silver: Rockfish Food & Wine
Best Wine Made in Virginia
- Platinum: Chateau Morrisette
- Gold: Valhalla Vineyards
- Silver: AmRhein’s Wine Cellars
Best Cocktails
- Platinum: Lucky Restaurant
- Gold: Local Roots
- Silver (tie): Frankie Rowland’s Steakhouse, Metro!
Best Martini List
- Platinum: Frankie Rowland’s Steakhouse
- Gold: Metro!
- Silver: 419 West
Best Happy-Hour Deals
- Platinum: Macado’s
- Gold: Blue 5
- Silver (tie): Corned Beef & Co., Local Roots
Best Local Coffee
- Platinum: Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea
- Gold: Cups Coffee & Tea
- Silver: Froth
Best Coffee Chain
- Platinum: Starbucks
- Gold: Dunkin’ Donuts
Roadmap to Great Eats
Best Downtown Restaurant
Best Basic Watering Hole
- Platinum: Community Inn
- Gold: The Village Grill
- Silver: Blue 5
Best 460 / Bonsack-area Restaurant
- Platinum: Cafe Asia
- Gold: Sal’s Italian Restaurant
- Silver: Jersey Lily’s Legendary Roadhouse
Best Hollins/North County Restaurant
- Platinum: Hollywood’s Restaurant
- Gold: Veranda Bistro
- Silver: Lew’s Restaurant
Best Southwest City/County Restaurant
- Platinum: Carlos
- Gold: Luigi’s Italian Gourmet
- Silver: Local Roots
Best Salem Restaurant
- Platinum: Blue Apron Restaurant / Red Rooster Bar
- Gold: Mac and Bob’s
- Silver: Mamma Maria’s Ristorante Italiano
Best Vinton Restaurant
- Platinum: New York Pizza
- Gold: Red Jasmine Thai Cuisine
- Silver: Teaberry’s Café
Worth an Hour in the Car
- Platinum: The Homeplace
- Gold: Chateau Morrisette
- Silver: 309 Winery (since closed)
Best in the Neighborhood
- Platinum: Local Roots
- Gold: Fork in the Alley
- Silver: Rockfish Food & Wine
Best Neighborhood Bar
- Platinum: Community Inn
- Gold: Fork in the Alley
- Silver: The Brambleton Deli
Best Uptown Bar
- Platinum: Metro!
- Gold: Blue 5
- Silver: 202 Market
Best Lake-Area Restaurant
- Platinum: The Landing
- Gold: Mango’s Bar and Grill
- Silver: Moosie’s
Tastes of the World
Best Indian Restaurant
- Platinum: Nawab
- Gold: Taaza Indian Cusine
Best Chinese Restaurant
Best Italian Restaurant
- Platinum: Luigi’s Italian Gourmet
- Gold: Sal’s Italian Restaurant
- Silver: Norberto’s Italian Restaurant
Best Italian Restaurant (Chain)
- Platinum: Olive Garden
- Gold: Carrabba’s Italian Grill
- Silver: Ragazzi’s Italian Restaurant
Best Mexican Restaurant
- Platinum: Alejandro’s Mexican Grill
- Gold: El Rodeo
- Silver (tie): Abuelo’s, Rancho Viejo
Best Japanese Restaurant
- Platinum: Kabuki Japanese Steak House
- Gold: Ichiban
- Silver: Wasabi’s
Best Traditional Virginia Food
- Platinum: The Homeplace
- Gold: The Roanoker Restaurant
- Silver: The Regency Room
Best Sushi
- Platinum: Wasabi’s
- Gold: Ben Gui Sushi
- Silver: Cafe Asia
Meals for Two or More
Best for Talking Business
- Platinum: 419 West
- Gold: Montano’s
- Silver (tie): 309 Winery (since closed), Blue 5, Carlos, Shula’s 347 Grill
Best for Taking Everyone Along
- Platinum: The Homeplace
- Gold: Famous Anthony’s
- Silver (tie): Macado’s, The Roanoker Restaurant
Best Kid’s Birthday Spot
- Platinum: Chuck E. Cheese’s
- Gold: Pop’s Ice Cream & Soda Bar
- Silver: Macado’s
Best Kids’ Menu
- Platinum: Macado’s
- Gold: Famous Anthony’s
- Silver: Montano’s
Makes the Whole Family Happy
- Platinum (tie): Famous Anthony’s, The Homeplace
- Silver: Macado’s
Best Anniversaries/Special Occasions
- Platinum: Carlos
- Gold: The Library (since closed)
- Silver: Frankie Rowland’s Steakhouse
Best Bachelor Party
- Platinum: Corned Beef & Co.
- Gold (tie): 309 Winery (since closed), Blue 5
Best Bachelorette Party
- Platinum: Corned Beef & Co.
- Gold: 202 Market
- Silver: Metro!
Dinner Dates That Score Big
- Platinum: Frankie Rowland’s Steakhouse
- Gold: Carlos
- Silver: Local Roots
Best for Watching the Game
- Platinum: Allsports Cafe
- Gold: The Brambleton Deli
- Silver: Mac and Bob’s
Best for Watching the Game (Chain)
- Platinum: Buffalo Wild Wings
- Gold: Hooters (since closed)
- Silver (tie): Applebee’s, Shula’s 347 Grill
Best Live Entertainment
- Platinum: Blue 5
- Gold: Martin’s Downtown Bar & Grill
- Silver: Growler’s American Grill
Best Vibe
- Platinum: Blue 5
- Gold: Local Roots
- Silver: Lucky Restaurant
Best Club
- Platinum: 202 Market
- Gold: Corned Beef & Co.
- Silver: Metro!
Best Picnic Food
- Platinum: The Roanoker Restaurant
- Gold: Wildflour Market and Bakery on 4th Street / Wildflour Café at Towers
- Silver (tie): Bread Craft, Montano’s, Tinnell’s Finer Foods
Best Picnic Food (Chain)
- Platinum: KFC
- Gold: Bojangles’
- Silver: Kroger
Best Tailgate Food
- Platinum: The Roanoker Restaurant
- Gold: Allsports Cafe
Best Tailgate Food (Chain)
- Platinum (tie): Buffalo Wild Wings, KFC
- Silver: Bojangles