2020 Dining Awards

by

Dining

The story below is from our November/December 2019 issue. For the full story Subscribe today, view our FREE interactive digital edition or download our FREE iOS app!

This list of winners is the result of thousands of hungry voters casting their ballots online at TheRoanoker.com in the summer of 2019. Thanks to all who took the time to let us know their favorite local spots in the region. Bon appetit!

Best Overall Restaurant

  • Platinum, Local Roots: A Farm-to-Table Restaurant
  • Gold, The River & Rail Restaurant
  • Silver, Mac & Bob's Restaurant

Best New Restaurant (opened in last 18 months)

  • Platinum, Bloom Restaurant & Wine Bar
  • Gold, FarmBurguesa
  • Silver, Los Amigos Bar & Grill

Top Chef

  • Platinum, Aaron Deal, The River & Rail Restaurant
  • Gold, Matthew Lintz, Local Roots: A Farm-to-Table Restaurant
  • Silver, Stephen DeMarco, The Regency Room at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center

Best Overall Staff 

  • Platinum , Local Roots: A Farm-to-Table Restaurant
  • Gold, The River & Rail Restaurant
  • Silver, The Regency Room at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center

Best Fine Dining

  • Platinum, The Regency Room at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
  • Gold, Carlos Brazilian International Cuisine
  • Silver, Frankie Rowland's Steakhouse

Food Trend You Love

  • Platinum, Farm to Table
  • Gold, Food Trucks (TIE)
  • Gold, Small Plates/Tapas (TIE)

Hidden Gem

  • Platinum, Texas Tavern
  • Gold, FarmBurguesa
  • Silver, 2nd Helpings Cafe

Best Appetizers & Small Plates

  • Platinum, Local Roots: A Farm-to-Table Restaurant
  • Gold, The River & Rail Restaurant
  • Silver, Blue Apron Restaurant and Red Rooster Bar

Best Salads

  • Platinum, Mac & Bob’s Restaurant
  • Gold, Montano’s International Restaurant
  • Silver, Local Roots: A Farm-to-Table Restaurant

Best Biscuits 

  • Platinum, Scratch Biscuit Company
  • Gold, The Roanoker Restaurant
  • Silver, Scrambled

Best Brunch

  • Platinum, The Regency Room at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
  • Gold, The River & Rail Restaurant
  • Silver, Local Roots: A Farm-to-Table Restaurant 

Best Barbecue

  • Platinum, Three Li’l Pigs Barbeque
  • Gold, Wildwood Smokehouse
  • Silver, West Salem Barbecue

Best Barbecue (Chain/Franchise)

  • Platinum, Mission BBQ

Best Farm-To-Table Menu

  • Platinum, Local Roots: A Farm-to-Table Restaurant
  • Gold, The River & Rail Restaurant
  • Silver, Bent Mountain Bistro

Best Outdoor Dining

  • Platinum, Mac & Bob’s Restaurant
  • Gold, The Quarter (tie)
  • Gold, Village Grill (tie)

Best Pet-Friendly Patio

  • Platinum, Wasena City Tap Room & Grill
  • Gold, The Green Goat
  • Silver, Village Grill

Best Wings

  • Platinum, AllSports Café
  • Gold, Lews Restaurant
  • Silver, Mac & Bob's Restaurant

Best Fried Chicken

  • Platinum, The Homeplace Restaurant
  • Gold, The Roanoker Restaurant
  • Silver, Lucky Restaurant

Best Burgers

  • Platinum, Burger in the Square 
  • Gold, FarmBurguesa
  • Silver, Texas Tavern

Best Burgers (Chain/Franchise)

  • Platinum, Jack Brown’s

Best Pizza 

  • Platinum, New York Pizza
  • Gold, Grace’s Place Pizzeria
  • Silver, Benny Marconi's

Best Steaks 

  • Platinum, Frankie Rowland’s Steakhouse
  • Gold, The Great 611 Steak Company
  • Silver, Billy’s (TIE)
  • Silver, The Regency Room at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center (TIE)

Best Tacos

  • Platinum, Tuco’s Taqueria Garaje
  • Gold, Alejandro’s Mexican Grill
  • Silver, Tacos Rojas

Best Chili

  • Platinum, Texas Tavern 
  • Gold, Roanoke Weiner Stand
  • Silver, Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill (TIE)
  • Silver, Angelle's Diner (TIE)

Best Sandwiches

  • Platinum, Macado's
  • Gold, New Yorker Deli
  • Silver, Brambleton Deli

Freshest Seafood

  • Platinum, Awful Arthur’s
  • Gold, Harbor Inn Seafood
  • Silver, The River & Rail Restaurant

Best Chinese Restaurant 

  • Platinum, Szechuan Restaurant
  • Gold, Café Asia 2
  • Silver, Red Palace

Best Japanese Restaurant 

  • Platinum, Kabuki Japanese Steakhouse
  • Gold, Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse
  • Silver, Sakura 9 Japanese Steakhouse

Best Sushi 

  • Platinum, Ben Gui Sushi
  • Gold, Wasabi’s
  • Silver, Café Asia 2

Best Thai Restaurant

  • Platinum, Red Jasmine Thai Cuisine
  • Gold, City Corner 2
  • Silver, Taste of Asia

Best Vietnamese Restaurant

  • Platinum, Viet Sub
  • Gold, Pho Vietnam
  • Silver, Vina Cafe 

Best Indian Restaurant 

  • Platinum, Taaza
  • Gold, Nawab Indian Cuisine

Best Italian Restaurant 

  • Platinum, Sal’s Italian Restaurant
  • Gold, Luigi’s Italian Gourmet Restaurant
  • Silver, Remini’s

Best Mexican Restaurant 

  • Platinum, Alejandro’s Mexican Grill
  • Gold, El Rodeo
  • Silver, Los Amigos Bar & Grill

Best Greek Restaurant

  • Platinum, Athens Corner Grill
  • Gold, Paul’s Restaurant
  • Silver, Zorba’s Small World Café

Best Mediterranean Restaurant

  • Platinum, Athens Corner Grill
  • Gold, Cedar’s Lebanese Restaurant
  • Silver, Veranda Bistro

Best Bakery

  • Platinum, Bread Craft
  • Gold, On the Rise Bread Company
  • Silver, Wildflour Café at Towers

Best Special Occasion Cakes

  • Platinum, Evie’s Bistro and Bakery
  • Gold, Blush Baking Co.
  • Silver, Bubblecake

Best Donuts

  • Platinum, Mama Crockett’s Cider Donut Truck
  • Gold, Carol Lee Donut Shop
  • Silver, Really Good Donuts

Best Donuts (Chain/Franchise)

  • Platinum, Duck Donuts
  • Gold, Krispy Kreme

Best Fine Chocolates & Truffles

  • Platinum, chocolatepaper
  • Gold, Baylee’s Best Chocolates
  • Silver, The Candy Store

Best Ice Cream & Milkshakes

  • Platinum, Blue Cow Ice Cream Co.
  • Gold, Pop’s Ice Cream and Soda Bar
  • Silver, Homestead Creamery

Best Local Coffee Shop 

  • Platinum, Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea
  • Gold, Sweet Donkey Coffee House
  • Silver, RND Coffee Lounge

Best Local Craft Beer Selection (Restaurant)

  • Platinum, Wasena City Tap Room & Grill
  • Gold, Blue 5 Restaurant
  • Silver, Mac & Bob’s Restaurant

Best Bar Food

  • Platinum, Martin’s Downtown Bar & Grill
  • Gold, Mac & Bob’s Restaurant
  • Silver, AllSports Café

Most Creative Cocktails 

  • Platinum, Lucky Restaurant
  • Gold, The River & Rail Restaurant
  • Silver, Local Roots: A Farm-to-Table Restaurant

Best Wine List 

  • Platinum, Local Roots: A Farm-to-Table Restaurant
  • Gold, Rockfish Food & Wine (TIE)
  • Gold, Montano’s International Restaurant (TIE)

Best Martinis

  • Platinum, Frankie Rowland’s Steakhouse
  • Gold, The River & Rail Restaurant
  • Silver, Lucky Restaurant (TIE)
  • Silver, The Pine Room at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center (TIE)

Best Happy Hour Deals

  • Platinum, Macado’s
  • Gold, Local Roots: A Farm-to-Table Restaurant
  • Silver, Martin’s Downtown Bar & Grill

Best Brunch Drinks

  • Platinum, The River & Rail Restaurant
  • Gold, Local Roots: A Farm-to-Table Restaurant
  • Silver, The Regency Room at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center

Bar Where Everyone Knows Your Name

  • Platinum, Community Inn
  • Gold, Mac & Bob’s Restaurant
  • Silver, Lucky Restaurant

Top Bartender

  • Platinum, Kent Gugliuzza, Lucky Restaurant
  • Gold, Chad Howard, Local Roots: A Farm-to-Table Restaurant
  • Silver, Shane Lumpp, The River & Rail Restaurant

Restaurant with the Best Live Entertainment

  • Platinum, Martin’s Downtown Bar & Grill
  • Gold, Blue 5 Restaurant
  • Silver, The Regency Room at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center

Best Pet-Friendly Patio

  • Platinum, The Green Goat
  • Gold, Big Lick Brewing Company
  • Silver, Wasena City Tap Room & Grill

Best Family-Friendly Restaurant

  • Platinum, The Roanoker Restaurant
  • Gold, Famous Anthony’s
  • Silver, Mac & Bob’s Restaurant

Best Breakfast Menu

  • Platinum, The Roanoker Restaurant
  • Gold, Scrambled
  • Silver, Famous Anthony’s

Best Place for Lunch

  • Platinum, Evie’s Bistro and Bakery / Wildflour Café at Towers
  • Gold, Texas Tavern
  • Silver, Montano’s International Restaurant

Best Place for Healthy Eating

  • Platinum, Local Roots: A Farm-to-Table Restaurant (TIE)
  • Platinum, Evie’s Bistro and Bakery / Wildflour Café at Towers (TIE)
  • Silver, The Salad Factory

Place You Could Visit 24/7/365

  • Platinum, Texas Tavern
  • Gold, Mac & Bob’s Restaurant
  • Silver, Local Roots: A Farm-to-Table Restaurant

Best Date-Night Spot

  • Platinum, The River & Rail Restaurant
  • Gold, Lucky Restaurant
  • Silver, Carlos Brazilian International Cuisine

Best Outdoor Dining

  • Platinum, Mac & Bob’s Restaurant
  • Gold, The Village Grill (TIE)
  • Gold, Fork in the Alley (TIE)

Best for Watching Game

  • Platinum, AllSports Café
  • Gold, 202 Social House
  • Silver, Mac & Bob’s Restaurant

Best for Watching Game (Chain)

  • Platinum, Buffalo Wild Wings

Best for a Private Party / Celebration

  • Platinum, The Regency Room at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center (TIE)
  • Platinum, Montano’s International Restaurant (TIE)
  • Silver, 419 West Restaurant

Best Food Truck 

  • Platinum, Hanu Truck
  • Gold, Rock & Roll Diner
  • Silver, Master Sergeant BBQ

Best Takeout

  • Platinum, Texas Tavern
  • Gold, Cafe Asia 2
  • Silver, China Wok

Best Late-Night Eats

  • Platinum, Texas Tavern 
  • Gold, Benny Marconi’s
  • Silver, Martin’s Downtown Bar & Grill

Best Farm-To-Table Menu 

  • Platinum, Local Roots: A Farm-to-Table Restaurant
  • Gold, The River & Rail Restaurant
  • Silver, FarmBurguesa

Restaurant With Can’t-Miss Daily Specials

  • Platinum, The River & Rail Restaurant
  • Gold, Martin’s Downtown Bar & Grill
  • Silver, Dogwood Restaurant 

Best Vegetarian Menu

  • Platinum, Local Roots: A Farm-to-Table Restaurant
  • Gold, Evie’s Bistro and Bakery / Wildflour Café at Towers
  • Silver, Garden Song Eco Café 

Best Allergen-friendly options (gluten-free, vegan)

  • Platinum, Local Roots: A Farm-to-Table Restaurant
  • Gold, Garden Song Eco Café
  • Silver, Evie’s Bistro and Bakery / Wildflour Café at Towers

Best Downtown Roanoke Restaurant 

  • Platinum, Billy’s
  • Gold, Alexander’s 
  • Silver, Lucky Restaurant

Best Southwest City/County Restaurant 

  • Platinum, The River & Rail Restaurant
  • Gold, Montano’s International Restaurant
  • Silver, Carlos Brazilian Interntional Cuisine

Best Salem Restaurant 

  • Platinum, Mac & Bob’s Restaurant
  • Gold, Blue Apron Restaurant and Red Rooster Bar
  • Silver, Mamma Maria’s

Best Vinton Restaurant 

  • Platinum, New York Pizza 
  • Gold, FarmBurguesa
  • Silver, Dogwood Restaurant

Best Smith Mountain Lake Restaurant 

  • Platinum, Mango’s Bar & Grill
  • Gold, The Landing Restaurant
  • Silver, Moosie’s

Best Blacksburg Restaurant

  • Platinum, Cabo Fish Taco
  • Gold, Bull & Bones Brewhaus & Grill
  • Silver, Lefty’s Main Street Grille

Best Christiansburg Restaurant

  • Platinum, The Farmhouse 
  • Gold, Due South BBQ
  • Silver, Fatback Soul Shack

Best 460 / Bonsack area Restaurant 

  • Platinum, Sal’s Italian restaurant 
  • Gold, Café Asia
  • Silver, Jersey Lily’s Roadhouse

Best Botetourt County Restaurant 

  • Platinum, Tizzone Wood-Fired Kitchen & Wine Bar
  • Gold, Town Center Tap House
  • Silver, Three Li’l Pigs BBQ

Best Hollins/North County Restaurant 

  • Platinum, Hollywood’s Restaurant and Bakery
  • Gold, Lews Restaurant
  • Silver, Veranda Bistro

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