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
... for more from our November/December 2019 issue, Subscribe today, view our FREE interactive digital edition or download our FREE iOS app!