The Roanoke Valley in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains packs a punch with spectacular natural scenery, fine dining restaurants, world-class wineries and plenty to see and do. Climb up to the summit of Mill Mountain to see the landmark overlooking the city known as the Roanoke Star, or the Mill Mountain Star, to watch the sunset before heading to one of these excellent restaurants that promise a romantic wining and dining experience.
Taste delicious Southern fare at The River and Rail Restaurant
Located in the former Lipes Pharmacy space, The River and Rail Restaurant is an intimate bistro serves local, seasonal Southern fare and handcrafted cocktails in a stylish, modern space. The charming restaurant boasts a beautifully restored interior with an open kitchen adorned with hanging cookware and canned produce, creating an inviting and romantic ambiance.
The eatery serves a daily-changing, Southern bistro-style menu of farm-to-table fare prepared with the finest locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients and regional produce like house-cured meats and cheeses, pickled vegetables, and house-made condiments. The full-service bar offers a beverage menu of inventive cocktails with a Southern influence, as well as local and imported beers and casual wines from around the world.
Address: 2201 Crystal Spring Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24014, Phone: 540-400-6830
Have a romantic dinner at Alexander's
Set in a beautifully restored vintage building that was once Roanoke's largest office supply company and has now been transformed a retro-chic, bohemian oasis, Alexander's is the go-to spot for sophisticated, unpretentious dining. Established in 1979, the elegant restaurant boasts a traditional fine-dining setting with white tablecloths, gleaming silverware, and warm lighting, along with antique décor and light fittings, creating an intimate and romantic ambiance. Seasonally-inspired menus boast prime quality Virginia-aged meats, fresh seafood, and locally sourced organic produce, and the food is paired with fine wines from around the world and classic cocktails from the full-service bar.
Address: 105 S Jefferson St, Roanoke, VA 24011, Phone: 540-982-6983
Enjoy American cuisine at Billy's
Billy's is a classic pub with a full wooden bar and a buzzing vibe that serves inspired American cuisine and a wide range of drinks in a comfortable, yet refined atmosphere. Located on the corner of Salem and Market Street in Downtown Roanoke, Billy’s boasts floor-to-ceiling windows with great views of the Market Building, historic architectural features, massive mirrors on the walls, and dark wood trimming, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The seasonal menu features appetizers like grilled oysters on the half-shell, mac, and cheese with country ham, and grilled chicken wings, followed by entrées of prime steaks, seafood such as flounder filets with garlic and parmesan cheese sauce, and pasta dishes. The full-service bar offers a wide range of casual wines from around the world, craft and draft beers on tap and by the bottle, high-end spirits, and classic cocktails.
Address: 102 Market St SE, Roanoke, VA 24011, Phone: 540-206-3353
Take the kids for a family meal at Coach & Four Restaurant
Coach & Four Restaurant is a family-friendly restaurant that serves classic New American cuisine such as prime steaks and seafood classics in comfortable, colonial-style digs. The restaurant has a cozy dining space with wooden tables and chairs, and a full-service bar where diners can enjoy a pre- or post-dinner drink. The seasonal menu features a variety of fare ranging from prime meats and chicken to fresh seafood, imported pasta and sauces, fresh salads, and vegetarian options, and sweet desserts, with a special menu for kids. Four seafood specials are offered daily; the food is accompanied by an extensive menu of fine wines from around the world, which can be enjoyed by the glass or bottle, craft beers on tap or by the bottle, and handcrafted cocktails.
Address: 5206 Williamson Rd, Roanoke, VA 24012, Phone: 540-362-4220
Order a USDA choice steak at Frankie Rowland's Steakhouse
Frankie Rowland's Steakhouse is a long-standing steakhouse that has been serving the finest cuts of aged steak, prime rib, and beef for years. Boasting traditional steakhouse décor with dark wood and leather accents, elegantly dressed tables and gleaming silverware, the steakhouse serves a menu of thick house-butchered cuts of USDA choice steaks, free-range chicken and pork, fresh seafood and a range of vegetarian options. The full-service bar has an extensive menu of fine wines from around the world, which can be enjoyed by the glass or bottle, craft beers on tap or by the bottle, and handcrafted cocktails.
Address: 104 S Jefferson St, Roanoke, VA 24011, Phone: 540-527-2333
Dine on the outdoor patio at Luigi's Italian Gourmet Restaurant
Luigi's Italian Gourmet Restaurant is a family-owned and operated restaurant that serves both classic and contemporary Italian cuisine in a warm and welcoming setting. Loved by locals and visitors alike, the casual eatery specializes in authentic Northern and Southern Italian cuisine with starters of Italian tapas like broiled sea scallops, bruschetta, and fried oysters. Entrées include pasta primavera Bianco, chicken picatta, mussels Calabria, steak al gorgonzola, pan-seared lamb loin chops, and Frutti de mar, and desserts of Tartufo, spumoni, and chocolate decadence torte. The cuisine is paired with a variety of casual wines from Italy and other wine-growing regions, along with craft beers by the bottle, and made-to-order cocktails, which can be enjoyed in the main dining room or on the outdoor patio in the summer.
Address: 3301 Brambleton Ave, Roanoke, VA 24018, Phone: 540-989-6277
Experience AAA Four Diamond flavors at The Regency Room
Located in the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Curio Collection by Hilton, The Regency Room is the epitome of fine dining. The esteemed AAA Four Diamond, award-winning restaurant presents sublime cuisine, world-class wines from around the world, impeccable service and hospitality and an elegant, romantic ambiance. Renowned for dishes like Peanut Soup and Spoonbread, the restaurant uses only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients and regional produce available to produce seasonal menus of chef-driven cuisine, which is accompanied by a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence wine list, and classic cocktails made with top-shelf spirits.
Address: 110 Shenandoah Ave NE, Roanoke, VA 24016, Phone: 540-853-8280
Dine at locally-sourced food at Table 50
Located in the historic 19th-century Wigmore building in the center of the Historic Roanoke farmers’ market, Table 50 offers an upscale dining experience in a comfortable and casual atmosphere. Using only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients and regional produce available from the farmer’s market and further afield, the culinary team creates mouthwatering, farm-to-table dishes that promise to delight. Boasting hand-forged brick walls and copper tables, the restaurant exudes a vibrant ambiance in which guests can savor the cuisine, along with fine wines from around the world, craft beers on tap or by the bottle, and handcrafted cocktails.
Address: 2135, 309 Market St SE, Roanoke, VA 24011, Phone: 540-904-2350
