Exploring the Offerings Shaping an Exciting New Era for Roanoke
By: Emily Mook | Photos Courtesy: Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge
As someone who was born and lived for many years in Salem, Virginia, I am no stranger to the charms of its more bustling and metropolitan neighbor, Roanoke. Growing up, I loved going to Center in the Square with my family and on school field trips to explore the Science Museum of Western Virginia or to watch high-caliber plays at Mill Mountain Theatre. Frequent trips to the Roanoke City Market also endeared me at a young age to the downtown area. And my memories of the Historic Grandin Village are just as vivid and meaningful—I can’t begin to venture a guess of how many movies I’ve watched at The Grandin Theatre or how many delicious meals I’ve enjoyed at neighboring eatery Grace’s Place Pizzeria.
I still visit Roanoke somewhat regularly (it is only an hour away, after all), but those visits tend to revolve around specific family activities rather than entail meandering walks down memory lane. So when the opportunity arose to explore my old stomping grounds for an extended “Metro Mountain Weekend” presented by Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge and Pineapple Public Relations, I jumped at it. What I didn’t anticipate, though, is that my feelings of nostalgia would be joined—and nearly eclipsed—by feelings of awe at how much Roanoke has evolved and of true appreciation for the outstanding new offerings (and staples committed to innovation) leading the charge in the city’s unfolding renaissance.
Read on to learn more about these exciting establishments, eateries, and events that make Roanoke—now more than ever before—a can’t-miss travel destination.
A Superb Stay
Although excursions define a trip, the lodging that you return to each night defines your ability to unwind between and thus more fully enjoy those outings. Some hotels excel at offering a relaxing and comfortable stay but lack aesthetic appeal, while other hotels are stunning but cold—but Roanoke’s newest boutique hotel, The Promissory, offers the best of both worlds while also boasting an ideal location in the heart of downtown.
My suite was spotless, spacious, and luxurious, and the hotel at large struck an ideal balance between serene minimalism and industrial chic intrigue. By retaining many historic elements from its 1912 construction as the First National Exchange Bank while also offering modern amenities, The Promissory honors Roanoke’s past while also innovating for its future.
Perhaps the most thoroughly modern thing about The Promissory is the fact that its building also houses both a state-of-the-art concert venue called The Exchange Music Hall and an authentic Spanish restaurant called Suerte. Suerte was still under construction during my visit in April but is now open and appears to be thriving. As for The Exchange, I was blown away by its size, scope, and stunning reimagined neoclassical aesthetics. Curated and led by Across-the-Way Productions and designed to host a wide variety of events such as concerts, private events, and corporate gatherings, The Exchange offers scalable configurations, bar services, and onsite support. I was especially impressed by the ornate ceilings that also serve a key utilitarian purpose: Acoustic tiles and hanging banners fit the neoclassical brief while also increasing sound quality.
Overall, the fact that it is entirely possible to enjoy a dynamic one-stop excursion to Roanoke without leaving the Promissory’s premises is remarkable. I look forward to my next stay there, which will undoubtedly be scheduled around a concert at The Exchange and include a delicious meal at Suerte.
Exceptional Eats
There are myriad ways to plan a fantastic day of feasting in Roanoke, but I have officially locked in my ideal foodie itinerary after enjoying three unforgettable meals at the following establishments: Scratch Biscuit Company, Mama Jean’s BBQ, and Dorothy & Frank’s.
You simply can’t go wrong with a Scratch breakfast. I enjoyed a buttery, flavorful, and perfectly-baked chicken biscuit, a crispy and tangy fried green tomato, a few bites of a decadent and gooey cinnamon roll, and a refreshing iced coffee while seated on their breezy side patio. Their offerings largely center around their headlining biscuits, but don’t sleep on their standout sides and other mains such as breakfast tacos and burritos and fully-loaded grits.
For lunch, a visit to Mama Jean’s BBQ is in order. As is the case with Scratch, Mama Jean’s signature item is in the name but represents just one of many must-try items on their menu. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to sample not only their tender pulled pork (paired with a generous variety of self-serve sauces), but also their smash burger, smoked chicken wings, and delectable sides including mac and cheese, collared greens, and the tastiest potato salad I’ve ever tried. Offerings change daily, so you will want to visit frequently to determine your own personal favorites.
To round out a stellar day of eats, look no further than new dual-concept restaurant Dorothy & Frank’s for dinner. For this media trip, we enjoyed a variety of fresh beverages and European dishes in the restaurant’s first-floor bistro (“Dorothy’s”) and got a sneak peek at its second-floor, speak-easy style listening bar (“Frank’s”). The two distinct spaces were perfectly suited to their respective purposes, and every single bite of food and sip of beverage I tried was exquisite. My standout picks include their light and citrusy Switchel mocktail, delicate Crispy Halloumi appetizer, and beautifully balanced (and plated) Smoke in Chimneys Trout entree.
Awesome Activities
Although I had visited Black Dog Salvage, the Taubman Museum of Art, the Roanoke Pinball Museum, and Roanoke STARCADE before, all four of these fun-for-all-ages establishments have expanded and evolved impressively in recent years. Whether you are also a return visitor or are planning your first visit to any or all of these spots, you will want to set aside a generous amount of time to explore, browse, and/or play at all of them.
The hugely successful and well-known architectural salvage company Black Dog Salvage remains as impressive as ever in terms of its countless one-of-a-kind wares, incredibly friendly and knowledgeable staff, custom fabrication services, and outdoor music venue, The Dog Bowl—but two unfolding developments prove that you can, in fact, improve on perfection. In addition to reopening its second salvage warehouse to house large architectural inventory, Black Dog has struck up a partnership with outdoor gear shop Roanoke Mountain Adventures. This collaboration will bring new and used gear and bike services to Black Dog’s main campus, allowing individuals and families to shop for unique treasures, rent bikes and ride along the neighboring Roanoke River Greenway path, and then enjoy a concert at The Dog Bowl all in one go.
There has never been a better time to visit the Taubman Museum of Art. As its permanent collection celebrates its 75th anniversary, this downtown Roanoke staple is offering a special “75th Anniversary: New Visions for the Permanent Collection” exhibition and an accompanying series of enriching tours and events. A stunning new outdoor mural by artist Mokha Laget entitled “Intersecting Terrains” is also a must-see.
You don’t have to be a nerd or nostalgia fiend like me to enjoy the Roanoke Pinball Museum or Roanoke STARCADE, but if you are, prepare to spend hours on end in these game-filled spaces. Since opening in 2015 and 2019, respectively, both spaces have grown to become certified gaming destinations after adding a plethora of machines and undergoing major renovations. By offering modern amenities and game offerings alongside retro classics and thoughtful vintage aesthetics, these establishments appeal to both younger generations and those of us old enough to remember that specific excitement that accompanied a trip to Center in the Square in the 1990s.
What a beautiful trip down memory lane, indeed, enriched by new sights, tastes, and experiences. It’s a trip I plan to take many more times.
Thank you to Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge and Pineapple Public Relations for coordinating and hosting an unforgettable “Metro Mountain Weekend” media event in April 2026.
