Zorba’s Small World Cafe

We were traveling through Virginia on a road trip and wanted a quick, quality meal. This is place is great! Everything is fresh and authentic. Had the gyro– would order again! Only a few minutes off 81. If I ever find myself passing through again– I will be back!

I really enjoyed my visit no idea it even existed until I read some of the reviews and I have lived in the area for ages, Turkish coffee and grape leaves were to die for. The staff went out of their way to be friendly and has the small town home like feeling inside. While the prices were a bit higher than I expected (almost 15.00 for just me) the food and service were top notch and I will definitely visit again.

On a road trip and found Zorba’s through Unilocal.So happy we stopped by! Small, very casual, easy-​to-​miss little dive. You will not feel under-​dressed. Attentive staff; quick service; Zorba himself stopped by our table. Homemade chips — hot and delicious, with fresh hummus. My spanakopita was yummy, and the flat garlic bread that came with it was delicious! My husband enjoyed his Mediterranean burger served on a warm pita. Fries were just okay — surprisingly standard, crinkle-​cut fries, contrasting everything else that was so delicious. Great baklava, but the warm cream cheese puff pastry really stole the show. My husband and I loved it! If we lived near Salem, VA, we would definitely be regulars.

Food was delicious & vegetarian options were plentiful. Hubs & I shared a black bean and rice dinner and a spanakopita dinner. Entrees were very good, salads were fresh. Mom had chicken vegetable soup — she ate every bite. We had banana pudding (huge), apple puff pastry (small) and Turkish coffee for dessert. Just the right amount of food.
Service was fast and friendly, but could have been a tad more attentive.

Excellent Food and Customer service. I will be a regular patron.

The gyro sandwich and Greek salad was very good. The service was great! Too bad I don’t live here to go back.

if you have not been to Zorba’s.what are you waiting for?!? i had the gyro salad with lamb meat and it was soo good, i was pleasantly surprised. hands down best greek/​medi food in Roanoke for sure, meat was well seasoned and veggies were fresh

Plenty of good options, including several vegetarian dishes. Mediterranean food, homemade. Nice, casual atmosphere. Good hummus. I tried the falafel sandwich; it was decent.

Authentic Greek and Middle Eastern food fresh cooked. A real find. Great desserts. Old fashioned comfy and friendly. Great lamb special!

Stopped in for lunch on a Saturday and tried the Chicken Gyro Plate with a side salad. The meat had good flavor but I was rather disappointed in the salad, which was overwhelmed by hot peppers — a flavor that didn’t make much sense to me.
The atmosphere is extremely casual and the staff does a good job making everyone feel welcome, particularly Zorba, who made his way around to speak with everyone in the restaurant.
It’s rather pricey for the portion sizes, with it costing around $ 23.00 for lunch for two.

Food was delicious. I got the philly cheese steak and it was one of the better steak sandwiches I’ve had. My husband got one of the gyros and said it was as good as he’s ever had. Excellent falafel as well.

Should be listed on a Best of Roanoke list.

Amazing little restaurant right by the Salem VA. The Greek food is top notch and Zorba is friendly and funny. He went out to the dining area to see how everyone was doing and if they were enjoying what he made. It was awesome.
Thanks again!

Great food, stellar service! They are so friendly!
It looks a little confusing from the outside, but it gets way better once you get inside. The interior is simple but bright, and the seating is spaced well so it’s not cramped. We had homemade hummus, that and the pita bread was the best I can remember having. The gyro platter was large and perfect for a full lunch. They were very thoughtful and brought out pudding for my fussy toddler — she loved it! The baklava was perfect!

Just traveling through… Well with getting of the highway for an in house made meal. Wonderful find! Everything made right here… Not fancy but great!

I have gone far and wide and I have to say this is probably my favorite restaurant in the world (so this review may be slightly biased). Living in New York City now, you would think having access to a large middle Eastern community that there would be plenty of restaurants that put zorba to shame? Wrong!
First, I love chicken and usually eat it for lunch, and I have to say many middle eastern restaurants — the chicken is often bland, dry or both. Here at zorbas, they cut it up into cubes and clearly marinate the chicken overnight. It is a true standout. You can have the chicken in several excellent dishes. The Jamaican joes is a hybrid dish which includes chicken, jerk sauce, rice and salad (ask for extra sauce!!) The chicken kabob is similar but has a tahini sauce as well as grilled veggies. The chicken however, is best with the whole wheat cous cous which isn’t always on the menu (it is cooked with vegetable and has the most flavor of any cous cous I’ve ever had.) The lamb and steak options are good but I prefer not to eat too have for lunch. Also there are diner options from the old restaurant Bobbi Jo’s which I have never gotten (they look and smell great but that’s not why I come here).
In addition to his great entrees, zorbas boasts some excellent appetizers. He introduced me to foul medammes, think a middle eastern refried beans which a) is an amazing breakfast and b) isn’t as good anywhere else (although I’d imagine it’s as good in Egypt). His hummus is very flavorful but probably lacks a little bit due to the fact that ingredients are not as easy to get (chickpeas). Another sleeper is the gaucamole, which he puts a middle eastern twist on and is excellent. Lastly, you can’t go wrong with any of his soups, especially lentil and black bean. I would also be remiss if I forgot to mention his mint sweet tea, which i guzzle every time I come.
Lastly, this place wouldn’t be the same without the man, the myth the legend (zorba himself). An Egyptian immigrant, he brings authentic food and pairs his knowledge of his culture with amazing culinary skills. He frequently walks around the restaurant and greets customers, and is quite a personality. Overall, I don’t think I could think of a better restaurant if I tried. Don’t change Zorba, you are perfect just the way you are.

Wow! Total surprise in the most out if the way place. Not much to look at, but the people are friendly and the food is great. Apple Puff Pastry is to die for.

Attention everyone who reads this! Of all the places I’ve ever been in my life I must say that zorbas Greek food is absolutely the most delicious food I have ever had in my life. I could not stop complimenting the chef «Zorba» himself. His food is cooked fresh every day and he shops for fresh produce from local markets not super centers.
The quality of the food is by far out of this world. I enjoyed everything that entered my mouth. the grape leaves, the rice, the Greek salad the pita bread the tzatziki sauce I mean… ERRRRTHING!!!
After all the deliciousness I decided to try their desserts. I do not like baklava however I tasted theirs and this was great! I ordered some to go along with the apple puff pastry which made my mouth water and my insides scream with joy. I also bought several of those.
Please if you visit Roanoke city to try zorbas!

Probably the best gyro I ever had, although – and this is a small complaint or suggestion – I would have liked a bread that held together better. I had to eat it with a knife and fork.

We were driving back from VA to TX and stopped here for lunch. To say that we loved it would be an understatement!
The Gyros is state of the art and the apple puff pastries are fantastic. I also had my first contact with Turkish Coffee here and I liked it.
All-​in-​all highly recommended, even though the décor is very simple and the bathroom could use a serious upgrade.