I lived in Roanoke for 6 months several years ago. Sweet Donkey was, and remains one of my favorite coffee shops. Recently on a roadtrip south, my boyfriend and I stopped by. It was everything I remembered. He raved about his parfait. The cold brew was great. They have ample indoor and outdoor seating. Highly recommend.
Cozy, airy spot for good coffee. Lovely upstairs area to get work done. I ordered the cinnamon bun special with oat milk and it was delicious on this windy day. Highly recommend checking this place out!
Very nice atmosphere love the outdoor herb garden the patios; several different entertainment areas or for you to lounge and relax. I did not try the coffee Iβm more of a tea person but I decided to try the4-berry smoothie with oat milk great flavor the only disappointment I have wasnβt fresh fruit $5 smoothie I was hoping it would be a little better than out of a juice plastic container that took 1/2 cup juice, 1 cup ice, 1/4 cup of oat-milk but again paying for atmosphere very neat place turning the house into a coffee shop.
Nice coffee shop in old house. Great homemade yogurt with granola and homemade sweet potato soup!
Great dirty chai!! Always want flavor with this one and Sweet Donkey delivered. Very nice seating inside and out. Cool staff. Could use more vegan food options.
So many fun nooks and corners! The baristas did mix up our order, but were very willing to fix it.
Sweet Donkey is of the best coffee spots youll find in Virginia! They have lots of great drinks, and the atmosphere is one of the best parts. They have outdoor seating and plenty of spaces to sit and relax or get work done. I just wish I had a place like this where I live.
One of my favorite coffee shop in Roanoke! Good coffee and really cute spot
If youβre passing through Roanoke and need a coffee stop do yourself a favor and take the extra 5 min to stop here vs Starbucks.... the coffee (I had an orange caramel almond milk latte that was subtle and delicious), the food (caprice style quiche), prompt personable service, and adorable atmosphere will not disappoint. Bonus points there was a farm stand out front selling local produce!
Kenny is Sweet Donkey. The greatest barista of our generation
Place is interesting to say the least. The coffee they sell in bags is terrible, bought a bag of the collaboration coffee for home and Im not impressed. Will be going back to Mill mountain for sure.
I attended the Drag Independance Show. Coffee was great. Entertainment was spectacular. They should do this more often
Husband said coffee was good. Ice tea was a bit disappointing but it is a coffee shop. The outside seating is lovely!! Staff was friendly and helpful.
Friday night live music and drinks is a favorite at Sweet Donkey. Highly recommend
Great local coffee and treat shop on our way to Mill Mountain. Friendly helpful service and plenty of shaded outdoor seating.
I wouldnt ever visit this location. I HATE dogs being considered welcomed in any establishment. Dogs are a nuance, they bark, theyre invasive to my personal space and I dont want to give any business my time or money when dogs are allowed.
Love this place! So many options for fun drinks but also classics! I love all of their lattes and smoothies!
Highly recommend the Maple Vermont latte if they have it. The Girl Scout and Flannel lattes were just okay. Lovely outdoor seating area!
Went for Friday live music. Acoustic oldies, beer on tap, Avocado truck served up some good food. Nice.
Coffee is good, there is a nice shady place to sit outside and nicely spaced tables inside.Baristas were friendly.
Lots of fun drinks, and the staff are quick and friendly! Love the wealth of outdoor seating too.
Food was good, the portions are small for the price. Itβs advertised as a breakfast place but only had waffles and yogurt. Packed by people wanting tables for themselves and unwilling to share or move for larger groups.
Very RUDE staff. Delicious food but horrible customer service. I will not be back.
The hot moca latte was delicious!
Always have great options and I have yet to be disappointed! Love the atmosphere here too!
Cute spot, lots of outdoor seating, good coffee.
Best coffee in Roanoke!! Go on Fridays for music and food truck
This guy is taking really long for two beverages, and served a lady who was after me. And he burnt my coffee.Iced mocha is like velvet. The hot mocha is amazing because you can taste the roast. The chocolate doesnt kill the delicious coffee flavor. The servers could be nicer, but they do make the best coffee Im town.So tasty. While driving across county, it has been hard to find tasty coffee. I am so happy I walked 15 minutes for this.
I love this place. Outdoor seating and great people to boot!
Amazing oatmilk mocha and macchiato π
Very cozy, comfortable place to hangout. Many seating options, great for studying or meeting up with someone to talk. Pretty outdoor area too. Very dog friendly. Good beverages and treats but nothing to write home about. A little pricey too but if you want a cafe definitely come here over any chain.
Chocolate frappe is very good and atmosphere is very chill. Definitely will return.
Great coffee, kombucha and quiche!
Good coffee. But the atmosphere is definitely the big selling point here. Lots of great outdoor seating if youre reading this during COVID (or really any time because outdoor seating is great.) Friday night food trucks and tunes is one of my favorite things in Roanoke.
Coffee is great. Great ambience.
Very good coffee, and the waffles were excellent. Only outdoor seating at the moment because of covid.
Could stand to be a bit more accommodating to customers. Crystal Springs employees get 30 min. for lunch, if they are lucky. We need a way to order ahead with quick pickup. We tried to call in an order this morning and they would not take it.
Pleasant visit. Mocha was good.
Such good products and people
Not very good service when we went, strong coffee and pretty place but pretty places dont really make up for rudeness
House coffee was deliciously smooth, no bitterness. Great vibe and outdoor seating aplenty
Incredible! Did take out this morning on my first visit. Had the buttermilk waffles with fresh strawberries and blueberries. Topped it off with Vermont sourced maple syrup. Lawdy, Lawdy! I usually make my own coffee or get it from Mill Mountain. Well....I ordered Sweet Donkey Coffees latte- perfection!
Save your time! At first a charming coffee shop seemed like an excellent idea, maybe get some hot chocolate for my 3 kids (in masks) and let them pick up a comic book, but when reaching to de-fog my glasses while looking at the menu, before a hello, I was demanded to keep my mask on, even though it was on. I apologized out of embarrassment and then left with my kids. Iβm traveling from Florida and do not ever plan on recommending this place.
I come here with friends all the time !! great food and drinks.
Have been coming here since they opened. This time I was a little disappointed with the serving size. My wife and I ordered same latte, one was two thirds full of coffee and then foam and the other was only half full with hardly any foam. No consistency. We hardly ever are able to place our order through the app and if we do then when we get there they say they never received our order even though we can show it in the app.
Perfect place to sit down and do homework
The atmosphere is that of a quirky coffee place( has lots of great seating places -outside and inside(due to covid though only outside seating is available). The people that go here are ranged from quirky blond college students to older preppy 40 somethings. The inside is clean and tactful, the employees I dealt with were very polite. Everything was perfect expect the grass trimmer ( he was cutting right next to the table - got some grass on the tables). Besides that I would recommend this place to some one with certain tastes to drop by. Ps watch out for the streets they can be a little bit crazy
I really did love Sweet Donkey and they have great food and coffee. The last few visits of mine have been subpar on service though. It used to be grand and maybe they have a lot of new people, but now its just really gone downhill.
My favorite one of a kind cafe β¦Excellent coffee, very flavorful, not bitter nor overpriced ; relaxed setting in an converted house with Shaded cool outdoor seating, comfy patio furniture . I enjoyed sitting outside as did the canine ...regrets ? ..not getting a pound of coffee !
The coffee is lackluster, in comparison to the price. Itβs good, but not as good as youβd expect, for what you pay. A couple of the baristas are also very rude. They donβt even acknowledge you, when you walk in. Huff, puff, roll their eyes. I just honestly feel like the entire experience could be better. I am new in town, and Iβve been several times. But after the most recent visit, I wonβt be back.
Great staff, super chill vibe. Love the live music on Friday night!
Had a Chai with Oat milk and ate outside, the heater was nice and everything tasted great!
Great coffee, chill vibe! The location is great. Not too far from the Greenway. Its a good spot to hang out with friends or work/study. They have a bunch of board games. They also do a lot of cool events.Sweet Donkey can get a little crowded sometimes, but that just says how great the place is.
Good coffee, good sweets, super great atmosphere, and I really like the woman that works there. But the guy always ALWAYS acts like itβs such a pain in the butt to wait on you and like heβd rather be doing anything else. Kinda messes with the whole mood of the place. π
Sweet Donkey is one of the best coffee shops in Roanoke. Excellent lattes and hot cocoa that isnβt overly sweet. Food choices include bagels, croissants, and cookies. Lots of room inside on two floors and even more room outside which is great on a sunny day. Highly recommended!
They really nailed it. They can do awesome requests. Coffee was a little cold, but it is Winter.
Got the wrong frappe but had fantastic soup & bread. a little pricey. great outside seating
Wonderful service. Price matches quality, and quality of food and drinks are amazing!!!! 10/10 would recommend!!!
Vanilla Frappe, good flavor, love their drinks!
Ecxelente cafe Vermouth maple π latte
My wife and I were looking for a good place for coffee when we visited Roanoke, so we decided to try Sweet Donkey Coffee due to the catchy name and the neat Victorian house. Plus, I really wanted a t-shirt to take home back to PA from Sweet Donkey. I have to be honest, the Vermont Maple Latte was delicious, but the customer service could have been better. I realize the baristas were busy, but it bothered me they werenβt that friendly. I would probably go back to Sweet Donkey on my next trip to Roanoke and love the shirt, but I have received much better service at local coffee shops where I live and other places I have visited.
Very good coffee (I award an additional point for the latte art) and amazing pastry. We had muffins and chocolate croissants and they were exquisite.
Whenever Im in Roanoke I make it a point to come here and sit for an hour with friends. I really love the aesthetic of Sweet Donkey- its outside of the downtown area and in an old brick farmhouse style building. The coffee is good and seating outside and in is pleasant. Parking is available in a lot and also on an adjacent street for free.
Great coffee shop!
Didnt even make it out of the neighborhood before I finished my mocha. Delicious coffee!! Staff was so nice. Whole place had a really nice vibe. Thank you!
I had a mint chip frappe, and it was good. I enjoy the laid back, funky atmosphere here. A nice place to go to hang out. There is also a selection of card and board games for those who want something to keep them occupied.
Nice selection of drinks and treats. Lots of seating to do work while enjoying your drink
Great coffee and cinnamon roll
Definitely worth a return visit. this place has a cool design.
If youre in the Roanoke area or want a break while traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway give Sweet Donkey Coffee a try. The name intrigued me and I didnt know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised with a great atmosphere, friendly service, and an excellent coffee. Although I didnt try any, the pastries looked good too. The only drawback is the parking, only a few spaces. Beyond that you could enjoy your drink inside or outside.
A good place for workers and students to visit and enjoy a good cup of coffee. Building is small but if the day is good, there is plenty of room outside. Recommended is the ginger turmeric tea that the cafe offers.
The food was super appetizing. The service here is better than most.
Loved the setting and the ambience
I love Sweet Donkey!! They have great staff. You can reserve a room to use for free to host parties. Their coffee is and teas are amazing. Their breakfast is delicious.
Ive gone here for years for coffee, yummy waffles & smoothies whether Im meeting up with someone or just too chill and write. Very cool vibe, lots of seating indoor and outdoor. Fire pit outside. Great spot. (Also, waffles are only available Sat & Sun until 2pm or until they run out just an FYI π)
Great little coffee shop
High quality coffee and baked goods. Laid back vibe. Strong wifi. Great attention to detail. Well worth a visit. Well definitely be back next time we are passing through.