Your Complete Guide to the Best Restaurants in Gatlinburg
Great Smoky Mountains National Park may be the number one attraction in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, but the food is a close second. When you visit, make sure to pack your appetite because the sheer variety of dining experiences at Gatlinburg restaurants will leave your mouth watering.
There are places where you can drop in for just a quick bite, or make an evening of it with live music and entertainment. Here’s your guide to the best restaurants in Gatlinburg!
[FREE GUIDE] Looking for a great meal away from the crowds? Uncover Gatlinburg’s hidden gems!
Hotels and Resorts in Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg has plenty of hotels to pick from! All of the biggest hotel chains operate here, and we’ve got many locally owned Gatlinburg hotels, too. Here’s a list of Gatlinburg’s best hotels:
Breakfast: Pancakes and More
Time to start your day! If you’ve got your heart set on a stack of flapjacks, you’ve come to the right place. We’re not just about pancakes, though, because all of the best breakfast spots in Gatlinburg have a variety of breakfasts to get you moving.
Log Cabin Pancake House
The Log Cabin Pancake House has been a Gatlinburg staple and a local favorite since opening in 1976. They aren’t just about pancakes, either. You can try the crepes with a variety of fruit fillings, french toast, or cornmeal pancakes. Remember, though, it’s a popular place, so the wait can be long.
Crockett’s Breakfast Camp
Crockett’s Breakfast Camp is named after a local frontiersman, David “Crockett” Maples, who, along with his wife Mary, would serve home-cooked breakfast to travelers passing through Gatlinburg. The menu is extensive, with big portions and eggs taking center stage.
The Pancake Pantry
The Pancake Pantry credits itself with being the first pancake specialty restaurant in Gatlinburg, opening in 1960. Their menu sports dozens of varieties of pancakes, crepes, and waffles, plus other breakfast favorites. It’s not just a breakfast spot, though, so be sure to keep this on your lunch list too and try one of their burgers or gourmet sandwiches!
Best Restaurants for International Eats
Classic American food isn’t the only favorite here in Gatlinburg. In fact, this area has several popular cuisine options from around the globe. Be sure to try one of our international eateries while you’re here!
Big Daddy’s Pizzeria
If you need a pizza fix, zip over to Big Daddy’s Pizzeria just off the Parkway. Not only will you get hand-crafted pizza cooked in their special brick oven, but you’ll also find a range of the best Italian-inspired sandwiches, as well as wings and desserts. They’re open for lunch and dinner and also have a location in nearby Pigeon Forge, in case you’re craving a pizza pie while visiting Dolly Parton’s Dollywood.
No Way Jose’s Cantina
In the mood for a great Mexican restaurant? At No Way Jose’s Mexican Cantina, they don’t do anything small. There you’ll find generous portions of Mexican and Tex-Mex classics, along with fun tropical drinks and margaritas. When you walk into No Way Jose’s, it’s like you’re walking into a fiesta! The decor is fun and flamboyant, but the atmosphere remains laid back and casual. Everyone is sure to leave satisfied!
Gatlinburg Restaurants: American Favorites
You can bet your bottom dollar that Gatlinburg has endless options when it comes to those down-home American favorites. In fact, you can even try out food from different areas of the country while you’re here!
Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que
You can’t come to Tennessee without trying some good old American BBQ, and Bennett’s has been in the game for over 30 years. They have chicken, pork, and beef BBQ as well as chili and hamburgers. Where else can you get BBQ nachos, BBQ salad, and a BBQ platter all in one meal?
Crawdaddy’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar
The Smoky Mountains probably aren’t the first place that comes to mind when you think of cajun flavors, but it will be after you pay a visit to Crawdaddy’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar. They serve fresh fish and seafood, as well as Louisiana favorites like jambalaya and Chesapeake-style seafood boils. If someone in the party doesn’t like seafood, don’t worry! Crawdaddy’s has them covered with steaks, burgers, and chicken, as well.
Smoky Mountain Brewery
This one’s for craft beer fans! If you’ve worked up a thirst for locally brewed beer, look no further than Smoky Mountain Brewery. The brewmasters there have been creating their own specialty brews since 1996, when the American craft beer craze was in its infancy. Almost 30 years later, they’re brewing up over half a dozen types of beer (the beer selection varies by location) and serving up satisfying pub grub.
The Gatlinburg location is described as a “cross between a ski lodge and a Bavarian beer hall.” It’s got an enclosed deck overlooking Calhoun’s Village where diners can try out great burgers, pizza, and fried chicken tenders.
Unique Dining Options in Gatlinburg
If you’re hungry for something different, or just a change of pace, Gatlinburg’s got that too (including spots that are perfect for couples or just those seeking something new)!
The Melting Pot
If you want one of the most unique dining experiences possible during your stay in Gatlinburg, try The Melting Pot. They do one thing only (and they do it well): fondue. Fondue started in Switzerland and became popular in the United States in the 1960s.
The Melting Pot has cheese fondue as their appetizer, an entree fondue dipped in hot broth or oil, and a dessert fondue made with chocolate. Just remember to call for reservations as they are very popular, especially for couples!
Wild Plum Tea Room
If you want to escape the bustle of Downtown Gatlinburg and savor quiet fine dining in an intimate setting, definitely pay a visit to The Wild Plum Tea Room tucked away in the Arts and Crafts Community just outside of Gatlinburg. The founders sought to duplicate the warm experience of a traditional Austrian tea house where locals could gather, share stories, and dine on whatever was fresh that day.
In keeping with the concept of seasonal ingredients, The Wild Plum’s menu changes often. You never know what you might find there, but you can bet it will be prepared with love and care (and served with their signature wild plum muffins). And, don’t pass up the opportunity to try the wild plum tea!
Steakhouses of Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg has no shortage of steakhouses, which are not only local favorites but also considered to be some of the best restaurants in the state of Tennessee.
The Alamo Steakhouse
The name may throw you off, but remember that The Alamo was the final destination of Davy Crockett, one of the most famous Tennesseans. It’s fitting that The Alamo Steakhouse shares a bit of that fame. The steak experts there hand cut each steak on-site and grill them over an oak fire. They also grind their own burgers and make all of their gravies and soups on the premises. Stop by to taste the care they put into the food!
The Cherokee Grill
For a no-nonsense type of steakhouse, try out The Cherokee Grill conveniently located in Calhoun’s Village. Dine on prime cuts of beef in a cozy, mountain lodge-styled setting. Everyone loves the New York strip steak, but for a real treat, try their special Prosperity Steak, a ten-ounce sirloin marinated with olive oil, garlic, pepper, and Worcestershire Sauce. Don’t forget the add-ons like soy ginger sauce or sun dried tomato sauce!
The Peddler Steakhouse
The Peddler Steakhouse first opened in 1976 in a renovated home on a small glade near the bank of the Little Pigeon River. It was once the home of Charles “Earl” Ogle, Sr., a descendant of one of Gatlinburg’s first European settlers. Since then, the restaurant’s reputation has steadily grown throughout the years.
Considered to be one of the finest restaurants in Tennessee, you can get custom-cut aged steaks. You can choose just a steak or combine your sirloin or filet mignon along with grilled shrimp or salmon. As an added bonus, diners can enjoy an all-you-can-eat salad bar with their dinner!
Coffee and Donuts
After all that great food, what you need is some dessert. Or maybe you’re setting out early for an adventure in the Smokies and need some coffee and donuts before your long day.
Lit’l Donut Shop
Stop by the Lit’l Donut Shop where the donuts are all bite-sized! These little donuts are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and come with your choice of glazes and toppings, some of which are strictly seasonal. The donuts are so small, in fact, that it’s easiest to order a bucketful! Remember to grab that coffee, which also comes in signature flavors like maple walnut and bourbon pecan.
The Donut Friar
The Donut Friar is nestled in The Village Shops just off the Parkway in Downtown Gatlinburg. Not only do they have an incredible selection of donuts, but The Donut Friar also has cinnamon bread and other pastries to tempt you (as well as cappuccinos, lattes, and espresso).
Have A Food Adventure in Gatlinburg
There are so many places to have a great meal in Gatlinburg that the only problem will be deciding! Whatever you’re craving, you’ll find it here. Remember to keep your eye on Relax Gatlinburg for the most updated insights on places to eat and things to go in Gatlinburg!
