Are you feeling hungry? When you’re in the Smoky Mountains, you’ll find an array of options that satisfy any craving. Idyllic mountain charm, spellbinding Smoky Mountain vistas, and many family-friendly attractions make Gatlinburg, TN, a go-to locale year round. Whether you are spending afternoons at Anakeesta or tearing through white water rapids, you will need some fuel.
Follow along to feast like a king at the best restaurants in Gatlinburg, TN.
Start your day with a fluffy stack of hotcakes doused in maple syrup from everyone’s favorite pancake house. Or cozy up in a mountain lodge with a hearty plate of fried chicken or herb-crusted trout.
Delight in live music, lobster pie, and unparalleled scenery when you dine at any of the best eateries in Gatlinburg.
Best Restaurants in Gatlinburg, TN
Smoky Mountain Brewery
Seasonal brews, bar food favorites, live music, and team trivia come together to make Smoky Mountain Brewery a bustling spot. A favorite watering hole of many Gatlinburg locals, SMB is the oldest craft brewery in East Tennessee. For over 25 years, hungry patrons have stopped by this alpine-like lodge for quality eats and entertainment.
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Sip an Appalachian pale ale, and rest your weary feet after a day of hiking. Step out onto the enclosed deck for a scenic photo opp of Calhoun’s Village and the Smokies. Next, devour a double order of their original wet wings, or opt for some Italian with a hand-tossed Margherita Pizza or Calzone.
photo credit: Smoky Mountain Brewery via Facebook
The Park Grill
Ready for a one-of-a-kind dining experience? Eat at the footsteps of the Smoky Mountains National Park when you hightail it to the Park Grill. Chock Full of rustic mountain lodge charm, this full-service restaurant infuses Smoky Mountain flavor into everything from the decor to the food.
Get cozy under the warm wooden beams and antler-inspired light fixtures before ordering an ole smoky ole fashioned or glass of vino. Entertain your tastebuds with crunchy fried pickles or Hillbilly peanut hummus. Signature entrees include their award-winning baby back ribs or hickory grilled moonshine chicken.
photo credit: The Park Grill via Facebook
Wild Plum Tea Room
Bring along Fido and tuck into plenty of homemade soups, salads, desserts, and more when you snag a reservation at the Wild Plum Tea Room.
This quaint Austrian tea house-inspired cottage welcomes all pooches on their outside porch deck. An ideal respite after an afternoon of touring the historic Arts & Crafts Community, this eatery delivers way more than earl gray.
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Hydrate with a piping hot or iced plum tea, and tuck into a restorative chicken salad or salmon burger. Looking to really indulge in a luxe lunch? Try their famous lobster pie complete with a buttery golden crust and served with a side of seasonal veggies.
photo credit: Patsy Davis via Facebook
Cherokee Grill
Dig into succulent steaks, seafood, fried chicken, and more at Gatlinburg’s premier steakhouse. Centrally located in Calhoun’s Village, the Cherokee Grill is an upscale mountain lodge of brick, stone, and granite. Locals and visitors alike head here for date night or a special occasion supper. Enjoy the rugged Appalachian atmosphere peppered by an abundance of Cherokee Indian artifacts.
Kick off your culinary adventure with an order of shrimp cocktail or smoked trout. Then, moan over mouthfuls of the house specialty Prime Rib, or get a taste of true southern comfort with their Smoky Mountain Fried Chicken served with garden vegetable gravy and freshly baked bread.
photo credit: Cherokee Grill via Facebook
Best Restaurants in Gatlinburg with a View
The Peddler Steakhouse
Weave a pinch of Gatlinburg tradition and history into your vacation when you break bread at the Peddler Steakhouse. This log cabin was once the private residence of Charles ‘Earl’ Ogle Sr, a fourth-generation Gatlinburg merchant. Today, the Peddler imbues simplicity and sophistication into their mountain digs.
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For over 40 years, couples and families have flocked here for awe-inspiring Little Pigeon River views and incredible eats. Get your daily dose of greens when you hit up their fresh salad bar or munch on sweet corn nuggets dunked in a honey-chipotle sauce.
Carnivores will be in red meat heaven when they indulge in a hand-cut steak. Choose from NY Strip or Ribeye, and round out your supper with a creamy cheese-topped baked potato.
photo credit: The Peddler Steakhouse via Facebook
Cliff Top
End your day of Anakeesta* antics with some unparalleled scenery at Cliff Top. Gaze out at the mist-covered Mt. LeConte as you sip a bold glass of red or craft cocktail. For an unforgettable dinner, reserve a table around sunset to witness the vivid hues of red, orange, and purple.
Bring your appetite as you’ll want to order everything on their menu of elevated American favorites. Sample savory appetizers like fried green tomatoes or their famous mesquite wings.
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Appreciate the smoky sweetness of the Appalachian Bison burger, or indulge in some maritime morsels with their tantalizing shrimp and grits accented by Andouille Sausage and crispy pancetta.
*Please note that admission to Anakeesta is required to access Cliff Top restaurant. Already have your Anakeesta tickets? Check out our Insider's Guide to Anakeesta and discover all you need to know before you go!
photo credit: Anakeesta via Facebook
Crystelle Creek Restaurant & Grill
O la la! Channel your inner romantic and prepare to get googly-eyed creekside at Crystelle Creek Restaurant & Grill. This Gatlinburg institution may be under new management*, but it is still delivering oodles of natural ambiance, oak wood-fired steaks, seafood, and homemade desserts.
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Snap a social media-worthy photo in front of the charming 150 ft cascading tree light, or search for giant Koi in the pond. Then, sidle up to the newly remodeled bar for an expertly mixed cocktail before your evening interlude. Pack that gum as you’ll be unable to resist their fresh garlic rolls or catfish bites. Crystelle prides itself on only serving Premium American Beef raised and grazed on native prairie land.
Do yourself a favor and order Texas Ribeye or Chicago filet. But, save a smidge of room for dessert as you'll need at least one bite of Black Forest or Caramel Oreo Cake.
*Please note that Crystelle is no longer hosting live music
Seasons of Ober Restaurant
Want to have lunch with a view? Gaze out in awe at the panoramic majesty of the Smoky Mountains when you visit Ober Gatlinburg. This ski area and amusement park’s restaurant features the famous Seasons of Ober Restaurant. For over 50 years, this beloved eatery has delighted diners with its variety of hand-cut steaks, homemade sides, and seasonally inspired flavors.
Feeling frisky? Dare to get groovy on one of the largest dance floors in the region. Special visitors might even be blessed by one of Seasons’ spectacular live music showcases.
After you’ve worked up a sweat, treat yourself to creamy spinach artichoke dip, fiery BBQ burgers, and piping cups of Tennessee chili. Still need Ober Gatlinburg tickets? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Ober Gatlinburg Coupons and Discounts to discover how to save the most dough!
Best Italian Restaurant in Gatlinburg
Taste of Italy
Marinara, meatballs, and mozzarella, oh my! If your stomach is shouting for a break from all of the steaks and fried chicken, you’re in luck. Taste of Italy is a family-owned and operated restaurant that slings a wide variety of Italian fare. Come enjoy Italian classics such as Chicken Piccata, Eggplant Parmesan, and homemade Margherita pizza.
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Homemade to order and built on fresh from scratch dough, their gourmet pizzas feature Grande cheese and come in unique flavors like Philly Cheese Steak, Buffalo Chicken, and pesto.
Got some fussy eaters on deck? No worries, as Taste of Italy, also provides a kid's menu with plenty of palatable items.
photo credit: Taste Of Italy via Facebook
Best Breakfast Restaurants in Gatlinburg TN
Log Cabin Pancake House
Got an early morning mountain hike? Or simply looking to stuff your face with a resplendent plate of hotcakes dripping in butter and syrup? 7 a.m. wake-up calls don’t seem so bad when a carb-o-licious plate of perfection greets you from the Log Cabin Pancake House.
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While this iconic Gatlinburg eatery does not take reservations, its ever-present line does move at a clipped pace. Maintain your patience, and you’ll be rewarded with a Log Cabin Pecan special or a stack of azul-hued Wild Blueberry Pancakes. Looking to deviate from the house specialties? The Log Cabin’s Spicy Apple French Toast is golden brown perfection and comes with two sausage links.
Pancake Pantry
Is there anything better than breakfast all day? Devour pancakes, eggs, waffles, and more at Tennessee’s first pancake specialty restaurant. For over 60 years, this family-run institution has fueled millions of Gatlinburg visitors and patrons. Housed in a stately building of slate, featuring gables and a warm white oak interior, every meal here is finished with syrup and a smile.
A veritable heaven for any pancake connoisseur, the Pantry serves up 24 varieties of pancakes, in addition to sizzling sausages, bacon, and crispy fried hash brown potatoes. Get plenty of warm and fuzzy feelings from the Sweet Potato pancakes topped with butter and cinnamon cream syrup.
Or opt for a savory Morning Star plate of freshly shredded hash browns, topped with melted cheese, two fried eggs, and a mound of grilled veggies.
Tennessee Jed’s
Need breakfast to go, or just nursing a massive hankering for a glorious breakfast sandwich? Make all of your egg-accented fantasies come true when you visit Tennesse Jed’s. With two convenient Gatlinburg locations, this craft sandwich stop is the ideal spot for an incredible breakfast.
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Jed’s meats are all roasted fresh every day, and every breakfast sandwich is cooked to order. Cruise by on the weekend to sample their sumptuous biscuits and gravy. Or debate between their signature Big Meat or Deluxe ham egg and swiss sandwich. Got a picnic to provide for later? Pick up a couple of sandwiches or stock up on their incredible corned beef or pulled pork by the pound.
photo credit: Tennessee Jed's Gatlinburg via Facebook
Alpine lodges, vibrant fall foliage, and Smoky Mountain amusement have drawn visitors to Gatlinburg for decades.
Fortunately, this Sevier County resort city now has a food scene as resplendent as its snow-capped mountains.
Munch on fried green tomatoes, catfish bites, or tangy BBQ burgers.
Raise a glass of your favorite local ale at the Smoky Mountain Brewery, or savor the views from Clifftop.
Whether you are chasing after a butter-filled breakfast or the best Italian food, our Local’s Guide will help you ditch the tourist traps and eat like a native.
Tell us, what's the best restaurant in Gatlinburg, TN?
Leave us a comment below!
Mike and Viv says:
The Alamo…… NEVER had a bad bite of food from there…. horseradish steak strips are the best
Teresa says:
Hi Mike and Viv! That sounds delicious. Thank you for the recommendation!