Best Italian Restaurant Gatlinburg TN: 6 Delicious Destinations for Pizza, Pasta, and More!
Sometimes the craving hits hard and fast—cheesy, saucy, carb-loaded goodness that only a plate of real-deal Italian can fix. And if it hits while vacationing in the Smokies, tracking down the best Italian restaurant Gatlinburg isn’t optional—it’s a full-blown mission.
Tourist traps are everywhere, but that doesn’t mean settling for frozen fettuccine and sad salad bars. Finding the best Italian restaurant Gatlinburg means skipping the guesswork and going straight for the garlic rolls that locals (and smart visitors) keep gatekeeping.
This is for anyone who’s ever regretted “just grabbing pizza” instead of sitting down somewhere actually worth the calories. The best Italian restaurant Gatlinburg TN isn’t just about food—it’s about the vibe, the sauce-stained napkins, and the full-belly silence that follows a killer bowl of pasta.
We’re talking homemade pastas, bubbling lasagnas, wood-fired pies, and bread baskets that deserve their own awards. Keep scrolling—because these 6 spots are the kind of Italian dreams are made of!
Where Garlic Rolls Steal the Show and Pasta Feels Like a Hug
Best Italian Cafe & Pizzeria in Elks Plaza
No visit to Gatlinburg is complete without a pilgrimage to Best Italian Cafe & Pizzeria in Elks Plaza, home of the famous garlic rolls that might honestly deserve their own zip code. This isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a rite of passage for anyone who takes carbs seriously.
Order the lasagna with meat sauce if you’re in the mood for layers of cheesy, saucy nostalgia, or go for the chicken parmigiana that arrives melty, golden, and big enough to conquer any post-hike hunger. The “Spicy Italian” pizza with pepperoni, sausage, salami, and chili flakes is a solid follow-up move for those who like their crust with a kick.
Want something lighter? The antipasto salad has all the meats, cheeses, and marinated goodness to make even non-salad people rethink everything. And yes—this spot knows families are rolling in after a long day, so their kid’s menu includes crowd-pleasers like buttered noodles, personal pizzas, and even fettuccine Alfredo for the mini foodies.
Everything’s made fresh daily, from the dough to the sauces, which is why locals swear this is the best Italian restaurant Gatlinburg visitors need to try at least once. If you leave without ordering the garlic rolls, don’t worry—someone in your group definitely won’t let you forget it.
Best Italian on the Parkway
Right in the heart of town, Best Italian on the Parkway offers up that same beloved red-sauce energy but with a front-row seat to all the Gatlinburg action. It’s the more tourist-facing sibling of the Elks Plaza location—but sometimes convenience and carbs win.
Here, the fettuccine Alfredo is rich enough to qualify as a comfort blanket, and the spaghetti & meatballs keeps it classic with just the right amount of cheesy drama. Want to carb-stack like a pro? Grab the cheesy bread with marinara dipping sauce—just trust us on that one.
Bonus points for being one of the few Italian spots in town to serve breakfast, which includes omelettes, French toast, and plenty of coffee to recover from last night’s cannoli. It’s a solid stop for families too, with garlic knots, plain pasta, and 8-inch kid’s pizzas that won’t end up going to waste.
Sure, the reviews might tell you the Elks Plaza spot has the edge, but if you’re short on time or parked nearby, the best Italian restaurant in Gatlinburg is still serving up everything from deluxe pies to meatball-loaded pastas with zero judgment. And yes—garlic rolls come standard here too!
Pizza Straight from the Oven and Plenty of Room for the Whole Crew
Big Daddy’s Pizzeria
Don’t be fooled by the playful name! Big Daddy’s Pizzeria takes their wood-fired pizza very seriously. With no freezer on-site and a massive oven roaring at 550 degrees, this place serves up handcrafted pies that taste like they were built by someone who dreams in mozzarella.
Start with the Dough Daddies (basically garlic knots on flavor steroids) or the cheesy spinach artichoke dip, roasted in a terra cotta dish and served with wood-fired flatbread that might steal the spotlight. Their specialty pizzas cover the full personality spectrum—from the smoky, meat-loaded Carnivore to the veggie-packed Herbivore, topped with feta and roasted red peppers.
For something wild (and TikTok-worthy), try the Bee Sting! It’s spicy salami, red pepper flakes, mozzarella, and brown sugar baked to sweet-heat perfection. Traveling with littles? Big Daddy’s kid’s pizza comes with a drink and a cinnamon-sugar Little Daddy for dessert. That’s dinner and bribery handled in one order.
Between the house-made dough, thoughtful toppings, and that glorious char only a wood-fired oven can create, it’s no wonder Big Daddy’s Pizzeria is considered the best Italian restaurant Gatlinburg TN for pizza lovers with a group to feed. Plus, they’ve got an arcade on-site, happy kids = hot pizza for grown-ups.
Luigi’s Pizzeria
It’s not fancy. It’s not trendy. But Luigi’s Pizzeria is the kind of family-owned joint that locals whisper about and visitors stumble into—and immediately wonder why it’s not packed wall-to-wall. Located right on the Parkway, it’s a casual, unassuming spot that wins hearts with its scratch-made dough and just-out-of-the-oven charm.
Start with the deep-fried ravioli or mozzarella sticks if you believe in appetizers that crunch. Then get serious with a Super Supreme Pizza or a build-your-own calzone the size of a small purse. The crust? Golden and chewy with just the right amount of crisp on the edge.
Luigi’s also leans hard into comfort food territory, with baked pastas like chicken parmigiana and lasagna with meat sauce for the non-pizza crew. And yes, they’ve got options for kids—including buttered noodles, cheese pizza, and spaghetti with meatballs—no menu decoding required.
What really sets it apart is the produce, which comes straight from the owner’s family farm. If you’re looking for that cozy, local favorite that delivers on flavor without the fanfare, the best Italian restaurant Gatlinburg TN might just be this quiet little powerhouse with a checkerboard floor and a lot of heart.
Slow-Paced Pasta Nights and a Break from the Gatlinburg Crowds
Ristorante DellaSantina
Ristorante DellaSantina isn’t in the thick of Gatlinburg—and that’s exactly the point. Just a short drive away in Sevierville, this tucked-away gem feels more like a countryside trattoria than a tourist pitstop. It is complete with white tablecloths, real-deal Italian wine, and seafood flown in fresh daily.
Start strong with the fried calamari or bruschetta drizzled in balsamic, then let your server guide you through their sauces—tomato basil, bolognese, Alfredo, Valentino, or pesto—served over your choice of fettuccine, capellini, or rigatoni. The Lasagna, made with grass-fed and Tennessee-raised beef, is a local legend, but the Lobster Ravioli and Shrimp Valentino will have seafood lovers swooning.
Kids aren’t forgotten here either, with a charming menu featuring cheese pizza, fettuccine with tomato basil, or pasta with butter for the purists in training. And yes, they’ll get fresh garlic bread and soup or salad—because even little travelers deserve the full trattoria treatment.
Every bite reflects the family’s heritage (dating back to 1420 in Verona—casual), and it shows in the details: lemon mascarpone cake made in-house, imported gelato, and cocktails like the Peach Green Tea Spritz that go down dangerously easy. For a quiet, elevated evening out, the best Italian restaurant near Gatlinburg TN travelers can find off the main strip is this absolute gem.
DŌ Scratch Made Pizza & Pasta
Don’t let the modern vibes fool you! DŌ Scratch Made Pizza & Pasta takes the term “from scratch” seriously, down to the roasted vegetables, handmade dough, and daily-prepped pasta. It’s the kind of place where date night turns into an accidental three-hour dinner, and you’re not mad about it.
Kick things off with the Meatballs & Toast or the Shrimp Oreganata (garlic breadcrumbs + white wine lemon cream = yes). Their pasta lineup is no slouch, but the Pappardelle Ragu, loaded with veal, pork, and Italian sausage, is the showstopper. And for something lighter? The Caprese salad with buffalo burrata and balsamic reduction is a total flavor bomb.
Pizza-wise, it’s all about Neapolitan-style crusts with just the right chew and char. The Diavola turns up the heat with Genoa salami and Calabrian chilis. While the Pizza Speciale is a full-blown meat-lovers fever dream with beef shoulder and fresh basil.
You won’t find a kid-specific menu, but the Four Cheese Pizza, Spaghetti Pomodoro, and buttered noodles are surefire wins for little diners. From the candlelit ambiance to the layered tiramisu and rotating wine list, the best Italian restaurant near Gatlinburg for a slow, stylish, flavor-forward experience might just be this downtown stunner.
Which One Will You Be Twirling Your Fork Into First?
Whether you’re chasing the perfect garlic roll or scouting out a cozy plate of chicken parm, your next meal at the best Italian restaurant Gatlinburg is waiting to be devoured. These six spots prove you don’t have to cross an ocean to find real Italian flavor tucked into the Smoky Mountains.
While you’re still riding that pasta high, now’s the time to start planning your next move—like building out your itinerary for a Gatlinburg escape. You can bundle your stay, snag tickets, and score serious savings on Gatlinburg attractions, shows, and hotels. Grab one of the discounted vacation packages through Tripster.
Let’s be honest: your vacation deserves to be just as satisfying as your dinner. From bubbling lasagna to behind-the-scenes dinner theaters, every part of this trip should feel worth the calories and the PTO. Don’t wait until your suitcase smells like marinara—start planning the fun now!
What Are The Best Italian Restaurant Gatlinburg FAQs?
Where can I find wood-fired pizza in Gatlinburg?
Big Daddy’s Pizzeria is known for its Neapolitan-style, wood-fired pies made with handcrafted dough and fresh toppings. Their oven-fired flavor and family-style seating make it a favorite for groups.
Is there a more upscale Italian restaurant near Gatlinburg for date night?
Ristorante DellaSantina in Sevierville offers a more refined Italian dining experience with house-made pastas, seafood, and an impressive wine list. It’s a great choice if you want a quieter atmosphere away from the crowds.
Which Italian restaurant in Gatlinburg has the best garlic rolls?
Best Italian Cafe & Pizzeria in Elks Plaza is locally famous for its signature garlic rolls, baked fresh daily and topped with garlic, herbs, and cheese. They’re so good they often sell out during peak hours.
Are there vegetarian-friendly Italian restaurants in Gatlinburg?
Yes, Luigi’s Pizzeria and DŌ Scratch Made Pizza & Pasta both offer multiple meat-free options like veggie pizzas, stuffed shells, and salads. Most spots are also flexible with substitutions.
Can I get Italian food delivered in Gatlinburg?
Some restaurants like Luigi’s Pizzeria offer delivery within a limited radius, especially in the evenings. For wider delivery coverage, consider using local food delivery apps or checking with your hotel concierge.
Do any of the Italian restaurants in Gatlinburg serve gluten-free options?
Several places, including Best Italian on the Parkway and DŌ, offer gluten-friendly pizza crusts and pasta alternatives. Always double-check with your server for cross-contamination info if you’re sensitive.
Is there parking available at the top Italian restaurants in Gatlinburg?
Yes, Best Italian Cafe in Elks Plaza has on-site parking, and Big Daddy’s Pizzeria locations typically have dedicated lots. Restaurants right on the Parkway may require nearby paid parking or public lots.
Are reservations required at these Italian restaurants?
Most spots are walk-in friendly, but Ristorante DellaSantina strongly recommends reservations, especially on weekends. If you’re traveling during peak season, it’s always smart to call ahead.
Can I combine my Italian dining with Tripster vacation deals?
While dining isn’t bundled, you can save on Gatlinbrug attractions, shows, and hotels through vacation packages through Tripster. That means more budget for dessert—and maybe another round of garlic rolls.
