Top 10 Best Restaurants in Gatlinburg TN

A list of the top 10 best places to eat in Gatlinburg, TN. This list of restaurants in Gatlinburg are the best places to eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner on your next vacation to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

When you visit Gatlinburg, Tennessee, it’s always fun and exciting to find the best places to eat throughout the area. There are definitely a lot of places to eat in Gatlinburg and you can only eat so many times during your visit, so you’ll want to find the best places while you’re planning! So how do you go about figuring out where to eat? You could ask the employees at the places you visit where they like to eat. You could read the various review websites. Or you could get the best of both worlds and simply check out our top 10 restaurants in Gatlinburg TN by the people who live and work in Gatlinburg as well as the visitors who have shared numerous opinions.

We’ve compiled a list of the best places to eat in Gatlinburg, TN with restaurants that you won’t find back home. Every restaurant in this list is unique to the area so you have a dining experience that doesn’t compare to anything you’ve had anywhere else. You won’t find chain restaurants or “fast food” in this list. Most of the restaurants listed are owned and operated by locals who share a love for excellent food.

1. The Peddler

Location: 820 River Road, Gatlinburg

Phone: (865) 436-5794

Read more about The Peddler: Places to Eat: The Peddler

Official website: peddlerparkgrill.com

2. The Best Italian on the Parkway

Location: 710 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Phone: (865) 436-4345

Official website: bestitalian.com

3. Log Cabin Pancake House

Location: 327 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg

Phone: (865) 436-7894

Official website: logcabinpancakehouse.com

4. Smoky Mountain Brewery

Location: 1004 Parkway #501, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Phone: (865) 436-4200

Official website: smoky-mtn-brewery.com

5. Calhoun’s BBQ

Location: 1004 Parkway #101, Gatlinburg

Phone: (865) 436-4100

Official website: calhouns.com

6. Cherokee Grill

Location: 1002 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Phone: (865) 436-4287

Official website: cherokeegrill.com

7. Pancake Pantry

Location: 628 Parkway, Gatlinburg

Phone: (865) 436-4724

Official website: pancakepantry.com

8. Wild Plum Tea Room

Location: 555 Buckhorn Road, Gatlinburg TN, 37738

Phone: (865) 436-3808

Official website: wildplumtearoom.com

9. Donut Friar

Location: 634 Parkway #15, Gatlinburg TN, 37738

Phone: (865) 436-7306

Official Facebook Page: Donut Friar on Facebook

10. Park Grill

Location: 1110 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Phone: (865) 436-2300

Official website: parkgrillgatlinburg.com

If you have Gatlinburg restaurant reviews or thoughts about any of our top 10 restaurants in Gatlinburg TN, please share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Spending time in Pigeon Forge, too? We have also put together a list of the best places to eat in Pigeon Forge, TN, so be sure to check that out, too!

53 thoughts on “Top 10 Best Restaurants in Gatlinburg TN”

  1. I NEVER KNEW THIS WEBSITE EXISTED. I LIKE TO VISIT GATLINBURG AND PIGEON FORGE ALL OF THE TIME. WHEN I GET THERE, IT’S VERY OVERWHELMING AND YOU CAN NEVER KNOW FOR SURE WHICH RESTAURANT IS GOOD OR THE EXPENSE OF IT FOR YOUR FAMILY. I BELIEVE THIS WEBSITE WILL HELP ME ON MY NEXT TRIP TO CHOOSE A GOOD PLACE FOR MY FAMILY TO EAT.

  2. I am so glad to find this information about Galinburg! My daughter and I plan to visit in early June. We have never traveled to this area before. The two of us take a vacation each year and are so excited about visiting Gatlinburg! She is 15 and we have found many activities and events from this site which we plan to put on our agenda because we read about them here. Thanks for the great info.

  3. We love Gatlinburg!!! My family and I have visiting every year for at least 10 years. Our FAVORITE place to eat is Bennett’s. We go there for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner on most days we are there!!!!

  4. Just got back from Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg yesterday. Went to the spring Rod Run and had a great time. Visited the Smoky Mtn. Brewery for supper Friday night. Very good meal.

  5. We have visited Gatlinburg and the surrounding area for many years and truly love the area. We are planning a trip in June with family and friends. There is usually around 12 or more in our group. Your website will make our visit more enjoyable. Thank you for all the information.

  6. I think the Apple Barn restaurant in Pigeon forge is one of the best….and whatever nyou do do’t miss Dixie Stampede

  7. The Park Grill is a very nice experience. We aren’t much for salad bars, but this one is great, atmosphere is really super down to the piano bar. The same pianist has been there every time we have been there. Within walking distance of the hotels in Gatlinburg, decorated with the “Smokies” in mind.

  8. we go to gatlinburg about 4 times a year, we did not the seafood resturant on parkway, I think it was called linebergers, very expensive,and we still hungry when we left.

  9. We ate at Calhoun’s. It was okay. Nothing to write home about. We also tried The Best Itlain Restaurant. The pizza is very good and big. The other items on the menu are a bit pricey so, we ordered the pizza. It turned out to be a great choice. We also visted La Carreta Mexican Restaurant it was very good also and they have a great lunch menu with great prices to go along with it.

  10. My husband & I took our very first vacation to Gatlinburg & have been going there ever since, like 8 years. There is so much to do that you never do the same things over & over, unless you want to !! Everything is always updating so it always fun. It’s also the most relaxing & beautiful place to go. Unfortunately, this year we can not go & are very very sad !!

  11. I ate at Lineberger’s once as well! The food was o.k. but definitely not worth the price. The waitress was very un friendly & rude!! I would definitely not recommend this restaurant to anyone. Some of the people that work there just act so high maintenance. I can’t stand that type of atmosphere!

  12. WOW! I can’t believe that The Alamo is not listed as 1 of the top 10. It is a little pricey but worth every penny. You can also get the same menu items at lunch time at a much slimmer price. Best steaks and chicken terakyi I’ve ever eaten.

  13. Park Grill is always a favorite. I love the lodge style atmosphere, and it has the best salad bar anywhere. Great steaks as well.

    Skip Linebergers. Had much better food at Bubba Gump’s!

  14. OMG Lineberger`s seafood… YUMMY!!!
    great food (i had Stuffed SALMON)! Very friendly service!
    $2 giant 24oz draft BEER … Can`t find a better deal!!!

  15. My family visits Gatlinburg every Christmas. We love the atmosphere and scenery! We are from way,down south on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and never get to see snow! I agree with most of your top 10 picks but was surprised to see Dixie Stampede and Apple Barn left off the list. Those are both well worth the money! 🙂

  16. I cannot believe the Apple Barn was left off this list. Not only should it have been on the list, but it should have been number 1. I love that place…..

  17. I have to agree that the Apple Barn should be on the list. Cherokee Grill is also one of my favorites. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have been our favorite vacation spot for years and each trip just gets better. Forget the beach!!!

  18. None of the places you recommend were ever recommended to us. We did eat at the Woodfire Grill, great price and good food, the service was very good as well. We also ate at Corky’s, the best ribs in town, NOT. The ribs were uncooked, still bloody and my granddaughter’s steak was charred.(asked for it to be cooked medium) We should have left on arrival when we noticed how dirty it was. Papers on the floor, tables not cleaned, just figured it was a busy day. I now know that it was not!!!!!!!
    Woodfire Grill Yes Corky’s NO WAY

  19. The Applewood restaurants are not in Gatlinburg which might explain them not being on the list. I cannot, however, believe that The Greenbriar is not on this list. It’s very old school and wonderful.

  20. When you are looking for great food and out of the way then go to the Park Vista. This hotel’s restaurant is fantastic and the prices are great also. They have a great breakfast buffet and their dinners are a class act at a great price.

    On to the next suggestion: We used to go to Gatlinburg every other weekend so we have been around the block up there a time or two. One year we went up there around Christmas and visited Howards our first night. It was wonderful, we each got a surf and turf that was absolutely fantastic and the price was very reasonable for what we got. On this same trip the very next night we went to TGIF’s and for the same price as Howards we got a terrible meal. The next Christmas season we will visit Howards instead of TGIF.

    If you like Mexican Food then we recommend La Carretas up Light number 8 next to Microtel Hotel. They have great food at a very reasonable price. We visit this restaurant once every time we visit.

    We hope this helps

  21. A nice place, the waiter was great, friendly and helpful.
    The only problem,(2 years ago), was there on Monday after Thanksgiving, order the pulled chicken sandwich and it was chicken. Left-over turkey, we didn’t complain, cause like I said everything else was fine.

  22. I haven’t been to but one of the restaurants listed – The Peddler Steakhouse. Hands down, the best place I have ever eaten in Gatlinburg. It was recommended by some locals, and they definitely knew what they were talking about. We go to Gatlinburg often and will definitely be eating at The Peddler again.

  23. Does anyone remmeber the Burning Bush retaurant in Gatlinburg? I’m heading that way tomorrow, and can hardly wait. I still have the menu from the Burning Bush, but don’t think they are in business anymore. Any suggestions for great southern breakfast?

  24. Looked at these reviews and tripadvisor.com reviews. Dolce Uva Wine Bar Cafe is listed #1 on tripadvisor. This restaurant is a must try in Gatlinburg. Great food and value and not as crazy crowded as the chain restaurants such as Cherokee Grille and Smokey Mountain Brewery. It’s on the main strip in Gatlinburg just down from Hard Rock Cafe. They have entertainment on the weekends as well. This is the place to go to save a few dollars and eat healthy, fresh food!

  25. BEST FOOD..TASTE of India….I visited this Indian Restaurant and the place was great, food was excellent and staff was very friendly. Awesome chicken and curries I have ever tasted….It should make it to NUMBER 1 place in no time….I bet.. a must try if you are in that area….

  26. Bubba Gumps is the best place we have ever ate and we go every year and have tried tons of restaurants.

  27. We go to Gatlinburg every year, we just discovered Alamo last year, it’s hands down the best steak house in Gatlinburg! For lunch you must try sweet pea’s cafe,(used to be desserts and more), it’s the best lunch spot.

  28. Hello, The Applewood Restaurant is on the PIGEON FORGE top ten list.. not the gatlinburg one. Believe me i have been going thru reviews and restaurants all day because i am planning my short weekend down there and the applwood farmhouse is number one on the pigeon forge top ten list not the gatlinburg. It has not been forgotten about.. just wrong list! Thanks!

  29. One of the best kept secrets in town has to be the Brick Oven. Best Italian has very good food, but I love Brick Oven!!!! Everything is great there. Love the white sauce pizza. Calzones are awesome! Lasagna, spaghetti – it’s all great! Lunch sandwiches are good, too!

    Ogles Brick Oven
    702 East Parkway
    Gatlinburg, TN

  30. Best Italian pizza was awsome. We looked around for Volunteer Pizza but it must have gone out of business.
    Bubba Gumps, fun for the kids and food was pretty good. Bennets BBQ not bad, not great.
    But hey its a tourist resort town and the food is better and cheaper than Disney. If you are looking for great food you don’t come to Gatlinburg. Just my thoughts as a restaurant owner myself.

  31. I love going to the Donut Friar early in the morning or late in the evening and eating outside around the fountain at the village. I love the atmosphere!

  32. Smokey Mountain Brewery should be number 1. I recently went to Gatlinburg for the first time I loved it! On vacation I always try to eat at new places and I try to stay away from big chain restaurants. Smokey Mountain Brewery was amazing see i’m picky about steaks I never order them because they always tend to be horrible but I ordered the Ale Steak and it was the best steak I have ever ate! Also try the soft pretzels and beer cheese its AMAZING. For lunch one day we went to Smokys Pub and Grub its a local dive bar its amazing if you like southern good cheap southern food go to Smokys. The have a hillbilly burger which is a thick cut of fried bologna. Calhouns is also another place you should check out good BBQ and they make their own Caesar dressing which is the best Caesar dressing I have ever had!

  33. For the person askingabout the Burning Bush in Gatl . , it is not there anymore ! But I remember it well , AMAZING food ! Been going to Gatl. since 1972 and love it ! My fav . place to eat in Gatl. is the Pancake Pantry , and I always get the British Dipper . OMG , if I don’t eat this when we go I feel like I have not been to Gatl. Then go next door to get a caramel apple . Next in Pigeon Forge , we like to eat at the Apple Barn and Calhoun’s . Wanting to try Bullfish this time . Another place we like is The Ole Mill . But make sure you are hungry and go EARLY , so you don’t have to wait . We only go here when we rent the cabin for a week , so we can take leftovers back and eat the next day . Also , another place in Pigeon Forge we like to eat at Mel’s Diner . Love it ! But my ALL TIME FAV. is Pancake Pantry !!!! You have to try it !

  34. We really like eating at the mellow mushroom…they have great pizza’s and it is a family friendly… We also like the pancake pantry… their crepes are to die for… so good!!! And def. agree old mill is great but it is alot of food… either go hungry or havea fridge to put your leftovers in… Bullfish grill was good… not great but good… alamo by far was way better…

  35. Does anyone know a great place that serves Rainbow Trout? The Burning Bush, when open, was fantastic for breakfast and we always had the trout.

  36. Try Howard’s in Gatlinburg, the Apple Barn in Pigeon Forge, or the English Mountain Trout Farm if they’re still in business.

  37. If you want good food, a great location, and the only hand crafted beer in Gatlinburg, the Smoky Mountain Brewery is it. Plus, it’s where all the AT thru-hikers hang out. 2nd is the Fox & Parrot in the Arts/Crafts district.

  38. I have been going to Gatlinburg every year about 3 times a year since well before I was even born, so maybe I’m just a extremely loyal customer but I cant understand how in the world the Pancake Pantry is number 7 on the list and another pancake place comes before them. That is baffling to me. And where is the Alamo they have better prices than the Park Grill or the peddler and they are better than those two restaurant IMO. Not saying that the peddler or park grill are not amazing them selves. I guess if I did the top ten it would be much different, this is obviously based on some ones personal opinion, if it was based on sales or customers I don’t think there is a place for 100 miles from Gatlinburg that has a line out the door and around the corner with people waiting gladly to get in to the Pancake Pantry.

  39. the alamo in gatlinburg is great. we go for lunch because it’s cheaper. they usually have a coupon to. always stop at huck finns place in pigeon forge. very good. the pancake house in pigeon forge at the very end of the strip going toward gatlinburg. it’s on the left. old mill is great. corn dogs at fanny farkles downtown gatlinburg are very good. had a burger at howard’s and it was very good. it is in gatlinburg.

  40. We went to Smoky Mountain Brewery last night for dinner. It was truly disgusting. It’s a complete grease pit with every food item bathed in grease. Gross. The environment was also loud and obnoxious making it difficult to have any normal conversation.

  41. Hi,
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    I was looking for blog posts about Parkview to share on our site and I came across your post…If you’re open to it, shoot me an email at jane(at)dwellable(dot)com.
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  42. My husband and I have been going to the Smoky Mountain Brewery for 12 yrs. We enjoy going there so much, that sometimes we drive up there just for dinner. (We live 3 hrs away) I love the atmosphere and the food…can always find something good to eat!

  43. I have been to the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area several times over the last 15 years and my favorite restaraunt has to be Park Grill. I love the food and the atmosphere as well, but to be fair, I have never had bad food or service anywhere in the area I’ve eaten.

  44. I love going to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge. We love to eat at Mels Dinner and The Wood Grill buffet. I’ve been wanting to eat at Bubba Gump and this summer I am making it a point to eat there !!

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