Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are ideal for planning the perfect dual-destination Smoky Mountain getaway. Being only a 3.5 hour drive from Nashville is a bonus! And because the dining options can be a little overwhelming, we’ve put together a guide to the best places to eat in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
This guide covers the best places to eat in:
Both towns are a meat lover’s dream– Tennessee takes barbecue seriously (along with sides like creamy mac and cheese and fresh slaw).
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge also offer upscale options featuring artisanal dishes made with high-quality ingredients.
To get the most out of the Smoky Mountains dining scene and activities, book a vacation rental that makes both towns easily accessible– we recommend our 100 Collection™ partner, Mountain Laurel Chalets.
327 Airport Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 | 322 Airport Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
The Log Cabin Pancake House is a local favorite due to its cozy, rustic surroundings and fantastic breakfast food. Locally owned since 1979, this spot serves scratch-made pancakes, homemade syrups, and country classics inside a genuine antique log cabin, complete with a stone fireplace for chilly mountain mornings.
Crowd favorites include the pecan pancakes, blackberry cobbler crepes, pigs in blankets, and biscuits with sausage gravy. They also have Burgers, melts, BLTs, and club sandwiches, which are served alongside the griddle menu all day. Portions are generous, prices are fair for the Parkway area, and free on-site parking makes it an easy first stop of the day.
1004 Parkway Suite 401, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
For your morning caffeine fix, an afternoon pick-me-up, or dessert any time of day, this woman-owned shop near the Gatlinburg Convention Center pairs handcrafted espresso drinks with hand-dipped ice cream. The beans come from Kaldi Gourmet Roasters, a family-owned roastery, and are roasted fresh each week.
820 River Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
The Peddler prides itself on being “built on tradition.” Located in a historic log cabin full of original elements (such as its stone chimney), it's best known for naturally aged, Certified Angus Beef steaks grilled over real Tennessee hickory charcoal. The signature experience: your steak is hand-cut tableside to the exact size you want.
Most steaks run $30 to $45 and come with the famous fresh salad bar; the menu also includes mountain trout and marinated chicken for non-steak eaters. Ask for a river-view table overlooking the Little Pigeon River, and book ahead. Dinner service starts at 5 PM, and tables fill fast in peak season.
370 Newman Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Surrounded by mountain greenery, the Greenbrier Restaurant serves sophisticated appetizers and thoughtful mains in a moody, rustic-luxe setting just off the beaten path. This chef-driven kitchen is one of the few in the area with an in-house dry-aging program for its hand-cut prime steaks.
Start with the short rib marmalade with fresh herbs and toasted baguette (around $18), then move on to steaks, chops, venison, duck, or seafood, with mains priced in fine dining territory. The craft cocktail list is a show in its own right; regulars swear by “The Dylan.” They are on closed Mondays, and dinner service fills up quickly, so reserve in advance.
1305 Dolly Parton Pkwy, Sevierville, TN 37862
Perfect for a lunchtime BBQ pit stop! Delauder's is a down-to-earth, family-owned favorite that earned a spot on Travel + Leisure's list of America's Top 25 Best Places for Barbecue. Everything is smoked fresh each morning in limited batches, so the pulled pork, brisket, and ribs sell out fast. Try the Sneaky Pig sandwich with sweet habanero sauce, the loaded BBQ baked potato, or the five-meat sampler (a three-meat platter runs about $35). They are open only from Thursday through Sunday. Check their Facebook page for hours before you go!
1004 Parkway #101, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Calhoun's serves comfort-food classics in a mountain-lodge atmosphere right on the Parkway. This East Tennessee institution is best known for its award-winning hickory-smoked baby-back ribs, but the menu runs deep, with hand-cut steaks, pulled pork, burgers, and fresh-ground hamburgers.
Start with creative takes on American favorites like the fried onion loaf, spinach artichoke dip, fried green tomatoes, or loaded potato skins, all great for sharing over lunch or a casual dinner at moderate, family-friendly prices. Reservations are recommended for parties of eight or more, and free parking with a receipt is a rare perk in downtown Gatlinburg.
3526 Parkway #4, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Smokies Cuban Cafe offers traditional Cuban entrees and sandwiches in a casual, family-owned environment with countertop and table seating. The pressed Cuban sandwich (around $12) with sweet ham, roast pork, Swiss, pickles, and mustard is the star, backed up by ropa vieja, masitas de puerco (fried pork chunks with mojo), and ham and cheese croquettes.
Do not skip the cafecito, a bold Cuban espresso shot, or the guava and cheese pastry on your way out. You can also snag a fresh tropical juice or smoothie. Prices are budget-friendly, with most plates under $12. This local favorite is closed on Sundays and Mondays and can get busy, so arrive early. It's worth the wait.
2655 Teaster Ln #280, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Ideal for adults-only travel groups, Junction 35 is Tennessee's first distillery restaurant, located at the Mountain Mile. The working distillery turns out small-batch bourbon, rye, whiskey, moonshine, vodka, gin, tequila, and rum, and the craft cocktail bar puts all of it to good use.
The kitchen holds its own with the Smokehouse Mac, Tennessee Brisket Dip, shrimp and grits, firecracker shrimp, and fried green tomatoes with hot honey. Expect moderate prices, with most plates in the casual dinner range. Save room for the peach moonshine cobbler or chocolate bourbon brownie. Families and dogs are welcome, and there's a second location in Sevierville if it's closer to your rental.
2430 Teaster Ln #108, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
The Blue Moose is a family-friendly restaurant and sports bar, serving East Tennessee since 2007. Stop by for award-winning jumbo wings in more than 15 sauces (honey garlic and mesquite are standouts); hand-pattied Angus burgers like the Farmhouse Burger and Moose's Big Daddy Mac'N Cheeseburger, plus pulled pork nachos and fried pickles.
It's one of the best budget picks in town. Almost nothing on the menu costs more than $20, aside from the big wing platters, and weekly specials sweeten the deal. With 30+ TVs, it's the spot to catch a game, and there's now a sister location on the Parkway in Gatlinburg, too.
2530 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Self-described as “a cross between a ski lodge and a Bavarian beer hall,” this brewery in Lumberjack Square is East Tennessee's original craft brewery. Six flagship beers stay on tap year-round, joined by four rotating seasonals and a Brewmaster Special that changes every few weeks.
The food ranges from wood-fired pizzas (try the Thunder Road chicken pie with blue cheese crumbles), calzones, brewery wings, and the Brewery Ale steak marinated in Cherokee Red Ale. Prices sit in the moderate range for pizzas and pub plates; there's a full gluten-free menu, plus live music, trivia, and 20+ screens for game day. Grab a growler to take back to your cabin.
1638 Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862
If you are looking for a perfect combo, you must try Hearty farmers' breakfasts with thick-cut bacon and Griddle cakes soaked in maple syrup, topped with Barbecue and classic Southern sides. Five Oaks Farm Kitchen offers all this and more from 8 AM straight through supper, in a big farmhouse-style dining room just up the road from Pigeon Forge.
Order Blanche's Thick “Ring Baked” Griddle Cakes topped with warm cherries jubilee or bananas and brown sugar, or go savory with a Harvest Morning Bounty plate loaded with eggs, stone-ground grits, field potatoes, a scratch-made biscuit, and sausage gravy. Supper brings fried chicken plates around $21 and a full rack of ribs around $29. Portions are big enough for two, and the cinnamon rolls are legendary.
3331 Old Mill St, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
For coffee, tea, smoothies, and fresh-baked pastries in a cozy environment, curl up at this little shop in the Old Mill District, a quiet escape from the Parkway crowds. Fan-favorite orders include the lavender latte and the cookie butter latte, plus warm cinnamon pastries made in house.
In addition to coffeehouse treats, the shop offers rocking chairs by the window and board games, great for a quiet afternoon bonding with family and friends. Heads up: the shop has changed hands and some signage now reads “Lucky Brews,” but it's the same cozy spot at the same address.
Keep your Smoky Mountain adventure rustic by day and refined by night– book your Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge Vacation rental with our partner Mountain Laurel Chalets
Conveniently located in Gatlinburg (and close to Pigeon Forge), Mountain Laurel Chalets is family-owned and allows you to choose from a variety of different home sizes.
For small groups, consider a cozy two-bedroom. And if you’re planning a group retreat or larger family gathering, reserve a spacious, wood-paneled lodge. Each property offers tasteful decor, luxe textiles, plenty of natural lighting, chef-ready kitchens, and gorgeous views.
Amenities vary by property and can include high-end bedding and linens, game rooms, clubhouse and community pool access, outdoor lounge spaces, hot tubs… and a free Dollywood ticket per booking!
