Top 7 Outdoor Dining Restaurants in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

Outdoor dining in the Smokies ranges from a rooftop bar above Pigeon Forge to a creekside patio that Gatlinburg's oldest restaurant has been running since 1946. Here are seven spots worth sitting outside at.

Howard's Restaurant — Gatlinburg

Howard's at 976 Parkway has been Gatlinburg's oldest restaurant since 1946, and the creekside patio is the reason many visitors specifically seek it out. The patio overlooks Le Conte Creek as it runs through downtown Gatlinburg — a genuinely scenic outdoor setting with string lights, umbrellas, and a covered pergola that makes it operable rain or shine and comfortable in cooler months. The menu covers hand-cut steaks, house-made burgers from prime steak trimmings, fresh mountain trout, and traditional Southern entrees. Dog-friendly on the patio. Open daily.

Loco Burro — Gatlinburg

Loco Burro in Gatlinburg is a Mexican cantina with a deck and outdoor seating that makes it a natural warm-weather stop on the Parkway corridor. The menu runs fresh guacamole, tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and a full bar with margaritas and craft cocktails. The casual, colorful atmosphere works well for groups and families who want a livelier outdoor experience than the quieter patio restaurants. A reliable lunch and dinner stop for visitors who want Mexican food with a view of the surrounding mountain town energy.

Old Mill Pottery House Café & Grille — Pigeon Forge

The Old Mill Pottery House Café & Grille in Historic Old Mill Square occupies the upper floor of the pottery building on the Little Pigeon River — a dining room and patio with direct views of the waterwheel and the river below. The menu covers Southern sandwiches, soups, and plates served on handmade pottery made in the adjacent studio. The outdoor seating along the river has some of the most genuinely peaceful views in Pigeon Forge — away from the Parkway traffic, alongside the sound of the river and the turning wheel. A strong lunch stop on any Old Mill Square visit.

Azul Cantina Rooftop Bar — Pigeon Forge

Azul Cantina at the Mountain Mile complex in Pigeon Forge runs the first rooftop bar in Pigeon Forge — a four-season outdoor bar with mountain views above the Tower Shops. The Tex-Mex menu is built around a wood-fire Argentinian gaucho grill and made-from-scratch recipes: birria empanadas, scratch tortillas, wood-grilled proteins, and cocktails with top-shelf tequilas and the house agave spirits. The rooftop setting makes it a natural evening destination — the view over the surrounding Pigeon Forge area is better at elevation than from any Parkway-level patio. Open daily.

Jason Aldean's Kitchen + Rooftop Bar — Gatlinburg

Jason Aldean's Kitchen + Rooftop Bar in Gatlinburg is the highest outdoor bar on the Gatlinburg Parkway — a rooftop venue above the restaurant's second-floor dining area with live music, mountain views, and a menu of bar-focused food (loaded fries, shareable starters, burgers) distinct from the full kitchen menu below. The outdoor rooftop seats are umbrella-shaded with bench seating; the sound system is consistently praised for carrying the live band clearly outside. A lively evening option for visitors who want outdoor seating with entertainment rather than quiet patio dining.

Cliff Top Restaurant at Anakeesta — Gatlinburg

Cliff Top Restaurant at Anakeesta is the highest outdoor dining option in Gatlinburg — a mountaintop restaurant accessible via the Crystal Express gondola or the Ridge Rambler vehicle tour from the Parkway base. The outdoor terrace at Cliff Top puts you above the Gatlinburg valley with the national park ridgelines stretching behind it. The menu covers flatbreads, burgers, salads, and mountain-themed entrees. Anakeesta admission is required to access Cliff Top; the outdoor dining experience is included within the park admission framework. Best on a clear day when the full valley panorama is visible.

Old Mill Restaurant — Pigeon Forge

The Old Mill Restaurant in Historic Old Mill Square has outdoor seating along the Little Pigeon River — a quieter alternative to the Parkway strip, with the working waterwheel and the river as the backdrop. The menu covers the Southern staples the Old Mill Square is known for: pot roast, corn chowder, country fried chicken, and grits made from stone-ground corn at the adjacent mill. The riverside setting and the historic character of the complex make outdoor seating here feel genuinely removed from the commercial Parkway energy, even though it's minutes away.

Frequently asked questions

Which outdoor dining spot has the best views?

Cliff Top at Anakeesta for the highest mountain panorama — you're above the Gatlinburg valley looking south into the national park. Azul Cantina's rooftop in Pigeon Forge for the best elevated view over the Pigeon Forge corridor. Jason Aldean's rooftop for Parkway-level mountain views with live music. Howard's creekside patio for the most peaceful Gatlinburg outdoor setting at street level.

Are any of these outdoor dining spots dog-friendly?

Howard's Restaurant in Gatlinburg explicitly welcomes dogs on its creekside patio. Always call ahead to confirm current pet policy before arriving with a dog, as policies can change. Anakeesta does not permit pets in the park.