8 Restaurants Open Thanksgiving Day in Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg stays open on Thanksgiving Day — most of the town's restaurants operate on the holiday, and the combination of mountain air, a full Parkway dinner, and a cabin fireplace to come back to makes for a genuinely good Thanksgiving. As with Christmas Day, hours vary and some spots close, so calling ahead or checking Google hours before you go is always the right move. Here are eight restaurants worth planning around.

Cherokee Grill

Cherokee Grill is one of Gatlinburg's most beloved steakhouses — a mountain dining room with warm, rustic character and a menu built around prime cuts, Tennessee whiskey sauces, and hearty sides. A Thanksgiving dinner here has the right atmosphere: candlelit, unhurried, and unmistakably Smoky Mountain. Reservations strongly advisable on Thanksgiving Day; call ahead to confirm holiday hours and availability.

Calhoun's

Calhoun's on the Little Pigeon River is one of the most reliably open and consistently good restaurants in Gatlinburg through the holiday season. Hickory-smoked ribs, steaks, burgers, and Southern sides in a comfortable riverside setting that works for family groups of any size. Thanksgiving Day is typically part of their regular operating calendar; confirm current hours before heading over.

The Peddler Steakhouse

The Peddler Steakhouse is the most iconic dining experience in Gatlinburg — a pioneer cabin on the Little Pigeon River with a tableside steak cart, hickory charcoal grill, and a loaded salad bar included with every entrée. A Thanksgiving dinner at The Peddler is the kind of meal that becomes a tradition: the river outside the windows, the fireplace rooms, and the ceremony of choosing your own cut from the rolling cart all make it memorable. The Peddler is closed on Mondays but is typically open Thanksgiving Thursday; confirm and reserve well in advance — it fills completely on the holiday.

Chesapeake's Seafood and Raw Bar

Chesapeake's at 437 Parkway is the best seafood option in Gatlinburg — fresh-daily catch with a riverside patio and one of the more serious bar programs in town. For anyone who wants Thanksgiving dinner that isn't a traditional turkey plate, Chesapeake's delivers the alternative: fresh seafood, grilled fish, raw oysters, and a full cocktail menu. Typically open on Thanksgiving; reservations are strongly advised and fill early on the holiday. Confirm current hours before your visit.

The Park Grill

The Park Grill in downtown Gatlinburg is known for its handcrafted Tennessee mountain dining — locally sourced ingredients, regional specialties, and an atmosphere that celebrates the Appalachian cooking tradition. The menu features dishes that feel appropriate for a holiday meal: roasted meats, hearty sides, and genuine mountain cooking technique. Reservations are advisable; call ahead to confirm Thanksgiving Day hours and availability.

Ole Red Gatlinburg

Ole Red Gatlinburg is the right call if you want Thanksgiving dinner with live country music built in. Blake Shelton's multi-level venue runs live acts from early afternoon through the evening on major holidays, with a full menu of Southern food and cocktails. The rooftop deck with mountain views is the best outdoor seat in the building on clear holiday evenings. Walk-in friendly most nights, though reservations are available for the restaurant floor on high-demand evenings like Thanksgiving. Confirm current hours and holiday entertainment schedule at oleRedgatlinburg.com.

Smoky Mountain Brewery

Smoky Mountain Brewery is a family-friendly brewpub with housemade craft beers and a broad menu — burgers, pizza, sandwiches, wings — that satisfies different preferences in a single group without much negotiation. The atmosphere is casual and lively rather than formal, which works well for families who want a relaxed Thanksgiving dinner rather than a reservation-required experience. Typically open on Thanksgiving Day; confirm current hours before visiting.

The Greenbrier Restaurant

The Greenbrier is the most ambitious restaurant in Gatlinburg — a 1930s hunting lodge converted into a farm-to-table steakhouse with in-house dry-aged beef, seasonal Appalachian-influenced dishes, and one of the most serious bourbon and whiskey selections in the Smokies. For a Thanksgiving dinner that feels genuinely special rather than routine, The Greenbrier is the right call. Reservations are essential; book as early as possible. Call ahead to confirm Thanksgiving Day hours, as the kitchen operates a limited-day schedule that varies by year.

Frequently asked questions

Are most Gatlinburg restaurants open on Thanksgiving?

Most are — Gatlinburg is a year-round tourism destination and Thanksgiving week is one of its busiest periods. The restaurants most reliably open are the full-service tourist-district spots; some locally-owned smaller establishments close for the holiday. Always call ahead or check Google hours on the specific day, as holiday schedules shift year to year.

Do Gatlinburg restaurants take Thanksgiving Day reservations?

The upscale options — The Peddler, The Greenbrier, and Chesapeake's in particular — strongly recommend reservations on Thanksgiving Day and fill completely. Ole Red accepts reservations for the restaurant floor. Calhoun's and Smoky Mountain Brewery are generally walk-in friendly, though waits on Thanksgiving Day can be significant; arriving before 5 PM reduces the wait.