Top 6 Upscale Restaurants in Gatlinburg TN

Gatlinburg's upscale dining scene is small but consistent — a handful of restaurants that have earned loyal followings over decades, serving the kind of meal worth making a reservation for. Here are six worth knowing about before your visit.

The Greenbrier Restaurant

The Greenbrier Restaurant at 370 Newman Road is one of the most distinctive dining rooms in Gatlinburg — a historic lodge built as a hunting retreat that now houses a full-service upscale restaurant with an Appalachian character that larger hotel restaurants can't replicate. The kitchen dry-ages and hand-cuts its own steaks, and the menu extends to venison, lamb, salmon, and lobster alongside the steak program. The cocktail, spirits, and wine list is extensive, and the restaurant maintains a cigar menu for guests who want to finish the evening on the porch. The Greenbrier is off the main Parkway — the setting is quieter and more genuinely historic than anything on the strip. Reservations strongly recommended for dinner.

The Peddler Steakhouse

The Peddler Steakhouse on River Road is Gatlinburg's most established upscale steakhouse — a riverside restaurant that has been a Gatlinburg institution for decades, built over the west prong of the Little Pigeon River. The salad bar is famously considered one of the best in the region — a genuine draw rather than an afterthought. The steaks are hand-cut and grilled to order, and the menu covers salmon, chicken, and seafood alongside the beef program. The riverside setting, the wood interior, and the long-running reputation make the Peddler the de facto special-occasion restaurant for Gatlinburg visitors who want a proper steakhouse experience. Reservations are essential on weekend evenings during peak season.

Cherokee Grill & Steakhouse

Cherokee Grill & Steakhouse offers one of the broadest upscale menus in Gatlinburg — steaks, seafood, Tennessee-style barbecue, and a rotating daily specials board that draws on seasonal and local ingredients. Gluten-free options are available throughout the menu, which gives it an advantage for groups with dietary restrictions. The Smoky Mountain trout — prepared several ways and a signature of the Appalachian dining tradition — is available here alongside classic steakhouse cuts and seafood. The format is upscale casual: nicer than a Parkway diner, less formal than The Greenbrier or Peddler. A strong choice for groups where the party wants elevated food without a dress-code expectation.

Chesapeake's Seafood and Raw Bar

Chesapeake's at 437 Parkway is Gatlinburg's dedicated fine-dining seafood restaurant — Maryland-inspired, with a menu focused on fresh seafood preparations that stand out from the steakhouse format of the other upscale options in town. The signature Wellington — barrel-cut filet of beef in puff pastry — is a repeat-order standout that spans the steak and seafood categories. The raw bar covers oysters, shrimp, and a rotating selection of daily fresh catches. For visitors who want a fine-dining experience with a seafood focus rather than a steak-forward menu, Chesapeake's is the right choice. Reservations recommended.

The Park Grill

The Park Grill at 1110 Parkway is one of Gatlinburg's most celebrated dinner destinations — a large-format steakhouse and American restaurant at the south end of the Parkway, convenient for visitors coming from the national park entrance. The menu covers steaks, fresh seafood, rotisserie chicken, and a full appetizer and salad program. The interior's warm wood and mountain-lodge aesthetic makes it appropriate for both celebratory dinners and multi-course meals. The Park Grill has the capacity to handle large groups while maintaining the quality of a proper upscale steakhouse — less intimate than The Greenbrier, more appropriate for larger parties. Reservations recommended for dinner on weekends.

Howard's Restaurant

Howard's Restaurant at 976 Parkway has been operating in Gatlinburg since 1946 — the oldest continuously operating restaurant in town. The creekside patio dining alongside the Little Pigeon River is one of the most pleasant outdoor dining settings in Gatlinburg, and the menu covers steaks, seafood, and Southern-influenced American fare in a setting that balances history and quality. Howard's is dog-friendly on the patio — a relevant detail for visitors traveling with pets who want a proper sit-down dinner. Open Monday through Thursday 11 AM to 9 PM, Friday through Saturday 11 AM to 10 PM, Sunday 10:30 AM to 9 PM.

Frequently asked questions

Which Gatlinburg restaurant is best for a special occasion?

The Greenbrier for atmosphere — the historic lodge setting, riverside location, and cigar menu make it the most distinctive special-occasion restaurant in Gatlinburg. The Peddler Steakhouse for a classic steakhouse experience with a long-established reputation. Both require reservations well in advance on peak summer and October weekends.

Do I need a reservation at Gatlinburg's upscale restaurants?

Yes — reservations are strongly recommended at The Greenbrier, Peddler Steakhouse, Chesapeake's, and The Park Grill, especially for Friday and Saturday evenings during summer and fall foliage season. Howard's and Cherokee Grill accept walk-ins but can have waits on busy evenings. Call ahead or book online before your visit.