Cliff Top Restaurant
At Anakeesta, Gatlinburg
The sit-down restaurant at the top of Anakeesta Mountain — steaks, burgers, and entrée salads with the Smokies out the window and outdoor tables in the mountain air. Anakeesta admission is required, so plan it as part of your day up there.
Cliff Top is the sit-down restaurant at Anakeesta, high above downtown Gatlinburg in the park's Black Bear Village. It serves modern American food with sweeping views of the Smoky Mountains, and its big windows and outdoor seating make every table feel close to the scenery. You'll need Anakeesta admission to dine there, so plan it as part of your day in the park.
Location: Black Bear Village at Anakeesta, 576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Admission to Anakeesta required
Serving: 11 AM until one hour before the park closes
Indoor and outdoor seating with mountain views
The view
Cliff Top sits near the top of Anakeesta Mountain, looking out over the ridges of Great Smoky Mountains National Park toward Mount Le Conte. The climate-controlled dining room has large windows, and outdoor seating puts you right in the mountain air. Late afternoon and sunset are favorite times to eat.
The Cliff Top menu
The menu is modern American, with hand-cut steaks, burgers, entrée salads, appetizers, and desserts, plus scratch-made sauces. There's a kids menu, a full bar with local craft beer and cocktails, and options for vegetarians. Menus change, so check anakeesta.com for the current Cliff Top menu before your visit.
Hours, admission, and the wait
Cliff Top serves from 11 AM until one hour before Anakeesta closes. Because it's inside the park, you'll need Anakeesta admission to eat there. As the main sit-down restaurant on the mountain, it gets busy at peak times, and a text waitlist lets you browse the Mercantile shop next door while you wait.
Tips for your visit
Eat early or late — lunch right at 11 AM or a meal in the late afternoon helps you skip the longest waits.
Ask about outdoor seating — on a clear day, the view is worth it.
Join the waitlist first — put your name in, then explore Black Bear Village until your table is ready.
Time it with sunset — an early dinner as the light fades over the mountains is hard to beat.
Other places to eat at Anakeesta
For something quicker, Anakeesta also has the Smokehouse, serving barbecue in Firefly Village, along with Kephart Cafe and spots for snacks, sweets, and coffee around the park. See our guide to the restaurants at Anakeesta for the full rundown.
Plan your Anakeesta day
Cliff Top fits easily into a day at Anakeesta. Ride up from the Parkway, walk the treetop bridges, take in the view from the AnaVista Tower, and stop for a meal along the way. For tips on tickets, parking, and getting to the top, see our Anakeesta guide and our list of the best things to do at Anakeesta.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Anakeesta admission to eat at Cliff Top?
Yes. Cliff Top is inside Anakeesta, so park admission is required.
Where is Cliff Top located?
In Black Bear Village at Anakeesta, at the top of the mountain above downtown Gatlinburg.
What are Cliff Top's hours?
It serves from 11 AM until one hour before Anakeesta closes. Park hours vary by season.
What's on the menu?
Modern American dishes, including steaks, burgers, entrée salads, appetizers, and desserts, plus a kids menu and a full bar.
Is there outdoor seating?
Yes. Cliff Top has both indoor and outdoor seating with mountain views.
Is there usually a wait?
At busy times, yes. Cliff Top uses a text waitlist so you can explore while you wait.
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