Gatlinburg Restaurants

Good restaurants in Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg has good restaurants for every kind of trip, from family-run pancake houses and hickory-smoked barbecue to creekside steakhouses, Mexican cantinas, and rooftop bars with live music. Most places to eat sit along the Parkway downtown, with more on East Parkway and along the Arts and Crafts Community loop. Here's how to find the right food, whether you're choosing by craving, by area, or by who's coming along.

Breakfast and pancakes

Gatlinburg takes breakfast seriously. Pancake Pantry has served scratch-made pancakes on the Parkway since 1960, Crockett's Breakfast Camp is known for griddle cakes and fried cinnamon rolls, Log Cabin Pancake House serves breakfast all day, and Flapjack's Pancake Cabin has three locations in town. For a quick start, grab a donut at The Donut Friar or a breakfast sandwich at Tennessee Jed's. See our guide to breakfast in Gatlinburg.

Steakhouses and special occasions

The Peddler Steakhouse cuts your steak at the table in a log cabin beside the Little Pigeon River, and its sister restaurant, The Park Grill, serves steaks and a salad bar in a mountain lodge next to the national park entrance. The Alamo Steakhouse grills hand-cut steaks over an open oak fire, Howard's has served guests beside a creek since 1946, and Cherokee Grill pairs steaks and seafood with a mountain lodge setting. For an intimate dinner, The Greenbrier Restaurant serves dinner in a 1939 log cabin lodge, and Red Oak Bistro offers European small plates in the Arts and Crafts Community. See our guide to upscale restaurants in Gatlinburg.

Seafood and dining by the water

Chesapeake's serves fresh seafood and a raw bar with a riverside patio, and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. cooks shrimp a dozen ways at traffic light #8. Crystelle Creek Restaurant & Grill sits beside a creek on East Parkway, and up at Anakeesta, Cliff Top looks out over the mountains. See our list of restaurants on the water in Gatlinburg.

Barbecue, Southern cooking, and comfort food

Bennett's Pit Bar-B-Que smokes its meats over hickory for hours, and Calhoun's is known for ribs. On East Parkway, Jimmy's Smokehouse & Pizza Joint (formerly Three Jimmy's) pairs smoked barbecue with pizza and a patio, and Mama's Chicken Kitchen serves Southern fried chicken. Downtown, Smith & Son Corner Kitchen serves slow-smoked chicken and burgers, and Mountain Edge Grill is known for bison burgers. In the Arts and Crafts Community, Split Rail Eats serves loaded tater bowls and Southern plates.

Mexican and Tex-Mex

For Mexican food in Gatlinburg, No Way Jose's Cantina serves sizzling fajitas and margaritas on a riverside patio across from Ripley's Aquarium, and Loco Burro brings Tex-Mex, tableside guacamole, and margaritas to a rooftop patio over the Parkway.

Italian and pizza

Best Italian Cafe & Pizzeria has served pizza, pasta, and garlic rolls in Gatlinburg since 1976. Big Daddy's Pizzeria bakes wood-fired pizza on River Road, Mellow Mushroom pairs stone-baked pies with craft beer downtown, and Gatlinburg Brewing Company serves brick-oven pizza with house-brewed beer. See our guide to the best pizza in Gatlinburg.

Burgers, brewpubs, and casual eats

Smoky Mountain Brewery has brewed its own beer in Calhoun's Village since 1996, with a full menu of pizza, burgers, and wings. Johnny Rockets serves burgers and shakes in a retro diner, and Fannie Farkle's is home to the Ogle Dog and foot-long corn dogs.

Live music and nightlife

Dinner and a show is easy in Gatlinburg. Ole Red and Jason Aldean's Kitchen + Rooftop Bar pair Southern food with live country music, and Tom & Earl's Back Alley Grill and Shamrock Pub are relaxed spots for a drink and a band. For something different, find the hidden door to Alibi Speakeasy, or enjoy the playful service at Dick's Last Resort. Explore the area's breweries, wineries, and distilleries too.

Sweets and treats

Save room for dessert. The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar serves over-the-top milkshakes in Mason jars, Mad Dog's Creamery & Donuts scoops ice cream on East Parkway, and downtown is full of fudge, taffy, and candy makers. See our guide to Gatlinburg candy shops.

Restaurants by area

Downtown and the Gatlinburg strip

Most restaurants in downtown Gatlinburg line the Parkway through the heart of town. Here you'll find Pancake Pantry, Best Italian, Mellow Mushroom, Bubba Gump, Smith & Son, Ole Red, Jason Aldean's, and No Way Jose's, all within walking distance of each other. See our guide to downtown Gatlinburg.

The national park end

At the south end of the strip, near the park entrance, you'll find The Park Grill, Cherokee Grill, Calhoun's, Smoky Mountain Brewery, Howard's, and Crockett's Breakfast Camp, plus The Peddler and Bennett's on River Road. It's handy after a day in the park.

East Parkway

Highway 321 is a short drive from downtown, with easier parking and shorter waits. Stop at Alamo Steakhouse, Mama's Chicken Kitchen, Jimmy's Smokehouse & Pizza Joint, Crystelle Creek, and Mad Dog's Creamery.

The Arts and Crafts loop

Out in the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community, Split Rail Eats is a lunch stop between studios, and Red Oak Bistro is a quiet spot for dinner.

Quick picks

With kids

Johnny Rockets, Fannie Farkle's, Bubba Gump, Big Daddy's Pizzeria, and any of the pancake houses are easy family choices.

Cheap eats and quick lunches

Grab a scratch-made sandwich at Tennessee Jed's, a burger at Johnny Rockets, an Ogle Dog at Fannie Farkle's, or a slice at the Best Italian Express.

Late-night food

Gatlinburg Brewing Company and Shamrock Pub stay open until 1 AM, and Shamrock's kitchen runs late.

Dog-friendly patios

Howard's creekside patio has its own dog menu, Split Rail Eats welcomes dogs on its patio, and Mad Dog's Creamery has water bowls and treats. See our guide to pet-friendly restaurants in Gatlinburg.

Tips for eating out in Gatlinburg

Eat early or late — dinner waits are longest from about 6 to 8 PM on weekends and holidays.

Park once and walk — downtown restaurants are close together, so park in one spot and walk or ride the Gatlinburg Trolley. Our guide to parking in downtown Gatlinburg has more tips.

Try East Parkway — restaurants off the main strip usually have easier parking and shorter waits.

Call ahead — some restaurants take reservations or call-ahead seating, and hours change by season.

Have a cabin night — after a few nights out, cooking dinner at your cabin is a nice way to slow down.

More dining guides

Planning a first trip? Start with our list of restaurants for first-time visitors to Gatlinburg or our ultimate guide to dining in Gatlinburg. We also have guides to Gatlinburg steakhouses, vegan restaurants, and healthy dining. Visiting for the holidays? See restaurants open on Thanksgiving and restaurants open on Christmas Day.

Frequently asked questions

What are some good restaurants in Gatlinburg?

For a classic Gatlinburg trip, try breakfast at Pancake Pantry, barbecue at Bennett's, and dinner by the river at The Peddler or Howard's. See our list of restaurants for first-time visitors for more.

Where can I get Mexican food in Gatlinburg?

No Way Jose's Cantina has a riverside patio across from Ripley's Aquarium, and Loco Burro serves Tex-Mex on a rooftop patio on the Parkway.

Which restaurants are on the Gatlinburg strip?

Pancake Pantry, Best Italian, Mellow Mushroom, Bubba Gump, Smith & Son, Ole Red, Jason Aldean's, and No Way Jose's are all on the downtown Parkway.

Which Gatlinburg restaurants are on the water?

The Peddler, Howard's, Crystelle Creek, Chesapeake's, and No Way Jose's all sit beside a river or creek.

Where can I eat late in Gatlinburg?

Gatlinburg Brewing Company and Shamrock Pub are open until 1 AM.

Which restaurants are near the national park entrance?

The Park Grill sits right next to the entrance, and Cherokee Grill, Calhoun's, Smoky Mountain Brewery, Howard's, and Crockett's are all at the park end of downtown.

How do I avoid long waits?

Eat before 6 PM or after 8 PM, visit on weekdays when you can, try restaurants on East Parkway, and call ahead about reservations or call-ahead seating.