Old Mill Pottery House Cafe and Grille

Pottery House Café & Grille is a hidden gem at The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge, serving creative Southern dishes and fresh-baked breads on handcrafted pottery made right next door. Once a potter's home, it has cozy indoor dining rooms and garden patios by a koi pond.

Pottery House is part of The Old Mill, alongside The Old Mill Restaurant and Pigeon River Pottery. It's a quieter, more relaxed alternative to the Parkway, and a local favorite for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.

The potter's home

Before it was a café, this was the 1954 home of Douglas and Ruth Ferguson, whose handmade pottery helped shape the creative spirit of the Smokies. Today their home lives on as Pottery House Café, and every dish is still served on pieces made by the potters next door at Pigeon River Pottery.

From mill to plate

Pottery House takes "made from scratch" further than most. The breads are baked from grain ground at The Old Mill's own gristmill, and the plates come from the pottery studio steps away. Newsweek readers recognized it among the best farm-to-table restaurants in its 2025 Readers' Choice Awards.

The menu

Lunch and dinner

The menu leans creative Southern, with dishes like fried green tomatoes and quiche alongside heartier plates for dinner. Fresh-baked bread is a must with any meal.

Weekend brunch

On weekends, Pottery House serves brunch, a relaxed way to start a day exploring The Old Mill.

Dessert

Save room for something sweet. The pecan pie is a classic finish, served, of course, on handmade pottery.

Who it's for

Couples

The garden patios by the koi pond make Pottery House one of the most charming spots in Pigeon Forge for a relaxed lunch or dinner for two.

Food lovers

If you like knowing where your food comes from, the mill-to-plate story is hard to beat.

Families

The Old Mill area is easy to explore on foot, so it's simple to pair a meal with shopping and a look at the mill.

Tips for your visit

Plan for a wait at peak times

Pottery House is a local favorite, so lunch and dinner can get busy on weekends and holidays. Check the restaurant's website for current seating details before you go.

Order takeout

Pottery House offers takeout, so you can bring creative Southern food back to the cabin.

Make time for the shops

Browse Pigeon River Pottery next door to see the same pottery your meal was served on.

Make a day of it at The Old Mill

Pottery House sits in The Old Mill district along the Little Pigeon River. Tour the gristmill area, shop the pottery and general store, or have a country breakfast at The Old Mill Restaurant. See our guide to things to do at The Old Mill, or walk over to Patriot Park. Browse more Pigeon Forge attractions to plan your trip.

More pottery and places to eat

Interested in local pottery? See our guide to the top pottery makers in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. For another scratch-made kitchen, try Local Goat, or browse our full list of Pigeon Forge restaurants.

Plan your visit

Frequently asked questions

Where is Pottery House Café in Pigeon Forge?

At The Old Mill, 3341 Old Mill Street, next to Pigeon River Pottery.

What kind of food does Pottery House serve?

Creative Southern dishes and fresh-baked breads for lunch and dinner, plus weekend brunch.

Is the food really served on handmade pottery?

Yes. Every dish is served on pottery made next door at Pigeon River Pottery.

Is Pottery House the same as The Old Mill Restaurant?

No. They're sister restaurants at The Old Mill. Pottery House is the smaller café in the former potter's home.

Does Pottery House have outdoor seating?

Yes. There are garden patios by the koi pond.