What is the best restaurant in Gatlinburg?
The Peddler Steakhouse is the top fine dining choice, featuring riverside views and steaks you select from a butcher display. For breakfast, Pancake Pantry (since 1960) is iconic. For Southern comfort food, try Paula Deen's Family Kitchen at The Island. Budget tip: cabin kitchens let you cook breakfast with mountain views and save on dining costs.
See All Restaurant PicksThe Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area has evolved far beyond its reputation as a pancake house paradise. While those legendary breakfast spots remain must visits, you'll also find excellent BBQ, fresh mountain trout, upscale steakhouses, and diverse international cuisines. Here's our guide to the best dining in the Smokies.
Legendary Pancake Houses
This region has over 25 pancake houses, and breakfast here is an all day affair. Here are the ones worth seeking out:
Pancake Pantry
The original, operating since 1960. Lines form early but move fast. Their Austrian apple walnut pancakes and Caribbean pancakes with coconut rum sauce are legendary. Worth the wait. Read our complete Pancake Pantry guide →
Old Mill Restaurant
Adjacent to the historic 1830 gristmill in Pigeon Forge. Pancakes and breads made with flour milled on site. The corn chowder is a local favorite, and the restaurant serves lunch and dinner too.
Little House of Pancakes
Family run since 1962 with huge portions and friendly service. Less touristy than some spots, more like eating at grandma's kitchen. The crepes are excellent.
Southern Comfort Food
Paula Deen's Family Kitchen
Located at The Island, this family style restaurant serves endless Southern dishes. Think fried chicken, mac and cheese, collard greens, and biscuits. Come hungry because the food keeps coming.
Mama's Farmhouse
All you can eat family style dining with rotating daily specials. The fried chicken is crispy and juicy, and the sides change with the seasons. Save room for homemade desserts.
Huck Finn's Catfish
Some of the best fried catfish you'll find anywhere, plus hush puppies, coleslaw, and all the fixings. A local institution that draws repeat visitors year after year.
BBQ and Steakhouses
Looking for a quality steak dinner? See our complete guide to the best steakhouses in Gatlinburg →
The Peddler
A Gatlinburg institution where you select your cut from a butcher display, then watch it grilled over open flames. Located on the river with gorgeous views. Perfect for special occasions.
Cherokee Grill
Upscale American with dry aged steaks and fresh seafood in a rustic lodge atmosphere. Their filet mignon consistently earns raves, and the wine list is impressive for the area.
Bennett's Pit Bar B Que
Multiple locations serving smoky pulled pork, ribs, and brisket with a variety of house made sauces. The hickory smoked meats have been drawing crowds since 1989.
Sweet Treats
The Donut Friar
Tiny shop in The Village making fresh doughnuts and cinnamon bread all day. The line can stretch down the walkway, but it moves fast and the warm doughnuts are worth every minute.
Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen
Watch them pull taffy and make fudge through the windows, then sample generously. Free samples of creamy fudge in dozens of flavors. The peanut butter fudge is legendary.
Tips for Dining in the Smokies
- Arrive early for breakfast: Popular pancake houses fill up fast. Arrive by 7:30 AM to avoid the longest waits.
- Make dinner reservations: Especially at upscale restaurants and during peak season.
- Try local specialties: Mountain trout, country ham, and sourwood honey are regional favorites.
- Cook in your cabin: Our cabins have fully equipped kitchens. Stock up at the local grocery stores.
- Skip the chains: With so many unique local restaurants, skip the familiar franchises and try something new.
People Also Ask About Gatlinburg Restaurants
The tradition dates back to Pancake Pantry opening in 1960, the first pancake house in Tennessee. The format proved incredibly popular with tourists, and competitors followed. Today, over 25 pancake houses operate in the greater Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area. Breakfast is essentially an all-day affair here, with most pancake houses serving until 2-3 PM.
Gatlinburg is famous for:
- Pancake houses with creative flavors (Austrian apple, Caribbean rum)
- Moonshine and moonshine-infused desserts
- Homemade fudge and taffy from Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen
- Fresh donuts from The Donut Friar
- Southern comfort food (fried chicken, biscuits, country ham)
- Sourwood honey (a regional specialty)
Gatlinburg dining ranges from budget-friendly to upscale. Expect $12-18 per person at pancake houses, $15-25 at casual restaurants, and $40-60 at fine dining spots like The Peddler. Money-saving tips: eat a big breakfast, pack picnic lunches for the national park, stay in a cabin with a full kitchen to cook some meals, and look for lunch specials.
Arrive before 7:30 AM to minimize wait times at Pancake Pantry. The restaurant opens at 7 AM and lines form quickly, especially on weekends. Wait times of 45-60 minutes are common by 9 AM. The line moves steadily though. Alternatively, visit on weekdays or try after 1 PM when crowds thin out.
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