Best Pancakes in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg TN (2024)

a breakfast sampler platter from the pancake pantry in gatlinburg

Pancake Pantry is considered the original pancake eatery in Gatlinburg (photo by Marie Graichen/TheSmokies.com)

This is where to get the best pancakes in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN

Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg

Both locals and tourists love the Pancake Pantry. If you only have one breakfast outing planned, I’d go here. The only downside is that you’ll probably have to wait since the restaurant does not take reservations or call-ahead seating. You’ll likely see a long line at the entrance, but it will be worth it. This is pancake perfection. All hail.

Log Cabin's Pancake Royale with Bananas
The Pancake Royale is a delightful way to start any morning (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

Log Cabin Pancake House in Gatlinburg

Log Cabin Pancake House is another pancake establishment that will likely require waiting in a bit of a line. But don’t worry. In my experience, it moves fast. I’ve had nothing but great pancakes and great service at this breakfast establishment. As an added bonus, you’ll have free, convenient parking, too.

Pancakes at Flajkac
These pancakes are great whether you’re dining in or getting more to go for later (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

Flapjack’s Pancake Cabin (6 locations)

Flapjack’s Pancake Cabin offers just about every type of pancake you could imagine, including pancakes that accommodate some gluten sensitivities. Importantly, Flapjack’s has been serving up tall stacks of pancakes for more than 50 years, and these scratch-made pancakes are some of the best, classic pancakes around. If you have six locations in fairly close proximity to one another, you’re probably doing something right.

pancakes with strawberries and whip cream
Crockett’s is well-known for its delicious, thick pancakes (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

Crockett’s Breakfast Camp in Gatlinburg

This breakfast camp honors the legacy of David C. “Crockett” Maples, a frontiersman who served with the Union Cavalry in the Civil War. Crockett’s offers a wide array of breakfast items, but the griddle cakes are what keeps ‘em coming back. Served with a wide variety of toppings, they are fluffy, filling and certainly delicious. You can join an online waiting list via their website. Just hit the “join waitlist” button.

Sawyer's Farmhouse
Sawyer’s is located on the main strip on the Parkway (photo by Alaina O’Neal/TheSmokies.com)

Sawyer’s Farmhouse Restaurant in Pigeon Forge

Locally owned and operated, Sawyer’s has a giant chicken wearing a cowboy hat outside. For pancakes – and crepes – Sawyer’s skews to the sweet side. There are a variety of fruity options as well as chocolate chip and M&M varieties. Serving just breakfast and lunch, Sawyer’s can focus on doing those two meals right. There’s not a lot of extraneous business, except for the giant chicken.

little girl with bear shaped pancakes at frizzle chicken farmhouse cafe
Your kids will love Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Cafe (photo by John Gullion/TheSmokies.com)

Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Café in Pigeon Forge

Does Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Cafe have the best pancakes in the region? Maybe not. But they do serve up a memorable experience with a bunch of animatronic singing chickens. My family loved it. My youngest enjoyed their “Bear Cakes“, which is a little stack of pancakes designed to look like a bear. If you’re looking for a kid-friendly breakfast place, this is your spot.

plate with eggs, bacon and pancakes with chocolate chips from reagan's in pigeon forge tn
Reagan’s is a fan-favorite breakfast restaurant in Pigeon Forge and is best known for their large buffet (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

Reagan’s House of Pancakes in Pigeon Forge

Reagan’s is best known for its breakfast buffet, featuring a variety of pancakes, French toast, bacon, sausage and the works. But there’s also a traditional menu if breakfast buffets aren’t your thing. This breakfast spot is so popular that there are two locations within two miles of one another. No matter which location you visit, you’re in for a great pancake.

smokys pancake cabin exterior with sign and blue sky
Smoky’s is a good choice if you want traditional, wholesome pancakes (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

Smoky’s Pancake Cabin in Pigeon Forge

If you’re looking for down-home, wholesome pancakes, this is your place. Seriously, the Pancake Cabin may have the single greatest menu item in the pancake kingdom. Indeed, the Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes are phenomenal. It can’t possibly be healthy and there’s a good chance after breakfast you’re going to need to rest awhile before you start your day, but that’s the price you pay for greatness.

RELATED VIDEO: Who Has the Best Pancakes in the Smoky Mountains?

Where’s your favorite place to eat pancakes in the Great Smoky Mountains? Leave your vote in the comments!

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81 thoughts on “Best Pancakes in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg TN (2024)”

  1. Mel’s Dinner has the best pancakes…i have tried most of the ones you named…and I know over half them we don’t like….but love Mel’s Dinner pancakes….

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  2. Love smoky’s pancake cabin in pigeon forge. The best pineapple upside down pancake EVER! Service is good. Staff is friendly. I highly recommend this place.

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  3. Love the Pancake Pantry but I will have to say, they’re not nearly as big as they used to be but prices keep going up. I love their light airy pancakes though so will go there today often as I can. You won’t be disappointed!

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  4. Most definitely The Pancake Pantry hands down the best!
    We eat there every morning when we visit Gatlinburg.

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  5. Log Cabin Pancake House in Gaitlinburg has the best pancakes by far! This is our favorite breakfast place in the area! It is a must everytime we are in the area.

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  6. I hated Crockett’s due to very slow service and pancakes that were way too large and heavy. Pancake Pantry is very good, will go back.

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  7. Pancake Pantry, pancakes are my favorite breakfast tried them alot of places in the Smokies but none better than Pancake Pantry. Love their sausage patties also.

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  8. We loved Reagan’s Pancake House, buffet style breakfast or order off the menu. Great food and service!

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  9. Love Pancake Pantry. It is a must stop w hth en I’m in the area. Also have a great Pancake Pantry in Nashville which we also have eaten at often.

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  10. IT HAS TO BE SMOKY’S IN PF. THE PANCAKES ARE SO AWESOME !!! THE PEOPLE AND SERVICE ARE AMAZING 🧡🧡🧡

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  11. We loved the Pancake Pantry, The Log Cabin, and Crockett’s Breakfast Camp. The serving sizes are very large and actually huge at Crockett’s. We could definitely split a meal, if the choices were not so tempting!

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  12. Smoky Mountain. Pancake. Cabin ! We have been to. Smokies. 40 times during our marriage so we have tried alot pancake places this is the topsTheir. Blackberry topping. On pancakes are so good. Also. Their crepes filled with lots of peaches. Or. Blackberries. Topped also with topping. Whipped. Cream and confectionery sugar sprinkked on top. Oh. My Goodness. Takes like a good cobbler tastes.

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  13. Absolutely love Pancake Pantry, not only for the food but for the atmosphere! So beautifully decorated and every type of pancake under the sun! They even have fabulous crepes! But my hands-down favorite is their whipped hot chocolate with marshmallows!❤️I have been going here for many years; my family loves it too!❤️

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  14. My family’s been going to the Pancake Pantry since the 70’s. We try to go once or twice a year. We eat there every day we are in town. We even have a special waitress we ask for who immediately comes up and gives us hug. Great place with great food and service.

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  15. First Mels diner is the best end all be all of food. When youre talking pancakes though Pancake Pantry has no competition within the same galaxy. That is why there is a very VERY! Long line to get in there. They are ONLY and I mean ONLY!! Open for breakfast. Let me tell you that it IS worth the weight.

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  16. We love crockets with pancake pantry running close 2nd we have been married 7 years and go at least twice a year and always make sure we stop in at both our favorite pancake places !!

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  17. The pancake pantry Is #1 they have the best of everything in there. And the service is phenomenal… it’s a must I go there everytime I’m in Gatlinburg.

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  18. Went into Pancake Pantry once and was ignored by the hostess.She didn’t ask me if I wanted to be seated or anything. She completely ignored me. Good pancakes and service though if you ever get seated.

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  19. Regan’s is a great place for a hearty fill-up , before the traffic madness but the key is getting up early lol …easier said than done I know but… we were there New Year’s Day and it was 65 deg out and crazy busy but it was all worth the madness.

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  20. I agree with several others here – it’s an absolute travesty that not only is Log Cabin Pancake House not #1 on this list, but even far worse that (a) they’re not on the list at all while worst of all (b) Flapjacks is.

    I used to swear by Pancake Pantry for years until I finally got around to trying Log Cabin PH…and I’ve never gone back to the Pantry since. They’re overpriced for not nearly as quality of food by comparison.

    And Flapjacks?! They don’t even deserve an honorable mention.

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  21. Love Reagan’s. I’m a weirdo and not a fan of pancakes, but oh my, they have everything else I 💕. Cinnamon rolls, home fries, gravy, biscuits. Wonderful staff.

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  22. Little House of Pancakes

    Have you ever had their All You Can Eat Pancacks ! ENOUGH SAID! They should at least be on the list !!!!

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  23. DAVEY crockett breakfast camp HAS CAKE SIZED pancakes. Same with the cinnamon rolls. Always a huge wait… so worth it.

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  24. Pancake Pantry is perfection! I have been going there for years. Have tried other places and some are good but not as good as the Pantry. The best pancakes ever !

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  25. The Little House of Pancakes and The Log Cabin are both great. The Little House of Pancakes is the very best pancake restaurant! END OF!!

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  26. Little Black Bear Cafe is #1 for pancakes. Wonderful!! The only place we will now eat breakfast, everything is cooked to order, so fresh & special attention to every bite. Lenny you rock!!

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  27. Love Pancake Pantry! The best pancakes anywhere!
    Also, best coffee anywhere! These two items are without exception worth going to Gatlinburg for!

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  28. Log Cabin has the absolute best pancakes and super friendly staff. We go at least once every time we visit.

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  29. I’ve been having pancakes at the Pancake Pantry for a little over 50 years and I wouldn’t think of going anywhere else. For me and the rest of my family,a trip to Gatlinburg isn’t complete without eating there at least once or twice. Hands down THE BEST!

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  30. We visit Gatlinburg often and the only pancake place we eat at is The Pancake Pantry. In our opinion “The Pancake Pantry is the standard by which others should be judged.”

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  31. Frizzle chicken farmhouse is just a fun place with bad food and normal to mediocre pancakes. The kids enjoy the animatronics, but that’s pretty much it.

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  32. Log Cabin in Gatlinburg is an institution! What is now Smoky’s used to be a Log Cabin as well. That’s the one I grew up going to as we camped in the campground across the creek from it.

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  33. I was reading this article out loud to the hubby. He interrupted me several times saying there’s NO other pancake place like Aretha Frankensteins. When I came to the Crocketts review he said I could quit reading. If you STILL haven’t Googled, you should. The whole place including the pancakes is AMAZING. If you know anything of 80s goth then you’ll fall in love even more!!!!

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  34. Crocketts all the way. OMG we just ate there 9/18/21 and not only was the pancakes out of this world so was the french toast the eggs the grits the pecan roasted trout. Sure we waited a while due to the fact the place serves awesomeness in a 14-16 inch iron griddle. Put Crocketts on your bucket list ASAP.

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  35. I fell in love with Flapjacks so I never tried the others. I think I will try Pancake Pantry or Crocketts next time I’m there.

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  36. My wife and I have eaten at the Pancake Pantry at least twice a year since we ate there on our honeymoon in 1969. That soon will be 52 years. In my opinion this is, by far, the best pancake restaurant in the Gatlinburg area and I think I tried most of them. I loooove the Wild Main Blueberry pancakes.

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  37. Its log cabin off the main strip hands down! Better food! not as expensive as pantry, and usually not as long as wait as pantry, pantry 2nd it is amazing also and no mention of apple barn breakfast? That’s 3rd they have a huge apple orchard huge beautiful barn for shopping for goods and crafts and the restaurant for breakfast or dinner is insane for breakfast they bring you complementary apple julep and muffins and apple fritters homemade from scratch the breakfast is amazing but only serves till 10 or 11 I cant remember but you got to be there early it’s in pidgeon when we stay down there it usually a 3 way rotation starting with Log cabin we were just there over are anniversary oct 21st:)

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  38. Listen, we have been going to Gatlinburg with our family for 44 years. Our absolute favorite pancake/ french toast, hands down is the Pancake Pantry. The cinnamon syrup is like sauce over the french toast with a side of bacon. The pancakes are light and melt in your mouth, many come with a homemade warm fruit compote that is so good, you don’t even need syrup. So many to choose from also the crepes are great. All others take a back seat. Can’t wait to get back. Oh, and the coffee is great, too. ❤

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  39. LOG CABIN PANCAKE HOUSE they set the standard for pancakes and breakfast hands down. We have been eating breakfast there for years. All the rest just wish they were close to having as good of food as the LOG CABIN. Great food and friendly service every time we eat there and the prices are very reasonable.

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  40. Im a big fan of Pancake Pantry, hands down the best. Any trip to Gatlinburg includes Pancake Pantry.

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  41. Log Cabin Pancake House!! Love the Pecan pancakes & that big beautiful fireplace on a cold fall/winter morning! They’re great in the summer too! YUM!!

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  42. The Log Cabin Pancake in Gatlinburg has by far the VERY best pancakes in the world. We have been eating there for 41 years. The pancakes are fluffy and absorb the wonderful syrup like nothing you’ve ever seen. The servers are friendly and the atmosphere in the restaurant is like sitting down with a bunch of friends and family.

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  43. We’ve been coming down (and eating) for years. Best breakfast in Gatlinburg is at The Little House of Pancakes. Can’t beat the food and service for me anywhere else (including Pancake Pantry)

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  44. Hands down……..Pancake Pantry! I would drive 4 hours just to eat breakfast. If there is a line wait….it is worth it! The pancake are buttery and light. The best part, you can taste a hint of vanilla in the batter. Pancake perfection!

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  45. Little House of Pancakes is the best! I like Pancake Pantry and usually eat there every trip as well but Little House of Pancakes is amazing and great service.

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  46. I agee The Applebarn should be on the list! REASON IT’S NOT onbut they hae a great breakfast!! the list is because it doesn’t have the word panake in it’s name? But they have an awesome breakfastt!any wait is well worth it. Espcially since you can spend the wait rocking on their wonderful, huge porch.

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  47. Burger King in pidgeon forge makes fantastic pancakes and they cost a whole lot less- but I would suggest skipping their BK syrup and splurging on log cabin maple syrup from the local supermarket. It’s definitely worth it and you can alway bring the bottle home with you to enjoy and reminisce with your family .

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  48. Ate at Reagan’s today. Service was good but food was mediocre at best. Bland and tasteless. Pancakes had no flavor of their own, biscuits were roll-like in texture rather than biscuit-like. I love crispy bacon, but this bacon was downright burnt. Potates tasted like reheated

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  49. We ate at Reagan’s PF buffet, service was excellent, food mediocre ! The Frazzle Chicken…not impressed with their food, at all! Apple Barn for Breakfast, every time!

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