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Ranking the restaurants in Downtown Sevierville

You ever have an idea that seems really good in the moment but when it comes down to it you realize you have bit off more than you can choose?

Today, I have given myself a culinary Sofie’s Choice – which is a bit dramatic but closer to the truth than anyone is likely to believe. What we have – in ranking the restaurants in historic Downtown Sevierville – is a collision of things that are very much my kind of stuff.

Great food? Check. Revitalizing historic brick building for a new purpose? Check. Cool and interesting downtowns that showcase a meeting of the old and the new? Check. Statues of Dolly Parton? Also check.

The problem? When you make a ranking of things someone has to be at the bottom. Psychologically, even if you love everything you’re ranking and even the bottom spot offers something great, it feels like someone is getting slighted.

So, as we start these rankings, allow me to say that these are among my favorite restaurants in Sevierville in the Smokies, all bunched in one neat little grouping. If time, budget and capacity allowed, I could go from one to the other, enjoying myself right into a food coma.

I’m frankly amazed that they can all exist in such a small, and off-the-beaten-path area. But, this is the internet and a ranking of restaurants where everyone ties for second – first place is clear – isn’t very much fun or particularly helpful.

So, here we go.

Ranking the restaurants in historic, Downtown Sevierville

1. The Appalachian

This is my favorite restaurant in the Smokies. The seasonal menu and the intentionality. Also, the invention and the flavors. Even the décor and the bar make this a perfect destination for someone who just enjoys dining out and the intricacies of a great meal. You can eat fancy or just get a really fabulous burger – something that’s amazingly common in Downtown Sevierville. The restaurant is located at 133 Bruce Street in Sevierville. The website can be found here.

2. Pinchy’s Lobster and Raw Bar

There are other candidates that could go here, notably Seasons 101, and I would not bat an eyelash. But for me, Pinchy’s stands out in the Downtown dining scene and across the Smokies for both the quality of the seafood offerings and, also the vibes. Where the other restaurants downtown are dark and somewhat serious, Pinchy’s is light and fun. It’s a party spot with seafood, drinks and sometimes, live entertainment. Those are the party spots.

The menu is excellent – the lobster rolls are authentic – and there is quite a variety of seafood options, including styles from the Northeast to the Gulf and across the world to Asian flavors. This is nearly sacrilegious to say, but don’t sleep on the Smash burger, which is the best cheeseburger I’ve ever had and that’s saying a lot, as both The Appalachian and Graze Burger – which we will be talking about soon – have top shelf burgers.

This is just a fantastic place to enjoy a meal. The restaurant is located at 212 Court Ave. in Sevierville. The website can be followed here.

3. Seasons 101

Years ago, when I was a young Gullion coming up in the world, I lived in Southern Indiana, not too far from French Lick, the home of Larry Bird. To be an Indiana sports fan at the time meant to worship at the alter of Larry Bird. The shot, the understanding of the game, the way he played, the way he carried himself. In any right version of the world, Larry Bird should have been recognized as the best basketball player on the planet.

Except he wasn’t. Bird arrived at the same time as Magic Johnson. The court vision, the handles, the understanding of how the game works and the way he carried himself, in any right version of the world, Magic should have been recognized as the best basketball player on the planet.

Though they are friends now and appreciated for what they achieved, at the time they were bitter rivals, you had to like one and hate the other. I liked Magic, but I came to appreciate Bird.

Luckily, in this situation, I don’t have to choose, not really. Sure, I ranked Seasons 101 slightly below The Appalachian, but that’s chiefly personal preference. Seasons – as you might expect from the name – offers a seasonal menu of local sourced flavors, each of which are excellent and filled with intention. From the Springer Mountain Chicken to the Fall Ravioli, you can choose the level of foodie experience you want here as well. They also offer a selection of burgers and sandwiches – reasonably priced – if you’re looking to dine well on a budget.

The restaurant is located in The Corner Downtown, 101 East Main St. in Sevierville. The website is located here.

4. Graze Burgers

If you are a burger lover, we have an embarrassment of riches in Downtown Sevierville. Each of these four restaurants offer outstanding burgers. What I like about Graze is that even with all the possibilities to enhance the flavor and your dining experience. I could take the burger plain by itself and consider it an outstanding meal. The patties have such an excellent flavor, it makes keeping Graze in your Downtown dining rotation worth it.

I’m big on The Tennessee – Bacon jam, bourbon BBQ, smoked gouda, beer battered onion rings, house slaw, tomatoes, house pickles – and the Southern Jam – Pimento cheese, bacon jam, bourbon caramelized onions, local greens, tomatoes, house pickles. But you shouldn’t stop there. There are turkey, vegan, bison and lamb options as well – the Mad Greek – Colorado lamb, feta, tzatziki sauce, olive tapenade, cucumbers, local greens, tomatoes, onions – is an absolute classic.

The sandwiches come with choice of fries or onion rings – I say go with the rings – but both are excellent. The restaurant is located at 125 Bruce St. in Sevierville. The website can be followed here.

5. DŌ Scratch Made Pizza & Pasta

Located just around the corner from its sister restaurant – Graze Burgers – this Italian restaurant brings the same level of excellence to pizza, pasta and sandwiches that Graze brings to burgers. It’s offers Neapolitan Pizza and classic Italian dishes. From the meatball sub to the Pappardelle Ragu, if you love Italian cuisine, you’re gonna be in heaven. For an app, try the Stuffed Portobello Mushroom, It’s to die for. The restaurant is located at 160 Court Ave. in Sevierville. The website is located here.

6. Buffalo Breakfast Company

This breakfast and lunch eatery – part of the KBS Restaurant Group which owns a wild array of restaurants from The Greenbrier to No Way Jose’s Cantina – stands out in downtown simply for its 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. hours. You could – if you so desired have the culinary day of your life with breakfast at the Buffalo, lunch at DO, Graze or Pinchy’s, and dinner at The Appalachian or Seasons 101. You can pause only to visit Dolly Parton’s statue to beg the Saint of Sevierville to grant you the digestive fortitude to finish your task.

What’s on the menu at the Buffalo? A lot of what you’d expect. Savory and sweet breakfast options ranging from omelets to chicken and waffle to pancakes and more. I like the Southern Fried Skillet – pimento cheese biscuits topped with buttermilk fried chicken pieces, collard greens, eggs and sausage gravy – or the mountain hash – smoked pork, fried taters, caramelized onions, jalapeno, two eggs and bbq aioli. But the options are extensive and excellent. They also have a variety of brunch friendly cocktails including a variety of Mimosas, Bloody Marys and the Good Morning Marg. This restaurant is located at 127 Bruce St. in Sevierville. The website can be followed here.

What is your favorite foodie restaurant in Sevierville and beyond? Let us know in the comments and on the socials!