Smoky Mountain native shares secret of where locals eat in Gatlinburg
In East Tennessee, we locals keep the secrets that need keeping.ย The best trout fishinโ holes? Youโd better know somebody. But other secrets we donโt worry so much about.ย For example, where are the best places to eat in town? Heck, weโll shout directions to strangers on the highway if we think they look hungry.ย So where do the locals eat in Gatlinburg? As someone who lives just up the road and has eaten at nearly every restaurant in town, Iโll tell you where I prefer to dine in Gatlinburg:
1. Heirloom Room
Overlooking the river in Gatlinburg, the Heirloom room offers a wide variety of game meats including a frog legs option as well as smoked wild boar croquettes with roasted garlic aioli. They also have a Spicy Venison Loin โ New Zealand red venison tenderloin with smoked chili rub, tarragon bรฉarnaise with crispy heirloom fingerling potatoes. Itโs New Zealand venison, so not only is it delicious, but it also has a surprising sense of humor. Heirloom is located at 333 Parkway in Gatlinburg and the website can be found here.
2. The Donut Friar in The Village Shops
A few years ago, I met a man who franchised a Dunkin Donuts in a medium-sized East Tennessee town.ย The place was immediately, madly successful, but in a way that surprised the corporate offices so much that they sent people down to investigate. The donuts at Dunkin? Theyโre fine. But if someone opened a Donut Friar next door, Dunkin would be out of business in a month.ย Open at 5 am daily, the Donut Friar offers its famous cinnamon bread, pastries and, of course, donuts that were touched by angels. You can find this spot in The Village at 634 Parkway, Ste 15.
3. Chesapeakeโs Seafood and Raw Bar
I used to have a steadfast rule about eating seafood further than three hours from the coast. But places like Chesapeakeโs Seafood and Raw Bar is why I had to change my mind. Chesapeakeโs is simply high-end seafood dining at its best. From oysters, shrimp, lobster and crab, Iโve been to some of the best seafood places in the Carolinas, Florida, Gulf Coast and Maryland โ and Chesapeakeโs stands with them all. Itโs a bit on the expensive side. So for me, itโs reserved for a very special night out, but itโs worth the price tag. Itโs located at 437 Parkway, and reservations are recommended.
4. Alamo Steakhouse
If you want to start an intense debate with a local in the comments section of this article, take a firm stance that the Alamo Steakhouse is better than The Peddler. But truly, I think both are pretty great. But when it came to choosing just one steakhouse for this article as the โlocal favoriteโ, I ultimately sided with The Alamo. Why? It comes down to the crowds. While both steakhouses are phenomenal, and both can be insanely crowded during peak season, The Alamo is just a little easier to get into logistically. Plus, theyโre located just a bit further from the strip with ample parking. The Gatlinburg location is at 705 East Parkway.
5. Crockettโs Breakfast Camp
Look, I canโt write an article about Gatlinburg without mentioning at least one pancake place. And Crockettโs Breakfast Campโs claim to Gatlinburg fame is their larger-than-life ultra-thick griddlecakes. But theyโre also a great breakfast restaurant that hits the nail on the head when it comes to serving up classic Southern-style breakfast dishes like Corned Beef Hash Benedict and Pan-Fried Pork Chops. While a place like the Pancake Pantry is pancake royalty, I know that people will be lined up around the block them pancakes daily. Personally, I donโt like to go to places where we have to wait in line with the tourists for an hour. Crockettโs is located at 1103 Parkway. Join the wait list via their website. Theyโre located at 1103 Parkway in Gatlinburg.
6. Smoky Mountain Brewery
With locations in both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, the Smoky Mountain Brewery is a popular restaurant that features traditional American favorites like pizza, burgers and beer with live music and karaoke on select nights. I love dishes like their nachos and wings as I enjoy a nice adult beverage. The Gatlinburg location is at 1004 Parkway, Ste 501.
7. Bennettโs Pit Bar-B-Que
Bennettโs BBQ is part of the Johnson Family of Restaurants and has multiple locations in the Smokies. They serve up a hickory-smoked barbecue with a special house sauce in a variety of platters with respectable portion sizes. Most come with your choice of sides including french fries and veggies. On the menu, youโll find everything from chicken wings to beef brisket to deep-fried pickles. Itโs not that fancy. But it doesnโt need to be. Itโs just a great place to grab some traditional southern Bar-B-Que. One of my favorite things about Bennettโs is the large serving sizes. The Gatlinburg location can be found at 714 River Road.
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Delauders is my favorite.
Is the Atrium still at Gatlinburg? I thought that would be on the list..seemed down home. Loved it. We went for breakfast one morning.
The Alamo Steak House
Well Iโve lived here in Gatlinburg all my life and have gave up on going out to eat in sevier co . To many tourists and you canโt find a place thatโs not on a 2 hr wait usually so we just pre meal and cook at home now thanks alot guys .
The Alamo is mine nest steak anywhere.
Nawโฆvery ..very disappointed in Delauders after very high hopes..just a very average place โฆnot that great..not that bad..once and done..
I went there last January 2024, I have to say none of the food was good and the prices were too high. needless to say I will never go back there.
Taste of Italy โ mediocre at best, horrible management/ownership.
Went to Taste of Italy while in town last year and was not impressed. I have to agree with Lee, it was mediocre. I was very disappointed. The food was more like a step above fast food offerings.
Been to Gatlinburg many times, 2 summers ago we went to Almo with expectations as it was very good the year prior, but we were severely disappointed, along with Hickโs Finnโs . I am hoping for a better experience this summer.
Seems you canโt get a properly prepared steak anywhere. We have a Longhorns in Ellijay, GA and itโs a 3 time looser with me. They used to have decent standards.
I donโt want a skinny steak. Where up there can I get a thicker cut thatโs PROPERLY prepared?
Itโs a little pricey but we enjoy eating at The Peddler on special occasions and weโve never been disappointed. That said, Howardโs serves a great steak too.
This list list credibility when The Pancake Pantry was left off.
Hi David- Donโt worry, we give the Pancake Pantry lots of love. Weโre big fans ๐
Love the Greenbrier! Burg Steakhouse had great service and an excellent buffet bar. Howardโs has been our favorite for years. Calhouns has great food. Smoky Mountain Brewery is fun!
The burg is amazing and i love the inside decor so much. So nostalgic๐ฅน
The Peddler, Greenbrier, Chesapeakeโs and Cherokee Grill would be my top 4 for dinner. Pancake Pantry is good for breakfast. Music is just too loud while trying to eat at Smokey Mt. Brewery but food is good.
Right there with your Raymond I live here in Gatlinburg and I always eat at peddlers up in the bar area. Also greenbriars fabulous.
I started visiting in 1979, and usually visit 2-3 times a year. You have a decent listโฆ In our opinion, Howardโs has the very best steaks in the whole area. The Peddler and Alamo are good, not as good as Howardโs. The marinated-in-ale pork chops at Calhounโs are worth the drive(our drive is 3.5 hours). Weโll take the Log Cabin Pancake House on Airport Rd. for breakfast over any other breakfast place including Pancake Pantry. Itโs the same quality and atmosphere as it was in โ79. The Old Mill is pretty awesome in itโs own right. We like to hit up Huckโs for catfish every now and then, it never disappoints. We were there the last week of Oct. and are ready to go back!
Canโt believe Split Rail Eats didnโt make the list.
Preachers Smokehouse is hands down the best BBQ in the area. It is a must try.2929 Pittman Center Rd, Sevierville, TN 37876
Has anyone tried Little Mountain Eatery in Sevierville ? We tried it and was impressed with the prices and the quality of the food. The service was excellent.
โthose touristsโ are what keep your community alive. Sorry about the 2 hour wait as you laugh all the way to the bank!
I totally agree about Bennetโs BBQ. Iโve had many โtypesโ of bbq in various places and this checks all the boxes. The sampler platter is a good way to try it and itโs a great bargain since itโs enough for two people.