Best Resorts and All-Inclusive Vacations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Nestled amidst the natural splendor of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a variety of restaurants offer visitors a chance to refuel and savor delicious cuisine. These dining establishments range from rustic eateries serving traditional Southern fare to upscale dining rooms offering gourmet meals. Whether you're seeking a quick bite after a long hike or a leisurely dinner with stunning mountain views, the restaurants in Great Smoky Mountains National Park cater to all tastes and preferences. This article will guide you through the culinary landscape of this beautiful national park, ensuring your dining experiences are as memorable as the scenic vistas.
Mountain edge grill
4.2
(761)
Low-key restaurant with ski-lodge decor, serving bison burgers & other traditional American fare.
Reviews:
I was sceptical of eating here but my wife thought it would be a nice place to try. I'm so glad we did. The burger was the best I had in Gatlinburg! To check in you write your name on a chalk board and they come get you. Very cool! We had a party of 6 at dinner time and as busy as the strip was this place was surprisingly not busy. We sat down almost immediately and the entire family found something to eat without complaining....a feat for us 😶. The food was quick and the service was good. We would definitely go back and recommend it to others!!!!
Scott
We LOVE this place! The service is always impeccable, they’re so friendly and always moving so fast to try and keep up with the influx of customers. They work so hard and take good care of you, love everyone who works here. The bison/elk burger is fabulous, don’t let anyone tell you differently! One of the most satisfying burgers out there. The fries are seasoned to perfection with salt, pepper, and cocoa powder of all things, and they are a treat in and of themselves. The baked beans on the side are also a perfect complement to the meal. On a strip with tons of chains and restaurant options, we keep coming back to the Mountain Edge Grill, and so should you!
A Bucket List Family
Small place on the strip again! Food was great and the service was top notch!! We wish we got his name, he was just so nice , welcoming and so friendly! The term southern hospitality must of come from this happy senior! Get the fries they were incredible!
Kim DiCenso
Ron is the best! Very personable and helpful with the menu. He was funny and made us feel like we were just friends visiting! The bison burger was beyond amazing! If you have need for a good time with good food and a friendly atmosphere, please do yourself a favor and check this place out!
Kristin Mahoney
I was arrived a half an hours before closing, the host was really nice, I ordered a bison burger with fries. I got the fresh made hot food quickly, but I was almost alone so I think it’s normal. The bison was so different from the beef, but delicious. It was served with fresh cut fries, which was a little bit overcooked. Overall I was satisfied with the food and with the service also. It worth a visit if you want to eat a special burger in Gatlinburg!
Kanalas Norbert
631 Parkway b4, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Timbers log cabin restaurant
4.7
(800)
Woodsy, cabin-style restaurant offering casual American eats along with sports on TV & patio tables.
Reviews:
My hubby got a cheese hamburger, very fresh and good. I got their signature, shrimp and grits. That were amazing. I can honestly say is the best grits I’ve ever had. Large bowl can be shared!
The Hicks family
What an awesome breakfast!! Everything was just delicious. Small mom and pop cabin with around 5 tables indoors (some outside). Wait for the cook to start singing along while he cooks your meal!
Tony Arnold
Delicious little mom and pop restaurant! The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful. Food is delicious and at a good price. They serve breakfast and lunch at all hours, and you really can’t go wrong either way. They also have at least 20-30 different hot sauces you can try, which I loved! I’ll definitely come back next time I’m in Gatlinburg.
Will Jackson
This was like having breakfast at your grandma’s house. Cozy, quaint and they make you feel at home. The owners sing along to the radio as they prepare your breakfast but it’s not an annoying singalong as they can carry a tune quite well. Delicious breakfast with large portions. We’d definitely recommend this to place anyone needing a hearty meal to start their day.
Miles Land Care
This is such a cute little restaurant! After ordering inside, we sat at a table on the front porch. Even with some of the traffic going by it was nice and quiet! Our food was very good! Didn't even stop to take pics of the food since it was so yummy. hehe. This will definitely be on our list to eat at again when we come back to this area!
Lou A
600 Glades Rd #10, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
The park grill
4.4
(3648)
American classics, particularly steaks, served in a massive log structure with contemporary decor.
Reviews:
Went to celebrate my son's birthday. It was a great choice. Lovely server was attentive. Salad bar was fresh with so many good selections. We enjoyed the charming atmosphere as it was our first time dining there. Our meals came out perfect. It was our best meal of the week in the Smokies! Will definitely go back again.
Tracy Johnston Caruso
Kailey took our order and was so helpful and personable with dinner suggestions. For fish she suggested the trout, grilled and lightly blackened. I went with it, and it was delicious - maybe the best trout I’ve ever had. I do recommend the trout. We actually ended up eating at The Park Grill two days in a row while on vacation. The first day we got just the all-you-care-to-eat salad bar, and it was wonderful - so much selection and a terrific presentation. So, the next day we went back, and I ordered the trout as mentioned above and my wife a steak. Food was really good, and our server Mark did a terrific job. I think you will be glad if you give The Park Grill a try.
Bob
I'm so glad I decided to check this place out! There was no wait, and the service was fast, friendly, and attentive. I got the Hickory Grilled Moonshine Chicken, with a side of garlic mashed potatoes. The chicken was juicy, and it was topped with pineapple slices that perfectly complemented the dryness of the chicken breasts. The meal came with warm, soft, and delicious bread. The meal came with the all-you-can-eat salad bar, and there were so many options for toppings and ingredients! I'm not a big salad expert, and there were choices I'd never even seen before. This place is definitely must-visit, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone visiting or staying in Gatlinburg!
An Pham
Ribeye Steak, BBQ ribs,grilled shrimp, bake potato, vegetable beef soup, all you can eat salad bar and black bear brownie bash desert was delicious!! Server was very friendly and gave great service!! Rolls were good as well! Menu prices were reasonable too!!
Dan Warren
Salad bar was the perfect meal. For protein selections on the salad bar, they offer chick peas, boiled eggs, cubed ham, and smoked oysters. One of the folks at my table got the fried chicken skin appetizer. He said it was the whole piece of skin from the breast of the chicken. The salad bar items were all fresh with plenty of options. I had the basil vinaigrette.
Hannah Thompson-Welch
1110 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Crystelle creek restaurant
4.3
(1915)
Wood-fired steaks, ribs & other hearty American eats are served in rustic digs overlooking a creek.
Reviews:
We had our reception there on October 14, 2023. The food and service was the best. The servers were very courteous and took excellent care of us and our guests. We went the night before to decorate, but the party there stayed longer than anticipated. Lori assured me she would do her best to have it looking beautiful and like I wanted. When we arrived after the wedding, everything was more than I imagined it would be. In addition to our dinners, we ordered appetizers for everyone to start. All the food was amazing and as I said, our servers were fantastic. I highly recommend Crystelle Creek!! You will not be disappointed!! David and Vicki Tucker
Vicki Dawley
It was so unique. They have water running off the roof to appear it is raining and there's an awesome view of the creek and woods behind the restaurant. The food was good. I had the Prime Rib. It was very tasty. I also had a side salad and sweet potato fries. The fries were amazing. Crispy and dusted with brown sugar. My Dad had the ribs. He said the taste was good but they had a lot of gristle. My mom had the Southwestern Chicken and said it was okay. I would definitely go again.
sandra blevins
I had an amazing experience at Crystelle Creek Restaurant! My husband and I had our wedding reception here. The staff was amazing! They were all were so helpful and had great personalities! The food was so delicious! All my guest were very happy, and so were we! They have very pretty views of the creek, and I loved the water that comes down on the sides of the building, and the atmosphere was relaxing! Thank you Crystelle Creek for being part of our special day! I will forever recommend you! 🙂
Danielle
As a local we do not go to Gatlinburg often so this was our first time. The outside is very unique and pretty cool almost looks like a lodge on the outside. Once you enter it’s more like a cafe though. We arrived at 8pm and there was a 15 min wait on a Friday night. One of us ordered the ribs and the other chicken parmigiana. Wow is all I can say. The food is absolutely fantastic. Ribs had amazing flavor, fall off the bone and smelts in your mouth. The chicken parmigiana was also very good and was a huge portion. SIDE NOTE******* if you get a salad be advised the spicy creamy Italian dressing is HOT as heck****. Service was good and friendly. Will definitely be back and recommend to anyone!
Melissa Wimberly
Food was amazingly good. Steak was done exactly as ordered, ribs were fall off the bone. Baked potatoes were huge. John, our server, was extremely professional and helpful. Will definitely return next time we’re in the area.
Brad Barfoot
1654 East Pkwy, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Smokehouse
4.2
(236)
Scenic, casual eatery inside Anakeesta theme park dishing up smoked meats & Southern nibbles.
Reviews:
Ordered the smoke ribs comes with two sides cornbread ordered a soda. The ribs were extremely overcook not good at all .And cash register was down as well as the credit card. Had to wait while she figure out how to get it to work call for assistance finally got the cash register to work but not the credit card Sad….
Anthony Ladd
The food is really good, the atmosphere is really nice and the mountain views are amazing. We really enjoyed the pulled pork nachos and brisket Mac & cheese. It's a little pricey but that should be expected at a tourist attraction. You don't have a server, you just order, pay and seat yourself.
Joshua Labby
Amazing views. Great food. Service was average, prices a bit high for what you get but that’s normal in any tourist area. Overall we enjoyed our meal.
Katrina Gamble Parker
Everything was PERFECT! The drinks were amazing and not as expensive as I expected for a tourist destination. The 2 male bartenders were so nice and knowledgeable about their alcohol. The loaded nachos were 10/10. All around great experience!
Megan Bennett
The food was delicious, beef brisket was tender and flavorful. The views of the mountains was beautiful.
S Hazer
521 Baskins Creek Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Smith & son corner kitchen
4.2
(4338)
Brick-walled, artifact-filled pub offering American chow, sports TV & a balcony with mountain views.
Reviews:
The best part of the restaurant was our sweet waitress Regina. The view of the strip is great for people watching. The food left alot to be desired. My entree salad was the size of most restaurants side salad but for the entree sized price. My husband's hot chicken sandwich was good but they only gave him 6 waffle fries!! Very disappointed with the portion sizes.
Heather Elrod
Came here Saturday Dinner time lobby was full, wait time was approximately 20min got seated after only 5min of waiting. Once we made it to our table to the 2nd floor server came introduced himself got our drinks order super quick, placed our order and they brought it out in less than 10min, have in mind it was at their busy hour. Food was great, prices were reasonable. Definitely enjoyed dinner here. Nice atmosphere Recommended definitely give it a try 👍🏼
katherine Palacios
We stopped in after going to Sky park. We sat in the bar area and had a great chat with the bartender. Super friendly and mixed a good drink. My salad was very fresh and tasty. It had a great atmosphere. It does have an outdoor seating area, but we were hot from the park so we sat inside. I would definitely recommend. Lots of food choices.
Michelle Behne
F***** Amazing!!! This place hits the mark on all levels. My friend had the BBQ sampler, this is not an appetizer! It was a plate full of tasty BBQ treats! 1/2 rack of Smoky BBQ ribs, 2 big pieces of bbq chicken and a good portion of BBQ pulled pork with 3 sides! Beans, coleslaw, and potato salad. None of which came from a can. Beans were Smoky and the potato salad was seasoned and flavored just right and the coleslaw was very good. I had the baked chicken salad. They roasted the chicken and flavored it with the perfect seasoning. The salad portion was greens, cranberries, pecans , and some other things that made it the perfect blend. The server was amazing. Quick. And attentive. We loved the decor a mix of old fashioned BBQ and distillery. Vintage signage and posters all around. It was a visual treat. You will not be disappointed!!
Shelley Iverson
We had just arrived in Gatlinburg after a long day of driving and were really hungry, looking for a place to grab dinner. Most of the restaurants on the strip were packed, but we noticed Smith and Son's didn't seem too busy, so we thought we'd give it a shot. The building itself looked great, and it was surprisingly spacious inside. The person at the front desk was friendly and got us a table with no problem. The service was good, and we liked the vibe of the place, although it was a bit noisy, making it hard to have a conversation. Maybe we were just too close to the kitchen. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to our expectations. I ordered the BBQ sampler platter, but all the meats were overcooked, tough, and dry, with little flavor. The country fried steak was also bland and overcooked. There was a mac & cheese dish that didn't look or taste appetizing either. Even the food we got for the kids wasn't very good; they actually refused to eat it. The best part of all of our meals was probably the toasted buttered bread on the side. Overall, we were hoping for a lot more from this place, considering its location and nice atmosphere. But based on the mediocre food, I can't really recommend it, and I don't think we'll be going back there again.
Michael Espeseth
812 Parkway Ste 105 at Stoplight No, 8, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA
Cherokee grill and steakhouse
4.4
(3810)
Traditional American menu of steaks, burgers & seafood entrees in a woodsy mountain lodge setting.
Reviews:
We love prime rib. My wife and I both ordered mid rare prime rib. When it arrived at the table it was Well done. We told the waiter and he quickly got the manager. She very politely told us that they had over cooked the prime rib and that she was checking with their sister restaurant (next door) to see if they had any mid rare prime rib. They did and it was delivered promptly. Our friends had finished their meal and waited for us to eat. While everything was made right we will probably eat at the sister restaurant next time. The prime rib is $4 cheaper 😁
Jay Langston
First off...be sure to make a reservation! My husband and I both got the Prime Rib cooked medium, which was delicious. My side was the Mac & Cheese with spinach and spice and it was delicious as well! The rosemary bread they serve is so good, I could've eaten my weight in it! The waitress was fantastic! I wouldn't recommend it if you're a family but for a couple on date night, it's definitely worth it!
Dawn Williams
There are so many layers to this restaurant and I loved most of them. Starting off with the drinks the drinks were incredible even with having an old drink menu on our table the bar was still able to craft the drinks we ordered, and boy did they craft them. Drinks were spectacular. Then the appetizers came out along with the bread. Pro tip slice the bread and use it as bruschetta for the spinach artichoke dip. Incredible. Then comes the main course. This is where disappointment set in for me. Mashed potatoes were awesome but my mid rare steak was served on a hot skillet it was more medium at best and continued cooking as dinner went on. Service was awesome. Definitely worth it.
Steel Buffalo
We got the Prospirity Steak and the Trout. Both were very good. We also really enjoyed Nevas potatos... but hands down the best thing was the crab dip. SO good. The service was also wonderful. From the time we walked in the door, everyone was very friendly and attentive! We will be back. We dip recommend getting reservations, as the wait was almost 2hrs if you didn't have one.
Stephanie Burdette
Our server, Dawn was top notch. The food was delicious. I definitely will be a repeat customer when we visit Tennessee. The pumpkin batter cake was delightful.
sonya M
1002 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA