Unique Places to Eat
& Hidden Gems for Foodies
in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge & Sevierville
Try something new!
If it's on this list - there's a good reason. Foodies will love each and every one of these unique and flavorful places that are off the beaten paths of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. Most have a story behind them and you won't find them unless you look...
so I'm not going to let you miss out!
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Red Oak Bistro, 669 Glades Rd, Gatlinburg
A tapas and wine bar, and restaurant. Described as a "one of a kind" dining experience in the Glades area - just outside downtown Gatlinburg. Small plates of authentic Mediterranean and Eastern European cuisines and fresh local ingredients, served with unique wines, bourbon and beers.
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It's creative, relaxed, upscale dining with rave reviews, found out on the beautiful backroads of Gatlinburg! This place is incredible, I do recommend calling for reservations.
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Wild Bear Tavern, 4236 Parkway, Pigeon Forge
Authentic, Bavarian style German food and cold beer, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with stick to your ribs kind of meals. Right next to the Wild Bear Inn, so if you want to stay the night, go right ahead! I've heard great reviews of this place ever since they opened several years ago.
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Relaxed atmosphere, indoor and outdoor patio seating with views of the Parkway.
Graze Burgers, 133 Bruce St, Sevierville
No GMO here - Made from scratch food, gourmet, grass fed, all natural, burgers, bourbon and craft beer. Nestled into the newly revitalized downtown area of Sevierville, this is just what the doctor ordered. Gluten-free options, hormone and steroid-free food.
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You might miss this unassuming little place if you were driving by. But because of the excellent reviews, you will want to stop in. It has outdoor patio seating available and is family friendly.
Extensive drink selections and healthy, delicious menu options, as well as fun food make this place a winner!
PawPaw's Catfish Kitchen, 2760 Wears Valley Rd, Sevierville
There's more here in this little place than meets the eye. If you are a fan of catfish, Cajun or Southern style food from Louisiana, you will want to stop by. The owners bring fresh seasonal seafood straight off the tugboats in the Louisiana harbors and have perfected their very own unique, fish fry recipe.
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Set in scenic Wears Valley, this little diner style restaurant serves more than just delicious fried catfish and boudin balls. They have alligator bites, authentic po'boys, crawfish etouffee, gumbos, muffulettas, crab cakes, oysters, Orleans and Acadiana sauce, jambalaya, white chocolate bread pudding and more.
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They have years of real experience in the business of seafood, so don't pass this one by if this sounds good to you.
English Mountain Trout Farm & Grill
291 Blowing Cave Rd, Sevierville
"You hook 'em we cook 'em" is their motto.
Off the beaten path but worth the (very beautiful) drive. Fun for the family and an experience the kids will never forget. Catch your own fresh trout here from the pond and have them cook it up! Or you can catch your fish and take it to go. Or you can order fresh trout off the menu if you're not into fishing.
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They have everything you need to fish with and will even help you bait your hook and take your fish off the line! (a big plus for "fishers" like me)
You know the fish are good because they provide restaurants in Gatlinburg with some of their fresh trout too. They have a kids menu too and an experience you won't find just anywhere.
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Parton's Deli, 332 Parkway, Gatlinburg
The oldest continuously operating, family-owned deli in the Appalachian Mountains. Parton's Deli and the family is part of the rich history here in Gatlinburg, but there is another story here...
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This little unassuming deli has been quietly making sandwiches since 1974. Because of its location, people started noticing a certain car always parked next to the building every time they visited Gatlinburg. It seemed to be an unofficial "Welcome to Gatlinburg" sign for those who noticed it.
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Oh--and the sandwiches? Fresh, hot and steamed - the same since way back when! They are known for delicious chili dogs, deviled eggs, homemade sides and heating them up in his trusty old steamer. He will even make you a picnic basket to go on your hike. The place is not fancy, but that's why it is a hidden gem!
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The Greenbrier, 370 Newman Rd, Gatlinburg
They call themselves a "Food and Spirit Outpost".
This historical steakhouse with a past (now renovated), used to be a lodge back in the 1930's. It is up on a ridge where you would never find it, if you didn't know it was there. It now serves dry-aged, hand-cut in house steaks. It is also home to the Greenbrier Whiskey Society, where you can try some of the best whiskeys and bourbons around.
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Stop in for a delicious dining experience and find out why the place is said to be haunted by a young girl named Lydia.
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Preacher's Smokehouse, 2933 Pittman Center Rd, Sevierville
Another place out on the pretty backroads with an interesting story.
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During the devastating Gatlinburg wildfires of 2016, (my own experience (video) the owner,
who - yes - is a preacher, helped cook for the firefighters who were the heroes working around the clock to stop the fires. The firefighters loved his cooking so much, they suggested he open his own place. And here it is.
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A little bitty shack that smells so good when you drive up, you will just have to go in. Rave reviews put this little, out of the way, Bbq place on the list of hidden gems!
Tennessee Jed's, 631 Parkway, Suite A8, Gatlinburg
In case you didn't know...."Tennessee Jed" is a Grateful Dead song !
Hidden and nestled back into Baskins Square, (across from The Village and Pancake Pantry) on the Gatlinburg Parkway, you can get breakfast and brunch here, and it won't be ordinary. You probably won't see it at first, but it's worth the short walk back and up to the 2nd level.
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They advertise breakfast, brunch, craft sandwiches and fast service. Everything is super fresh, from mouthwatering reubens, to frito pie, corned beef brisket, zucchini frittata, brown butter cake, quiche, turkey bacon ranch, and the list goes on.
Rave reviews make it number one on TripAdvisor in 2021.
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Cakes by Bakin Bishop, Call 865-310-2662, Pigeon Forge
So this is not a place you go to sit down and eat, but if you need a cake, cupcakes or cookies for any special occasion, or just get a sweet tooth, this is one of the best places to go. Always fresh, beautiful and creative for any occasion.
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Wedding, birthday, anniversary, family reunions, parties - any reason is a good enough reason. These beauties are very original, and custom made to order!
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Right across the road from the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster. If you blink you will miss it!
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