6 Amazing Restaurants in the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community

The Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community is a can’t-miss destination for any vacation in Gatlinburg, TN. Located off of the East Parkway, this 8-mile loop is home to the largest group of independent artisans in North America. Visitors to the community will find studios, shops, and galleries that sell beautiful handcrafted arts and crafts made right here in the Smokies.

Of course, no shopping spree in the Arts & Crafts loop is complete without a meal at one of the community’s fantastic restaurants! Tucked away in a peaceful natural setting, these eateries offer a relaxed atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Gatlinburg. To help you make the most of your next getaway, Visit My Smokies has put together a guide to the top six restaurants in the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community.

1. The Wild Plum Tea Room

The Wild Plum Tea Room was recently named one of the 10 best restaurants in Tennessee, and it’s easy to see why! Modeled after the traditional tea houses found in the mountains of Austria, this spectacular cafe offers mouthwatering scratch-made food served in a charming atmosphere. Popular menu items at The Wild Plum include the homemade chicken salad, Norwegian salmon burger, lobster pie, and blackberry cobbler. Due to the restaurant’s immense popularity, making reservations at least 24 hours in advance is highly recommended. The Wild Plum is only open for lunch.

2. Three Jimmy’s

If your family or group can never agree on where to eat, Three Jimmy’s is the perfect place to dine! This restaurant has a little bit of everything on its menu, and any choice you make is a good one. Guests at Three Jimmy’s will find BBQ, burgers, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, salads, and even more delicious entrees. In the evenings, Three Jimmy’s frequently hosts local musicians and fun karaoke nights.

3. Morning Mist Cafe

Morning Mist Cafe is a wonderful lunch spot in the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community. Standout dishes at the cafe include the egg salad with bacon bits and the half-pound burgers, which many locals consider to be the best in town. If the weather is nice, we suggest sitting outdoors and enjoying views of the small mountain stream that runs beside the restaurant.

4. Glades Soda Fountain

Anyone with a sweet tooth will love Glades Soda Fountain! This old-fashioned ice cream parlor serves classic 1940s style treats, including malts, milkshakes, sundaes, floats, and phosphates. All of the ice cream dishes are handmade by a friendly soda jerk who even uses a vintage cash register.

5. Delauder’s BBQ

Delauder’s BBQ is a local favorite that recently received national attention when it was voted one of the top 100 restaurants in the nation by the users of Yelp! This family-owned eatery has built a loyal following for its freshly prepared pulled pork, ribs, loaded nachos, fried okra, and mac ‘n cheese. The popular “Sneaky Pig” sandwich, which features pulled pork and an award-winning sweet habanero sauce, never disappoints.

6. Crystelle Creek Restaurant & Grill

Crystelle Creek offers the perfect atmosphere for a romantic dinner in the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community. Located on a former trout farm, this unique restaurant features a large tree covered in twinkling lights, a manmade “waterfall” that cascades off of the roof, a koi pond, and a lovely stream. Guests will enjoy a varied menu that includes trout, steak, and chicken entrees. Crystelle Creek hosts live music every night of the week, so you can hear some great tunes while you dine.

For even more amazing restaurants in the Gatlinburg area, check out our complete guide to dining in the Smoky Mountains!