Top 6 Restaurants in the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community Off the Beaten Path
The Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community is a unique part of the Smoky Mountains. In this area, several shops keep the Appalachian culture alive by sharing their skills with the rest of the world. You’ll find handmade pottery, jewelry, quilts, art, and so much more in this small community, and there are also incredible eateries where you’ll be able to taste amazing food! You won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to support local businesses and try incredible cuisine from some hidden gems while you’re in town. Here are the top 6 restaurants in the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community that are off the beaten path:
1. Fox & Parrot Tavern
The Fox and Parrot Tavern is a small English-style pub tucked away in this little community where you can taste traditional European foods. You can’t go wrong with the classic dish of fish and chips, or you can try Shepherd’s pie, bubble & squeak, or cornish pasty. If you’re looking for an appetizer to hold you over until your next meal, try bangers and mash, Welsh rabbit, Ploughmans lunch, or Hadrian’s wall. You’ll love trying these traditional British foods!
2. Split Rail Eats
Split Rail Eats is a restaurant in the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community that is off the beaten path, but you won’t want to miss trying their comfort food with a twist! Start out with a classic appetizer, such as crispy fried pickles, squeaky cheese curds served with jalapeno ranch, or fries smothered in alfredo sauce and bacon. Split Rail Eats is known for their tater tot bowls that are covered in toppings, including the cheeseburger bowl that has ground beef, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and burger sauce. You can also get a juicy burger, hot or cold sandwiches, or a refreshing salad from this eatery.
3. The Rampant Lion
Another hidden gem along the Arts and Crafts loop is The Rampant Lion. This eatery also specializes in European dishes, and you’ll want to pair all of them with your favorite beer on tap. Share bangers and mash, a scotch egg, or oil and bread as an appetizer with your friends and family. For a main dish, you can get pan seared lamb, steak and mushroom pie served in puff pastry, or a poachers roll with sausage and onions. To go with your main meal, you could get tatties and neeps, hand cut chips, or roasted parsnips. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Europe when you eat at The Rampant Lion!
4. Red Oak Bistro
If you want to take your sweetheart out on a date night or want to enjoy some fine dining with your friends, head to Red Oak Bistro in the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community. This restaurant serves small plates inspired by Mediterranean and Eastern European cuisine. To go with your food, you can choose from an extensive drink menu to try a new red or white, bourbon, or beer. The food menu changes every week, so you don’t want to miss out on trying a delicious charcuterie board or salmon bruschetta.
5. Timbers Log Cabin Restaurant
When you’re in the heart of the south, you’re probably looking for a local restaurant that serves mouth watering comfort food, and you’ll find it at Timbers Log Cabin Restaurant! Their gooey steak and cheese sandwich will hit the spot, or you can get a smoked pulled pork sandwich topped with tangy coleslaw. You can’t go wrong trying one of Timbers’ burgers, such as their Log Burger, which is a beef patty with cinnamon raisin french toast as the buns! This is one restaurant off the beaten path you will want to visit!
6. J.O.E. and Pop’s Sub Shop
If you’re looking for a casual place to eat for lunch or dinner, you can’t miss trying J.O.E. and Pop’s Sub Shop! Their reuben is stacked with corned beef and melted swiss cheese covered in sauerkraut and thousand island dressing on marbled rye. The Hooiser Daddy sandwich is a fried pork cutlet topped with deli mustard, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. Other great sandwiches you could try include a shrimp po’ boy, a philly steak and cheese, a veggie sub, or an Italian sub. This sandwich shop also has the option for you to build your own sandwich! To go with your sandwich, salad, or hot dog, you can get crispy french fries, creamy mac and cheese, or chicken and dumplings!
All of these off-the-beaten-path restaurants in the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community are eateries you won’t want to miss the next time you’re in town. Want to know where else you should eat? Check out these other restaurants in the Smoky Mountains!
