5 Restaurants in Gatlinburg First-Time Visitors Need to Try
As you are planning your first trip to the Smoky Mountains, it is easy to become overwhelmed with all the information you read. You have probably discovered you have hundreds of restaurants to choose from and probably only a few days in town. To help out with the decision making process, we have put together this list of 5 restaurants in Gatlinburg that first-time visitors need to try:
1. The Peddler Steakhouse
When you are considering where to eat dinner, you will first want to think about what places you can’t find back home. The Peddler Steakhouse is a local restaurant that is built upon Smoky Mountain tradition. In fact, the building that the restaurant currently sits in was once the home of a family who lived in the Smokies! To this day, The Peddler pays tribute to the Ogle family in a multitude of ways. In addition to an amazing history, this local steakhouse is known for its fantastic salad bar and mouth-watering steaks! If you want to enjoy a peaceful dinner by the river, be sure to visit The Peddler Steakhouse on your trip to Gatlinburg.
2. Pancake Pantry
Open since 1960, Pancake Pantry has become a staple restaurant for visitors in the Smokies! One fun fact about this breakfast restaurant is that it was Tennessee’s first pancake speciality restaurant. The owners had vacationed to Gatlinburg many times before they decided to take a leap of faith and open the restaurant, having no prior restaurant experience. Little did they know, it would quickly become one of the most popular breakfast restaurants in all of the Smokies! When you are in need of a morning meal, stop in at Pancake Pantry for your choice of 24 different varieties of pancakes!
3. The Park Grill
Gatlinburg is known by many as the “Gateway to the Smoky Mountains.” On your way to explore all the hiking trails and historical buildings in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, be sure to stop by The Park Grill for a delicious meal. This restaurant is considered the unofficial restaurant of the National Park because of its convenient location and tribute to the history of the Smokies. In addition to delicious entrees, The Park Grill has its own piece of amazing history. The wood that was used to build the restaurant was taken from dead spruce trees in the Payette National Forest in Idaho. Each log was chosen because of their unusual markings, and were hand-cut to build one of the most popular restaurants in Gatlinburg!
4. Cherokee Grill
As you may know, the Smoky Mountains was once home to the Cherokee Indians. At Cherokee Grill, they pay tribute to the tribe who came before us to honor their lasting presence in the area. The restaurant features a regionally inspired menu, with delicious dishes such as Southern Fried Catfish, the Cherokee Grill Burger, and Fresh Herb Crusted Trout. In addition, they have 8 different steaks to choose from, including the local favorite Teriyaki Sirloin. While you are guaranteed to not leave hungry, be sure to save room for one of their homemade desserts, which include cheesecake, cobbler, and brownies!
5. Loco Burro
On your first ever trip to Gatlinburg, you will want to explore the downtown area, which is home to dozens of exciting attractions and restaurants. One of the places to get a delicious bite to eat is Loco Burro, where you will find a menu full of authentic Mexican dishes. In addition, this restaurant has a rooftop seating area where you can take in the sights and sounds of downtown Gatlinburg while you eat. To add to the fun, take a seat on the bucking donkey to see how long you can hang on while your family gets some amazing action photos! This restaurant is a great spot to take the kids because they have a ton of live music and colorful decorations that will keep the young ones entertained during lunch or dinner.
Now that you know about some of the best restaurants in Gatlinburg for first-time visitors, be sure to check out all the other delicious Smoky Mountain restaurants to try during your vacation. We look forward to welcoming you to the beautiful Smokies!
