Your Complete Guide to The Old Mill Restaurant in Pigeon Forge

The Old Mill Restaurant is a can’t-miss stop for any vacation in Pigeon Forge, TN! Located next door to the iconic Old Mill, this legendary eatery serves some of the best scratch-made Southern food you will ever eat. To help you make the most of your next getaway, Visit My Smokies has put together a guide to everything you need to know about dining at The Old Mill Restaurant in Pigeon Forge.

History of The Old Mill Restaurant

The origins of The Old Mill Restaurant can be traced all the way back to 1830! It was that year that local businessman Isaac Love and his sons constructed a grist mill along the Little Pigeon River. The mill stood next to an iron forge that was also owned by the Love family.

The Old Mill Square quickly became a center of activity in the growing mountain community, as local farmers used the grist mill to grind their grain into flour. When the area’s first post office was established at The Old Mill in 1841, the city became known as Pigeon Forge, a reference to the iron forge on the Little Pigeon River.

Although the iron forge was dismantled and sold for parts in the 1880s, The Old Mill is still in operation today. When you visit The Old Mill Restaurant, you will have the chance to sample a variety of dishes made from the historic grist mill’s freshly ground products, including pancakes, biscuits, grits, muffins, hush puppies, and cornbread.

What to Expect at The Old Mill Restaurant

The Old Mill Restaurant in Pigeon Forge is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Since The Old Mill Restaurant is one of the most popular places to dine in the area, guests should prepare to wait for between 20 minutes and an hour. The restaurant will call your name over a loudspeaker, so you can browse the nearby shops as long as you keep your ears open. Trust us; the delicious food is definitely worth the wait! Unfortunately, The Old Mill Restaurant does not take reservations.

Once you are seated, The Old Mill experience truly begins! The restaurant features an inviting, old-fashioned atmosphere, complete with charming wood decor and beautiful views of the Little Pigeon River. The service is always fast and exceptionally friendly.

At breakfast, all of the restaurant’s entrees are served with complimentary orange juice and warm banana nut muffins that can be enjoyed with sourwood honey and local preserves. Lunch and dinner entrees come with a cup of The Old Mill’s famous corn chowder and corn fritters served with maple butter. Depending on which dishes you order, your meal may also come with a side salad, mashed potatoes, green beans, and dessert. The portions are very generous at The Old Mill Restaurant, so be sure to come hungry!

Popular Dishes at The Old Mill Restaurant in Pigeon Forge

When it comes to country cooking, you can’t beat The Old Mill Restaurant! Here are a few of the most popular items on The Old Mill menu:

• Southern Country Fried Steak
• Traditional Turkey and Dressing
• Homemade Meatloaf
• Sugar-Cured “City” Ham
• Southern-Style Pot Roast & Gravy
• Blackberry Cobbler
• Chocolate Cake
• Pecan Pie

To see the full Old Mill Restaurant menu (and recipes for the restaurant’s famous corn chowder, corn fritters, and pecan pie), read this blog.

What to Do Near The Old Mill Restaurant

After your meal at The Old Mill Restaurant in Pigeon Forge, you can explore all of the wonderful shops that are just steps away! Here are the fun destinations you will find in The Old Mill Square:

• The Old Mill General Store
• The Old Mill Pigeon River Pottery
• The Old Mill Farmhouse Kitchen
• The Old Mill Candy Kitchen
• The Old Mill Creamery
• Sassafras: Unique Jewelry & Accessories
• Old Forge Distillery
• Iron Mountain Metal Craft Shop

There is also another excellent restaurant in The Old Mill Square, the Pottery House Cafe & Grille. This fantastic eatery has a completely different (but equally delicious) menu from The Old Mill Restaurant. All of the Pottery House’s breads are made from flour ground at The Old Mill!

For even more great places to eat during your vacation, check out our complete listing of restaurants in Pigeon Forge!