There are so many delicious restaurants to try near our unique attraction in Gatlinburg TN, so how do you decide where to go? Let us help with this list of 5 best places to eat in Gatlinburg for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

1. Pancake Pantry 

There is no better way to start the day than with a stack of melt-in-your-mouth pancakes! Pancake Pantry is the area’s oldest pancake house, where breakfast is served all day, and lunch is served starting at 11:30 AM. Their breakfast menu features stuffed omelets, grits, hashbrowns, and all of the other egg and meat options, but they are most famous for their large selection of pancakes, crepes, and waffles. Choose from delicious options such as the Wild Blueberry Pancakes with warm blueberry compote, the Smoky Mountain Buckwheat Pancakes, or the unique Caribbean Pancakes topped with sliced banana, chopped nuts, and shredded coconut. We highly recommend the Pecan Waffle or the Georgia Peach Crepes. 

2. Loco Burro Fresh Mex Cantina

Loco Burro Fresh Mex Cantina provides a fresh menu of Tex-Mex favorites and delicious cocktails on the rooftop bar. From unlimited chips and salsa to their delicious queso, guacamole, or 6-layer dip, it’s impossible to choose just one appetizer! For entrees, you can get just about anything, including tacos, quesadillas, burritos, fajitas, enchiladas, chimichangas, and more! Their meats are grilled to perfection and they use fresh ingredients to make your favorite dishes, such as Pork Carnitas Tacos, Skirt Steak Quesadillas, Mesquite Smoked Brisket Burrito, and Beef Locos Nachos. You’ll also find an extensive list of cocktails and drinks at Loco Burro– the house-made margaritas are a must!

3. Cherokee Grill

If you’re looking for a good steakhouse, then Cherokee Grill is definitely one of the best places to eat in Gatlinburg for steak lovers! Take your pick of premium cut steaks, from NY strip and filet mignon to sirloin and Ribeye. They offer a variety of unique add-ons to your steak, such as a Béarnaise sauce, a soy ginger sauce, Boursin cheese, or sauteed mushrooms to name a few. Other delicious meals we highly recommend include the Smoky Mountain fried chicken with gravy, herb-crusted trout with lemon butter, and the pork chop marinated with olive oil, garlic, pepper, and Worcestershire butter.

4. Howard’s Restaurant

Howard’s Restaurant has been locally owned and operated since it opened in 1946, making it a tourist and local favorite. Their family-friendly menu has something for everyone, from soups and salads to chicken, steak, and seafood. We recommend starting with the Fried Mushrooms or Jalapeno Poppers before digging into your entree. The Open Face Roast Beef is a big hit, made with slow-cooked sliced roast beef, served on Texas toast, and smothered in our brown mushroom gravy with mashed potatoes. 

5. Calhoun’s 

Calhoun’s is a BBQ restaurant in Gatlinburg, well-known for hickory-smoked meats and the Sweet & Spicy Thunder Road BBQ Sauce. We suggest ordering their wings, either smoked and rubbed with their special seasoning mix or breaded and fried, both with your choice of dipping sauce. Entree options include hearty burgers, large platters of BBQ ribs, chicken, or pork, as well as brisket, steak, and seafood. You can also order a beer, glass of wine, or cocktail with your meal from their drink menu, or sip a premium whiskey or bourbon for an after-dinner treat. 

Now that you know the best places to eat in Gatlinburg, get ideas on how to spend one day in Gatlinburg, and don’t forget to stop by our fantastic exotic car experience! We hope to see you soon!