January 04, 2025

Top 6 Restaurants in Downtown Gatlinburg to Visit

As you stroll the streets of downtown Gatlinburg, you will come across all sorts of wonderful things to do, ranging from some of the most highly-rated attractions to some intriguing shops! One of the best things about the area is that you can walk the entire strip to get a close-up view of all the excitement. As you explore, you are sure to work up an appetite. Luckily, there are some top downtown Gatlinburg restaurants as well that you're going to want to try! Here are 6 restaurants in downtown Gatlinburg to visit:

1. Pancake Pantry

As we kick off this list, we might as well start off with the most important meal of the day, breakfast! At Pancake Pantry, you will find the perfect combination of history and incredible food. As you can probably guess by the name, this restaurant is mostly known for its pancakes. In fact, it was the first pancake specialty restaurant in Tennessee! Pancake Pantry offers 24 different varieties of pancakes, ranging from old-fashioned buttermilk to orange walnut pancakes topped with zesty orange syrup and powdered sugar! No matter what you decide to have, it will be the perfect start to your day in the Smoky Mountains! Once you visit, you'll understand why it's one of the top restaurants in downtown Gatlinburg.

2. Calhoun’s

Your Smoky Mountain vacation isn’t complete without sampling some of the area’s home-cooked BBQ. At Calhoun’s, they are known for having some of the best! On the menu, you will find all sorts of dishes, including pulled pork, smoked chicken, and smoked brisket. Perhaps the most popular item on the menu is the award-winning baby-back ribs. The ribs at Calhoun’s will fall right off the bone and have just the right amount of BBQ sauce for an amazing treat. In fact, they once won the Rib Cook-Off in Cleveland, Ohio, which sparked the business into what it is today. Once you visit, you'll quickly understand why this is one of the best downtown Gatlinburg restaurants!

3. The Peddler Steakhouse

Known as the premier steakhouse in town, The Peddler has everything you are looking for in a dining experience. First off, they have the most scenic location of all the restaurants in downtown Gatlinburg. The building was once the home of Gatlinburg residents and is located right on the banks of the Little Pigeon River. From the dining room, you can look out at the river which creates a relaxing ambiance for your meal. Now, let’s get to the food. You can choose from a variety of hand-cut steaks and other dishes that are cooked over hickory charcoal and prepared just the way you like it. For starters, you can also enjoy the famous salad bar at The Peddler Steakhouse, which includes dozens of fresh ingredients and homemade dressings.

4. Best Italian

If you are looking for something a little different, Best Italian has a variety of wonderful Italian dishes. The menu variety is great because you can be sure that everyone in your group will be able to find something that they enjoy. Start your meal off with some fried calamari or the signature garlic rolls that melt in your mouth. For the main course, they have everything from pasta dinners to calzones and pizza! There is even a special menu for the kids, which offers different types of pasta, chicken tenders, and a create-your-own pizza.

5. No Way Jose’s

Craving some authentic Mexican food? No Way Jose’s is one of the best Mexican restaurants in downtown Gatlinburg! They have all sorts of delicious meals available at unbeatable prices. Some of the things to choose from include fajitas, enchiladas, and nachos. Perhaps the most intriguing dish is the Ultimate Tacos, which combines both hard and soft-shelled tacos into one that are filled with ground beef, cheese, lettuce, pico, and El Rancho sauce! For dessert, stick around for some fried ice cream or a Churro Grande Sundae.

6. Cherokee Grill

When you visit Cherokee Grill, you can enjoy a delicious meal and learn a little about the history of the area. Once upon a time, the Smoky Mountains were inhabited by the Cherokee Indians. To this day, this favorite among downtown Gatlinburg restaurants pays homage to the tribes that made the Smokies what it is today. On the menu, you will find all sorts of incredible entrees, including nine different steak options headlined by the Teriyaki Sirloin. For those looking for lighter options, they also have a variety of seafood dishes to go along with an assortment of soups and salads! You can also find the perfect glass of wine to go along with your meal, or try out one of the mixed drinks from the bar.

Now that you know about some of the best restaurants in downtown Gatlinburg, be sure to check out all the fun Smoky Mountain attractions to visit before or after your meal! We look forward to seeing you soon in the Smokies!