Pigeon Forge is one of the most visited towns in Tennessee. It’s about eight miles north of Gatlinburg, making it a great place to stay if you’re heading to Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The town is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains and is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, families, and foodies.
Pigeon Forge has dozens of great places to eat. If you love looking for the best restaurants when you travel, you have many to choose from here. They have more than their fair share of southern restaurants, but they also have a little bit of everything so you won’t go hungry.
Whether you’re craving seafood, burgers, classic southern food, or looking for the best breakfast in town, here are the 11 best Pigeon Forge restaurants.
The Old Mill Restaurant

If you ask locals and those who’ve been to Pigeon Forge before, the Old Mill Restaurant is one of the best restaurants.
This restaurant serves some of the best southern comfort food in town, maybe in all of Tennessee. The atmosphere is cozy, and you’ll feel like you’re eating in grandma’s house, not a restaurant, while you’re on vacation.
The Old Mill Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Their breakfast is delicious, but people love coming here for their lunch and dinner dishes. You can feast on southern fried chicken, homemade meatloaf, BBQ country ribs, and more.
You can’t leave without trying their famous corn chowder and creamy mashed potatoes. They go well with any dish you could order.
Blue Moose Burgers & Wings
For those craving classic American cuisine, Blue Moose Burgers & Wings is the place to be. Blue Moose is Pigeon Forge’s only family-friendly sports bar and restaurant, making it a popular spot for both visitors and locals.
There’s sports memorabilia along the walls and plenty of TVs for you to watch whatever game is on.
Blue Moose Burgers and Wings has delicious Angus beef burgers and tasty chicken wings. If neither of those isn’t what you’re in the mood for, they have so much more.
Their menu also features hotdogs, appetizers like potato skins, salads, and cold craft beer. Their wings are a popular item because there are over 15 flavors to try.
Elvira’s Cafe
Elvira’s Cafe is one of the best spots in the area for homestyle breakfast and classic diner food. You probably think of a small and cozy eatery when you think of a cafe. While Elvira’s still offers a relaxed and comforting atmosphere, this restaurant is anything but small.
The good news is that since the restaurant is large, you shouldn’t have to worry about a long wait, even when it’s busy.
Some of the best dishes on their menu are crepes, specifically breakfast chicken crepes. They also have French toast, grits, and other classic options for breakfast.
As for lunch, everything is delicious. Their sandwiches are famous, and they always come with a side of their famous coleslaw.
Pigeon Forge Deli
Right off of Wears Valley Road is Pigeon Forge Deli. This restaurant is the epitome of a mom-and-pop shop, and it’s a local favorite.
From the minute you walk in, you’re greeted with such hospitality and staff ready to share their delicious food with you. You’re welcome to sit and enjoy your meal at the deli or take it with you.
Pigeon Forge Deli services everything from sandwiches, soups, pretzels, salads, and more. Everything they make is made from scratch daily.
Some of their most popular menu items are the cheesesteak, the pizza loaf sub, the broccoli cheddar soup, and their cinnamon sugar pretzels.
Local Goat
Local Goat is a New American restaurant that serves delicious classics by using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.
Compared to some of the other spots in town, they’re new to the area, opening for the first time in 2016. This casual restaurant is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat after exploring the area all day.
People love this restaurant because it has something for everyone’s tastes. Some of the best appetizers on their menu are fried green tomatoes and jumbo chicken wings.
As for their entrees, they have some fresh salads, steaks, gourmet burgers, and plenty more. Their pimento cheeseburger is mouthwatering and pairs well with their locally crafted beer.
Dolly Parton’s Stampede

A trip to Pigeon Forge is nothing without stopping at Dollywood. If you can’t make it to Dollywood, you have to make time to eat at Dolly Parton’s Stampede.
It’s one of the most fun restaurants in town, whether you’re a Dolly fan or not. When you dine here, you’ll get a four-course meal while watching live performances and listening to live music.
The four-course feast is a pre-set menu, but they offer vegetarian dinners, gluten-free options, and dairy-free too. Regardless of which option you go with, you won’t be disappointed.
The original feast includes their signature creamy vegetable soup, homemade biscuits, rotisserie chicken, hickory-smoked pork loin, corn on the cob, a baked potato, apple turnover, and a drink.
Smokies Cuban Cafe
On Parkway in Pigeon Forge is Smokies Cuban Cafe. There’s nothing like a delicious cup of hot Cuban coffee to start your day or a pressed Cuban sandwich.
Smokies is a laid-back restaurant with minimal decor. Despite having minimal decor, the restaurant is stunning, with wood-panel walls and artwork dedicated to Cuba.
It’s no surprise you can get Cuban coffee and Cuban sandwiches here. Smokies also have other dishes that are classics in Cuba and Cuban households.
If you’re looking to try something besides a sandwich, you can’t go wrong with their palomilla steak and onions or their pork chunks with rice and beans. Their ham and cheese empanadas are the perfect snack or appetizer.
Huck Finn’s Catfish
Huck Finn’s Catfish is an award-winning restaurant in town, most famous for its all-you-can-eat catfish. They’ve been voted the best Southern cooking in the Smokies.
It’s a family-owned and operated restaurant that is welcoming to people of all ages. You’ll feel right at home here whether you’re ordering their all-you-can-eat catfish or a la carte.
If you’re ready to eat all the catfish you possibly can, you’ll get to enjoy fresh hushpuppies, coleslaw, and white beans with turkey ham. The rest of their menu has plenty of southern options and classic American cuisine.
Their Italian mozzarella sticks are a great starter, and their other popular entrees include gator tail, frog legs, fried clam strips, and country-fried steak.
Sawyer’s Farmhouse Restaurant
Whether you’re an early riser or someone who likes to enjoy brunch rather than breakfast, Sawyer’s Farmhouse Restaurant needs to be on your list of places to try.
They’re open for lunch too, but breakfast and brunch are where this restaurant shines. The restaurant reflects the mountain-style of the area perfectly, and the staff is incredibly friendly.
When dining at this restaurant for breakfast, you have to try their Belgian waffles. They’re fluffy and tasty. The bacon waffles are the perfect combination of sweet and savory.
If you want something sweeter, their pecan waffles are to die for. People love other dishes like omelets, corned beef hash, biscuits and gravy, and their freshly brewed iced teas.
J.T. Hannah’s Kitchen

J.T Hannah’s Kitchen is an American restaurant in a beautiful rustic building. The building is a large, brick structure that offers a family-friendly atmosphere where everyone will have a great time.
The founder of the restaurant opened his first kitchen in the 1930s, and the current staff strives to bring his passion to everything they make and serve to this day.
The staples on J.T Hannah’s menu are sizzling steaks, juicy burgers, and even St. Louis barbeque ribs. While most people consider these the stars of the show here, they also offer tons of other options.
For starters, the fried cheese curds and buffalo chips are amazing. They also have pasta dishes, chicken dishes, sandwiches, and salads.
Apple Valley Creamery
You’ll find Apple Valley Creamery inside The Apple Barn and Cider Mill in Sevierville. This shop is a hit with both children and adults because it’s one of the best places in the area to satisfy a screaming sweet tooth.
They’ve been serving some of the best ice creams in the Smokies since opening in 1991. They have their permanent flavors that everyone loves, but they also dabble in seasonal creations.
Apple Valley Creamery is known for their ice cream, but they also make cakes, cupcakes, loaves of bread, and other pastries for you to enjoy. Their ice cream flavor selection is impressive, with close to 60 options. You can order a classic ice cream cone or opt for a sundae, banana split, or milkshake. Their apple coffee cake and fudge brownies are great too.
Final Thoughts
Venturing into the Smoky Mountains doesn’t mean you have to bring all your meals with you to the cabin, campsite, or hotel. Some of the best restaurants in Tennessee can be found in Pigeon Forge. If you’re ready for the perfect mountain getaway, book your stay in Pigeon Forge today.