Pigeon Forge is known as the tourist haven of the Smokies. Thousands of tourists flock to the Smokies region to escape their norm and enjoy the cool air and majestic attractions that the mountain town proudly hosts. Shows are popular here; dinner shows, comedy shows, name them.
Do you know what goes together with tourists and attractions? Homage-and Pigeon Forge don’t fall short. There are dozens of hotels and restaurants running 24/7 selling all sorts of foods dear to you.
You can never go wrong with the southern taste of grilled chicken, pizza, calzones, pretzels, etc.
Top 10 Places to Eat in Pigeon Forge
After seeing the many attractions in the Smokies Mountains area, it’s time to grab something to calm your rumbling bowels. Pigeon Forge has a vast network of local restaurants and national franchises to take care of that. These restaurants serve hot meals, some with takeaway options to accommodate your eating on-the-go spirit.
Here is a creamy list of the top restaurants in the area voted for their excellent service, positive reviews, and appealing menus. Take a look:
1. Blue Moose Burgers & Wings
- Address: 2430 Teaster Ln # 108, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, United States
- Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday: 11 am-10 pm, Friday and Saturday: 11 am-11 pm
- Rating: 4.5 stars
- Pricing: $$
- Cuisine: American, Bar, Pub
Blue Moose is the only family-friendly sports bar in Pigeon Forge. It’s one of the most flocked restaurants in the area, generally due to its impeccable service and sporty vibe. Add that to the delicious menu they have – you will soon be marking this place a favorite while you are in the Smokies.
As a sports bar, the restaurant has more than enough television sets to keep you updated on football, the NPL, NBA, etc. Get to enjoy tasty palettes from sandwiches, burgers, and the locals’ favorite pretzels. The restaurant has incredible wings which come in 18 different flavors to sizzle your tongue.
The Moose is located in the same shopping center as Tropical Smoothie Cafe and Three Monkeys Photo Emporium, off Teaster Road. For an easier time, find the Bluefish Grill or Carino’s Italian-the Blue Moose Burgers & Wings is behind them.
Why Dine at This Restaurant?
- Wheelchair accessible
- 30 HDTVs to catch games and listen to personalized music
- Serene location off the main road
- Pet friendly-you can dine with your dog at the covered patio
- Accepts credit cards
- Table service available
- The restaurant serves alcohol
- Highchairs and tv
- Free parking and wifi
- Takeout available
- Outdoor seating
- Special meals available: gluten-free, vegetarian-friendly, and vegan-friendly options are available
Dinner’s Note: Ask for a kids’ menu so that your children can enjoy tasty meals with a touch of love. They have a mac n cheese children’s special, and drinks go for less than $2! Proposed dinner/lunch budget for two: $50-$100
2. Margaritaville Restaurant- Pigeon Forge
- Address: 130 The Island Dr #6101, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, United States
- Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday: 11 am-9 pm, Friday and Saturday: 11 am-10 pm
- Rating: 4.1 stars
- Pricing: $$
- Cuisine: American, Bar
Margaritaville is a haven for drinks and food, with a beach island vibe that matches a Miami beach restaurant. The eatery overlooks the Little Pigeon River, offering incredible scenery for a date or a relaxing evening. The joint borrows heavily from Jimmy Buffet plating his dishes and vibe of island-ism.
An ocean vibe kicks in as you enter the restaurant, with loud music, a large dining area, and the ever-polite hosts. They even got a small plane hanging from the ceiling. There is also an enormous blender that dispenses liquor-imagine that.
Margaritaville is known for, you guessed it, margaritas. You can never go wrong with myriad choices to go around on their drink menu. Enjoy an assortment of margaritas, craft/canned beers, and wine- a fabulous way to down the taste of the meals you just had.
Why Dine at This Restaurant?
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Table service available
- The restaurant serves alcohol
- Highchairs and TV
- Free parking and wifi
- Takeout available
- Outdoor seating
- Live music
- Special meals available: gluten-free, vegetarian-friendly, and vegan-friendly options are available
Dinner’s Note: The restaurant tends to fill up during peak periods. Avoid the slow service, especially on weekends, by calling ahead for priority seating. Spending under $100, you can feed a group of three with delicious meals from Margaritaville.
3. Local Goat – New American Restaurant Pigeon Forge
- Address: 2167 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, United States
- Opening Hours: Daily: 11 am-10 pm
- Rating: 4.6 stars
- Pricing: $$
- Cuisine: American
Local Goat is a family-friendly restaurant serving farm-to-table meals from their scratch-made kitchen. All produce is fresh from the local market, promoting the economy while offering delicious and fresh ingredients in their food. They deal in delicious cuisines that are a favorite to many, from pretzels to donuts and burgers, all these at affordable prices. From jumbo chicken wings, appetizers, and salads-your plate will be overflowing with a well-detailed recipe. You can also get craft beer or cocktails from the Local Goat Bar and enjoy the picturesque views of Mt. Leconte.
The convenience of the location, just across the Mountain Valley Vineyards. It’s past the Titanic Museum Attraction on the main parkway drive between the first and second traffic lights.
You can make reservations for up to a party of 8 at the restaurant at any given time, but subject to seating availability. Call ahead to book the restaurant for large parties and align the menu with your guest list.
Why Dine at This Restaurant?
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Private dining
- Reservations available
- Full bar available
- Table service available
- The restaurant serves alcohol
- Highchairs and tv
- Free off-seat parking
Dinner’s Note: The Local Goat restaurant does not offer to-go meals as they like to have the freshest food delivered to their diners. The chef can make special requests for orders suiting your special diet. However, this is subject to timelines and the traffic in the kitchens.
4. Mellow Mushroom Pigeon Forge
- Address: 2485 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday: 11 am-10 pm, Friday and Saturday: 11 am-11 pm
- Rating: 4.4 stars
- Pricing: $$
- Cuisine: American, Bar, Pizza
The first Mellow Mushroom restaurant opened in Pigeon Forge in 2010 near Starbucks along the main parkway drive. Since then, they have made strides to open a second location on the Island, along the Island Drive between the third and fourth lights. This second location flows with art under the brick and blue wood panel structure. It’s attached to Dude Daiquiri Bar, with an open dog-friendly patio for a seamless dining experience for pet owners.
Mellow Mushroom is known to serve delicious pizza slices that are not your usual Chicago-style pizza sold at many restaurants. They specialize in gourmet pizza, a southern-style pizza slice that leaves you wanting more of that exceptional crust.
The secret?
All pizzas are hand-tossed and baked on a hot stone, and the dough has the water from the Appalachian mountains. The result is a thin crust, topped off with fresh local toppings and meat.
Bring your family to fat on their extensive menu with pretzels, bruschetta, and beers on the tap. The pizzerias are family-owned so expect nothing but a warm welcome and delicious food.
On the Island location: ride the observation wheel to see the incredible landscaping of the Great Smoky Mountains. Also, check out the fountain display at the center and take a few pictures for Instagram.
Why Dine at This Restaurant?
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Table service available
- Highchairs and tv
- Parking is available
- Free off-seat parking is available
- Takeout available
- Non-smoke restaurant
- Full bar available: serves wine, beer, and cocktails
- Special meals available: gluten-free, vegetarian-friendly, and vegan-friendly options are available.
Dinner’s Note: Exclusive orders for gluten-free crusts are possible to suit your dietary options. Also, Mellow Mushroom has a surprisingly significant number of screens to watch live games. What’s more, you can request a channel of choice, making the restaurant a solid alternative to a sports bar.
5. Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen
- Address: 131 The Island Dr Suite 8101, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday: 8 am-9 pm, Friday and Saturday: 8 am-10 pm
- Rating: 4.2 stars
- Social Links: Facebook, Instagram
- Pricing: $$
- Cuisine: American, Southern
Paula Deen’s Kitchen is one celebrated restaurant chains in America. She made her popular show on Food Network TV and transferred the family chef spirit to the country. All meals are prepared in a southern style to add that fragrance of originality and freshness.
Every dish follows Paula Deen’s recipes that launched her career on the Food Network show. They preserve every spice and concoction to get it, as Paula would on her TV show.
The dining space is upstairs, with family-style service. It means that your table gets the same entrees and sides. Some see this as a disadvantage to a conventional restaurant menu, but Paula Deen’s restaurant builds on that family eating setting.
Your meals are supposed to seem like a traditional meal at home. It also translates to an all-you-can-eat experience, and the servers will add more of your food should you need more. Thankfully, they serve a dessert of your choice, so some reprieve right there.
Proceed to the first floor after your meal or during the waiting period to the retail store and shop cookbooks from the trendy Paula Deen’s Cook show. Buy other southern memorabilia and kitchenware to use back home, or better still, a gift card for your dear ones to enjoy the wowing family dinner at the restaurant.
Why Dine at This Restaurant?
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Table service available
- Highchairs and tv
- Parking is available
- Free off-seat parking is available
- Offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner
- Full bar available: serves wine, beer, and cocktails
- Vegetarian-friendly menu
- Non-smoke restaurant
Dinner’s Note: Book ahead to avoid long wait times that can exceed an hour. Call ahead to get an estimated wait period to avoid unnecessary waiting. The restaurant gives you a pager that notifies you anywhere on the Island when your wait is almost through.
7. Alamo Steakhouse
- Address: 3050 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Opening Hours: Monday and Tuesday: 3 pm-9 pm, Thursday to Sunday: 11 am-9 pm
- Rating: 4.5 stars
- Pricing: $$
- Cuisine: American, Steakhouse
While Alamo is a landmark name in Texas, here, it signifies sacrifice. The restaurant was named in commemoration of the 2000 volunteers who went to fight in the Mexican war in 1846-1848.
Meat at Alamo Steakhouse is prepared on an open fire grill using oak wood to preserve that southern Texas taste and smell of barbeque meat. You are in for some drooling as you smell the welcoming aroma of grilled steaks prepared to order on an open fire. It is like home cooking, but instead, you have a BBQ pitmaster doing all the work.
The restaurant serves southern steaks entrees for lunch ( 11 am-3 pm) and dinner (3 pm till late). Their meats are aged and hand-cut in-house to ensure quality and preserve their grilling process. All seasonings are made in-house, preserving natural flavors that mesh with the steaks in a mouth-watering way. It’s no wonder the Alamo Steakhouse received the 2021 Traveler’s Choice award from Tripadvisor!
Don’t forget to shop for seasoning and merch from the online shop to take part of the South with you home: Hot sauce, steak sauce, branded mugs, glasses, and shirts.
Why Dine at This Restaurant?
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Table service available
- Highchairs and tv
- Parking is available
- Kids menu
- Free off-seat parking is available
- Non-smoke restaurant
- Full bar available: serves wine, beer, and cocktails
- Special meals available: gluten-free, vegetarian-friendly, and vegan-friendly options are available
Dinner’s Note: Ask for a steak a tier higher than what you want to avoid overcooking, like a medium for a medium-rare.There are discounts posted on the official website with redeemable coupons, which may save you some costs on the meals.
7. The Old Mill Restaurant
- Address: 164 Old Mill Ave, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday: 8 am-8.30 pm, Friday and Saturday: 8 am-9 pm
- Rating: 4.7 stars
- Pricing: $$
- Cuisine: American, Soups
Old Mill Restaurant won the 2021 Traveler’s Award by Tripadvisor. The award goes to show their commitment to quality service to their patrons.
You are missing out if you don’t pay homage to this 200-year-old mill, which started as an iron mill back then. The Old Mill District would then be born to house several establishments. Among them, the restaurant and a distillery where you can have craft beers and cocktails as you wait for your order from the restaurant.
The eatery is located along Little Pigeon River, only 45 minutes from Knoxville.
It’s a local’s favorite serving meals that you will adore. The menu features home-cooked recipes that have been a landmark since the restaurant started operations. Try the deep south chicken pot pie served with creamy sauce and mixed veggies.
Why Dine at This Restaurant?
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Table service available
- Highchairs available
- Parking is available
- Live music
- Takeout available
- Waterfront seating
- Full bar available: serves wine, beer, and cocktails
- Special meals available: gluten-free, vegetarian-friendly, and vegan-friendly options are available
Dinner’s Note: Prices at Old Mill can seem to be a little bit on the higher side compared to other restaurants. Fortunately, you get desserts and Fixin’s on the same bill.
8. Hannah’s Kitchen
- Address: 3214 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday: 11 am-9 pm, Friday and Saturday: 11 am-10 pm
- Rating: 4.3 stars
- Social Links: Facebook, Instagram
- Pricing: $$
- Cuisine: American, Bar
J.T. Hannah’s Kitchen is a franchise restaurant with deep roots in 1930 relics and service, located on Parkway Drive near Light Six. Entering the Pigeon Forge restaurant will narrate not only a 30s story but also the decor that pronounces its lines. If you are an art person, this will definitely be a hit for you, if not a favorite.
The restaurant has a reputation for serving incredible dishes in steak, seafood, burgers, and sandwiches in town. They also have ribs to die for, which fall off the bone, quite literally. Their handmade potato chips, chicken tenders, and Mountain Mudd Cake fame all around the Smoky mountains as a must-try alongside the burgers and fries.
Why Dine at This Restaurant?
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Table service available
- Highchairs and tv
- Parking is available
- Free off-seat parking is available
- Free wifi
- Full bar available: serves wine, beer, and cocktails
- Special meals available: gluten-free, vegetarian-friendly, and vegan-friendly options are available
Dinner’s Note: Stick to the burgers, fries, and sandwiches-their fine-dining dishes don’t attract a lot of good reviews. The local staff is kind-they will even recommend places you should try, which may be worthwhile on your bucket list.
9. Sawyer’s Farmhouse Breakfast
- Address: 2831 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Opening Hours: Daily: 8 am-2 pm
- Rating: 4.4 stars
- Pricing: $$
- Cuisine: American
Sawyer’s Farmhouse is a locally owned and operated restaurant in Pigeon Forge serving breakfast and lunch. They specialize in crepes, pancakes, compotes, waffles, and syrups. These helpings are served with fresh whipped butter and homemade syrups to match with beverages of your choice.
You can also order grilled ham or cheese and garden salads to ramp up your breakfast or lunch palate. Download their app to make orders more streamlined-its available on both Android and IOS.
Why Dine at This Restaurant?
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Table service available
- Highchairs and tv
- Parking is available
- Free off-seat parking is available
- Free wifi
- Full bar available: serves wine, beer, and cocktails
- Special meals available: gluten-free, vegetarian-friendly, and vegan-friendly options are available
Dinner’s Note: To avoid long lines and waiting times, arrive early. Also, ensure that you make your lunch appointment before 1.30 pm, so as not to miss a table.
Also Read:
10. Huck Finn’s Catfish
- Address: 3330 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Opening Hours: Daily: 11.30 am-8 pm
- Rating: 4.5 stars
- Pricing: $$
- Cuisine: American, Seafood
Huck Finn’s is the place to be for some delicious sea dishes in Pigeon Forge. They prepare some of the best catfish in the area, getting all their ingredients from local sources around TN. The restaurant has been running for more than 25 years, boasting high-quality food and impeccable service.
The A-la-carte menu allows patrons to special order and gets the made-to-order foods plated for them. You can also order online through their official website for delivery or take-out options.
Why Dine at This Restaurant?
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Table service available
- Highchairs available
- Parking is available
- Live music
- Special meals available: gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly options are available
Dinner’s Note: Arrive early at the restaurant to avoid long wait times. The restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat dinner for $20.99. If your pocket is light, lunch menu meals are $10 before 3 pm. Also, on savings: you can split a meal, especially when your group prefers different dishes for entrees and sides.
Honorable Mention
A new restaurant is open in Pigeon Forge, TN. Downtown Flavortown is the new kid on the block! Guy Fieri shows his famous wares, and food here is to die for-not literally.
The restaurant will feature world-class recipes and a whooping 43000 square foot family restaurant. Additional perks include a 10,000 square feet arcade gaming area, a 14-lane bowling alley, a full serviced Tiki Bar, and a 300+ seating capacity dining area. The 1968 Chevy Camaro will look good in your memoir picture, won’t it? Well, it’s upfront at Downtown Flavortown!
Also Read: Best Restaurants in Sevierville
Conclusion
Every visit to Pigeon Forge can be stained or made worse by the food you eat. Luckily, the Smokies has incredible hospitality and restaurants serving every wish on entrees, sides, steaks, and snacks. Visit the southern BBQ joints to get a lump of savory meat that you will seek the cookbook for in the future. Have a delicious experience in Pigeon Forge!
