Best Restaurants in Pigeon Forge
Whether you plan to ride roller coasters at Dollywood, cruise through a forest on a zip line or explore the wonders of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you'll need energy to make the most of your visit to Pigeon Forge—and that's why you need a hearty meal
The best restaurants in the area offer mouth-watering chowders, fritters, barbecue ribs and fried everything, so fuel up for your next adventure with a Southern-style feast. Gather around friends and family for a hike through Tennessee’s scenic surroundings before diving into a well-deserved meal at some of the best restaurants in Pigeon Forge.
The Old Mill Restaurant
Keep with local tradition and convene with your family around a table at The Old Mill Restaurant, where your meal comes with a helping of history. The adjacent Old Mill, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been a gathering spot since the 1830s and remains in operation. Whether you have homemade biscuits or muffins at breakfast or the house's signature corn chowder—served family style, as all accompaniments here are—at lunch or dinner, your dish likely will contain ingredients that were stone ground next door. That's true of anything breaded, including the crisp fried chicken and southern fried steak.
Alamo Steakhouse
Bring a Texas-sized appetite to Pigeon Forge’s Alamo Steakhouse, which specializes in Angus steaks grilled over an oak fire. You’ll find plenty of choices even if you’re not in the mood for red meat, however. The menu at this Wild West-themed restaurant is well-rounded, with plenty of chicken and pork dishes to choose from. The seafood options are no less tempting and range from bacon-wrapped shrimp for appetizers to salmon glazed in a homemade bourbon pecan sauce for the main course. If you have room at the end, indulge in the house’s signature Alamo Chocolate Burrito—a tortilla-wrapped chocolate bar that is deep fried and topped with cinnamon sugar, vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup for a yeehaw-worthy bite.
Bullfish Grill
If a craving for surf and turf strikes while you're in Pigeon Forge, satiate it with lunch or dinner at Bullfish Grill, where you'll dine in a cozy, lodge-style dining room with a fireplace. The name is a reference to the house's two specialties: beef and seafood. There's no shortage of chicken on the menu, either. If you stop by for Sunday brunch, you may find it delightfully difficult to decide between pancakes, eggs Benedict and crème brulee French toast, among other options.
Bennett's Pit Bar-B-Que
Pigeon Forge may not be as famous for its barbecue as, say, Memphis, but after feasting on hickory-smoked ribs, sausages, chicken and pulled pork at Bennett's Pit Bar-B-Que, you may find yourself asking why. If the options all seem too enticing, go for a sampler or combination platter; it’s big enough to share with your entire family. Extra barbecue sauce is served warm on the side, giving each of you the freedom to douse your meats with as much or as little of it as you like. Eating here can get a bit messy, but the simple, casual country setting—wooden tables with checkerboard prints—means you can dress accordingly.
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