Possibly one of the most-asked questions that Pigeon Forge locals get all the time is “Where is the best place to eat in Pigeon Forge?”. It can be daunting trying to choose among the numerous Pigeon Forge restaurants up and down the parkway, which ends up leaving many people choosing the safe route and picking a chain restaurant they have had before. Going the safe route is…well..safe, but it sure isn’t fun! If you want to eat at the best Pigeon Forge restaurants without hitting a single chain, then keep reading to discover the best eateries in Pigeon Forge TN!
This ultimate guide to the best Pigeon Forge restaurants reveals the very best places to eat in Pigeon Forge, TN as rated by visitors as well as locals, which gives the list a mix of variety. In fact, #1 on our list is such a favorite dining choice by locals that we hesitated putting it on the list just because we rather enjoy the lack of crowds and wait times! Fortunately for you, though, it made the list…and you can see the absolute favorite restaurant of locals along with the other best restaurants in Pigeon Forge TN.
In this list you will find:
- Pigeon Forge Restaurant name
- Address with link to a map & directions
- Phone number for inquiring about menu, groups, wait times, reservations, etc.
- Days & Hours of operations if provided
- Links to menus for each restaurant
- Link to each restaurant’s official website for more info
- Full map with each restaurant marked for access to reviews, directions, etc
Seriously, we’ve packed as much information into this Pigeon Forge restaurant guide that we could find. If you end up eating at any of these restaurants in Pigeon Forge, please share your thoughts in the comments section at the bottom of the page!
The 10 Best Pigeon Forge Restaurants
(Since operating days & hours may change, be sure to check in advance with each restaurant as they may differ from what is listed below)
The Old Mill Pottery House Cafe & Grille
Want to eat where the locals eat? Want unique, different, homemade foods that will leave you salivating for more…especially when you go back home after vacation? We’ve known visitors to come back to Pigeon Forge just because of this restaurant. Seriously, it’s that good. We highly suggest The Old Mill Pottery House Cafe & Grille for lunch. It’s fantastic for dinner as well, but the lunch absolutely cannot be topped by any other restaurant in Pigeon Forge. It’s located across the street from it’s sister restaurant, The Old Mill Restaurant. Don’t let the Pottery House’s size fool you, though…dynamite comes in small packages! Our recommendations are the Original Chicken Reuben and the Pottery House Grilled Club. Also, their Lemonade Pie is a fantastic dessert choice! Or, my favorite, order the chocolate pecan pie and ask them to warm it just a little…amazing!
175 Old Mill Avenue
Pigeon Forge, TN 37868
Click for a map and directions
865-453-6002
Lunch: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm Daily
Dinner:4:00 pm – 8:00 pm Sun.-Thurs. | 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm Fri. & Sat.
Website: https://www.old-mill.com/pottery-house-cafe-grill/
The Old Mill Restaurant
While The Old Mill Pottery House & Cafe is popular among locals for lunch, The Old Mill Restaurant is just as popular with vacationers. We’d suggest either breakfast or dinner…simply because you should be heading across the street to the Pottery House for lunch!
175 Old Mill Avenue
Pigeon Forge, TN 37868
Click for a map & directions
(865-429-DINE)
Open Daily From 8:00 am – 9:00 pm (off season hours vary)
Website: https://www.old-mill.com/the-old-mill-restaurant/
Smoky Mountain Brewery
Perhaps one of the most popular burger joints in town. Locals often head to the “brewery” for lunch, while those who like a “sports bar and live music” vibe head here for dinner. The Smoky Mountain Brewery has awesome burgers, over 20 TVs, microbrewery, nightly entertainment, etc. If there’s a game going on when you need to eat, head to the Smoky Mountain Brewery!
2530 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Click for a map & directions
865-868-1400
Daily Open daily 11 am – 12 am
Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Website: https://smoky-mtn-brewery.com/
Bullfish Grill
If you love seafood, then definitely check out the Bullfish Grill as it’s perhaps the best seafood restaurant in Pigeon Forge! We suggest this as a dinner option. Note that Bullfish is on the higher-end of pricing among Pigeon Forge restaurants, so we don’t typically suggest it for large families. It’s great for a nice-dinner-out option for couples and adults.
2441 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Click for a map & directions
(865) 868-1000
Hours: Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm | Fri-Sat 11am-11pm
Website: https://bullfishgrill.com/
Alamo Steakhouse
The Alamo Steakhouse has won the award of “best steaks” by locals many times over…’nuff said!
3050 Parkway
Pigeon Forge
Click for a map & directions
(865) 908-9998
Alamo Steakhouse menu: Lunch, Dinner
Website: https://www.alamosteakhouse.com/
Cheddar’s Casual Cafe
3240 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN
Traffic Light #6
Click for a map & directions
Cheddar’s restaurant in Pigeon Forge opened in April 2013 with a massive menu with food that will please just about everyone. Their selection of great dishes and reasonable prices make it one of the best places to eat in Pigeon Forge, TN and is definitely a restaurant we can easily recommend!View our Cheddars Pigeon Forge Review
Website: https://www.cheddars.com/
Huck Finn’s Catfish
All-you-can-eat catfish and free refills of sweet tea in mason jars. Need we say more?!
3330 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Click for a map & directions
865-429-3353
Website: https://www.huckfinnsrestaurant.com/
Little Tokyo
We told you we had variety in this list, so here you go! The favorite Japanese restaurant among locals is definitely Little Tokyo. Great people and great food. If you like Japanese food, then check out Little Tokyo.
2430 Teaster Ln # 212
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Click for a map & directions
(865) 908-0555
Lunch: Monday-Friday 11am-3pm | Saturday & Sunday 12pm-3pm
Dinner: Sunday-Thursday 3pm-10pm | Friday & Saturday 3pm-12am
No website
J.T. Hannah’s Kitchen
J.T. Hannah’s is one of the newest restaurants on this list and has been well-received by locals and visitors alike. They have a little bit of everything, so people tend to easily find something on the menu they love. They even provide a menu of gluten-free food options as well!
3214 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Click for a map & directions
Phone: (865) 428-4200
Website & Menu: https://jthannahs.com/
Azul Cantina
Azul Cantina has a flavorful twist on traditional Tex-Mex dining using wood-fire grilling methods in traditional Mexican cooking styles with roots from South America to Texas. The welcoming atmosphere is felt through bright decor, friendly staff, and beautiful views from the first rooftop bar in Pigeon Forge, TN.
2655 Teater Ln
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Click for a map & directions
Website & Menu: https://www.azulmexicancantina.com/
Tips for Eating at Pigeon Forge Restaurants
- Save money on dining in Pigeon Forge by checking out our guide of Pigeon Forge restaurant coupons.
- Locals not only know where to eat in Pigeon Forge, but also when to eat. It’s no secret that weekends are the busiest times, but hours are also a huge factor. Choosing to eat lunch at 11 can help miss a much bigger crowd that fills in around 12. Dinner wait times are lowest before 5:30 and after 7:30.
- Call ahead! Before heading to your chosen restaurant in Pigeon Forge, be sure to put the phone numbers to use below and call ahead. See if the restaurant takes reservations or call-ahead seating. You’ll feel like VIP sliding by the rest of the crowd standing & waiting for tables to open up.
- Ask about favorite dishes. Be sure to ask the waiter/waitress what the most popular/best items are on the menu. Most of the choices can be trusted…but if you’re second-guessing their suggestion, just go with your gut! No pun intended…
- Take in the history. Some restaurants in Pigeon Forge have a unique history behind them. The Old Mill Restaurant and The Log Cabin Pancake House are a couple of examples. Take time to read their history often printed on the menu or available near the entrance. It’ll give you a different appreciation for the restaurant, owners, and locals that helped build what they are today
- Try not to dine & dash. Many of these restaurants have a charming atmosphere to them, which adds to why they made the list. The Old Mill Pottery House Cafe & Grill for example has a neat area behind their restaurant with outdoor seating, flower, koi pond, and more. The Old Mill Restaurant has an original water-powered mill built in 1830 used for grinding cornmeal and is still used to this day just the way it was when it was built. Definitely worth checking out!
Map of the Best Restaurants in Pigeon Forge, TN
Below you will find a Google map that has all of these Pigeon Forge restaurants listed so you can see quickly where each is located. Clicking on each will also give you links to addresses, phone numbers, directions, reviews, and more!
Final Thoughts about the Best Places to Eat in Pigeon Forge TN
As restaurants come and go, this list will change. Be sure to check back before you visit Pigeon Forge, TN to see if anything new has popped into the top 9 places to eat in Pigeon Forge! Our Gatlinburg Guide also has a list of the best places to eat in Gatlinburg, TN. We also have a guide on how to find Pigeon Forge restaurant coupons so be sure to check that out as well!
Hopefully this list will help you avoid the “safe chains” and provide you with a unique taste of everything Pigeon Forge has to offer. Wherever your choose to dine, we hope this ultimate guide to the best Pigeon Forge restaurants has helped you have a wonderful visit to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee! Please share this Pigeon Forge restaurant guide with others using the sharing buttons below!