Pigeon Forge is a place that is located on the outskirts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. The place is usually bustling with tourists, and while there is a line of restaurants around the streets, family-owned places serve authentic local dining experiences that people often miss out on.

1. The Best Places to Eat in Pigeon Forge
1.1. The Old Mill Restaurant
The restaurant is situated alongside the Little Pigeon River and was built in 1830. It is one of the most photographed mills in the country. The Old Mill Restaurant in Pigeon Forge is a place to visit if you want many home-cooked southern dishes to eat.
Widely regarded as one of the best places to eat in the Pigeon Forge, it provides people with different options to accompany their meals.
The main course breakfast entrees typically include orange juice, homemade Old Mill banana nut muffins, biscuits, fresh homemade seasonal preserves, and grits. And dinner entrees come with a drink, corn chowder, homemade corn fritters, side salad, world-famous green beans, a choice of potatoes, and a fresh-baked dessert.
The menu at the Old Mill Restaurant serves several standout dishes, which include slow-cooked green beans, hearty corn chowder, southern-style chicken pot pie and homemade pecan pie, which is also a must-try, with over 700 slices served daily.
Visiting The Old Mill Restaurant is like going down memory lane, reminiscent of eating at one’s grandmother’s house, particularly for those who grew up in the South.
However, Southerners and tourists alike will appreciate the warm Southern hospitality, comfort food, and large portions.
The Old Mill Restaurant is a family-friendly restaurant conveniently located just off the main Parkway at Light #7 in downtown Pigeon Forge.

1.2. Local Goat
Local Goat on Wears Valley Rd is a restaurant known for its homemade dishes and dedication to using locally sourced ingredients.
The menu features a range of American cuisine and provides different dietary preferences, offering vegetarian-friendly, vegan, and gluten-free options.
The restaurant also offers a diverse selection of appetizers, award-winning jumbo wings, and tasty salads.
In addition, they serve hearty steaks, Honey BBQ, chops, fall-off-the-bone ribs, Fried Green Tomatoes, Panko breaded free-range deviled eggs, Jumbo Chicken Wings, 8-piece Jumbo Chicken Wings and excellent deserts.
Situated in the heart of Pigeon Forge at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains, Local Goat offers a scenic view of Mount LeConte and the surrounding mountains. The tavern is located between traffic lights one and two, just past the Titanic Museum Attraction and across from Mountain Valley Vineyards.
Local Goat offers private dining options, accepts reservations and provides comfortable seating and available parking, including free off-street parking. Guests can also enjoy watching television while dining, and offer highchairs for families with young children.
1.3. Mama’s Farmhouse
Mama’s Farmhouse in Pigeon Forge proudly has a selection of enjoyable treats that are made by the Johnson Family’s Great-Grandmother, popularly known as Mama to her kin. The establishment sets itself apart from typical all-you-can-eat restaurants by serving family-style southern food.
Whether for lunch or dinner, The restaurants have it covered; they have homemade buttermilk biscuits and your choice of white bean & sausage soup or chilli. Each day, they have 2 delicious entrees for lunch and 3 for dinner.
The menu includes their award-winning fried chicken, meatloaf, honey-glazed ham, Roasted turkey breast with cornbread stuffing and succulent turkey gravy. Country fried breaded steak cutlet served family style with Mama’s country gravy and mashed potatoes.
Mama’s Farmhouse has an all-you-can-eat policy that ensures the diners can enjoy themselves to a tasty meal to their heart’s content.
The Mama’s Farmhouse in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, received the People’s Choice Award at the 2015 International Biscuit Festival in Knoxville, Tennessee. Their winning creation, Mama Says ‘Don’t Say Maybe to Chocolate Gravy’, is a biscuit masterpiece. Furthermore, Mama’s Banana Pudding has also been recognized as one of the Best Banana Puddings in Tennessee.

1.4. Frizzle Chicken Cafe
Frizzle Chicken Café is a remarkable establishment in Pigeon Forge that offers an exceptional culinary experience accompanied by entertainment. This popular restaurant has the most impressive collection of animatronic chickens in the world, entertaining diners while they eat their food.
The establishment is also renowned for being the most child-friendly eatery in Pigeon Forge, offering unique Bear Cakes and keeping guests entertained with live performances and dancing chickens.
Next to the World Famous Comedy Barn Theater, Frizzle Chicken Café is a unique dining destination featuring live music and animatronic chickens.
The breakfast menu showcases a selection of robust Southern classics choices, encompassing pancakes, omelettes, French toast, and chicken and waffles. The lunch menu presents various options, comprising sandwiches, burgers, and the renowned Pichicken tenders.
The restaurant is designed to provide a side of entertainment with every meal, complete with animatronic chickens that sing and dance.

1.5. Mel’s Diner
Mel’s Diner in Pigeon Forge has established itself as a beloved state in Florida for over 35 years. With a presence in five locations and a vast menu of 300 items, Mel’s American Diners has become a prominent landmark in Southwest Florida.
Renowned for its delectable homemade dishes, the diner offers a wide range of options, including classic favourites like steak and seafood, as well as an extensive selection of fresh salads, sandwiches, milkshakes, homemade desserts, and an exceptional breakfast menu.
Their menu favourite includes speciality burgers, Dawn’s Pulled Pork Barbecue, and Big Daddy’s Gut Buster Breakfast.
The local community has consistently recognized Mel’s Diner as the best all-around restaurant for many consecutive years.

1.6. Alamo Steakhouse
At Alamo Steakhouse, Diners are provided with the highest quality cuisine. The aged steaks are meticulously hand-cut in-house and expertly seasoned before being grilled over an oak fire to seal in their natural juices and flavours, resulting in a tender and delectable dining experience.
Their dedication to excellence extends beyond the steaks, as they also craft their burgers, soups, sauces, and gravies, and hand-breading and cooking our mozzarella sticks to order.
Their commitment to quality has earned the distinction of winning the Best Steak award at the 2023 Pigeon Forge competition.

1.7. Bennett’s Pit BBQ
Bennett’s Pit BBQ offers delicious meals characterized by their moistness, tenderness, and rich flavour.
The pork ribs, chicken, pulled pork, baby back ribs and beef briskets are smeared with their signature sauce and slow-cooked over smouldering hickory wood for up to 14 hours.
The sauce is served on the side, allowing you to personalize your barbecue experience to your liking. The family feast is a delicious spread that includes smoked barbecue, tasty potato salad, savoury beans, fresh coleslaw, and warm bread.
Their dedication to perfecting barbecue dishes has earned them the prestigious “Best BBQ” title in the ‘Best Of Pigeon Forge‘ awards, which they have held for multiple years.
Bennett’s BBQ is located at 714 River Rd, Gatlinburg, only a few miles from Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.

1.8. Old Mill Pottery House Cafe
The Old Mill Pottery House Cafe and Grille in Pigeon Forge offers a selection of the finest steaks, fresh seafood, gourmet salads, and more.
It is an ideal destination for a romantic dinner for two under the starry sky or a lunch gathering with friends in the contemporary dining room.
Situated in the former residence of potter Doug Ferguson, the establishment provides a tranquil atmosphere, offering a welcome respite from the bustling pace of Pigeon Forge.
Commence your dining experience with warm, freshly baked bread crafted from grains ground at the historic Old Mill. The bread is served on platters meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans at the neighbouring Pigeon River Pottery.
To conclude your meal, indulge in the assortment of handmade cakes, pies, chicken pot pies, cheesecakes, and pastries, ensuring a delightful conclusion to an unforgettable culinary experience.

1.9. Azul Cantina
Azul Cantina in Pigeon Forge offers authentic Mexican cuisine using wood-fire grilling and traditional cooking styles with roots from South America to Texas, try their speciality fajitas served with refried beans and rice.
They also have homemade cerveza-style lager and handcrafted cocktails featuring top-shelf tequilas and their own Agave distilled spirits.
The restaurant has a welcoming atmosphere with bright decor, friendly staff, and beautiful views from the first rooftop bar in Pigeon Forge, TN.

1.10. Huck Finn’s Catfish
Family-owned and operated, Huck Finn’s Catfish in Pigeon Forge is one of the most popular best restaurants in Pigeon Forge, It is a place for anyone who loves southern food.
Their menu includes award-winning All You Can Eat Catfish, Fried Chicken, and Vittles are a favourite among many. The Vittles include scratch hushpuppies, freshly made daily coleslaw, baked white beans with turkey ham, pickle spears, and sweet onion slices.
This delicious meal has earned them the title of Best Catfish in East Tennessee by Tennessee Magazine, and great food has made millions of customers happy.
1.11. Chubby’s Deli
This Pigeon Forge restaurant is just a little place in a gas station packed with delicious food on the menu. Chubby’s Famous Burger, their popular food is a must-try, this half-pound burger is loaded with slow-roasted pulled pork, bacon, grilled onions, BBQ sauce, and cheddar cheese.
The deli also offers healthy dishes like the Smothered Chicken, a grilled chicken breast topped with mushrooms, tomatoes, sauteed onions, and provolone cheese.
If you come early, you can enjoy Chubby’s country-fried steak or other breakfast dishes. The breakfast includes your preferred choice of grits and toast, two eggs, or biscuits with gravy.
Chubby’s Frito pie is listed as a side but can easily be a full meal or shared as an appetizer. It features corn chips and chilli, topped with chicken pot pie with lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and cheese.

1.12. Smoky Mountain Brewery
The Smoky Mountain Brewery is situated in Lumberjack Square, making it easily accessible from both the Parkway and Wears Valley Road.
Inside, you will discover a modern microbrewery that offers a gateway from the bustling atmosphere of Pigeon Forge.
Their menu includes delicious dishes such as Honey-Mustard Potato Salad, Broccoli with Beer Cheese, Tater Tots, Braised Spinach, and Mashed Potatoes. Enhance your sandwich by adding sliced, grilled mushrooms, onions, and peppers. Indulge in the Fried Chicken Tenders and Brewery “Ale” Steak, which is the signature sirloin marinated in Cherokee Red Ale, olive oil, mustard, and garlic.

1.13. Season 101
The American bistro-style restaurant menu at Seasons 101 focuses on affordable pricing and meticulous preparation and presentation. The restaurant’s interior design combines warmth and modernity with soft lighting, rich colours, and wood and stone accents, creating a casual yet sophisticated ambience.
Seasons 101 takes pride in using only the freshest ingredients available in the season, prepared with classic culinary techniques and presented with a creative, artistic touch.
Since its opening, the 101 East Main Street Sevierville restaurant has received positive feedback for its innovative American cuisine, served in a relaxed yet refined atmosphere.
Both locals and visitors alike in downtown Sevierville have been delighted by the exceptional culinary experience offered by Seasons 101.
On weekends from 11-2:30, guests can enjoy different types of appetizers, soups, salads, and lunch or brunch features. The menu includes tempting options such as the Brie en Croute appetizer and the Seasons gourmet burgers for lunch.
For brunch, Bailey’s French Toast and the Black Angus Benedicts are highly recommended. Additionally, the Ovation Omelettes, a new chef’s creation every weekend, are worth the money.
1.14. Pigeon Forge Deli
Pigeon Forge Deli is a little place in the corner shops and restaurants of an outlet mall on Wears Valley Rd. in Pigeon Forge, TN.
It offers a variety of signature subs and sandwiches which are served on homemade sub rolls, with options like white, pretzel dough, rye, and wheat.
The restaurant provides excellent food and great service. Additionally, It has a cosy coffee shop where you can order different coffee drinks, teas, and smoothies.
The deli is open from Monday to Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Friday to Saturday, it is open till 7 p.m. and is closed on Sundays.

1.15. Bullfish Grill
Bullfish Grill restaurant serves aged Grand Champion Angus Beef and offers the freshest seafood on its menu.
The restaurant has an extensive selection of fine wines, lagers, and ales that complement their fresh seafood and hand-cut steaks.
In addition, the restaurant serves regional specialities, signature pasta, sandwiches, desserts, and more. The children’s menu includes options like sirloin, ribs, shrimp, and a S’more Sundae.
Bullfish Grill in Pigeon Forge is perfect for lunch, dinner, and off-site catering, you can find the restaurant at 2441 Pkwy.

2. Conclusion
Pigeon Forge in Sevierville lacks the best restaurants and excellent dining options; you are spoiled with hundreds of options.
The Restaurants offer a variety of choices to please your palate. Whether you are searching for a mouthwatering Southern-style breakfast or a homemade lunch off the beaten path, the town has something for everyone who visits to dine.
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology