Best Southern American Restaurants in Gatlinburg

15 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Cherokee Grill and Steakhouse restaurant

1. Cherokee Grill and Steakhouse

4.4

Price: Moderate

• Southern american • Gatlinburg

Booked 68 times today

Cherokee Grill and Steakhouse in Gatlinburg is a beacon of exceptional steak cuisine, celebrated for its high-quality, perfectly cooked steaks. Nestled in the charming Calhoun's Village, this upscale eatery offers a mountain lodge ambiance, enriched with Cherokee artifacts, providing a unique, authentic Southern dining experience. Reviewers consistently praise the steaks, noting them as "cooked perfectly" and "the best flavor, tender and juicy." The prosperity steak comes highly recommended, described as “chef’s kiss” spectacular. Frequent patrons and first-time visitors alike rave about the “exceptional customer service” and the overall dining experience, making it a must-visit destination for steak lovers visiting Gatlinburg.

A photo of Calhoun's Gatlinburg restaurant

2. Calhoun's Gatlinburg

4.3

Awesome(158)

Price: Moderate

• Southern american • Gatlinburg

Booked 29 times today

Nestled in the heart of Gatlinburg, Calhoun's Gatlinburg epitomizes the spirit of American dining with its rustic mountain lodge ambiance and a hearty menu that celebrates the best of Tennessee’s cuisine. Renowned for its succulent BBQ, ribs, steaks, and sandwiches, Calhoun's offers an authentic American experience that resonates with both locals and visitors. Guests rave about the "best Prime rib I have ever eaten" and commend the Ale steak with its "best Worcestershire butter." With consistent praise for its "excellent service" and atmosphere where "food was so good," Calhoun’s stands out as a must-visit for anyone craving genuine American flavors in Gatlinburg.

A photo of Chesapeake’s Restaurant - Gatlinburg restaurant

3. Chesapeake’s Restaurant - Gatlinburg

4.8

Exceptional(1668)

Price: Expensive

• Southern american • Gatlinburg

Booked 54 times today

Chesapeake’s Restaurant in Gatlinburg offers a quintessentially American dining experience that dazzles with both its ambiance and its authentic cuisine. Nestled conveniently on the Parkway in Downtown Gatlinburg, Chesapeake’s provides not just a meal but an experience, with stunning river views and a vibrant raw bar. Patrons rave about the quality and authenticity of the dishes, with glowing reviews like, "The best New England Chowder I have had" and "the ribeye was the best ribeye I have ever had." It's the attention to detail and commitment to freshness that makes Chesapeake’s a beloved destination for American cuisine lovers. Whether you're craving seafood or a succulent steak, Chesapeake’s promises an unforgettable meal with every visit.

A photo of Southern Comfort - Westgate Resort restaurant

4. Southern Comfort - Westgate Resort

3.9

Excellent(380)

Price: Moderate

• Southern american • Gatlinburg

Booked 9 times today

Nestled in the heart of Gatlinburg at Westgate Resort, Southern Comfort is the epitome of delightful Southern cuisine. This restaurant is celebrated for its authentic Southern flavors where rustic, Creole, and low-country dishes create a perfect symphony of taste. Savor classics like shrimp and grits or chicken and dumplings, each dish promising a burst of down-home goodness. Patrons rave about their experiences, noting the “wonderful service and great food with a nice atmosphere,” and applauding specific dishes, “The gumbo and the French toast were amazing!” Southern Comfort is not just a meal; it’s an indulgence in genuine Southern hospitality and culinary excellence. Join us for a spell and taste the tradition that keeps families returning generation after generation.

A photo of Ole Red Gatlinburg restaurant

5. Ole Red Gatlinburg

4.1

Excellent(277)

Price: Moderate

• Southern american • Gatlinburg

Ole Red Gatlinburg is a standout destination for Southern cuisine enthusiasts, offering a vibrant blend of delicious food, live music, and warm hospitality—right in the heart of Gatlinburg. The restaurant brings to life the essence of the South with mouthwatering dishes that have guests raving about everything from "the best burgers" to "amazing homemade tater tots." The authentic Southern flavors extend to their Nashville hot chicken and smoky BBQ, described as "finger-lickin' good." Patrons consistently highlight the exceptional service, like Scott’s "spot on" service and Destiny’s "polite, adorable, and welcoming personality," which elevate the dining experience. Coupled with the toe-tapping live music, Ole Red Gatlinburg delivers an unforgettable Southern charm that makes it a must-visit for anyone in the area.

A photo of Song & Hearth at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa restaurant

6. Song & Hearth at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa

4.4

Awesome(2381)

Price: Expensive

• Southern american • Gatlinburg

Booked 73 times today

Song & Hearth at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa in Pigeon Forge is a gem for anyone craving authentic Southern comfort food. Guests rave about the "delicious food" and especially highlight the breakfast buffet, describing it as "the best you will find anywhere." The restaurant is praised for its "wonderful assortment" and particularly the "best omelets we’ve ever had." With a beautiful atmosphere and top-notch service where "the Chef came out to discuss food allergies," it's clear that Song & Hearth excels in both quality and hospitality. Whether it's the family-style dinners or the friendly staff, every aspect contributes to a comforting and memorable dining experience.

A photo of Ember & Elm at Dollywood’s HeartSong Resort restaurant

7. Ember & Elm at Dollywood’s HeartSong Resort

4.4

Awesome(255)

Price: Expensive

• Southern american • Pigeon Forge

Booked 35 times today

Nestled in the scenic heart of Pigeon Forge, Ember & Elm at Dollywood’s HeartSong Resort exemplifies the finest in Southern cuisine, offering a delightful culinary journey "rooted in the Smokies." This standout establishment captures the essence of Southern hospitality with dishes that boast exceptional flavors and locally-sourced ingredients. Guests rave about the "best fried chicken I’ve ever had" and the "spiced strawberry salmon," highlighting the restaurant's commitment to quality and authenticity. The glowing reviews don’t stop at the food; the service is equally praised, with visitors consistently lauding the warm, attentive staff. Whether you're enjoying a cozy dinner or a special Mother’s Day meal, Ember & Elm provides a memorable dining experience that keeps patrons returning for more.

A photo of Harpoon Harry's Crab House restaurant

8. Harpoon Harry's Crab House

4.2

Awesome(743)

Price: Moderate

• Southern american • Pigeon Forge

Booked 15 times today

Harpoon Harry's Crab House in Pigeon Forge offers an exhilarating seafood adventure like no other! Diners rave about the exceptional quality and presentation of dishes, such as the "delicious" Special Seafood stuffed peppers and the "perfectly cooked" lobster tail. The restaurant's twist on traditional seafood, including unique offerings like alligator bites, consistently impresses. One patron enthused, "Seafood was delicious! Loved the steamers!" and another highlighted, "The shrimp pasta was to die for. The lobster sauce is amazing 🤩". With its commitment to flavor and quality, Harpoon Harry's ensures every guest leaves satisfied, making it a must-visit destination for seafood lovers in Pigeon Forge.

A photo of Calhoun's Pigeon Forge restaurant

9. Calhoun's Pigeon Forge

4.4

Awesome(227)

Price: Moderate

• Southern american • Pigeon Forge

Booked 24 times today

Calhoun’s Pigeon Forge features an upscale mountain lodge atmosphere. Conveniently located on the Parkway in the center of the Pigeon Forge shopping area, Lumberjack Square (formerly Ogles Water Park), between traffic lights 2B and 3. Plenty of free parking is available and the Smoky Mountain Brewery of Pigeon Forge is just a few steps away. Calhoun's has become a place where friends and family gather to celebrate what’s good in their lives while they sample some of Tennessee’s best BBQ, ribs, steak, and sandwiches. So come on down and experience the best hospitality and BBQ around.

A photo of Hard Rock Cafe - Pigeon Forge restaurant

10. Hard Rock Cafe - Pigeon Forge

4.5

Awesome(733)

Price: Moderate

• Southern american • Pigeon Forge

Booked 11 times today

Hard Rock Cafe is a global phenomenon with 185 cafes that are visited by nearly 80 million guests each year. The first Hard Rock Cafe opened on June 14, 1971, in London, England, and from there the brand has expanded to major cities and exotic locations around the world.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

J
Julia
East Tennessee •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Unanimously the best meal my husband and I had of 2024. We were seated on the patio on a 40 degree night, and it was perfectly comfortable. The pork belly “small plate” knocked our socks off, and the veggie pasta was outstanding. Our only regret was not leaving room for dessert, because that doughnut bread pudding looked BOMB. Didn’t particularly care for our server. He was easily distracted and kept repeating himself. A dinner for 2 turned into a 2 hour affair, but the biggest hangups were coming back to take our order and bringing us our bill. Could have been an off night for him, we’ve all been there, and it didn’t alter our experience to keep us from ever coming back.
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Dancing Bear Appalachian BistroPrice: Very Expensive• American• Knoxville
•
4.9
V
Vanessa
Asheville / Western North Carolina •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Very welcoming, attentive (one of our daughters has a milk allergy and the Chef came out to speak with her and discuss what options she had), the service and food was excellent. Our server Dan was exceptional and made our first experience at Ember and Elm very memorable. Thank you for a wonderful dining experience.
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Ember & Elm at Dollywood’s HeartSong ResortPrice: Expensive• Regional American (Southern)• Pigeon Forge
•
4.4
S
Sherry
Cincinnati / Dayton •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
We were thrilled with the experience! We had requested a table with a “pretty view” for my mother-in-law’s 90th birthday. It did not disappoint! Our server was perfect and the chef made a special dessert for the birthday… the food was hot, fresh, and perfectly prepared. We will go back!
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Song & Hearth at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and SpaPrice: Expensive• Regional American (Southern)• Gatlinburg
•
4.4
J
Jerome
Cleveland / Akron / Canton •1 review
5.0
Dined on 14 Nov 2024
It's definitely a must if you're in the area. Good down home cooking, friendly service, and tasty cocktails. I've been here multiple times and have enjoyed every visit.
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Southern Comfort - Westgate ResortPrice: Moderate• Regional American (Southern)• Gatlinburg
•
3.9
RH
RosaleeH
East Tennessee •1 review
5.0
Dined on 5 Dec 2019
It was great. The fries I ordered were over seasoned with seasoning salt. However I am not a salt person to begin with. I loved the She shed drink and the music was awesome.
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Ole Red GatlinburgPrice: Moderate• American• Gatlinburg
•
4.1

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Best Southern American Restaurants in Gatlinburg

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15 restaurants available nearby

1. Cherokee Grill and Steakhouse

2. Calhoun's Gatlinburg

3. Chesapeake’s Restaurant - Gatlinburg

4. Southern Comfort - Westgate Resort

5. Ole Red Gatlinburg

6. Song & Hearth at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa

7. Ember & Elm at Dollywood’s HeartSong Resort

8. Harpoon Harry's Crab House

9. Calhoun's Pigeon Forge

10. Hard Rock Cafe - Pigeon Forge

See what locals rave about

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