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Outdoor Dining - Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, Townsend, TN

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro

4.9
4.9
3726 Reviews
$50 and over
American

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 43 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Romantic
At Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, we know that great food begins with fresh, quality sourced local ingredients. On our Modern Appalachian menu, Chef Jeff Carter and culinary team present seasonal and delicious dishes that are familiar and steeped in tradition yet enhanced with bold new dashes of flavor and component combinations that may surprise and delight you.

Dancing Bear provides a premium lodging experience. We bring the same commitment to excellence to our award-winning restaurant and full bar. Whether enjoying a romantic dinner for two or bringing the extended family together for a celebratory meal, we want your night out in Townsend to be a special experience. We offer a refined assortment of modern Appalachian cuisine — all served among elegant surroundings and calming wooded vistas.

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    American, Regional American (Southern), Regional American (Contemporary Southern)
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sun 10:30–13:00 Dinner Tue–Sun 17:00–21:00
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Jeff Carter
  • Private party facilities
    Our Lodge Event Center offers beautiful, indoor and al fresco spaces, while our farm-to-table restaurant, Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, provides fresh, local and artistic cuisine. Our award winning Chef Jeff Carter prepares elevated Appalachian fare, guaranteed to please every palate.
  • Private party contact
    Anna Bartlett: (865) 448-6000 ext. 3
  • Area
    Knoxville
  • Cross Street
    Apple Valley Way
  • Parking details
    Parking is available just outside the restaurant in most cases. During special events such as concerts or weddings, parking is just off Highway 321 at the entrance to Dancing Bear next to Apple Valley Country Store with buses running people up to the restaurant and lodge event center.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Experiences

  • New Year's Eve - Prix Fixe Dinner

    US$1.00 per party

    Prepaid

    31 Dec 2025 only
    We will be hosting a multi-course, fixed price meal for $135++ without an A La Carte option. Dietaries will be accommodated to the best of our ability. *We are requiring all reservations to add a CC on file to reserve a table for this special experience, which is what the $1.00 charge is, to get the table reserved. All other sales will be handled at the Bistro, night of by your service staff member. Approximate price will be $135/pp++. Thank you! We look forward to serving you!*

Private dining

What 3,726 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.7Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • East Tennessee

    Best Overall

  • East Tennessee

    Best Food

  • East Tennessee

    Best Service

  • East Tennessee

    Best Ambience

  • East Tennessee

    Best Value

  • East Tennessee

    Innovative

  • East Tennessee

    Healthy

  • East Tennessee

    Great for outdoor dining

  • East Tennessee

    Romantic

  • East Tennessee

    Great for scenic views

  • East Tennessee

    Good for special occasions

  • East Tennessee

    American

  • Knoxville

    Best Overall

  • Knoxville

    Best Food

  • Knoxville

    Best Service

  • Knoxville

    Best Ambience

  • Knoxville

    Best Value

  • Knoxville

    Great for brunch

  • Knoxville

    Innovative

  • Knoxville

    Healthy

  • Knoxville

    Great for fine wines

  • Knoxville

    Romantic

  • Knoxville

    Good for special occasions

  • Knoxville

    Lively

  • Knoxville

    American

  • Knoxville

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro offers an "exceptional dining experience" with "delicious food" and "attentive, friendly service." Patrons rave about the "perfect atmosphere" and "beautiful location," making it ideal for special occasions. The "unique and tasty dishes" and "impeccable service" ensure that guests "will definitely be back!"
3,726 Reviews
  1. Joe

    Detroit1 review

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great place. Great food. Not pretentious at all.

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  2. Tracie

    Charleston4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was outstanding! Wonderful service, meal and atmosphere were all very enjoyable! Highly recommend

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  3. Joni

    Alabama6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Good was amazing! Service was outstanding!!! Loved everything about this place! So yummy!!!

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  4. Maria

    E. Tennessee6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful ambiance outdoors under the pergola, superb dinner of cornmeal dusted trout for me and filet for my husband, excellent service. A lovely date night!❤️⭐️❤️

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  5. Gary

    Western NC10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic food and service ! Great setting in the woods with outdoor fire and smores

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  6. Jose VIP

    Fort Lauderdale4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    By far the best restaurant in East Tennessee. Highly recommend the drive if around Gatlinburg/pigeon forge area.
    Dancing Bear Appalachian BistroResponded 2 days ago
    Wow—what an incredible compliment, Jose! We’re honored to be your top pick in East Tennessee. Thank you for recommending us to those visiting the area—we love being a peaceful escape from the bustle of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    E. Tennessee2 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    The food was good but wasn’t maintained at a hot temperature for me anyway. The service, especially for a mainly buffet, was adequate. Waited forever for a water refill, he was split thru many tables and just didn’t maintain attention. I barely got to pun him down for eggs. Compared to our evening meal, I was really disappointed. I won’t attend brunch again for sure.

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  8. Faith

    Seattle2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a pleasure to enjoy Brunch at Dancing Bear, but yesterday was even better!! Love the new option to have eggs to order - I did not care for the scrambled version that was at the buffet. Also, Lauren was a delightful server and Jon was exceptionally hospitable with our mimosa service. Oh, and don't forget the coffee!!! Not sure what they brew, but it is always delicious!! Recommend all things at Dancing Bear 1000% and can't wait for our next occasion to enjoy the ambience, delicious food, sitting by the fire or lodging in a cabin for an overnight getaway.
    Dancing Bear Appalachian BistroResponded 2 days ago
    We love hearing that your brunch experience was even better than usual, Faith! The eggs-to-order option was introduced with guests like you in mind, and we’re so glad it made a difference. Lauren and Jon will be thrilled to know their attentiveness and hospitality stood out, and we’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to Baily as well. And of course, we agree—there’s nothing like a great cup of coffee to complete the experience! We truly appreciate your support and can’t wait to welcome you back for another relaxing getaway.

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  9. Elizabeth

    E. Tennessee1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Jack was an excellent server! The food was delicious (the filet mignon and sweet tea pork chop are amazing), and the drinks and dessert were fantastic as well. We will definitely be back!
    Dancing Bear Appalachian BistroResponded 4 days ago
    Thank you for your kind words, Elizabeth! We're so glad to hear that Jack provided excellent service and that you enjoyed the Filet Mignon, Sweet Tea Pork Chop, drinks, and dessert. We can’t wait to have you back for another wonderful dining experience!

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  10. Terry

    E. Tennessee1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I had the Filet which was fantastic. The Trout with grits had a great flavor. The fried Oysters were cooked to perfection. The salad was fresh and flavorful. Our waiter was very attentive, and CJ was spot on with her customer service. We loved everything about the Dancing Bear and look forward to returning soon.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro is rated 4.9 stars by 3726 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 43 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro

7140 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend, TN 37882

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Apple Valley Way
  • Area
    Knoxville
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sun 10:30–13:00 Dinner Tue–Sun 17:00–21:00
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    American, Regional American (Southern), Regional American (Contemporary Southern)
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Parking is available just outside the restaurant in most cases. During special events such as concerts or weddings, parking is just off Highway 321 at the entrance to Dancing Bear next to Apple Valley Country Store with buses running people up to the restaurant and lodge event center.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Jeff Carter
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Private party facilities
    Our Lodge Event Center offers beautiful, indoor and al fresco spaces, while our farm-to-table restaurant, Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, provides fresh, local and artistic cuisine. Our award winning Chef Jeff Carter prepares elevated Appalachian fare, guaranteed to please every palate.
  • Private party contact
    Anna Bartlett: (865) 448-6000 ext. 3
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Impressum
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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