Dining out is one of the best parts of being on vacation! When you’re out and about in Gatlinburg, you’ll find hundreds of great restaurants that you can stop at for a delicious lunch. To help you make the most of your next getaway, Black Bear Inn & Suites has put together a guide to five of the best places to eat lunch in Gatlinburg.
1. Parton’s Deli
Parton’s Deli is one of the most beloved restaurants in Gatlinburg. For over 40 years, this excellent lunch spot has been delighting guests with subs, chili hot dogs, deviled eggs, potato salad, and homemade lemon pound cake. All of the sandwiches are warmed to perfection in an old fashioned steamer. Parton’s Deli is a one-man operation, and every sub is handmade by the shop’s friendly owner. If you decide to eat at Parton’s, be sure to bring cash, as credit cards are not accepted.
2. Smoky Mountain Shakes-N-Dawgs
Smoky Mountain Shakes-N-Dawgs is another one of the most popular places for lunch in Gatlinburg. This great restaurant offers an expansive selection of unique hot dog creations. Highlights of the menu include the Southern Fried Dawg (a beef hot dog deep fried in Cheez-It cracker crumbs), the Pizza Dawg (topped with marinara, mozzarella, and pepperoni), and the Moonshine Dawg (marinated in genuine Tennessee white lightnin’). Guests can also enjoy this shop’s wonderful milkshakes, which are made with Amish buttercream ice cream.
3. Big Daddy’s Pizzeria
If you’ve got pizza on the brain, there’s no better place to visit than Big Daddy’s! All of the pies at this restaurant are baked in a wood-fired brick oven to create the perfect crispy thin crust. Big Daddy’s makes their dough and sauce in-house and only uses the freshest ingredients available. They don’t even have a freezer in their kitchen! In addition to classic pizzas like cheese and pepperoni, Big Daddy’s offers a number of unique pies, such as the Chicken Florentine (made with spinach-artichoke dip) and the Taco Pie (which features refried beans, ground beef, and cheese sauce).
4. J.O.E. and Pop’s Sub Shoppe/Mama’s Chicken Kitchen
Gatlinburg’s two newest restaurant share a location on the East Parkway. J.O.E. and Pop’s Sub Shoppe specializes in delicious homemade sandwiches, while Mama’s Chicken Kitchen serves mouthwatering fried chicken and Southern sides. No matter which restaurant you choose, you’re in for a tasty meal! Be sure to save room for dessert, because the banana pudding on J.O.E. and Pop’s menu is out of this world.
5. The Wild Plum Tea Room
Located in the Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Community, The Wild Plum Tea Room is a one-of-a-kind lunch spot. Inspired by the tea houses in the mountains of Austria, this superb restaurant makes all of its food from scratch. Popular dishes at The Wild Plum include the lobster pie, baked salmon burger, homemade chicken salad, and dessert sampler. Due to the restaurant’s popularity, making reservations at least a day in advance is required
When you stay at Black Bear Inn & Suites, you will be near all of these wonderful places to eat lunch in Gatlinburg. Our hotel is located right on the Parkway, just minutes away from all of the fun on The Strip and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With our complimentary hot breakfast, enclosed heated pool, free wireless internet, and balconies with beautiful views, Black Bear Inn & Suites has everything you need for an incredible getaway. To start planning your vacation, browse our selection of Gatlinburg hotel rooms!