Pigeon Forge, nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, is a charming town known for its vibrant attractions, stunning scenery, and welcoming atmosphere. While many visitors flock to its well-known destinations like Dollywood and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the culinary scene in Pigeon Forge is a treasure trove waiting to be discovered.
Beyond some of your favorite eateries, you’ll find an array of hidden gem restaurants in Pigeon Forge that offer locally sourced ingredients, scratch-made meals and unique dining experiences. Every town has those special spots where the locals go for food that you just keep coming back for again and again. Here are some of Pigeon Forge’s best-kept secrets (that are not so secret!):
The Local Goat was rightfully named because it’s truly where the locals go. Drive by the parking lot at any time of day, and you’ll see it’s packed. The food is simply phenomenal with a diverse menu that offers something for everyone in your group. With almost 15,000 Google reviews and an impressive 4.6-star rating, the restaurant’s popularity speaks for itself.
The Local Goat features a scratch-made kitchen, where each dish is crafted with care with a focus on fresh, local produce. Some of the favorites include the deep-fried deviled eggs, steak nachos, and fried green tomato appetizers. The bison burger is a standout, among many other locally sourced burger choices, including a gluten-free bun. Tasty salads and decadent desserts, like the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie, round out the menu. It’s a well-loved gem that’s too good to miss!
Calling all seafood lovers! For those who crave the finest in dining, Bullfish Grill is a top destination. Highlights of their menu include succulent trout, creamy shrimp and grits, and flavorful seafood gumbo.
Bullfish Grill aims to create delicious meals inspired by the Pigeon Forge community, using local ingredients as much as possible. This restaurant prides itself on offering the freshest selections available, featuring aged Grand Champion Angus Beef and seafood delivered daily. With a lodgelike dining room complete with stone floors and a large fireplace, Bullfish Grill is a great choice for a tasty business lunch, a weeknight dinner, or a special date night.
Pigeon Forge is all about fun, and Buzzed Bull Creamery takes that to the next level. Imagine ice cream, made cooler (pun intended) with liquid nitrogen and customized just for you with over 30 flavors available. For the adults, you can even infuse alcohol into your creation.
Each order is hand-crafted right in front of your eyes, allowing you to witness the science at work in a steamy display of wizardry that produces the creamiest dessert you’ll crave every time you think back on your visit. This innovative process, combined with fresh ingredients and in-house recipes, ensures a premium treat every time.
For those with a sweet tooth who enjoy new experiences, this is a must-visit to take the whole family. With so many different flavor combinations and toppings, each time is a new adventure to savor.
There’s nothing like a loaded, juicy burger to put a smile on your face. Combine that with warm cookies or, better yet, cookies inside a milkshake, and you’ve got one happy belly. Cookie Dough Monster will satisfy your cravings for far more than their famous edible cookie dough. Kids will love this spot for its delicious grilled cheeses and specialty french fries, like bleu buffalo and black truffle sea salt fries.
Specializing in food made from scratch using locally sourced ingredients, you’ll taste the freshness in every bite of their delicious meals. And don’t forget to save room for their desserts. If cookies aren’t your thing, they offer funnel cake fries, banana pudding, and waffle ice cream sandwiches, among other mouthwatering options. This place is sure to leave everyone in the family full and satisfied.
If your vacation vibe is all about lounging by the pool, Paloma Scratch Kitchen at the Wayback Hotel has you covered. This part-restaurant, part-poolside venue offers a selection of beautiful, upscale meals perfect for snapping Instagram-worthy photos or enjoying while relaxing on a lounge chair with a view. The interior of the restaurant is stunning, featuring a blend of high-end tropical and western aesthetics.
Paloma Scratch Kitchen serves breakfast and dinner. Breakfast options include favorites like avocado toast and classic Southern hoe cakes. For dinner, their tacos are a must-try, offering a variety of meats such as chicken, shrimp, mahi-mahi, vegetable, and barbacoa, with toppings like pineapple relish and adobo crema. They also offer Mexican classics like Arroz con Pollo and hanger steak, with gluten-free and vegan options available. Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, this hidden gem is definitely worth a visit for its delicious food and unique ambiance.
Pizza aficionados will find their paradise at West by God CoalFired Pizza. Known for its perfectly crispy coal-fired pizzas, this restaurant offers a variety of scrumptious toppings like pistachio, homemade sausage, and bacon jam. Beyond their exceptional pizzas, they also serve mouthwatering garlic bread, cheesy tater tots, and flavorful chicken wings.
This place couldn’t be better for families and groups with the added excitement of axe throwing! Play different games including killing zombies or tic-tac-toe, and you can even try a different tool like throwing stars. You can’t ever go wrong with pizza and games, and this place has the best of both.
For a true taste of the South, Song & Hearth’s family-style and buffet meals are the perfect choice. You’ll feel like you’re in a grand family mansion with the high ceilings, tasteful Southern decor, colorful stained glass windows, and cozy atmosphere. Open to both resort guests and non-resort guests at Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, with complimentary self-parking available, this hidden gem offers a dining experience that’s not to be missed.
Start your day with a Southern breakfast buffet featuring a pancake station, irresistible biscuits and gravy, make-your-own omelets, pastries, fruits, and both hot and cold cereals. And don’t miss the Gristmill’s Cinnamon Bread—it’s possibly the best dessert in all of Pigeon Forge.
For dinner, enjoy specialties and classic sides to be selected and shared by the table, with unlimited refills available. Some options include DreamMore Famous Fried Chicken, Bacon-Wrapped Southern Meatloaf, BBQ Brisket, Crispy Skin Salmon, or Dolly’s fabled Stone Soup from her childhood. Sides like mashed potatoes, whiskey baked beans, broccoli casserole, and more round out the meal. Fresh Baked Garlic Cheddar Drop Biscuits are always served to start.
It wouldn’t be the South without something sweet to end your meal. Save room for traditional Southern desserts like banana pudding, strawberry shortcake, seasonal cobbler, or chocolate mousse crunch.
Picture a large, soft, made-from-scratch pretzel salted to perfection with three different types of mustard for dipping. That’s just one of the reasons you have to add Pigeon Forge Deli to your vacation list. Their sub rolls, also made from scratch and baked fresh right there, are equally delicious. Order your favorite sandwiches and taste the difference with options like the Italian sub, Reuben, and pot roast sandwich. They’re also known for their chicken salad, pasta salad, and tasty soups.
With a swanky hole-in-the-wall vibe reminiscent of a New York City pizza shop, complete with a brick wall and wall-to-floor ceilings, it’s no wonder people call this a hidden gem. They even have outdoor seating for those who prefer to dine al fresco.
You’re probably already imagining all the mouthwatering food to be had in Pigeon Forge. Make your list of all the places above that you’re going to visit and get excited! This is one culinary tour of hidden gem restaurants in Pigeon Forge you won’t soon forget, filled with Southern goodness, decadent desserts, and tons of made-from-scratch meals. Enjoy every bite!