After climbing the majestic Smoky Mountain, diving in the aquatic adventures, and riding thrilling rollercoasters, it’s time to reward yourself with a delicious, fulfilling meal.
So, Gatlinburg is not only famous for its picturesque scenery, exciting shopping variety, and proximity to the Great Smoky National Park, but it is also widely known for its stellar dining experience.
Gatlinburg’s Southern cuisines are famous for its scrumptious, satisfying local specialties and unique culinary creations. There’s something for everyone in the Smoky Mountains, from classic Southern diners to pizza places.
But, if you want to experience true Gatlinburg cuisine, it’s better to skip international food chains to indulge in authentic Gatlinburg cuisine. From southern comfort food to tempting desserts, Gatlinburg offers a gastronomic adventure that will send your taste buds into a trance.
So when it comes to the unique and delectable cuisine of Gatlinburg, here are some must-try local favorites to delight your taste buds.
Seafood Haven
Gatlinburg is heaven for seafood fanatics, especially for those who enjoy eating smoked trout.
Dive into the local flavors of Gatlinburg with a mouthwatering serving of Smoky Mountain Trout. This tender and flaky fish is typically seasoned with herbs and spices, then grilled or pan-fried to perfection.
When you’re looking for places to eat in Gatlinburg, make sure you don’t miss any spot that offers this delight. Moreover, if you are looking for a specific hickory charcoal flavor, then order Grilled Salmon or Shrimp paired with chopped rosemary and fresh lemon zest.
Indulge in the allure of seafood creations by ordering delicious appetizers, such as Maryland Crab Cakes and Fresh Sea Scallops. Other popular items at Gatlinburg’s seafood restaurants include Grilled Jumbo York River Oysters.
Even if fish isn’t your thing, you can still have a ribeye steak or grilled chicken breast, so you won’t leave the restaurant feeling cranky.
Refreshing Southern Salads
Along with serving meat lovers, Gatlinburg also caters to tourists who respect their health and want to eat fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods. With locally produced foods that ensure freshness and quality, Gatlinburg is the perfect place to experience the farm-to-table movement.
Chef Salad Special: One can never go wrong with a classic chef special salad that features ham or turkey, with toppings such as Artisan lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, egg, cheddar, and jack cheese.
Grilled Asian Steak Salad: If you are in the mood for a steak-inspired salad, then order Gatlinburg’s famous Grilled Asian Steak Salad, showcasing sliced filet mignon on a bed of mixed greens, complemented by garlic roasted tomatoes and a flavorful Kung-Pao peanut sauce.
Those craving the perfect fusion of flavors will adore the Grilled Steak Caesar Salad, boasting tender slices of filet mignon, crisp Romaine, and zesty garlic roasted tomatoes.
Maryland Seafood Salad: For all seafood lovers, Maryland seafood salad is a perfect appetizer, featuring blue crab, shrimps, scallops, tomatoes, feta egg, fresh greens, and avocado ranch.
Savor BBQ Delight
Gatlinburg is known for its rich history of BBQ production, and what better way to experience it than through a tantalizing plate of moonshine-infused BBQ? Moreover, Gatlinburg’s fantastic local restaurants take the time to slow-roast their meats over hickory wood, infusing them with a mouthwatering smoky flavor that’s truly irresistible.
Their BBQ menu offers a delightful array of choices, including pulled pork, brisket, smoked sausage, chicken, and many other delicious favorites. You can’t miss their special treats like burnt ends, hot legs, and flavorful catfish.
As for sides, prepare to indulge in spicy mac and cheese, comforting potato salad, zesty coleslaw, and perfectly seasoned green beans.
If you are in luck, some of Gatlinburg’s restaurants offer a scrumptious pulled pork plate with signature BBQ sauce and smoked chicken wings. For those craving ribs, brisket, or chicken, they offer various multi-meat plates to satisfy your appetite.
Pancake Capital
Similar to how Philadelphia is renowned for its cheesesteaks and Chicago for its deep-dish pizza, Gatlinburg thrives in the juicy pancake arena. Everywhere you go, you will find myriads of pancake houses and breakfast joints.
Deciding where to go for flapjacks in the morning might be difficult with so many options for dining out. Here are a few of the must-try pancake and crepe delicacies in the city of Pancakes to try.
Blueberry Pancakes: Who doesn’t enjoy berries as flavor, served with sprinkled sugar and a dollop of cream with blueberry compote?
Whole Wheat Pancakes: If you want to indulge in a healthy breakfast or brunch delicacy, then these whole wheat pancakes with 100% whole wheat flour and taste are calling you out!
Sweet Potato Pancakes: This dish blends the flavor of mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, maple syrup, nutmeg, and cinnamon to give a warm, cozy flavor to the pancakes. For a filling and healthy dinner, top with more maple syrup and a dollop of vanilla Greek yogurt.
Parisienne crepes: This sweet dish features three exquisitely thin crepes filled with whole strawberries in compote, topped with whipped cream, and dusted with powdered sugar.
Wildberry Crepes: If you enjoy berries, then this pancake dish combines five different types of berries in three thick crepes, with a rich filling of ricotta and cream cheese, topped with whipped cream.
Appalachian Apple Stack Cake
If there was ever a comfort food, it would be a slice of the famous Appalachian Apple Stack Cake for all the sweet tooth. Layered with spiced apple filling and homemade apple butter, this cozy, comforting cake is both nostalgic and comforting.
Top it with sorghum or cane syrup to elevate the sweetness of a delightful blend of cinnamon, apples, and butter.
Fried Green Tomatoes
Crispy, tangy, and full of flavor, fried green tomatoes are a Southern classic that should not be missed. These savory delights are made by coating slices of unripe tomatoes in a seasoned cornmeal or flour mixture and fry them until golden brown.
Served with a side of tangy remoulade sauce, they make for a perfect appetizer or snack.
Conclusion
So while you are on a trip to Gatlinburg, delve into the delightful culinary adventures to discover tempting flavors and the unique culinary heritage of the region. Your taste buds will thank you for the memorable experience that Gatlinburg has to offer.