Where to Eat in Gatlinburg: the Ultimate Guide to Anakeesta Restaurants

Besides the many exciting reasons to visit Anakeesta, such as the Treetop Skywalk, ziplining, and shopping, this popular Gatlinburg attraction also draws families in due to the delicious food and drink options! Whether you simply need a refreshing snack after all the activities, or fancy a romantic date night dinner and drinks, one of these Anakeesta restaurants is the perfect place to relax. 

Cliff Top 

Cliff Top is one of the best Smoky Mountain restaurants with a view. From shareable appetizers to steak, burgers, and other mouthwatering entrees, this restaurant has it all and stunning views with indoor and outdoor seating. We recommend starting with their Blue Cheese Chips, kettle chips loaded with bacon, blue cheese, and a balsamic glaze. Choose from various burgers, fresh salads, ribeye steak, pan-fried trout, shrimp and grits, and more for your main course. And don’t skip dessert– both the bourbon pecan pie and chocolate cake (better than your mother’s) are excellent!

Smokehouse 

If you’re hungry for BBQ, Smokehouse is one of the best restaurants in Gatlinburg to visit for sticky, sweet, and spicy barbeque. They serve brisket, pork, and chicken, including chicken wings, all smoked to perfection. On the lighter side, the loaded salad with burnt tips, tomato, red onion, cucumber, cheese, and choice of dressing is a great choice. Two other dishes we suggest are the nachos– piled high with your choice of pulled pork or brisket, nacho cheese, jalapenos, and green onion, as well as the loaded mac and cheese with smoked pork. 

Kephart Cafe

Another of the places to eat at Anakeesta is Kephart Cafe, where you can get delicious flatbread pizza and gourmet hot dogs! The Hawaiin dog is one of the more unique options, with pineapple slaw, bacon crumbles, and a moonshine BBQ sauce. It’s the perfect spot to grab a bite of lunch in between exploring and shopping. 

Pearl’s Pie in the Sky

 You can find desserts and other sweet treats at Pearl’s Pie in the Sky. They serve ice cream cones, cups, and sundaes in several flavors, from cookies and cream to butter pecan. Pearl’s is also famous for their homemade apple or cherry fried pies, which you can smell from around Firefly Village.  

The Watering Can 

The Watering Can is a newer addition, located in the Vista Gardens and AnaVista Tower area. This Anakeesta restaurant sells sandwiches, wraps, and refreshing beverages. If you’ve never tried Bill’s Lemonade before, take the opportunity to try it while you’re at Anakeesta– it’s the best combination of sweet, tart, and oh-so-refreshing! 

 Tennessee Sidecar

This little food vendor is well known for the Tennessee Walking Taco, made with ground beef, cheese, lettuce, tomato, salsa, jalapenos, and sour cream over corn chips or Doritos! Paired with a margarita, beer, or hard seltzer, this meal is the perfect pit stop at Anakeesta. 

Rocky Top Canteen

The newest dining option at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg is Rocky Top Canteen. Their menu features mouthwatering Tex-Mex cuisine, such as carne asada tacos, pollo rojo, pork carnitas, and nachos. It’s also one of the Anakeesta restaurants with a kid’s menu!  

You won’t want to miss out on a great meal with beautiful mountain views at one of these Anakeesta restaurants! Book one of our Gatlinburg hotel rooms and stay within a few short minutes of all the action at Anakeesta!