Head To Gatlinburg For Valentine's Day Dining
By Leif Palmer
Posted on February 10, 2023
A romantic dinner is one of the staples of any good Valentine's Day celebration. And if you happen to be spending the night (or the week) in Gatlinburg to mark the occasion, you'll find that you have a wide selection of great dining choices before you. This week, we'd like to offer a few suggestions for eateries that will cover all the bases on your big night out, from food to atmosphere to setting. Choosing any of these restaurants is an appetizing way to say “I love you.”
The Peddler Steakhouse – You'll find this long-time restaurant on the south end of town, near the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's known for its impeccably prepared steaks, but the subdued atmosphere and views of the Little Pigeon River make this eatery a popular one for special occasions.
The Park Grill – This is a sister restaurant to The Peddler, and it's also located on the Parkway, near the national park border. In fact, The Park Grill is national-park-themed, modeled architecturally after the great lodges of the American West. But the varied menu is strongly rooted in Appalachian culture and history.
Cherokee Grill and Steakhouse – This is another lodge-style restaurant, and it's known for its classic American menu featuring steaks, burgers, seafood and more. The woodsy setting only adds to the charm of this popular eatery.
Greenbrier Restaurant – You'll find this intimate restaurant right on the national park border, just off U.S. 321 in Gatlinburg. The menu is upscale, but the dining areas have a rustic flair, and the generous number of windows offers up beautiful views of the woodlands that surround the restaurant.
Buckhorn Inn – Located in Gatlinburg's Arts & Crafts Community, this charming bed and breakfast serves dinner to the general public as well as inn guests. The menu changes every week, and for one fixed price, you'll enjoy an expertly prepared, three course meal that will knock your socks off.
Chesapeake's Seafood and Raw Bar – This small regional chain of seafood restaurants has several locations in the Knoxville area, but they're all well known for their fantastic selection of seafood. Enjoy all your favorites, from crab and lobster to shrimp and raw oysters.
While some of these restaurants are outside the downtown area, many are accessible by foot when you take advantage of our public parking in Gatlinburg. Those located farther away can be reached by car or by taking a trolley.
About Leif Palmer
Leif Palmer loves residing in Gatlinburg. He is an avid outdoorsman: rowing for exercise on the lake, trail hiking, and free climbing rocks in the mountains. He indulges his arty side by periodically beating up pieces of marble by sculpting. He is always frustrated by his inability to sink long putts, and hates his curly hair (but his wife loves it). Leif has been known to muster enough courage to change a diaper, and hopes his son will become a chip off the old block.