The quaint town of Gatlinburg is renowned for its gorgeous scenery, outdoor activities, shopping opportunities, and the Smokies. However, one of the best qualities of this popular holiday destination is its cuisine! Gatlinburg is a haven for those who want to indulge in mouth-watering local fare. From thick, buttery pancakes to fresh rainbow trout and juicy barbecue, this town has dishes to satisfy even the most avid connoisseur. There are often food-related events here, which are a treat for all tourists. For example, the GatlinBURGER week will take place this year from the 17th of September to the 23rd. You can also experience the Gatlinburg Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff in November of this year.  

Since Gatlinburg is a premier location to enjoy outdoor activities like ziplining, white water rafting, and hiking through the Smokies, visitors can work up quite an appetite. And the food here certainly rises to the occasion. Read on and discover Gatlinburg’s delicious food so you don’t miss out on anything during your next vacation!

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  Juicy Steaks

If you have been dreaming of tender, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth steaks, you are at the right vacation spot. In Gatlinburg, you will find some of the most delectable beef and pork dishes grilled to perfection. The Park Grill is one of the best family restaurants in Gatlinburg, serving award-winning baby back ribs, delicious Filet Mignon, pork chops, and hickory grilled rib eye strips. They also provide options for gluten-free diners. If your kids are picky eaters, they have a separate menu that will appeal to them.

So don’t miss a steak dinner during your trip to Gatlinburg. 

• Seafood

Craving for seafood while hiking through the Smokies? Don’t worry; Gatlinburg’s restaurants offer many options. One of the things that it is famous for is the rainbow trout. Eateries offer hickory-smoked, grilled, breaded and fried, or broiled trout. You can also enjoy the trout fritters, which are a crowd-pleaser.

You can also get shrimp, calamari, lobster, and crab dishes here. Many restaurants offer excellent lobster bisque, fried shrimp, crab cakes, fish tacos, etc. You can even find exceptionally fresh oysters!

• Pancakes

There is nothing better than a thick, buttery pancake for breakfast. But you might end up wanting to eat Gatlinburg’s pancakes for every meal! After all, Gatlinburg is considered the pancake capital of the South.

Crafted from the finest ingredients, you can get pancakes around every corner. One of the most popular items in Gatlinburg is the Baked Apple Pancake. You can also find pancakes with flavors like blueberry, orange walnut, and cornmeal. One restaurant serves griddle cakes that are over an inch thick! Another unique flavor to try is the pineapple upside-down pancake.

Since Gatlinburg is famous for its pancakes, you will often find long lines outsides restaurants. So make sure you set out early to enjoy this breakfast treat in peace.

• Candy

You are never too old for candy. And Gatlinburg’s candy is loved by children and adults alike. You can witness candy makers in action in many shops, and they are a delight to watch! Taffy is Gatlinburg’s most famous sweet treat, but you can also buy nut brittles, fudge, caramel apples, and divinity. If you like sweets but need to avoid sugar, you can find sugar-free options too.

Pick up some treats for your friends or family back home, as these candies make incredible gifts. And do not forget to buy extra, since you might be tempted to keep some for yourself.

• Jams and Jellies

If you like locally made jams and jellies with unique flavors, you will love Gatlinburg. Here you can find homemade preserves, jams, honey, butter, and jellies. These will be a treat for yourself or a gift for your loved ones. Indulge in flavors like brandy peach, cinnamon cherry, port wine cherry, or hot pepper jelly. There are also seasonal flavors like Elderberry syrup in the fall. Pumpkin butter is a crowd favorite, as well as garlic jelly.

Another popular product is Sourwood honey. This delicious treat is buttery, with notes of caramel and gingerbread spice. A favorite amongst tourists, the sourwood honey sells out quite fast.

• Alcohol

No trip to Gatlinburg is complete without visiting one of the numerous distilleries in the region. Enjoy learning how spirits are made and sampling a few of your favorites. We can bet you will pick up a bottle or two to take back home. One of the most popular products of this region is moonshine. Experience extraordinary flavors like peppermint, strawberry mango margarita, butter pecan, blackberry, apple pie, or even peanut butter and jelly. 

Secondly, you will also come across great whiskey in this town. With unique flavors like salty caramel, cookies and cream, and root beer (to name a few), these distilleries know how to show tourists a good time. So whether you are looking for a lovely end to your day or a start to your late-night festivities, don’t miss this wonderful adventure.

• Dessert

After lunch, why not stop for dessert? Enjoy a sugar rush from a Bavarian Cream donut, pillowy-soft cinnamon rolls, melt-in-your-mouth cupcakes, or a delicious sundae. You can also try some unique dessert creations, like fried cinnamon rolls, fried apple pie, or cupcakes with flavors like Strawberry Milkshake and Cookie Dough.

Conclusion

Gatlinburg is not just famous for its beauty and serenity; it is also a popular destination for food lovers. Visitors flock from all over the US to experience the Southern Appalachian cuisine in this town. Since the food here is influenced by the Cherokee tribes and Irish, German, and Italian settlers, you will find a great range of dishes that will appeal to everyone in your family. 

Try the rainbow trout or a gorgeous burger. Dive into a stack of buttermilk pancakes, or enjoy the nostalgia and warmth of one of the many candy shops in the region. Bite into a thick, delectable steak before sipping on a full-bodied whiskey. 

You might visit Gatlinburg for its incredible outdoor experiences, but you will stay longer for the mouth-watering food.