Alamo Steakhouse
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Hand-cut steaks grilled over an open oak fire — the dinner people book when the trip needs one proper meal rather than another Parkway stop. Go before six or after eight.
Hand-cut steaks grilled over an open oak fire — the dinner people book when the trip needs one proper meal rather than another Parkway stop.
The oak fire is the thing that separates it. It's a different flavour from a flat-top or a gas grill, and it's why Alamo has held its place in Gatlinburg while plenty of steakhouses have come and gone.
Staying nearby? Browse our Gatlinburg cabin rentals, minutes from the Parkway.
The steaks
Everything is cut in house and cooked to order over open flame. The range covers the cuts you'd expect — ribeye, filet, strip, porterhouse — and the kitchen will add toppings if you want them, though a good ribeye rarely needs help.
Prime rib is on the menu alongside the grilled cuts, roasted rather than fired.
Steak doneness is the thing most worth being specific about when you order. Over an open fire, the difference between medium-rare and medium happens fast.
Beyond the steaks
Seafood, pork chops, chicken, and burgers all appear, which makes this workable for a group where not everyone wants a steak — a real consideration in a town where the alternative is splitting up.
Sides lean Southern, and the appetizer list includes fried green tomatoes and stuffed mushrooms. Current menu at the restaurant's own site.
The room
Wood, warm lighting, and enough space between tables to talk — closer to a proper steakhouse than a themed dining room. It works for an anniversary dinner and it works with a family, which not many places in Gatlinburg manage both of.
Visiting
Gatlinburg restaurants fill between six and eight most evenings, and a steakhouse takes longer to turn tables than a pizza place. Arriving before six or after eight is the difference between waiting and sitting.
Nearby
See our things to do guide for the wider picture.
- Alibi Speakeasy — the hidden cocktail lounge; a natural after-dinner stop
- Ole Smoky — The Holler and Sugarlands — tastings before dinner
- Gatlinburg Brewing Company — open until 1 AM
- The Crazy Mason — dessert, if there's room
- Anakeesta — the Astra Lumina walk runs after dark
- Downtown Gatlinburg — the full Parkway guide
Frequently asked questions
What makes the steaks different?
They're hand-cut in house and grilled over an open oak fire, which gives a flavour you don't get from a gas grill or flat-top.
Is there anything for people who don't eat steak?
Yes — seafood, pork chops, chicken, and burgers are all on the menu, which makes it workable for a mixed group.
Do they take reservations?
Check with the restaurant directly before you go, particularly on a weekend.
When's the best time to go?
Before six or after eight. The middle of the evening is when every restaurant on the Parkway is at capacity.
Is it good for a special occasion?
It's one of the better options in Gatlinburg for one — the room is comfortable and quiet enough to talk, and the food justifies the occasion.
Is it family-friendly?
Yes. It's a proper steakhouse rather than a formal one, and the menu range means children aren't stuck with an adult steak.
A good dinner is better when the drive back is short. Browse our Gatlinburg cabin rentals, or romantic cabins and honeymoon cabins if it's an occasion. Traveling with family? See family cabins. Check the current specials, or use the vacation planner.