After a full day hiking the Smokies, riding Anakeesta, or exploring the Parkway, few things hit the spot like a proper steak dinner. Gatlinburg punches well above its weight in this department, home to several steakhouses with genuine character — historic riverside cabins, upscale mountain lodges, old-school saloons, and chef-driven fine dining that rivals anything in Knoxville.
Here are the five best steakhouses in Gatlinburg, with current hours, must-order dishes, and tips to make the most of your dinner reservation.
1. The Peddler Steakhouse
📍 820 River Road, Gatlinburg | 🕐 Daily from 5 PM (4:30 PM Saturdays)
Year after year, families return to The Peddler to enjoy an incredible dining experience in downtown Gatlinburg. And it's easy to see why — The Peddler is housed in a former pioneer cabin built by the Ogle family, one of Gatlinburg's earliest founding families, and the history embedded in every plank of wood adds something no newer restaurant can replicate.
The signature experience is the tableside cart: a server wheels a selection of fresh-cut steaks directly to you, lets you inspect the cuts, and you choose your own before it goes on the Tennessee hickory charcoal grill. It's theatrical, personal, and absolutely delicious. The Peddler is most known for their custom cut steaks and fresh salad bar, and diners can enjoy views of the Little Pigeon River from the beautiful dining room.
Must order: Filet Medallions with portabella mushroom sauce, or the classic custom-cut ribeye from the cart. The salad bar is a standout in its own right — load up before your steak arrives.
Reservation tip: The Peddler books out 2 to 4 weeks in advance during peak season — book online well ahead for summer and fall foliage visits. Widely considered the #1 steakhouse in Gatlinburg by locals and long-time visitors.
2. Cherokee Grill
📍 1002 Parkway, Gatlinburg | 🕐 Mon–Fri from 4 PM, Sat–Sun from Noon
Located in the center of Gatlinburg, Cherokee Grill offers a refined yet approachable dining experience, ideal for both casual gatherings and special occasions. The setting is stunning — the interior is elegantly designed with natural stone and brickwork, intimate lighting, and a large open fireplace that creates a warm and inviting setting.
The menu goes beyond steak into premium seafood, rotisserie-style dishes, and Southern-accented sides that genuinely earn their keep. The Tennessee Blue Cheese Grits alongside a perfectly cooked filet is a combination that guests rave about consistently. The relaxed yet classy setting, complete with outdoor seating and the ability to bring dogs on the patio, further augments the appeal.
Must order: Filet with Tennessee Blue Cheese Grits, or the Crab Cake appetizer. Wednesday night is half-price wine night — a serious deal worth planning around.
Parking tip: There is free parking behind the restaurant for those who dine here — a rare and welcome perk on the Parkway.
3. Alamo Steakhouse
📍 705 East Parkway, Gatlinburg | 🕐 Open daily for dinner
Alamo has built a devoted local following with a formula that's deceptively simple: hand-cut steaks, seasoned in-house, grilled over an open oak fire. Every sauce, soup, and gravy at Alamo Steakhouse is made in-house, and they even grind their own burgers. That level of from-scratch commitment shows in every bite.
The saloon-style atmosphere keeps things fun and unpretentious, and the menu has enough variety — filets, New York strips, a Texas T-bone, and the massive El Presidente Porterhouse — to satisfy every appetite. It's also one of the few Gatlinburg steakhouses with its own dedicated parking lot off the main Parkway, which matters more than you might think on a busy summer evening.
Must order: Horseradish Crusted Filet or the Peppercorn NY Strip. Add the garlic mashed potatoes or creamed spinach on the side.
Good to know: Alamo also has a Pigeon Forge location, so if you're staying on that end of the Parkway it's equally accessible. When you see a bunch of cars in front of a restaurant in Sevier County with Sevier County license plates, you know the food is going to be good — that's Alamo most nights of the week.
4. The Park Grill
📍 1110 Parkway, Gatlinburg | 🕐 Open daily for dinner
Right next to the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, The Park Grill offers a true taste of the Smokies with its rustic mountain lodge atmosphere and fresh food. Owned by the same family as The Peddler, The Park Grill carries the same commitment to quality while bringing its own distinct mountain character to the table.
The location makes it a natural choice for wrapping up a day in the National Park — 15 minutes from the trailhead, settled into a warm log-cabin dining room, ordering a hickory-grilled ribeye. Each entrée includes access to the fresh salad bar and a choice of sides including sweet potato casserole, garlic mashed potatoes, or battered twisted fries.
Must order: Hickory Grilled Rib Eye or the Filet Mignon. The sweet potato casserole side is a guest favorite.
Best for: Families, groups of mixed appetites (the menu includes chicken, trout, and pasta alongside steaks), and anyone coming straight from a National Park hike.
5. The Greenbrier Restaurant
📍 370 Newman Road, Gatlinburg | 🕐 Tue–Thu 4:30–9 PM, Fri–Sat 4:30–10 PM, Sun 4:30–9 PM, Closed Monday
The Greenbrier is the chef-driven outlier on this list — and for serious steak lovers, it's a revelation. While the other restaurants on this list are beloved institutions, The Greenbrier is Gatlinburg's answer to farm-to-table fine dining, with an emphasis on in-house dry-aged, hand-cut steaks, hyper-seasonal produce, and hand-crafted cocktails that are genuinely creative.
The unique chef-driven menu features in-house dry-aged, hand-cut steaks, fresh produce, and hand-crafted cocktails. A standout beef option is the Duet of Beef, which includes braised short rib, twin filet medallions, pomme puree, asparagus, and bordelaise sauce. If that description doesn't make you reach for a reservation link immediately, we're not sure what will.
Tucked slightly off the main Parkway with a natural, forested setting, The Greenbrier feels like a discovery — the kind of restaurant locals keep to themselves.
Must order: Duet of Beef or the dry-aged ribeye. Pair with a craft cocktail from the bar.
Good to know: Closed on Mondays. Reservations strongly recommended — this one books up.
Tips for Dinner in Gatlinburg
Book reservations early. The Peddler can book out 2–4 weeks during summer and fall foliage season. Even Cherokee Grill and The Greenbrier fill up fast on weekends. Book online ahead of your trip whenever possible.
Go on a weeknight. Tuesday through Thursday you'll generally get seated faster, servers have more time for you, and the atmosphere is more relaxed than a packed Friday or Saturday night.
Take advantage of Cherokee Grill's wine night. Wednesday half-price wine is a genuinely excellent deal for a date night or anniversary dinner.
Pair dinner with a cabin stay nearby. All five of these restaurants are within easy driving distance of our Gatlinburg cabin rentals — no long drive home after a great meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most famous steakhouse in Gatlinburg? The Peddler Steakhouse is widely considered the most iconic, having operated since 1976 in a historic pioneer cabin on the river. It's the restaurant most Gatlinburg regulars recommend first. That said, Cherokee Grill and The Greenbrier have both developed passionate followings of their own.
Which Gatlinburg steakhouse is best for a romantic dinner? The Peddler (riverside setting, candlelit atmosphere), Cherokee Grill (mountain lodge fireplace, excellent wine list), and The Greenbrier (intimate fine-dining feel) are all outstanding for date nights and anniversaries. For a romantic cabin stay to complete the evening, browse our honeymoon and couples cabin rentals.
Are Gatlinburg steakhouses good for families with kids? Yes — Cherokee Grill has a dedicated children's menu with kid-sized portions of steak, ribs, and burgers. Alamo and The Park Grill are also family-friendly with broad menus that work for all ages.
Do Gatlinburg steakhouses take reservations? Yes — The Peddler, Cherokee Grill, and The Greenbrier all accept reservations online and strongly recommend them during peak season. Alamo and The Park Grill are typically walk-in friendly, though waits can be long on busy nights.
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