6 Fun Places To Eat In Pigeon Forge

Pigeon Forge has no shortage of restaurants, but a handful consistently stand out — whether for atmosphere, quality, or a combination of both. Here are six worth knowing about on your next visit to the Smokies.

1. Blue Moose Burgers & Wings

Blue Moose Burgers & Wings is a sports pub-style restaurant with a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere and a large bank of televisions covering major sports. The menu centers on burgers, sandwiches, and wings — the latter offered in a wide range of sauces and dry rubs. It’s a solid casual option on the Parkway, particularly for families who want a lively atmosphere and straightforward American food without a long wait. Blue Moose is located in the same commercial complex as Tropical Smoothie Cafe, on Teaster Lane just off the main Parkway.

2. Margaritaville Restaurant

Margaritaville at The Island in Pigeon Forge draws on the beach-island aesthetic of the broader Margaritaville brand, inspired by the music and persona of Jimmy Buffett (1946–2023). The location overlooks the Little Pigeon River and features the signature props of the chain — including a small aircraft suspended from the ceiling and an oversized blender as a bar fixture. The menu focuses on seafood, tropical-inspired plates, and an extensive cocktail list built around the margarita. It’s an energetic, reliably crowded restaurant that works well for groups. The Island’s outdoor fountain show is viewable from inside the dining room.

3. Local Goat

Local Goat is one of the more serious dining options on the Pigeon Forge Parkway. The scratch kitchen sources nearly all of its ingredients locally — produce, beef, and bread — and the menu reflects that commitment with dishes like Grainger County fried green tomatoes (served with caramelized onions, goat cheese, and bacon jam), house-ground burgers, grass-fed steaks, and fall-off-the-bone ribs. The bar program features 24 craft beers, 22 of them local, alongside an extensive whiskey selection. The dining room is casual and family-friendly, with artwork from local artisans on the walls and mountain views toward Mount LeConte. Local Goat is a dine-in only restaurant — takeout is not offered. Reservations are accepted for parties of up to 10; larger groups should call ahead. The restaurant is located at 2167 Parkway, between traffic lights one and two, just past the Titanic Museum Attraction and across from Mountain Valley Winery.

4. Mellow Mushroom

Mellow Mushroom is a regional pizza chain founded in Atlanta in 1974 with a distinctive psychedelic visual identity and a hand-tossed crust made with spring water in the dough. The Pigeon Forge Parkway location serves gourmet pizzas alongside pretzels, bruschetta, salads, and a rotating selection of beers on tap. A second location at The Island on Island Drive also offers a dog-friendly outdoor terrace and connects to Dude Daiquiri Bar. Both are consistently popular stops for visitors who want something beyond the steakhouse and Southern buffet options that dominate the Pigeon Forge strip. The pizzas lean creative rather than traditional — expect unconventional toppings alongside the classics.

5. Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen

Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen, located at The Island in Pigeon Forge (131 The Island Drive), opened in 2015 and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a family-style format. Meals are priced per person and brought to the table in large shared platters — the Southern classics that made Deen’s recipes famous, including fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, cornbread, and biscuits. Dessert is included with lunch and dinner. The upstairs dining room seats nearly 300 and offers tiered views of The Island’s show fountain. A Paula Deen retail store occupying the first floor sells cookbooks, cookware, branded merchandise, and pantry items. Expect waits, especially during peak season — reservations are available and worth making in advance. Deen’s flagship Savannah restaurant, The Lady & Sons, closed in July 2025, but the Pigeon Forge location remains open.

6. Alamo Steakhouse

The Alamo Steakhouse at 3050 Parkway is locally owned and operated, part of the Johnson Family of Restaurants group that has been cooking in the Smokies since 1991. The name references Tennessee’s historic connection to the Alamo: Davy Crockett, a native Tennessean, died defending the Alamo in 1836, and separately, nearly 2,000 Tennesseans volunteered for service during the Mexican-American War of 1846–48 — the origin of the state’s “Volunteer State” nickname. Steaks are aged, hand-cut in-house, and cooked over an open oak fire. The menu also includes seafood, pork chops, chicken, and a full kids’ menu; soups, sauces, gravies, and bread are all made from scratch. The restaurant offers curbside pickup in addition to dine-in service. It has earned consistent recognition as among the best steaks in the county.

For more Smoky Mountains dining and activity ideas, see the site’s guides to romantic things to do in Pigeon Forge, fun things to do in Gatlinburg for adults, and Smoky Mountain vacation ideas.