Food is a big deal at Dollywood, but not everybody enjoys eating while visiting theme parks. Thankfully, plenty of excellent dining establishments are available offsite. Many of these are just a few minutes away.
Whether you want to load up on a hearty breakfast before you stop by or finish your day indulging in your favorite treats, you’ll have no trouble finding a restaurant to pair with your Dollywood excursion. Feel free to give these top options a try:
Chesapeake’s Restaurant
Feast on mouthwatering seafood at Chesapeake’s. This upscale dining destination emphasizes freshness above all else. Seafood is flown in daily, guaranteeing an experience that feels like an authentic East Coast night out.
Grab a table on the heated patio for a relaxing dinner and enjoy the seafood bar, live Maine lobster, fresh Maryland crab cakes, and more. Eaters looking to select turf over surf can enjoy a filet mignon or a prime grade New York strip steak.
Applewood Farmhouse Grill
Southern favorites dominate the menu at Applewood Farmhouse Grill, which offers homey vibes in keeping with the general Dollywood experience. This restaurant has an appealingly retro feel, complete with an old-fashioned front porch and the type of hearty meals you might enjoy with Grandma at the farm.
Buttermilk pancakes and skillets are sure to please during the morning hours, while pot roast, meatloaf, or chicken & dumplings will keep you satisfied later in the day. Every meal comes with an apple-themed side, such as apple cinnamon muffins or apple fritters.
Song & Hearth at DreamMore Resort
Keep the Dollywood experience going at the DreamMore Resort, which retains all the charm of the park while allowing you to rest and relax. The resort’s onsite restaurant is home to an elegant, yet homey restaurant that delivers the utmost in hospitality.
Song & Hearth is a top destination for families, as its dinners are served community-style, with different dishes offered every day of the week. Each visit is different, although every dinner includes fresh bread and Dolly Parton’s beloved Stone Soup.
The Old Mill Restaurant
A Pigeon Forge legend, the Old Mill serves comfort food similar to what you’ll find at several Dollywood eateries. As you chow down, you’ll enjoy a lovely view of the 200-year-old mill and its water wheel. Enjoy a breakfast hot off the griddle or a tasty lunch or dinner accompanied by corn chowder and fritters. Leave room for dessert, as several tasty options are available fresh from the bakery.
The Pottery House Cafe and Grille
One of the multiple culinary offerings at the Old Mill, the Pottery House is situated in a charming structure that was once home to a tobacco barn, and later, a potter’s home. While it now serves as a cafe, the tradition of making pottery remains alive and well next door.
When you aren’t oohing and ahhing at the pottery on which your meals are served, you’ll eat your fill of catfish, BBQ pork, or loaded baked potato soup. During the weekend, you can stop by for brunch, which includes such favorites as sweet potato hash and stuffed French toast, as well as indulgent mimosas.
Local Goat
This classic American joint specializes in sustainable, locally-sourced ingredients. It boasts an eclectic menu that is chock full of gourmet burgers, steak, and sandwiches. All meals prominently feature scratch-made ingredients.
Local Goat’s emphasis on quality also extends to its drink menu, which includes several popular local brews. Favorites include Raindancer Cider, Evil Octopus IPA, and Local Goat’s own creation: an American Lager that pairs perfectly with one of the delicious burgers.
Sawyer’s Farmhouse Restaurant
The cock of the walk when it comes to breakfast in Pigeon Forge, Sawyer’s Farmhouse Restaurant is easy to find. Just look for the giant rooster in the parking lot. Once inside, you’ll find a menu packed with classic country breakfast favorites like silver dollar pancakes, plus biscuits and gravy as well as plentiful skillet and omelet options. If you sleep in and can’t make it for breakfast, grab some lunch at Sawyer’s and get the next best thing: a bacon, egg, and cheeseburger.
Gaucho Urbano Brazilian Steakhouse
Few dining experiences match that of an authentic Brazilian steakhouse, as you’ll quickly realize when you visit Gaucho Urbano. There really is something for everything. At the Harvest Table, you’ll find fresh salads and cheeses. The Chef’s Table provides traditional Brazilian side dishes such as farofa.
The star of the show is a traditional Brazilian cut of beef known as the Picanha. Diners ready to chow down will want to turn the token they are issued over to the green side, which tells the servers at Gaucho Urbano that it’s time to start the service.
Big Daddy’s Pizzeria
It’s all about authenticity at Big Daddy’s Pizzeria, where a 550-degree brick oven pumps out classic Neapolitan pies. Freshness is key when it comes to crafting the perfect wood-fired pizza — and Big Daddy’s takes this reality seriously. The restaurant doesn’t even have a freezer onsite.
Pizza devotees looking to enjoy a classic pepperoni pie will absolutely adore the Boo Boo Bomber, but adventurous eaters can choose from a wide selection of specialty pies such as the Smoky Mountain Cheesesteak, Porky Pie, or BBQ 4 U.
Flapjack’s Pancake Cabin
There’s no better way to kick off the day than with a giant stack of pancakes smothered in butter and maple syrup. Flapjack’s Pancake Cabin is more than happy to make this dream breakfast a reality, as the restaurant offers up several different varieties of hotcakes.
Got a sweet tooth? Treat yourself to the Reese’s Peanut Butter Pancakes, which are bound to give you an early morning jolt to last through the day. Skillets and omelets are also on the menu, complete with a pair of pancakes on the side.
Pancakes, pizza, and burgers, and more can be found within a short drive from Dollywood. Take some time out of your busy theme park day to relax and enjoy a good meal.
