When planning a romantic winter weather snuggle in a Smoky Mountain cabin, you’ll need to consider where to have a romantic meal with your sweetie. Here are six amazing Gatlinburg romantic restaurants with excellent food, views and vibes.
The Gatlinburg Classic Romantic Meal
The Peddler Steakhouse in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Guests are surrounded by warmth and history. Stone and wood beckon at the entrance, which is just at the mouth of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
The former home of Charles “Earl” Ogle Sr., a fourth-generation merchant in the area, the restaurant was built as a home by Earl and his bride, Beth, on the banks of Little Pigeon Forge River.
Opened as a restaurant in 1976, The Peddler Steak House is known for custom steaks cut tableside and grilled to perfection. Check out this man’s view of the tableside cut steak.
Decadent crab and shrimp stuffed mushrooms served in a seafood cream sauce also are standouts on the menu. The restaurant’s signature chicken almond soup is a must try on a cold night. Along with fresh rainbow trout. Dinners include the full salad bar.
Be sure to save room for kiss-worthy dessert including sweet and hot blackberry cobbler. How does this sound for a romantic Gatlinburg meal?
See the menu.
The Peddler is open daily at 5 p.m. at 820 River Road, Gatlinburg.
Call for reservations and information 865-436-5794
Appalachian Comfort Food
The Park Grill – Peddler’s sister restaurant, is open for lunch and dinner in what feels like a hunting lodge – with fireplaces, large wooden beams, stonework, wood carvings and local artifacts on the walls. Don’t let the casual atmosphere fool you – this is a great spot for a romantic meal in Gatlinburg.
Southern Appalachian comfort food includes the Moonshine Chicken Sandwich served on a toasted bun with Grilled Pineapple and a Savory Peppercorn Mayonnaise; Buckshot Sirloin – eight ounces of tasty sirloin, grilled and smothered in a savory peppercorn sauce; pulled pork barbecue sandwich and award-winning ribs.
Among the desserts are peanut butter Mud pie and Black Bear Bash – Chocolate brownies, vanilla ice cream, hot fudge and whipped cream – and Jack Daniel’s Crème Brulee.
More photos of this unique spot.
The Park Grill is open daily for lunch at 11:30 a.m.; for dinner Sunday through Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturdays at 4:30 p.m.
110 Parkway, Gatlinburg.
865-436-3800
Fondue, anyone?
Melting Pot
A national fondue chain, Melting Pot is an experience for everyone but can be especially romantic. Fine wines, gooey cheeses, decadent melted chocolate – you cook meats and seafood in hot oils and dip breads, veggies and fruit in cheese and chocolate.
This entertaining video says it all.
Don’t miss out this fun romantic restaurant in Gatlinburg.
Melting Pot Gatlinburg is located at 959 Parkway Ste 2, Gatlinburg.
Find your fondue fun Monday through Thursday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday Noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday noon to 9 p.m.
For reservations, call 865-430-4430
A Romantic Meal Off the Beaten Path
Crystelle Creek Restaurant & Grill
Dance the night away in the live entertainment area or choose the quieter dining room for talking softy and sweetly. There’s also a dog-friendly heated porch in winter – be sure to call to check the porch is open.
Located by the creek on Highway 321 just outside of Gatlinburg adjacent to the Smoky Mountain National Park. There’s free parking and the restaurant is on the Gatlinburg Trolley route with a trolley stop right in front of the restaurant.
Surrounding Crystelle is a creek with large, landscaped grounds, a Koi Pond, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and water cascading from the roof right over the building’s large picturesque windows. At night, look for the cascading lighted 150-foot tree.
If you would prefer to have a Gatlinburg romantic meal in your mountain cabin, Crystelle Creek also offers takeout.
Crystelle Creek, located at 1654 East Parkway Gatlinburg, is open seven days a week from 3 p.m. daily. Wood-fired grill hours are 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. in season, 3 p.m. – 8 pm off season.
Contact the restaurant at 865-430-1551
Wine, Whiskey, and Craft Cocktails
Nestled in the Glades you’ll find The Greenbrier Restaurant. Known to locals as the premier Gatlinburg fine dining restaurant, it’s a popular place to celebrate any life event.
Whether you want a drink to start the evening, a few snacks to start you off, or a full gourmet meal, The Greenbrier has you covered. For bourbon & whiskey drinkers, they’ll find an extensive menu with just about any spirit to whet the whistle. The Greenbrier also boasts an extensive wine menu to stand alone or pair with a meal.
The true stunner here though is the craft cocktail selection. Of course you’ll find a classic Old Fashioned and Moscow Mule on the menu. Other tasty temptations include Dylan, named for the songwriter himself. A signature old fashioned made with Bob Dylan’s Heaven’s Door Bourbon, vanilla bean simple syrup, and bitters. Served in an oak and pecan smoke-washed snifter over black cherry ice spheres. Garnished with Filthy Black Cherries.
Romantic Meal Planning
Start your meal off right with a tasty oyster flight. Sourced daily, they’re served raw, broiled and baked. If local flavor is more your style, check out the fried green tomatoes served with Stilton cheese & a warm apple sauce.
For a special meal, try the souds-vide duck breast with demi-glace or the prime rib of beef with horseradish & pan jus. Feeling really hungry? The cowboy ribeye for two features a 34-ounce dry aged steak with cracked pepper and Himalayan salt.
The Greenbrier Restaurant is open from 5 p.m. daily and the bar opens at 4:30 p.m. Make a reservation online via their website.
The Four Course Meal
Founded in 1938, Buckhorn Inn – a bed and breakfast – has a truly romantic atmosphere and history. It was established by high-school sweethearts Audrey and Douglas Bebb in 1934.
The couple positioned the neo-Colonial inn to capture a “majestic view” of the three points of Mt. Le Conte, Trillium Gap, Brushy Mountain and Winnesoka Knob. The large columns and sitting porch welcome visitors to stay or just to dine.
Buckhorn Inn opens its fine dining suppers to the public each evening. Inside are fireplaces and sitting rooms, so you can cozy up and prepare for a a Gatlinburg romantic meal.
Dinner is served starting at 7 p.m. everyday. Guests enjoy a four-course meal of creative regional cuisine. Buckhorn brags about its crisp salads and mouth-watering homemade desserts.
View the menu a week at a time. Note that vegetarian dishes are available with advance notice. See the seasonal wine list.
Buckhorn Inn shares some of its most popular recipes including this winter warmer – Mulligatawney soup – so you can have a taste of your Gatlinburg romantic meal memories at home.
Mulligatawney Soup
Ingredients:
1 chicken | 3 qts water or chicken broth (no salt) | 4 ribs diced celery | 1 medium diced onion | 3 matchstick-cut carrots
3 diced tart apples | 2 peeled and diced medium turnips | 1 medium diced tomato | 1 cup rice
1 tsp curry powder | 1 tsp ground ginger | 1 tsp black pepper | 2 tsp salt | 1 tsp thyme | 1 tsp oregano
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a stock pot, and bring to a boil. Let slow boil for 45 minutes. Remove chicken and let chicken cool. Pick meat from chicken, discarding skin and bones. Return meat to pot. Cook until vegetables are tender. Taste and correct seasonings. Serve hot.
The Grounds
Surrounding Buckhorn Inn are 25 acres of well-maintained forest and meadows, a pond with swans and fish, and walkways that include an informative, self-guided nature trail and Rachael’s Labyrinth, a circular pathway 60 feet in diameter laid out in local fieldstone in one of the Inn’s meadows. The Inn says the pathway is one of the largest meditation labyrinths in the United States.
Located at 2140 Tudor Mountain Road, Gatlinburg, Buckhorn Inn, takes reservations by calling toll-free at 866-941-0460 or locally at 865-436-4668.
Ready to book your romantic getaway?
Book your romantic Smoky Mountain cabin stay today and start planning how you’ll treat your sweetie to an unforgettable meal and breathtaking mountain views. Check out our Gatlinburg Romantic Couples Cabins or call American Patriot Getaways and let the cabin specialists guide you.
If you need more help planning your Smoky Mountain Vacation, be sure to check out all our vacation guides, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
