Are you visiting the Smoky Mountains for Thanksgiving in 2021? We think our cabins are one of the best places you can host a Thanksgiving dinner for the whole family. While your cabin comes with a fully equipped kitchen, you might not feel like bringing all your specialty items to cook a meal for a large group. Luckily, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg have plenty of restaurants open on Thanksgiving. While reservations are encouraged at some places, many restaurants will be serving meals all day long. Check out our list below, with specialty menus linked where available.
Pigeon Forge Restaurants Open for Thanksgiving
Bennett’s Pit BBQ – 865-429-2200
Hours: 11a to 9p with reservations accepted for 6+
View their menu & pricing here.
Calhoun’s – 865-868-1500
Hours: 11a to 11p
View their menu & pricing here.
Captain Jim’s Seafood Buffet
Hours: 11a to 9p
Regular menu offered
Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Cafe – 865-774-7707
Hours: 7a to 1p (brunch only)
Regular menu offered
Gaucho Urbano – 865-366-1002
Hours: 1p to 9p – reservations encouraged
Regular menu offered
Hard Rock Cafe – 865-430-7625
Hours: 12p to 9p; reservations recommended
Offering A Legendary Thanksgiving menu
Harpoon Harry’s Crab House – 865-428-2006
11a to 8p; call for reservations
A traditional Thanksgiving feast with a’la carte options of crab; regular menu not available on Thanksgiving
Iron Boar Saloon – 865-429-7779
Hours: 2p to 9p
Regular menu found on their website
JT Hannah’s – 865-428-4200
Hours: 12p to 9p
Regular menu can be found on their website
Mel’s Diner – 865-429-2184
Hours: 7a to Midnight
Offering a regular menu
No Way Jose’s Cantina – 865-429-7779
Hours: 11a to 9p
Offering a regular menu
Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen – 865-366-1510
Hours: 10a to 10p
A Thanksgiving menu will be offered, but is not currently online; regular menu
Puckett’s Grocery – 865-285-0155
Hours: Taking reservations now
Also doing carryout so check the menu
Reagan’s House of Pancakes – both locations
Hours: 7a to 12:30p
Offering their usual menu
Shoney’s (both locations) – 865-453-1806 & 865-428-3440
Hours: 6a-11p
Shoney’s has a regular menu and buffet offerings
Smoky Mountain Brewery – 865-868-1400
Hours: 12p to 11p
No special Thanksgiving menu; take a look at their usual offerings
Smoky Mountain Pancake Cabin – 865-453-6746
Hours: Opening at 8 a.m.
See their regular menu on their online ordering site
The Old Mill or Pottery House Cafe – 877-653-6455
Hours: 10:30a to 8:30p – no reservations
A Thanksgiving menu will be offered, but is not currently online; regular menu
Gatlinburg Restaurants Open for Thanksgiving
Anakeesta Restaurants – 865-325-2400
Cliff Top
Hours: 11a to 7p
Special Thanksgiving offerings as well as regular menu items
Smokehouse Buffet
Hours: 11a to 7p
Special Thanksgiving buffet only
Atrium Pancakes – 865-430-3684
Hours: 7a-2p
No special menu is offered at this time
Calhoun’s – 865-436-4100
Hours: 11a to 11p
No special menu online at this time
Chesapeake’s – 865-622-6999
Hours: 11:30a to 10p
Regular menu offered
Loco Burro – 865-430-5624
Hours: 11a to 10p
Menu on their website
Ole Red’s – 865-325-3101
Hours: 2p-8p
Thanksgiving menu not posted at this time
Seasons of Ober Restaurant – 865-436-5423
Hours: 11a to 6p
Thanksgiving menu found here for 2019; 2020 yet to be posted
Shoney’s – 865-325-8502
Hours: 6a-11p
Smoky Mountain Brewery – 865-436-4200
Hours: 12p to 11p
Regular menu offered
The Park Grill – 865-436-2300
Hours: Opens at 11:30a; call ahead seating available same day only
Holiday menu not yet announced
Three Jimmy’s Good Time Eatery- 865-325-1210
Hours: 11a to 12a
Regular menu offered
Sevierville Restaurants Open for Thanksgiving
Applebee’s – 865-908-9424
Hours: 4p until closing
Regular menu offered
Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant & Farmhouse Grill – 865-428-1222 & 865-429-8644
Now taking reservations
Hours: 10:30a to 9p
View their menu & pricing here.
Holston’s Kitchen – 865-365-4205
Now taking reservations
Hours: 11a to 6:30p
See their Thanksgiving menu
Shoney’s – 865-453-7106
Hours: 6a to 11 p.m.
Steak N Shake – 865-366-1556
Hours: 10a to 11p
Regular menu offered
This list may not include every restaurant open for Thanksgiving in the Smoky Mountains. If you’re planning to have a holiday meal at any place listed on this blog, be sure to give them a call and confirm their hours!
Keeping Little Ones Occupied
Holidays mean long car rides or long waits at a restaurant. If you need something to keep your little ones (or even not so little ones!) busy during the wait, check out this cute Thanksgiving word search:
Dinner Shows
Why just eat Thanksgiving Dinner when you can have dinner AND a show? Keep the whole family entertained and fill your belly, too. Want to know more about why you should see a dinner show? Check out our blog post all about it!
Dolly’s Stampede has four shows on Thanksgiving and is taking reservations now.
Hatfield & McCoy’s Dinner Feud is hosting three shows on Thanksgiving day for their Christmas disaster dinner show. Make reservations here.
Pirates Voyage is a swashbuckling good time, and is running two shows on Thanksgiving. Make your reservations here.
Heat and Eat
If you don’t want to cook a full meal, consider getting a catered meal instead. Many area restaurants also offer take away meals. Many times they’re given to you chilled, so all you have to do is bring them back to your Smoky Mountain cabin, heat them in your kitchen, and enjoy!
Applewood Farmhouse & Grill – Click here and find out when you have to have your order placed.
Bennett’s Pit BBQ – to go orders must be made more than 24 hours in advance and menu offerings can be found here
Puckett’s Grocery – Thanksgiving orders accepted until November 21st and menu found here
Calhoun’s – Holiday menu found on their website
The Old Mill – Offering a Feast to Go menu and orders must be made by 11-23
Tips to Enjoy Thanksgiving in Your Home Away From Home
While all our cabins come with fully equipped kitchens, you’ll definitely want to be prepared for a feast if you’re planning to eat in. While cabin kitchens are fully equipped, these vacation homes are just that – rentals to make you and your family comfortable. If you know there are specialty items you need to make your meal complete, we encourage you to bring them from home for a hassle-free holiday. American Patriot Getaways always supplies a starter pack of paper goods, trash bags, and dish soap, but if you have a large group or plan to do a lot of cooking, it’s never a bad idea to bring your own, too! Some items you might want to bring from home include:
- An electric pressure cooker or slow cooker
- Hand mixer
- Sharp kitchen knives and cutting board
- A set of serving utensils
- Disposable or compostable utensils
- Disposable or compostable plates and cups
- Paper napkins and paper towels
- Extra trash bags
- Extra dish sponges
- Dish washing detergent
- Dishwasher tablets (if your cabin is equipped with a dishwasher)
Our cabins do not come stocked with food, cooking spices, or oils. Make sure you bring all your favorite spice blends, salt & pepper, coffee & filters, Keurig cups (if your cabin is equipped), cooking oils, and condiments to accompany your gourmet meal.
Looking for some mealtime inspiration? Be sure to check out our Pinterest boards for easy vacation recipes and easy vacation desserts to enjoy on the other days during your stay.
Book your stay today!
Despite it being so close, we still have special promotions for Thanksgiving 2021! Looking to book a 1-bedroom cabin for you and your sweetie or small family? We have a deal for you! A 2-night minimum stay at 20% this busy holiday. Check out all our specials to learn more.
As always, be sure to check out all of our vacation guides for planning your Smoky Mountain getaway. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest area information!
