15 Romantic Restaurants in Gatlinburg Your Date Will Love

Hello and welcome to my article on all the great places around Gatlinburg Tennessee for a great romantic meal together. I will be sure to give you each restaurant's address and a link to their website. That way you can dig a little deeper than I have time to go into in this article if one of them catches your eye. And anytime one of these great restaurants accepts our convenient digital GiftYa gift cards I will also throw you a link.

If you haven’t used GiftYa before they are gift cards that exist entirely digitally. Which means you never have to worry about losing them, or forgetting how much is left on the card after you use it. I find they make the perfect gift for anybody who loves to travel or explore because they never have to worry about forgetting to pack them. Since they are entirely on your phone, you would know you forgot them pretty much immediately.

But enough about GiftYa, let’s get to that list of great restaurants in Gatlinburg for a romantic meal together with your partner!

1.  The Peddler

The Best Steakhouse In Gatlinburg for A Romantic Night Out

820 River Rd | Gatlinburg | peddlergatlinburg.com

The Peddler makes it to the top of my list today for a couple of reasons. The first reason is that they have the highest amount of positive customer feedback of anybody else on the list. And that always makes me feel like they are going to deliver a fantastic experience time and time again. And that seems to be exactly what The Peddler is all about. They believe their restaurant is about one word: tradition. And they make it a goal for it to become a tradition for families and guests to come back again and again year after year. And they appear to be doing it quite well.

All that being said, they are a steakhouse, so you can expect  a lot of the things you see at most steakhouses when you stop in at the Peddler. However, what you don’t get at most steakhouses are naturally aged steaks that are cut custom to order and an amazing view of the Little Pigeon River. Not only will you be able to enjoy the soothing and relaxing atmosphere of the restaurant itself while you enjoy an incredible meal, you will also have your cares and worries put to ease as you watch the river run.

“We hike every winter and make The Peddler our last stop. The steaks are always cooked perfectly. Great flavor. The salad bar rocks! And the desserts are the best. The servers are some of the best around. Most of them have been there for years and truly enjoy their jobs. They also have tables that look at a stream. We will continue to make the Peddler a must go when in the smokies.” - Yelp Review 

2. The Greenbrier Restaurant

A Food & Spirit Outpost

370 Newman Rd | Gatlinburg | greenbrierrestaurant.com

If you are looking for a fantastic place to get dinner and drinks with your significant other then The Greenbrier Restaurant is going to be just the spot for you. See they are acclaimed for their unique chef driven menu. Which means that you will be able to get many classic American style entrees, but with an acclaimed chef’s personal spin on them. So if you are looking for a classy place to get dinner and drinks, but are hoping to experience something a little more unique for your meal then this is going to be the restaurant for you in Gatlinburg.

And on top of their excellent dinner menu and spirits selection, they are also now open for brunch every Sunday from 10AM - 2PM! So if a nice Sunday brunch is more of your idea of a romantic meal with your partner then The Greenbrier Restaurant is going to be able to deliver just what you need!

“Really great find. Great for a special occasion. We went for Sunday brunch and the food was wonderful, warm service, excellent ambiance. Couldn't snag a dinner reservation, but will try next time. The scotch eggs and short rib waffles are great! Recommend the Bellini cocktails as well.” - Yelp Review 

3. Crystelle Creek Restaurant

A Steak and Seafood Restaurant That Specializes In the Romantic Dining Experience

1654 East Pkwy | Gatlinburg | crystellecreek.com

Crystelle Creek Restaurant rounds out my top three of best romantic restaurants around Gatlinburg, Tennessee for a couple of reasons. First of all, they claim to specialize in fine dining and the romantic dining experience, which you know means they are going to be more likely to cater to whatever it is you need to make your night out together extra special. And on top of that, they have such a wide ranging menu that I am sure both you and your partner will be able to find something that sounds amazing to you. 

They have oak wood fired steaks, seafood, prime rib, chicken entrees, pasta dishes, burgers, salads, soups, appetizers, and dessert. So you can count on them having everything you need to make your meal one to remember! And if all of that isn’t enough to make your night out special, they also have a fantastic ambiance that starts from the moment you walk up to the building. Seriously check out some of the photos on their website and you’ll quickly see why they are one of Gatlinburg’s favorite destinations for a romantic dinner!

“This place was very nice. We had Ben S as our server and he couldn't have been nicer. Full kudos to him for his great service. Portions are a good size, and the ambience is nice!” - Yelp Review 

4. The Alamo

Another Steakhouse That Is Great For A Romantic Meal

705 E Pkwy | Gatlinburg | alamosteakhouse.com

I know it’s a little confusing for a place called “The Alamo” to be somewhere other than Texas. But Tennessee has a special relationship to the Alamo. In fact Davy Crockett himself was from Tennessee and lost his life at The Alamo. But don’t let the history lesson fool you. The real reason they are called The Alamo is because they claim to have the best steaks anywhere from Tennessee to Texas. And it’s easy to see why. 

They strive to serve the best, which means they take aged steak and cut and season it all in house. And after it’s grilled to perfection over an oak fire, it’s served up hot and juicy to your table. But don't worry if a member of your dining party isn’t into steak, they also have in house made burgers, gravies and sauces that they use to create an incredible selection of entrees and meals that will be just right for your special evening out. 

“We had "the steak" PHENOMENAL! The Filet is sooooo good! Stuffed mushrooms and the fried oyster superb! The dinner rolls with the sweet butter are to die for! Every plate was completely bone dry! Must come and eat!” - Yelp Review 

5. Chesapeake's

One of the Best Seafood Restaurants In Gatlinburg That’s Perfect For A Romantic Night Out

437 Parkway | Gatlinburg | chesapeakes.com

Chesapeake’s has a motto. Straight from the sea to your table with no in betweens. That’s the goal that they set out for themselves, and when you taste it, you will be sure to believe them. It’s hard to find fresh seafood so far inland, but Chesapeake really believes in their business and in delivering the highest quality seafood in all of Gatlinburg to their guest’s tables. And you can expect to find all your favorite seafood dishes on the menu. Crab cakes, chowder, bisque, lobsters, oysters, you name it and Chesapeake's has it. They may not have the fanciest decor of any restaurant on the list, but they more than make up for it with their friendly staff and amazing food!

“Delicious! And well priced. Wonderful seafood restaurant in Gatlinburg, with a great ambiance, a friendly staff (thanks, Nina!) and a view right over the river walk. Was very impressed by the freshness of the oysters and lobster!” - Yelp Review 

6. Clifftop at Anakeesta

Best Views You Can Find Anywhere In Gatlinburg

576 Pkwy | Gatlinburg | anakeesta.com/magical-firefly-village

IF what makes the meal really memorable to you is more about the ambiance and the setting of the meal than the food itself, I would highly recommend you give the Cliff Top Bar & Grill a try. While they do offer plenty of excellent American style entrees and sandwiches, along with plenty of refreshing drinks, they also happen to have a view that is second to none in the whole city. There’s a reason it’s called Clifftop and that is because it sits at the very top of a mountain. And from that clifftop you have an incredible view of Mt. LeConte and the Smoky Mountains!

“Great food, great service, and great views. Afternoon by admission to Anakeesta to do that if you do definitely we had a great experience here and found food recently priced and very well done. Bonus on the drinks, they were excellent! Definitely a must see if you were in Gatlinburg.” - Yelp Review 

7. The Melting Pot

The Best Place for Fondue In Gatlinburg

959 Pkwy | Gatlinburg | meltingpot.com/gatlinburg-tn

If steakhouses, seafood, or brunch aren’t your idea of a romantic meal, then you might be interested in giving The Melting Pot a try. Fondue is a bit more interactive of a meal experience than some of the more traditional romantic options on the list. But if you’ve never tried it before it can certainly make for a memorable night out. And if you are more concerned with enjoying the time you spend together, rather than just how expensive/fancy the meal is, then fondue is going to be a great option for your romantic evening together!

“We don't have one close to home anymore so this is a go-to place when we come to Gatlinburg without kids.  Food was great and the the guy beside us I hope he got lucky cause he was really pushing hard to get what he wanted!” - Yelp Review 

8. Cherokee Grill

Gatlinburg’s Self-Proclaimed Great Steakhouse

1002 Pkwy | Gatlinburg | cherokeegrill.com

I don’t exactly know why, but usually when we think of the best restaurants our minds naturally jump to steakhouses and seafood places. And well that is exactly what you can expect at Cherokee Grill. It is one of Gatlinburg’s most beloved steakhouses, but it also offers plenty of standard entrees and seafood as well. You can get everything from prime rib to crab cakes at Cherokee Grill which I think makes them a really accessible restaurant for most people.

“This is by far the best food in Gatlinburg. We stumbled upon this restaurant and had no idea what treat we were in for. The steak was by far the best I've had on vacation and we went 3 times while visiting Gatlinburg. Every time it was fantastic. Do yourself a favor and check it out” - Yelp Review 

9. Longhorn Steakhouse

A Nationally Popular Steakhouse

Grab a Longhorn Steakhouse gift card

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1706 Pkwy | Sevierville | longhornsteakhouse.com

IF none of the other steak restaurants on the list grabbed your attention, perhaps Outback Steakhouse will. I know that Outback isn’t exactly what some people think of when they think of a romantic night out, but if you are looking to have a nice dinner together at a fairly affordable price then this is going to be a great option for you and your partner!

“I ordered steak and salad to go and picked up her side. Everything was perfect as always. Great customer service.” - Yelp Review 

Grab a Longhorn Steakhouse gift card

10. Red Lobster

Nationally Popular Seafood Restaurant With A Location In Gatlinburg 

Grab a Red Lobster gift card 

1600 Pkwy | Sevierville | redlobster.com/sevierville

For anybody out there who isn’t aware, Red Lobster is a popular national seafood chain. You can get all the seafood classics you would expect at a pretty fair price. There is a little something for everybody on the menu. Well as long as they like seafood that is. So if you are hoping to enjoy a nice night out together (without breaking the bank) then be sure to give one of America’s favorite seafood places a visit! 

“Best red lobster I've ever been to. Ashley(bartender) was amazing and the rest of the staff were so nice! The Manager was so sweet to our niece and even gave her some shrimp!  Food was amazing too.” - Yelp Review

Grab a Red Lobster gift card 

11. Best Italian Cafe & Pizzeria 

New York style Italian eats at its best

968 Pkwy Ste 9 | Gatlinburg | bestitalian.com

Best Italian Cafe & Pizzeria serves New York style Italian food that has been a staple of Gatlinburg since 1976. They make sure to always live up to their name. They do this by sticking to the classics like traditional pizza, creamy pasta and homemade dessert. But despite sticking to the classics they put their own spin on it. They will also give you really large portions so you and your date can leave feeling more than satisfied! 

“Incredible place for a pizza. Perfect crust with fresh sauce and fresh toppings freshly prepared. Always friendly service. I have never been disappointed eating here. I've never had their pasta but about 30% of the people there were eating it and it looked incredible. A must try when close.”–Yelp Review

12. Howard’s Restaurant

A romantic setting beside a Gatlinburg stream

976 Pkwy | Gatlinburg | howardsrestaurantgatlinburg.com

Serving the area since 1946, Howard’s Restaurant is Gatlinburg’s oldest restaurant. They offer a scenic setting that is more than enough to make a romantic night out. Whether you are seated inside or outside, you will have a great view of the rocky stream that runs right by the restaurant, which adds to the already great ambiance. 

This restaurant’s menu offers appetizers, entrees, sandwiches, steaks, and side dishes. Some great entrees you can try are the hickory smoked pork ribs, smoky mountain trout, and chop steak dinner. And when you order one of Howard’s famous steaks, you can get a sauteed teriyaki vegetable medley, broccoli & cheese, and coleslaw. This is a restaurant you’ll be glad you checked out on date night.

“Food was outstanding! Ordered the pork chop and it was out of this world amazing. The scenery was breathtaking sitting next to the stream. The service was top notch as well! Highly recommended restaurant if your in the Gatlinburg idea!”–Yelp Review

13. The Park Grill

The Smoky Mountain’s unofficial restaurant

1110 Pkwy | Gatlinburg | parkgrillgatlinburg.com

The Park Grill is the unofficial restaurant of the Smoky Mountain National Park. It sits right at the entrance, giving guests a gorgeous romantic atmosphere both inside and out. The restaurant is designed to look as if you are right inside the Smoky Mountains. They use wood and stone from their surroundings to achieve this look, and offer some great food along with it. 

This restaurant serves all the classic flavors of Southern Appalachia. They serve hickory grilled steaks, a full salad bar, and smoky mountain shrimp. They also have a great selection of creamy desserts and premium cocktails. 

“Lots of southern classics on the menu here nestled in a warm ambiance. Historical pictures and local wildlife adorn the walls, allowing you to really absorb yourself in the local flavors and culture.   The food was all very good. The burgers and trout and moonshine chicken and fried bologna sandwiches were all great!”–Yelp Review

14. The Wild Plum Tea Room

A unique lunch experience

55 Buckhorn Rd | Gatlinburg | wildplumtearoom.com

The Wild Plum Tea Room is a lunch restaurant and tea room that offers guests a truly unique dining experience. It is modeled after teahouses in the mountains of Austria, where people are freshly made food together in a friendly environment. They offer exceptional sandwiches, soups, salads, and a famous chicken salad, all in a cozy lodge atmosphere that will put you in the mood for romance. You can choose to dine in the main dining area, on the porch, or in their outdoor patio surrounded by walnut trees. You just need to make your reservation at least a day in advance! 

“I've been here almost every time I've come to Gatlinburg.  It never disappoints!  I was going to post a photo of the food but I kept eating it all before I pulled the trigger.  Sweethearts for staff, atmosphere you can't beat and food to die for.  Who knew chicken salad could be life changing.  A must place to visit, you'll love it.”–Yelp Review

15. Smoky Mountain Trout House

A must-visit restaurant on date night

410 Pkwy | Gatlinburg | trouthousegatlinburg.com

Smoky Mountain Trout House has been a local restaurant since 1975. Locals and visitors alike consider this to be a restaurant that you must visit when you’re in Gatlinburg. Customers there get to relax within a cozy and rustic interior that couples can enjoy when spending a night together. 

This restaurant is known for serving trout. Their trout is fresh, locally sourced, and they have 10 rainbow trout dishes on the menu. Those dishes include dilly trout, butterfly fried trout, and trout almondine. If you want something other than their famous trout, you can get flame-broiled chicken breast, fried catfish, and ribeye steak. Whatever you order on this cozy night out will turn out amazing. 

“Thank you to Jessie and Trudy for the awesome service.  The food was delicious and the atmosphere was relaxing.  Best trout dinner I've tasted.  Will definitely stop by again when I'm back in Gatlinburg! Highly recommended!”–Yelp Review

And there you have it! That is our list of great restaurants around Gatlinburg for a romantic meal with your partner. Many places in Gatlinburg are lodge themed given their location by the Smoky Mountains, but some of these places are still more suited for a romantic date than others. Every restaurant on this list will be a great pick for date night the next time you’re in Gatlinburg. Just pick one and get ready for a really good night!