There’s something for all ages in Gatlinburg, making it a perfect destination for family vacations and getaways. Traveling with kids, though, can make choosing a place to eat hard–how can you satisfy the appetites of everyone in your group, old and young? Fortunately, Gatlinburg offers plenty of restaurants that cater to diners of all ages. We’ve rounded up a few of the best options in the area, where you can get breakfast, lunch, and dinner. These are tasty choices that abound in Gatlinburg!
Pancake Pantry
Start your day off right with a stop at the Pancake Pantry! This beloved restaurant specializes in delicious breakfast food that the whole family will enjoy. While you’re sampling an apricot lemon crepe or digging into hash browns and eggs, your kids can order M&M pancakes or “bears in the snow” from their very own menu. As a bonus, the 60-year-old restaurant is housed in a charming cottage-style building, with gabled roofs and large glass windows. Not only does the Pancake Pantry boast a unique facade, however—their extensive menu choices will make breakfast fun for everyone.
Johnny Rockets
Craving some American-style comfort food for lunch? Look no further than Johnny Rockets. The restaurant serves traditional burgers, fries, and milkshakes with a 1950s flare. Kids can order family favorites like mac and cheese, mini burgers, and hot dogs from their very own kid’s menu. Don’t leave without trying a milkshake, hand-dipped and topped with plenty of whipped cream! For a quick but satisfying lunch, Johnny Rockets delivers the perfect bite.
Big Daddy’s Pizzeria
It can be hard to please both young and old taste buds, but if there’s one thing everyone agrees on, it’s pizza. Treat the kids and adults in your group with a trip to Big Daddy’s Pizzeria in Gatlinburg. The restaurant makes all their pizzas in a 550-degree wood-fired brick oven, and choices range from classic pizzas to creative twists like the Taco Pie. You’ll taste the difference in Big Daddy’s handmade crusts and specialty ovens. Whatever your preferences, your whole family is sure to leave full and happy.
Bennett’s Pit Barbeque
There are many barbeque joints in the Smoky Mountains area, but Bennett’s stands out. Maybe it’s their award-winning hickory-smoked ribs or the special sauce they use on their barbeque. Regardless of the reason, your trip won’t be complete without a stop at Bennett’s. In addition to serving delicious meats, Bennett’s stands out as a family-friendly choice for its Family Feast, which comes with coleslaw, potato salad, and, of course, plenty of barbeque. Their Feast feeds up to eight people, making it a great choice to pick up for a picnic in the park if your littles need space to roam. Whether you dine-in or carry out, Bennett’s is sure to make the experience one you won’t soon forget.
Traveling with kids can be stressful, but Gatlinburg makes meal planning easy. From pancakes to barbeque to pizza, there are so many family-friendly restaurants to choose from—the only question is which one you’ll try first.
