These are the 13 Absolute Best Restaurants in Sevierville, Says a Local

The ultimate list of restaurants not to miss in Sevierville, TN

If you’re planning an upcoming trip to the Smoky Mountains, you should know Sevierville is THE place to go in Sevier County for foodies. I, an area foodie and restaurant reviewer, would know. Below, you will find my ranking of the best restaurants – and some of the most popular restaurants – in Sevierville. We’ve also compiled a printable version of this list here.

The best restaurants in Sevierville include Preacher’s, Bustin’ Butts, Pawpaw’s Catfish, Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant, Pinchy’s, Junction 35, Seasons 101, Ristorante DellaSantina, The Appalachian, Aubrey’s, The Diner, Graze Burgers and Five Oaks Farm Kitchen.

Best restaurants in Sevierville

Preacher’s Smokehouse is one of the best local restaurants in the Smokies (photo by Daniel Munson/TheSmokies.com)

Tip: Only Open Thurs-Saturday

The menu? Written on a chalkboard on the wall. The proprietor? A real-life preacher named Sam Steele. The Food? Oh. My. God. Get the burnt ends. And get the three-meat meal – which comes with two sides. Get everything. Indeed, this is the kind of place barbecue foodies dream about. Hours are limited, so plan ahead. Dine in or take out. You can’t go wrong. Preacher’s Smokehouse does not accept reservations. Preacher’s is located at 2929 Pittman Center Rd, Sevierville, TN.

Bustin Butts will turn anyone into a barbecue lover (photos by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

Bustin’ Butts is the very definition of a hidden gem. Located far off the beaten path and worth every extra mile, it’s delicious BBQ made fresh daily. It’s served on paper plates with beans, potato salad, smoked mac and cheese or coleslaw. There are also a few outdoor picnic tables if you want to eat on-site, but you can call ahead and pick it up to go. Bustin’ Butts is located at 1698 Newport State Rte, Sevierville, TN.

PawPaw’s offers a Cajun-style seafood menu (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

This is an off-the-beaten-path Cajun restaurant between Pigeon Forge and Townsend. I’m especially particular about my Cajun food, and I enjoy this place a lot. If you make the trip to Sevier County, you owe it to yourself to drive through Wears Valley and go play in the water at Metcalf Bottoms. And if you’re going to do all that, you might as well stop at Pawpaw’s for a Po Boy. Pawpaw’s Catfish is a casual family-run eatery. They do not accept reservations. They are open four days a week (Wednesday-Saturday) from 11 am-8 pm and are located at 2760 Wears Valley Rd, Sevierville, TN 37862. Limited parking is available on site.

Applewood Farmhouse Grill will be open on Christmas Eve but closed on Christmas Day. Their sister restaurant, The Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant will be closed on Christmas Eve and open on Christmas Day (photos by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

Tip: EXPLORE APPLE BARN WHILE YOU WAIT

The Apple Barn is one of our favorite places to frequent and it happens to be home to another popular restaurant: Sevierville’s Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant. Located right on the line with Pigeon Forge, the Farmhouse is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings. The fare is what you’d expect from a farmhouse restaurant – fried chicken and roast and meatloaf and such but with a few surprises as well. 

It’s amazing food that the whole family will enjoy. And don’t leave until you’ve sampled the chicken pot pie, chicken and dumplings, pot roast and apple fritters for a sweet treat with a side of homemade apple butter and apple julep. Their sister restaurant located just a few steps away, The Applewood Farmhouse Grill, is also a gem. Neither of these restaurants accept reservations but you can check the current wait online. These restaurants are located at 240 Apple Valley Rd, Sevierville, TN.

A classic lobster roll (foreground) and a Nashville Hot sandwich (background) from Pinchy’s Lobster & Beer Co. (photo by Alaina O’Neal/TheSmokies.com)

Tip: GET THE CLASSIC ROLL

Pinchy’s Lobster is bringing New England seafood to the Smokies. Freshly opened downtown, they offer delicious fresh sushi, lobster, a raw bar, a beer garden and live music on select nights. We strongly recommend the lobster rolls – and surprisingly, the burger. A seafood restaurant is rarely just as capable of serving beef as they are fish. But I’m starting to realize there’s little this casual-style dining restaurant can’t do. Reservations are not available at this location. Limited parking is available in downtown Sevierville.

The Smash Burger with crispy fried onions and fries at Junction 35 (photos by John Gullion/TheSmokies.com)

Tip: TRY THE COUNTRY REUBEN

This one is a rising star. Junction 35 – which is supposed to be a distillery first and a restaurant second – is quickly becoming one of our favorite places to eat in the mountains. They have BBQ, burgers and more. But it’s nothing too fancy. I will say the Country Reuben – with Montreal beef brisket, Swiss cheese, whole grain mustard, sauerkraut and house sauce on toasted rye bread – is one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had. But if you are craving a burger, try the Smash Burger which is also fantastic. Junction 35 now has two locations in the Smokies. The original location is in Pigeon Forge at 2655 Teaster Lane Suite 280, Pigeon Forge, TN. Their newest locations is inside Tanger Outlets at 1645 Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862. They are open daily from 10am-9pm. Free parking is available on site at both locations.

The steak was phenomenal at Seasons 101 (photos by Morgan Overholt/Thesmokies.com)

Tip: FREE PARKING ON SITE

For the record, this is not a freshman-level meteorology course. It is a self-described culinary experience. Seasons 101 is located in the heart of downtown Sevierville, TN at the Historic Central Hotel. It is a comfortable, casual dining atmosphere, combined with upscale cuisine at moderate prices. The season determines how the menu selections are curated. “An ever-changing selection of signature dishes and cocktails inspired by the current season is the heart of our dining philosophy.” And whatever the season, the food is, in fact, always good. Reservations are available on Resy. Parking is available on-site.

I strongly recommend the spaghetti with meatballs at DellaSantina (photos by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

It’s hard to find real, classic Italian in the Smokies. There are a lot of pizza places that dabble, but if you’re looking for the real thing, this off-the-beaten-path eatery is the right spot. It’s the kind of place you probably never knew existed, but once you find it, you’ll keep coming back for more. The food is fresh and organic whenever possible. It’s never frozen or microwaved. And the service is excellent. Ristorante DellaSantina is located at 2004 Red Bank Rd, Sevierville, TN 37876. Free parking is available on. site. Reservations can be made online.

The Appalachian in Sevierville serves up traditional Southern classics, fine dining style (photo by Alaina O’Neal/TheSmokies.com)

Tip: Utilize free 2-hour parking

Finally, if we’re honoring Sevier County’s burgeoning foodie community, we must recognize the new guard. The Appalachian is one of Sevierville’s newest upscale restaurants, serving up delicious food, and fine dining style. They specialize in bringing a modern approach to traditional Appalachian ingredients and dishes. Dishes change with the season. At the time of this writing, prices range from $21 for the Appalachian Burger to about $120 for the 48 oz. Tomahawk Ribeye. Certainly, The Appalachian represents an artfulness, a thoughtfulness to the culinary sciences that challenges the idea of what Appalachian cuisine can be. Reservations are highly recommended and available through Resy. Free parking is available in downtown Sevierville. The Appalachian is located at 133 Bruce St, Sevierville, TN.

I love Aubrey’s rattlesnake pasta (photos by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

Tip: check for daily specials

Aubrey’s, a higher-end table service style restaurant, is an interesting case study. It’s part of a popular East Tennessee restaurant group that is professional, consistent and good if not great. I’m a fan of the Pizza Rockefeller, the Hawaiian Ribeye and the Strawberry Pecan Salad. I also love the steak and the Rattlesnake Pasta. Ample parking is available on-site. Reservations are not available online. Aubrey’s is located at 928 Dolly Parton Pkwy, Sevierville, TN.

The Diner in Sevierville leans into car culture (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

Tip: FREE PARKING ON SITE

Car culture is one of the premier attractions of Sevier County over the decades. In particular, from Rod Runs to cruising up and down the strip, the 50s/60s American graffiti vibe is a big part of the social fabric of the area. At The Diner, get a patty melt, some onion rings, french fries, green beans, a chicken tender basket, and a big ole shake. It’s not culinary artistry. Certainly, it’s not Picasso at the grill. But it’s one of the best places in the Smokies for a traditional diner experience. It’s good and fun and classic and there’s a place in any good food culture for those things, too. Reservations are not available at the diner. Parking is available on-site. The Diner is located at 550 Winfield Dunn Pkwy, Sevierville, TN.

Graze Burgers is one of the most popular restaurants in downtown Sevierville. I recommend The Classic, The Bourbon Bleu and The Local Farmer, depending on your mood (photos by Alaina O’Neal/TheSmokies.com)

Tip: TRY THE HOUSE MADE PICKLES

Sometimes you just want a delicious burger. Graze Burgers is the place, featuring all grass-fed beef burgers with no hormones, antibiotics or steroids. This is not your typical burger fare. For example, try the Local Farmer with aged cheddar, house bacon, a fried egg, local greens, onions, tomatoes and house pickles. I’m going to be honest. Any place that has its own pickles is gonna be alright in my book. Graze Burgers offers a casual dining experience and does not accept reservations. Parking is available in downtown Sevierville. Graze Burgers is located at 125 Bruce St, Sevierville, TN.

The cinnamon buns at Five Oaks Farm Kitchen are so large they fill up the whole plate (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com)

Tip: TRY THE HUGE CINNAMON ROLLS

Five Oaks Farm Kitchen lives up to the name. Run by the family of Dr. John (not the Iko, Iko guy) and Blanche Ogle who originally owned and operated the family farm, Five Oaks is probably the best of the region’s farm-house style restaurants. I’d recommend something from the smokehouse – but that may be my general preference for smoked meat talking. The fried okra is also a must. You can join the wait list online before you go. Ample parking is available on-site. Five Oaks Farm Kitchen is located at 1638 Parkway, Sevierville, TN.

RELATED VIDEO: 21 Best Restaurants in Sevierville, TN (Ranked)

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Do you have a favorite restaurant in Sevierville? Let us know in the comments below! 

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