The Smoky Mountains have some of the best restaurants with nearly every type of cuisine available, from Southern classics to chicken, pizza, burgers, and everything in between. We know it can be a challenge to find a spot your whole family will enjoy, so we’ve made a list of some top favorites that are guaranteed to satisfy even the picky eaters! Here are 5 fun places to eat in Pigeon Forge that we know your kids will love:
1. Downtown Flavortown
The lively atmosphere at Downtown Flavortown will be sure to wow the kiddos and the food will most certainly wow you! Adults can choose from entrees such as ribs with brown sugar bourbon BBQ sauce, pulled pork or steak sandwiches, Cajun chicken alfredo, and unique flatbreads like buffalo chicken or carne asada. The kids menu is simple but with plenty of affordable options. We know your kids will devour their plates of Mac Daddy Mac & Cheese! If you’re looking for something extra unique to try, we suggest one of the loaded waffles– Nashville hot chicken, chili cheese fries, or the most outrageous of them all, the spaghetti meatball waffle.
2. Mellow Mushroom
Pizza is always a crowd-pleaser, especially with kids, so Mellow Mushroom is a great option! The homemade crust and stone-baked method result in a delicious pizza you won’t be able to get enough of. You can’t go wrong with the House Special–red sauce and mozzarella cheese topped with pepperoni, Italian sausage, ground beef, honey ham, applewood-smoked bacon, black olives, sliced mushrooms, Roma tomatoes, green peppers, and sweet onions. If you like pineapple on pizza, then you have to try the Pacific Rim– red sauce and mozzarella cheese topped with honey ham, applewood-smoked bacon, caramelized onions, pineapple and jalapeños that add a final kick. Their pizzas can be made gluten-free or vegan, too. You can also order things like spinach artichoke dip, pretzel bites, calzones, sandwiches, salads, draft beer, and cocktails.
3. Frizzle Chicken Cafe
Hands down one of the most fun places to eat in Pigeon Forge is Frizzle Chicken Cafe! You can enjoy breakfast or lunch there, with options like chicken and waffles or a thick chicken sandwich. Besides being an affordable, family-friendly Pigeon Forge restaurant, the best part is the animatronic singing chickens! Your family will love the friendly service and lots of laughter over your delicious meal.
4. Cookie Dough Monster
There’s nothing better than a classic burger and shake pairing, and that’s what Cookie Dough Monster does best! Like all of these restaurants, it’s close to our Pigeon Forge attraction and has been top-rated as one of the best places to eat. Their large burgers come piled high with unique topping combinations, like the Spicy Queso burger with pepper jack, queso, homemade chili, jalapeños, and tortilla chips. Besides burgers, they have gourmet chicken sandwiches, grilled melts, and salads. You can order nearly every flavor of shake you can imagine, in addition to sweet treats like cookie dough bites, cookies, and ice cream.
5. Lil Black Bear Cafe
An underrated place for breakfast in Pigeon Forge is the Lil Black Bear Cafe, located just off the Parkway on Veterans Boulevard. They also serve breakfast and lunch and are most famous for perfectly golden pancakes, sausage gravy and biscuits, and sandwiches like the Ruebn and Philly steak and cheese. The kids can color a bear coloring page and hang it on the restaurant wall if they want. The staff and service at Lil Black Bear Cafe are unmatched!
Now you know some of the most fun places to eat in Pigeon Forge! But what about a sweet treat? Take a look at the top ice cream shops in Pigeon Forge to curb your cravings during your family vacation to the Smokies.
