8 Great German Restaurants Gatlinburg Locals Love to Talk About
8 Great German Restaurants Gatlinburg Locals Love to Talk About
There are many great places to eat in Gatlinburg that serve up amazing Southern food, but there also happens to be some great German-inspired restaurants!
In fact, the Village Shoppes are a popular attraction with charming buildings and a bustling plaza that look like they were taken from the pages of a classic European fairytale. There, you can find great pizza places Gatlinburg locals highly recommend.
If you find yourself craving some bratwurst or a “bretzel,” a bratwurst pretzel, while you’re in town, these are the best places locals love to grab some German grub.
German Restaurants in Gatlinburg, TN
When you’re looking for German food in Gatlinburg, you’ll be pleased to find that two of the best restaurants are just a short drive from the most popular spots. Then, there are some stops in Pigeon Forge, and even one an hour out in Knoxville, making it the perfect road trip destination.
1 | Wild Bear Tavern | Get ready to taste the best schnitzel of your life, then top it off with luscious Black Forest cake complete with dark cherries. And of course, you can wash it all down with some German ale in a traditional mug or tall weizen glass!
The Wild Bear Tavern blends the American south and German countryside to deliver a fun, welcoming experience that diners of all ages love.
In the morning, the Wild Bear Tavern offers traditional German breakfast staples like apple pancakes, leberkäse bologna, bircher muesli (German oatmeal), as well as a German-inspired spin on biscuits & gravy.
WHERE: 4236 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 | WHO: (865) 868-0737
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2 | Cheese Cupboard & Hofbrauhaus | This classic German cheese shop is the perfect place to sample some authentic Bavarian cheese and even old-fashioned pickles.
While the first-floor deli is a delight all on its own, the second floor is where all the schnitzel, bratwurst and magic lie. The Hofbrauhaus Restaurant serves an incredible reuben, and it’s so popular, people have driven hours just to try it for themselves.
Be sure to order your bratwurst with a side of the house sauerkraut. The smoky sausage and tang of the pickled cabbage is downright irresistible!
You’ll find the Cheese Cupboard & Hofbrahaus in the Village Shoppes, which also happens to be home to some of the best donuts Gatlinburg has to offer!
WHERE: 634 Parkway The Village, #14, Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3241 | WHO: (865) 430-411
3 | Ober Gatlinburg's Restaurant and Lounge | Ober Gatlinburg is a beloved ski resort that takes visitors over the great Smokies. Enjoy authentic German recipes like pork loin and chicken schnitzel and stuffed cabbage.
There are also plenty of Tennessee classics on the menu, so it’s a great place to try the best of both worlds while you’re dining mountainside.
During October, Ober Gatlinburg also serves special German dishes and offers live, traditional music entertainment during its very own Oktoberfest.
WHERE: 1339 Ski Mountain Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 | WHO: (865) 436-5423
4 | Schulz Schnitzel Food | After you’ve explored the best winery in Gatlinburg, you can drive about an hour outside of Gatlinburg to Knoxville to visit the Schulz Bräu Brewing Company.
The scrumptious pork schnitzel is the star of the show, breaded and fried to perfection and served with two sides of your choice. There are also plenty of currywurst and bratwurst and pretzels ranging from small to giant served with real German mustard.
The menu of Bavarian classics features Fleischkäse, two thick slices of German bologna fried with sautéed onions and Sauerbraten, a German pot roast with bread dumplings called semmelknoedel.
For dessert, don’t forget to try the authentic Apfelstrudel, featuring fresh apples baked in a strudel crust, topped with whipped cream, powdered sugar and cinnamon.
WHERE: 126 Bernard Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917 | WHO: (865) 415-3835
5 | The Casual Pint Pigeon Forge | This cozy, local craft beer spot is popular among locals during happy hour and on the weekends. The laid-back atmosphere will put you right at ease as you grab a seat at the bar and order one of their crafts on tap.
To start, you can get a great Bavarian 10-inch pretzel with homemade beer cheese and whole grain mustard.
And you absolutely won’t want to miss their brats, beer-soaked sausages served on a toasted pretzel bun with chips.
Options include a drunken brat with homemade cheese, roasted peppers and onions. You can also order a German brat with grain mustard and sauerkraut. There’s also an American brat with beer cheese and bacon.
WHERE: 2905 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 | WHO: (865) 428-2525
6 | Smoky Mountain Brewery in Gatlinburg | This old-school brewery is open to all, and you won’t have to worry about making a reservation. It offers brews and brats on a first-come, first-serve basis, so you’ll want to make your visit their top-priority.
The Sausage & Cheese Platter is a Tennessee spin on a typical German vesper board. You won’t know what to try first as you take in the delicious spread of sliced summer sausage, sharp cheddar, pimento and pepper jack cheese, tangy banana peppers, spicy pickles and spicy mustard.
Then, there are oven-baked soft pretzels, all served with a heaping serving of hot beer cheese.
If you’re looking for a great sandwich, look no further than the Big City Rueben. It's the perfect blend of German, Irish and American flavors with corned beef, pastrami, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut.
WHERE: 1004 Parkway #501, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 | WHO: (865) 436-4200
7 | Calhoun's in Gatlinburg | BBQ and burgers are the main business at Calhoun’s in Gatlinburg, but there’s a little Bavarian taste on the menu, too!
This mountain lodge serves a great Smoked Sausage and Cheese Plate, though the restaurant uses Polish kielbasa instead of German bratwurst. It also has fresh-baked pretzels as appetizers, served with a warm beer cheese dip.
Good old fashion barbeque may seem southern through and through, but the practice was adopted from — you guessed it! — Germany! American hot dogs? We get those from German frankfurters. And the hamburger? It was made by a German cook named Otto Kuasw in Hamburg, Germany, in 1861!
WHERE: 1004 Parkway #101, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 | WHO: (865) 436-4100
8 | Fannie Farkles | Games, food and fun! This Gatlinburg arcade and eatery serves its franks fresh off the grill, tossed with searing sautéed peppers, onions and plenty of ketchup and mustard to go around.
For over 40 years, Fannie Farkles has made family fun magical in Gatlinburg. The restaurant is famous for their Ogle Dogs, a family recipe for deep-fried foot-longs that capture the taste of carnival fare perfectly.
You can also try one of the eatery’s epic sausage subs, topped with onions and peppers. You can also wash it down with a classic Tennessee sweet tea. Yes, please!
WHERE: 656 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 | WHO: (865) 436-4057
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Discover the Best Food and Fun Around Gatlinburg
There are plenty of amazing places to discover in this Smoky Mountain town, whether you’re in the mood for a bold bratwurst or crunchy taco from a great Mexican restaurant in Gatlinburg.
You can also find plenty of down-home, real Tennessee BBQ or steak at the many steakhouses Gatlinburg has to offer!
For more travel tips throughout Gatlinburg and Tennessee, visit our Westgate Resorts Travel Blog.
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