Best Lunch Restaurants in Wears Valley

"An hour northwest of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Knoxville offers a good mix of the old guard and the new upstarts. Bistro at the Bijou is like a bridge between them: It’s a swanky haven in one of the city’s most historic buildings, located next door to the ornate Bijou Theatre. The restaurant feels sophisticated and regal, thanks largely to the building’s Renaissance-style architecture, stained glass windows, and art that hangs in the dining room."

"Lots of wonderful items to choose here from this downtown staple since 1980. Start with flash fried brussels sprouts or white truffle fries. Their fall/winter menu features butternut squash ravioli, curried vegetable bowl, hoppin’ john, and sides like roasted beets and collard greens with hot pepper vinegar."

"Housed within a quaint historic log cabin built by one of Gatlinburg’s oldest families, Greenbrier Restaurant has the innate charm of a Southern eatery. Enjoy American dishes with French, Cajun, and Italian twists, as well as fanciful cuts of steak."

"Tennessee Jed’s is a great option for lunch places to eat in Gatlinburg. They also serve breakfast, have amazing coffee and are known for their fast and fresh food. Open daily from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm."

"Tennessee Jed's is a relatively small sized sandwich shop that could easily be missed. But that doesn't mean it should be!. My boyfriend has been raving about…”more"

"The Wild Plum Tea Room is an amazing place to have lunch in the Arts & Crafts Community. Named one of the top 10 restaurants in the state of Tennessee, this unique cafe features scratch-made food in an idyllic natural setting. Be sure to make reservations at The Wild Plum at least 24 hours in advance."

"Then there’s the Clarence Brown Theatre on the University of Tennessee campus, which has a 500-seat auditorium that showcases its most popular stage shows. There’s also a much smaller black box theater for more experimental performances."

"The Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre stages zany comedies that are reminiscent of the Carol Burnett Show and Monty Python’s Flying Circus. The Iris Theater at the Gatlinburg Space Needle is another wonderful destination for live entertainment in Gatlinburg. The Iris is currently hosting Impossibilities: An Evening of Magic, Mindreading, and Mayhem."

"Built in the 1920s, the Tennessee Theatre was once an old cinema, but today, it’s something that really shines – a restored theater with actors, lights and bows at the end. As it’s very popular and offers a varied run of plays, make sure you book your tickets online; otherwise, you might be disappointed at the door. One of the prettiest buildings in Knoxville, it’s worth visiting for its interiors alone."

"Check out one of Knoxville’s famed theaters, which host movies, symphonies, stage plays, operas, and more contemporary musical performances. The beautifully restored Tennessee Theatre is one of the best, as it’s home to the Knoxville Symphony and opera company and shows classic movies. It was built in 1928 and was considered Knoxville’s first skyscraper."

"Froyo has been exploding in popularity, due in large part to it being touted as a healthier alternative to ice cream without a big difference in taste. ​Sweet Frog​ is one of the places to eat in Pigeon Forge that’s definitely found a following. Founded in 2009, they have a superb selection of your favorite sweets in frozen yogurt form — but without much of the guilt that comes from the treats they taste like."

"Looking for an alternative to ice cream that is just as delicious?. sweetFrog offers one of the best frozen yogurt experiences around. Choose from dozens of flavors of soft-serve premium frozen yogurt then pile on your choice of toppings."

"Maypops is the perfect place to stop for a tasty snack in downtown Gatlinburg. This wonderful shop is famous for its homemade ice cream, which comes in a number of unique varieties. Some of the most talked about flavors include the Banana Pudding ice cream (made with fresh bananas and vanilla wafers) and the Cinnamon Roll ice cream (made with pieces of glazed cinnamon rolls)."

"What looks like your typical ice cream shop from the outside is so much more on the inside. Maypops Homemade Ice Cream & Donuts has a welcoming atmosphere with a variety of treats, not just of the frozen kind. If you’re hungry, chow down on a turkey leg or a slice of pepperoni pizza before deciding what you want for dessert."

"If you are a seafood lover, there is no better place for dinner than at Captain Jim’s Seafood Buffet!. This amazing buffet features almost every type of seafood imaginable and the price even includes all-you-can-eat crab legs!. Begin your meal with a bowl of New England clam chowder or a helping of peel-n-eat shrimp, or start off light with a salad or coleslaw."

"If you have never been to a Golden Corral, you are in for a treat when you visit the Pigeon Forge location at 3610 Parkway!. This nationwide chain is famous for its delicious and fresh food at incredibly affordable prices. There are more than 150 choices on Golden Corral’s endless buffet, so everyone will find something to satisfy their appetite!"

"One of the top-rated Pigeon Forge buffet restaurants, Golden Corral has locations in both Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. Offering almost every type of food imaginable, every member of your family is sure to find something they love at this Pigeon Forge buffet. Be sure to save some room for dessert!"

"Believe it or not, Dollywood is known for more than just their thrilling roller coasters and award-winning shows. If you head to Craftsman’s Valley inside the park you’ll come across Miss Lillian’s Smokehouse. Here you’ll find all kids of amazing Southern dishes in an All-You-Care-To-Eat buffet!"