When you go on vacation, you probably are looking for places to eat you won’t find back home. Luckily there are quite a few local restaurants in the Pigeon Forge area you’ll want to try! From southern cuisine to home cooking, you’ll find a little bit of everything! Here are the top 5 local places to eat in Pigeon Forge you can’t miss:

1. Mel’s Diner

Anyone who loves classic diner food will want to try Mel’s Diner! You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a time machine with the chrome detailing, neon lights, and diner booths lining the restaurant aisles. While some people come for the theme, almost everyone else stays for the delicious diner food! You can’t go wrong with a burger and fries, but Mel’s also has liver and onions, meatloaf, pot roast, chicken and dumplings, and so much more. But don’t fill up on too much food, because you’ll want to get a signature milkshake or banana split while you’re at Mel’s!

2. Boss Hogg’s BBQ Shack

A fantastic local place to eat in Pigeon Forge that’s known for its southern barbecue is Boss Hogg’s BBQ Shack. You can get smoky pulled pork piled high on a bun and covered in tangy house sauce, or you can try slow smoked baby back ribs that are fall-off-the-bone tender. Other delicious meats you can try at Boss Hogg’s includes chopped brisket, smoked sausage, and smoked chicken. To go with your meat of choice, you can get coleslaw, green beans, baked beans, mashed potatoes, or french fries.

3. Huck Finn’s Catfish Cabin

If you find yourself in the mood for southern food, Huck Finn’s Catfish Cabin is a fantastic option! Of course, they are known for their catfish and shrimp entrees, but you’ll also find grilled and fried chicken, chicken livers, country fried steak, and more. Every meal at Huck Finn’s comes with endless vittles, and they include baked white beans and turkey ham, dill pickles, sweet onion slices, coleslaw, hushpuppies, and your choice of mashed potatoes, fries, or green beans. You won’t find a better local southern restaurant than Huck Finn’s!

4. Junction 35 Spirits

When you’re looking for comfort food with a twist, you should visit Junction 35 Spirits. This local place to eat in Pigeon Forge is located at The Mountain Mile, and it’s not just a restaurant! It’s also a distillery where you can try all kinds of spirits, or order a signature cocktail to go with your meal. This local eatery has smoked meat trays with your choice of ribs, brisket, or pulled pork. They also have traditional and gourmet burgers, as well as entrees like shrimp and grits, beef tips stacker, or Smoky Mountain chicken. You’ll definitely enjoy your meal at Junction 35!

5. Lil Black Bear Cafe

If you’re looking for more of a hole-in-the-wall eatery, Lil Black Bear Cafe is where you should go. This local restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, so you can start out your day with freshly made pancakes, eggs cooked to order, bacon, and your other favorites. When lunch time rolls around, you can get soup or salad for something light. You’ll also find burgers, hot dogs, and a variety of sandwiches on the menu to choose from. You won’t want to miss trying this local restaurant in Pigeon Forge!

Now you know about some of the local places to eat in Pigeon Forge you don’t want to miss on your next vacation. While you know where you want to eat, do you know where you’re going to stay? Look through our hotel rooms in Pigeon Forge, and book one for your next trip today!