4 Best Restaurants in Sevierville, Tennessee

Downtown Sevierville's transformation feels complete with the opening of this fine-dining twist on traditional mountain cuisine. If you're feeling adventurous, try the seared headcheese or the buffalo frog legs, but there's plenty of comfort dishes like hanger steak with hen-of-the-woods mushrooms to fall back on.

Even if it plays up the "good 'ol days" kitsch, the Applewood is a welcome respite from the other places on the parkway. The two restaurants at either end of the complex have nearly identical menus that feature family recipes developed over time, perfected with effort, and prepared with fresh ingredients. You'll feel welcome from the minute you sit down. Wait times can sometimes extend to an hour during busy seasons, but there are shops and a winery on-site to fill the time.

The grass-fed beef patties here are gussied up with style. The unconventional options include the Last Frontier, topped with house-smoked salmon, capers, and lemon dill on a brioche bun. Bison, lamb, and veggie burgers round out the menu—wash them down with a root beer float.

If you can drag yourself away from the pulled pork, smoked out back and served on a potato bun, this inviting new downtown joint offers a full menu that includes house-made smoked sausage and fried catfish. Two dozen beers and ciders are sold by the ounce from a pour-it-yourself wall of taps.