When you go on vacation, you probably want to skip all the familiar chain restaurants and try something new! There are all kinds of unique places to eat in Pigeon Forge, from a theme you’ve never experienced before to new foods you want to try. Pigeon Forge has all kinds of amazing restaurants, and plenty of them aren’t like anything you’ve ever tried before! Here are 4 unique places to eat in Pigeon Forge you can’t miss:

1. Smokies Cuban Cafe

Smokies Cuban Cafe is the only Cuban restaurant in the Smokies. They serve authentic Cuban cuisine, and some of the menu items include a Cuban sandwich, a croquette sandwich, and roasted pulled pork. Other entrees include palomilla steak, milanese steak, and fried pork chunks. Every entree comes with rice, beans, and plantains. Some of the side dishes you will want to try include beef or guava empanadas, tostones, and yucca fries. Of course, you have to try dessert when you visit the Smokies Cuban Cafe so you can pair it with a fresh, hot cup of Cuban coffee!

2. The Old Mill Pottery House Cafe and Grill

If you’re looking for southern food with flair, you have to eat at The Old Mill Pottery House Cafe and Grill. This unique place to eat in Pigeon Forge is inside an old home with a beautiful stone fireplace and outdoor patio where you can enjoy your meal. Food is served on handmade pottery in a variety of colors. When it comes to food, you’ll find all kinds of southern favorites. There’s chicken gumbo and grits, a fried tomato BLT, fried chicken livers, and much more. Plus, this restaurant makes fresh bread and delicious desserts daily, and you won’t want to miss out on either!

3. Mel’s Diner

Mel’s Diner is a locally owned diner that will take you back to the 1950s with its nostalgic theme. There’s a jukebox, retro booths and stools, and plenty of vintage decor on the walls. For breakfast, you could get a huge platter of food with bacon, eggs, hash browns, and pancakes. Lunch or dinner could be beef livers with onions, chicken and dumplings, or a patty melt. You’ll want to save room for dessert since you can share a milkshake or a banana split!

4. Junction 35 Kitchen

Another unique place to eat in Pigeon Forge you don’t want to miss is Junction 35 Kitchen. This restaurant is adjoined to a distillery, so you can find delicious food and try all kinds of great cocktails. All of the cocktails at the bar are made with the liquors from the distillery next door! Start out with pimento cheese dip or the “Not Your Sweet Potato Casserole,” which is sweet potato fries topped with marshmallow sauce and candied pecans. For an entree, you can get a smoked meat tray with your choice of sides, a juicy burger with your choice of toppings, beef tips stacker, or shrimp and grits. Junction 35 Kitchen has a little bit of everything!

You’ll be happy visiting any of these unique places to eat in Pigeon Forge. There’s so much food to choose from, you may have a hard time deciding where to go first! Since you have an idea of where you want to eat, you just need to figure out what you will do! Look through our Freedom Fun Pass to see what kinds of deals you’ll get when you stay in one of our cabins!