One of the most popular attractions in Pigeon Forge is Dollywood. You’re likely to work up an appetite riding all the fun rides and watching all the amazing shows. Don’t worry, though–Dollywood has lots of great food options to choose from when the hunger hits! Here are some of the best restaurants in Dollywood you should try on your next visit.
1. Aunt Granny’s Restaurant
Aunt Granny’s Restaurant in Dollywood has been named one of USA Today’s top ten best theme park restaurants in the country. This is one of only a few restaurants in Dollywood that serves a sit-down meal. You’ll enjoy this family-style meal that offers something for everyone. You get to choose three main dishes and four side dishes for the table, plus one dessert per person. Some of the crowd-favorite items on the menu include Southern fried chicken, pot roast, Southern fried catfish, corn pudding, Granny Ogle’s pinto beans, braised cabbage, banana pudding, and much more.
2. Red’s Drive-in
At Red’s Drive-in, you get to step back in time to the 1950s at this classic diner-themed restaurant. Red’s Drive-in specializes in delicious burgers and fries that everyone will enjoy. You can choose from a hamburger, cheeseburger, bacon cheeseburger, turkey wrap, or salad. The crinkle-cut fries are always crispy and salty. You can choose between regular fries or chili cheese fries to pair with your burger. This is one of the many quick service restaurants in Dollywood where you order at the counter. Then, bring your food to sit either inside or out on the covered patio.
3. Hickory House BBQ
As expected, Dollywood knows how to serve some tasty BBQ. Head over to Hickory House BBQ to enjoy award-winning BBQ recipes and dishes straight from the smokehouse. You can get delicious smoked BBQ pork or smoked BBQ beef on a sandwich or as a platter. Hickory House BBQ also serves some of the best chicken tenders around. All these meals are served with a side of Sidewinder Fries, which are thick, spiral fries that are fried to perfection. Another popular item on the menu is the turkey leg, which has a smoky flavor and is easy to eat while walking around the theme park.
4. Front Porch Café
Another one of the great sit-down restaurants in Dollywood is Front Porch Café. You can sit down for a bit indoors to cool off or warm up while you enjoy some of Dolly’s favorite meals. Start off with a Southern staple like fried green tomatoes. Then enjoy the delicious Front Porch Burger, Southerner Burger, Smothered Pork Loin, or other delicious meal. Make sure you save room for a fruit cobbler dessert! This is also the restaurant in Dollywood that has the most gluten friendly and vegan options, and they have the ability to accommodate meals for most allergies and dietary needs.
5. Granny Ogle’s Ham ‘n’ Beans
You can’t get much more Southern than ham and pinto beans. If you’re looking for true Southern cooking, make sure you eat at Granny Ogle’s Ham ‘n’ Beans in Dollywood. You can start off your meal with an order of Pimento Cheese and Pork Rinds or Spice Southern Hot Corn Dip. Then, enjoy a pulled ham sandwich or one of Granny Ogle’s Skillets. The skillet options include Chicken Pot Pie, Pit Ham Dinner, Meatloaf Stacker, and, of course, Ham Beans ‘N’ Greens. All meals are served with fresh cornbread to complement your Southern meal.
6. Grist Mill
Although not technically an actual restaurant in Dollywood, you can’t visit this theme park without making a stop at the Grist Mill. There you’ll find the most iconic food item at Dollywood–-their world-famous cinnamon bread. This tasty dessert is made fresh daily, and you can even watch the process behind the counter at the Grist Mill. You can pair your cinnamon bread with buttercream icing or apple butter for dipping. The Grist Mill also sells an assortment of gigantic cookies if you’d prefer a more traditional dessert item.
More to Do at Dollywood Theme Park
These are just some of the many great food options you’ll find at Dollywood. To work up an appetite, make sure you check out these awesome rides at Dollywood that you have to try!
