4 Restaurants That You Need to Visit to Experience the Best Barbeque in Gatlinburg

calhoun's in gatlinburg
April 19, 2024

When it comes to dining out in the Smoky Mountains, you won’t want to miss out on the area’s top barbeque restaurants! This is your chance to chow down on some authentic southern bbq and enjoy a plate full of chicken, pork ribs, beef brisket and other mouthwatering options! Here are 4 restaurants that you need to visit to experience the best barbeque in Gatlinburg:

1. Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que

Bennetts

Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que has been serving moist and delicious barbeque meals for nearly 30 years, so it is no wonder why this is one of the most popular restaurants in Gatlinburg! Start your meal with a variety of tempting appetizers, including Hickory Wings, Onion Straws, Deep Fried Pickle Chips and other tasty plates! The dinner platters are the specialty at Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que, so choose from Jumbo Baby Back Ribs, BBQ Chicken, BBQ Pork Shoulder and plenty of other exciting options! Regardless of your choice, you can count on food with a rich, smoky flavor that you can taste in every juicy mouthful at this top spot for barbeque in Gatlinburg!

2. Calhoun’s

You will find a mountain of good eating waiting for you at Calhoun’s, which is themed as a handsome mountain lodge! The original Calhoun’s opened in 1983 in Knoxville TN and has expanded to multiple locations throughout Tennessee, including the popular location in Gatlinburg! The growth is simply attributed to perfectly smoked meat, delectable sauces and scratch-made sides, not to mention the best ribs in America! Kick off your dining experience with a serving of Calhoun’s famous wings before moving on to one of the delectable barbeque platters! Be sure to save room for dessert too, which includes Macadamia Nut Banana Pudding, Key Lime Pie and Louise’s Triple Fudge Cake!

3. Delauder’s BBQ

pulled pork sandwich

Another one of the restaurants that you need to visit to experience the best barbeque in Gatlinburg is Delauder’s BBQ! This family owned bbq joint prepares fresh meals on a daily basis, so try to get there early before they sell out of your favorite dish! The appetizer menu features Fried Green Beans, Tator Bites and Mac-n-Cheese Bites, while the dinner menu offers traditional barbeque platters that come with sides such as potato salad, coleslaw and baked beans. If you prefer a sandwich, you will love the Pulled Pork Sandwich, Holy Bologna Sandwich and the Brisket Sandwich!

4. Hungry Bear BBQ

You can’t discuss the best barbeque in Gatlinburg without mentioning Hungry Bear BBQ! This restaurant is a hidden gem in the city. The menu may seem small, but your appetite better be big when you visit this spot! It offers freshly smoked ribs and brisket, along with your choice of flavorful sauces and hearty sides. We recommend the four-meat combo platter, which comes with ribs, pork, chicken, and beef! Whether you prefer sweet BBQ or spicy BBQ, you'll get to decide on a variety of sauces to pair with your meats. You'll love this local spot!

These are some of our favorite spots for the best barbeque in Gatlinburg, but they're not the only restaurants where you can find a delicious meal. Learn more about the delicious places to eat in Gatlinburg.