Best Breakfast Places in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Last Updated on January 20, 2024 by Allison Lancaster

Enjoy the most important meal of the day in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Whether you’re an early riser or out to brunch with friends, be sure to check out the delicious breakfast food options in this beautiful town. Here are some of the best breakfast places in Gatlinburg. As an East Tennesseean, I have carefully curated this list I know you’ll love!

Things to Do in Gatlinburg

Whether you’re visiting Gatlinburg for the beautiful fall foliage, spending the day at a museum, or seeking thrills at Dollywood, you will want to make time to enjoy the delicious food that the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg areas have to offer.

There are plenty of places for breakfast to visit while you’re in Gatlinburg. While all of them have a variety of options, you will notice that many eateries are focused on pancakes. This is because Gatlinburg is known for being one of the top pancake towns in the US.

Fun Fact: If you’re wondering why Gatlinburg, TN, has so many pancake houses, it is because Gatlinburg used to be a hub for the logging business. Pancakes are cheap and super filling, so it was the loggers’ go-to!

Want to make your own breakfast at home or in your hotel room in Gatlinburg? Try our Crockpot Breakfast Casserole, Chef Mickey’s Breakfast Pizza and Old Fashioned Donuts.

The Best Breakfast Places in Gatlinburg, TN

Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen, Pigeon Forge

Technically Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen is located in Pigeon Forge at The Island, but it’s just a stone’s throw away from Gatlinburg and in my opinion, totally worth the 10-minute drive.

Whenever we are visiting Gatlinburg, we always stop in at Paula Deen’s family kitchen and the family-style menu is one of our favorite breakfast spots in East Tennessee.

While you’re visiting, be sure to check out some of the shopping and attractions located at The Island in Pigeon Forge.

You may even want to stay at Margaritaville, you can read my full review of the Margaritaville Resort here!

Log Cabin Pancake House

Perfect for both breakfast and brunch, Log Cabin Pancake House serves your favorites all day long! Open since 1976, this rustic restaurant is family-owned and operated with a menu full of fluffy pancakes, delicious waffles, and all-you-can-eat biscuits and gravy. 

Log Cabin Pancake House has some of the most unique pancake flavors in Gatlinburg, TN. Enjoy Caribbean pancakes, Butterscotch Chip pancakes, and Pancake Royale with their homemade Royale Sauce. 

Don’t worry, they also have your classic specialty pancakes, chocolate chip pancakes, blueberry pancakes, and other options like cinnamon rolls and French toast. 

They don’t take reservations at this restaurant, but their line moves super quick, so if you see a long line, don’t worry, you’ll be seated soon! This is one of the top-rated breakfast places in Gatlinburg and with good reason.

The Atrium Restaurant

Craving breakfast with a view? Atrium Pancakes is going to be your go-to. Enjoy old-fashioned buttermilk pancakes, waffles, and all of your other breakfast favorites while dining next to a beautiful waterfall. 

This restaurant is perfect for big appetites that like big flavors. They have options, like The Hungry Bear, which is full of four fresh eggs, four buttermilk pancakes, home fries, and the choice of meat that you choose. 

They’re budget-friendly, with their prices ranging from around $8 to $16 per person. Don’t forget you can split their big breakfasts too! 

They’re only open until 2 p.m., so be sure to stop by to enjoy the family feel of the Atrium Restaurant. 

Smoky Mountains Creperie

Looking for one of the best sweet and savory breakfasts in Tennessee? No need to look any further than Smoky Mountains Creperie. It is one of the most unique and best breakfast places in Gatlinburg.

Whether you’re a sweet or savory lover, there are crepes that everyone can enjoy. You will find different sweet choices like Nutella, strawberry, or Oreo, or you can enjoy savory choices like ham, cheese, and bacon or hummus, spinach, and feta. 

Wash your breakfast down with a hot cup of coffee or a cold frappuccino for the little ones. 

It’s conveniently located on the main strip, which makes it one of the best breakfast places in Gatlinburg if you’re spending the day downtown.

Little House of Pancakes

Looking for a hidden gem and a local favorite? The Little House of Pancakes on East Parkway is the place to go. Open every day from 7AM – 2PM, it’s one of the best places in Gatlinburg for breakfast and brunch.

Enjoy made-from-scratch pancakes, syrup, biscuits, and more. They also have almost any fruit topping that you can get to top your stack of fresh old-fashioned buttermilk pancakes with country ham, bacon, and eggs on the side.

If you’re more of a savory breakfast lover, don’t worry; they have plenty of hearty options like create-your-own omelets, the best southern-style grits, and some of your other favorite classic southern breakfast dishes.

Don’t forget their top-rated lemonade and sweet tea.

Trish’s Mountain Diner

Stop by Trish’s Mountain Diner on your way into downtown Gatlinburg. Open from 7AM – 11AM, you will find some of the most flavorful country-style breakfasts in all of East Tennessee.

Enjoy hearty breakfasts like country steak and gravy, loaded omelets, and more. This is a great place for sharing breakfast, as the portion sizes are quite large.

It’s also one of the least expensive breakfasts that you’ll find, with most things costing less than $10.

Pancake Pantry

We can’t forget one of the best breakfast places in Gatlinburg. Tennessee’s first pancake house surely does not disappoint.

Here you can find all of your favorite breakfast foods, including some of the best pancakes in Tennessee, pigs in a blanket, and hearty omelets.

They have 24 different flavors of pancakes; a few of the local’s favorites are sweet potato pancakes, wild blueberry pancakes, and pecan pancakes.

Be sure to get there early because they don’t take reservations and are only open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Have you tried any of these breakfast places in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area? If so, I would love to know your thoughts! Are there some that we have left off the list? Let me know in the comments, I would love to try them for myself!