When you hear Southern food, you may think of fried chicken, barbecue pork, roast beef, and burgers. But Pigeon Forge has much more than that. In fact, you don’t have to eat meat at all to find some great options for meals and snacks in the Great Smoky Mountains. From Mexican and Italian to Southern foods and beyond, you can get almost any type of food while still staying within your vegetarian diet.
And no, you won’t get stuck eating only salads at these area restaurants. You’ll find pizza, burritos, breakfast foods, pastas, and so much more. So read on for some vegetarian meal ideas and enjoy your time in the Great Smoky Mountains!
Mellow Mushroom | The Island
Build your own pizza or calzone or choose from their salads with a nice variety of dressings. They have plenty of fruits and veggies for topping your pizza or filling your calzone, and they even have vegan and gluten-free options like hummus, pretzels, the avocado hoagie, and the Thai Dye pizza.
Lil Black Bear Café | 3068 Veterans Blvd
This charming little local eatery earns high marks on TripAdvisor for its friendly service, low prices, and tasty food. Vegetarians can get a stack of pancakes, fresh coffee, biscuits, veggie omelets, a tossed salad, soup, potato salad, or one of their great little desserts.
Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina | 2250 Parkway
Salsarita’s in Sevier County is locally owned and offers daily specials throughout the week. You’ll have tons of vegetarian options here, and you can build your own burritos, bowls, salads, nachos, and quesadillas. Get rice, beans, peppers and onions, cilantro, and a great variety of salsas to top off your meals for a flavorful and completely vegetarian dish. They even offer catering, so you can enjoy buffet-style meals in the comfort of your Pigeon Forge cabin.
Margaritaville | The Island
From starters to entrees to sides, Margaritaville at The Island has a nice selection for vegetarians. Start with the Key West Quesadilla or the White Cheddar Cheese Curds before moving on to the Black Bean and Roasted Corn Tacos or the Chimichurri Veggie Burger. They also have a great menu for those eating gluten free, including the Drunken Shrimp Skillet and the Volcano Nachos.
The Old Mill Restaurant | 175 Old Mill Ave, traffic light #7
The Old Mill is a favorite on Pigeon Forge vacations, so if your whole group isn’t vegetarian, you will probably find yourself there at some point. They have a big menu, but many dishes are focused on meat. Thankfully, they also have plenty of veggies and a few veggie entrees like the stir-fried vegetables, vegetable quiche, or the vegetable plate. They also have lots of sweets like the fried apple pies, fritters, and homemade desserts, so you won’t go hungry here!
Wild Plum Tea Room | 555 Buckhorn Rd
This 2016 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence winner features vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. The menu changes throughout the year, with fresh-made dishes each day. Have the zucchini and dill soup, veggie spread on a tomato basil wrap, a veggie platter, fresh fruit with cheese and crackers, homemade desserts, and so much more. Just ask about their vegetarian options during your visit!
J.T. Hannah’s Kitchen | 3124 Parkway
You won’t find just burgers, steaks, and ribs at this area favorite. You can also choose from spinach and artichoke dip, home-style potato chips, fried pepper jack cheese, Caesar salad, and some great desserts.
Johnny Carino’s | 2425 Parkway
Build your own pasta (without meat), start off with a fresh salad like the classic Caesar or wedge salad, and enjoy favorites like eggplant parmesan, baked cheese tortellini, angel hair with artichokes, and more. They even have an allergen guide for anyone with allergies, along with a great kids’ menu and wine list.
Poynor’s Pommes Frites | 131 Island Dr
Known – and named for – their Belgium fries, Poynor’s Pommes Frites serves them up plain or with sauce. It’s a great place for a quick snack and some unique desserts. Try the Spaghetti Ice that’s vanilla bean ice cream “noodles” topped with sauce (chocolate, strawberry, or raspberry), grated “cheese” (white chocolate), and a Ferrero Rocher “meatball.” Or you can get chocolate chunk cookies, a Belgium waffle, or their fresh-baked Rocky Road cookies. Yum!
Kinkaku Japanese Steak House | 3152 Parkway
At the sushi bar, get the vegetable roll before trying the vegetarian hibachi dinner. You’ll get your veggies served up Teppan-Yaki style with fried rice and a show! You can pair your meal with a huge selection of sake, along with domestic and Japanese beer and wine.
Pigeon Forge Cabins
If you love variety in your food, you probably also love variety in your cabin amenities. We have some beautiful cabins with tons of great amenities, including big screen TVs, hot tubs overlooking the mountains, rec rooms with game tables, relaxing master suites, and so much more. Browse by size or amenity online, or give us a call at 866.513.7885 to find the perfect cabin for your Smoky Mountain escape.
