Listing of Townsend Restaurants

Townsend, Tennessee is known as the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies” for many reasons, be it the more outdoor opportunities related to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but also for the little things like the cozy cafes and small businesses that dot Townsend’s main thoroughfare.  A large part of Townsend’s draw are the many local Townsend restaurants visitors and locals have to choose from, away from the national chain selections.  Down home cooking, or for some of us just good comfort food, is Townsend‘s specialty and gives the feeling of being back at your grandmother’s kitchen table.  With that said, there are a number of delicious out of the way places to eat that will tempt and tantalize your taste buds.

 For specific Townsend restaurant reviews, check out our reviews page featuring two of the many great local eateries – Riverstone Family Restaurant and the Picnic Pantry Cafe. Looking for a Smoky Mountain cabin in Townsend, or a local campground? Well, we have listings of those too.

The Riverstone Family Restaurant is located on the National Park end of Townsend.  Being one of the few restaurants that is open for all three meals of the day means you can sample some good food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and any meal that you eat there is worth your time.  Whether you are hungry for a steak or for a sandwich, this restaurant is a great place to dine.

In a town the size of Townsend sometimes your culinary options are limited.  When you include the fact that there is only one fast food restaurant in Townsend you may find it hard to locate places to eat.  Breakfast can especially be hard on the new visitor to Townsend.  Riverstone Family Restaurant provides a sumptuous breakfast with lots of choices.  From omelets to a la carte there is something for the whole family on the breakfast menu.  One of the favorites is their country ham breakfast.  Eggs, grits and hashbrowns are combined with a thick cut piece of country ham.  Country ham, of course, is salt cured ham that is very traditional in Southern cooking.

Come on back for lunch or supper, as well.  And when you do, save room for an appetizer.  The fried green tomatoes at the Riverstone Family Restaurant are to die for.  Breaded, thick cut and fried perfectly they are a highlight to any meal.  If you have never experienced fried green tomatoes, this is a perfect opportunity.  Their sandwiches are also to be mentioned.  The Riverstone Burger is a huge sandwich that can satisfy an appetite of any size.  They even have vegetarian selections on their menu, including a garden Burger.  The entrees are the highlight though, and why it is recommended to aim toward this section of the menu.  They have most of what you would expect to see on a family restaurant menu:  steaks, grilled chicken, country fried steak, etc.  They also have some specialties:  country ham, rainbow trout, beef liver and onions and frog legs.  These are real Southern specialties; if you haven’t tried them before then you should do yourself a favor and sample one of these epicurean delights.

The Riverstone Family Restaurant also has a good, down-home atmosphere.  Oil tablecloths and the various knick-knacks on the wall take you back to your grandmother’s home.  There is a good bit of Townsend history on the walls of the dining room and in one case you literally are in the dining room of the house that has been turned into a restaurant.  The fireplace crackles in the corner and everyone gets that warm cozy feeling you should have while enjoying a family meal.

Combine the food with the atmosphere and you have a memorable meal on your hands.  Eat a couple of meals at the Riverstone Family Restaurant, it’s one of our favorite Townsend restaurants.  You will be hard pressed to find a better breakfast anywhere near the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  If you have been hiking all day and you need a meal that is going to stick to your ribs, then you have found your destination.