Feb 12, 2022
Valentine’s Day Dinner in the Smoky Mountains
A perfect Valentine’s Day date requires forethought and planning. Show your love with a unique Appalachian dining experience. Book a reservation at one of these celebrated restaurants, nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. Everyone has a different definition of romance, so we found a variety of dining experiences that embrace the distinctive local flair of the Smokies.
Walnut Kitchen
If your date appreciates exquisite cuisine in a more casual setting, this Maryville restaurant is your ideal date night location. It offers culinary artistry with hometown comfort. Their seasonal menu utilizes local produce and an unsurpassed Tennessee dry-aged beef selection. Experience an unmatched farm-to-table experience with a hand-crafted cocktail while toasting to your partner’s continued happiness.
The Barn at Blackberry Farms
Impress your date by reserving a table at this James Beard award-winning Walland restaurant. The multi-course menu uses Applachian ingredients, harvested both regionally and directly from the farm itself. Choose a bottle from one of the 9000 different wine selections in their wine program. Or complete your meal with one of the 300 whiskeys and brandies they have in stock. This fine-dining adventure will undoubtedly spark a little romance into your Valentine’s Day.
Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro
This Townsend restaurant has embraced the Appalachian Food Movement, using instinctive creativity to turn the traditional forest-to-skillet cuisine into contemporary flavor profiles. Rounding out the menu is a selection of delectable desserts and craft cocktails. Named one of America’s “Top 25 Most Romantic Restaurants” by TripAdvisor, this jewel is an apparent date night win.
Foothills Milling Company
If you are looking for a fine-dining experience with a good selection of gluten-free and vegetarian options, you can’t beat this Maryville institution. A cornerstone of extraordinary southern cuisine, their menu takes advantage of locally sourced ingredients from local farms and businesses, including Benton’s Bacon, Cruze Farms, and Vienna Coffee. They even have delicious vegan desserts, because what is romance without dessert?
Looking for something a little more casual and laid back? Check out this selection of fun restaurants:
Barley’s Taproom & Pizzaria
This restaurant, nestled in the heart of downtown Maryville, restored the glory of the former Roy’s Records building. It offers upscale pub favorites and a selection of customizable and unique pizzas, along with over 70 craft beer on tap. To ensure everyone has a good time, they also provide live music and pool tables in the upstairs bar area. Barley’s would be an ideal Valentine date night for the couple who is always down for a little fun and friendly competition.
Lemon Grass
For the more adventurous couples, this local favorite offers the most authentic Thai cuisine and sushi bar in Maryville. The aromas from the contrasting flavors in their savory entrees, combined with the delicacy of fresh seafood, make for a mouthwatering dining experience. Take a trip to Thailand this Valentine’s Day and pull up to the sushi bar to watch the expert knife work of their highly experienced chefs.
Smoky Mountain Brewery
One of the oldest craft breweries in East Tennessee, the original Gatlinburg location opened in 1996, helping lead the way for the US craft beer movement, which was still in its infancy. The Maryville location offers a delicious menu of wings, pizza, calzones, burgers, and sandwiches. And keeping in theme, they have plenty of TVs for the couple who loves a cold beer and can’t miss the game.
Don’t forget the key to success is preparation, so impress your date and reach out to one of these Smoky Mountain staples to make your Valentine’s Day reservation.