The Heirloom Room Gatlinburg has quickly become one of the town’s most talked-about new restaurants — and for good reason.If you’re looking for a restaurant in Gatlinburg that feels like a fresh take on mountain dining — with creative dishes, a cozy riverside setting, and a touch of modern rustic charm — The Heirloom Room deserves a top spot on your list. This 2024 newcomer has quickly become one of the most talked-about restaurants in town, and after eating there twice (yes, I went back for breakfast and dinner), I completely understand why.
If you’re planning a full trip, make sure to check out Spend a Week in Gatlinburg and Sevierville: A Full 7-Day Smoky Mountain Itinerary for more ideas to fill your days between meals.
Location and Atmosphere
You’ll find The Heirloom Room Gatlinburg right as you enter, making it an easy first stop when you roll into town. Parking is free, which is a rarity here — just use the Gatlinburg River Inn lot, conveniently located right next to the restaurant. I recommend putting the inn’s address directly into your GPS, as it’s just before the restaurant itself.
Inside, the space blends modern design with rustic, Appalachian touches — think warm woods, exposed beams, and chic mountain flair. But the real star of the setting is the view. The Heirloom Room sits right on the river, and you can choose to sit inside, outside, or even at a window that opens up so you can hear the sound of the water while you eat. During my visit, I actually saw a black bear walking along the river — an unforgettable (and very Smoky Mountains) dining experience.
Reservations are definitely recommended, especially if you’re hoping for one of those coveted outdoor tables by the water.
Breakfast at The Heirloom Room Gatlinburg is a true standout — creative, thoughtful, and full of flavor.— creative, thoughtful, and flat-out delicious. Every plate that came out of the kitchen looked like something from a magazine spread. I started with their biscuits and gravy, which were salty, savory, and perfectly balanced. The gravy alone was enough to make me want to lick the plate.
Then came the citrus blueberry pancakes with cream cheese frosting and fresh berries — an absolute showstopper. The combination of tart citrus, sweet blueberries, and creamy frosting was phenomenal. The breakfast potatoes were another winner: perfectly seasoned with sautéed onions and peppers, made from heirloom potatoes in a mix of colors (the purple ones were especially good).
One of my unexpected favorites? The crispy cheddar grit cakes — a creative twist that I could easily eat every day (if my waistline would let me). For the drink of the day, I ordered the salted caramel latte, and it was the perfect sweet and cozy pairing for breakfast by the river.
This breakfast easily ranks among my top meals in town — see more of my favorites in Top Places to Eat in Gatlinburg.
Dinner at The Heirloom Room Gatlinburg feels like a romantic escape. If you want the best seats, go early — around 4:30 p.m. the restaurant was wide open, and we were able to choose our table with a perfect view of the water. Even with the early seating, we made sure to book reservations in advance, just to be safe.
We started with the Burrata Cheese with Tennessee Chow-Chow and Olive Tapenade — creamy burrata surrounded by house-made olive and chow-chow tapenade, grilled baguettes, and herbs. It was refreshing and light, a perfect way to start the meal.
Next up were the Smoked Wild Boar Croquettes with roasted garlic aioli — a unique dish that combined the richness of smoked boar with creamed leeks, Gruyere cheese, and that perfectly garlicky aioli. Creamy inside, crunchy outside, and absolutely delicious.
My personal favorite appetizer of the night, though, was The Heirloom Room House Salad: artisanal greens with shaved Vidalia onions, cucumbers, heirloom cherry tomatoes, and a tangy Traveler Whiskey vinaigrette. It was crisp, bright, and bursting with flavor.
For entrees, Brad ordered the Heirloom Shrimp & Grits — jumbo grilled shrimp, roasted cherry tomatoes, and cheese grits topped with a smoked paprika curry sauce. It was bold, hearty, and beautifully presented. I went with the Spicy Grilled Venison Loin — New Zealand red venison tenderloin with a smoked chili rub, tarragon Béarnaise sauce, and crispy heirloom fingerling potatoes. The flavors were incredible, though next time I’d order it cooked to medium instead of medium-plus for the perfect tenderness. The spice rub, though, was absolutely delicious.
And then there was dessert. The panna cotta was the perfect finale — creamy, light, and just sweet enough to end the meal on a high note.
If you’re spending a full day downtown, The Heirloom Room makes the perfect dinner spot after checking off your must-dos fromTop 5 Things to Do in Gatlinburg.
The Heirloom Room Gatlinburg is the kind of place that makes you fall in love with Gatlinburg all over again. Whether you’re starting your morning with citrus pancakes by the river or ending your evening with a romantic dinner and a bear sighting, it’s a must-visit for anyone who appreciates good food and a beautiful setting. The menu is inventive without being fussy, the service is warm and attentive, and the setting is pure Smoky Mountain charm with a modern twist.
Once you’ve eaten your way through the Heirloom Room Gatlinburg, balance it out with a scenic stroll or an easy trail from My Favorite Easy Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
There’s a version of Gatlinburg that’s all fudge shops and tourist crowds, and then there’s the version that actually makes you want to come back.
Here’s everything worth doing downtown, in the order I’d do it: 🏔️
✨ Start at @gatlinburgskypark before the crowds hit
✨ Walk the strip mid-morning when it’s still manageable
✨ @googooclusters stop (see my post from Tuesday: don’t skip it)
✨ Dinner at one of the local spots off the main drag
✨ Wander back out at night when the lights are on and it gets actually pretty
This isn’t your overscheduled Smoky Mountain itinerary. It’s more of a “here’s what I’d actually do if I had one solid day” kind of list.
Full downtown Gatlinburg guide linked in bio. 🔗
If someone told me I’d spend five hours at SkyPark, I would not have believed them. And yet. 😅
Gatlinburg SkyPark sits above the strip and it’s one of those places that looks like a quick stop on paper and turns into most of your afternoon. The SkyBridge alone is worth it — longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, and yes, you will look down.
✨ SkyBridge (longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America)
✨ SkyLift ride up with views of the Smokies
✨ Walking trails with mountain views in every direction
✨ Way less crowded than downtown
Fair warning: if heights genuinely freak you out, the bridge might not be your thing. The rest of the park is still 100% worth it. Full guide with tickets, tips, and what to skip linked in bio. 🔗
I walked into Goo Goo Cluster in downtown Gatlinburg thinking I’d spend five minutes and leave with a small piece of candy. I was wrong on both counts. 😅
You build your own chocolate cluster at a kiosk: caramel, sea salt, pretzels, cocoa pebbles, you name it, and then watch them make it right in front of you. The whole thing takes about 15 minutes and costs $15.
The caveat? This is not a snack. This is a full-size brick of chocolate that I was still eating two days later.
If you’re already walking the Gatlinburg strip, this is an easy yes. Especially if you have absolutely no self-control around caramel. (Asking for a friend.) Full experience breakdown linked in bio. 🔗
Your Knoxville Airport survival guide, from someone who’s flown through TYS 100+ times is now up on my blog🛫
Parking, TSA wait times, where to grab food before your flight, rental cars, all of it, from someone who actually knows this airport. No guessing, no googling at the last minute.
TYS is small, easy to navigate, and honestly one of the less stressful airports I’ve been through. You just need to know a few things going in.
Full guide linked in bio. 🔗
Hundreds of motorcycles. Tweed suits. Tennessee roads.🏍️
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a global charity event, classic and vintage bikes, dressed-up riders, raising money for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health. The bikes are stunning. The outfits are even better.
Full guide linked in bio. 🔗 | @gentlemansride
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
