The Best Breakfast in Pigeon Forge
Where is the best breakfast in Pigeon Forge? Well, that depends on what you’re hungry for! Pancakes? Eggs and bacon? Biscuits and gravy? Coffee and a muffin? Maybe just a donut?
The good news is that Pigeon Forge has a LOT of breakfast options, no matter what you’re hungry for. Following are some of our favorites – we think you’ll like them, too!
Published April 24, 2024…Updated November 11, 2024
If You’re Really, REALLY Hungry…
The Old Mill Restaurant – The Best BIG Breakfast in Pigeon Forge
The Old Mill Restaurant was once…you guessed it…an old mill, circa 1830. It’s part of a larger complex, including The Pottery House Cafe, The Old Mill Creamery, plus a few other smaller shops. It features Southern-style country cooking…in large quantities!
The restaurant is quite large, with seating on two separate floors. It was busy the morning we were there, but we were seated almost immediately. Our waitress arrived soon after we were seated and took our order.
The food quickly began arriving at our table. First, we enjoyed complimentary spiced muffins and fruit juice.
Then, our waitress brought us a basket of hot biscuits and butter. I could have, and should have, stopped eating right there. But then our order arrived.
Never have I ever had this much food placed in front of me! It was hanging off the edge of my plate! I asked God to help me, and I got started eating…
Grits, pancakes, eggs, hash browns, country ham, coffee…I was in heaven.
Mary Ellen chose the Southern Omelette. It was delicious, but she was unable to finish it. Again, so…much…food!
Here are a few Quick Facts about The Old Mill Restaurant…
- Location – 164 Old Mill Avenue, Pigeon Forge
- Price – $10 – $20 per person, plus tax and tip
- Vibe – The vibe here is Smoky Mountains/Cracker Barrel. Lots of families.
- Kid’s Menu – Yes
- Website – www.old-mill.com
Mama’s Farmhouse – The Other Best Big Breakfast in Pigeon Forge
Mama’s Farmhouse has the full farmhouse vibe. Big porches, hanging ferns, rocking chairs, porch fans – I immediately liked it!
The farmhouse vibe continues inside. Wooden beams on the ceiling, country-style furnishings, old farming implements hanging on the wall, etc. The staff all wear denim overalls to complete the look.
Several photos and paintings of Mama and her family hang on the walls. She’s not smiling in any of them. ..
The ordering process at Mama’s is a little different. The wait staff tells you what is being served that day, and that’s what you get! Simple, right? You are given a menu, but it’s not for choosing – it’s just to see what you’re being served.
Take a look below at the photo of the menu. We received EVERYTHING you see on that menu!
Mama serves a couple of interesting items:
- Chocolate Gravy. I know – that sounds disgusting…but it was really good. It just tastes like chocolate syrup.
- Belgian Waffles. I know – there’s nothing special about Belgian waffles. These waffles, however, are only 3-4 inches in diameter. They are “fun size”!
The food is very good. There was much more than we could finish. The service was fast and friendly.
- Location – 208 Pickel St, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Price – $10 – $20 per person, plus tax and tip
- Vibe – The vibe here is “going to visit your grandmother, who loves to cook”!
- Kid’s Menu – Yes
- Website – www.mamasfarmhouse.com
If You’re in the Mood for PANCAKES…
Smoky’s Pancake Cabin – The Best Pancake Breakfast in Pigeon Forge
Nothing says “Breakfast in the Smokies” better than a tall stack of pancakes. What a great way to fuel up for a day of hiking adventures. We tried Smoky’s Pancake Cabin because it was highly rated and had very positive reviews.
Smoky’s Pancake House is at the south end of Pigeon Forge, right on Parkway, the main street through town. We arrived about 10 minutes before it opened, but we weren’t the first people there. Several folks were sitting in their cars in the parking lot waiting for the doors to open. Good sign!
The restaurant is large and filled with comfortable tables and booths. Our waitress arrived at our table and took our order. She was quite friendly and offered us advice about the area. Later in the meal, we spent a good bit of time talking with her about family, her story, and life in general.
Even though we were eating in Smoky’s Pancake Cabin, not Smoky’s Waffle Cabin, I wanted a waffle..and eggs…and sausage patties. They were all delicious! The coffee was really good, too.
Mary Ellen took the more traditional approach and ordered pancakes. They were large and just as delicious as my waffles.
Here are a few Quick Facts about Smokey’s Pancake Cabin…
- Location – 4235 Parkway, Pigeon Forge
- Price – $10 – $20 per person, plus tax and tip
- Vibe – Comfortable. Family-friendly.
- Kid’s Menu – Yes
- Website – www.collierrestaurantgroup.com/restaurants/smokys-pancake-cabin
Sawyer’s Farmhouse – The Other Best Pancake Breakfast in Pigeon Forge
Sawyer’s Farmhouse has become one of my two favorite breakfast restaurants in Pigeon Forge, TN.
Elvis greets you as you enter Sawyer’s. (I wasn’t expecting that, but it was good to see him…) That room is large and has the farmhouse/country vibe going for it.
Our waitress, Paige, was fast, friendly, and funny. We really enjoyed visiting with her! She had my coffee ready in no time. It was very good—maybe it was the chicken mug…
The food was so good! My waffle was cooked perfectly – fluffy and light. The sausage was seasoned just right – tasty but not too spicy. Mary Ellen’s “Pigs in a Blanket” were tasty.
This was an all-around great dining experience!
- Location – 2831 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Price – $10 – $20 per person, plus tax and tip
- Vibe – The vibe here is country breakfast.
- Kid’s Menu – Yes
- Website – www.sawyersbreakfast.com
If You Like You’re Breakfast With a Side of 50’s Vibe…
I love a good, 50s-themed diner. There are three in Pigeon Forge that we highly recommend.
Mel’s Diner – The Best 50’s Diner Breakfast in Pigeon Forge
Eating at Mel’s Diner may be the most fun I’ve ever had at a restaurant. It is designed inside and outside like an authentic 50’s diner, complete with vinyl seating booths with “boomerang” patterned tabletops, checkboard tiled floors, and a large, neon jukebox.
But what really made this place special was the waitresses. They were all singing with the jukebox…loudly! And dancing down the aisle as they brought our food to our table. It wasn’t long before everyone in the diner was singing, too! It couldn’t be helped – like me, everyone there knew every song by heart! Great fun!
The food was really good, too. I had the special – two eggs, sausage, pancakes, and coffee. It reminded me of eating at diners in the 60’s when I was a kid.
Mary Ellen sampled eggs, hash browns, and biscuits with sausage gravy. She gave her breakfast high marks for taste, quality, and quantity.
Mel’s Diner was, I think, my favorite breakfast experience in Pigeon Forge. We are sure to dine there again the next time we’re in Pigeon Forge.
Here are a few Quick Facts about Mel’s Diner…
- Location – 119 Wears Valley Rd., Pigeon Forge.
- Price – $10 – $20 per person, plus tax and tip
- Vibe – 60’s Diner – Think “Happy Days”
- Kid’s Menu – Yes
- Website – www.melsdinerpf.com
The Sunliner Diner – The Other Best 50’s Diner Breakfast in Pigeon Forge
I know, I know…another 50’s diner. But the Sunliner Diner is different from Mel’s Diner in a few unique ways. It’s larger than Mel’s. There are two vintage automobiles on display outside. The menus are printed on what look like newspapers from the 50’s.
And there are two 50’s/60’s era cars inside the diner, which have been modified to become dining booths! Very cool! I asked this family if I could take their photo and they kindly agreed. Their daughters seemed to think “eating in the car” was a lot of fun!
The food was also excellent. I tried the eggs, country ham, hash browns, biscuits, and coffee. My breakfast did not disappoint!
Mary Ellen opted for biscuits and gravy with a side of bacon and coffee. Her breakfast did not disappoint, either.
The Sunliner Diner also has a toy shop full of 50’s/60’s toys, some of which I owned as a kid. I had a great time “strolling down memory lane” as I browsed through the shop. I also picked up a very cool coffee mug…WooHoo!
If I’m comparing Mel’s Diner and Skyliner Diner, I would say…
- The food is equally good at both diners.
- The service at Mel’s was a bit friendlier.
- The vibe at both places was pure 50’s.
- Mel’s has singing waitresses!
- Sunliner has a “neato” toy shop.
Here are a few Quick Facts about The Sunliner Diner…
- Location – 2302 Parkway, Pigeon Forge
- Price – $10 – $20 per person, plus tax and tip
- Vibe – 50’s Diner. Fonzie could be sitting in the next booth…
- Kid’s Menu – Yes
- Website – https://www.sunlinerdiner.com/
Fat City Grill – The Only Sci-Fi-Themed 50’s Diner in Pigeon Forge
Formerly known as “The Corner Diner” (the sign was still above the door the last time we visited), Fat City Grill is the only “Sci-Fi-themed 50’s Diner in Pigeon Forge…it may be the only “Sci-Fi-themed 50’s Diner” anywhere!
Upon entering the diner, you’ll immediately realize this place is unique. It’s a 50’s diner with a science fiction theme. You’ll see rockets, spaceships, an astronaut or two. The dining room walls have several video screens, each playing sci-fi movies like “Creature From the Black Lagoon”.
The diner tables all feature scenes from sci-fi movies like King Kong. In a blast from the past, each table has a “Magic 8-Ball,” just like I played with as a kid. Very entertaining!
The food and service here are excellent. We spent a long time visiting with the very friendly staff.
- Location – 3060 Teaster Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Price – $10 – $20 per person, plus tax and tip
- Vibe – The vibe here is 50’s diner with a funky sci-fi theme. Lots of fun!
- Kid’s Menu – Yes
- Website – www.cornerdinerpf.com
If You’re in a Bit of a Hurry…
Black Rifle Coffee Company – The Best Quick Breakfast in Pigeon Forge
Sometimes, all you want or have time for is a good cup of coffee and maybe a muffin. Let me suggest Black Rifle Coffee Company.
I had been wanting to try Black Rifle for some time. It did not disappoint.
Black Rifle Coffee Company is veteran-owned and operated. Through the BRCC Fund, the company “…helps Service members and Veterans gain access to direct support, grants, training, resources and care they need.” (Taken from Black Rifle Coffee Company website.)
I immediately noticed the coffee shop’s military vibe —it’s impossible to miss! Floor-to-ceiling military-themed posters covered the walls. Then I noticed how busy the shop was. There were cars in the drive-through line, and several people lined up at the counter to place an order.
While I was in line, I browsed through the merchandise that was for sale. There were mugs, tees, and the largest selection of coffees I’ve ever seen! I counted almost three dozen different blends available, in bags, rounds, single serve, 12oz, and 5 lb bags – so much coffee!
Even though the shop was busy, baristas handled the crowd with military efficiency. I ordered my usual black dark roast, with a slice of lemon pound cake. The coffee was dark, strong, and hot – just as it should be. The cake was tasty and fresh.
In my opinion, Black Rifle Coffee Company exceeded my expectations. I’ll visit there again.
Here are a few Quick Facts about the Black Rifle Coffee Company...
- Location – 1836 Parkway, Pigeon Forge
- Price – $1 – $10 per person, plus tax and tip
- Vibe – Military
- Kid’s Menu – Yes, especially for older kids and teens
- Website – https://www.blackriflecoffee.com/retail/sevierville-tennessee
Krispy Kreme – The Other Best Quick Breakfast in Pigeon Forge
Yeah, I know. Krispy Kreme is ubiquitous. It’s considered “fast food”. There’s nothing special about it. But…
…I like it! It’s quick, it’s good, they have great coffee, and there are never any surprises. There’s no KK where I live, so we usually stop here when in Pigeon Forge.
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- Location – 4074 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Price – $5-$10 per person, plus tax and tip
- Vibe – The vibe here is a donut shop.
- Kid’s Menu – The whole menu is a kids’ menu.
- Website – www.site.krispykreme.com
Map to the Best Breakfast Restaurants in Pigeon Forge
(Click anywhere on the map below to enlarge it.)
The Verdict – The Best Breakfast in Pigeon Forge
It’s difficult to pick “The Best” Breakfast in Pigeon Forge because there are so many variables at play. How hungry are you? How hurried are you? What’s your favorite breakfast food? Do you have kids? So here’s where I landed…
If I’m REALLY hungry, I’m going to The Old Mill Restaurant or Mama’s Farmhouse.
If I’m in the mood for pancakes or waffles, it’s Smoky’s Pancake Cabin or Sawyer’s Farmhouse.
If I’m in a hurry, I’m driving through Black Rifle for coffee and a muffin, or Krispy Kreme.
If I have kids with me, we’ll go to Mel’s Diner, Skyliner Diner, or Fat City Grill because they all have a great, fun vibe.
You can’t go wrong with any of these choices, so “Bon Appetit!”
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