For many visitors, the Buckhorn Inn defines a visit to Gatlinburg. This well-established, historic inn has a long history and a guestbook filled with visitors who fell in love with its charm. Among them, you’ll find the names of Marilyn Monroe and Walt Disney. Although the guest experience is incomparable, the Buckhorn is worth a visit just for its gourmet cuisine. A constantly-rotating menu of established favorites keeps things interesting.
The level of service, care, and preparation for each guest’s needs make the dining experience feel like a much-needed glance into a gentler time. Expect an upscale, traditional atmosphere, impeccably designed and curated, as well as lovely grounds upon the approach. Despite the upscale feel, the atmosphere is anything but uppity; welcoming, calm energy gives off an unmistakably cozy vibe that feels like coming home.
Dinners
The Buckhorn Inn rotates its menu regularly. You can always call for the latest update or check their menu here. Every dinner at the Buckhorn is a sumptuous three-course culinary masterpiece, featuring homemade soup, salad, homemade bread, and a gourmet main course, followed by a dessert served with coffee. Expect entrees like Bacon-Wrapped Loin of Pork, Crab-Stuffed Flounder Fillet with Lemon-Butter Sauce, and Roast Beef Tenderloin with Bordelaise Sauce. No matter what’s on the menu when you arrive, you’ll be blown away by the quality and freshness of each creative meal that’s served.
Breakfasts
The Buckhorn Inn offers breakfast reservations to non-guests, and if you’re up early exploring the area, it’s worth a stop–though you’ll need to remember to make reservations a day in advance. Expect a hearty, upscale breakfast with both sweet and savory options; menu items rotate regularly but have included items like Brie-Stuffed French Toast with Banana-Walnut-Maple Sauce and Bacon, Pear-Apple-Cinnamon Waffles with Country Ham, and Eggs Scrambled with Asparagus, Tomatoes, Scallions, Ham, and Cheddar Cheese.
Lunches
The Buckhorn packs sack lunches for guests, but only serves formal luncheons on a group-reservation basis.
The Buckhorn Inn is located in Pittman Center on Tudor Mountain Road, cozy amidst quiet residences, other cottage and cabin rentals, and small artisans’ shops. It’s a short drive from downtown Gatlinburg and all it has to offer but feels well-removed from the hustle and bustle of many of Gatlinburg’s restaurant and tourist attractions. That makes it an ideal stop for a date night or quiet dinner with friends that you won’t soon forget.
Insider Tips:
– The Buckthorn Inn offers cooking classes on occasion, all taught by their head chef, Frank Downs. Classes are intimate and fun, and you’ll walk away with new skills to create your own culinary masterpieces.
– Arrive early enough before dinner to enjoy a stroll through Rachel’s Labyrinth, a 60′ diameter circular pathway that serves as one of the largest meditation labyrinths in the U.S. Whether you’re familiar with meditation labyrinths or not, this serene spot is a gorgeous place to calm your mind and soothe your soul for a bit, surrounded by nature.