When you think of the Smoky Mountains, you probably think of Southern foods and barbecue. While those are the types of foods our region is most known for, that doesn’t mean we don’t know how to serve up some delicious international cuisine. If you get a craving for Italian food while on vacation in the Smoky Mountains, don’t worry! There are some great Italian restaurants in Pigeon Forge and the surrounding area that will satisfy your need for pasta and Italian flavors. Here are some of our favorite Italian restaurants nearby.
1. Johnny Carino’s Italian
Johnny Carino’s is a family restaurant that serves all your favorite Italian foods as well as some traditional foods with a twist. Some of their most popular dishes include Johnny’s Fresh Baked Lasagna, Spicy Shrimp and Chicken, and Grilled Chicken Bowtie Festival. Johnny Carino’s is most famous for having family platters that can feed your whole family for a reasonable price–especially on Family Night on Mondays when you can get half off family platters!
2. Squisito Too
Squisito Too is one of the newer additions to the area. This fast-casual Italian restaurant serves pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and salads made from family recipes. Squisito Too is located at Tanger Outlets not far from our Pigeon Forge hotel. You can order a dish off the menu, or you can create your own pizza, pasta, salad, or veggie bowl. One of the most popular dishes is the Create Your Own Pasta Bowl, where you can choose your protein, sauce, and toppings to make it unique to your own taste.
3. Olive Garden
You can’t go wrong with this beloved classic. Olive Garden is located right on the border between Pigeon Forge and neighboring Sevierville. Enjoy their famous fresh-baked breadsticks and salad before digging into a hearty Italian meal. Olive Garden is best known for their Chicken Alfredo, Five Cheese Ziti al Forno, and Create Your Own Pasta dishes. Don’t forget to top off your meal with a rich Italian dessert like Tiramisu or Sicilian Cheesecake!
4. Ristorante DellaSantina
One of the most authentic Italian restaurants in Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains is Ristorante DellaSantina. This restaurant is just outside the borders of Pigeon Forge in Sevierville. Ristorante DellaSantina serves traditional Italian cuisine made from the freshest ingredients possible. You can start off with freshly baked focaccia bread before diving into a meal of Lasagna, Eggplant Parmesan, Cozze Fettuccine, Frutti di Mare, or Pollo Grigliato. Don’t let the Italian names intimidate you–each item on the menu has a full description so you know exactly what to order.
5. Big Daddy’s Pizzeria
If you are craving pizza during your Pigeon Forge vacation, then Big Daddy’s Pizzeria is the place for you. Big Daddy’s is an Italian restaurant in Pigeon Forge that specializes in pizza but also serves Italian subs and salads. There are all sorts of pizza options to choose from, including their signature The Big Dill, Bee Sting, and Smoky Mountain Cheesesteak. If you don’t want to choose from one of their specialty pizzas, you can build your own from a variety of sauces and toppings.
Discover More Places to Eat in Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge is home to so many great restaurants. Whether you’re in the mood for Italian, Mexican, American, or Southern cuisine, you can find a delicious place to eat. Check out some of our favorite places to eat in Pigeon Forge. We’ll see you there!
