By Elizabeth Montgomery, Food & Travel Editor
The bustling streets of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, just gained a wonderful new destination for lovers of hearty, scratch-made comfort food. Nestled against the scenic backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains, the Smoky Mountain Hearth Amish Restaurant has officially opened its doors, bringing the time-honored, slow-cooked culinary traditions of the Pennsylvania Dutch straight to the heart of East Tennessee.
Blending the rustic charm of a mountain lodge with the warm, welcoming hospitality of an old-school farmhouse kitchen, this new dining room offers an unforgettable sensory escape from the standard tourist fare.
The Backstory: A Journey to the Ridges
The story of Smoky Mountain Hearth began in the rolling hills of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where the Yoder and Beachy families had operated a highly successful farm-to-table cooperative for over twenty years. Known for their premium smoked meats and spectacular scratch baking, the families always dreamed of sharing their heritage with a broader audience.
During a family vacation to East Tennessee a few years ago, patriarch Levi Yoder noticed a striking similarity between the tight-knit communities of the Appalachian foothills and the rural valleys of his youth. Inspired by the region’s deep appreciation for hospitality, woodworking, and traditional music, the family decided to put down new roots. They partnered with local Tennessee craftsmen to construct a magnificent timber-framed dining hall, featuring massive hand-hewn oak beams, a stone hearth fireplace, and a wide front porch lined with locally crafted rocking chairs. Smoky Mountain Hearth isn’t just a place to eat; it is a celebration of two historic American traditions coming together.
Fan Favorites: What to Order
The kitchen operates on a strict “made-from-scratch” philosophy, utilizing time-tested recipes passed down through generations. If you are planning your first visit, these crowd-pleasing favorites are absolute must-tries:
- The Hearthside Brosted Chicken: Crispy, golden, and incredibly juicy, this chicken is marinated in a secret blend of herbs before being brosted to a perfect crunch. It is served family-style in large tin buckets.
- Slow-Smoked Pit Ham: Glazed with local Tennessee sourwood honey and slow-smoked over hickory wood for 14 hours, every slice melts in your mouth with a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
- Real Whipped Potatoes with Brown Gravy: No instant flakes here—just premium Idaho potatoes peeled by hand daily, whipped with real heavy cream and butter, and smothered in a rich, velvety pan-dripping gravy.
- The Bakery’s Blackberry Cobbler: Utilizing wild mountain blackberries, this deep-dish cobbler features a thick, bubbling fruit center topped with a sugary, hand-rolled biscuit crust that is served warm with a scoop of homemade vanilla bean ice cream.
- Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls: Pillowy soft and massive in size, these morning treats feature layers of house-made copper-kettle apple butter rolled into the dough, topped with a thick cascade of melting cream cheese icing.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you are refueling after a long day of hiking in the national park or gathering the whole family for a traditional Sunday feast, Smoky Mountain Hearth welcomes you with open arms, massive portions, and unforgettable flavors.
Location:
Smoky Mountain Hearth Amish Restaurant
842 East Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738