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Outdoor Dining - Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, Townsend, TN

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro

4.9
4.9
3627 Reviews
$50 and over
American

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 20 times today
  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Romantic
At Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, we know that great food begins with fresh, quality sourced local ingredients. On our Modern Appalachian menu, Chef Jeff Carter and culinary team present seasonal and delicious dishes that are familiar and steeped in tradition yet enhanced with bold new dashes of flavor and component combinations that may surprise and delight you.

Dancing Bear provides a premium lodging experience. We bring the same commitment to excellence to our award-winning restaurant and full bar. Whether enjoying a romantic dinner for two or bringing the extended family together for a celebratory meal, we want your night out in Townsend to be a special experience. We offer a refined assortment of modern Appalachian cuisine — all served among elegant surroundings and calming wooded vistas.
Private dining

Private dining

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    American, Southern, Contemporary Southern
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sun 10:30 am–1:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (865) 336-2138
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Jeff Carter
  • Private party facilities
    Our Lodge Event Center offers beautiful, indoor and al fresco spaces, while our farm-to-table restaurant, Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, provides fresh, local and artistic cuisine. Our award winning Chef Jeff Carter prepares elevated Appalachian fare, guaranteed to please every palate.
  • Private party contact
    Anna Bartlett: (865) 448-6000 ext. 3
  • Area
    Knoxville
  • Cross Street
    Apple Valley Way
  • Parking details
    Parking is available just outside the restaurant in most cases. During special events such as concerts or weddings, parking is just off Highway 321 at the entrance to Dancing Bear next to Apple Valley Country Store with buses running people up to the restaurant and lodge event center.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine

What 3,627 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.7Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • East Tennessee

    Best Overall

  • East Tennessee

    Best Food

  • East Tennessee

    Best Service

  • East Tennessee

    Best Ambience

  • East Tennessee

    Best Value

  • East Tennessee

    Innovative

  • East Tennessee

    Healthy

  • East Tennessee

    Great for outdoor dining

  • East Tennessee

    Romantic

  • East Tennessee

    Great for scenic views

  • East Tennessee

    American

  • Knoxville

    Best Overall

  • Knoxville

    Best Food

  • Knoxville

    Best Service

  • Knoxville

    Best Ambience

  • Knoxville

    Best Value

  • Knoxville

    Great for brunch

  • Knoxville

    Innovative

  • Knoxville

    Healthy

  • Knoxville

    Great for fine wines

  • Knoxville

    Romantic

  • Knoxville

    Good for special occasions

  • Knoxville

    Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro offers a magical dining experience nestled in the Smoky Mountains. With "fantastic food," "wonderful service," and a "beautiful atmosphere," guests rave about the farm-to-table menu featuring fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. The restaurant is perfect for special occasions, with highlights including the outdoor fire pit and live music.

3,627 Reviews
  1. Teresa

    VIP

    Greater Taipei

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful food and service! Highly recommend Dancing Bear.

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  2. Anne

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My husband and I both said that this was the best meal we'd had since moving to Tennessee almost 3 years ago!! We were celebrating our anniversary and the staff went out of their way to make it special for us. We will definitely be back!!!

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  3. John

    E. Tennessee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It is always a great experience at Dancing Bear. I love the way it is tucked away in the beautiful smoky mountains. The best part to end the dinner is the outdoor fire pit with a fresh S'more for dessert!

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  4. Anita

    VIP

    E. Tennessee

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We went to Dancing Bear last evening to celebrate my husband's 81st trip around the sun! It is our go-to spot for all special occasions and when we just want to give ourselves a treat. Also, it is always the dining venue requested by family and friends who visit us in East TN. We had fried gulf oysters for our appetizer. They were excellent as was my entree of trout with grits and my husband's brined pork chop. Their staff is welcoming and personable - attentive without hovering. We had the added treat of being seated near the fireplace which was most welcome on a bitterly cold night. We love everything about the Dancing Bear - location, ambiance, service and especially the food. Not only do we love it but so does everyone we have ever treated to a meal there.

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  5. Eric

    San Diego

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent service and food quality and Zoey was awesome.

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  6. Lisa

    E. Tennessee

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely wonderful! Cannot wait to go back! The Pork Belly was something that I wouldn’t have ever ordered but it was unbelievable!!

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  7. Martha

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had such a great experience with our group of six here. Would absolutely recommend!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Elizabeth

    VIP

    Tampa

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had four children with us and the staff was so welcoming and made the kids feel great. It was also the best dinner! Love sitting by the fire after dinner and making smores also.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Wyatt

    Coastal Georgia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food, great service, great ambiance. My wife and I ate here for our anniversary dinner and we were not disappointed. Everything from the appetizers to the main course, was delicious. Brad did a great job as our waiter. He was not only attentive and really cared for what he was doing; he also had some entertaining stories to tell. Overall, great time and totally worth the money. Try it out.
    Dancing Bear Appalachian BistroResponded 3 days ago
    Thank you for choosing us to celebrate such a special occasion, Wyatt! We’re thrilled to hear that everything from the appetizers to the main course was delicious, and we’re especially happy Brad made your experience memorable with his attentive service and entertaining stories. We’re so glad you had a great time, and we truly appreciate your recommendation. We look forward to welcoming you back for another wonderful experience!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Dotty

    Tampa

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We did the wine pairing NY Eve experience. Wow. Just wow. The chef selections paired with wonderful champagnes was spectacular from the first bite to the last. A once in a lifetime meal!
    Dancing Bear Appalachian BistroResponded 3 days ago
    Thank you so much for your glowing review, Dotty! We’re thrilled to hear that our wine pairing New Year’s Eve experience exceeded your expectations. It’s wonderful to know that the chef’s selections and champagne pairings made it a once-in-a-lifetime meal for you. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to Zoey—she’ll be so happy to hear she made your occasion even more special. We look forward to welcoming you back for more unforgettable experiences!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro is rated 4.9 stars by 3627 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 20 times today
Google Map for Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro

7140 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend, TN 37882

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Apple Valley Way
  • Area
    Knoxville
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Sun 10:30 am–1:00 pm Dinner Tue–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    American, Southern, Contemporary Southern
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Parking is available just outside the restaurant in most cases. During special events such as concerts or weddings, parking is just off Highway 321 at the entrance to Dancing Bear next to Apple Valley Country Store with buses running people up to the restaurant and lodge event center.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Jeff Carter
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wine
  • Phone number
    (865) 336-2138
  • Private party facilities
    Our Lodge Event Center offers beautiful, indoor and al fresco spaces, while our farm-to-table restaurant, Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, provides fresh, local and artistic cuisine. Our award winning Chef Jeff Carter prepares elevated Appalachian fare, guaranteed to please every palate.
  • Private party contact
    Anna Bartlett: (865) 448-6000 ext. 3
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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