This is currently my favorite restaurant. It is a very high-quality farm to table restaurant located in the woods in Townsend TN. The service - the people want to be there and it shows with the knowledge and enthusiasm that shine through. The servers and hostesses know the menu and the sources of the food. The ambience is perfect whether inside, outside, or in the breezeway. Dinner on a spring nights in the breezeway is about 2 hours of heaven. Quiet Appalachian takes on popular and traditional music enhance the overall feel. Then we have the food. Holy moly. Our first trip was on Sunday and the option was brunch. Everything from the fresh field greens salad with firm raspberries and sweet blueberries along with toasted coconut and a delicate honey mustard vinaigrette to the grits that tasted like cornbread (how???!), it was sublime. At a little under $40, the quality was worth every penny. The second trip was dinner. I cannot recommend the charcuterie board enough. Get that and wine and call it day, if you like. It's that good. However, we did have the pork chop and the filet. Both were perfectly prepared. Dessert was chocolate sorbet for my husband and lemon lavender crème brûlée. The truest example of the attention to detail was when I ordered a cup of decaf. It came in a French press! With cream! And they had turbinado sugar (requested it). It was the best coffees I have had in ages. You cannot go wrong at this near-perfect restaurant. And I did not even talk about the extensive bourbon, scotch, and wine menus.
Dennis S.
Enjoyed sitting at the small bar before dinner. Had a version of an old fashioned that was presented smoked, don't recall the name, but it was tasty. Shared the crispy fried gulf oysters. Pile of crunchy goodness in a bowl with a good dipping sauce. Something we'd most likely order on every visit. We also shared a charred caesar salad. Separated on two plates, it was a pretty small salad. I personally didn't care for the charred romaine, but the other flavors on the plate certainly compensated. I'd been looking forward to trying the trout and grits, and was a little disappointed. The trout was more dry cornmeal crusted than fried or sauteed. The shrimp tails were left on, and though that's common for presentation, the shrimp were small and it made enjoying them more difficult. The star of the plate was actually the preserved tomatoes; they were a blast of flavor and redeemed the dish. The wife got the sweet tea brined pork chop, and it was excellent, would have been a better choice than the trout. The marinade really shined through, and the chop itself was big and nicely cooked. Though it has some weaknesses, the bistro is clearly the best restaurant in Townsend, and a must stop if you're staying in or near the lodge.
Amanda Stover
If you’re searching for a place to stay around the Smokey Mountains, you’ve found the best place- Dancing Bear! My Husband and I stayed at Dancing Bear in Townsend for our honeymoon and it was the best experience we’ve had. The cabin was clean, easy to get to, quiet, and absolutely beautiful. They offered complimentary bikes to take on trails and had a very nice hot tub on the porch that was so peaceful.The town of Townsend can still accommodate your travel needs with the Cades Cove winery, coffee shops, beautiful trails to hike, and cute shops but it is crowded with crazy traffic. If I could give our whole Townsend experience more stars, I would! The bistro was also hands down the best food we’ve had in our trip! The chicken is the best chicken I’ve ever had. I cannot recommend Dancing Bear and the bistro enough!
Service: 5
Nancy J.
Unique farm-to-table experience. Food is fabulous! Waiter was friendly and knowledgeable about the restaurant and the menu. Food took a while to arrive but it was worth the wait.
Cherie Brooks
Top notch cabins with every amenity you didn't know you needed. Quiet, beautiful, easy to get to, no scary mountain roads, and beyond peaceful. The Appalachian Bistro is world class. Get reservations- you need them! It is expensive, but so worth it! The staff is super accomodating. You are near Cades Cove and all that the Smokies have to offer without the craziness of Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. (You can get there in 35 minutes if you must, but, really why???
Service: 5
Becca P.
First time going here about a week ago and LOVED everything about this place! The atmosphere and staff were exceptional. We ordered sangrias at the bar which I wasn't too keen on because it was fizzy tasting? The food was delicious though! There was lamb ribs and meatballs! I have never tried lamb before so I appreciated the waitress saying if I don't like it, she would get me something I would. But I loved it! The meat was moist and chewy but too much. The meatballs though should definitely had spicy on them!! (So my reasoning for the 4 star is the sangria and this). Otherwise it was beautiful and loved the unlimited s'mores bar outside for dessert
RalphW
As always, you can count on the absolute best culinary cuisine, outstanding service and an enjoyable environment at Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro and tonight was no exception! We took our family there tonight including our three grandchildren and the experience was exceptional! Our grand kids enjoyed their meals, the fires including the s'mores and the bubbles provided by the staff! All in all, a wonderful evening!
MartinE
We enjoyed truffled Filet Mignon and sweet tea brined Pork Chop after a lovely cheese board appetizer and the Spring Sangria and an Old Fashioned. All of them could not have been better. We had a Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Our server, Delanie, was attentive and friendly. For the first time we could not finish the wine or order dessert were were so completely full. A great meal with great service!
Gabrielle W.
We visited back around New Year's and let me just say this may have been the best restaurant experience we've ever had. We have absolutely nothing negative to say about it! Our server was the best we've ever had (and I wish I could remember his name). Extremely professional, helpful, informative, quick. He made the experience feel very high end and special. We got the pork belly to share as an app and it was amazing (and large enough) to be an entree on its own - it honestly made me a huge fan of brussels sprouts. Tons of flavor and I didn't want to stop eating it. My husband got the filet and thought it was the best steak he'd ever had (and he's picky). The chicken breast was delicious, tender, juicy, and the puree they had on there was to die for. We only really ever order dessert if a restaurant has already wowed us so obviously we got the sticky toffee pudding. Probably the best dessert we've ever had out in a restaurant. The atmosphere here is also very romantic and rustic, whether you're outside or inside. It's a gorgeous property and very cozy. We look forward to coming back here while on our next trip!
MaryT
Not enough accolades to express how wonderful this place is. From the atmosphere, superb staff, amazing cocktails and exceptional food! As global fine dining lovers, this one is on our top ten list for sure!
My wife and I celebrated our 51 wedding anniversary at the Dancing Bear. The food was sublime and the wait staff very knowledgeable and attentive BUT we almost walked out prior to being seated. For a "high end" restaurant with a wonderful chef and wait staff the maitre - d greeting us at the door was a young man (could be called a dude) not up to the obviously high standard of the restaurant. We waited about 5-10 minutes to be seated watching forlornly the other guests enjoy their meals while making those guests uncomfortable because we're watching them eat. We had arrived about 5 minutes earlier than our reservation but asking guests to stand around the front door is unacceptable. The bar was offered but it was completely full of guests so with nowhere to go, there we stood. At least Cracker Barrel allows you to wait in another room. Our waitress offered to comp our dessert which was graceful but we declined so our displeasure was not misunderstood. This FIRST IMPRESSION nearly ruined our evening.
ChandlerG
Absolutely divine. I really have no words other than YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED and you should go at sunset. My husband I both wiped our plates clean. The pork belly, filet mignon, and doughnut bread pudding were unreal. I loved the sangria and he loved the smoke and dagger drink. Worth every penny and then some.
The bistro runs like a well-oiled machine, yet I feel like a valued guest in a most hospitable friend's home. Staff is obviously treated well because I have never had a bad interaction here and they all seem to genuinely love what they do—it is so refreshing! The food is the best. When I have out of town guests, this is easily my first suggestion. I so appreciate the talent of the chef(s) and options for dietary restrictions. I have pretty severe intolerances, yet I can always have a delightful meal that doesn't make me sick here!
MartinE
We always enjoy the Dancing Bear. We enjoyed Halibut and Trout after a Smoked Trout Cake Appetizer with a Champalou Vouvray. For dessert we both had the Grand Marnier cheesecake. All of it was delightful. Our server, Sara, was attentive and helpful.
TheresaH
We arrived on time for our reservation, but our table was not ready, so we sat at the very cluttered bar. The bartender fired up a torch right next to me twice to make a smoked infused drink in two different cake containers. I watched sparks literally fly onto the counter below. While we waited for our drinks, the drink I ordered was not delivered correctly. After following up with a different host 20 minutes later to try and be seated, we were directed to a table that had been empty the whole time we were there. We waited at our table for a table server, for about 20 minutes more and then left. Too bad, we had heard the food was good.
This is currently my favorite restaurant. It is a very high-quality farm to table restaurant located in the woods in Townsend TN. The service - the people want to be there and it shows with the knowledge and enthusiasm that shine through. The servers and hostesses know the menu and the sources of the food. The ambience is perfect whether inside, outside, or in the breezeway. Dinner on a spring nights in the breezeway is about 2 hours of heaven. Quiet Appalachian takes on popular and traditional music enhance the overall feel. Then we have the food. Holy moly. Our first trip was on Sunday and the option was brunch. Everything from the fresh field greens salad with firm raspberries and sweet blueberries along with toasted coconut and a delicate honey mustard vinaigrette to the grits that tasted like cornbread (how???!), it was sublime. At a little under $40, the quality was worth every penny. The second trip was dinner. I cannot recommend the charcuterie board enough. Get that and wine and call it day, if you like. It's that good. However, we did have the pork chop and the filet. Both were perfectly prepared. Dessert was chocolate sorbet for my husband and lemon lavender crème brûlée. The truest example of the attention to detail was when I ordered a cup of decaf. It came in a French press! With cream! And they had turbinado sugar (requested it). It was the best coffees I have had in ages. You cannot go wrong at this near-perfect restaurant. And I did not even talk about the extensive bourbon, scotch, and wine menus.
Enjoyed sitting at the small bar before dinner. Had a version of an old fashioned that was presented smoked, don't recall the name, but it was tasty. Shared the crispy fried gulf oysters. Pile of crunchy goodness in a bowl with a good dipping sauce. Something we'd most likely order on every visit. We also shared a charred caesar salad. Separated on two plates, it was a pretty small salad. I personally didn't care for the charred romaine, but the other flavors on the plate certainly compensated. I'd been looking forward to trying the trout and grits, and was a little disappointed. The trout was more dry cornmeal crusted than fried or sauteed. The shrimp tails were left on, and though that's common for presentation, the shrimp were small and it made enjoying them more difficult. The star of the plate was actually the preserved tomatoes; they were a blast of flavor and redeemed the dish. The wife got the sweet tea brined pork chop, and it was excellent, would have been a better choice than the trout. The marinade really shined through, and the chop itself was big and nicely cooked. Though it has some weaknesses, the bistro is clearly the best restaurant in Townsend, and a must stop if you're staying in or near the lodge.
If you’re searching for a place to stay around the Smokey Mountains, you’ve found the best place- Dancing Bear! My Husband and I stayed at Dancing Bear in Townsend for our honeymoon and it was the best experience we’ve had. The cabin was clean, easy to get to, quiet, and absolutely beautiful. They offered complimentary bikes to take on trails and had a very nice hot tub on the porch that was so peaceful.The town of Townsend can still accommodate your travel needs with the Cades Cove winery, coffee shops, beautiful trails to hike, and cute shops but it is crowded with crazy traffic. If I could give our whole Townsend experience more stars, I would! The bistro was also hands down the best food we’ve had in our trip! The chicken is the best chicken I’ve ever had. I cannot recommend Dancing Bear and the bistro enough!
Service: 5
Unique farm-to-table experience. Food is fabulous! Waiter was friendly and knowledgeable about the restaurant and the menu. Food took a while to arrive but it was worth the wait.
Top notch cabins with every amenity you didn't know you needed. Quiet, beautiful, easy to get to, no scary mountain roads, and beyond peaceful. The Appalachian Bistro is world class. Get reservations- you need them! It is expensive, but so worth it! The staff is super accomodating. You are near Cades Cove and all that the Smokies have to offer without the craziness of Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. (You can get there in 35 minutes if you must, but, really why???
Service: 5
First time going here about a week ago and LOVED everything about this place! The atmosphere and staff were exceptional. We ordered sangrias at the bar which I wasn't too keen on because it was fizzy tasting? The food was delicious though! There was lamb ribs and meatballs! I have never tried lamb before so I appreciated the waitress saying if I don't like it, she would get me something I would. But I loved it! The meat was moist and chewy but too much. The meatballs though should definitely had spicy on them!! (So my reasoning for the 4 star is the sangria and this). Otherwise it was beautiful and loved the unlimited s'mores bar outside for dessert
As always, you can count on the absolute best culinary cuisine, outstanding service and an enjoyable environment at Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro and tonight was no exception! We took our family there tonight including our three grandchildren and the experience was exceptional! Our grand kids enjoyed their meals, the fires including the s'mores and the bubbles provided by the staff! All in all, a wonderful evening!
We enjoyed truffled Filet Mignon and sweet tea brined Pork Chop after a lovely cheese board appetizer and the Spring Sangria and an Old Fashioned. All of them could not have been better. We had a Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Our server, Delanie, was attentive and friendly. For the first time we could not finish the wine or order dessert were were so completely full. A great meal with great service!
We visited back around New Year's and let me just say this may have been the best restaurant experience we've ever had. We have absolutely nothing negative to say about it! Our server was the best we've ever had (and I wish I could remember his name). Extremely professional, helpful, informative, quick. He made the experience feel very high end and special. We got the pork belly to share as an app and it was amazing (and large enough) to be an entree on its own - it honestly made me a huge fan of brussels sprouts. Tons of flavor and I didn't want to stop eating it. My husband got the filet and thought it was the best steak he'd ever had (and he's picky). The chicken breast was delicious, tender, juicy, and the puree they had on there was to die for. We only really ever order dessert if a restaurant has already wowed us so obviously we got the sticky toffee pudding. Probably the best dessert we've ever had out in a restaurant. The atmosphere here is also very romantic and rustic, whether you're outside or inside. It's a gorgeous property and very cozy. We look forward to coming back here while on our next trip!
Not enough accolades to express how wonderful this place is. From the atmosphere, superb staff, amazing cocktails and exceptional food! As global fine dining lovers, this one is on our top ten list for sure!
Restaurantji Recommends
My wife and I celebrated our 51 wedding anniversary at the Dancing Bear. The food was sublime and the wait staff very knowledgeable and attentive BUT we almost walked out prior to being seated. For a "high end" restaurant with a wonderful chef and wait staff the maitre - d greeting us at the door was a young man (could be called a dude) not up to the obviously high standard of the restaurant. We waited about 5-10 minutes to be seated watching forlornly the other guests enjoy their meals while making those guests uncomfortable because we're watching them eat. We had arrived about 5 minutes earlier than our reservation but asking guests to stand around the front door is unacceptable. The bar was offered but it was completely full of guests so with nowhere to go, there we stood. At least Cracker Barrel allows you to wait in another room. Our waitress offered to comp our dessert which was graceful but we declined so our displeasure was not misunderstood. This FIRST IMPRESSION nearly ruined our evening.
Absolutely divine. I really have no words other than YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED and you should go at sunset. My husband I both wiped our plates clean. The pork belly, filet mignon, and doughnut bread pudding were unreal. I loved the sangria and he loved the smoke and dagger drink. Worth every penny and then some.
The bistro runs like a well-oiled machine, yet I feel like a valued guest in a most hospitable friend's home. Staff is obviously treated well because I have never had a bad interaction here and they all seem to genuinely love what they do—it is so refreshing! The food is the best. When I have out of town guests, this is easily my first suggestion. I so appreciate the talent of the chef(s) and options for dietary restrictions. I have pretty severe intolerances, yet I can always have a delightful meal that doesn't make me sick here!
We always enjoy the Dancing Bear. We enjoyed Halibut and Trout after a Smoked Trout Cake Appetizer with a Champalou Vouvray. For dessert we both had the Grand Marnier cheesecake. All of it was delightful. Our server, Sara, was attentive and helpful.
We arrived on time for our reservation, but our table was not ready, so we sat at the very cluttered bar. The bartender fired up a torch right next to me twice to make a smoked infused drink in two different cake containers. I watched sparks literally fly onto the counter below. While we waited for our drinks, the drink I ordered was not delivered correctly. After following up with a different host 20 minutes later to try and be seated, we were directed to a table that had been empty the whole time we were there. We waited at our table for a table server, for about 20 minutes more and then left. Too bad, we had heard the food was good.