Tucked away in Elks Plaza on the Parkway in Gatlinburg, Best Italian Cafe & Pizzeria has quietly become the kind of spot people plan entire road trips around. Word about their famous garlic rolls has spread far beyond the Smoky Mountains, pulling hungry travelers from across Tennessee and beyond.
The restaurant recently reopened after a fresh remodel, but the loyal following and generous portions remain exactly what longtime fans have come to expect.
The Hidden Gatlinburg Italian Spot Foodies Keep Coming Back To
Finding a restaurant that earns genuine loyalty in a tourist-heavy town like Gatlinburg takes more than just location. Best Italian Cafe & Pizzeria in Elks Plaza has built its reputation the old-fashioned way: generous portions, consistently good food, and service that makes first-timers feel like regulars.
With over 4,000 reviews and a solid 4.4-star rating, this spot has clearly struck a chord with both vacationers and locals who keep returning year after year.
The restaurant sits tucked into Elks Plaza at 968 Parkway, Suite 9, just before you reach the entrance to the national park. It’s easy to miss if you’re not looking for it, which only adds to the hidden-gem appeal.
The location offers creekside patio seating with views of the river below, a feature that diners consistently rave about in their reviews.
Recently, the restaurant underwent a complete remodel that brought a brighter, more updated feel to the space. Long-time visitors have noticed the changes, though opinions vary on whether the fresh look improves or diminishes the cozy, nostalgic charm the place used to have.
What hasn’t changed is the quality of service and the commitment to hearty, satisfying Italian-American comfort food.
Open seven days a week, Best Italian serves lunch and dinner with hours running from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. most weeknights and staying open until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The staff is known for being friendly, attentive, and willing to accommodate special requests when possible.
Whether you’re customizing your pasta or asking for extra marinara, the team here aims to make your meal work for you.
Families, couples, and solo diners all find something to appreciate here. The atmosphere is casual without feeling rushed, and the outdoor terrace provides a relaxing break from the busier parts of the Parkway.
For anyone exploring Gatlinburg’s food scene beyond the usual pancake houses and BBQ joints, this Italian spot offers a refreshing change of pace.
The Garlic Rolls That Are Worth the Drive Alone
If there’s one menu item that has people talking, planning return trips, and recommending Best Italian to everyone they know, it’s the garlic rolls. These aren’t your standard breadsticks or boring dinner rolls.
They arrive buttery, garlicky, and generously seasoned, with a flavor profile that manages to be both simple and completely crave-worthy.
Diners describe them as soft, warm rolls topped with olive oil and fresh diced garlic, creating a combination that feels indulgent without being heavy. Some reviews mention the rolls are more like garlic knots, while others simply call them the best thing on the menu.
Either way, the consensus is clear: you don’t skip the garlic rolls.
One thing worth noting is that the restaurant recently changed how these fan favorites are served. In the past, garlic knots came automatically with certain entrees, adding to the overall value and experience.
Now, they’re ordered separately as an appetizer, which has disappointed some longtime fans who miss that signature touch. Despite the change, people still order them without hesitation.
A recent review mentioned receiving complimentary garlic knots while waiting for a remade pizza, a gesture that turned a minor inconvenience into a memorable moment. That kind of hospitality, combined with the quality of the rolls themselves, keeps people coming back.
Another diner mentioned ordering a full dozen to take home as a snack, which says everything you need to know about how addictive these things are.
While opinions on other menu items vary, the garlic rolls remain a near-universal favorite. Even reviews that critique other aspects of the meal still give credit where it’s due.
If you’re making the trip to Best Italian, budget a few extra dollars for an order of these. They’re the kind of food that sticks in your memory long after you’ve left Gatlinburg.
A Cozy, No-Frills Setting That Feels Like a Local Find
Best Italian Cafe & Pizzeria doesn’t try to impress you with fancy decor or trendy design choices. Instead, it leans into a relaxed, unpretentious vibe that feels refreshingly genuine in a town full of tourist traps.
The recent remodel has brightened things up considerably, giving the space a cleaner, more polished look while still maintaining an approachable, neighborhood-cafe feel.
One of the restaurant’s biggest draws is the outdoor patio seating that overlooks the creek. Diners consistently mention this feature as a highlight, especially those visiting with dogs or looking for a peaceful spot away from the crowded Parkway.
Eating by the river adds a layer of charm that elevates the entire experience, turning a casual meal into something more memorable.
Before the remodel, some visitors described the interior as looking a bit dated or worn, though most agreed the food more than made up for it. The updated space now feels fresh and welcoming, with a layout that accommodates both small parties and larger groups.
Families appreciate the casual atmosphere where kids can relax, and couples enjoy the creekside ambiance during quieter dining hours.
The tucked-away location in Elks Plaza adds to the hidden-gem appeal. You won’t stumble upon this place by accident while walking the main strip.
You have to seek it out, which means the crowd tends to skew toward people who’ve done their research or received a personal recommendation. That creates a different energy compared to the high-traffic restaurants closer to the center of town.
Service here is consistently described as friendly and attentive. Servers take time to answer questions, make recommendations, and check in without hovering.
The overall impression is one of a restaurant that genuinely cares about the dining experience, not just turning tables quickly.
Come Hungry: The Portions Here Don’t Hold Back
Anyone who’s eaten at Best Italian will tell you the same thing: bring your appetite. The portion sizes here are not messing around.
Multiple reviews mention single entrees that could easily feed two or even three people, which makes the prices feel like an especially good value, even in a tourist-heavy area. This isn’t a place where you leave feeling shortchanged or still hungry after your meal.
The generous servings extend beyond just pasta dishes. Pizzas come loaded with toppings, and even the appetizers arrive in sizes that could function as a light meal.
Garlic rolls, calamari, and fried mushrooms all get mentioned as being well-portioned and shareable, making it easy to sample multiple items without over-ordering.
For families or groups traveling together, this approach to portions makes Best Italian an economical choice. Instead of everyone ordering their own entree, sharing becomes a practical and enjoyable option.
Leftovers are practically guaranteed, which means you might end up with a late-night snack back at your hotel or cabin.
Some recent reviews have noted that portion sizes may have decreased slightly following the remodel, though most still describe the servings as generous. Even if the plates are a touch smaller than they used to be, the overall value remains strong compared to other sit-down restaurants along the Parkway.
You’re getting real, filling Italian-American comfort food without the inflated tourist pricing that plagues some Gatlinburg spots.
Pizza, Pasta, and Italian Favorites Beyond the Rolls
While the garlic rolls steal most of the spotlight, Best Italian’s menu runs deep with classic Italian-American favorites that keep diners coming back. The New York-style pizzas are a major draw, with a sauce that reviewers describe as flavorful and well-balanced, not overly sweet or bland.
The crust holds up well under generous toppings, and the cheese-to-sauce ratio hits that satisfying sweet spot.
Pasta dishes cover all the expected bases: fettuccine Alfredo, spaghetti with marinara, chicken parmigiana, ravioli, manicotti, and lasagna. Diners have praised the chicken Florentine and spicy rigatoni as standouts, noting that the flavors are bold and the dishes arrive hot and fresh.
The marinara sauce gets specific mention in several reviews as being particularly tasty, with one person calling it “magical.”
Calzones, calamari, eggplant dishes, and antipasto salads round out the menu, giving non-pizza and non-pasta fans plenty of options. The fried calamari is frequently highlighted as crispy, well-seasoned, and a solid choice for an appetizer.
Customization is encouraged here. Several diners mentioned swapping out pasta types or adjusting ingredients to fit their preferences, and the kitchen accommodates when possible.
Whether you want fettuccine Alfredo under your chicken parm instead of spaghetti or need to adjust for dietary preferences, the staff works with you.
Recent menu changes have removed some longtime favorites, which has disappointed a few loyal customers. However, the core offerings remain strong, and the quality stays consistent.
The focus is clearly on delivering satisfying, hearty Italian-American comfort food rather than chasing trends or reinventing the wheel.
Why Locals and Gatlinburg Visitors Keep Recommending It
Repeat customers are the lifeblood of any restaurant, and Best Italian has cultivated a loyal following that spans both locals and out-of-town visitors. Some reviewers mention eating here multiple times during a single Gatlinburg trip, while others make it a non-negotiable stop every time they’re in town.
That kind of loyalty doesn’t happen by accident.
Part of the appeal is consistency. People know what they’re getting when they walk through the door: generous portions, friendly service, and food that delivers on the promise of classic Italian-American comfort.
There are no gimmicks or over-the-top themes, just solid cooking and a welcoming atmosphere that feels genuine.
The service quality stands out in review after review. Servers like Angela, Stacy, and Mihaela get mentioned by name for being attentive, personable, and genuinely invested in making sure diners have a positive experience.
The management also earns praise for stepping in when needed, offering complimentary items during wait times, and engaging with customers in a way that feels warm rather than scripted.
Location plays a role too. Being slightly off the main drag means the restaurant attracts people who’ve done their homework or received a personal recommendation.
That creates a different dining dynamic compared to the high-volume spots that rely solely on foot traffic. The creekside patio adds a layer of charm that makes the experience feel special, even if you’re just grabbing a quick lunch.
Even with some recent changes, including the remodel and menu adjustments, the core of what makes Best Italian appealing remains intact. The combination of good food, reasonable prices, generous portions, and genuinely friendly service creates an experience that people want to share with friends and family.
In a town where dining options can feel overwhelming, having a reliable, no-nonsense Italian spot makes all the difference.
Is Best Italian Cafe & Pizzeria Worth Adding to Your Gatlinburg Food List?
If you’re someone who values generous portions, classic Italian-American flavors, and a laid-back atmosphere over Instagram-worthy presentation, Best Italian deserves a spot on your Gatlinburg itinerary. This isn’t the place for cutting-edge culinary innovation or fine-dining ambiance.
It’s where you go when you want a satisfying, no-nonsense meal that won’t drain your wallet or leave you hungry an hour later.
Garlic-roll enthusiasts should consider this a must-stop. Even if the rest of the meal were just average (which it’s not), those buttery, garlicky rolls alone justify the trip.
Add in the generous pasta portions, flavorful pizzas, and creekside patio seating, and you’ve got a dining experience that stands out in a town full of tourist-focused restaurants.
Families will appreciate the casual vibe and the ability to share dishes without feeling pressured to over-order. The outdoor seating is a bonus for anyone traveling with kids or pets, and the staff’s willingness to accommodate special requests makes dining with picky eaters a little less stressful.
Couples looking for a relaxed meal away from the crowded Parkway will enjoy the tucked-away location and peaceful creekside views.
Some recent changes, including the shift to ordering garlic knots separately and a slightly streamlined menu, have rubbed a few longtime fans the wrong way. If you’re someone who values tradition and consistency above all else, those adjustments might feel like a step backward.
However, the core experience remains strong, and the quality of food and service hasn’t taken a noticeable hit.
Best Italian Cafe & Pizzeria is open seven days a week, making it easy to fit into your schedule whether you’re grabbing lunch before hitting the trails or settling in for a relaxed dinner after a day of sightseeing. Just be prepared for possible wait times during peak tourist season, though the restaurant does text you when your table is ready.