Top 5 Italian Restaurants in Gatlinburg / Smoky Mountains

Some people are under the mistaken impression that it is impossible to find good Italian food outside of Italy, an Italian grandmother's kitchen or New York. Being married to an Italian, I must confess to being spoiled and having unreasonably high standards for Italian cuisine myself. Upon moving to east Tennessee from south Florida three years ago, I sincerely believed I had lost all access to worthwhile Italian fare beyond my own kitchen. I quickly learned that, even in the deep south, it is still possible to find great eggplant parmigiana. Being one of the most beloved tourist spots in America, the Smoky Mountains area of Tennessee (Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge), has much to offer visitors in terms of scenery, entertainment and dining. However, in true southern tradition, your best bet for satisfaction is to take the suggestions of a "local". So, where do east Tennesseans go when they crave true Italian-style pizza and pasta?

- GUARINO'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT: 1235 E Parkway, Gatlinburg (865) 436-9939

Located off the beaten path (but easily accessible) in Gatlinburg, Guarino's was previously the second Sevier County location of Gondolier. The transition from Gondolier to Guarino's was a smooth one - Guarino's kept the appealing atmosphere of its predecessor. Comfortable, ample seating combines with a full service bar in this relaxed but charming environment which is suitable for either family dining or a romantic night out. While the jury is still out on popular opinion of how Guarino's measures up to Gondolier, Gatlinburg's newest Italian restaurant is experiencing no noticeable loss of patrons since the switch. Prices are comparable to the standard and portions are plentiful. Menu options are endless at Guarino's, where guests can enjoy traditional Greek and seafood meals, aside from the Italian dishes.

Menu includes:

• Salads with bread sticks from $4.95 to $9.95
• Calzones and strombolis (with homemade marinara) from $5.95 to $10.95
• Hot/cold subs, sandwich melts, pitas and hamburgers (served with french fries) from $6.95 to $8.95
• Pizza: traditional, specialty and individual (from homemade, fresh dough) from $7.95 to $19.95
• Greek entrees: gyros, souvlaki, pitas and more from $9.95 to $19.95
• Shrimp entrees: grilled, fried, scampi, linguine and more for $18.95
• Chicken entrees: marsala, alfredo, Florentine, parmigiana and more from $13.95 to $16.95
• Veal entrees: marsala and parmigiana for $16.95
• Pasta entrees: rigatoni, spaghetti, lasagna, manicotti, ravioli, fettuccine and more from $7.95 to $12.95
• Appetizers: garlic rolls, mozzarella sticks, chicken fingers, bread sticks, jalapeno poppers, chicken wings and more from $2.95 to $29.95
• Desserts: cakes, baklava and rice pudding from $2.95 to $5.95
• Kids menu: chicken fingers, pasta and pizza from $4.95 to $5.95

Menu highlights:

1. Specialty pizzas - Guarino's specialty pizzas include the House Special (beef, pepperoni, ham, sausage, onions, green peppers and mushrooms), The Johnny G Special (pepperoni, sausage, beef, mushrooms, green peppers, black olives, onions, tomatoes and feta cheese), the Super Vegetarian (black olives, green olives, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and tomatoes) and the Mama Mia (Italian sausage and jalapeno peppers). They also offer a variety of "white pizzas", which are sauceless pies with mozzarella and ricotta cheeses. Options include Spinach and Feta, Florentine (chicken and spinach), Eggplant and Margarita (tomato and basil).
2. Combination dinners - Guarino's offers two exceptional combination dinners for indecisive guests, the "Tour of Greece" and the "Tour of Italy". The Tour of Greece dinner offers gyro meat, pork and chicken souvlaki, grilled shrimp, pita bread, salad and a choice of sides for $19.95. The Tour of Italy samples lasagna, spaghetti, manicotti and chicken parmigiana for $18.95.

- NEW YORK PIZZA & PASTA: Mountain Mall 634 Parkway, Gatlinburg (865) 436-9300

Considering the overwhelmingly positive reputation of New York pizza, it's only natural to hold a New York pizza maker to high expectations, even when they've been transplanted to east Tennessee. Run by genuine New Yorkers, New York Pizza and Pasta brings a little taste of the Big Apple to the Smokies. A small, casual establishment within the tourist-friendly Mountain Mall in Gatlinburg, this authentic pizza joint offers impressive eats, friendly service and budget-wise prices made even better by daily dine-in specials.

Menu includes:

• Salads from $3.50 to $6.50
• Calzones and strombolis from $5.50 to $12.50
• Hot/cold subs from $5.50 to $7.50
• Pizza: traditional, Sicilian and specialty from $9.50 to $16.50 (also sold by the slice)
• Pasta entrees: spaghetti, ziti, ravioli, manicotti, stuffed shells, lasagna, chicken parmigiana and eggplant parmigiana from $6.50 to $11.50
• Appetizers: buffalo wings, mozzarella sticks, garlic bread and more from $2.50 to $9.50
• Desserts: cheesecake and cannoli for $2.50
• Kids menu: pasta or pizza for $3.95

Menu highlights:

1. Specialty pizzas - New York Pizza boasts an impressive list of unique specialty pizzas, including a White Pizza, Classic Vegetable (mushrooms, spinach, onions and peppers), Salad Pizza (black olives, onions, mixed greens and fresh tomatoes), 3-Cheese Pizza (mozzarella, Romano and provolone), Lasagna Pizza (beef, ricotta and mozzarella) and Chicken Cutlet Pizza. Guests also enjoy the option of building their own pizza in the form of the New York Combo Pizza, which allows for your choice of any six toppings on a large pie for $16.50.
2. Exceptional calzones - Among their many calzone/stromboli options, New York Pizza offers standout calzone-style "rolls" including broccoli, chicken cutlet and sausage and pepper. The New York Special Calzone comes stuffed with loads of pepperoni, sausage, ham, beef, onions, mushrooms and green peppers. And don't forget their fabulous Philly Cheese Steak Sub!

- SMOKY MOUNTAIN PIZZA COMPANY: 566 Winfield Dunn Pkwy, Sevierville (865) 429-5211

Smoky Mountain Pizza Company is a small establishment located in a prominent strip mall in Sevierville, but what it lacks in space, it gains in character. This cozy nook has gone through numerous changes in name, ownership and menu over the years before finding success in its current incarnation. Jovial owner/cook, Willy, came from Brooklyn, New York by way of Florida. Combine that with his Italian heritage and you have maximum authenticity. Smoky Mountain Pizza also offers daily specials on pizza by-the-slice: two slices with a drink for $4.50! The pizza so big you gotta fold it to fit it!

Menu includes:

• Salads with garlic knots from $3.95 to $6.95
• Calzones and strombolis (with homemade marinara) from $4.95 to $5.95
• Hot specialty subs and "create-a-sub" from $4.95 to $5.95
• Pizza: brick oven-style and specialty (from homemade, fresh dough)from $9.95 to $15.95 (also sold by the slice)
• Pasta entrees: spaghetti, ziti, manicotti, lasagna, stuffed shells, ravioli, chicken parmigiana, eggplant parmigiana, fettuccine and more (includes salad and garlic knots) from $5.95 to $7.95
• Appetizers: mozzarella sticks, garlic bread/knots, chicken fingers, buffalo wings and more from $1.50 to $5.95
• Kids menu: pasta or chicken fingers for $3.95

Menu highlights:

1. Specialty pizzas - Among their unique specialty pizzas, Smoky Mountain Pizza Company offers: the Bianca (fresh garlic, olive oil, oregano, mozzarella, provolone, ricotta and Romano cheeses, broccoli or spinach), the Veggie Lovers (onions, green peppers, mushrooms, black olives and fresh tomatoes), the BBQ Chicken Pizza and the Philly Cheese Steak Pizza.
2. Original subs - Smoky Mountain Pizza makes a hardy sub. Along with hot subs such as eggplant parmigiana, chicken parmigiana, meatball parmigiana, and sausage and peppers, guests can also choose the create-a-sub option with their choice of meat, cheese and veggies.
3. Exceptional appetizers - The garlic knots at Smoky Mountain Pizza are to die for! Baked to a perfect shade of gold, they're glazed with a yummy garlic-based oil. And if you're a fan of buffalo wings, you'll be enticed by your choices of mild, hot, honey mustard, BBQ and teriyaki flavors!

- GONDOLIER ITALIAN RESTAURANT: 964 Dolly Parton Parkway, Sevierville (865) 428-8050

You can always expect top-notch service with a genuine smile at Gondolier. The staff is not only pleasant, but truly enthusiastic about their product (and they have every right to be). The food is delicious; the options plentiful. When out-of-town guests come to visit, Gondolier is our top suggestion for a casual, Italian dine-in experience. Unlike some Italian restaurants, Gondolier's entrees are even better than their pizza, so this may especially appeal to those who want something beyond just pizza.

Menu includes:

• Salads from $2.25 to $7.95
• Calzones and strombolis (made from homemade dough with homemade marinara) from $4.95 to $6.95
• Hot/cold subs, sandwiches, pitas and jumbo hamburgers from $3.95 to $6.95
• Pizza: individual, traditional, specialty and white (made from homemade, fresh dough) from $3.95 to $12.95
• Shrimp entrees: fried, alfredo, scampi, linguine and Greek from $11.95 to $12.95
• Chicken entrees: alfredo, parmigiana, marsala, Florentine and more from $8.25 to $9.25
• Greek entrees: souvlaki, gyros and more from $8.95 to $12.95
• Italian entrees: lasagna, manicotti, ravioli, spaghetti, eggplant parmigiana, fettuccine, veal and more from $4.95 to $13.95
• Appetizers: mozzarella sticks, bread sticks, chicken fingers, buffalo chicken wings, jalapeno poppers and more from $2.75 to $22.95
• Desserts: baklava, cheesecake, rice pudding and assorted cakes from $1.95 to $4.95
• Kids menu: pizza, pasta or chicken fingers from $2.95 to $3.95

Menu highlights:

1. Specialty pizzas - Gondolier goes a step further in the making of the traditional "white" pizza. Beyond just the standard sauceless white, they also offer chicken, spinach and feta, Florentine, eggplant and margarita pizzas in white. Gondolier's specialty pizzas come in multiple vegetarian styles. Also available on the specialty menu: the Fra Diavolo (Italian sausage and jalapenos), the House Special (beef, pepperoni, sausage, ham, onions and green peppers) and the Gondolier Special (pepperoni, beef, sausage, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, black olives, tomatoes, and feta cheese).
2. Spectacular sandwiches - Gondolier is widely praised for a trio of unique sandwiches that are sure to leave a lasting impression. The Cordon Bleu Sub includes ham, turkey, American and Provolone cheeses, The Gondolier Super Sub features turkey, ham, Genoa salami, pepperoni, American and Provolone cheeses.And no one can resist the one-of-a-kind Pepperoni Pizza Burger!
3. Daily specials - Aside from standard daily specials, Gondolier offers a few in regular rotation that are worth an honorable mention. Chopped steak and onions with mushrooms, cheese and choice of sides are available for only $7.95. You can also have your choice of pork, chicken or shrimp linguine for $9.95,$10.95 and $12.95 respectively. For something a little different, try the Zorba Special Combination. This Greek dinner sampler includes gyro chicken, souvlaki, grilled shrimp, pita bread, choice of sides and a salad for $12.95.

- BEST ITALIAN CAFE & PIZZERIA: 968 Parkway, #9, Gatlinburg (865) 430-4090

East Tennesseans overwhelmingly agree that the Best Italian Cafe and Pizzeria is just that - the best! Best Italian has it all: service, atmosphere and an impressive menu. Though some prices climb to a higher level, there are options to meet all budgets. As a visitor to Gatlinburg, you aren't likely to find Best Italian simply by chance. Located off the main strip in town, Best Italian is small and inconspicuous, but as they say - good things come in small packages! For more than 30 years, Best Italian has been serving Gatlinburg with recipes that have been handed down through generations. Enjoy the peaceful dining experience on their creekside patio!

Menu includes:

• Salads from $4.95 to $12.95
• Calzones from $10.95 to $22.95
• Pizza: $11.95 for a 16", $14.95 for a 18"; additional ingredients are $2.75 - $3.25 each
• Italian entrees: spaghetti, lasagna, manicotti, veal, eggplant parmigiana, chicken marsala, shrimp marinara and more from $10.95 to $19.95
• Appetizers: garlic rolls, mozzarella sticks, stuffed jalapenos, artichoke bake and more from $3.95 to $8.95
• Kids menu: pasta, calamari, pizza and chicken fingers from $5.95 to $8.95

Menu highlights:

1. Wine List - Best Italian offers a reasonable wine list consisting of white and red wines, served by the glass, bottle or carafe.
2. Chef Paul's Seafood Medley - For the indecisive seafood fan, Best Italian has the famed Seafood Medley by Chef Paul. The Seafood Medley provides a smattering of seafood samples including scallops, shrimp and clams over linguine for $19.95.
3. Signature calzones and garlic rolls - Though the entire menu at Best Italian is appealing, it's hard to get past the garlic rolls and calzones. One calzone can easily feed two to three guests, and leave them satisfied. And NO ONE dares to deny the irresistible nature of the famous Best Italian garlic rolls, which come swimming in an extraordinary butter-garlic sauce.