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Outdoor Dining - Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, Townsend, TN

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro

4.9
4.9
3605 Reviews
$50 and over
American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 28 times today
Experiences are available.
  • 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

Book your next event with us

View details

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
  • Neighborhood
    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

Experiences

  • New Year's Eve - 5 Course Meal

    $1.00 per party

    Prepaid

    Dec 31, 2024 only
    Join us at the Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro to enjoy a pre-fix, coursed menu that you won't want to miss. Executive Chef Carter and Culinary Team will be preparing a Special handcrafted menu to bring you joy, while ringing in the New Year with your friends and family. There will be an optional tableside Wine Pairing available that will be sure to pair with our fixed menu. We can't wait to celebrate New Year’s Eve with you! *We are requiring all parties to add a CC on file to reserve a table for this special experience, which is what the $1.00 charge is, to get the table reserved. All other sales will be handled at the Bistro night of by your service member. Approximate price will be $115/pp++. Thank you! We look forward to serving you!*

What 3,605 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 Ambiance

  • East Tennessee

    Best Value

  • East Tennessee

    Innovative

  • 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 Ambiance

  • Knoxville

    Best Value

  • Knoxville

    Great for brunch

  • Knoxville

    Innovative

  • Knoxville

    Healthy

  • Knoxville

    Great for fine wines

  • Knoxville

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Knoxville

    Romantic

  • Knoxville

    Good for special occasions

  • Knoxville

    Lively

  • Knoxville

    Most Booked

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.

3,605 Reviews
  1. Elier

    Key West

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We didn’t have high hopes for this level of cuisine in TN, but we were blown away, hats off to the chef. We were a party of six and shared many dishes together, everything was a hit. Craft cocktails were amazing and so was the service. Bread pudding for dessert was other worldly. Wish we were locals!

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  2. Nichole

    New York City

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We always love eating here … The food is always amazing and the atmosphere is so comfy cozy !

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  3. Margarete

    VIP

    Charleston

    58 reviews

    5.0

    58 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always such a lovely time. Son was home with his wife for the holidays and we were able to celebrate their first anniversary. Enjoyed every minute. Alene is such a pleasure . Thank you again for a wonderful night.

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  4. Clint

    E. Tennessee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is the second visit. Once last year where we dined outside and it was magic. This year we went for Christmas holidays and it was so perfect. Lighting, fireplace and the mood was just right. Great food and great experience.

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  5. James

    North Georgia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food and Service. Will definitely return. Top of my list for dining experiences.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Jo

    E. Tennessee

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Our experience was spoiled by out first moments arriving unfortunately. The paths were poorly lit outside so it was difficult to walk. Upon arriving 7mins early to our reservation time, the hostess indicated we would be sat on time and we could wait at the bar (where there was no seating) and there was no where else to wait. We were a party of 4 and I understood this to mean the server would not be able to get to us if we sat early however that context was not explained and it was stated briskly. We stood near the door for a few moments before being seated a few moments early. It was an awkward and slightly rude way to start what turned out to be a lovely meal. It’s unfortunate our first moments were unpleasant.

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  7. Rodion

    E. Tennessee

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Love this place!! Dancing Bear is a regular visit for my husband and me throughout the year but once a year we bring visiting family to share in our happy place. It’s become a tradition over the last several yrs. We have never been disappointed. From the wait at the bar until the stop at the fire pit for s’mores after our meal, it is always an enjoyable experience. Already looking forward to our next group visit!

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  8. Kenda

    Western NC

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing food-the BEST! Very attentive to food allergies and always accommodating.

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  9. Kealey

    Western NC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was a wonderful Christmas brunch! We will return again soon
    Dancing Bear Appalachian BistroResponded 6 days ago
    Thank you for spending part of your holiday with us, Kealey! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas brunch. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon for another special experience!

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  10. Carla

    E. Tennessee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Brunch was amazing! We will definitely be back.
    Dancing Bear Appalachian BistroResponded 5 days ago
    Thank you for the kind words, Carla! We're thrilled you enjoyed brunch and look forward to welcoming you back soon!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro is rated 4.9 stars by 3605 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 28 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro

7140 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend, TN 37882

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Apple Valley Way
  • Neighborhood
    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
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  • Cookie Preferences
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