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Outdoor Dining - Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, Townsend, TN

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro

4.9
4.9
3594 Reviews
$50 and over
American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 21 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

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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
  • 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 3,594 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.

3,594 Reviews
  1. Kevin

    VIP

    E. Tennessee

    27 reviews

    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Once again Dancing Bear was an excellent dining experience. Our daughter who lives in London and is visiting for the holidays said the food was as good or better than any restaurant in London. Our server Brad provided outstanding service and is a true professional.

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  2. Theodore

    E. Tennessee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always the best visit. We spend all of are Celebrations with you.

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  3. Keith

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The staff and manager Michell provided a excellent experience for my Wife and I. We eat here often and the service and food have always been excellent.
    Dancing Bear Appalachian BistroResponded 2 days ago
    Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Keith! We’re thrilled to hear that both the food and service consistently meet your expectations. Michelle will be so grateful for your kind words—she truly goes above and beyond. We’re lucky to have such a fantastic team, and we look forward to continuing to provide excellent experiences for you and your wife. See you both again soon!

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  4. John

    E. Tennessee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The season menus surprised me but the service was best ever. Everything delicious.
    Dancing Bear Appalachian BistroResponded 2 days ago
    Thank you for your kind words, John! We’re so glad the seasonal menu pleasantly surprised you and that you found everything delicious. We look forward to welcoming you back for another memorable meal!

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  5. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    wonderful experience,great service and delicious food!
    Dancing Bear Appalachian BistroResponded 2 days ago
    Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad to hear you had a wonderful experience with great service and delicious food. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!

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  6. Kim

    VIP

    E. Tennessee

    27 reviews

    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Charles Dickens Christmas Brunch is one of our favorites. The beautiful fires, decor and carolers are perfect for a festive morning. The food and drinks were amazing. We loved a couple new items on the buffet, as well as the dessert table. The staff are the best. Everyone is so friendly, and truly cares that customers have a wonderful experience. Dancing Bear is the perfect spot for a romantic meal or for the entire family in such a beautiful setting.
    Dancing Bear Appalachian BistroResponded 4 days ago
    Thank you for your heartfelt review, Kim! We're so glad you enjoyed the Charles Dickens Christmas Brunch—it's one of our favorite events to host. From the festive fires and carolers to the carefully curated menu, we aim to create a magical holiday experience for everyone. We're delighted to hear the new buffet items and desserts were a hit, and we'll be sure to pass along your kind words to our staff. Their dedication to creating memorable experiences truly shines during events like these. We look forward to welcoming you back soon, whether for a romantic meal or a special gathering with loved ones.

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  7. Julie

    Nashville

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food and service. Dishes are selected to match the season. Specialty cocktails were crafted for the holidays which made the evening feel very festive. Staff were very friendly and attentive without being intrusive. There is a large fireplace inside to create a cozy ambiance as well as a fire pit outside with fixings for s’mores. A fun way to end the experience!
    Dancing Bear Appalachian BistroResponded 6 days ago
    Thank you for the fantastic review, Julie! We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed the seasonal dishes and festive cocktails—there’s nothing like the holiday spirit to make a dining experience extra special. It’s wonderful that the ambiance, from the cozy fireplace to the outdoor fire pit with s’mores, added to your evening. Our team truly strives to provide the perfect balance of service, and we’re glad to hear you felt well taken care of. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another memorable visit!

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  8. kelley

    VIP

    New York City

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing as always! Steak and fried green tomatoes with Caesar salad was unreal
    Dancing Bear Appalachian BistroResponded 6 days ago
    Thank you for the wonderful review, Kelley! We’re so glad to hear you loved the steak, fried green tomatoes, and Caesar salad—what a combo! We can’t wait to have you back for another amazing meal. See you again soon!

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  9. Jessica

    Hawaii

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely wonderful meal and atmosphere. My favorite restaurant ever , The Dancing Bear is so magical ! You will not find better food . They chef really does amazing !
    Dancing Bear Appalachian BistroResponded 6 days ago
    Thank you so much for such a glowing review, Jessica! We’re beyond thrilled to be your favorite restaurant, and we’re so glad you enjoyed both the meal and the atmosphere. Chef truly puts heart and soul into every dish, and it’s wonderful to hear that it made such an impact. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another magical dining experience!

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  10. Tim

    VIP

    E. Tennessee

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 13, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Reserved outside seating -although it was Dec, it was all enclosed with heaters and multiple fire pits. Jack our server was very attentive and knowledgeable. Food was great. There was a large party of about 16 that came towards the end of our dinner. The noise level increased then, but prior to that it was very low
    Dancing Bear Appalachian BistroResponded 6 days ago
    Thank you for sharing your experience, Tim! We’re so glad you enjoyed the enclosed outdoor seating, especially with the heaters and fire pits to keep things cozy. It’s wonderful to hear that Jack took such great care of you and that the food met your expectations. We appreciate the feedback about the noise level—while we aim for a relaxed atmosphere, we’re glad it didn’t take away from your overall experience. We hope to welcome you back soon for another great meal!

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FAQs

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro is rated 4.9 stars by 3594 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 21 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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