Restaurants in Wears Valley

Elvira's Cafe is your best choice if you are looking for places to eat in Wears Valley. Tucked in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, only minutes from the main attractions of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, our restaurant offers a broad menu and a service with a smile. Whether you are driving through the valley looking for a quick sub before heading to the mountains or planning a weekend dinner at your nearby vacation cabin, we have something for everyone.

Breakfast in the Mountains

Our guests rave about our savory crepes, omelets, classic country hits like biscuits and gravy, hashbrown casserole, and seasonal specials. Here’s what they are saying about breakfast at Elvira’s Cafe:

“The wife had the biscuits and gravy with a hash brown casserole and it was amazing. Comfort food at its best.”

- J.G.

“Hands down the best restaurant in the Valley. We frequently go for breakfast and lunch. The food is all farm fresh and you could definitely taste the difference! The service is always exceptional, and the restaurant is super cute and charming. I do the ham and eggs for breakfast and the hash brown casserole is to die for! My wife rotates between eggs, French toast, and crepes and loves them all... they're delicious!”

- Andre T. 

A Quick Stop for Lunch

Are you headed to explore Cades Cove or Clingmans Dome? We’ll pack your lunch for your whole family! You can always call in your to-go order ahead of time and choose from a variety of sandwiches and salads featured on our lunch menu. Here are some of our guests’ favorites:

“If you’re in Wears Valley you HAVE to try this place! The servers are beyond friendly and attentive. The food is absolutely amazing. Their fries are the best fries I’ve ever had. We will absolutely return! Plus - they make cold-cut sandwiches to go so you can enjoy their food while enjoying the mountains!”

- Victoria H.

“We stopped by on our way back home from Gatlinburg. The atmosphere was warm and inviting. Had to wait for about 15 minutes for a table, but that gave us time to browse the cute little country store next door. I got the Philly Chicken Sandwich with onion rings and it was delicious! My friends had the Reuben (said it was the best they ever had), the Grown Up Chicken Sandwich, and the Chicken Salad Sandwich. Everything was cooked in a semi-open kitchen right inside the door to the restaurant. Such good food! And the service was quick and efficient, and our server was friendly. Highly recommend!”

- Tony G.

A Dinner with the View 

Every Friday and Saturday we feature chef-prepared dinner specials that add variety to our daily menu and often surprise our guests. Do Prime Rib, North Carolina River Trout, Chicken and Belgian Waffles sound delicious? They also taste great, especially when paired with breathtaking mountain views observed from our spacious porch! And if your weekend dinner calls for a glass of wine, you are welcome to BYOB and we promise we won’t tell anyone or charge you a corking fee. 

“My wife and I found this place on the drive between Pigeon Forge and Townsend and stopped for dinner. It was busy but we were seated promptly. Our server was sweet and kind, and she was having to hustle to get to all of her tables, but she did. The decor and atmosphere fit the rural mountain location and you immediately know you are at a locally owned business. It is locally operated by the owner as well because you could hear the staff frequently asking for Elvira. The menu is not complicated and offers a variety of choices from chicken to seafood. We had beef stroganoff and pork chops. Both were EXCELLENT!  The food was good quality, with noticeable flavor and appropriate portions. The pricing was very reasonable. While waiting in line to pay, some guests told me they had eaten here at least 20 times and came 2-3 times a week when they come on their annual vacation.  If you are looking for good food, friendly service, fair pricing, a local atmosphere, and out of the hustle and bustle of the tourist traffic….then Elvira’s is your place.”

- Mike M.

Sunday Brunch

As much as we love breakfast, brunch is our favorite. Here at Elvira’s Cafe our Sunday brunches are special. We start early at 9 am and don’t close until 2 pm which gives us plenty of time to serve your favorite items from a combined breakfast and lunch menu along with an occasional weekend special. Our guests often come by right after church to share a meal with family and friends. All you need to do is bring your appetite and we’ll take care of the rest!

“This is definitely a 10-star so just think of those 5 as the top of a stack!!!  Brought my wife to the mountains for some "off the grid" time and dropped in Elvira's for brunch. A pair of haystacks, some french toast, and the best staff ever - we were sold. The food is extraordinary and the atmosphere....well, you feel like you're at your Mom's house and that is rare today.  Got to meet Elvira and Lane who were such great people.  It's so great to see anyone take a chance in a small community with a business that does well......mostly so we'll have a great place to eat.  If you pass by when they're open and don't stop for a bite, well you just shouldn't do that because it would be a bad idea.”

- John T.

If you are still not convinced whether or not you should come by Elvira’s Cafe for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or brunch, we recommend you give us a try and see for yourself why Elvira’s is the best!

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