Simply stated, I cannot give this place enough stars. My girlfriend and I will talk about the Red Oak Bistro - and our time spent there - for years to come. While we were walking the Arts and Crafts Loop near Gatlinburg (I HIGHLY recommend this as well), we noticed this wonderful-looking restaurant nestled away in the green forested hills across the street. We opted to come back here for dinner on our last night in the Great Smokey Mountains. Sooooo glad we did! Owned and operated by a European couple, the Red Oak has the ambiance of a quaint European restaurant that one would find tucked away in the Alps. While the inside atmosphere is wonderful, we chose to sit outside to enjoy the very quiet and beautiful forested hills of Gatlinburg. Service was incredible and very European - they told us they would not bother us unless we asked for something and that the table was ours for the evening. Yep...we stayed there for three hours, sipping our wine and trying various dishes of exquisite flavor. I'd like to say try this or try that, but to be honest: all the dishes we tried were absolutely phenomenal. We cannot wait to try this place again! read more

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This entire dining experience was memorable! We are visiting Gatlinburg and will come here again just to eat at the Red Oak Bistro! We had a bottle of Orin Swifts "Eight Years in the Desert" (great wine list), and ordered three tapas plates...all extraordinary and delicious! If you are in Gatlinburg...the Red Oak Bistro is the meal and experience you want! read more

An out of the way hidden gem. Step inside and you're entering someone's passion and pride. Every detail of the decor well thought out and meticulously maintained. Had two meals for the day due to meeting up with old friends so we didn't want much for dinner and based on reviews decided to try it. Only had a Cheese plate and a lemon tart to split with my wife, excellent. Wife had a French Mimosa which was great and myself, well anyone can pour whiskey so it really isn't important. Would definitely recommend and will be back. read more

Gatlinburg's Hidden Gem. This is a family fun business providing exceptional food and incredible service in a beautiful setting. Easily one of the top dining experiences in Gatlinburg. 5 stars for Red Oak Bistro. read more

Great laid back vibe. Very surprised to have a chill meal Like this so close to the big crowds. Family Owned with exceptional service and knowledge of food. 100% recommend for something different and away from the big crowds! read more

I was so excited to try this place on our first night but it left us rather disappointed. I will give it a few positive notes. The ambiance was warm and inviting with great lighting and cozy decor. I also liked its secluded location. I felt like I was being invited to a small dinner party at someone's home. The owners were very busy hustling around which I imagine is stressful if you do not have the appropriate staff to help you. Once we were seated, we waited a significant time to order a drink and the owner admitted he forgot about us. This was rather surprising as there were only about five other parties there. It did not feel welcoming in any way. While waiting for our drinks, we overheard them tell two other tables that they were out of multiple items on the menu, some that we had wanted to order. The menu is already limited and rather pricey for what it is. Needless to say we left hungry after finishing our drinks. The whole experience felt very unwelcoming from the beginning. read more

Beautifully decorated and peaceful ambiance. Small plate items served one at a time promotes a relaxed dining experience. Cabernet by the glass was excellent. read more

My daughter made reservations for my wife's and my Wedding Anniversary dinner while on vacation here. We were not sure what to expect. They serve small plates tapas, so we got 3 different things to share. The atmosphere reminded us of our time in Europe, so it was quite a great experience. Staff were incredibly friendly and attentive. Would recommend if you're not looking for a huge meal. read more

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Great experience. Warm ambiance. Tried & enjoyed several plates of unique bites. Nothing else like it in the area. Service was good. Looking forward to a return visit. read more

This little gem is tucked away in the winding hills in the mountains. You need a reservation and it's apparent why. It's a small little place where the staff takes extra time for you alone. The man waiting on us seemed like an owner, was very knowledgeable of the food choices and made several suggestions. Wine was lovely and the food was delicious. It's tapas so come prepared to share and have small little bites of things. I left satisfied! The outdoor seating was lovely on a spring evening after some rain. read more

Red Oak Bistro - Caprese Flatbread - Cafes Near Me - Gatlinburg, Tennessee

I obviously did not read the reviews thoroughly, but know this: 1. It is tapas 2. The entire menu is German, Greek, and Italian style small plates (and some were quite unique!) 3. Our meal was completely delightful - there are only 2 lovely people working. They were attentive to every detail, friendly, and informative. 4. The meal was slow-paced - very European as some mentioned. We loved it, and you DO need a reservation. We enjoyed the bistro sampler, the caprese flatbread, the charcuterie board, the affogato, and the chocolate torte. Every single option was delicious. We loved it! We will definitely go back there! read more

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SMALL PLATES, BIG PRICES Be aware that this restaurant offers SMALL PLATES/TAPAS, NOT FULL SIZE MEALS, but has full-size meal prices! SLOW SERVICE There was only one server (whom I believe was the owner) who was not very personable, honestly, he was quite miserable. Due to the fact he was the only server, and the restaurant was full, service was slow. THE FOOD We ordered two small plates to share, but strangely, the waiter suggested we order one first and the other after we'd finished that. I wondered if this because the kitchen was backed up. The moussaka was tepid with 'salad' that was just greens, no tomatoes or cucumbers, etc. The Bruschetta with salmon was nice, but more like an appetizer. The beers on offer were corporate, no local craft beer offerings, so my husband skipped having one. As much as we wanted it, we decided to skip dessert as we thought it would be very small for the price and that it would take a long time to come. We were honestly ready to leave. COZY DECOR The restaurant decor is beautiful and cozy with a stack stone fireplace at one end and dim lighting, but for us, that did not make up for kind of an odd, pretentious vibe, slow service, high prices and a partially empty stomach on departure. We ultimately felt ripped off and did not enjoy the experience. There is a small parking lot directly outside the restaurant. We were recommended this restaurant by our nearby bnb accommodation and it was conveniently walkable after a long day of traveling, however I would not recommend it for value for money. read more

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Really loved the atmosphere and vibe. It is super relaxing and romantic. We came in for a light bite and bottle of wine, which this place is perfect for. We called ahead about sitting at the bar and our seats were set up and ready when we arrived. Reservations are definitely a necessity! The menu is limited but well done and plates are small so don't expect full entrees. The beet salad was amazing - layers of sliced beets and feta cheese. The Kebabche (pork sausage) was the perfect item to pair with the Emmolo Merlot. I also love that this place is off the beaten path and away from the touristy areas. read more

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This place is just great. The staff really make this place amazing. The food is perfect and the atmosphere is spot on. Probably the best "hidden gem" in this area of the smokies. read more

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Outstanding. Every dish we had (many!) were terrific! Staff was awesome and helpful! Can't wait to go back!

We found a hidden gem! Off the commercial path but still in Gatlinburg. Lovely location tucked into the hills in wooded area. Easy access. The owners have poured heart & soul into this beautiful location. Menu was "compact" but all three items we ordered were beautifully presented and tasteful. Our favorite was the smoked salmon. Highly recommend and we will definitely return when in town, read more

The atmosphere was so relaxing! The owner met us at the door and seated us right away. He was very gracious as he answered all of our questions and explained the menu and the different dishes. The food was great! Very tasty! Loved it! read more

Absolutely amazing spot! We went as a party of 4 with reservations and enjoyed every moment and every bite. This is a husband and wife run spot and they did a phenomenal job with every aspect (plus the husband has a great sense of humor). Nothing disappointed! read more

This is an amazing place. The owners are so friendly and welcoming. They provide a beautiful setting with indoor and outdoor ambiance. Great selection of music. A great spot to relax and enjoy good wines and specialty drinks. The dishes are very unique and everything is delicious. We have been here many times since they opened and always enjoy the ambiance and experience. This is located in the artist colony area outside Gatlinburg. read more

Red Oak Bistro - The dining room - Cafes Near Me - Gatlinburg, Tennessee

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After a long day in the park we wanted to get off the beaten path and enjoy a few glasses of wine along with a light dinner. This place has a great atmosphere as it is cozy inside. The European owners were excellent hosts and we enjoyed a great selection of wines by the bottle or glass. Their tapas style menu was exactly what we wanted/needed. Delicious options that were thoughtfully put together. They also had a great cocktail selection. Highly recommended. read more

Best meal of our trip by far! They were reservation only the Sunday evening we dined at Red Oak Bistro so I'm glad I made reservations in advance. Nice setting up steep drive with small parking lot. There is a sign for additional parking across the road but I would not enjoy hoofing it up that steep drive. We were stuck in Cherokee with 441 closed down for an accident. We decided not to wait in stalled traffic and instead drive around the west end of the park. But it meant we would not be on time for our reservation. I called around 4:00 pm and was delighted to learn they could accommodate us even if we arrived late. It's a cozy dining room with about 15 tables. Nice massive fireplace. Slow paced service, similar to what you'd find in Europe. Normally we'd not mind that at all. But after such a long drive back and no time to stop at our cabin to freshen up after hiking ... well we were eager to place our order. The food was all fresh and well prepared. Our favorites were the two Bulgarian dishes we ordered, a spinach cheese phyllo pie and sausage with vinegar slaw. The old fashioned was fabulous. We got some baklava to go and laughed when we opened it back at the cabin to see two bite-sized pieces, although they were good. read more

Red Oak Bistro is a nice stop off the main drag. You will find them in the countryside perched atop a hill. They are hard to find and the signage isn't good. The parking lot is small do you may have to park at the bottom of the hill in the lot across the street.. the facility has a very attractive cabin feel on the inside and outside. The outside seating looks very inviting. Red Oak's menu is structured as a small plate offering. There are a nice variety of things to pick from. I was taken aback at how expensive a small plate item was. Most places price a small plate about $12-15. These prices are significantly hirer as though you are buying an entree. We started with the house dry red wine and a gin & Sprite. The house wine was an excellent selection. It was very odd to get a can of Sprite with a glass of gin. We started with the Caprese Flat Bread. The tomato jam was delicious and very innovative. The veggies were very fresh. The balsamic drizzle was very tasty though there was a lot of greens on the top. We also tried the Banitza. The phyllo crust was outstanding. The spinach, feta and cheese blend also very innovative and delicious. I loved the decor and innovative food items. I was not impressed by the cost for a small plates. The staff here is very small as the restaurant probably only holds about 45 people. The gentleman that serves was rather cold but professional. The young lady was very friendly and helpful. Give Red Oak Bistró a try if you are in Gatlinburg and looking for something different. read more

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My girlfriend and I had the absolute pleasure of dining at the Res Oak Bistro to celebrate our 2 year anniversary together. We were visiting Tennesse from Orlando, FL and have read many great reviews. This is an amazing restaurant with a great vibe, friendly and knowledgeable staff, a large list of wines and beer, and food prepared by a chef that truly a master of her craft. We made a reservation a few days in advance for an 8pm dinner, and upon arriving, we were immediately seated to our table. The menu had a nice variety of European inspired tapas dishes and a large list of wines with a surprisingly large list of available beers, and well as whiskey and bourbons. We decided to get a bottle of Pinot Grigio and ordered 3 dishes. The Baked Brie, the Bistro Sampler, and the Banitza. We finished with 2 orders of the Chocolate Mousse for dessert. (We ordered one but it was so delicious we ordered another. lol) The food is amazing. And all prepared by an amazing chef named Olga. We were so amazed by how delicious everything was, that upon letting our server know, she let us know that we could approach the kitchen and speak with Olga herself! We were elated. Olga was so appreciative of our compliments and even spoke to us about how she made the chocolate mousse. I couldn't stop raving about it, so she decided to give me a THIRD chocolate mousse to go! On the house! This restaurant is so special. If you find yourself passing through Gatlinburg, TN then you owe it to yourself to come here for dinner sometime. You will be amazed at the Red Oak Bistro read more

Red Oak Bistro - Cafes Near Me - Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Super cool spot for dinner, with amazing food and nice staff. It's on Glade's Road which is the place to go when staying around Gatlinburg. If you are trying to avoid the tourist trap of downtown Gatlinburg. It's in a quaint little area away from commotion and makes for a nice romantic dinner. read more

Visited on Sept 21 with my parents. The owner(s) are Bulgarian, very friendly and charismatic. We did not order a lot of food and ordered no alcohol but still felt very welcomed. A lot of times I feel like tapas places get annoyed when I go and don't necessarily spend a ton. I almost stopped going to tapas restaurants because of that. Caprese flatbread, ratatouille, and kebabche were great! read more

Red Oak Bistro - kebabche, ratatouille, and flatbread - Cafes Near Me - Gatlinburg, Tennessee

I wasn't sure what to expect since the menu likely changes and isn't on their website. Some had smoke salmon, sausage/potatoes/cabbage, Brie cheese, pastries dough, and I can't recall what else. All the tapas we had were delicious. I'd come back in a heartbeat. Be sure to call or email for a reservation, because they were not taking walk-ins the night we were there. read more

Food and service were fantastic!!!! Food was fresh and fast. Waitress was polite and filled our drinks often. We will be back!

I hesitate to make this review because I LOVE it here and don't want the word to get out... But here goes: This place is magical. Once you walk in, you're transported somewhere far away. The most delightful couple own and run this sweet little slice of beauty, tucked back off of Glades road. The high shelves hold wines, beers, and other items but must be intentionally placed and spaced in a way that feels decorative and perfect. (Can you tell I love this place?) There are cozy bench seats, bar seating (lovely under their beautiful light fixtures), and tables with chairs. Everything here feels so comfortable you don't want to leave. When weather allows there's a small deck with seating as well as a gas fire table. Food is prepared by the wife and it is as beautiful as it is delicious. Every part of the plates are put together with love and pride. Nothing here feels rushed. Since I'm not the only one who knows about this place, you'll definitely need a reservation. And don't wait to make it. It could be too late, especially during busy seasons in the Smokies. This place is unique and like absolutely nothing in the area. If you're tired of the typical joints in the area, stop in. Well, plan to stop in and get that reservation first! read more

Red Oak Bistro - Beet salad & salmon bruschetta with a glass of Michael David Freakshow Cab - Cafes Near Me - Gatlinburg, Tennessee

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Unbelievable culinary gem hidden amongst the craft stores along Glade. Great tapas, service, atmosphere and hosts. You won't believe you're not in a Big City downtown restaurant! read more

Excellent food And service. Love the location Nice getaway from Gatlinburg Very clean read more

I had the best experience with my family ! Yes, I brought three kids here. The lovely man who I am guessing owner or manager, from Bulgaria, came over several times to compliment the children and said that he doesn't normally see children in the restaurant but was smiling big time when he saw they ate everything served and were well-behaved. That man fed my "mom ego" big time. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his Manhattan and I hAd a French mimosa. Yum! We had many tapas and devoured them all. The stuffed grape leaves were a hit, the salmon bruschetta was so Devine. The beet salad with whipped feta is incredible. If you are in gatlinsburg and want a "fancier" dinner as my kids called it, go! The atmosphere is quiet, reserved, elegant casual if that makes sense. Just a lovely way to start our vacation. Covid: employees wear mask properly, take temps upon entering and seats are 6 ft apart. read more

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If you prioritize your restaurants like I do, the right ambience is at the top of your list. Red Oak Bistro is a unique experience that you won't find anywhere else in East Tennessee. It's got the feel of a European cafe, complete with freshly prepared small plate (tapas) style food that pairs excellently with their exquisite selection of wines. This is a great date night destination that offers delectable dishes and excellent service. If you're in a rush and just want to eat and run, don't go there. Just wait till you have the time to fully enjoy your evening there. read more

I absolutely recommend this dinner spot when visiting Gatlinburg! Attentive service, cozy atmosphere, and delicious food. As the owner shared, the cuisine is Bulgarian (very similar to Greek), and the dishes are authentic, freshly prepared, and very satisfying. Venture off the strip and try this gem!! read more

Amazing food, drinks, and great service! Such a fun date night, thank you for making our anniversary weekend special.

Wonderful atmosphere, nice wine list, and excellent food. The owners were so friendly and accommodating, would love to come back again!

Awful experience and uncomfortable ambiance, would not recommend for anyone visiting Gatlinburg and hoping for a good meal. The menu options are limited and the actual food quality was subpar. We ordered a charcuterie board and the salmon bruschetta. The charcuterie board was a board of cold cuts that I could have picked up from any local grocery store, the meats weren't cut, the bread assortment was less than a quarter of the meats quantity. The salmon bruschetta was slimy while tasting old. After watching the staff interact with other customers, we felt discriminated against and wanted to remove ourselves from an uncomfortable situation as quickly as possible. For such a beautiful area and town, this experience was not what we were hoping for nor paying for. Do not bother giving this establishment your time or money - there is a McDonald's down the road which has far better service. read more

Cute, Greek-inspired tapas place that is family-owned. Everything we had was good- the salmon bruschetta, the hummus and pita dish, and the sausage and slaw. If I had any criticisms, it would be that I asked if my bourbon comes with Luxardo cherries. The waiter asked the bartender who in turn came to our table to assure us that they'd be in my drink. Unfortunately, they were maraschino cherries and I feel like you should know the difference since they are so different. The menu has many tasty bites, but only like four things on the menu aren't with bread and that could dissuade a person from eating here who is avoiding bread. Also, this is small, but as an English teacher I'm always on the job-lots of misspellings, including the Cafe sign on the front (Caffe?) Parking is a bit sparse but the food is better than what you'd get on the Pigeon Forge strip. read more

First night here and decided to try... everything was wonderful! Wish we could have made it back this trip... but will be back!

I cannot tell you how amazing the owners and food are enough! We tried almost everything on their menu and it was all mouth-watering! They had one of my favorite dishes, fois grais, and I have dreams about how amazing it was. We also tried their authentic Bulgarian dishes since they are from there! Some may think it is greek since they serve some tapas with taziki, but with a quick ask, you find out they are authentically Bulgarian! They also have authentic baklava and I recommend not sharing - sorry hubs! It was just too good! The ambiance of the restaurant is homey, welcoming, and other worldly! My family immediately felt right at home and we were welcomed with open arms. I made a reservation online and the owner even remembered my name when I walked in! Now, my favorite part of my reviews, their bathrooms! I could not get enough of their women's restroom. Not only was it clean but smelled nice and themed perfectly with the rest of the restaurant! The building is cute and quaint but the bathroom makes you feel like you're living in luxury! We cannot wait to be back here as soon as possible. I miss the restaurant and its owners dearly already! read more

I really wanted to like this place; I love a good tapas menu! It was a nice ambience, with a decent wine list and away from the busy atmosphere of the main gatlinburg strip. However, the food was quite expensive given the portion size, quality, creativity, and flavor of the tapas. Our party of 4 would have needed 10-12 dishes @ $20(-$100?!) each to be satisfied, and even so, I'm afraid it was a super limited and unimaginative menu. The evening ended on a sour note when our wait staff commented inappropriately / out of the blue about who (apparently the man) should be picking up the tab... We salvaged the night by having a second dinner at a fantastic nearby sandwich shop. Take a look at the other low-star reviews, which very much echoed our own experience. Not sure how there's such a wide divergence in reviews here! read more