In the Media

When it comes to Mother’s Day, many people can’t wait to celebrate—cue the brunch bookings. To help make your celebration extra special, OpenTable has scanned diner metrics and over 14 million diner reviews to narrow down the restaurants where people rave about...

Michelle LaBorde is Sommelier and Bar Director at Dancing Bear Lodge & Appalachian Bistro in Townsend, TN. Recently, Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro was named among the Best Fine Dining Restaurants in the US by Tripadvisor, in part due to Michelle's incredible...

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro Earns Coveted Spot on OpenTable's Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in the USA If you're still struggling to decide where to take your special Valentine (or forgot that Valentine's Day is Feb. 14 and need a last-minute spot), you're in...

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro Earns Coveted Spot on OpenTable's Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in the USA Food is its own love language, but when it’s served in a cozy room or a candlelit booth? Guaranteed fireworks. OpenTable analyzed over 12 million diner...

Etiquette, tips, and tricks—plus recipes for mulled wine, bourbon-spiked cider, roasted oysters, and the best s’mores ever. In addition to Dancing Bear's fire pit photograph being used as the article's featured image, Houston Oldham of Dancing Bear shares his "pro...

Save your opened bottles of wine even if you don't have a cork thanks to these tips from wine experts and sommeliers. Michelle LaBorde, sommelier at Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro in Townsend, Tennessee, uses bourbon corks to replace wine bottle corks that have been...

The sweet stuff of holiday legend. Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro's Pecan Pie Martini made the list as the ultimate fall dessert drink. Get the recipe.

A Tennessee bistro adds a smoky kick of whiskey to this holiday essential For over a decade, a Jack Daniels–infused cranberry relish has been a staple on the holiday menu at Dancing Bear Lodge, a rustic resort in the Tennessee Smokies whose bistro highlights...

In my ongoing quest to visit all of the continental national parks, I’ve been researching cabin rentals near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which straddles North Carolina and Tennessee. Cozy cabins in the Smoky Mountains abound, from basic options to luxurious...

There’s so many ways to enjoy pasta. Some may enjoy a classic spaghetti and meatballs while others may prefer a cacio e pepe or vodka sauce, or going a little spicy with a fra diavolo. However you like pasta, October 17 is a day to be noted. On National Pasta Day,...

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro in Townsend was named in TripAdvisor's 2023 list of top 25 fine dining restaurants in the United States and named traveler's choice Best of the Best. A release from owners Oldham Hospitality states traveler's choice is based on reviews...

ȷeff Carter, executive chef at Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, located on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Townsend, Tennessee, combines old world techniques with locally sourced ingredients to deliver modern Appalachian cuisine that is refined...

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro Receives TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best 2023

Townsend, Tennessee, is a charming, quiet town in the Smoky Mountains—a place well off the touristy paths of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. In this restorative setting, Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro feels right at home. Boasting s’mores by the firepit and produce...

Dancing Bear Lodge & Appalachian Bistro to host regional culinary experts for a weekend of learning and fun Lately I’ve been hearing a lot about Townsend, Tenn., nestled at the foot of the Smokies and home to Cades Cove. It’s also the home of Company Distilling,...

The first weekend in August is set to be a feast for the senses as guest chefs and other leaders in the culinary industry gather in Townsend to celebrate what makes Appalachian cuisine so special. Centered around the 8th Annual Bacon at the Bear fundraiser, with...

Convection vs. a conventional oven: What's the difference? Experts weigh in on the heating technology that separates the two, how to convert your favorite recipes for a convection oven, and the foods that are—and aren't—suited for convection cooking. Executive Chef...

There are so many nuts and bolts to planning a wedding—and until you start the process, it's impossible to prepare yourself for the fine details. You'll need to add 'rent a dance floor' to your list of to-do's, which should be checked off when you book your venue....

Southern Peach Tea At Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro in Townsend, Tennessee, bar manager Michelle LaBorde created the ultimate peach cocktail to celebrate local products. The Southern Peach Tea is made with local Kings Distillery Peach Whiskey, sweet tea, Limoncello,...

Wine lovers in Knoxville have lots of options to get dinner with a good glass of vino. Wine Spectator, the premier magazine focused on wine and wine culture, recognized eight restaurants in the region in its 2023 Restaurant Awards. The awards, which will be featured...

Refined, vet approachable cuisine is the specialty at Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro in Townsend TN Chef Jeff Carter's innovative approach to the menu is a product of his deep understanding of the history and evolution of the region's unique culinary culture as well...

The first weekend in August is set to be a feast for the senses as guest chefs and other leaders in the culinary industry gather in Townsend to celebrate what makes Appalachian cuisine so special. Centered around the 8th Annual Bacon at the Bear fundraiser, with...

Are you itching for an adventure that’s got it all — panoramic vistas, adrenaline-pumping activities, and a whole lot of history? If so, your next destination needs to be the Great Smoky Mountains!

Calling all foodies! If you appreciate trying local cuisine while vacationing, you’ll love what the quaint town of Townsend, Tennessee, offers. With a population of fewer than 1,000 people, the culinary scene is out of this world. Nestled next to the Great Smoky...

Separating egg white from the yolk is a skill required for some of the South's favorite foods: Airy angel food cakes, delicate meringues, and celebratory eggs Benedict and hollandaise require home cooks to know how to separate egg yolks from egg whites—which is why so...

True peace and tranquility—and even a great deal of adventure—can be found when you’re in the mountains. That’s exactly what the cozy and welcoming mountaintop community of Townsend, Tennessee, offers travelers year-round. Settled about an hour’s drive south of...

This famous mountain range has dense forest, cozy cabins and vivid action. Home to some of the mightiest mountains in the nation, oldest rivers on Earth and most staggeringly scenic drives on the road, the Great Smoky Mountains that straddle the Tennessee-North...

Many Southerners can trace ancestries from the mountains to the shore all under the Mason-Dixon line, and we have a special knack for embracing both newly sprouted and deeply rooted culinary lineages. In this dish, executive chef Jeff Carter of Dancing Bear Lodge and...

Spring has sprung, and so have the herbs spilling over box gardens, stretching towards the sun on windowsills, or laid out in droves at your local farmers’ market. Give them the spotlight they deserve in this lively version of the popular dressing, created by...

We are an OpenTable Diners' Choice Award Winner for 2023!

With over 60 of our most delicious recipes and tips, this brand-new issue of Southern Cast Iron is full of comforting, seasonal flavors we all crave come late summer and early fall. This September/October issue of Southern Cast Iron is your go-to guide to getting the...

National parks were meant to be places of natural beauty and quiet reflection, but at the doorstep of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Tennessee twin cities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are anything but...

Separating egg white from the yolk is a skill required for some of the South's favorite foods: Airy angel food cakes, delicate meringues, and celebratory eggs Benedict and hollandaise require home cooks to know how to separate egg yolks from egg whites—which is why so...

Townsend, Tenn., markets itself as “the peaceful side of the Smokies,” and indeed, it’s quieter than the fabricated expanse of Pigeon Forge and the din of crowded Gatlinburg. Townsend has the feel of a village scattered in plots over a several-mile stretch of Hwy....

A Guide to the Gateway Towns of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From quirky Pigeon Forge to peaceful Townsend, these towns provide easy access to the park. Great Smoky Mountains National Park stretches over 500,000 acres across Tennessee and North Carolina, and...

Let us introduce you to Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro. An award-wining restaurant on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies ~ Townsend, TN. Let executive chef, Jeff Carter and his culinary team take you on an Appalachian experience to another place and time rooted in the...

Fall is in the air at our national parks, and as the temperature begins to dip, the leaves begin to pop with hues of orange, red, yellow and purple. Of course, autumn likely means more time outside for Fido, too. At these dog-friendly national parks, there’s no better...

You might be asking yourself, "What are the best places to get a drink near me?" Don't fret, because we've put together a list of the best places in the Smokies to enjoy a glass of wine, a pint of beer, a specialty cocktail and more. Check out our list so you get the...

The culinary scene in Tennessee receives a lot of attention from the national food media, and deservedly so. That’s due, in part, to the many tantalizing ingredients and cultural traditions that come together to create Tennessee’s shared food history. Read on to see...

Tennessee is known for its gorgeous natural vistas and beautiful hiking trails, crystal clear lakes, and rushing rivers. No matter how perfect the Volunteer State may be as a natural wonderland, we need a bit of comfort when the night draws near and bedtime gets...

Dancing Bear Lodge was awarded the 9.6 out of 10 Loved By Guests on Hotels.com.

Dancing Bear Lodge and the Blount Partnership will host the fifth annual fall Bicycle Bash on Sept. 19 starting at 9 a.m. Riders can choose between a 27-mile, 37-mile or 59-mile course starting at 7140 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway in Townsend. Proceeds from the event...

Dancing Bear Lodge Recognized as part of the top 10% of hotels worldwide. Based on Outstanding 2019 Traveler Reviews. Dancing Bear Lodge today announced it has been recognized as a 2020 Travelers’ Choice award-winner! Based on a full year of Tripadvisor reviews, prior...

Romance can be expressed anywhere, sure, but what's more romantic than getting away for a while with just you and your loved one? Spanning resorts, boutique hotels, and historic inns throughout the US, the destinations listed here are perfect for the passionate...