PIGEON FORGE, Tennessee–(Sept. 18, 2026)–Two of Pigeon Forge’s longtime dining destinations have earned recognition from the travelers who know them best. The Old Mill Restaurant and Pottery House Cafe have each received a 2026 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award, recognizing businesses that consistently earn strong reviews from travelers on the global travel guidance platform.
Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards recognize businesses that consistently receive great traveler reviews and rank among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor.
For The Old Mill, having both restaurants recognized is especially meaningful because each offers guests a distinctly different dining experience while sharing a commitment to Southern food and hospitality.
The Old Mill Restaurant, located beside the historic gristmill, operating since 1830, is known for generous family-style Southern meals and dishes rooted in the traditions of the region. Many include grains still ground next door at The Old Mill, continuing a connection between the mill and the table that has existed for generations.
Just across the street, the Pottery House Cafe offers a more casual approach to Southern cooking, with freshly prepared sandwiches, salads, soups and seasonal dishes served alongside breads baked daily at the restaurant. Meals are served on handcrafted pottery made next door at Pigeon River Pottery.
“Receiving this recognition for both restaurants means a great deal because it comes from the experiences our guests have chosen to share,” said Kent Yarnall, General Manager over both restaurants. “We’ve been a family-owned and operated business for almost 35 years, and serving families is what we do, so it’s great to know we’re doing it well according to them!” adds Laurie Faulkner, an owner and CEO.
The 2026 awards continue a long tradition of welcoming generations of visitors to The Old Mill. For many families, a meal at The Old Mill Restaurant or Pottery House Cafe has become as much a part of a visit to Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains as the historic mill itself.
The Old Mill Restaurant currently holds a 4.5-star rating from more than 13,700 Tripadvisor reviews, while Pottery House Cafe holds a 4.7-star rating from more than 5,800 reviews.
Both restaurants are located in The Old Mill area in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
For menus, hours, and additional information about The Old Mill Restaurant, Pottery House Café, and The Old Mill, visit old-mill.com.
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About The Old Mill
Since 1830, The Old Mill has been a gathering place in the heart of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Today, the still-operating historic water-powered gristmill anchors a family of restaurants, shops and artisan businesses where Southern food, traditional craftsmanship and Smoky Mountain heritage remain part of everyday life. Visitors can dine, shop, watch artisans at work, explore local history and experience traditions that continue to be passed from one generation to the next.