Appalachian Restaurants Featuring a Famous Flair

A Delicious Delight at The Eatery

Across the 13-state Appalachian region, from West Virginia to Mississippi, well-known names have created food experiences that blend entertainment, personality, and regional charm. Some are rooted in hometown heritage; others bring global flair to mountain towns. All share one thing in common: a tie to someone famous.

West Virginia

In West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races offers more than just live horse racing and slot machines. Inside the sprawling entertainment venue sits The Eatery by Fabio Viviani, a food court concept led by the celebrity chef known from Top Chef. The Eatery brings five distinct counters under one roof, each featuring Viviani’s culinary touch. Patrons can choose from gourmet burgers, artisan pizzas, traditional Italian pastas, Asian-inspired dishes, and desserts—all paired with craft beer options. Viviani’s presence is part of a national trend of celebrity chefs partnering with casinos, but here in Charles Town, it brings an upscale twist to Appalachian dining.

Tennessee

Further south, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the culinary influence of household names is especially prominent. Dolly Parton, one of the region’s most iconic figures, has long intertwined entertainment and hospitality. At Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction, visitors watch a theatrical show featuring horse-riding stunts and special effects while enjoying a four-course Southern-style meal. The menu includes rotisserie chicken, hickory-smoked pulled pork, buttery biscuits, and classic sides—served without utensils to enhance the experience.

A few miles away, another attraction from Dolly Parton brings fantasy to the table. Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show presents a swashbuckling performance complete with pirates, mermaids, acrobatics, and a dramatic lagoon stage. Guests dine on a themed meal featuring roasted chicken, sugar-cured ham, creamy vegetable soup, and peach turnover—all while immersed in a high-seas adventure set in the Smoky Mountains.

Just around the corner is Downtown Flavortown, a massive dining and entertainment venue created in partnership with Guy Fieri. Known for his signature spiky hair and catchphrases on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Fieri’s Gatlinburg location is packed with attractions: an arcade, a bowling alley, and bold dishes like Dragon’s Breath Chili Cheese Fries, Trash Can Nachos, and Bacon Mac 'n' Cheeseburgers. The venue captures the chef’s over-the-top persona and has become a popular stop for tourists exploring the area.

Also in Pigeon Forge, Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen offers a different kind of Southern hospitality. The restaurant, located at The Island, serves up family-style meals with recipes straight from the celebrity chef’s cookbooks. Fried chicken, collard greens, baked mac and cheese, and ooey-gooey butter cake make up some of the menu staples. While Paula Deen herself doesn’t cook in the kitchen, she has made promotional appearances and lent her name and recipes to the brand, which now includes locations throughout the South.

Another major personality in Pigeon Forge’s entertainment lineup was the late Jimmy Buffett, whose Margaritaville restaurant sits at the heart of The Island. Inspired by the singer’s laid-back, beachy aesthetic, the restaurant serves tropical cocktails, cheeseburgers, fried seafood, and Key lime pie. Island-themed décor, live music, and tiki bar drinks turn the Appalachian foothills into a slice of paradise for fans of Buffett’s music and lifestyle.

Country star Blake Shelton has also made his mark on Gatlinburg with Ole Red, a music-themed restaurant named after his 2002 hit song. The venue combines live music, Southern cuisine, and rustic style. Guests dine on dishes like chicken-fried steak, honey-drizzled cornbread, and pulled pork sandwiches, often while local musicians perform on stage. Part of a growing chain, Ole Red in Gatlinburg anchors itself in Appalachia with a focus on regional flavors and country roots.

These restaurants and entertainment spaces are more than tourist attractions. They represent a growing fusion between Appalachian hospitality and national celebrity culture. While the food often leans into comfort and familiarity—fried chicken, biscuits, barbecue, and burgers—it’s elevated by the name recognition and immersive environments each celebrity brings. Whether it’s Fabio Viviani's international flair in West Virginia, Dolly Parton’s theatrical feasts or Guy Fieri’s over-the-top creations in Pigeon Forge, these destinations reflect how Appalachia continues to evolve while embracing its traditions.

In the heart of the mountains, fame has found a new frontier—and it’s served with a side of mashed potatoes. These restaurants are more than just places to eat; they are destinations that reflect a changing Appalachian identity. As the region embraces tourism, entertainment, and culinary innovation, these celebrity-connected venues offer a unique blend of local flavor and global appeal. They introduce visitors to the warmth and hospitality that Appalachia is known for, while also offering the kind of name recognition that draws crowds. Behind every themed dining room and signature dish is a story—of a singer’s hometown pride, a chef’s creative vision, or a community’s desire to reinvent itself without losing its roots. In a region historically defined by its coal mines and country roads, the rise of branded eateries and dinner attractions shows how Appalachian towns are reimagining their future. With every biscuit served, every performance staged, and every tourist welcomed, these establishments help tell a broader story—one where Appalachian culture continues to grow, thrive, and surprise, one plate at a time.