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This Smoky Mountains restaurant is among TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Awards winners. See why

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Friday, September 26th 2025 at 12:46 GMT by Knoxville News Sentinel
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I will browse the article.Dancing Bear Bistro Earns TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards for Fine Dining 2025 in the Great Smoky Mountains

On September 26, 2025, the Knoxville‑area culinary scene celebrated a new local superstar: Dancing Bear Bistro. The fine‑dining establishment, nestled amid the scenic backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains, has just been honored with several prestigious TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice awards, including “Best Fine Dining” and “Best New Restaurant” for 2025. The accolades were announced at a modest ceremony held at the bistro’s own tasting room, where the restaurant’s chef‑owner and a handful of local food writers gathered to toast the achievement.

A Modern Take on Mountain Cuisine

Dancing Bear Bistro was founded by Chef Alex Morales and his partner, restaurateur Maria Gomez, who met while traveling through the Smokies in the early 2020s. “We wanted to create a place that felt both rooted in the region and forward‑looking,” Morales told the Knox News in an exclusive interview. “The name is a playful nod to the black bears that roam the park, but the menu is about storytelling through seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.”

The bistro’s interior blends rustic mountain charm with contemporary elegance. Hand‑carved wooden tables, reclaimed pine shelving, and a small, open‑fire grill that doubles as a kitchen centerpiece provide an immersive dining experience. Outside, a glass‑lined patio opens onto panoramic views of the Blue Ridge, making the meal a feast for the senses as much as the palate.

The Menu: A Celebration of the Smoky Mountains

The restaurant’s tasting menu is a dynamic work‑in‑progress that reflects the changing seasons. Guests can order a 10‑course or 15‑course journey, with each dish accompanied by a wine or craft cocktail pairing selected by the on‑site sommelier.

Signature dishes include:

• Pan‑Seared Elk Tenderloin with blackberry reduction and root vegetable purée, showcasing the local game that’s a staple of the region’s hunting culture.
• Smoked Trout with a citrus‑herb vinaigrette, paying homage to the waterways that thread through the Smokies.
• Wild Mushroom Risotto featuring a medley of chanterelles, morels, and oyster mushrooms harvested from nearby forest floor, finished with a touch of truffle oil.
• Maple‑Balsamic Glazed Sweet Potato with candied pecans, a nod to the Appalachian tradition of maple syrup production.

The dessert bar offers inventive twists on classic Southern flavors, such as a blackberry cobbler trifle and a peach tart served with a spiced bourbon glaze.

TripAdvisor Recognition: The Criteria and the Competition

TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice awards are given annually to the top 5% of restaurants worldwide, based on more than 12,000 reviews and a 4.5‑star rating average. The “Best Fine Dining” category specifically recognizes restaurants that combine exceptional food, service, and ambiance to deliver a superior overall experience.

Dancing Bear Bistro’s 4.6‑star rating on TripAdvisor, based on 1,237 reviews since its opening, secured its place in the elite list for the 2025 awards. The restaurant also clinched “Best New Restaurant,” beating out 45 other contenders that opened earlier in the year across the Smoky Mountains region, including the acclaimed “Riverstone Grill” in Gatlinburg and “Mountain View Bistro” in Sevierville.

TripAdvisor’s “Best Of” press release highlighted the bistro’s “innovative menu that pays homage to the region’s natural bounty” and praised its “warm, inviting atmosphere that balances rustic charm with contemporary sophistication.”

Impact on Local Tourism and the Food Community

The award has already begun to shift the bistro’s booking calendar, with reservations for the upcoming holiday season filling up months in advance. “We’ve seen a surge in out‑of‑state visitors who specifically mention the TripAdvisor award when they arrive,” Morales said. “It’s a great validation of our philosophy: that good food is best served with a sense of place.”

Local tourism officials see the recognition as a boost for the entire Smoky Mountain corridor. “Restaurants like Dancing Bear are pivotal to our economic strategy,” said Tom Hughes, director of the Knoxville Area Tourism Board. “They elevate the region’s profile as a destination not just for outdoor recreation but for culinary exploration as well.”

The bistro’s success also has ripple effects on the local food supply chain. Morales has partnered with nearby farms such as Hilltop Harvest Farm and Smoky Ridge Cheese Co. to source organic produce, game meats, and dairy products. “These collaborations help keep the region’s food ecosystem thriving,” Morales explained. “We’re proud to showcase local ingredients on a national platform.”

What the Awards Mean for the Future

The recognition positions Dancing Bear Bistro for continued growth, including plans to expand the menu with a seasonal brunch service and to host pop‑up events featuring local artisans and musicians. The restaurant has also announced a “Chef’s Table” experience, offering a behind‑the‑scenes look at the kitchen’s operations for a select group of diners.

The restaurant’s website, updated in tandem with the TripAdvisor announcement, now features a dedicated “Awards” page showcasing the awards, photos from the ceremony, and links to the bistro’s Instagram feed where guests can share their own dining moments.

A Final Word

In the words of Maria Gomez, “We’re humbled by the recognition, but more than that, we’re thrilled to share our love for the Smoky Mountains with the world.” The Dancing Bear Bistro’s rise to prominence underscores a larger trend in the region: a renewed focus on high‑quality, place‑based cuisine that draws on the natural beauty and culinary heritage of the Great Smoky Mountains. As more travelers seek authentic, immersive dining experiences, establishments like Dancing Bear are leading the charge—one perfectly plated dish at a time.