LandShark Bar & Grill

The theme is committed: sand colors, shark decor and neon drink menus, set against a mountain town that is otherwise heavy on log cabins and pancake houses. During the day the room is casual and works for families. In the evening, especially on weekends, the bar scene takes over more of the space.

Burgers, tacos and tropical drinks are the signature items. The food is straightforward bar fare at mid-range prices, and the drinks lean on the frozen and fruity side. If you are looking for a quiet dinner, choose an earlier hour.

Hours and menus here change with the season, so call (865) 430-5827 or check the restaurant's current listing on a map app to confirm it is open before you plan a meal around it. If you find it closed or changed, plenty of other bars and restaurants on the same stretch of the Parkway are a short walk away.

The restaurant is in the busy downtown section, a short walk from the aquarium, shops and attractions. Parking is limited and costly in this area. Gatlinburg's trolley is free and runs along the Parkway, so leaving your car at your lodging or a satellite lot is often easier; see the city's trolley page for routes.

• Visit in the late afternoon if you have kids. By evening on Friday and Saturday, the room is louder and the crowd is mostly adults.
• Share appetizers and order drinks separately if your group has a mix of ages.
• A day in the national park often ends with a thirst for something cold. The park charges a parking tag ($5 daily, $15 weekly, $40 annual) for any vehicle parked longer than 15 minutes, so budget for it separately; see the NPS fees page.
• Designate a driver if you plan to drink, since Parkway traffic and mountain roads make the drive back harder at night.

The charm of LandShark is that it does not try to be a mountain restaurant. It is a vacation-themed bar with a mountain address, and for a group that wants to relax rather than hike, that is the point.