About Wild Plum Tea Room
Wild Plum Tea Room is a small, seasonal lunch spot at 555 Buckhorn Road in Gatlinburg, and it runs on rules that make it quieter than anything on the Parkway: advance reservations only, no walk-ins, no same-day bookings.
The short version of the schedule
As of fall 2026, the tea room is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving, November 26, and closes for the season on Sunday, November 29, 2026. It reopens in mid-March 2027. Reservations are accepted through Saturday, November 28. Check the Wild Plum Tea Room website for the current rules before you plan around a date.
How to book
The restaurant prefers text messages for reservations at (865) 436-3808. Send the party name, number of people, date and time, and a callback number. You get a confirmation only if seating is available. Third-party bookings through Google or Yelp are not honored, so ignore the reserve buttons on those listings.
What you will eat
The menu is lunch, with a few signatures that have a reputation across the Smokies: the chicken salad and the Lobster Pie. The website also lists seafood specials, sandwiches and burgers, soups, strata, salads and desserts. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available, but special requests need at least 48 hours' notice, so mention them when you book.
Drinks and payment
The restaurant serves beer, coffee, tea and soft drinks. It does not sell wine, but you can bring your own, and a small corkage fee may apply. Payment is by cash, Visa, Discover or MasterCard.
Who it suits
- Couples or small groups who want a calm lunch away from Parkway traffic
- A planned stop for a birthday or a friends' day out
- Anyone who likes a meal that feels like a reservation worth having
It does not suit a spur-of-the-moment lunch, a large noisy group, or travelers who need an early dinner. The kitchen closes at 3 p.m.
Planning the rest of the day
For a post-lunch walk, the Gatlinburg Trail in the national park is one of the two that allow dogs; the park charges a parking tag ($5 a day) for vehicles parked longer than 15 minutes.
Good to know
- What kind of food does Wild Plum Tea Room serve?
- Tea room, lunch, American. It’s known for chicken salad and Lobster Pie.
- Does Wild Plum Tea Room take reservations?
- Required, advance only; no walk-ins. Call (865) 436-3808 to check.