Ariel G.
Google
Our experience at The Greenbrier was nothing short of incredible. We were able to snag seats at the bar since the restaurant was fully booked—reservations are highly recommended, as this is a smaller, intimate space that fills up quickly.
My partner ordered The Dylan, their most famous cocktail, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. Raw pecans are lit on fire on an oak wine barrel stave, the smoke is used to wash the snifter, black cherry ice spheres are added, and then Heaven’s Door Tennessee Bourbon (Revival), house-made Madagascar vanilla bean syrup, and Peychaud’s Bitters are poured over top, finished with imported Italian black cherries. Not only was the presentation impressive, but the flavor was outstanding—easily one of the best cocktails he’s had. I ordered a mocktail (lemon juice and soda with lavender simple syrup), and as far as mocktails go, it was excellent.
An on-the-house cornbread pudding is provided as an appetizer. While I personally didn’t enjoy the texture, my partner liked it and finished it. That said, it’s not something we would specifically order if it weren’t complimentary.
For starters, we ordered the Baked Goat Cheese with pistachio and cranberry crust, local honey drizzle, and naan bread—and wow. It was absolutely delicious. I already love goat cheese, but even my partner (who typically doesn’t) was obsessed with this dish. I’m already planning to try recreating it at home.
For my entrée, I ordered the bone-in ribeye, and it was cooked to absolute perfection with a beautiful salt crunch. The steak is dry-aged a minimum of 29 days (typically closer to 32), and it may honestly be the best steak I’ve ever had. I can’t think of another that tops it. I paired it with the wild mushroom risotto, which was excellent, along with a blue cheese wedge salad that was cold, crisp, and refreshing. The bacon bits were freshly cooked and rich in flavor. I also ordered the French onion soup—deep, rich, and incredibly satisfying.
My partner ordered from the New Year’s menu and chose the braised short rib with creamy polenta, roasted Brussels sprouts, and red wine veal reduction. Calling it a “short” rib is an understatement—it was massive, incredibly tender, and truly melt-in-your-mouth. Easily the best short rib we’ve ever had. The polenta was slightly bland but still enjoyable, and the Brussels sprouts paired beautifully with the red wine veal reduction.
We were unfortunately too full for dessert, which is the only regret of the evening.
For his second drink, my partner ordered the Brier Fire. He really enjoyed it, though not quite as much as The Dylan. If you like a spicy, cinnamon-forward bourbon cocktail, this is definitely one to try.
Another standout feature is that The Greenbrier offers a curated selection of cigars that guests can enjoy on their outdoor patio. The patio is beautifully set up with a cozy fire pit, creating a relaxed and upscale atmosphere that’s perfect for unwinding after dinner. It’s a unique touch that really elevates the overall experience and makes the evening feel complete.
From the service to the atmosphere to the food, everything about this experience was exceptional. We will absolutely make it a point to reserve a table every time we visit the area. There truly isn’t another restaurant like this anywhere nearby—hands down the best dining experience in Gatlinburg!