Wild Bear Tavern

We visited Wild Bear Tavern in Pigeon Forge and were pleasantly surprised by how authentic the German food tasted. Everything came out quickly, the portions were generous, and our server was polite and attentive. The tables were clean, and the overall atmosphere made for a really enjoyable experience. The cheese spätzle was delicious, though I think roasted onions on top would make it even more authentically German. Other than that small suggestion, it was absolutely excellent. Overall, 5 stars fully deserved — we’ll definitely be back!

We wanted to try something a little different while we were on vacation. This place was amazing! Some of the best food we had on our trip to gatlinburg and pigeon forge! The goulash was the special and if it’s available I would recommend. Be warned there are mushrooms in it though. The pretzel was warm and oh so soft. The least impressive thing was the pork schnitzel but even that was good, just a tad plain. Overall, I would come back here and definitely recommend!

Loved it! We had the Schnitzel with red cabbage and German potato salad-- warm potato salad!! Delicious. German chocolate cake is enough to satisfy a table of 4! Hefeweisen was refreshing. Definitely recommend. We can't wait to come back.

We really enjoyed dinner. The potato pancake appetizer was amazing! Everyone liked their dinner. We got two desserts to split between four of us and the portions were huge. German cake was delicious! Service was also great! We came early for dinner so it wasn't busy or any wait time when we got there.

Wild Bear Tavern has a warm, rustic atmosphere that feels like true Smoky Mountain comfort. The garlic Parmesan wings are some of the best wings I have ever had. Crispy, perfectly seasoned, and packed with flavor in every bite. The service is friendly and the food comes out hot and fresh. This is a place we look forward to returning to every trip 🥳

Really great spot for breakfast. Quite atmosphere. Very quick service with really amazing food. We really enjoyed our food and had to get a to go box. German themed food/menu. We both got the Hungrier Bear hinder the three bears. Was awesome.

Stopped for a beer after a hike in the park. The Oktoberfest beer was spot on. The Leberkase was very good. The potato pancake was the best one we've had in a long time. The German chocolate cake was also the best we've had. Will definitely be back to try the schnitzel!!

The food was amazing and the girl who brought it out from the kitchen with the accent really added to the atmosphere. The look inside could have played up the German aspect more but it was still nice and the wall of steins and deer rack chandelier were good additions, but would be better if more accessible. Nicole was nice the rest of the staff was what I'd call quirky. Again the food was really good 4.5 stars.

We went here on a Sunday morning for breakfast and had a great experience! There were only maybe 4 other tables seated and the pancake place across the street was packed. You should definitely give this a shot instead of waiting in line. It's in a hotel/motel so it might just get overlooked. The carafe of mimosa was surprisingly good, and they have a full bar for breakfast! Service was outstanding, and the prices were very reasonable. We had the Breakfast Hash which was good, onion heavy but it's a German place. The Three Bears sampler plates are the way to go though! Food service type potatoes but fired perfectly, bacon was on point, scrambled eggs, but... you get bratwurst. Bratwurst with breakfast. Yeah, soak that in. It was, dare I say, perfect. You can get them in omelets too which I would imagine would be fantastic. Biscuits and gravy could use some improvement. Biscuits aren't very tender, think Chick-Fil-A style, and the gravy is a little runny, it isn't thick like you would expect in the South. Not bad, but could be better.

Always love a good german place. We ended up here to kill time while Jeep Invasion had Pigeon Forge traffic in gridlock going Northbound. This was pretty good. I love schnitzel and this did not disappoint. I do wish they garnished with lemon as we like that extra zest it gives when squeezing some fresh juice on the schnitzel. The potato salad was unlike any I had before and was ok but would not order again. The server was great and attentive with our kids food allergies. The outdoor patio seating made this a worthwhile stop as we watched hundreds of Jeeps roll up the parkway.

Great place for breakfast. Ordered the breakfast hash. Waffles and pancakes are huge. Home fries/potatoes are good too.

Back in the area for the first time since Feb, we went here again. It is still just as good and highly recommended. Food is excellent. Service is good, but a little slow after food is delivered. Seating is ample and adequate. Give this place a try and you won't be disappointed.

Stopped at the bar on the way in to Gatlinburg. This place was awesome! You must get the Bavarian Pretzel Best thing we had. My husband had the bratwurst with sauerkraut and a potato pancake. I had the traditional schnitzel, spatzel with cheese and fried potatoes with caramelized onions and bacon. Both were great and everything had a home cooked taste to it like Oma was in the back cooking it up. Would highly recommend you stop and give it a try.

We stopped in for lunch and to watch the Ravens game. The bartender was very nice and friendly. He was very welcoming. We ordered schnitzel, potato pancakes, sparkle, red cabbage. Everything was delicious and definitely authentic German food. We also enjoyed all the German decorations and the t-shirts. Hoping to get back soon.

This place was awesome!! The food was great, the service was excellent and the decor was amazing. I really liked this place. If you're in the area give them a try.

Service was prompt food was good only problem was they tell you that the meals come with one or two sides , but then when the check comes out the sides are charged extra.

You walk in the door and order then they give you a pager. Open sitting and a drink fountain. Overall very good place to visit after the aquarium!

nice friendly place breakfast was great and alot of it. we didn't leave hungry. service was great. we will definitely be back.

The food here is EXCELLENT! Beef Stew Flat fried pork dish Brocoli Purple.cabbage (Out of this world!) Whiskey to drink. Will be back! Pur.server was great! Great atmosphere!

Potato pancakes are amazing. Pork schnitzel was dry. Spatzke was ok. German potato salad was ok. Service was good. Very dark place.

Food is delicious, our server was friendly. We were traveling with our dog, and sat out on the patio at around 5pm and there is plenty of spots with shade. The are plenty of menu options for a restaurant associated with a hotel/vacation club. I understand why they don't add more as there are a lot of restaurants nearby. I had the traditional schnitzel and it was fantastic. This restaurant is German approved!

Food was delicious! Authentic German food and wasn't crowded. Was disappointed that the outside seating wasn't available but the inside was fine. Waitress was very helpful and recommended her favorites.

It was quite a surprise to find German food in the thick of a tourist area. It's kind of a dark restaurant and a little sleepy, so not my favorite type of ambiance, BUT if you're on the hunt for tasty food, this is it. The potato pancakes appetizer were to die for and plentiful. The flavors of this dish are just done to perfection. For the main, we shared the traditional Schnitzel with Rotkhol and Spazle, and it was superb. I recommend the brown gravy sauce, not so much the lemon one, but this is just personal preference. We also did a whiskey tasting, and I really didn't enjoy that, we didn't get any backstory on the alcohol and none of them were smooth...maybe it was the selection of whiskeys brought to us. I think they missed the mark on this. However though, the beer was great! The chef here really knocked it out of the park for our dishes. Bravo!

The breakfast was amazing! Server very nice and attentive. Ambiance is perfect for German Beer Tavern.

Terrible customer service, so rude and unprofessional. Took forever to even get me seated and then gave me attitude. Do not recommend at all.

I should have mentioned that we we went here looking for traditional German food and we loved it. Highly recommend.

If you want a good burger and some awesome sausage hit this place up!!! The FOOD won't disappoint!!

Top - Wurst, fries, kraut. My fiancé didn't enjoy it. Very bland. Below - my favorite- Schnitzel and potato pancakes. Schnitzel was extremely dry. Potato pancakes were soggy and not hot. Such a disappointment this trip. The restaurant has been my favorite in Pigeon Forge, and I couldn't finish it. Will definitely think twice before going back again.

Really wanted to give this place 5 stars, it's cute, the service was great and it wasn't packed like I was worried with how busy everything is here right now! All of our food was very good, the pancake the hungry bear breakfast. The omelet was good, but I would have loved the broccoli to have been chopped up, not huge chunks of stalks in there. Right bathroom was the ultimate reason why I couldn't give 5 stars. I went in and walked right back out. The floor was terribly sticky and it smelled like something absolutely terrible happened in there. Probably need to implement some type of hourly checking system, but at the same time I wouldn't want anyone who was working with/near food to have to clean up whatever happened in there.

Ample parking, roomy inside, with attentive staff who immediately seated us. Full offerings of standard German beers - dunkel, pilsner, hefeweizen, either 17 or 23 ounces. German beef stew with vegetables in tasty brown sauce with two sides. Recommend the side upgrade to spaetzle and cheese, plus the red cabbage. Pork schnitzel thin, crisp on outside, with crisp potato pancake. Portions ample so didn't try the desserts.

Bill was great! It was busy and not enough staff to cover (had a call out). He had a great attitude despite being overwhelmed. We got great service and a lot of laughs with Bill. I feel like they need more staff but we definitely made a great memory tonight! Can't wait to go back because of Bill.

First time dining here, we just wanted something different. Wild Bear is decent German cuisine, I say decent because it's not great but it's not terrible. I get the feeling much of the items come off the food truck and aren't actually prepared in "Oma's" kitchen.... Our waiter was good, he was straightforward and told us there were a few menu items unavailable and they wouldn't have them until the food truck comes, two days out. One of those items was a staple...Sauerkraut! How can a "German" restaurant be out of kraut?!?! We enjoyed a big pretzel for starters and went with a schnitzel for the main course. Both were good but again, not something that made us say we're definitely coming back here next time we're in town. After payment I noticed the final receipt said "Westgate Resorts" at the top...at that point I could definitively conclude, this is not "real" German cuisine, so if that's what you're ISO, look elsewhere. But if you're tapped out on bad bbq, pancake houses and pizza joints, Wild Bear is a good change of pace.

I've never sent food back. I've never refused to pay for food. Tonight that's exactly what happened. I grew up with a German mother and this place should be embarrassed to put the German title on its food. We had a party of 8 (4 adults, two teens, two kids). Two adults ordered the traditional schnitzel with German potato salad and potato pancakes, One adult ordered the brat burger, and the other adult ordered the traditional schnitzel with German potato salad and Rotkohl. There was literally no flavor to anything. It all was bland. The schnitzel had no breading on. It was a pounded out piece of meat that was thrown on a flat top until it was charred then they dunked it in oil. I picked up the schnitzel with my fork and the oil poured off. The waitress said it was melted butter - but it was most definitely not butter. All 3 schnitzels were the same. The German potato salad was literally chunked up cooked potatoes mixed with stone ground mustard. That was it. No other seasoning or spices. The potato pancakes were bland. Zero taste on anything other than the taste of oil on the schnitzel. The brat burger had an off taste and my husband refused to eat any of his. The kids got grilled cheese, hot dog, and chicken tenders each with sweet tea (beware - drinks with your meal are $5 each). The other got a schnitzel sandwich. When he picked up the sandwich - oil literally dripped out of it. The sweet tea tasted like it was made with instant tea powder. We refused to eat the food and sent it back. They originally agreed to take the adults meals off of our bill. For 3 kids meals, 3 kids drinks, a chicken sandwich 1 water, and 1 soda - the bill was $95. On top of that they chunked on a $30 automatic gratuity that they refused to remove Gordon Ramsey - where you at?

5 stars! If you like German food this place is for you!!! My husband was craving German food and the Wild Bear Tavern delivered! He got the Sausage sampler and he was very satisfied with it. The entire plate came with pickles and sauerkraut and he loved it!!!

The gluten free schnitzel was delicious! Unfortunately, other than the schnitzel, there isn't much else that is GF other than a GF bun. They no longer have a dedicated GF menu

I have been to Pigeon Forge countless of times and I have tried many restaurants. Well to start off we had to wait to be seated for about 5 minutes. Even though there were no customers there. It took about 10 minutes for them to take our drink orders. I had to order a salad because everything else was over 15$. The bathroom smelt like my grandma's attic. The only positive thing was that the waiter was nice and the warehouse games blitzball league was on the TV.

Came for our annual meal of potato pancakes. These are amazing, and we make sure to get them every time we are in town. Highly recommend. Service at the bar is always so good as well.

Great German food!! I think the only one in the area too! The website only shows breakfast but they do lunch and supper too. We stopped here all by chance coming back into pigeon forge from Ober Mountain in Gatlinburg. Service was great they make you feel like family that is well taken care of. Everything we ordered they could do. My husband ordered something that was not on the menu and since they had everything to make it they said "oh yeah, no problem we got you!" It came out just as he wanted it too. Would totally go back again. I got a pineapple upside down drink and I normally don't do hazelnut with anything but it was a really good drink.

We ordered the Oma's potato, pancake appetizer. And the traditional schnitzel dinner. For drinks, we ordered a Long Island iced tea and a berry moonshine. The drinks were very good and good portions. Potato pancakes, although delicious are not very traditional German fair. The schnitzel was good with the Jager gravy on them. For side dishes we also ordered the cheese spetzel and traditional German potato salad. The cheese spetzel was very good. However, the German potato salad was way too heavy-handed on the mustard, and not what I would consider to be traditional. Overall, the food was good just now what I would consider traditional more of a German fusion type food.

My friend and I both have been to Germany and have had very good German food in the US. This is not one of those places or even close. The Shank was the only saving grace here. The shank, nothing else on that plate resembled or tasted like anything German I have ever ate. The Rotkohl (Red Cabbage) was cooked to mush and flavorless. The German potato salad Was like nothing I have ever had. Heavy mustard taste and no bacon/vinegar taste. The saving grace on the schnitzel plate was the schnitzel. Rotkohl was the same, the cheese spaetzle were flavorless. The Batman was very prompt and informative as our server. Place busy, clean and appeared well kept, with exception of the men's room. It was disgusting.

They were out of a lot of stuff. The food came out barley warm. The schnitzel was a little dry and overcooked. The red cabbage and sourkraut tasted like it came straight out of a can.

Went to Wild Bear for authentic German food, not even close. The pork jager-schnitzel was burnt and deep fried been to Germany several times and never had it deep fried. The spanish speaking cook put hunters gravy on the spatzle not on schnitzel second attempt by him on jager-schnitzel just as burnt. The German beer was flat and they bake the apple strudel then freeze it and deep fry it just like no where in Germany. What a waste of time and money. No Authentic at all.

Food, service and Ambiance were all spot on and as expected. Very good food and thr selection was limited but with enough variety to allow everyone to get something they liked.

Loved our experience @ wild bear tavern. Very very chill vibes with good food and beer. Only critique was they were out of a lot of things while we were there - Hefeweizen, multiple salad dressings. It was a random Friday so felt off to be out of so many things? Also the inside was very very warm. Other than that, our food was super solid and our server was attentive and on it.

Food was amazing and Michael our server was great- very attentive and funny! My only take away was that the air conditioning wasn't working.

The food was fantastic authentic German cuisine. You have to try the potato pancakes, Bavarian pretzel (huge), apple strudel. Joshua was a wonderful waiter, so accommodating and great conversationalist. The atmosphere was congruent with the German theme.

The food was absolutely delicious . I went with very high expectations and from the moment we stepped in, they exceeded every single one!! The food was amazing, specially with the dipping sauce. The portions were to make sure you're well fed! We ate lunch at 1:00 pm and by the time we left pigeon forge at like 9pm we were stuffed lol. Tony our waiter was beyond Great! Very attentive, had a sense of humor and regardless of how busy it was he continuously checked in with us. Even gave us a military discount upon seeing our credit card w/o us asking. They have both outdoor and indoor sitting, The food presentation was nice and complimented the food and ambiance, which was a cute relax family restaurant. The pineapple upside down mixed drink was amazingly delicious, tasted like a dessert. The sausage sampler is definitely a plus, it came with 3 different types of huge sausages and different dipping sauce. The Omas cheddar cheese potato cakes were perfect- you get 3 of those nicely sized. The traditional Schnitzel is a thin, all white breaded pork chop, it was tender and it was big enough for 3 of us to get a nice size piece. The spatzle and cheese is like mac & cheese and the first side to be devoured . The German potato salad was also very good. I didn't use salt and pepper on anything, just dipping sauce! I will say that I love mustard soo their dipping sauce was right up my alley!! The german chocolate cake was rich and chocolaty and their apple strudel was delish. I ate the crap out of the cookie they put in the ice cream The prices, specially for where they are located are great & affordable. I enjoyed my time from the moment we stepped in to stepping out! This is A MUST when visiting Pigeon Forge or simply driving by!!!

Fantastic! My husband and I enjoyed our meal here immensely! The food, service, and atmosphere were all wonderful! Our waiter, Bill, was very friendly and answered all the questions we had about the menu. The food was really delicious! My husband and I both agree that this is going to be a Gatlinburg staple for us from now on!

Good German food. Nice portions and prices. Good atmosphere and staff. Great desserts!

Dropped into bar Only about 8 people in whole place Ordered 2 beers and brat with potato cake Brat was all hard and unedible although we ate. Prices high This place was nothing like the previous year. Stay away

What a great find! If you like German food, this is a great option in Pigeon Forge. Everything we had was excellent; schnitzel, sausage sampler, spatzel, potato pancakes, German chocolate cake and apple strudel were all excellent. We were here for 5 nights over Christmas/new year. We were so impressed we went here twice.

Great food with reasonable prices. Prompt and courteous service. Ambiance is good, beautiful decor and both indoor and outdoor seating.

Our family took vacation in Smoky mountain. Wild Bear is the Best food in Pigeon Forge. Great services and excellent chef.

Cute little German Tavern right in Pigeon Forge. If you're in the area and you love German food, stop here. Started with the giant pretzel - (best I've ever had), followed by the schnitzel with mashed potatoes and spätzle. My Bloody Mary was so good too! Everyone was friendly, and it wasn't extremely busy yet. It's a little dark inside but no issues. I will return!

Food was so overpriced for microwave quality food. I love another Bavarian restaurant and sought out one in this area and I am beyond disappointed. $28 charcuterie plate was missing half of the items and all of the veggies. They don't tell you ahead of time and then you are stuck with it, no discount. The main course was similar to frozen microwaved food. Their menu just uses flowery words to dress up terrible food. Would not recommend.

Food quality and service was great, all staff was friendly and the German selection great. Didn't give the 5 stars only cause during 2 separate visits they didn't have 2 menu items I always look forward to on a German restaurant... other than that, if you like authentic goulash, this is the place, I also lived the chocolate cake and apple strudel.

I was pleasantly surprised by their menu options. The staff was very friendly and attentive! Thank you, Michael. He provided a brief history on how an old pancake house became a small tavern that serves German food and beer, among other options. The food was authentic. I'm German and I'm sort of a foodie! We had the extra large pretzel with the Obatzda (beer cheese) and stone ground spicy mustard. Jojo and I shared the sausage sampler with sauerkraut, rotkraut, gerken, demi loaf and stone ground spicy mustard. I highly recommend the Wild Bear Tavern for your German food craving! Servus!