Wild Plum Tea Room

Lunch restaurant · Gatlinburg

Wild Plum Tea Room

Lunch restaurant · Gatlinburg

2

555 Buckhorn Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

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Wild Plum Tea Room by Photo by  Ida Akiko/age fotostock
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null
Wild Plum Tea Room by null

Highlights

Nestled in the Smoky Mountains Arts & Crafts Community, Wild Plum Tea Room offers rustic charm, homemade dishes like lobster pie, and addictive wild plum tea.  

Featured in Eater
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555 Buckhorn Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Get directions

wildplumtearoom.com

$20–30 · Menu

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555 Buckhorn Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Get directions

+1 865 436 3808
wildplumtearoom.com
thewildplumtearoom

$20–30 · Menu

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reservations required

Last updated

Aug 2, 2025

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@afar

"Locatedalong the Great Smoky Mountains Arts & Crafts Community route, this iconic spot has been a local lunch favorite for more than three decades. The homey log-cabin interior spills out onto a dog-friendly patiosurroundedby forest, where diners enjoy light, healthy fare like seasonal veggie platters, lobster pie, and a signature chicken salad. Inspired by Alpine teahouses in Austria and softened with Southern hospitality, the Wild Plum has proved a hit—advance (not same-day) reservations are highly recommended unless you want to wait for a table. Visitors should also note that the last seating of the day is at 2:40 p.m."

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The Best Restaurants in the Great Smoky Mountains
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@eater

Where to Eat and Drink in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

"A bit off the beaten path in the Arts and Crafts Community, this little cabin in the woods serves quintessential family and community recipes, whereas the seasonal menu changes and is often sourced from the garden. But, there are some standard offerings such as the hot pimento cheese dip and lobster pie definitely worth a try. Known for the Wild Plum Tea served hot or cold, there’s no need for pinkies up, and the dog-friendly outdoor seating is a plus. Open Thursday through Sunday for lunch only, 24-hour advance reservations are highly recommended and are required for parties of 6 or more." - Melissa Corbin

https://nashville.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-where-to-eat-in-gatlinburg-tennessee
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Elizabeth James

Google
What an absolutely delightful little place. All the food is divine, made in house from scratch and you can tell. The tea is amazing, cold or hot. The plates are well portioned and oh so tasty, and the atmosphere and service were truly wonderful. 10/10 will definitely come again next time we're in Gatlinburg.

Kerrie Crawford

Google
This place should have 5 stars!! I've been eating here for important events for over 20 years!! My family introduced me to this place when I was in college. Since then, my husband and I go. The food is always OUTSTANDING!! Being an artsy tomboy, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the atmosphere!! It hits my dainty girly button and the tomboy finds the rugged outside compelling!! I5 may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I recommend it to everyone!! And, it's located on the Arts and Crafts Loop!!

Sophie E.

Google
Such a cool place located in the Arts and Crafts Community!! You have to have reservations, understandably so. The waiter we had was so sweet and phenomenal. They take the time to personally craft your food and it’s a whole experience! It’s so serene and calming being there for a brunch with friends and family. Everything was delicious and unique from start to finish. It was so worth it, and we will definitely be back!!

Mary Myers

Google
What a hidden jewel! Wonderful restaurant/tea room off the beaten path. Krissy was our server and was wonderful! We started with the Sherry tomato bisque and it was outstanding. Then we had the lobster pie, delicious. They also serve Wild plum muffins with their homemade Wild plum jelly, soooo good! They only serve beer but you can bring your own bottle of wine. They are open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday so I recommend you make a reservation. You will be very happy when you dine here💕

Mattie Beard

Google
Visiting the Wild Plum Tea Room was the highlight of our trip to Gatlinburg! We felt extremely lucky to get a reservation and learned that only one person manages the reservations, serving, and cooking. Although the current reservation system is frustrating for some, it saddens me to see low reviews because of it. She explained that her mother is ill and she is only one person. The whole meal was an experience! From the classic Wild Plum tea, served iced or hot, all the way to dessert, everything was an absolute 10! The cabin itself is adorable and we loved sitting out on the screened in porch listening to the stream as we dined. Each and everything on the menu is made from scratch from seasonal ingredients. I would 100% recommend to anyone and cannot wait to return in the future.

Chrissy

Google
This experience was really cool, super cute and special for couples, we loved everything about this place, the waitress was very good and hard working, and the chef prepared some unique delicious food! Our favorites were the salmon burger, hot brie cheese platter, and the apple cake was one of the most amazing desserts we have ever tasted. The only thing we had that was so so was the beet salad. The staple plum tea here is addictive, but just remember that is the only tea they have (no tea varieties which confused us a bit). Overall it was wonderful and we would go back if we were ever in the area again.

John Hunsell

Google
A must see destination. Everything was incredible, from the food, to the scenery, to the gracious service. It may have been the best meal of my life. If you’re considering a visit, do it. You will not regret it. Be sure to make a reservation!

Rachel S

Google
A lovely little tea house nestled in the woods with a stream running by. The atmosphere was very pleasant and the staff was friendly and helpful. There were several things I could eat despite my dairy allergy and they were extremely accommodating. Everyone else in the party said that the cheeses and desserts were exceptional. GLT find.
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Patriot P.

Yelp
Back foe lunch again! Brie Cheese platter w mixed fruit and crackers. Tes. Plum.muffins w plum jelly Pumpkin soup Salad. Chicken salad Pea and dill.salad Straps Rice.mwdely w balsamic vinaigrette sweet and savory. Cinnamon.ice cresm cream
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Ron H.

Yelp
We like Wild Plum Parking is a HUGE problem. Seems to busy for current level of service. We eschew meal service, but do enjoy a deightful dessert.
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Gina M.

Yelp
Loved this little hidden gem! Country chic and really quaint with very friendly personal service. There's only 2 folks working here, super small. It's a mountain tea room not a traditional high tea room, so they only have wild plum tea, but it was delicious. Text for reservation, though it says they take walk ins, on the weekend the sign said they had no space for them. Price: reasonable Service: personable and great Parking: enough for the area
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Aaron D.

Yelp
One of my absolute favorite places I have been to. The food was phenomenal and everything I thought it would be. They are set up like the classic tea house so there is one tea served either hot or cold... both ways tasted amazing. The food was delicious and locally sourced, the service was excellent and stands out even in an area flooded with great service. The atmosphere was superb and surprisingly eclectic, and fit the vibe while creating a feeling that encouraged conversation and just like you're hanging at a friends house. 10/10 will recommend, and we will be back. Get a reservation and do it early... it's limited supply and the seats go quick!

G C.

Yelp
If you like a wonderful meal and great service you would love it here. It is a very beautiful setting. Just sit back and relax. The tea is the best I have ever had. This is a must do.
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Sarah K.

Yelp
Please know the Wild Plum tea room is now run solely by one person, so dining is by reservation only and they are only open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. They are truly the best restaurant in town and they are the reason we come to Gatlinburg! We so appreciate the quality and care that goes into taking care of their customers and are glad they are able to remain open although limited. Please be sure to make your advanced reservation and enjoy this hidden gem in the mountains!

Rhonda D.

Yelp
My mom Annette and her friend Barb had the lobster pie today 7-26-23 @ 11:00 and had the most wonderful experience ever! The owner Casey personally spent 3 hours with them. Just talking with them and showing them around! I want to thank you for showing them such a wonderful time! Sincerely Rhonda They look forward to coming back!
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Richard R.

Yelp
Ever since my first visit to The Wild Plum Tea Room back in Spring of 2014, I've been dying to return! It was an incredible experience that has stayed on my mind for 6+ years. So when recently visiting Gatlinburg to hike Mount LeConte with my wife and a group of ladies, I simply could not wait to take them here! Let me be honest, it's not my typical kind of place. Why? Well, it's filled with all the girly things you might expect to find at your grandmother or great grandmother's house, including lace table linens, frilly seat cushions, curio cabinets, fragile tea cups/saucers and furnishings that have stood the test of time. But I thought it would be an absolute delight for the ladies in our group, all of whom I raved to about the lobster pot pie, bread pudding, wild plum tea & warm service for weeks prior to our visit. I feel almost embarrassed by this visit. So much so that I've spent the last few days wondering if maybe the restaurant has changed ownership since my first visit. How could it be so different? [ THE EXPERIENCE ] I started a week prior to our visit trying to call to make reservations as the pre-recorded greeting recommended. Took a few calls to get someone to call us back & confirm, but eventually they did. Next we arrived on a rainy Saturday afternoon. My wife & I arrived early while the rest of our party were about 5 minutes behind us. Gatlinburg traffic was INSANE this particular weekend! Since our party was not complete, the lady told us the policy is to wait outside, which to some degree I understand; But not when it's raining and especially not when all the tables are reservation only... which meant we weren't stopping anyone else from being seated. I insisted we be seated inside and she reluctantly accommodated. I'm going to skip to the meal for the sake of not wanting to nitpick other unsatisfactory details. [ THE FOOD ] The LOBSTER POT PIE from my 2014 visit was one of thee most delicious things I've ever eaten! I've been dreaming of it since, but my 2020 LPP ($23) was not nearly as delicious. The creamy broth was not as flavorful and the lobster meat seemed a bit chewy. Salt helped, but overall I was less than thrilled + the cost seemed considerably higher than I remembered. (3 stars) My meal included a cup of the HARVEST PUMPKIN, which I thought was awful and so did others at our table who ordered it. Bland, flavorless, slightly bitter baby mush is what it tasted like to me. (1 star) My wife seemed to enjoy her STRATA OF THE DAY ($11) but didn't really care for the included quinoa salad. (3.5 stars) One of our guests described the CHICKEN SALAD ($12) this way: "Well, at least a got a little chicken with my apples", referring to the lack of meat in the mix. (3 stars) [ THE ISSUE ] Others at our table seemed to enjoy the Salmon Burger ($19), but the real issue came with the IMPOSSIBLE BURGER ($19) ordered by our 11-year-old guest, the only other male in our group. * 1) They didn't have ketchup available and failed to mention this when ordering. * 2) The burger arrived completely pink in the center, which our server explained is how they prepare them here "because otherwise they are dry", which isn't true! I've had many, many impossible burgers & never have they been dry (except the thin ones @ White Castles), nor have they ever been pink inside. * 3) There was no convincing this 11-year-old to eat a pink burger (with no ketchup) no matter how hard we all tried to convince him to try it. Finally, the server took it back and brought a grilled cheese instead. The burger came with fruit (no fries), to which the mom shared with the 3-year-old. However, when they received their individual bill, the mom was surprised to see the Impossible Burger had not been taken off. Instead the grilled cheese was given @ "no charge". The server claimed the owner MUST charge for it because the 3 y.o. ate the fruit, fruit that would have also come with the grill cheese as well. The server insisted he couldn't take it off the bill, so I insisted the owner come to the table. A few minutes later the server comes back without the owner and says it had been taken off the bill, but by this point our entire party of 9 were in an uproar and the experience I'd hoped for was lost. ~ FINAL THOUGHTS I forgot to mention the parking area is tiny, and the same server whom originally wanted us to wait outside in the rain also, according to my guests, approached them not long after arriving with a slight attitude about an improperly parked car that she thought was theirs, but it wasn't. My 2014 experience was amazing, so I'm hoping this latest visit was just an unusual day. I do believe someone mentioned they were short-staffed even though they only recently reopened a few days prior. Sadly, the wild plum tea & wild plum muffins were the only menu items as good as I remembered. 2020 / 69

Lenora B.

Yelp
This place is awesome the food was amazing. We loved the lobster pie it was our favorite. But we enjoyed all of the food. The owner was our waitress and she was so friendly and helpful. We loved the location and the restaurant location. We will definitely go back

David A.

Yelp
We make a reservation to attend every time we come to the Gatlinburg area. Food is always amazing. The furnishings and decor are really neat. The staff is extremely attentive and food is made fresh to order every day, including the magical little muffins.
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Maria T.

Yelp
Very cute tea room along the arts and crafts trail in Gatlinburg. It is only open Thurs through Sun. Be sure to make reservations. This was the second time I went. I was a little surprised this time as the place was not very clean. We were seated right next to a window, which appeared to not have been cleaned in years. The window sill was littered with dead flies and bugs (see pictures). We found this level of uncleanliness to be prevalent throughout the restaurants in the area. Perhaps business owners are becoming lackadaisical knowing that there is going to be a crowd in the area and that customers will come. For me, it makes a difference and I will not be returning because I do not like to be in a dirty food establishment....particularly during a pandemic. The food was mediocre. I started with the sherried tomato soup, which tasted bitter, as though the tomatoes had been cooked too long, or were just a poor quality. We all had lobster pie, which was a little tasteless. Mine had a ton of lobster in it, but one of the others we ordered had one lobster claw, and one chunk of meat. Their specialty iced-tea is fantastic. They put some citrus juice in (I believe it is orange juice). I had the cinnamon ice cream for dessert. It was good, it had some ice crystals in it. Someone had the bread pudding and she loved it. Another guest had the blackberry cobbler and was disappointed as there was very little, if any, crust. There were three females serving. One was the chef who brought me my soup. I had to point out that the crystal dish she served it in had a large break on the edge as I was concerned that the piece of glass may have fallen into the soup. She immediately took it back. Another female, tall, was loud and most of us found her to be disingenuous in her forced friendliness and very loud laugh. The third female was older and very soft spoken, we all had to ask her to speak up. When lunch was over, they brought us an IPad to settle the bill. The person paying had JUST been informed that his email account had been hacked. The hackers set it up so that any emails sent to his address were automatically forwarded to an unknown account that they set up. As a result, he needed paper receipts. When I asked the elderly lady for a receipt, she got very short with me and grabbed the IPad to show me how to press the "email receipt" button, which had disappeared. She was clearly aggravated by the fact that it had disappeared and made no attempt to rectify the situation. I told her I wanted a receipt and she angrily stormed off to write one for us. When she returned to hand it to me, she felt the need to lecture me on email receipts. Maintaining my composure (which can be hard for me), I briefly explained to her what happened with the email address, and she STILL had to keep talking. I finally just turned around and walked out.
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AT M.

Yelp
Never even made it into the doors and I'm disappointed. Per the website, it says to make reservations via text or call and the business would get back to you- okay, cool. They noted that if the days you requested aren't available, then they just won't respond. Which sucks because how am I supposed to know/ work with their availability if they never respond? I texted them 3+ times over the course of a month, called numerous times, as well as my boyfriend did. The phone calls were pointless, as they won't answer during business hours or during non-business hours. And their voicemail box is full so they'll never call you back either. I also texted an entire week worth of days and asked for any time slot they had available, as I've been dying to go here and was going to make it work with my schedule. Shocker, no response. Texts even said that the business left me on read. But how am I supposed to know how far they book out when they won't communicate with anyone and don't have a proper website? I was really looking forward to getting a reservation in a pretty, healthier location- as my boyfriend has kidney failure and can't eat 90% of foods offered in standard restaurants. This is our first vacation since his diagnosis and I wanted to surprise him with a cute date but the business made it so frustrating just trying to make a reservation to enter their front doors. Not to mention it also specifies that they will not take walk ins. I don't know how this business is even still open when their customer service is lacking.
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Lee M.

Yelp
I've been here almost every time I've come to Gatlinburg. It never disappoints! I was going to post a photo of the food but I kept eating it all before I pulled the trigger. Sweethearts for staff, atmosphere you can't beat and food to die for. Who knew chicken salad could be life changing. A must place to visit, you'll love it.
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Jennifer S.

Yelp
It was a little bit of a wait, but it's just that kind of a place. The two blonde ladies who run it( I think ones the chef) were absolutely warm, welcoming, and friendly. So down to Earth and amazing. It's absolutely not a place that you come in a hurry! Let them explain the menu and while you're hearing it, drink a ton of their Hot wild plum tea it's amazing!! Those ladies are so sweet and I really felt like I was around old friends and family.
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Jessica L.

Yelp
This was my first visit to a tea room and I was super excited. I have always wanted to sip tea out of cute tea cups with friends and the Wild Plum Tea Room seemed like the perfect place to do this. We had a large group (7 adults, 2 kids) and were able to make a reservation. When half of our party arrived, we checked in and were told to stand outside until the rest of our party arrived. Let me add that it was raining cats and dogs that day and even the "covered porch" at the entrance was soaking wet. This was our first interaction with the staff and I found it very off-putting. We insisted to be seated inside, so we would not have to stand in the rain, but the hostess seemed very annoyed with this request. When we were finally allowed inside, our table was ready for us and located on the first floor main room near the kitchen. To start, each person is served wild plum tea (hot or iced) and some petite muffins to munch on. I am not much of a hot tea drinker, but this tea tasted amazing. I think I drank 3 cups of it! For my meal, I ordered the lobster pot pie with the broccoli and cauliflower side. It was the perfect serving size and mine was full of lobster and artichoke hearts. The puff pastry on the top was my favorite part. The lobster did seem a little chewier than I expected- like maybe it had been frozen and thawed instead of fresh, but who knows? It was still edible, just not the texture and flavor that I expected. For dessert, I ordered the brownie fudge sundae. I was tempted to order this item because I am the ultimate chocolate lover and saw that all of their desserts are made in-house. However, when I tried it, it tasted like any other brownie sundae that I had had before, so I would pass on this dessert if I were you. The biggest issue that I had with our visit was that one of the kids at our table was served an impossible burger that honestly looked raw. He was definitely not eating that and I don't blame him, so it was sent back to the kitchen and he was brought something else to eat. When it came time to pass out checks, our server told us that the owner said that we still had to pay for the burger even though it was sent back. According to the chef, that was how the impossible burger is meant to be cooked. I have never in my life dined at a restaurant that charged me for something that I did not eat/was their error in cooking. In the end, we ended up not paying for it, but had to put up an unnecessary fight. Not to mention, the owner did not make an appearance at our table until we were leaving and walking out. I do have to admit that I think the food is too expensive for what you get. And I was beyond disappointed at the service we received from start to finish. I was expecting small town southern hospitality and instead did not really feel welcomed or comfortable dining at all. I am happy to say that I got the experience of a tea room, but sad to say that this one was not as pleasant as I hoped it would be.
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Rachael W.

Yelp
I'll just say the staff is not very friendly I walk in to get information on the tea room and the lady would not give me the time of day... she was very cold and I did not appreciate it... I will not be attending this tea room with that kind of treatment...
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Sarah H.

Yelp
Such a fun place to visit. The tea is so good! I got the lobster pie & tomato bisque and my daughter had the grilled cheese. I may have stolen a few of her sandwiches to dip in my soup lol. The bisque was good but I'm not sure I would get it again. I had gotten the salmon cakes before and those were to die for. My husband had the impossible burger which is plant based, he is def a meat eater haha, and loved this burger . He said it tasted like meat. Our bread pudding was delicious.
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Jeremy R.

Yelp
Not much to say about this place except that it's incredibly expensive for what you get and for the quality of the food.
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Emily M.

Yelp
They have best tea I've ever had! I drank about four cups in one sitting. The food is delicious as well. I highly recommend the lobster pie.
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Chris G.

Yelp
I've been here multiple times. It's so good that when I was leading a trip of 50 college students we reserved the place for a private dinner event. The tea is amazing!!! I had to buy the recipe. Every time I make it in MIchigan my friends are impressed. It's cute little place. The food is a little pricey, but it's really good. My favorite is the lobster pie. I enjoy the quiet ambience and the restful location in the mountains. It's a little refuge that treats you well. Thank you Wild Plum!
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Juliana T.

Yelp
I know I have to dine in here while I'm visit Gatlinburg. They seat reservation only. So make sure you make one, and make your time open. I made rsvp for 11 am but the only time available for me is 1:30 pm. So I grab it. It's one kind of experience you're not get somewhere else. The place is rustic, kinda old but when you try the food, oh my...it's satisfying from the muffins, the tea, the main course, it's insanely delicious.
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Amy S.

Yelp
A little over a week ago, I made reservations to eat at this establishment. I abided by the internet request and contacted the restaurant at least 48 hours in advance. As requested by the voicemail message, I left my name, number and time I would like to come in. The voicemail told me I would not hear a confirmation unless there were concerns. It appears all reservations are taken via voicemail. On the day I requested to eat, I arrived to the Tea Room 15 minutes early (12:45). As I approached the patio, I overheard what seemed like a tense conversation between the host and another family. As I passed the family climbing the stairs to the waiting area, I overheard the man state in a calm tone to his family "I guess we won't eat here" and the family left. By the time I reached the waiting area, the hostess was gone. As I made it to the top of the stairs, a book was placed requesting you sign in upon arrival. My husband signed in as I took a seat with my 2 sons. We waited patiently with a couple of other groups on the patio. At 1:20 (my reservations were at 1:00), a woman named Rachel made an appearance and called a name. No one responded. She then called the name again and a man came forward. He said, did you call ****? She rudely said no. He then said, "but we are next on the list." She said, I don't look at the list, I look at the reservations. He then went back to his seat. As the man took his seat, I asked Rachel if she had my reservation. Rachel then paused and asked me if I was ******. I said yes. She then proceeded to rudely tell me that she called me and told me she could not accommodate me. I calmly stated "oh, I didn't receive a call?" . She then said "I guess that is where your miscommunication was" and then promptly turned her back to me. I waited thinking she might say something else, but it was clear she was done talking to me. I calmly said in a question like way, "I guess we should leave then?" I received no response. Rachel then disappeared back into her establishment. My family and I got up to leave. A couple waiting apologized to me for how I was treated. My son asked me why she was so mean. I still am not quite sure why Rachel felt she needed to be so mean in her response to me. I thought I was pleasant throughout our wait and in my inquiry and comment. Now I must say, Rachel was correct in one area. She did call me. I discovered a phone message she left for me a day after our visit. I assume it took so long for the message to get to me because of the bad reception in the mountains. I don't think that issue should result in her negative demeanor. However, even though she made the phone call, I still don't think there was a reason for her to be so rude. I would have understood and left disappointed but understanding if she merely said "I'm sorry you did not get the message. Perhaps I dialed the wrong number or maybe the message was lost in cyberspace. I tried to call you to let you know we were full. Can I properly reserve a seat for you later in the week?" But there was no attempt. She merely thought it appropriate to make me feel belittled in front of strangers and my children. So, I cannot give this establishment a great review. I can say that it seems to be nicely situated and the food smelled good. However, I don't plan on going back because the integrity of the person and how they treat others is more important to me than the experience. So, moving forward, I would recommend: (1) call backs be made confirming reservations or perhaps reservations be made online, (2) If the sign in book isn't used, why have people sign in? Perhaps you can state the book is for walkins only. You may also want to be upfront and tell walkins that the wait will be long. (3) Don't make people wait over a half hour before you make an appearance. Taking 30 seconds to say hello and let them know you are running behind would do a world of good. (4) If you run into a snafu, don't be mean. Try to problem solve. If you treated me with a little bit of respect, I wouldn't be writing this negative review. And so, at 42 years of age, I have written by second bad review. It makes me sad to do that. However, I can now move on and provide a 5 star review to establishment that did accept us and feed us that afternoon.
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Cinda S.

Yelp
This is a quaint little old homestead complete with an old somewhat creaky staircase that leads upstairs to an additional dining area and restrooms. They have outside dining as well on the side porch. The decorations are trying to be antique like - but someone's MeMaw needs to come in and help spruce the place up! Seating is limited, so reservations are a must. While the menu is limited, it is quite adequate and accommodates vegetarians as well. The plum sweet iced tea was refreshing. One of our ladies ordered it served hot and enjoyed it as well. After placing our order, we were served mini plum muffins with plum jelly. You get two mini muffins per person, but for the plum jelly ......well we were only given 1 teaspoon for all 4 of us ladies to share!!!! Bless their hearts......someone needs to tell them that we are more hospitable than that in the South!!! And yes....we are ladies....but.....we like to eat!!! We ordered the hot pimento cheese dip and was not impressed - it had 1/2 inch of oil sitting on the top and was very stringy. It came with a few crackers, 3 small pieces of celery and one tiny sliver of a carrot!! The beet salad made a much better impression on each of us, and we really enjoyed our Entree of vegetable Strata! It came with either pea salad or couscous salad (I ordered both!). The pea salad was delicious with just a very subtle hint of dill - which I honestly wish it had more of a dill taste. The couscous salad was in desperate need of seasoning....the walnuts & cranberries added some flavor - but it begged for more. For dessert, we chose the Amaretto Bread Pudding. It was enjoyed right down to the very last spoonful!! They are a bit on the expensive side and they seriously should be a little bit more generous on their servings! We Southern ladies are polite.....to polite to take that one tiny sliver of carrot to ourselves! Overall, we did enjoy the experience and would definitely come back.
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Alisa M.

Yelp
We eat at the Wild Plum on every visit to the mountains since finding it years ago. I've told people to make the trip when they visit! Yesterday we made a special detour on our way to North Carolina and it will likely be our last visit. Because we were traveling I didn't make a reservation, so I expected to wait. We waited 40 minutes to be seated, no problem I figured it would be at least 30. Adult's food was mostly good as expected, kids peanut butter sandwich was small with a very thin layer of pb, disappointing. We never received refills for any of our drinks, my husband's soup was cold. No one checked on us to tell them about the soup or request refills. I understand that their staffing is limited but as said earlier we've visited multiple times and not had a bad experience before yesterday.
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Marley H.

Yelp
What a special place! This is definitely more of of an experience than just a meal. I tried the wild plum sweet tea hot and cold. It was very good but too sweet for my taste. The waitress insisted that the unsweet didn't have the same magic which is why I tried it sweetened. Had a great taste though! I had the salmon burger and my friend had the bison burger. They were both delicious, though I would probably try something else next time besides the salmon burger. The real star of the show was my side - the curry quinoa salad with grapes. Omg. It was TO DIE FOR. This place is a treasure and we will definitely be back. I am already looking forward to it.
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Harley M.

Yelp
My friend and I ate at the Wild Plum two weeks ago during our trip to Gatlinburg. We called ahead to make a reservation, as recommended on their website, and still waited about 40 minutes to be seated. There was ample outdoor seating available, but they were short-staffed, so we had to wait to be seated outside. Wild Plum receives 5 stars for their food and 3 stars for the wait time and service. I ordered the bison burger with the tomato basil soup and it was hands down the best burger I've had in my life! My friend ordered the lobster pie. It was a tiny portion, but it was packed with fresh lobster meat. The mini plum muffins and house iced tea are also very tasty. If you aren't in a rush and are okay with spending 2 hours at the Wild Plum for lunch it is definitely worth it for the delicious fresh food! When our server brought the check over we handed him a credit card on the spot. He said he'd be right back for it and after waiting more than 30 minutes for him to return we approached the hostess stand to pay and waited another 10 minutes for the credit card transaction to go through, because of shotty wi-fi. If you come prepared to pay in cash you could probably knock off twenty minutes or so of wait time. Side note- make sure you stop at Alewine Pottery, which is on the way to the Wild Plum. They have a great selection of beautiful handmade decorative pieces, mugs, bowls, etc!
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Ashley S.

Yelp
Awful service!! My daughter and I have made it a point to go here every year when visiting gatlinburg. After waiting over an hour for a table, we chose to leave because the server was extremely rude because we did not have a reservation. We arrived a little after noon and tables from 11:30 still had not been seated. This has nothing to do with fires that were last year. They simply do not staff appropriately. Also, it seems the servers they do have cannot handle more than 2 tables at a time. Great food but will not be back

Bonnie L.

Yelp
My late husband and I visited The Wild Plum Tea room many times in spring and fall. We traveled from Bowling Green, KY. We loved the teas we enjoyed on our visits. I have spent a long time today searching for the recipe for the Wild Plum Muffins!! I finally ordered the cookbook. I am waiting in anticipation, hoping the recipe for those delicious morsels will be included!!

Charlotte B.

Yelp
I overall had a great experience at the tea shop. The food was light and refreshing. And the hot tea was memorable and the tea cups were fun. It felt like a nice mixture of refreshing elegant food with the atmosphere being still very southern. There is outdoor and indoor seating available. I recommend the pea salad. If you are looking for a place that is not super official but still a little fancy and gives a small town feeling this is the place to visit.
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Bethany P.

Yelp
Low staff the day we went and took us 2 1/2 hrs from sitting down to walking out. They were turning away walk inside so call ahead and make a reservation. Food was not worth the price. It was okay but lobster was fishy, burger was small, chicken salad was flavorless. The best part was the appetizers and the fresh fruit. It is also not a tea room with tea options. They have their wild plum sweet tea they are know for, it is delicious. That is all no tea menu as I expected from the name. Chairs are straight backed and thin in the cushions not very comfortable. We will not be going back.
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Martha N.

Yelp
So disappointed in the Wild Plum today. My husband and I decided to have lunch here this afternoon. It's always been a special place to eat, as my grandparents would bring me here when I was growing up. I've been a loyal customer for many years, since I was about 8 years old. My loyalty ends today. My husband and I arrived at 12:14pm for lunch and we're still not seated by 1:52pm. They were extremely understaffed, 2 waitstaff and 1 person in the kitchen. Some people had reservations and were seated before us, even if they arrived an hour after us. Very unorganized. When I asked a member of the waitstaff an estimated time, they were very rude and said they were basically only going by a reservation list and seating people with reservations. So we marked our name off the list after waiting for almost an hour and 45 minutes and decided to take our business elsewhere.
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Carla M.

Yelp
Giving this place 2 stars because the wait was unbearable and then once you're inside, within 1 minute of sitting down the wait staff asks if you're ready to order. I feel if you're so understaffed you can't accommodate a resturant close the doors until further notice. Everyone who left 5 stars are over the age of 60 and dont mind waiting. The food was nothing to go crazy about. They give you muffins with "jelly" on the plate that just looks like plasma. This place was the worse. I gave it 2 because the environment was unique
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Lisa D.

Yelp
One of the art galleries on the arts and crafts loop mentioned this place to us and we might have driven past it otherwise. Cell service and data service are spotty so reaching out to Yelp is best done at your lodging if you have wifi. This is a very "old school" tea room setting with lace table cloths and Victorian B&B touches. I was pleasantly surprised by menu offerings. There were several clean eating choices in addition to richer items such as lobster pot pie and a pimento cheese sandwich. Service was prompt, knowledgable and attentive. There were at least 3 or 4 waitstaff and the owner present when we were there and they were definitely hustling to make sure the crowd was happy. We both liked the tiny walnut muffins and plum jelly they served as a pre meal treat. Very flavorful and buttery. I ordered the entree size kale salad which was marinated in a light tasty citrus dressing. It seemed a little incomplete to me. Just kale and a few tomatoes on a larger lettuce leaf. I probably should have gone with the quinoa salad for something a little more filling. My husband loved the daily special of tomato soup. He also liked the pimento cheese sandwich too. For dessert we tried the strawberry shortcake. I was surprised at the absence of tea choices as it had Tea Room in the business name. There was a presweetened tea and a regular tea. Seemed a little odd not to have a few more choices. We would definitely try it again if in the area. For the record, there are not many options in the area that do not involve fried food or burgers.
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Jeannie L.

Yelp
PLUM DELICIOUS!! Went here for lunch on a Saturday. It has a very cute and magical atmosphere... We opted for the outdoor seating, which I usually avoid, but with such a lovely setting, who could resist? Our table ordered lobster pie and gouda stuffed bison burgers. Our burger aficionado said it was one of the best burgers he ever had. The lobster pie was creamy and had large chunks of lobster in it. No scrimping here.... You can also get a salad or soup with your meal. Most of us opted for the tomato and chardonnay soup. It was one of the most delicious soups I have ever eaten. You could definitely taste the wine, but not in an overpowering way. It totally complimented both the sweet and acidic flavors of the tomatoes. I wish I could get a gallon to take home with me!! We all got the home made iced plum tea. Everyone loved it. Very citrusy with big slices of orange. The nice waitress was always there to top up your glass. I found this to be a very unique and charming place with interesting food selections and superb flavor. Definitely coming back.
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Sha P.

Yelp
A unique spot for lunch with house-made foods, which is a welcomed option away from the frozen food restaurants in the area. My only complaint is the way the accept reservations. They do not answer the phone nor confirm your reservation request. A courtesy confirmation would be nice since they don't accept online reservations. Also, I suggest they brew an unsweetened version of their iced wild plum tea. The beets and walnut app was the best item we had with the collard green side dish a close second. They were out of the daily special - lobster pie. I was very disappointed we didn't get to try it. The chicken salad is a bit bland. Service is a lacking and could be improved with some etiquette tips.
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Megan H.

Yelp
My mother adores tea rooms and I wanted to take her here while we were exploring and shopping in The Smokies. So we stopped here for a late lunch. It is very cozy and cute inside. Finely decorated, without being too stereotypical. Lace on the tables, tea cups on the mantle. The inside seating, near the kitchen, is the coziest spot. We both ordered the house Plum tea which was the right amount of citrus and the right amount of sweet. I ordered the Plum special which comes with soup of the day, salad of the day, and chicken salad. My mom ordered the lobster pie and it came with a side. I have been sick, so my taste buds are not up to perfect just yet. Before our main meals arrived, they delivered to our table four mini plum walnut muffins with clear plum jelly for spreading. Though adorable and delicately plated, pretty bland. My harvest pumpkin soup was delightful. The waitress even let me taste it before I ordered it, because I was wary about the amount of cream. My mom and i both ordered the strawberry salad with feta cheese for our side salad. It was decent. Unfortunately her lobster pie was barely lukewarm, which was a supreme disapointment. Anything boasting of that much lobster, and for what we paid for it.... should be more than lukewarm. Heat brings out flavor. To end off the tea, we ordered the apple amaretto bread pudding. Which was on point!!!! Deliciously hot, moist, right amount of everything. All in all, I'm glad we came, if only for the tea and bread pudding. If I were you, I would stop in for a nice hot pot of tea and a delicious dessert. Otherwise, I fear you will find the lunch menu items to be lacking in flavor and personality.
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Chad F.

Yelp
You can taste the love that goes into the food. We were the first ones through the door. Mrs. Holly met us at the door and took us to our cute table. We drank tea and had muffins with plum jelly. I ordered the lobster pie and my wife had the chicken salad. Both were great. You could tell they were homemade. We left room for dessert. The amaretto bread pudding and the chocolate torte hit the spot. Both the service and each dish were amazing. The Wild Plum is now on our list each time we come to Gatlinburg!
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Joy S.

Yelp
We ate here for lunch on a rainy Friday during our trip, and it was such a nice, relaxing choice ! Definitely off the beaten path, but personally I loved it because it had been such a busy vacation so far with crowds and non stop action. In fact, this is the only place I cared to review because all the other places we went were tourist meccas that probably have 100,000 reviews already. But the food was delicious, the place was quaint and quiet , even my husband loved the charm. & Get a jar of their house made jam and bread to take with you! And as another review stated, there is little cell service but that's just another reason to unplug and enjoy!
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Alma R.

Yelp
This tea room is the cutest restaurant! We got the bison burger and the salmon burger which were equally amazing. A must do if you are in the Gatlinburg area! Make sure to have a reservation beforehand

Alex R.

Yelp
This place was amazing, well worth the advance reservations. We were even running a little late and they still took us. Food was all homemade and very very tasty, you could tell it was all made with care. We had the Lobster Pie, Baked Cheese, Chicken Salad, BlackBerry Cobbler and Chocolate Torte, all were excellent. Atmosphere was just what you'd want from a cozy little tea shop. Now take everything I've said and hear their story. Far as I understand it, this place used to have 12 employees and was just as busy as it still is. 10 of those employees were displaced by the fires. This operation is now entirely run by two fantastic hardworking women, the hostess and the chef, that's it. You'd still think it was run with 12 people though, nothing has faltered through their loss of employees, these folks are amazing. This place is definitely worth a stop if you're anywhere near the area (but make your reservation ahead of time!)
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Maddie M.

Yelp
This is hands down our favorite place to visit when we are anywhere in the Gatlinburg area. Tucked into a quaint corner, this place would have been easy to miss if it wasn't for Yelp. They are set in a cute little house with indoor as well as outdoor seating. Needless to say, their plum tea is delicious. We have tried the hot as well as iced. Yum. And it goes with the plum muffins they bring out with the jelly. If I could have access to these whenever I wanted, I would be snacking on them all the time! For food, I always get the lobster bisque. I tried it the first time and have never again been able to pass it up. It is delicious! My husband has tried different sandwiches here. The bison burger stands out as being delicious. I remember eating half of it after finishing my bisque (I was pregnant though!) The service is great too. We have never had a server that didn't make sure we absolutely enjoyed our meal. The owner/manager also comes out to talk to all the guests herself. It always makes you feel warm and welcome. Can't wait for our next trip Up!
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Jenny B.

Yelp
This place is my daughter's favorite. Service is always wonderful. Food is prepared and served with excellent taste. Worth the wait if there is one. Very charming and peaceful.
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Becky W.

Yelp
We had eat here a few years ago and the food and service was excellent. Today I cannot say the same. The service here is awful!! Many people were waiting who had reservations and no one was being seated. Two of the three tables that I could see from the outside were empty and they stayed empty. I wrote our name on a list outside but it was totally being ignored. We finally give up and left. Why have a restaurant if you are not going to run it to it's full potential??
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Gordon J.

Yelp
Wow! The reviews do not lie! Incredible food. We had a Buffalo burger, salmon patties, Lobster pie, blackberry cobbler, dark chocolate something-or-other, and Peach pudding. Every single thing was super tasty.
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Brittney B.

Yelp
High light of our trip food wise First we were welcomed by the owner with out reservation even though she was booked. Upon arrival u sign in and have a seat on her porch. (Call a head make reservations) while we waited we were served there special tea.. we are not fans of flavored teas but this was out of this world. It was time to order.. after reading the reviews on had the lobster pie with the collared greens while the husband had the salmon burger with the cheddar soup. WE LOVED IT ALL! If u don't come here... I hope we we never meet. I am a fat girl at heart and We agreed that every time we visit Gatlinburg this will be a must go to stop. The atmosphere is almost a southern tea room with a brunch environment but the owner will bring a Good laugh and family feel.
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Jacoby D.

Yelp
Absolutely delicious and wonderful service. A perfect place to slow down and relax to enjoy food and drinks. A beautiful serene garden surrounds the restaurant, and the workers of the restaurant make you feel like you are family. It's definitely not like any other place in Gatlinburg or touristy by any means. I highly suggest the Lobster Pie. Tip: The menu looks like it changes day by day for Chef's specials. Many fish options but others available.

Ronald K.

Yelp
My wife and I came by at 1230 on a Thursday. There's a sign that says you need reservations but a small group of older ladies outside said they didn't have a reservation and were told it was fine. When the employee (owner possibly) came out she coldly told us there "was no room" for us, even though only about 1/4 of the tables were filled. We gladly left and will never be back.
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Jennifer P.

Yelp
Amazing. Would be better if they had a better reservation system but then you would never get in. Also last time it was cash only so be sure to bring cash in case that's still the policy. Everything was on point though.. we thoroughly loved every bit of it.
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Christina N.

Yelp
Great place, charming decor, very good food, nice people, and good service. They are really understaffed (since Gatlinburg fire) so be sure to make a reservation and expect to wait. It's worth it.