For a classic Gatlinburg breakfast with decades of history behind it, Pancake Pantry has been serving guests since 1960. Located at 628 Parkway beside The Village Shops, this family-owned restaurant is known for its wide selection of pancakes, crepes, waffles, eggs, and other breakfast favorites.
For guests staying at Sunshine Around the Bend, Pancake Pantry makes a natural stop before a day exploring Gatlinburg, shopping around The Village, or heading toward the Great Smoky Mountains.
About Pancake Pantry
Pancake Pantry was founded in 1960 by Jim and June Gerding, who moved to Gatlinburg from Indiana to open what the restaurant describes as Tennessee’s first pancake specialty restaurant. The family-owned business has remained a Gatlinburg tradition for more than six decades.
The restaurant’s current breakfast menu features 24 varieties of pancakes, along with crepes, waffles, French toast, eggs, omelets, ham, bacon, sausage, and hash browns. The restaurant says its pancake batters are made with fresh ingredients, while its syrups and fruit compotes are prepared in-house.
The menu also includes lunch after 11:30 AM, with sandwiches, burgers, soups, and salads. This makes Pancake Pantry useful for groups whose plans start later in the day or whose appetites don’t necessarily follow a traditional breakfast schedule.
Why Guests Love It
A Gatlinburg breakfast tradition
Pancake Pantry has been part of the Gatlinburg dining scene since 1960, giving it a long-standing connection to the destination and its visitors.
An impressive pancake selection
Guests can choose from classic buttermilk pancakes as well as blueberry, sweet potato, pecan, chocolate chip, orange-walnut, whole wheat, and other varieties. There are also several crepe options for something a little different.
Breakfast served all day
The restaurant currently operates daily from 7 AM to 3 PM, with breakfast available throughout the day. That works well for both early risers and families who prefer a slower vacation morning.
Options for the whole group
Pancakes aren’t the only choice. The menu includes eggs, omelets, waffles, French toast, breakfast meats, and children’s options, giving larger groups plenty of flexibility.
Easy to pair with The Village
After breakfast, guests can walk over to The Village Shops, a collection of 27 shops and boutiques located just a short distance from the restaurant.
Insider Tips
- Go early if your group has a busy day planned. Pancake Pantry opens at 7 AM daily, making it possible to have breakfast before heading into the day’s activities.
- Give yourself time for breakfast. The restaurant is a long-running Gatlinburg favorite, so a relaxed morning is a better fit than squeezing breakfast into a tight itinerary.
- Consider takeout for the cabin. Pancake Pantry offers takeout, which can be useful when a larger group would rather enjoy breakfast together at Sunshine Around the Bend.
- Look beyond the traditional pancake. With 24 pancake varieties plus crepes, waffles, French toast, eggs, and omelets, there’s plenty to explore beyond a standard stack.
- Combine breakfast with The Village Shops. The shops are immediately nearby, making it easy to continue the morning with a little browsing after breakfast.
Stay Hello Sunshine Tip
For guests at Sunshine Around the Bend, Pancake Pantry can turn a simple breakfast into part of the day’s experience. Start the morning with pancakes or crepes in Gatlinburg, wander through The Village afterward, and then continue into the mountains without rushing the morning. It is a simple way to give the day a slower, more intentional start.
