Best Italian on the Parkway — Restaurant in Gatlinburg

Update from last week. Now a 1 star. I have never been so humiliated and shamed by a restaurant manager in my life. We have been coming to Best Italian since before this manager was born. We have eaten here 3 times in the past 3 weeks. On 5-22-22 we ordered a 3.5 topping pizza and one ingredient was left off. Immediately told our server who showed us that it was on his handheld tablet but he acknowledged that it was not on the pizza.  He asked if we wanted to speak with a manager and we said no we are not complaining, just take the omitted ingredient charge off our bill.  We asked for a box for the leftovers and when he returned with the box and bill including the onion charge, the server offered a "free" dessert in remuneration and we said we didn't want a dessert just the charge removed. When he returned with the adjusted bill with onion charge removed we told him we forgot to ask for the local discount. I showed my driver'a license and he requested name and phone #. He went in back and when he brought back the adjusted bill with the local discount the onion charge was added back to the bill. The server told us his manager said we were only allowed one discount. We said the onion charge is not a discount…we are not paying for something we didn't receive. That's when we requested to speak with the manager.. When the manager came out my husband said there were no onions on the pizza. You can't call that a discount because you are charging us for something we didn't receive and opened the box to show him while the manager pushed the box shut without viewing. He further asked why the local discount was removed and the manager restated he would only give one discount and that he didnt have to give us a local discount. My husband's voice started rising as he felt we were not being treated fairly and said that we fit the requirements like any other local but he is requiring us to pay for something that we didnt get to receive the local discount??? And said he is prejudicing us and we might have to call our attorney. He told us to pay the bill and get out or he was calling the police and walked away. Now another customer is upset at us arguing and said he would pay the $5 and threw $5 on our table. Feeling completely humiliated and shame from the way the manager was treating us we gave the guy his $5 back apologized and decided we should just leave. On our way out, displaying his complete lack of professionalism, the manager proceeded to yell at us from behind the bar that we were never allowed back and that we were banned for life. We never felt the humiliation, shame and mistreatment by restaurant staff that we felt on this occasion. All over THEIR error for omitting an ingredient and didn't just simply remove thw charge after being notified and leveraged the situation and then denied our local discount that we had been given every other time and even were willing to give it to us if we paid for the item we...

Best Italian on the Parkway in Gatlinburg, TN, is a cozy spot that delivers a solid Italian dining experience right in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. If you’re looking for hearty, traditional Italian dishes with a touch of Southern hospitality, this place fits the bill.

Ambiance: The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, with a rustic charm that reflects Gatlinburg’s mountain-town vibe. It’s not overly fancy, but it’s comfortable, making it a great place for families, couples, or anyone looking to enjoy a relaxed meal after exploring the area.

Food: The menu is extensive, featuring all the Italian-American classics you’d expect. Their garlic rolls are a must-try—soft, buttery, and generously seasoned with garlic, they’re practically addictive. The pizza is another highlight, with a crispy crust and flavorful toppings. The portions are generous, so you definitely get your money’s worth.

The pasta dishes are hearty and satisfying, with rich sauces and perfectly cooked pasta. The lasagna, in particular, is a crowd favorite, packed with layers of meat, cheese, and sauce. They also offer a variety of seafood dishes, and while they’re not quite as standout as the pasta or pizza, they’re still solid choices.

Service: The service is friendly and efficient, with staff that makes you feel right at home. They’re attentive without being overbearing, and they’re quick to offer recommendations if you’re having trouble deciding.

Value: For the quality and quantity of food, Best Italian offers great value. Prices are reasonable, especially considering the large portions, so you’ll likely leave with leftovers. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a satisfying meal without breaking the bank.

Overall: Best Italian on the Parkway is a dependable choice for those craving Italian comfort food in Gatlinburg. It may not be the most gourmet Italian restaurant you’ll ever visit, but it’s consistent, tasty, and delivers exactly what you’d expect from a beloved local spot. Whether you’re a tourist passing through or a local, it’s...

This was not a good experience unfortunately!! We thought we were going to the Best Italian restaurant that is in the Elks Plaza at the end of the strip which has excellent reviews! We were mistaken.:/ This was like a cheap fast food pizza place with no decor or atmosphere at all. It almost looked deserted when we went in. I needed gluten free and dairy free options which they had a gluten free crust but no dairy free cheese options. (Fyi..Mellow Mushroom has both and makes a fabulous gluten free dairy free pizza for those with food sensitivity like me). Anyway, it did not even smell like food or pizza smell or anything at all when we walked in. Bad sign!! The girl said it would be cheaper to build my own pizza on a GF crust instead of making an already menu designed pizza GF. Wrong!!! My 11 inch gluten free cardboard tasting crust pizza with 5 toppings was $22! What a joke. And barely any pizza sauce on it at all...NO SPICES OF ITALIAN SEASONINGS! I had to put salt and pepper and the red pepper shaker on the table on my pizza to have even some flavor. Then...about an hour after we ate, I got so sick to my stomach I thought I would throw up. This lasted about 6 hours. So..idk what was on there or what happened but what a waste of our money;( My husband said his basic 11 inch meat lovers pizza was OK. So for 2 11 inch pizza and he had one canned beer..it was $60!!! I was so mad. Do NOT recommend this place! Good to the far end of the strip to the Best Italian that sits back tucked in by the Elks...