Anthony’s Restaurant

Why go: Bryson City’s go-to spot for pizza, pasta, and a cold beer since 1990. Sit on the porch and watch the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad pull in while you eat. Full bar, generous portions, and a menu that covers everyone in the group.

About Anthony’s Restaurant

Anthony’s has been feeding locals and visitors in downtown Bryson City since 1990, making it one of the longest-running restaurants in town. What started as a straightforward Italian restaurant has evolved into a full dining and lounge experience that covers a lot of ground, from handmade pizzas and oversized calzones to specialty burgers, pastas, cold subs, and a well-stocked full bar with local craft beers and imported wines.

The restaurant sits right on Depot Street, directly across from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot. The covered porch is the prime real estate, putting you front and center as the train rolls in and out of the station. It’s the kind of seating that turns an ordinary lunch into a distinctly Bryson City experience. Dogs are welcome on the porch, making it a natural stop for visitors who brought their pets along for the mountain trip.

The bar and lounge side of the house, operated under the Anthony’s Restaurant name, adds pool tables, multiple sports TVs, and extended bar hours on select nights, giving Anthony’s a second life after the dinner rush winds down. Whether you’re stopping in for a post-hike pizza or settling in for the evening, the atmosphere is relaxed, unpretentious, and genuinely welcoming.

Getting to Anthony’s Restaurant

Anthony’s is located at 15 Depot Street in the heart of downtown Bryson City, directly across from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot. Street parking is available on Depot Street and along nearby side streets. The restaurant is within easy walking distance of most downtown hotels, shops, and attractions.

Why Choose Anthony’s Restaurant

In a small mountain town with limited dining options, Anthony’s punches well above its weight. The menu is broad enough to satisfy everyone in a mixed group, the portions are generous, and the porch seating with train views gives it an atmosphere that no other restaurant in Bryson City can match.

• The location directly across from the GSMR depot makes it the natural choice for a meal before or after a train excursion. Timing your arrival to watch the train pull in is a genuine Bryson City moment.
• Gluten-free options are available for pasta, pizza, and buns, making it more accessible than most Italian restaurants for guests with dietary restrictions.
• The full bar with local craft beers and cocktails makes Anthony’s a comfortable spot to linger, not just eat and leave.
• Large groups are accommodated easily, with no reservations required. Parties of ten or more have been seated without difficulty even on busy weekend evenings.
• Dogs are welcome on the covered porch, a meaningful detail for the many visitors who bring pets along on Smoky Mountain trips.
• The restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner, making it a flexible stop regardless of where you are in your day.

Menu Favorites

The menu spans Italian classics, American comfort food, and a solid bar program. These are the items visitors and locals consistently call out:

• Pizza. The foundation of Anthony’s reputation. Hand-tossed pies with a well-developed crust and fresh toppings, available in a range of specialty combinations. The Fontana pizza and the Greek and Hawaiian varieties are frequently mentioned by name in reviews. Gluten-free crust is available.
• Calzones. Generously sized, with a crispy and buttery crust that reviewers consistently single out. Most visitors report that a single calzone easily feeds two people. One of the most recommended items on the menu for first-time visitors.
• Stromboli. A long-standing favorite that earns its own mentions in reviews separate from the calzones. Order it if you’re not in the mood for pizza but want something in the same spirit.
• Hog Wings. The signature appetizer that keeps locals coming back. Crispy, well-seasoned, and generously sized. A reliable order for the table while you wait for your main.
• Garlic Knots. Made from scratch and described as addictive by multiple reviewers. A straightforward appetizer that delivers on the basics.
• Spinach Artichoke Dip. Consistently called out as a standout starter. A good choice for groups sharing appetizers before the main arrives.
• Specialty Burgers. The Bryson Burger is the most mentioned, served with fries. Expect a hearty, well-built burger that goes well beyond a standard pub offering.
• Pasta. Chicken Alfredo and spaghetti and meatballs are the most referenced pasta dishes. Solid Italian-American comfort food. Gluten-free pasta available.

What to Expect

Anthony’s is a casual, relaxed restaurant with a lively atmosphere, especially on weekend evenings when the bar is active and the porch fills up. Service is friendly and attentive, and the kitchen handles large volumes well during peak season.

• No reservations required. Walk-ins are welcome and large groups are regularly accommodated. If you’re visiting during peak summer or fall foliage season, expect some wait time during the dinner rush.
• Porch seating is first come, first served. If watching the train is a priority, aim to arrive early enough to claim a porch table. The covered seating also makes it a comfortable option in light rain.
• Portions are generous. The calzones and pizzas in particular are large. If you’re a smaller group, consider sharing before ordering individual entrees.
• Delivery is limited. Delivery is available within city limits only and not during peak business hours. Call ahead to confirm before counting on it.
• The bar stays lively. Pool tables, sports on TV, and extended bar hours on some nights mean Anthony’s can be a full evening destination, not just a dinner stop.
• Pricing is moderate for the region. Expect to pay around $15 to $25 per person for entrees. The quality and portion sizes are consistent with that price point.

Nearby Restaurants

• CJ’s Grille. A lively bar and grill just down the block with jumbo chicken wings, Angus burgers, a full bar, and a covered outdoor deck facing the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot.
• Pasqualino’s Italian Restaurant. Classic Italian dining with candlelit ambiance, hand-tossed pizza, blackened chicken pasta, and an exceptional gluten-free program a short walk away on Everett Street.
• Everett Street Diner. Bryson City’s top-rated breakfast and lunch spot, known for its world-famous house-made sausage gravy and an owner who greets every table personally.

Explore More

• Food & Beverage Guide
• Attractions Travel Guide
• Outdoor Adventure Travel Guide