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chicken pot pie at a smoky mountain restaurant

4 Great Restaurants Near Our Smoky Mountains Whitewater Rafting Outpost

September 3, 2025

After experiencing the adventure of a lifetime on our rafting trips, celebrate your accomplishment with a delicious meal at a local Smoky Mountain restaurant! After all, you will have worked up quite an appetite after a few hours of challenging the rapids on the Pigeon River. Here are 4 great restaurants near our whitewater rafting outpost:

1. The Woodshed Restaurant

The Woodshed Restaurant is a charming family-owned and operated establishment in Newport, TN that locals consider a hidden treasure. Start your meal with one of the tasty appetizers such as Cheese Sticks, Tennessee Cheese Fries, Shrimp Cocktail, and Pork Sliders. If the sound of the appetizers doesn’t have your mouth watering, just wait until you sample some of the entrees, including Hamburger Steak, New York Strip, Baked Ziti, Gulf Shrimp, Salmon, and the BBQ Pork Plate. If you are looking for something a little lighter, go for one of the specialty salads, such as the Grilled Chicken Salad or the Chicken Caesar Salad.

2. Janice’s Diner

breakfast at smoky mountain restaurantOne of the great restaurants near our Smoky Mountains whitewater rafting outpost is Janice’s Diner in Cosby TN, where there is truly something for everyone. You will also find some of the best restaurant prices in the Smokies, making this a great family or group destination after your rafting trip! Some of the homemade dinner plates include Country Fried Steak, Fried Chicken, Open Face Roast Beef, Fried Catfish, Popcorn Shrimp, and Beef Liver with Grilled Onions. They also serve breakfast and are open 6 days a week; closed on Mondays!

3. Carver’s Orchard and Applehouse Restaurant

Another Smoky Mountain restaurant in Cosby, Carver’s Orchard and Applehouse Restaurant offers a low-key atmosphere with an incredible selection of homemade food. The dining experience is more like a trip to your grandmother’s house for dinner, so settle in for a delicious meal and friendly service while overlooking the apple orchards. Then choose from menu specialties such as Apple Cider Pork Barbeque, Center Cut Country Ham, Farm Raised Catfish, and Chicken Pot Pie.

4. Greasy Spoon

Craving a burger and some wings? Then you’ll definitely want to check out Greasy Spoon, a hole-in-the-wall that Cosby locals love! With great prices and high-quality ingredients, you can’t go wrong with any of the mouthwatering options at this Smoky Mountain restaurant.

About Our Rafting Trips

family white water raftingCome join us for a thrilling Smoky Mountains whitewater rafting adventure. We offer several rafting trips from spring to fall, including our Lower River Rafting trip that is relaxing and perfect for families. Our Upper River Rafting trip is our most popular trip and is also our longest trip on the Pigeon River. During this exciting 6.5 mile journey, you will experience waves, drops and plenty of surfing as you navigate through about 70 rapids ranging from class 1 to class 4.

Now since you know some of the great restaurants near our Smoky Mountains whitewater rafting outpost, check out all of the information about our rafting trips today to plan your river adventure! We look forward to seeing you this season!

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