Pat McAfee tries J.C. Holdway food during ‘College GameDay’ at Tennessee
J.C. Holdway, a Knoxville restaurant, was named a Top 50 restaurant in the U.S. by the New York Times last week, one of only two Tennessee spots to make the list.
Sevierville’s Ristorante DellaSantina and PawPaw’s Catfish Kitchen are named among United States’ top ‘hidden gem’ restaurantsRistorante DellaSantina offers guests Italian cuisinePawPaw’s Catfish Kitchen in Sevierville has a menu full of Cajan classics.
The Great Smoky Mountains are full of hidden gems: Hiking trails, waterfalls, and these two restaurants, according to TripAdvisor.
The travel site recognized Ristorante DellaSantina and PawPaw’s Catfish Kitchen as top hidden gems in its 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards. Both restaurants are located in Sevierville, located less than 30 minutes away from Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The annual awards celebrate the “best of the best” restaurants around the United States in such categories as fine dining, hidden gems, pet-friendly and more.
Each category features just 25 of the country’s top dining establishments.
Ristorante DellaSantina ranked at No. 16 in the hidden gem category, while PawPaw’s Catfish Kitchen came in at No. 24, according to TripAdvisor.
Here’s what to know about each restaurant, its menu and how to make your reservation.
No. 16: Ristorante DellaSantina
Ristorante DellaSantina is a premier spot for Italian cuisine in Sevierville.
The restaurant has a diverse menu full of Italian classics such as chicken or shrimp alfredo and chicken parmesan. Ristorante DellaSantina also boasts an impressive array of seafood dishes, including scaloppine con capellini and lobster ravioli.
The seafood is flown in fresh, daily, according to the restaurant.
The Sevierville favorite has a fully-stocked bar and an expansive wine menu to pair with your dinner.
“Ristorante DellaSantina keeps things relaxed but well put-together, with artistic decor and a friendly, attentive staff,” TripAdvisor wrote. “You’ll notice the seafood dishes are a highlight – definitely try the daily special. Portions are generous and everything’s served hot, with impressive presentation.”
While reservations are not required, you can call the restaurant ahead of time to reserve your table. The restaurant’s phone number is (865) 446-4865.
No. 24: PawPaw’s Catfish Kitchen
PawPaw’s brings the taste of New Orleans to East Tennessee.
Owners Chris and Rebecca Buras are serving up all kinds of authentic Cajun cuisine, from po-boys to gumbo to barbecue. Of course, true to PawPaw’s name, there are also plenty of catfish dishes.
You can get the classic fried catfish basket, or try a specialty dish like catfish with a creole cream sauce. According to the rave TripAdvisor reviews, you can’t go wrong.
“PawPaw’s Catfish Kitchen gives you that laid-back, family-friendly spot where Southern hospitality really shines. Catfish is the highlight – fried perfectly, never greasy – with sides like hush puppies that keep things classic,” TripAdvisor wrote. “The portions are generous and prices are fair. The staff is genuinely attentive, and you’ll notice how fresh everything tastes.”
You don’t need a reservation to visit PawPaw’s Catfish Kitchen. However, that’s not to say the restaurant doesn’t fill up.
“If you can, grab a seat early to beat the crunch,” TripAdvisor recommended.
How far is Sevierville from Knoxville?
Fear not, Knoxville locals, this award-winning food is only a quick drive from the Scruffy City.
PawPaw’s Catfish Kitchen is at 2760 Wears Valley Road in Sevierville, about 30 miles south of downtown Knoxville, according to Google Maps. Your drive will take about an hour.
Ristorante DellaSantina, 2004 Red Bank Road, is almost as far. The Italian restaurant is about 34 miles southwest of Knoxville, according to Google Maps.
Who won TripAdvisor’s Hidden Gem Travelers’ Choice Awards?1 Kitchen, Nashville, TennesseeUrban Prime, Viera, FloridaPancetta Kitchen & Wine Bar, Teaneck, New JerseyThe Copper Door, Hayesville, North CarolinaCabbage Key, Pineland, FloridaBungalow By The Sea, Miami Beach, FloridaPortugal Wine Bar & Grill, Palm Coast, FloridaGolden Lyon Vintage Pub, Fort Lauderdale, FloridaTrattoria Amalfi, Mystic, ConnecticutHurrica Restaurant & Bar at Westpoint Harbor, Redwood City, CaliforniaOsteria Nonnino, New York City, New YorkLewis Barbecue Charleston, Charleston, South CarolinaZen Sushi & Sake, Lexington, KentuckyBrenda’s French Soul Food, San Francisco, CaliforniaJoselito’s Mexican Food, Los Angeles, CaliforniaRistorante DellaSantina, Sevierville, TennesseeFrancesco’s Ristorante Italiano, Williamsburg, VirginiaLakeside Restaurant, Highlands, North CarolinaThe Boot Pizzeria, Huntsville, AlabamaBlue Canoe, Tupelo, MississippiNorma – Gastronomia Siciliana, New York City, New YorkThe Cozy Taberna, Salem, OregonMiazga’s, Jackson, WyomingPawPaw’s Catfish Kitchen, Sevierville, TennesseeAt Elm St Grill, Greensboro, North Carolina
Allison Kiehl covers trending and breaking news from Knoxville for the Tennessee Connect Team. Email: allison.kiehl@knoxnews.com
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Dining and Cooking