Where to Buy Groceries Near Gatlinburg
One of the biggest perks of booking a vacation rental in the Smoky Mountains is the convenience of cooking at home. Going out for one or two meals during vacation is nice and gives you a taste of local flavors, but for every meal? That gets exhausting and expensive fast.
It’s much more convenient to stop by a local grocery store and stock up on the basics after arrival so you have everything you need for easy breakfasts, picnic lunches and cozy dinners in the comfort of your home. Below, you’ll find a list of grocery stores near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, as well as nearby rentals so you can properly plan for your arrival and kickstart your east Tennessee getaway with ease.
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In This Article:
- Grocery Stores Near Gatlinburg, TN
- Grocery Stores in Sevierville, TN
- Pigeon Forge Grocery Stores
- Book Your Smoky Mountain Vacation Rental
- FAQs
Grocery Stores Near Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg grocery stores leave a bit to be desired. With only one main option inside the city, many visitors opt to stock up before they get to town. That said, if you need mid-week refills or if you’re not loyal to a particular grocery chain, there’s still a way to get everything you need, only minutes from your rental.
Pro Tip: Check the traffic report as you near Gatlinburg. Peak seasons and busier times of day can turn an easy drive into one that takes hours. You don’t want to buy ice cream and have it melt while you sit in traffic trying to get up the mountain. Having a cooler and some ice on hand can help keep your groceries cold on the drive to your rental.
Food City
- Address: 1219 East Pkwy, Highway 321, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
- Open: Daily from 6 AM to Midnight.
- Holiday Hours: Thanksgiving: Close at 3 PM | Christmas Eve: Close at 6 PM | Christmas Day: Closed
With convenient hours and all the trimmings of a national brand, Food City is the most convenient grocery store in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. While there are small markets, Latin food stores and boutique shops throughout the town, if you need to do your big shopping haul for the week, Food City will have everything you need.
Download their mobile app before you arrive so you can access the latest coupons and deals. You can even shop while riding shotgun and opt for curbside pickup on your way to your Venture Smoky Mountains rental.
Speaking of your rental, you’ll find many properties near Food City. Here’s one of our favorites:
Valley View Lodge
5 Bedrooms/5 Bathrooms/Sleeps 18
Distance to Food City: ~1.5 miles (roughly 6 minutes)
This three-story Gatlinburg cabin features a huge kitchen equipped with a large double-door stainless steel fridge, an oven, microwave, coffee maker, all the pots and pans you need for cooking and a spacious island for meal prepping. Plus, the open concept means you never miss a beat of family time while preparing meals.
Whole Earth Grocery & Café
- Address: 446 East Pkwy, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
- Open: Mon – Sat: 10 AM – 5 PM | Closed Sunday
Whole Earth is a great option for folks with dietary restrictions. You’ll find vegan and vegetarian options, plus organic seasonal produce and some canned goods. With limited hours and inventory, it’s not for big pre-arrival shopping sprees, but it’s a great spot to check out during your stay. They have a café that serves lunch from 11 AM to 3 PM Monday – Saturday.
Nearby Rental: Lazy Bear Lodge (NR)
4 Bedrooms/2 Bathrooms/Sleeps 12
Distance to Whole Earth Grocery and Café: ~0.6 miles (roughly 2 minutes)
Featuring a hot tub and game room, this beautiful Gatlinburg rental features plenty of space for relaxing and options for entertainment. It’s also dog-friendly! After a day of hiking or exploring nearby downtown, you can come home and throw burgers on the grill or make use of the fully equipped kitchen for a tasty hot meal.
See All Gatlinburg Vacation Rentals
Grocery Stores in Sevierville, Tennessee
If you’re heading into Gatlinburg from Knoxville, traveling along Highway 441 or Interstate 40, you’ll pass through Sevierville on your way. Whether your final destination is one of our Sevierville vacation rentals or you’re heading into Gatlinburg, you have lots of options for big-brand grocery stores while you’re here.
Publix
- Address: 750 Winfield Dunn Pkwy Ste 100, Sevierville, TN, 37876
- Open: Daily 7 AM to 10 PM
Visitors who aren’t from the Southeast may be unfamiliar with this popular grocer. Known for outstanding customer service, impeccable cleanliness and dedication to its staff (it’s an employee-owned company), it’s the place “where shopping is a pleasure.” The deli is famous for its “pub-subs” and their prepared foods are also top-notch. Complete with a bakery, deli, pharmacy and all the household items you need for your stay (garbage bags, toiletries, etc.), this stop will make stocking up a breeze.
Kroger
- Address: 702 Winfield Dunn Pkwy, Sevierville, TN 37876
- Open: Mon – Fri: 8 AM to 8 PM | Sat: 9 AM to 6 PM | Sun: 11 AM to 5 PM
Perhaps more well known than Publix, Kroger offers a similar shopping experience in terms of variety and ease of finding what you need. While Publix feels like the Target of the grocery store world, Kroger will have all the essentials, but with slightly less attention to aesthetics. Both these brands have their own apps and offer curbside pickup, and you may even be able to find them on Instacart for delivery straight to your rental.
Aldi
- Address: 538 Winfield Dunn Pkwy, Sevierville, TN 37876
- Open: Daily from 9 AM to 8 PM
This German brand has been around since the 1940s and offers affordable groceries, though the variety isn’t as reliable as other national brands. Some things to know if you’ve never shopped at Aldi:
- You need a quarter to access a shopping cart
- You need to bring your own bags, or you can purchase them in-store
- You bag your own groceries
- You’ll find more Aldi brands than big-name brands
- The carts rotate, meaning your groceries end up in the cart of the person who came before you. You can push it over to a bagging table and leave your own cart for the next person in line.
Produce can be hit or miss at Aldi, but they have great prices on charcuterie meats, fresh fish and you can find unique frozen goods too.
Food City
- Address: 741 Dolly Parton Pkwy, Sevierville, TN 37864
- Open: Daily from 6 AM to Midnight
- Holiday Hours: Thanksgiving: Close at 3 PM | Christmas Eve: Close at 6 PM | Christmas Day: Closed
As we mentioned above, Food City will have all your grocery goods. The key differentiator when you’re in Sevierville and have options is price. Food City will usually beat Kroger and Publix when it comes to affordability.
Walmart Neighborhood Market
- Address: 1185 Dolly Parton Pkwy, Sevierville, TN 37862
- Open: Daily from 6 AM to 11 PM
If you stripped away all but the grocery section from a Walmart Super Store, you’d have a Walmart Neighborhood Market — all the deals of Walmart and far less crowded.
Nearby Rental: Modern Mountain Tranquility
3 Bedrooms/3 Bathrooms/Sleeps 10
Distance to Grocery Options: ~3 miles from Publix, Kroger, Food City, Walmart Neighborhood Market and Aldi (roughly 15 minutes)
This sleek, modern cabin features a large kitchen, a double-door fridge with a bottom freezer, a spacious island for family dining, and plenty of cabinet and pantry space for all your groceries.
See All Sevierville Vacation Homes
Pigeon Forge Grocery Stores
Even closer to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge offers many of the same retailers we’ve named already. You’ll find the following grocery options:
- Kroger – 220 Wears Valley Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Publix – 2656 Pkwy, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
- Food City – 3064 Teaster Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
There are also a couple of unique food retailers like Taste of Europe, where you’ll find Eastern European goods, and Express by Food City – all the convenience of a grocery store with some added home goods that can make barbecues or days on the trails easier.
Nearby Rental: Mountain View
2 Bedrooms/2 bathrooms/Sleeps 6
Distance to Food City: ~2 miles (Roughly 8 minutes)
A quaint cabin perfect for small family getaways featuring a cozy kitchen that’s great for easy mornings around the table and quick meals after a day on the town.
Pigeon Forge Retreat
9 Bedrooms/9 Bathrooms/Sleeps 23
Distance to Publix: ~1.5 miles (roughly 6 minutes)
Large, fully equipped kitchen complete with grilling options, ample dining room seating and communal areas.
View All Pigeon Forge Vacation Rentals
Book Your Smoky Mountain Vacation Rental
Beyond the rentals we’ve mentioned above, Venture Smoky Mountains has a massive inventory that spans from Gatlinburg to Wears Valley. With more than 200 homes, we’re certain there’s a perfect spot for your family. Plus, each of our Smoky Mountain rentals comes with a full kitchen, refrigerator and all the essentials you need to whip up delicious meals throughout your stay. Browse our full catalog and book directly with us for the best rate on your visit!
See All Smoky Mountain Vacation Rentals
Frequently Asked Questions About Grocery Stores in Gatlinburg
How much does ice cost in the National Park?
Ice is not sold inside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, so you'll need to buy it before entering. You can get a 5-pound bag of Misty Mountain ice at Food City for around $2 (price is subject to change).
How much ice do I need to keep my drinks cool in the summer?
A good rule of thumb is to have one pound of ice per person per hour if you'll be outside. The type of cooler you have can greatly impact this, though, especially with brands that tout their ability to keep ice frozen for hours on end, like Yeti.
Can you drink alcohol in the National Park?
You can, but you need to be at a designated picnic area, campground or shelter.
Do Gatlinburg cabins have a fridge?
While we can't speak for every cabin in Gatlinburg, all of our rentals at Venture Smoky Mountains will have a refrigerator available for guests.
How far is the grocery store from our fridge?
This depends on where you stay. Above, we've mapped several Venture Smoky Mountain rentals to nearby grocers so you can see just how long it will take to get from store to fridge. However, you should always check the traffic for up-to-date info so you can plan your grocery stop accordingly.
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