Cataloochee Ranch

“This review is for the restaurant and grounds only. We did not see the rooms or other amenities. The food, service and atmosphere are all top notch, the best we have had in WNC on all counts! That being said, it's very expensive. An average dinner for two with some drinks, appetizer and dessert might be over $200 and could go a lot higher if you order the steak or pricy wine. Beware of accepting the big ice cube they offer for whisky drinks. They don't mention it, but they charge an extra $3 for it. And if you order extra crackers for you trout dip (it doesn't come with enough), they charge $4. I knew it was a pricy place, but those extra charges really rubbed me the wrong way, especially since there was no mention until the bill came. Anyway, I gave them 5 stars, and I might go back but I'll have the pizza and avoid the ice cubes and trout dip. The Pizzas are excellent and the best value if you are ok with having little to no meat with your meal.”

“Amazing food, service and views! The staff were incredibly friendly and very knowledgeable of the history of the ranch. The Wednesday night BBQ is a must for amazing meats! The rooms are spacious, clean and relaxing! Plenty of activities to stay busy and highly recommend the hike up to The Swag. One of a kind place that may be the best kept secret on the East Coast!”

“Cataloochee Ranch exceeded our expectations in every way. The hospitality was exceptional from start to finish, with thoughtful touches, attentive service, and a genuine sense that every detail mattered. The property itself is absolutely stunning, with incredible views in every direction. The food was a true standout. Every meal felt elevated, intentional, and made from scratch, with flavors that were both creative and memorable. The breakfast biscuits alone are worth the trip. The horseback riding was also a highlight. It was more adventurous than expected and made even more special by how much care and pride goes into the horses. Overall, this is a beautifully curated and experience with top-tier hospitality and unforgettable food. We absolutely loved our stay and would highly recommend it.”

“My wife scheduled for her and I to do the 10:00 - 12:00 ATV Tour followed by Brunch at 1:00 for Valentines Day. Our Tour Guide, Megan, was absolutely amazing, creating a very special day for us. She even saw us to the beautiful bar for a visit with Austin, who continued the amazing service. Our brunch exceeded our expectations, as well. We are very grateful for the experience at The Ranch!”

“Cataloochee Ranch is a spectacular setting whether visiting for a meal or staying to enjoy the Smokey Mountains. We enjoy taking visitors to the area up to the ranch as a special night out and for a wonderful meal. While the food was fantastic as usual, there seemed to be a significant drop in level of service from our prior visits. We had a 7:15 reservation, were seated at 7:30 but food did not arrive to the table till 9pm. When it did start to arrive, it was 15 minutes from when the first plate arrived till the last person at our table was served. We barely saw our waitress, even had to have one of the managers take our drink order 5+ minutes after sitting down. I was able to visit with Ms Liz Jones (Restaurant Manager) who was interested in hearing our concerns and was polite to deal with. She indicated that the property had recently added capacity and that the restaurant was still learning to deal with the increased load. Will hope they learn quickly. Would love to be able to continue to bring guests to CR for a really unique evening experience.”