The Abbey at the Heartland Little River Chapel

4.6 ( 1029 reviews )
Checking... 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM See Hours
$10–20
7765 River Rd, Townsend, TN 37882, United States
+1 865-448-1924

The Abbey at the Heartland Little River Chapel, located in the picturesque Townsend, TN, is a delightful escape for food enthusiasts seeking a relaxed dining experience. Customers rave about the charming ambiance, characterized by airy spaces with large windows that create a serene atmosphere, perfect for unwinding after exploring the nearby Smokies.

The menu features a variety of offerings, from the highly praised brisket sandwich to the crispy fish and chips, hailed for their perfect texture and flavor. Diners also commend the vibrant strawberry salad, noted for its freshness and artistic presentation. The croissant sandwich, filled with ham and cheese, has also garnered accolades for its robust flavor profile. The tater tots, golden and addictive, consistently receive enthusiastic mentions across reviews.

Service at The Abbey is described as friendly and efficient, with patrons appreciating the casual ordering process that enhances the relaxed vibe. The ample selection of local beers and ciders adds to the enjoyable experience, making it an ideal spot for both locals and visitors. With a stunning setting by the river and live music on weekends, The Abbey is not just a meal but an experience to remember. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a memorable culinary adventure.

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
    • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
    • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • From the business
    • Identifies as women-owned
  • Service options
    • Has outdoor seating
    • On-site services available
    • Offers takeaway
    • Serves dine-in
    • No delivery
  • Highlights
    • Has fast service
    • Has fireplace
    • Has great beer selection
    • Serves great cocktails
    • Serves great dessert
    • Has live music
    • Good for watching sport
  • Popular for
    • Popular for lunch
    • Popular for dinner
    • Good for solo dining
  • Offerings
    • Serves alcohol
    • Serves beer
    • Serves cocktails
    • Serves coffee
    • Serves comfort food
    • Serves healthy options
    • Quick bite
    • Serves small plates
    • Serves spirits
    • Serves vegan dishes
    • Serves vegetarian dishes
    • Serves wine
  • Dining options
    • Serves brunch
    • Serves lunch
    • Serves dinner
    • Has catering
    • Serves dessert
    • Has seating
  • Amenities
    • Has bar on site
    • Has toilet
    • Has Wi-Fi
    • Free Wi-Fi
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
    • Historic
    • Quiet
    • Trendy
  • Crowd
    • Family friendly
    • Good for groups
    • LGBTQ+ friendly
    • Popular with tourists
  • Planning
    • Doesn't accept reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts credit cards
    • Accepts debit cards
    • Accepts NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards
  • Children
    • Good for kids
    • Has changing table(s)
    • High chairs available
    • Has kids' menu
  • Parking
    • Free of charge street parking
    • Free parking lot
    • On-site parking
    • Plenty of parking
  • Pets
    • Dogs allowed

Reviews For The Abbey at the Heartland Little River Chapel

Chapel in the Hollow
Jun 29,2025
5 Stars – Delicious Food & Chill Vibes in Townsend! We stopped by The Abbey in Townsend, TN, and absolutely loved everything about it! It’s a super cute, airy spot with big open windows that let in the mountain breeze—such a great place to relax and enjoy a meal. My husband ordered the brisket sandwich and couldn’t stop raving about it. We split the strawberry salad, and it was honestly one of the best I’ve had—fresh, flavorful, and beautifully put together. I had the fish and chips with tater tots, and both were perfection. The fish was cooked just right—crispy outside, flaky inside—and the tots were golden and addictive. The setup is easy: you walk through a line, order at the counter, and they bring the food to your table. Super casual and efficient. They also have tons of alcohol options (hello, local beer and cider!) and the prices were really reasonable for the quality. Overall, The Abbey is a total gem in Townsend—great food, chill atmosphere, and a perfect place to kick back after exploring the Smokies. We’ll definitely be back!
Josh Delozier
May 31,2025
The Abbey is truly a standout destination for anyone seeking great food in a relaxed atmosphere. I recently celebrated my birthday here, and from start to finish, everything exceeded expectations. The food was outstanding. I ordered the ham and cheese croissant, which was perfectly packed with flavor, accompanied by fresh tomato and onion. The tater tots were crispy and golden, served with just the right amount of ketchup. Service was excellent—friendly, attentive, and quick. The staff made sure everything was just right, and my meal arrived promptly, I really enjoyed the experience. If you’re looking for a place with delicious food, exceptional service, and a memorable setting. The Abbey should be at the top of your list. Highly recommended for locals and visitors alike! 100 A
Amy Sableski
May 5,2025
This restaurant is very beautiful! We loved sitting out by the water. It started to rain so we had to come inside but the walls of the restaurant open up and they have screens that come down to keep the bugs out but still allowing you to have that beautiful outdoor vibe. It was very lovely. The food was delicious, it came out hot and fresh. We can’t wait to return when we visit again.
Patty Casteel
Apr 30,2025
We’re local and Townsend is one of our favorite places because we love the mountains but not the crowds. The Abbey was new to us. What a delightful surprise!! Great beer options! The only fly in the ointment today, no wings but we’ll just come back to try them out. We had the most delicious hot dogs! We liked the ordering process. We were able to choose where we wanted to sit, this was awesome! What a beautiful spring day to sit out in the large outdoor area, beside the river and enjoy the wonderful sounds! We even heard a peacock from across the river! We plan on coming back, get a room and come enjoy some of the live music they have on Friday and Saturday nights.
Julie Kennedy
Apr 25,2025
I'm pleasantly surprised by the food at The Abbey! The building was intriguing and picturesque. I missed the entrance sign and went in through the abbey room, which was okay. The bartender had to explain the seating and ordering procedures as there wasn't clear signage. Everyone was very gracious and helpful. The outside seating overlooking the river was plentiful, and it was a good day to sit in the shade to enjoy the views. Highly recommend the loaded tots, but everything was very yummy.
Regina Frazer
Apr 16,2025
Absolutely delicious food with an even better view! We had a wonderful experience dining riverside at The Abbey. Every dish we tried was flavorful and freshly prepared—from the cheesy pulled pork tots to the perfectly cooked burger and crispy chicken tenders. The pulled pork sliders were also a hit! The real standout, though, was the service—friendly, attentive, and welcoming. Sitting outside by the river added a peaceful and scenic touch to the meal. Highly recommend for a relaxing bite with a beautiful view. We’ll definitely be back!
Steve Sherron
Mar 19,2025
Awesome place. You order when you walk in and then go find a table and they will find you with your food. Great selection of beer. I had the meat Flatbread and it was great. Wife had side salad and it was pretty big and also delicious. We grabbed a table beside the river. You just can’t beat the atmosphere. Highly recommend.
Adrienne Finney
Mar 10,2025
Loved our experience at The Abbey. We had a great lunch at this beautiful restaurant. When you walk into the restaurant, there are menus on the wall. You order your food and then sit down. The view of the river behind it is very nice and relaxing. We had friendly service, I would return to this restaurant in Townsend, TN.

Add a Review

Quality
Location
Price
Space
Service

Location

Appreciated by Others

Taqueria Zapotlanejo
(229 review)
Taqueria Zapotlanejo
  • 440 Elkhorn Blvd Suite #10, Rio Linda, CA 95673, United States
Mexican restaurant
+1 916-991-2144
Fusion Cuisine
(224 review)
Fusion Cuisine
  • 1030 US-51 A, Madison, MS 39110, United States
Thai restaurant
+1 601-790-7999
Monty's Cafe
(195 review)
Monty's Cafe
  • 30 Railway Approach, Worthing BN11 1UR, United Kingdom
cafe
Spicer & Cole, Clifton Village
(519 review)
Spicer & Cole, Clifton Village
  • 9 Princess Victoria St, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4BX, United Kingdom
Cafe
Mangia Ristorante & Pizzeria
(575 review)
Mangia Ristorante & Pizzeria
  • 5354 McGinnis Ferry Rd, Alpharetta, GA 30005, United States
italian restaurant
+1 770-619-9797
Petinos La Prairie
(1437 review)
Petinos La Prairie
  • 1022 Taschereau Blvd, La Prairie, Quebec J5R 1W6, Canada
Breakfast restaurant
+1 450-984-1919
Scusi!
(105 review)
Scusi!
  • 337 E Main St, Pullman, WA 99163, United States
Restaurant
+1 509-715-6777
John's Drive-In
(732 review)
John's Drive-In
  • 17 N Charleston Ave, Fort Meade, FL 33841, United States
American restaurant
+1 863-285-9680
Palio's Pizza Cafe - Howe
(290 review)
Palio's Pizza Cafe - Howe
  • 303 W Haning St, Howe, TX 75459, United States
pizza restaurant
+1 903-532-0390
Akron China King
(190 review)
Akron China King
  • 65 Main St, Akron, NY 14001, United States
chinese restaurant
+1 716-542-6857