Gondolier Italian Restaurant
InlandA large, reliable Italian chain restaurant in Harriman that draws consistent crowds with generous portions and a wide menu.
Gondolier operates at scale. The menu is long, the dining room fills up, and most people leave with a to-go box. It is a chain with multiple Tennessee locations, and the Harriman outpost follows the format: casual Italian-American with pizza, pasta, gyros, stromboli, calzones, complimentary breadsticks at the table, and a dessert case visible near the entrance. The Death by Chocolate cake is the specific dessert that comes up most often by name, though several accounts note that dessert slices have been cut thinner than they used to be, which has bothered regulars.
The pizza is consistently praised. Spaghetti, garlic breadsticks, and lasagna are reliable orders. The calzones get good marks. The house special calzone has been called out specifically. Breadsticks arrive hot and are included at the start of every meal. The salads come fresh. Gyros are on the menu and the portion has been described as large.
Service is attentive on normal shifts. The place can get loud when full. If you are arriving as a large group, confirm that you are being seated together at the host stand; the dining room can be busy and communication about group seating is worth being explicit about. The kitchen is experienced enough that even a packed dining room generally turns food out hot and reasonably fast.
This is a strip-mall location that consistently outperforms its exterior. People who walk in skeptical tend to leave recommending it. Accessible, consistent, good for groups.
Tips
- The Death by Chocolate cake is worth saving room for; ask about the slice size before ordering if portion size matters.
- Breadsticks are complimentary and arrive hot; pace yourself.
- If you are coming as a large group, confirm seating together when you arrive or call ahead.
- The menu is extensive; narrowing to pizza, pasta, or calzones keeps the decision manageable.
What people love
- Generous portions at prices that hold up well relative to quality.
- The pizza, consistently described as good and loaded with toppings.
- Hot, complimentary breadsticks at every table.
- The Death by Chocolate cake, when the slices are full size.
- Attentive servers on good shifts.
What to know
- Dessert portions, particularly cake slices, have been cut smaller in recent years; ask about the slice size before ordering if that matters.
- The dining room gets loud when full.
- Large groups should confirm seating together at the host stand on arrival.
- This is a chain with multiple Tennessee locations; the Harriman location has its own staff and kitchen.
- The exterior is a strip mall; do not judge the meal by the parking lot.
Best time
Weekday lunch or early dinner for a quieter dining room. Friday and Saturday evenings are busy.
First visit
On Roane State Highway in Harriman. Strip mall location, easy parking. Breadsticks arrive immediately after seating; the dessert case is near the entrance on the way in.
How to get in
Walk-in, no reservations. Expect a wait during busy dinner hours.
With kids
The menu has wide appeal for kids and the generous portion sizes mean parents can share. The environment is casual and family groups are the norm.
Signature items
- Death by Chocolate Cake
- House Special Calzone
- Pizza (various)
- Spaghetti with Garlic Breadsticks
- Gyro
Location
Frequently asked
When is Gondolier Italian Restaurant open?
Open seven days a week. Hours extend to 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays; 9 PM most other evenings.
Is Gondolier Italian Restaurant good for families with kids?
The menu has wide appeal for kids and the generous portion sizes mean parents can share. The environment is casual and family groups are the norm.
How do I get to Gondolier Italian Restaurant?
On Roane State Highway in Harriman. Strip mall location, easy parking. Breadsticks arrive immediately after seating; the dessert case is near the entrance on the way in.
Does Gondolier Italian Restaurant take reservations?
Walk-in, no reservations. Expect a wait during busy dinner hours.
What should I order at Gondolier Italian Restaurant?
The signature orders are Death by Chocolate Cake, House Special Calzone, Pizza (various).
What should I know before visiting Gondolier Italian Restaurant?
Dessert portions, particularly cake slices, have been cut smaller in recent years; ask about the slice size before ordering if that matters.
Last updated: April 30, 2026