Fiafia Smoothie Cafe Feeding Gatlinburg With a Healthier Option

Gatlinburg is certainly not known as a place for the health-conscious to continue their good eating habits. Not by a longshot. The four food groups in Gatlinburg might as well be pancakes, fudge, ice cream, and grease, if we’re being totally honest. Everywhere you turn, it’s one sugar and artery-clogging place after another. And while very few people are really that concerned about their diet when they’re on vacation, it’s nice to know there are a few places that extend a helping hand to the health monitors. And that’s especially positive for someone like myself who has conquered most, but has difficulty with a few things.

Enter Fiafia Smoothie Cafe. Fiafia (pronounced, fee-uh, fee-uh) is a Samoan word for “happiness. It opened in October 2024 in the very back part of Calhoun’s Village, appropriately located just feet away from the idyllic setting of a bridge and creek. This business is actually the second location, with the original shop’s home being in the coastal town of Kennebunkport, Maine—some 1,000 miles away from Gatlinburg.

Photo from the Fiafia Smoothie Cafe Facebook Page.

Their menu is pretty extensive, covering the gamut of smoothies, smoothie bowls, lemonades, teas, coffee, and toasts with terrific, tasteful spreads such as avocado, chickpeas, and seasonal fruits. As a diabetic, many of the smoothies would likely not keep my blood sugar from spiking; however, something on the menu caught my eye and sounded more in tune with how favorable my endocrine system might respond to such a “treat.”

I had pretty much made up my mind what I wanted upon arrival, but I still stood and checked the menu on the wall to peruse the options. Even though it was well past lunchtime, I hadn’t touched any food yet that day. I was still reeling from the previous day’s malaise, so I really wanted to take it easy, and what better chance than to take advantage of their healthy mixes.

I chose the Power Oats, only with a couple of modifications. This bowl contains Gluten Free organic oats, sea salt, walnuts, coconut shreds, hemp, chia, and flax seeds, banana, strawberries, Ceylon cinnamon, and a maple drizzle. I knew the latter was a sugar additive, so I nixed that. Also, I substituted banana for a double serving of berries, because I knew a banana would likely cause quite a spike.

So how was it? I would say… perfect. It was well worth the $10 I would’ve spent on something far less invigorating. It gave me enough of a boost to motivate me to venture out onto the Gatlinburg Trial, where I enjoyed the spring-like weather that was gracing Gatlinburg. I try to stay away from loads of carbs—even oatmeal—however, its low glycemic index causes slower “spikes,” and my miles of walking stymied its effects. To put it simply, I felt amazing the rest of the day. Now I’m probably going to return to eating regular oatmeal, adding some seeds and nuts to get that extra dose of healthy protein.

After sitting on the bench outside this little cafe in the back of Calhoun’s Village enjoying a bamboo bowl of Power Oats, I will absolutely return to the scene for more. I can’t guarantee I’ll try anything else, but I know if I want a healthy splurge, this is an ideal place for me, and of course, you as well. It’s off the beaten path a bit, but you’ll not regret seeking out Fiafia Smoothie Cafe for a more appropriate dessert for your health, instead of the alluring junk that’s an easy grab on the Parkway.

Fiafia Smoothie Cafe, once again, is located at the back of Calhouns Village in downtown Gatlinburg. The address is 1004 Parkway, #821.

Facebook: Fiafia Smoothie Cafe

Thank you for reading about my latest find in downtown Gatlinburg that I hope you’ll decide to check out. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—small businesses are an important part of this community. Please support them with the energy that you support the big fish in your own hometown. I would rather root for the little guys and girls, and we are always eager to give our money to small, friendly, local establishments. Stay tuned for more good stuff I hope to cover real soon! I appreciate you all!