So many Restaurants in Lancaster County PA offer Amish Food and when visiting Pennsylvania’s Dutch Country you must experience some of it.
This area is known as an Amish-owned restaurant with authentic Amish cooking. Fried chicken, homemade chicken pot pie, smoked ham, mashed potatoes, and brown noodles are almost always on the menu. homemade ice cream and homemade desserts such as shoofly pie, whoopie pies, and apple dumplings are native to the Amish.
Ingredients come from area farms. Milk products, corn, fresh vegetables, and meats are grown locally. These fresh ingredients, along with most things made from scratch, bring people to this area to experience its food.
Most restaurants in the area that serve Amish food are either smorgasbord or family-style restaurants. Alcohol is not served at most.
In addition, a lot of these establishments employ the Amish and Mennonites and therefore are closed on Sundays due to the strong religious beliefs of this community.
I’ve been going to this area since I was a kid, I have tried all but a few of these restaurants.
Check our our article on things to do in Amish Country besides eating great food.
The restaurants below are not in any particular order of preference.
Table of Contents
Shady Maple Smorgasbord Restaurant
Shady Maple is the biggest smorgasbord in the United States. With 200 feet of food and 4 grill stations running on busy days, this restaurant is the largest in the area servicing Pennsylvania Dutch favorites.
In addition to the restaurant, Shady Maple has a Farmers Market (grocery store) where you can purchase several of the items you have at the restaurant to take home.
The bakery makes over 300 products from scratch so all baked goods served on the smorgasbord are homemade. They have a smokehouse where they smoke over 100 varieties of meat.
Shady Maple serves more than 1.5 million each year in the largest buffet in the United States. This large dining room holds 800 people at a time.
You can even get a free meal on your birthday. All you have to do is show your ID proving it’s your birthday. They give over 100,000 free birthday meals away each year!
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served 6 days a week (closed Sundays) from 6 am to 8 pm. Prices vary depending on the day of the week as dinner specials change daily.
What’s on the menu at Shady Maple
There is no way you could try everything on Shady Maple’s buffet on any given visit. I’ve eaten here for over 40 years and maybe, just maybe, I tried everything over time!
Their famous breakfast includes made-to-order items, breakfast meats including pancakes (oh, several different kinds or you can add almost everything) french toast, quiche, cereals, fruits, and pastries.
Lunch includes the following items:
- 46 salad items
- 8 kinds of bread and rolls
- 4 kinds of cheese
- 8 types of meat
- 14 vegetables
- 10 cold desserts
- 3 hot desserts
- 8 pies
- 6 cakes
- sundae bar
- many different beverage varieties
Dinner includes all of the above in addition to daily specials. Prices for dinner vary depending on the specials for that night.
Shady Maple Smorgasbord 129 Toddy Drive, East Earl PA 717-394-7111
Millers Smorgasbord & Restaurant
Miller’s has been around for over 90 years and was the original smorgasbord in the area.
They believe in buying the freshest ingredients that they serve in the restaurant from the local farms in the area so all foods are fresh and made from scratch.
There are three ways to dine at Millers:
- Smorgasbord features American and traditional Pennsylvania Dutch meals. Items include an appetizer bar, soup and salad, and bread bar, a carving station, a buffet with meats, sides, and vegetables, and a dessert bar.
- Soup & Salad Buffet includes 8 soups, several different salads as well as an assortment of rolls and bread.
- Menu dining includes several items. In addition to the items, you can also add on either the soup & salad bar, an appetizer bar, or the dessert bar with your entree.
Millers also differ from other restaurants in the area as they are open on Sundays and also serve alcohol (full bar).
Millers 2811 Lincoln Highway (RT 30), East Ronks, PA 800-669-3568
Yoder’s Restaurant & Buffet
Yoder’s Restaurant is adjacent to Yoder’s Supermarket. They serve both buffet style and menu style featuring Amish food as well as American.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served 6 days and week. Breakfast is served from 6 am to 10:30 am, lunch from 11 am to 3 pm, and dinner from 4 pm to 8 pm except on Saturday where dinner is served from 11 am to 8 pm.
On Sundays, they are only open for Sunday Brunch from 10 am to 2 pm. Sunday Brunch is served buffet style only and combines breakfast and lunch dishes.
Yoder also gives you a free meal on your birthday, but you must fill out a birthday card.
Yoder’s Restaurant 14 S. Tower Road, New Holland, PA 717-354-4748
Bird-in-Hand Restaurant
Bird-in-Hand is another restaurant that used to only offer buffet style but now also offers menu-style dining.
This restaurant is also known for its fresh farm-grown products and Amish cooking. They also have their bakery where all their baked goods for the restaurant are made as well as a bakeshop for you to take home some of your favorites.
Something different that this place has is a kid’s buffet. Housed in a Noah’s Ark display, (hand-built by a local Amish craftsman) this buffet features kids-friendly foods. Your kids will love having their “own” buffet to dine at.
Bird-in-Hand Restaurant 2760 Old Philadephia Pike (RT 340), Bird in Hand PA 717-768-1500
Smokehouse BBQ & Brews at Plain & Fancy
Owned by the same corporation that owns Miller’s, this restaurant is new to the area. Until recently Plain & Fancy served Amish food but now Smokehouse BBQ & Brews serves authentic American BBQ.
Favorites included fried chicken, smoked turkey, brisket, pulled pork, and BBQ ribs. They also serve alcohol from local craft breweries and wineries for you to try.
Lancaster Brewing Company, St. Boniface Craft Brewing, Troegs, Free Will Brewing, and Yuengling, as well as Waltz Vineyards, are featured on their bar menu.
You can take a tour of the Yuengling factory located nearby in Pottsville PA along with many other food factory tours in the area.
Smokehouse BBQ & Brews 3121 Old Philadephia Pike (RT 340), Bird in Hand, PA 717-768-4400
Katie’s Kitchen
Katie’s Kitchen is Amish owned and operated and is a sit-down and take-out restaurant. Amish food, as well as other entrees, are on their menu.
Although this restaurant gets a 4.5 star rating on Trip Advisor, recently I tried them for the first time and was not overly impressed.
The food was just ok and was served cold. I must say though, we shared several desserts and they were all good. The raspberry ice cream was delicious along with the cheesecake.
Katie’s Kitchen 200 Hartman Bridge Road (RT 896), Ronks PA 717-687-5333
Hershey Farms Restaurant & Inn
The “Grand Smorgasbord” is their specialty here at Hershey Farms. This buffet includes Amish food along with modern foods such as tacos, Philly cheesesteaks, and quesadillas. The food is quality with good service and this is one of my favorite restaurants in the area.
They are open 7 days a week serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner either buffet style or menu style. Take a look at the menu.
Hershey Farms is another restaurant in the area that offers a free dinner on your birthday. All you need to do is show your ID and enjoy!
Hershey Farms 240 Hartman Bridge Road (RT 896), Ronks, PA 800-827-8635
Dienner’s Country Restaurant
This is another Amish-owned restaurant in the area. Home-cooked Amish food is what’s on the menu, either buffet style or menu sit-down dining.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served Monday through Saturday from 7 am to 6 pm, except for Fridays when the place is open until 8 pm.
2855 Lincoln Highway East (RT30), Ronks, PA 717-687-9571
Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen
Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen, originally based in Mount Hope, Ohio, also has a location in New Holland, Pennsylvania, near Lancaster. This restaurant serves hearty Amish and Mennonite dishes in a comfortable, family-friendly setting. The menu features classics like fried chicken, roast beef, and homemade sides, along with a selection of freshly baked pies and desserts. Guests can enjoy a cozy atmosphere and an authentic dining experience reminiscent of traditional Amish country hospitality.
14 S Tower Rd, New Holland, PA 717-354-4748
Oregon Dairy Country Restaurant
This is the one restaurant on this list that I’ve personally never been to but I thought it was worth mentioning since it gets great reviews on Google and Trip Advisor.
This restaurant serves a Pennsylvania Dutch fare as well as other items. It has a buffet as well as menu dining, however, the breakfast buffet is only available from Friday to Sunday.
Opened 7 days a week from 6 am to 8 pm, they also have an ice cream shop and market with a bakery and a gift shop.
This place is great for families since it overlooks the dairy farm and they have a nice outside deck by the ice cream shop where you can relax when the kids are playing on the farmed-themed playground.
During the summer they even have concerts on Friday evenings, check their website for the schedule.
2900 Oregon Pike, Lititz, PA 717-656-2856
Lititz Family Cupboard Restaurant
Lititz Family Cupboard Restaurant is a beloved spot located in Lititz, Pennsylvania. It’s renowned for its homestyle Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere for families and visitors alike. The restaurant features a variety of dishes, including classic comfort foods, daily specials, and a salad bar.
Lititz Family Cupboard also has a bakery where guests can enjoy freshly baked pies, bread, and other sweet treats. It’s a great place to experience traditional Lancaster County hospitality and enjoy a hearty meal with family and friends.
12 W Newport RdLititz, PA (717) 626-9102
Brickhouse Coffee & Kitchen
Brickhouse Coffee & Kitchen is a cozy and welcoming café known for its locally roasted coffee and delicious homemade food. The café offers a relaxed atmosphere where customers can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and baked goods. With a focus on quality ingredients and friendly service, this spot has become a favorite among locals and visitors alike. The menu includes a variety of items like breakfast sandwiches, salads, soups, and desserts, all prepared with care. It’s an ideal place to enjoy a meal or a cup of coffee in a comfortable setting.
501 Greenfield Road, Lancaster, PA
Other than Amish Restaurants in the Area Worth Mentioning
If you’re staying in the Pennsylvania Dutch area for several days you might not always want to eat Amish food. There are many chain restaurants in the area (mostly on Route 30) including Cracker Barrel, Texas Road House, Applebees, Olive Garden, and Red Robin.
Here are a few restaurants that I enjoy that are not known chains or Amish cuisine that I frequent when in the area.
KLING HOUSE
Although not Amish food, this restaurant is located in the heart of Amish Country in the Kitchen Kettle Village.
This is one of the must-do stops for us when visiting the area. Unfortunately, since the pandemic, they are only open for special events, parties, and occasional days. But if they are open to the public when you visit make sure to stop by for a delicious meal.
You will never go wrong stopping here for a meal as they serve fresh good food with several varieties including whenever is in season at the time. If you’re there in fall the pumpkin pancakes are a must.Cream Brulee French Toast
My favorite breakfast item here is the creme brulee french toast.
Kling House 3529 Old Philadephia Pike (RT 340), Intercourse, PA 800-732-3538
The Eden Resort & Suites
The Eden Resort has several restaurants, all good but especially they are known for their Sunday Champagne Brunch. Served from 10:30 to 1:30 I would recommend making reservations as it gets very crowded. This fancy restaurant has delicious food and the buffet includes breakfast and lunch entrees as well as a full dessert bar. Known for their crab soup, there are several seafood items on the buffet.
This brunch is a great end to your getaway, especially on our girls’ weekend trips to the Amish Country.
222 Eden Road, Lancaster, PA 717-569-6444
Final Thoughts
Restaurants in Pennsylvania Dutch country offer traditional Amish-style buffet so when you’re in the area you must try some. Delicious food and homemade pies are their specialties along with friendly service.
This list includes my favorite places, what are some of your favorites? Let me know in the comments below.
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I’ve lived in PA my whole life but never made it to Lancaster. This is my kind of food and another incentive to make a point to drive out there one day.
Their food is so good you should try to have it one day!
Never tried Amish food. Now I really want to 😊. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, it’s very good!
I never really thought about what kinds of food the Amish eat. I’d love to visit this area. I have always been fascinated with the Amish and their lifestyle and the artisan skills they have. Good to know there are so many restaurants that serve their food!
Yes, they are fascinating people living a very simple life and that is also found in their food that everything is homemade and comes from the land.
Love Amish country! Can’t wait to try some new restaurants out!!
Yes there are so many to choose from that have really good food, enjoy!
I have eaten at Oregon Dairy, albeit quite a few years ago, and the food was good. I would also recommend The Brickerville House, on Lititz Pike (501) near the intersection with 322. Good home-cooked food with Amish specialties. This is about 10 minutes from the Wolf Sanctuary of PA, in between Lancaster and Hershey. Sadly, two awesome Amish restaurants that are no longer with us, The Amish Barn and Stoltzfus Family Farm, had fantastic food. However, you can get the country sausage that was served at both of these places at Stoltzfus Meat Market, across from Kitchen Kettle, which is worth a visit while you’re in the area. The country sausage is the best and the ham loaf is great too.
Yes, I also loved those restaurants especially Amish Barm and I do like to go to Kitchen Kettle and Stoltzfus meats. I visit both places every time I go to Amish Country!