Barns, Bakeries & New Beginnings: Meet Lebanon’s Fresh Amish Settlement


Lebanon’s Amish Community

Lebanon, Pennsylvania, is welcoming a new wave of Amish settlers—a community that’s adding another layer of depth, tradition, and rural enterprise to an area long known for its agricultural bounty and Pennsylvania Dutch cultural heritage. While Lancaster County often gets the spotlight, Lebanon County’s Amish settlements have quietly expanded, attracting both locals and visitors with their timeless crafts, hearty foods, and distinctive way of life. In 2025, the growth is unmistakable, and the new arrivals are setting up homes, businesses, and restaurants, eager to share their legacy and hospitality with the region.


The Emergence of a New Amish Community

The new Amish settlement in Lebanon County was established by families seeking more space, affordable farmland, and the chance to cultivate new businesses while maintaining close ties to Lancaster and Dauphin County’s sister communities[][]. Arriving with buggies and tradition in tow, these newcomers preserved the old ways—plain dress, low-tech farming, and a commitment to faith and neighborliness—while also embracing entrepreneurial spirit.

Today, the area around Myerstown sees active farmsteads, woodshops, bakeries, and bustling market days. Old Order and Swartzentruber Amish groups have set up alongside New Order congregations, leading to a vibrant mix of practices, enterprises, and community events[][].

amish

Visiting Lebanon’s Amish Businesses & Restaurants

Craft Shops:
One highlight is the Reistville Amish craft store, operated by a local Amish woman, offering quilts, home goods, woven baskets, and handmade wooden toys[]. The craftsmanship is celebrated by tourists and locals alike for its detail and authenticity.

Farm Markets:
Lebanon’s growing network of roadside stands and seasonal markets sell fresh eggs, jams, homemade pickles, and an array of produce. Shoppers praise the sweet corn, tomatoes, and abundance of pies, especially shoofly and apple crumb.

Grocery & Bent ‘n’ Dent Stores:
BB’s Grocery Outlet, with her locations in Lebanon County, provides bulk goods, bent ‘n’ dent items, pantry staples, and treat bins at low prices[]. Locals rave about the value and variety, noting that “you never know what bargain you’ll find.”

Restaurants:
The Quentin Haus in Quentin is a favorite for hearty Amish and PA Dutch fare, from pork and sauerkraut to shoo-fly pie, served alongside classic comfort food. Visitors recommend the homemade pies and efficient, friendly service[]. Many families also offer home-style meals or small lunch counters during market season.

A diner commented, “You feel like you’re eating in someone’s home, everything is fresh and flavorful. The cherry crumb pie alone is worth a visit!”


Reviews & Community Voices

  • Local shopper Maria H.: “The new Amish markets are brimming with fresh bread, jams, baskets, and friendly faces. It’s become part of my weekly routine.”
  • Tourist Ed A.: “I came for fresh eggs and bread and left with a handwoven rug and three jars of pickles. The staff taught me a few words of Pennsylvania Dutch!”
  • Farm stand regular Lois R.: “Every bite of sweet corn, every loaf of cinnamon bread—you know it’s made with care. The families are welcoming and happy to talk about their farms.”

Insider Tips for Tourists

Amish Community in Lebanon
  • Visit early for the widest selection of baked goods—sticky buns and pies sell out quickly.
  • Cash is appreciated at most small business and market stands.
  • Ask about local quilt shows and barn sales for unique Amish crafts.
  • Sample traditional PA Dutch dishes like pork & sauerkraut, chicken pot pie, and the famous shoo-fly pie.
  • Engage with market vendors for stories about farming, baking, and family traditions.

The Value of Amish Community in Lebanon

What sets Lebanon’s new Amish community apart is the commitment to living well—through faith, family, and food. Whether it’s stopping for cinnamon rolls, shopping for handmade baskets, or sitting down for a hearty meal, visitors are reminded of the richness found in simplicity[][]. The Amish here blend the strengths of tradition with the resourcefulness of modern entrepreneurship, offering gifts of flavor, craftsmanship, and genuine hospitality.


Check sources

  1. https://amishamerica.com/10-biggest-amish-communities-2019/
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_Amish_population
  3. https://www.facebook.com/groups/390759001562351/posts/624459874858928/
  4. https://groups.etown.edu/amishstudies/files/2025/06/Amish-Pop-2025_by-state-and-county.pdf
  5. https://www.britannica.com/place/Lebanon-county-Pennsylvania
  6. https://amishamerica.com/business-profiles/
  7. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g53507-d410315-Reviews-The_Quentin_Haus-Quentin_Pennsylvania.html
  8. https://amishamerica.com/pennsylvania-amish/
  9. https://thecountrylifeinpictures.wordpress.com/2011/05/20/amish-craft-shop-in-lebanon-county/
  10. https://www.reddit.com/r/lancaster/comments/1clnatm/eating_at_an_amish_houserestaurant/

Dennis Regling

Dennis Regling is an author, educator, and marketing expert. Additionally, Dennis is an evangelist, a father, and a husband.

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