A New Amish Restaurant Brings Farm-Fresh Flavor to the Finger Lakes. The Finger Lakes region, renowned for its rolling vineyards, sparkling lakes, and farm-to-table ethos, is now home to a new culinary destination: an Amish restaurant that’s quickly becoming a must-visit for locals and tourists alike. Nestled near Cayuga Lake, this new eatery is more than just a place to eat—it’s a celebration of tradition, simplicity, and the bounty of upstate New York’s farmland.
A Taste of Amish Tradition in Wine Country
The new restaurant, Heritage Table, opened its doors this spring just outside the village of Ovid, NY, at 1125 County Road 139. The owners, the Stoltzfus and Yoder families, relocated from Pennsylvania and Ohio, drawn by the region’s fertile soil and welcoming community. Their goal: to share the flavors and values of Amish cooking with the wider world.
“People come here for the wine and the scenery, but they’re always looking for something authentic,” said co-owner John Stoltzfus. “We wanted to create a place where you can taste the difference that comes from food grown and prepared with care.”
What’s on the Menu?
At Heritage Table, the menu is a tribute to Amish culinary heritage, with every dish made from scratch using local, seasonal ingredients. Diners can expect:
- Fresh-Baked Bread and Rolls: Served warm with homemade butter.
- Hearty Stews and Soups: Chicken corn soup, beef and vegetable stew, and creamy potato chowder.
- Classic Amish Entrees: Chicken pot pie with hand-rolled noodles, slow-roasted pork with apples, and meatloaf glazed with brown sugar and mustard.
- Vegetarian Delights: Roasted root vegetables, garden salads with pickled beets, and baked macaroni and cheese.
- Signature Sides: Buttered noodles, mashed potatoes, sweet-and-sour slaw, and seasonal vegetables.
- Desserts: Shoofly pie, apple dumplings, and fruit cobblers made with berries from local farms.
“We use recipes passed down for generations,” explained Mary Yoder, who oversees the kitchen. “Our pies are made with fruit we pick ourselves, and our bread is baked every morning. It’s simple food, but it’s made with love.”
Local Businesses and Community Connections
The restaurant’s commitment to local sourcing has fostered strong ties with other Finger Lakes businesses. Heritage Table partners with:
- Thirsty Owl Wine Company (6861 Route 89, Ovid, NY | thirstyowl.com): Their wines are featured on the restaurant’s menu, and the bistro’s chef, Aaron Thomas, has collaborated on wine-pairing dinners.
- Sauders Market & Store (2146 River Road, Seneca Falls, NY | saudersstore.com): The restaurant sources flour, jams, and bulk goods from this renowned Mennonite market.
- Ovid Farmers’ Market (Main Street, Ovid, NY): Heritage Table buys fresh produce and eggs from local growers, supporting the region’s agricultural economy.
“We love working with the Amish restaurant,” said Lisa Carter, manager at Sauders Market. “Their commitment to quality matches ours, and it’s great to see more people discovering the flavors of the Finger Lakes.”
Voices from the Community
The arrival of Heritage Table has been met with enthusiasm from both locals and visitors.
“I’ve never tasted bread so fresh or chicken pot pie so rich,” said Tom Reilly, a resident of nearby Interlaken. “It’s like stepping back in time, but with the best ingredients the region has to offer.”
Tourists are equally delighted. “We came for the wine, but the Amish restaurant was the highlight of our trip,” said Emily Carter, visiting from New Jersey. “The apple dumplings were out of this world, and everyone was so welcoming.”
For the Amish owners, the restaurant is about more than food. “We want to share our way of life,” said John Stoltzfus. “It’s about community, hard work, and gratitude for what the land provides.”
Events and Seasonal Specials
Heritage Table plans to host a series of seasonal events, including:
- Harvest Dinners: Featuring dishes made with just-picked produce and local meats.
- Pie-Baking Workshops: Guests can learn to make shoofly pie and apple dumplings from scratch.
- Farm Tours: Visitors can see the gardens and meet the chickens that supply the restaurant’s eggs.
“We want people to feel connected to their food,” said Mary Yoder. “When you see where your meal comes from, it just tastes better.”
Challenges and Adaptation
Opening a restaurant in a rural area comes with challenges. The owners have had to adapt to local health codes and the expectations of a diverse customer base. The restaurant operates on a cash-only basis, in keeping with Amish tradition, but is exploring ways to accommodate more visitors during the busy summer season.
“We’re learning as we go,” said John Stoltzfus. “But the support from the community has been incredible.”
Why Visit Heritage Table?
For anyone traveling through the Finger Lakes, Heritage Table offers a unique opportunity to experience Amish hospitality and cuisine in a setting that’s both rustic and refined. Whether you’re enjoying a hearty breakfast before a day of wine tasting or sitting down to a family-style dinner, you’ll find food that’s honest, filling, and full of flavor.
As Ovid’s mayor, Susan Miller, put it: “The Amish restaurant is a wonderful addition to our community. It brings people together and reminds us of the value of tradition and good food.”
Citations:
- https://peterchangmclean.com/best-amish-restaurant-near-you-a-taste-of-simplicity-and-tradition/
- https://thirstyowl.com/the-bistro/
- https://www.discoverseneca.com/listing/sauders-market-&-store/210/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/Pennsylvania/comments/9en7w1/just_found_out_today_that_theres_a_jersey_shore/
- https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/food/pennsylvania/amish-restaurants-pa
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g46542-d6932341-Reviews-Pennsylvania_Dutch_Farmers_Market-Kingston_New_Jersey.html
- https://amishcountrycheese.com/stores/scenic-ridge-foods/
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g1480313-Finger_Lakes_New_York.html
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60997-d6684793-Reviews-Sauders_Store-Seneca_Falls_Finger_Lakes_New_York.html
- https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/food/pennsylvania/best-kept-restaurant-secret-pa
- https://www.discoverlancaster.com/directory/amish-meals-at-home-with-samuel-and-ruth-lapp/
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g53573-d1881498-Reviews-Katie_s_Kitchen-Ronks_Lancaster_County_Pennsylvania.html
- https://oakhillbulkfoods.com/oak-leaf-cafe/
- https://www.discoverlancaster.com/blog/amish-owned-businesses/
- https://www.gamblefarminn.com
- https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Amish+Restaurant&find_loc=Dundee%2C+NY
- https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Amish+Restaurant&find_loc=Newark%2C+NY
- https://www.maindeckpy.com
- https://www.countrysideamishfurniture.com/product/finger-lakes-table
- https://kindredfare.com
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60997-d6684793-r227064537-Sauders_Store-Seneca_Falls_Finger_Lakes_New_York.html
- https://www.discoverseneca.com/kiosk/listing/martins-country-market-at-martins-amish-furniture/418/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/FingerLakes/comments/15pjotb/unique_food_spotstours/
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1480313-i12929-k3781240-Best_town_for_antiques_and_Amish_and_Mennonite_goods-Finger_Lakes_New_York.html
- https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Amish+Restaurant&find_loc=Jersey+Shore%2C+PA
- https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=restaurants&find_loc=Jersey+Shore%2C+PA+17740
- https://visittheamish.com/a-new-amish-market-brings-tradition-and-freshness-to-jersey-shore-pa/
- https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/30/the-maga-celebrity-trying-to-turn-new-jersey-red-in-2025-00235357
- https://www.instagram.com/pennsylvania__memes/p/DC2b6DuxD3_/
- https://www.acg.aaa.com/discounts.html
- https://943thepoint.com/jersey-shore-residents-are-mad-at-the-wrong-people/
- https://razzanj.com
- http://xn--80akeelkuku.xn--p1ai/editorials/
- https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Restaurants&find_loc=RR+287%2C+Salladasburg%2C+PA+17740
- https://www.shady-maple.com/smorgasbord/
- http://biltech.ru/news/category/mining
- https://www.threads.net/@theycallmeshmelanie/post/DH-GR0JO2IT/me-when-i-say-my-spot-is-the-best-restaurant-no-one-knows-about-community-makes-
- https://www.phillyvoice.com/ventnor-santuccis-original-square-pizza-new-jersey-shore-philadelphia/
- https://www.geisinger.org/-/media/OneGeisinger/pdfs/ghs/sites/pa-health-magazine/PAHealth-Magazine-Spring-2024.pdf?sc_lang=en&hash=35ADA75DBD3A9BA43D645A4DA0B46A3A
- https://discoverhoneybrook.com/blog/exploring-lancaster-countys-delights-from-small-businesses-to-authentic-amish-restaurants/
- https://www.yellowpages.com/jersey-shore-pa/amish-market
- https://www.walmart.com
- https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Farms&find_loc=Jersey+Shore%2C+PA
- https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/dli/documents/businesses/workforce-development/documents/pa%20wioa%20combined%20state%20plan%20modificaiton_submitted%20for%20federal%20review%20march%2011%202022.pdf
- https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=farmersmarket&find_loc=Jersey+Shore%2C+PA+17740
- https://www.gamblefarminn.com/blank
- https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Amish+Restaurant&find_loc=Adamstown%2C+PA
- https://www.kitchenkettle.com/index.asp
- https://www.visitfingerlakes.com/restaurants/farm-to-table/
- https://oakhillbulkfoods.com
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g3445164-d10199494-Reviews-Shore_Diner-Jersey_Shore_Pennsylvania.html
- https://www.phillyvoice.com/la-scalas-brigantine-beach-house-bars-jersey-shore/
- https://www.jerseyshoreonline.com/southern-ocean/local-town-booming-with-new-businesses/
- https://www.opentable.com/landmark/restaurants-near-amish-country