Pennsylvania’s Amish country is renowned for its rich culinary traditions, offering visitors a taste of authentic, hearty cuisine steeped in centuries-old customs. From Lancaster County to the rolling hills of the countryside, the state boasts an array of Amish restaurants that serve up delicious, home-style meals prepared with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
In this article, we’ll explore the ten most popular Amish restaurants in Pennsylvania, each offering a unique dining experience that combines traditional recipes, warm hospitality, and a glimpse into the simple yet flavorful world of Amish cooking. Whether you’re craving perfectly fried chicken, savory pot pies, or sweet shoofly pie, these establishments promise to satisfy your appetite and provide an unforgettable culinary journey through Pennsylvania Dutch country.
1. Plain & Fancy Farm Restaurant
Address: 3121 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand, PA 17505
Plain & Fancy Farm Restaurant has been serving authentic Amish cuisine since 1959, making it Lancaster County’s original family-style restaurant. Located in the heart of Amish country, this establishment offers a true farm-to-table experience with its Traditional Amish Farm Feast.
Favorite Menu Items:
- Made-from-scratch Golden Fried Chicken
- Roast Eye Round of Beef with Au Jus
- Real Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
- Shoofly Pie
What Sets It Apart:
Plain & Fancy Farm Restaurant prides itself on its long-standing tradition and commitment to authentic Amish cooking. The restaurant is part of a larger complex that includes a country store, allowing visitors to purchase Lancaster County specialty foods to take home.
Dining Experience:
The family-style feast is served for groups of 20 or more, requiring reservations. This communal dining approach reflects the Amish values of family and community, providing an immersive cultural experience along with delicious food.
2. Shady Maple Smorgasbord
Address: 129 Toddy Drive, East Earl, PA 17519
Shady Maple Smorgasbord is renowned for its massive buffet, offering an unparalleled variety of Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine. It’s not just a restaurant; it’s a dining destination that attracts visitors from all over the country.
Favorite Menu Items:
- Made-to-order breakfast items
- Fried chicken
- Roast beef
- Homemade pies (with over 8 varieties daily)
What Sets It Apart:
The sheer scale of Shady Maple’s offerings is staggering. Their lunch buffet alone includes:
- 46 salad items
- 8 types of bread and rolls
- 14 vegetables
- 10 cold desserts
- 3 hot desserts
- 8 pies
- 6 cakes
- A sundae bar
Dining Experience:
Shady Maple offers both breakfast and lunch/dinner buffets. The breakfast buffet is particularly popular, featuring made-to-order items like omelets and pancakes. The restaurant can seat up to 1,200 people, making it one of the largest buffets in the United States.
3. Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord
Address: 2760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand, PA 17505
Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord offers a blend of buffet-style and menu dining, allowing guests to choose their preferred dining experience. This flexibility, combined with their commitment to fresh, farm-grown products, makes it a standout among Amish restaurants.
Favorite Menu Items:
- Broasted chicken
- Baked ham
- Homemade chicken pot pie
- Shoofly pie
What Sets It Apart:
Bird-in-Hand Restaurant features a unique kid’s buffet housed in a Noah’s Ark display, hand-built by a local Amish craftsman. This special touch makes dining with children a more enjoyable experience for families.
Dining Experience:
The restaurant offers both a la carte menu options and a smorgasbord, catering to different preferences. Their on-site bakery ensures that all baked goods are fresh and made in-house. Guests can also visit the bakeshop to take home their favorite treats.
4. Good ‘N Plenty Restaurant
Address: 150 Eastbrook Road, Smoketown, PA 17576
Good ‘N Plenty Restaurant has been serving traditional Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine since 1969. Known for its family-style dining and warm hospitality, this restaurant offers a genuine taste of Amish country.
Favorite Menu Items:
- Fried chicken
- Roast beef
- Baked ham
- Homemade noodles
- Apple dumplings
What Sets It Apart:
Good ‘N Plenty is famous for its all-you-can-eat family-style meals. Dishes are passed around the table, encouraging a communal dining experience that reflects Amish values. The restaurant also features a gift shop and bakery, allowing guests to take a piece of Amish country home with them.
Dining Experience:
The family-style dining at Good ‘N Plenty is a unique experience. Guests are seated at large tables with other diners, fostering a sense of community. The menu changes daily, ensuring a variety of dishes and encouraging return visits.
5. Katie’s Kitchen
Address: 200 Hartman Bridge Road, Ronks, PA 17572
Katie’s Kitchen stands out as a fully Amish-owned and operated restaurant, offering an authentic taste of Amish home cooking. Located near the towns of Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse, it’s a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
Favorite Menu Items:
- Creamed beef Dutchman’s Special (breakfast)
- Chicken pot pie
- Chicken croquets
- Gene Wenger’s Ham Loaf with pineapple glaze
- Apple dumplings à la mode
What Sets It Apart:
The authenticity of Katie’s Kitchen is unmatched. Being fully Amish-owned and operated, it provides a genuine glimpse into Amish culinary traditions. The restaurant also features monthly weekend specials, highlighting signature Amish dishes.
Dining Experience:
Katie’s Kitchen offers a cozy, homey atmosphere that makes diners feel like they’re eating in an Amish home. The menu is extensive, covering breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a focus on hearty, comforting dishes.
6. Dienner’s Country Restaurant
Address: 2855 Lincoln Highway East, Ronks, PA 17572
Dienner’s Country Restaurant is known for its authentic Amish cooking and warm, welcoming atmosphere. Family-owned and operated, this restaurant has been serving traditional Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine for over three decades.
Favorite Menu Items:
- Roast turkey
- Baked ham
- Chicken and waffles
- Amish-style pot roast
- Shoofly pie
What Sets It Apart:
Dienner’s is particularly famous for its turkey dishes, as the restaurant is connected to Dienner’s Barbecue Chicken, a local favorite for rotisserie-style poultry. The restaurant also offers a unique blend of buffet and menu dining options.
Dining Experience:
Dienner’s provides a casual, family-friendly environment. The buffet offers a wide variety of traditional Amish dishes, while the menu allows for more specific choices. The restaurant’s connection to Dienner’s Barbecue Chicken ensures that poultry dishes are always fresh and flavorful.
7. Hershey Farm Restaurant & Inn
Address: 240 Hartman Bridge Road, Strasburg, PA 17579
Hershey Farm Restaurant & Inn offers a comprehensive Amish country experience, combining dining, lodging, and shopping. Their “Grand Smorgasbord” is a highlight, featuring an extensive array of Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine.
Favorite Menu Items:
- Fried chicken
- Roast beef
- Homemade soups
- Fresh-baked breads
- Whoopie pies
What Sets It Apart:
Hershey Farm Restaurant is part of a larger complex that includes an inn, gift shops, and a farm market. This allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in the Amish country experience. The restaurant is also known for its seasonal events, such as the Annual Whoopie Pie Festival.
Dining Experience:
The Grand Smorgasbord offers an impressive variety of dishes, including a salad bar, hot entrees, sides, and a dessert bar. The restaurant also features a cozy dining room with views of the surrounding farmland, enhancing the rural dining experience.
8. Miller’s Smorgasbord
Address: 2811 Lincoln Highway East, Ronks, PA 17572
Miller’s Smorgasbord has been a staple of Lancaster County dining since 1929, making it one of the oldest continually operating restaurants in the area. Known for its extensive buffet and commitment to using locally sourced ingredients, Miller’s offers a true taste of Amish country.
Favorite Menu Items:
- Roast turkey with filling
- Amish-style chicken and waffles
- Baked ham with pineapple sauce
- Corn fritters
- Shoofly pie
What Sets It Apart:
Miller’s Smorgasbord is not just a restaurant, but a culinary institution in Lancaster County. Its longevity speaks to the quality and consistency of its offerings. The restaurant also features a bakery and gift shop, allowing guests to take home a taste of their experience.
Dining Experience:
The smorgasbord at Miller’s offers both hot and cold buffets, featuring a rotating selection of over 50 items. In addition to the buffet, Miller’s also offers an a la carte menu for those preferring a more traditional dining experience. The restaurant’s decor reflects the area’s rich history, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
9. Stoltzfus Farm Restaurant
Address: 3716 E Newport Road, Intercourse, PA 17534
Stoltzfus Farm Restaurant offers a unique farm-to-table dining experience in the heart of Amish country. Located on a working farm, this restaurant provides guests with not just a meal, but an immersive agricultural experience.
Favorite Menu Items:
- Broasted chicken
- Homemade meatloaf
- Fresh-picked vegetables (seasonal)
- Homemade ice cream
- Apple dumplings
What Sets It Apart:
Stoltzfus Farm Restaurant’s location on an active farm allows for the freshest possible ingredients, many of which are harvested the same day they’re served. The restaurant also offers farm tours, giving guests insight into Amish farming practices.
Dining Experience:
The restaurant offers both a buffet and menu dining options. The buffet features a rotating selection of dishes based on what’s fresh from the farm. The dining room provides views of the surrounding farmland, creating a truly immersive rural dining experience.
10. Kling House Restaurant
Address: 3512 Old Philadelphia Pike, Intercourse, PA 17534
While not strictly an Amish restaurant, the Kling House Restaurant, located in the heart of Amish Country within Kitchen Kettle Village, offers a blend of traditional Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine and modern American fare.
Favorite Menu Items:
- Creme Brulee French Toast (breakfast)
- Amish Country Sampler Platter
- Chicken Pot Pie
- Shoofly Pie Sundae
What Sets It Apart:
The Kling House Restaurant is part of Kitchen Kettle Village, a popular tourist destination featuring over 40 local shops and restaurants. This allows visitors to combine their dining experience with shopping and exploring. The restaurant is also known for its seasonal specialties, such as pumpkin pancakes in the fall.
Dining Experience:
The Kling House offers a more intimate dining experience compared to some of the larger smorgasbords in the area. The restaurant is housed in a beautifully restored 1870s farmhouse, providing a cozy and charming atmosphere. The menu changes seasonally to incorporate the freshest local ingredients.
Conclusion
These ten restaurants represent some of the best Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch dining experiences available in Pennsylvania. From massive smorgasbords to intimate farm-to-table experiences, each restaurant offers its own unique take on traditional Amish cuisine.
When visiting these establishments, it’s important to keep a few things in mind:
- Reservations: Many of these restaurants, especially those offering family-style dining, require or strongly recommend reservations, particularly for larger groups.
- Cash: Some Amish-owned restaurants may only accept cash, so it’s wise to come prepared.
- Dress Code: While most of these restaurants are casual, it’s respectful to dress modestly when dining in Amish country.
- Alcohol: Many Amish restaurants do not serve alcohol, in keeping with Amish beliefs.
- Seasonal Changes: Menus often change seasonally to incorporate the freshest local ingredients, so some dishes may not be available year-round.
- Cultural Respect: Remember that you’re not just enjoying a meal, but experiencing a different culture. Be respectful of Amish customs and beliefs.
Whether you’re looking for a hearty family-style feast, an extensive buffet, or a cozy country meal, these Amish restaurants in Pennsylvania offer something for everyone. Each provides not just a meal, but a glimpse into the rich culinary traditions of Amish country, making dining an integral part of the Pennsylvania Dutch country experience[1][2][3][4][5].
Citations:
[1] https://www.amishfurniturefactory.com/amishblog/5-best-amish-restaurants/
[2] https://www.mashed.com/1289885/amish-restaurants-visit-us/
[3] https://ourusaadventures.com/restaurants-lancaster-pa-amish-food/
[4] https://www.yourfamilysplace.com/blog/amish-country-ohio-restaurants/
[5] https://www.plainandfancyfarm.com/traditional-amish-feat-menu/
[6] https://staff.ncsy.org/education/material/eQRQTpU6E0/6-common-misconceptions-about-judaism/
[7] https://ltlre.org/common-misconceptions/judaism-the-essentials-by-david-hampshire/
[8] https://www.minnetonkabreezes.com/student-life/2021/12/03/adelaide-misconceptions-of-hanukkah-misconceptions-and-its-traditions-within-our-high-school/