Lancaster County is known for its large Amish community, and visitors often seek out the area’s traditional Amish cuisine. The Amish are known for their simple, wholesome, and hearty dishes often made with ingredients from their own Amish farms. Here in the heart of Amish country, you’ll find an abundance of Amish restaurants near Lancaster PA serving home-cooked meals throughout the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. These restaurants have also become a bit of a tourist attraction, as many flock to their tables and gift shops for a taste of Amish cuisine using the freshest ingredients.
In Amish culture, learning to cook is an essential skill that is passed down from one generation to another. Amish women typically learn to cook at a young age, usually by helping their mothers and grandmothers in the kitchen. Cooking is seen as an important part of Amish life and is considered a way of caring for one’s family and community.
Amish women often begin learning to cook by helping with simple tasks such as stirring or measuring ingredients. As they get older, they are taught more complex recipes and techniques.
Cooking is usually done without modern conveniences such as electric mixers or ovens, and instead, traditional methods such as wood-fired stoves are used.
Cooking is also a skill that is honed throughout a woman’s life, as she cooks for her own family and community. Many Amish women take great pride in their cooking abilities and are known for their delicious homemade meals and baked goods.
Amish Restaurants Near Lancaster PA
An Amish restaurant typically has several distinctive characteristics that set it apart from other types of restaurants. Here are some common characteristics of Amish family-style restaurants:
- Simple and rustic decor: Amish restaurants typically have simple, rustic decor with minimal embellishments. They often feature natural wood furnishings, plain walls, and functional lighting.
- Traditional Amish dishes: Amish restaurants typically serve traditional dishes made by Amish cooks that are staples in the Amish community. These may include dishes such as chicken pot pie, roast beef, and ham balls, hearty Amish breakfasts, as well as homemade bread, pies, and other desserts.
- Family-style dining: Many Amish restaurants offer family-style dining, where large platters of food are served to the table for guests to share. This style of dining is often accompanied by a fixed price and includes all-you-can-eat options.
- Buffet-style dining: Another common dining style in Amish restaurants is buffet-style dining. This allows guests to sample a variety of dishes and choose the ones they prefer.
- Use of locally sourced ingredients: Amish restaurants often source their ingredients from local farms and suppliers. This emphasizes the importance of supporting local businesses and promoting sustainable food practices.
- Cultural immersion: Dining in an Amish restaurant can be a unique cultural experience for visitors. Many restaurants are located on working Amish farms and offer guided tours of the surrounding countryside to give guests a glimpse into Amish life and traditions.
Overall, Amish restaurants offer a chance to experience traditional Amish cuisine and hospitality in a unique and memorable setting.
Here are some of the top Amish restaurants in Lancaster County:
Dienner’s Country Restaurant
Since 1993, Dienner’s Country Restaurant has been offering Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine to the public at reasonable prices. The owners, who grew up in the Amish tradition, have been cooking these dishes for generations. In 1993, they decided to share their love for this cuisine with others by opening a restaurant. Dienner’s strives to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere that reflects the hospitality of Lancaster County, while also emphasizing the quality of its food.
As a small restaurant, Dienner’s is able to focus on attention to detail and quality, making all their dishes in small batches to ensure that each one is the best it can be. The menu features a variety of popular dishes, such as rotisserie chicken, buttered noodles, beef and gravy, mashed potatoes, and freshly steamed vegetables. In addition to the buffet, which includes a Soup and Salad Bar, desserts, and soft-serve ice cream, Dienner’s also offers weekly specials such as Meatloaf, Hamloaf, Pork & Sauerkraut, and homemade Chicken Pot Pie stew, which are local favorites.
Good ‘N Plenty Restaurant
Good ‘N Plenty is a family-style restaurant located in Smoketown. The restaurant serves traditional Amish dishes, such as chicken pot pie, roast beef, and ham balls. Good ‘N Plenty is also known for its homemade bread, shoofly pie, and other homemade Amish desserts. After your meal, take a stroll through the restaurant’s gift shop, which features a wide selection of Amish-made crafts and souvenirs.
Miller’s Smorgasbord
Miller’s Smorgasbord just off the Old Philadelphia Pike Ronks is another popular Amish-style buffet restaurant. The restaurant features a wide range of dishes, including roast beef, fried chicken, pork loin, and a variety of vegetables. Miller’s is also known for its salad bar and extensive dessert selection, which includes homemade ice cream. While Miller’s isn’t an authentic Amish restaurant, it does serve Amish food. It’s a great place to get a home-cooked meal when you’re traveling throughout the Lancaster countryside.
Back in 1929, Anna Miller would serve truckers Chicken & Waffles while her husband repaired their rigs. She not only served great food, but did so with kindness. For 88 years, we have strived to continue this tradition. When you step into their restaurant, you’ll feel transported back in time as you’re surrounded with images from the Miller’s and Lancaster County archives.
Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord
Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord is a popular Amish restaurant located in the heart of the Bird-in-Hand village in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It is known for its homestyle cooking, family-friendly atmosphere, and extensive buffet-style dining options.
One unique feature of Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant is its focus on using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant works with local farmers and suppliers to ensure that the food is of the highest quality and freshness. In addition, many of the dishes are made from scratch using traditional Amish recipes and cooking methods.
In addition to the smorgasbord, Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant also has a regular menu featuring a variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Some popular dishes include the “Farmers Breakfast”, featuring eggs, home fries, sausage, and homemade bread, and the “Lancaster County Sampler”, featuring ham balls, chicken pot pie, and apple dumplings.
Overall, Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience traditional Amish cuisine in Lancaster County. With its focus on using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and its extensive selection of dishes, it offers a unique and authentic dining experience that is sure to satisfy any appetite.
Shady Maple Smorgasbord
Shady Maple Smorgasbord is a popular Amish restaurant located in East Earl, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It is known for its extensive buffet-style dining options, which include a wide variety of traditional Amish dishes, as well as steaks, prime rib, seafood, and more.
The smorgasbord is known for its large selection of food, with over 200 different items offered at any given time. Some popular dishes include roast beef, fried chicken, pork loin, mashed potatoes, and homemade bread. There is also a salad bar, a seafood station, and a dessert bar with a wide selection of pies, cakes, and other sweet treats along with homemade breads. It’s Amish cooking at its finest.
One unique feature of Shady Maple Smorgasbord is its focus on using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant works with over 150 local farmers and suppliers to ensure that the food is of the highest quality and freshness. The restaurant also has its own bakery, which produces a variety of homemade bread, pies, and other baked goods. Shady Maple is well-known for its free birthday meal.
In addition to the smorgasbord, Shady Maple also has a gift shop, a farmers’ market, and a specialty food store. The gift shop features a selection of Amish-made crafts and souvenirs, while the farmers’ market offers fresh produce, meats, and other food products from local farmers and vendors. The specialty food store features a variety of homemade jams, jellies, and other preserves, as well as other locally made food products.
Overall, Shady Maple Smorgasbord is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience traditional Amish cuisine in Lancaster County. With its focus on using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and its extensive selection of dishes, it is sure to satisfy any appetite.
Katie’s Kitchen
Katie’s Kitchen is a family-owned Amish restaurant located in Ronks, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The restaurant has been in operation since 2001 and is known for its delicious homestyle cooking, friendly service, and charming atmosphere.
The menu at Katie’s Kitchen features a variety of traditional Amish dishes, including homemade soups, roast beef, fried chicken, and baked ham. There are also vegetarian and gluten-free options available. All the dishes are made from scratch using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
One unique feature of Katie’s Kitchen is its focus on using traditional cooking methods and equipment. The restaurant has an open kitchen where guests can watch the chefs prepare the food using wood-fired stoves and other traditional equipment. This gives guests a glimpse into the cooking methods and techniques used by the Amish community.
In addition to its delicious food, Katie’s Kitchen also has a gift shop where visitors can purchase Amish-made crafts and souvenirs. The gift shop features a wide variety of items, including quilts, dolls, baskets, and other handmade crafts.
Overall, Katie’s Kitchen is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience traditional Amish cuisine in Lancaster County. With its focus on using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and traditional cooking methods, it offers a unique and authentic dining experience that is sure to satisfy any appetite.
Plain & Fancy Farm Restaurant
The 10-acre Plain & Fancy Farm is situated in the midst of picturesque Amish farmland and is located along Route 340, an AAA cultural scenic byway, midway between the towns of Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse. Visitors to Lancaster County will find that Plain & Fancy Farm is a one-stop destination for a variety of activities and experiences. Among the many offerings are Aaron & Jessica’s Buggy Rides, The Amish Experience Theater, Country Homestead and Farmland Tours, Country Store, gardens, farm animals, and the award-winning AmishView Inn & Suites, which has been named the #1 Lancaster Hotel on Tripadvisor for five consecutive years.
Whether visitors are seeking a relaxing country getaway or a chance to immerse themselves in Amish culture, Plain & Fancy Farm offers a unique and comprehensive experience. With so many attractions and amenities located in one place, it’s easy to see why Plain & Fancy Farm is a favorite destination for visitors to Lancaster County.
This is also where you’ll find Smokehouse BBQ and Brews at the Plain & Fancy Farm in addition to their traditional Lancaster County restaurant.
Yoder’s Restaurant & Buffet
Yoder’s Restaurant is another popular Amish restaurant located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The restaurant is family-owned and has been in operation since 1980. It is known for serving traditional Amish dishes, including homemade soups, roast beef, fried chicken, and homemade pies. If it’s your birthday, you’ll enjoy a free meal on the house.
One unique feature of Yoder’s Restaurant is its bakery, which offers a wide selection of homemade bread, pies, and other baked goods. The bakery uses traditional recipes and methods, and everything is made from scratch using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Yoder’s also has a gift shop and Country Market where visitors can purchase more Amish-made crafts and foods.
The restaurant is located in New Holland, Pennsylvania, about 15 miles east of Lancaster, and is a popular destination for both tourists and locals. In addition to its delicious food and charming atmosphere, Yoder’s is known for its friendly and welcoming staff, who provide excellent service to all guests.
In addition to these restaurants, there are many other Amish-owned eateries and markets throughout Lancaster County that offer traditional Amish cuisines, such as pretzels, whoopie pies, and fresh-baked bread. Overall, dining at an Amish restaurant is a great way to experience the culture and traditions of Lancaster County.
