Lancaster County: 10 Amish-Style Restaurants For Your Next Visit
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania is not just the heart of Amish Country—it’s also a hub for hearty, homestyle cooking rooted in Pennsylvania Dutch tradition.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to explore more, one of the best ways to experience the culture is by sitting down to a meal like the locals do.
Here are 10 PA Dutch & Amish-style restaurants worth visiting for an authentic taste of Lancaster County. Some are Amish-owned and operated; many have Amish and Mennonite employees, including waitstaff and cooks.
1. Katie’s Kitchen – Ronks, PA
A hidden gem that’s Amish-owned and operated, Katie’s Kitchen offers a simple yet delicious menu full of homestyle dishes like roast beef, chicken pot pie, and meatloaf. It’s a sit-down restaurant with generous portions, friendly service, and classic Amish desserts like shoofly pie and whoopie pies. Don’t miss their homemade bread, baked fresh daily.
- Style: Traditional menu ordering
- Best For: Authentic Amish-run dining experience
- Website: katiesamishkitchen.com
- Address: 200 Hartman Bridge Rd, Ronks, PA 17572
- Phone: (717) 687-5333
2. Dienner’s Country Restaurant – Ronks, PA
This cozy roadside favorite is known for its consistently delicious food and low prices. Dienner’s menu features all the Pennsylvania Dutch staples, and you can opt for the all-you-can-eat buffet or order à la carte. Locals love the baked cabbage and fresh pies made daily.
- Style: Menu or buffet
- Best For: Quick, satisfying, and budget-friendly meals
- Website: dienners.com
- Address: 2855 Lincoln Hwy E, Ronks, PA 17572
- Phone: (717) 687-9571
3. Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord – Bird-in-Hand, PA
Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord combines the best of both worlds: a full smorgasbord of traditional Pennsylvania Dutch fare and made-to-order options. Dishes are scratch-made using recipes passed down through generations, and the warm atmosphere feels like dining at Grandma’s. Kids especially enjoy the soft-serve ice cream station.
Note: Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant was currently closed at time of publication, due to a December 2023 fire. According to the website, the restaurant plans to reopen in Summer 2025. Check website below to confirm before visiting.
- Style: Smorgasbord & menu
- Best For: Family-friendly experience with lots of variety
- Website: bird-in-hand.com/restaurant-smorgasbord/
- Address: 2760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird in Hand, PA 17505
- Phone: (717) 768-1500
4. Miller’s Smorgasbord – Ronks, PA
A Lancaster institution since 1929, Miller’s offers a large and impressive buffet featuring everything from fried chicken and buttered noodles to salad and dessert bars. It’s a popular stop for bus tours and large groups, with plenty of seating. Be sure to try their famous golden fried chicken and made-from-scratch pies.
- Style: All-you-can-eat smorgasbord
- Best For: First-time visitors or groups wanting a full PA Dutch spread
- Website: millerssmorgasbord.com
- Address: 2811 Lincoln Hwy E, Ronks, PA 17572
- Phone: (717) 687-6621
5. Shady Maple Smorgasbord – East Earl, PA
The largest buffet in the U.S., Shady Maple is a destination in itself. The buffet features a 200-foot layout of homemade Pennsylvania Dutch classics, including carved meats, mashed potatoes, and an entire dessert station. Seniors get special discounts on select days.
- Style: Giant buffet
- Best For: The ultimate PA Dutch food experience
- Website: shady-maple.com
- Address: 129 Toddy Dr, East Earl, PA 17519
- Phone: (717) 354-8222
6. Hometown Kitchen – Quarryville, PA
Tucked away in the quieter southern end of Lancaster County, Hometown Kitchen is another Amish-operated restaurant offering delicious, freshly made meals. Their Amish wedding meal (chicken, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and more) is a must-try. The dining room’s simplicity mirrors the food’s homestyle roots.
- Style: Menu
- Best For: Quaint, authentic atmosphere with home-cooked meals
- Website: eatathometown.com
- Address: 18 Furnace Rd, Quarryville, PA 17566
- Phone: (717) 806-5187
7. Plain & Fancy Farm Restaurant – Bird-in-Hand, PA
Plain & Fancy is Lancaster County’s original family-style dining restaurant. Meals are served at the table in big bowls, meant to be passed around just like at an Amish gathering. Their “Amish Farm Feast” includes all the favorites, from fried chicken to chow-chow. You can also tour the on-site farm and take buggy rides.
Note: dining is only for groups of 20 or more, and reservations must be made in advance.
- Style: Large group, family-style dining
- Best For: Dining as a group
- Website: plainandfancyfarm.com
- Address: 3121 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird in Hand, PA 17505
- Phone: (717) 768-4400
8. Yoder’s Restaurant & Buffet – New Holland, PA
A local favorite for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Yoder’s buffet includes PA Dutch favorites as well as a fresh salad bar, grill station, and made-from-scratch desserts. The connected farmer’s market is also worth browsing. They even have a bakery with fresh donuts and sticky buns.
- Style: Buffet & menu
- Best For: Classic homestyle meals in a modern setting
- Website: yoderscountrymarket.com/restaurant
- Address: 14 S Tower Rd, New Holland, PA 17557
- Phone: (717) 354-4748
9. Amos’ Place – Intercourse, PA
Located within Stoltzfus Meats and Deli, Amos’ Place offers a cozy dining experience with a menu featuring classic Pennsylvania Dutch favorites. Known for its fresh, locally sourced ingredients, the restaurant serves hearty dishes like scrapple, sausage sandwiches, and homemade soups.
- Style: Casual counter-service dining
- Best For: Quick, authentic PA Dutch meals in a relaxed setting
- Website: stoltzfusmeats.com/pages/amos-place
- Address: 14 Center Street, Intercourse, PA 17534
- Phone: (717) 768-7287
10. New Holland Family Restaurant – New Holland, PA
This family-run eatery offers an affordable, welcoming dining experience with a menu full of Amish-style comfort food, daily specials, and local desserts. Known for its efficient service and generous portions, New Holland Family Restaurant is a favorite among both locals and tourists. They also serve an excellent breakfast menu.
- Style: Traditional menu
- Best For: No-frills, authentic homestyle cooking
- Website: newhollandfamily.com
- Address: 624 W Main St, New Holland, PA 17557
- Phone: (717) 355-2600
Final Thoughts
If you’re visiting Lancaster County and want to immerse yourself in the area’s culinary traditions, these ten restaurants are a great place to start. From buffets to family-style meals, each one offers its own slice of Amish-inspired simplicity and satisfaction.
Have you visited any of these? Share your favorite dishes or eating spots in the comments!
See also:
- Lancaster County: 10 Amish Country Tours & Experiences For Your Visit
- Holmes County: 10 Amish-Style Restaurants For A Great Meal
- Northern Indiana: 10 Amish Country Restaurants Not To Miss
~article compiled with AI assistance~
Shady Maple is a tourist trap and not Amish. A modern Mennonite family that drives trucks and wears jeans.
Years ago many locals were against its expansion. Giant parking lot, large entrance with a roof for tour busses to drop people off. Massed produced food. There is no ‘Amish’ feel.
Giant gift shop with generic items and they try misleading customers with ‘Locally made’ signs to manipulate people into thinking that means ‘Amish made.’
Here is a secret: some of the ‘locally made’ items in the gift shop that tourists think is Amish made is actually made by people from other countries here on work visas. That’s another topic so I won’t get into that further. So think before you buy.
It used to be a modest place before its expansion. Sadly it makes money by herding people in to capitalize on the large number of tourists.
Sorry for the negative post. But this place is a pet peeve of mine because when it expanded to what it is now, it was another change away from the quiet and peaceful atmosphere that ‘Amish Country’ used to be like.
No problem about about that – I know some of these bigger places aren’t for everyone. I enjoyed my meal there, but on another occasion when bringing Amish friends who wanted to try it, we found it a bit too overwhelming and went somewhere quieter.
I think the nice thing is that there is something for everyone and hopefully this list captures that. The one thing it leaves out though is the option of eating a meal in an Amish home, maybe I need to add that to the post: https://amishamerica.com/how-to-eat-a-meal-in-an-amish-home/
Agree
I ate there once and had the same feeling J.O.B. There’s a few on this list that I’m looking to try. We’ve yet to eat at Katie’s Kitchen, last time we were in town, it was closed for their vacation. Maybe next time! Another reason to go back!
Katie’s Kitchen
I go to Katie’s Kitchen once on every trip I take to Lancaster County. The food is very good. I go for a late lunch about 4PM or so to avoid the dinner rush.
Lots of Choices
We’ve been to almost all of these! Our favorite is probably Hometown Kitchen for its authenticity and simplicity. Second is Katie’s Kitchen, although the wait can sometimes be lengthy. And our third is Yoders–the buffet is diverse but not overwhelming. Favorite dishes are harder to list–potato filling is a staple, although we’ve never come close to what Zinn’s made years ago. We’ve found that most restaurants have one or two things that are can’t-miss.