Amish Restaurants You Should Visit In The US
Fried Mush, something called "Scrapple," Broasted Chicken — yep, roasted with a "B" — and an infinite array of scratch-made pies. It's all part of the magical wonderland that is Grade-A, bona fide Amish cooking. If you feel like you could use a little tender loving care, this is just the place for it. And they're truly the people for it, too.
The origins of the Amish go way back to the 16th century. They derive their heritage from Christianity, with the "Old Order" Amish outwardly displaying two obvious characteristics: they travel by horse and buggy, and they speak in the Pennsylvania German dialect. Basically, their life is simple, their families are large and hard-working, and their community is tightly-knit. They typically don't use electricity (ugh, so nobody has an extra phone charger?), they grow their own food and sew their own clothes, and they maintain a sort of mystery about them because of their reluctance to be photographed. Instead, they live humble lives of service. They then partner with those outside the community for business purposes.
But all that time in the kitchen pays off for the rest of us, who get to enjoy the flavors and specialties that have been passed down for generations. No matter our journeys, the Amish offer this blessing, "Lord, thank You for the family and friends beside us, the love between us, and the food before us. Amen." Now let's get to eating.
Yoder's Restaurant & Amish Village (Sarasota, FL)
If you're a Sarasota local, you're already well aware of this not-so-secret comfort food favorite since 1975: Yoder's Restaurant & Amish Village. Think pressure-fried chicken that's crispy on the outside and unbelievably juicy on the inside. Or maybe a slice of Mom's Meatloaf with buttery mashed potatoes and gravy. Daily specials feature other classic dishes like Pulled Pork, Cabbage Rolls, Chicken Pot Pie, and Stuffed French Toast.
Do not leave before dessert. You could grab a Whoopie Pie or a slice of cheesecake, but everyone comes for the pies. Restaurant co-owner and creator of every single pie recipe Amanda Yoder described Amish-style pastry to Man vs. Food, explaining, "We don't add preservatives, no cake mixes, no pie crust mixes. Everything's made from scratch." Even with zero Betty Crocker boxes on site (and no Googling) they're churning out 25 different varieties of pies, totaling roughly 130 pies per day. You might even get a free slice if your name is Brian.
What flavors, you say? Grab some napkins and a fork, so glad you asked. Hands down, the customer favorite is the Peanut Butter Cream pie, layered with sweet peanut powder and vanilla pudding, and piled sky-high with whipped cream. Of course, you could also go for Strawberries & Cream, Dutch Apple Crumb, Pistachio Cream, Peach, Pumpkin Cream, Coconut Cream, Blueberry Cream, Strawberry Rhubarb, or an Amish family signature Shoofly pie. Can't decide? There's a pie tasting for that.
Der Dutchman (Walnut Creek, OH)
This Walnut Creek favorite was born back in 1969 when an old 75-seater eatery housed inside a former hardware shop was bought by Emmanuel Mullet. His family, as well as two others, then made it their mission to share their hearty heritage favorites with anyone who walked into Der Dutchman. Hey, you're not gonna find "Broasted" chicken at a fast food joint. (It's breaded and pressure roasted and it's juicy and delicious.)
As part of a hospitality group dedicated to an original shopping, dining, and entertainment experience, the restaurant serves as a fusion of Amish and Mennonite cuisine. That's why you'll see horses and buggies as well as cars, each full of hungry locals. According to blogger The Beard and The Baker, they're coming for the all-you-can-eat Barn Raising Buffet — for both dinner and breakfast — the earlier of which features "Amish Country favorites like fried mush, biscuits & gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, pancakes, french toast, grits, fruit slush, yogurt, fresh fruit, and fresh pastries."
If you're reading words you've never heard of, you're in the right place. There's also a Sampler Plate that replicates a classic Amish potluck, with several meat options and home-cooked sides like creamed corn and fresh-baked dinner rolls. For dessert, you'll see Peanut Butter Pie at the top of the menu, along with an endless list of cream and fruit pies, German Chocolate Cake, and Hot Fudge Cake with Ice Cream. We'll take one of each.
Blue Gate Restaurant and Bakery (Shipshewana, IN)
You can sit down to a comfy plate of homemade meatloaf at Blue Gate Restaurant thanks to a little boy who once built a miniature wagon with six lil' horses. What the heck does meatloaf have to do with this? Well, back in Amish family history, Mel Riegsecker learned how to make animal harnesses from his dad. Bored with life-size craftsmanship, he started creating miniature versions for equally tiny horses that attracted fans from everywhere. Once he caught the eye of a Chicago department store, the Riegsecker Marketplace was born.
That's where you'll find this regional favorite, serving up all kinds of treats for locals and travelers alike. And even if you're not a regular, you'll feel right at home. While you wait, explore the shops or kick back and sit a moment on one of the gliders on the porch. Try not to drool as you watch people walk out with Strawberry Pie that was sent from heaven.
There's a home-style buffet featuring can't-miss classics like Blue Gate Fried Chicken, Slow Cooked Roast Beef, Chicken Dressing, Homemade Noodles, and Baked Apples. And specials might include Amish Door Casserole or Meatloaf Shepherd's Pie — both of which will stick to your ribs like white on rice. Of course, you have to get the Onion Ring Tractor Stacker just for the 'gram, with honey mustard dipping sauce. Plus, it's all locally sourced. The Amish have been doing that since before it was a thing.
Katie's Kitchen (Ronks, PA)
In Pennsylvania, the Amish won't be confined to a single neighborhood. With a community that keeps on growing, Lancaster County is home to the largest number of Amish people anywhere in the U.S. When it's referred to as Pennsylvania Dutch Country, they really mean it.
Katie's Kitchen is fully owned and operated by — yep! — the Amish. And it's beloved by locals and fans from afar. Serving up the hits in Ronks, PA (near the towns of Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse ... go ahead and get the giggles out), this is Amish cooking at its best, from the creamed beef Dutchman's Special breakfast to Apple Dumplings à la mode for dessert. Monthly weekend specials are also key, highlighting signatures like Pork & Sauerkraut, Chicken Pot Pie, and Chicken Croquets. Another one for the taste bud scrapbook? Gene Wenger's Ham Loaf covered in pineapple glaze. Scout's honor, one bite will change your life.
There's also the chance to sample the Amish Wedding Dinner. Contrary to the typical lavish wedding receptions in the U.S., Amish weddings are all the same, right down to supper — which is cooked and served without electricity, of course. Ladies, if you're a guest, don't get too comfy — you'll be helping out in the kitchen. With a little elbow grease, 400-person wedding meals feature Amish Casserole with chicken and celery stuffing, brown buttered cheesy noodles, mashed potatoes, and dessert. And you can get a plate at Katie's on Tuesdays for just $14.
Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen (Mount Hope, OH)
She's Mrs. Gloria Yoder and she owns the beloved Mount Hope outpost, Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen, which has been around since 1994. And if you're visiting Amish Country in Ohio, you absolutely must enjoy a meal. Local flavor features a working livestock auction just across the street, as well as Amish furniture, farm equipment, and quilt shops. But we're here for what's cookin' in the kitchen.
Yes, there's a lunch and dinner buffet with all the fixings. And they're doing up their own version of hand-breaded pressure fried chicken — even by the bucket. There's also Pot Roast Beef, the French Style Pork Chop, and Buttermilk Breaded Popcorn Shrimp. And then a dessert list of pies upon pies including coconut, custard, raisin cream, and Turtle pie. You could also split the Date Cake or go for a timeless classic with a Hot Fudge Sundae.
While the restaurant encourages diners to "come hungry," it also hopes to share a little piece of Amish heritage with new friends. As is tradition, there is barely a gathering within the Amish community that doesn't involve a hearty meal. Mrs. Yoder's notes, "The Amish are very generous and hospitable, so making a large meal for guests is common practice ... Reunions, funerals, weddings, and even auctions will have a full meal, or sometimes several on the schedule."
Stoll's Lakeview Restaurant (Loogootee, IN)
If you like your Amish comfort food with a lakeside panorama, Stoll's Lakeview Restaurant is totally your jam. With a fan-favorite menu that's been cooking since 1983, it's regularly thought of as the best Amish-style buffet in the Hoosier state. And it's certainly tops in Loogootee.
Grab a table with a relaxing view of West Boggs Lake and let your imagination guide the way to the eatery's signature fried chicken, baked ham, and roast beef. Or just use your legs and walk over to the buffet spread yourself. As Amish365 recalled, "They have traditional favorites like homemade noodles, homemade bread, fried chicken, and even Poor Man's Steak. That is an Amish favorite and I have not seen that at any other buffet ... The butterscotch pie was some of the best I have tasted anywhere."
If you're wondering what exactly a Poor Man's Steak consists of, blogger — and former Amish community member — Anna from AmishHeritage.org describes it as, "A thick juicy hamburger patty that has been dipped in flour, fried in butter, and then smothered in mushroom gravy ... It is smothered hamburger steak." One of those ... and then Catfish Fiddlers, Frog Legs, Livers & Gizzards, Sausage and Kraut, or Ham and Beans depending on the day of the week. While they're closed on Sundays, Fridays and Saturdays boast a breakfast buffet loaded with Local Bacon and Sausage, Banana Nut Bread, Fresh Baked Biscuits and Gravy, Fried Mush, and Homemade Apple Butter.
Mary Yoder's Amish Kitchen (Middlefield, OH)
Wow, the Yoders really run the place when it comes to Amish restaurants. But right now we're all about Mary Yoder's Amish Kitchen — and boy, have they been cooking up a feast since 1987. The late Mary Yoder was the original muse for the eatery, but her legacy now comes to life through owners Dan and Rita Miller. They're busy serving an Amish community that clocks in as the fourth most populated on earth. These people are hungry and so are we.
It probably doesn't come as a surprise, but Mary's is also "broasting" their crowd-pleaser chicken. The menu clearly takes full advantage of the local dairy scene, with lots of dishes featuring Middlefield Swiss cheese.
Along with a few favorites of the American Midwest (hi, hot dogs) you're also going to find classic Amish dishes ready for the taking. A Corned Beef Reuben sandwich with sauerkraut will tickle your taste buds. And the Hot Trail Bologna & Swiss might take you back to simpler times. Take a few passes at the dinner buffet, or kick back and order a breaded pork chop or meatloaf platter. Their sides are also very on brand, with options like breaded mushrooms, apple sauce, and Jell-O salad. As always, save room for dessert! The homemade pies, milkshakes, sundaes, cheesecakes, apple dumplings, and puddings are calling your name.
Mullica Hill Amish Restaurant (Mullica Hill, NJ)
The Mullica Hill Amish Restaurant is part of what you might describe as a mini Amish food hall. The Market that houses the eatery also features vendors who offer everything from donuts and coffee to candy, soap, cheese, wine, and soft pretzels.
Newsbreak.com contributor "Travel Maven" highlighted a few restaurant favorites, naming "baked oatmeal, ribeye cheesesteak, homemade chili, chocolate shoofly pie, and cinnamon cheese roll logs" as undisputed champs. As one Yelper noted, "I could live at this place ... The chili is so, so good, the tuna melt, and turkey melt also to die for ... but boy oh boy are you missing out if you don't get their smoked brisket sandwich. And have you ever met a nicer staff?! I literally watched a waitress walk over and fix a woman's car for her in 2 seconds."
Even if you're not having car troubles, you can chow down on some Lancaster County, PA treats in the middle of New Jersey at the all-you-can-eat dinner buffet. You're not really in until you've tried a Red Beet Egg and you know which macaroni salad is your favorite. If you get there early, you might even snag a Hot Sticky Bun that's still warm from the oven. Or show up on the right day, and slam all-you-can-eat pancakes for just 99 cents. Fresh rolls, corned beef hash, and this ham and cheese and cracker situation? Shhhhh ... we're in carb heaven.
Hometown Kitchen (Quarryville, PA)
On the south side of Lancaster County, in the heart of Amish Country, locals have been lining up for the goodies at Hometown Kitchen since 2010. And here, you even get to watch Amish chefs prepare the bounty before you.
This outpost has been referred to as a classic cafeteria — which was completely renovated in 2023 — and features a "warm and inviting" vibe, according to Philly Bite Magazine. The outlet also noted some standouts from the kitchen, adding, "The menu consists of various homemade soups, salads, stews, desserts, and loaves of bread. Some of the specialties at Hometown Kitchen are homemade chicken pot pie, roast beef dinner, and whoopee pies."
It's so good, everyone from church groups to Harley Davidson bikers like it. You'll find Chicken Cordon Bleu on Mondays, the Amish Wedding Meal on Fridays, and a host of favorites in between. Look closely at the menu, and you'll see breakfast platters featuring the fried, pork-based favorite: scrapple. Don't knock it til you try it. For lunch, grab a Tuna Salad Supermelt. And for dinner, you can't beat a platter of Ham Balls. Dessert will have you clearing your table for Triple Layer Chocolate Cake, tapioca, or the Reese's Peanut Butter brownie sundae. Because you only live once. And it's gotta be a good ride.
Amish Country Store & Restaurant (Muskogee, OK)
At Oklahoma's Amish Country Store & Restaurant, visitors get to taste the heartland happily woven with the signature flavors of the South. So, comfort food meets ... more comfort food? It's Southern Amish, y'all. And you're gonna love it.
The whole operation happened thanks to Pam Villines who, on a whim, started selling a few Amish goodies in her candle store. She told Discover Oklahoma, "It sold like crazy and I told my daughter ... 'I'm gonna put in a little Amish store.' So I did." Pam makes several trips every year to source food and gifts from Amish communities in Oklahoma and Ohio. And she partners with a local Amish bakery for pastries and pies. On the retail side of the business, you'll find jams, fudge, nut brittle, honey, cheese, and real Amish butter. But on the restaurant side, things get even more delicious.
Momma Yoder's Meatloaf? Check. Salisbury Steak? Check. Brother Bob's Button Buster loaded with bacon, sausage, ham, eggs, potatoes, a sweet cream pancake, and buttermilk biscuits and gravy or Amish toast? Holy moly. That $14 plate will last ya til Christmas. Add some Southern flair with fried okra, brown beans, and the Country Fried Steak. But first (or last) dessert. Treat yourself to a slice of pie, a root beer float, or go ham with The Kenneth: Pie, plus gooey cinnamon roll, plus vanilla ice cream, covered in warm caramel sauce and whipped cream. Get. Out. Of. Town.
Gasthof Amish Village (Montgomery, IN)
Gasthof Amish Village takes its heritage to Inception-like levels by housing their Amish restaurant, with Amish food made by Amish cooks, inside a rustic building crafted by Amish carpenters. Can you get any more Amish than this? Discover Southern Indiana dubbed it an "oasis in the farmland," and with a 92-acre property featuring antique shops, lodging, and a 25-acre lake, it's not a restaurant, it's a destination. Which is good because it is in the middle of rural Indiana, and we're hungry.
This buffet is famous for its hearty offerings, including roast beef, baked ham, and chicken and dumplings. But the restaurant itself boasts about its veggies, noting, "Our salad bar cannot be beat." OK. Before you speed-walk past the lettuce, take a peek at their signature German Potato Salad, Three Bean Salad, and crunchy Apple Salad. No one's leaving you hanging with tasteless cherry tomatoes and fiddly arugula.
But for those hoping for something a little more substantial, there's plenty to choose from. Along with Roast Beef Au Jus, there is Seasoned Baked Fish, or Fried Chicken. And don't miss their mashed potatoes (done without the skins, for the creamiest bite). Every Friday, there's a seafood special featuring the addition of Catfish Fiddlers, Clam Chowder, and Clam Strips. Saturdays get even meatier with an assortment of BBQ favorites. Still got room? There are some fruit rolls that we pretty much just want to smash our faces into.
The Amish Door Restaurant (Wilmot, OH)
This place has been broasting since way back. Originally called Stucki's, Milo and Anna Kathryn Miller were already busy cranking out the hits in 1977. Decades and several moves and makeovers later, The Amish Door Restaurant is still the heart of The Amish Door Market in Wilmot, Ohio.
And what's at the heart of this local favorite eatery? Apple Fritters. And a host of other treats. As the restaurant noted of its homemade baked goods, they are "sure to tempt your taste buds and are made with traditional Amish and Mennonite recipes that have been shared for generations." History never went down so smoothly.
With Restaurant Guru tipping a hat to the outpost's friendly service, it also pointed out the dinner rolls, mashed potatoes, and fried chicken as being top of the pops. If you can possibly resist the Grand Buffet, try a local favorite — the Amish Door Casserole — which is basically the layered version of the Thanksgiving you always wanted, but could never make happen. Other standouts are the saucy, glazed Amish-Style Meatloaf, Broasted Potatoes, and the Taste of Amish Country Platter if you're too hungry to pick just one thing. Dessert features unique offerings like Dutch Apple Pie and Butterscotch Cream Pie, as well as a Buggy Trail Sundae that will make peanut butter lovers' dreams come true.
Shady Maple Smorgasbord (East Earl, PA)
Is it just us, or are we basically guaranteed a fun time if the word "smorgasbord" appears in the name? Well, you can test this theory out for yourself at Shady Maple Smorgasbord in Pennsylvania Amish Country. The restaurant got its start in the 1980s, but the roots of this business go all the way back to the '60s with a little roadside stand.
Miriam Weaver, who co-founded the market we know today, recalled, "The culture we have, we just pray that our children and our grandchildren will keep that culture." As the largest smorgasbord buffet in the entire U.S., it's less like a restaurant and more like an experience. Gotta eat on the go? Grab a soft pretzel and a milkshake from the Snack Shack and spend your time scouting out some beautifully crafted Amish furniture and heirloom-quality quilts.
But if you came to indulge in the county's finest, grab your stretchy pants and let's do this. LancasterPA.com clocked "46 salad bar items, 3 soups, 8 homemade breads & rolls, 4 cheeses, 8 meats, 14 vegetables, 10 cold desserts, 3 hot desserts, 8 pies, 6 cakes, and a sundae bar." All for 30 bucks or less. Signature dishes are available by the night, so you come for the fried shrimp on Friday, and all-you-can eat wings on Thursday. You even get a free meal on your birthday, boo. Might we suggest the shoofly pie?
Das Dutchman Essenhaus (Middlebury, IN)
Just like we kept our Yoders organized, we must also keep our Dutchmen aligned. We already covered Der Dutchman, but this is Das Dutchman Essenhaus. What's the difference between Der and Das? The first is masculine, and the second is "neuter." We learn, then we eat. (Still working on finding a Die Dutchlady with really good pie.)
Ohio natives Bob and Sue Miller brought this Indiana outpost to life when they nabbed an old truck stop in the '70s and revamped it into a restaurant, staffed by Amish and Mennonites and their unforgettable cooking and hospitality. With a buffet that launched in the '90s, this place is doing serious business as the biggest eatery in the county of Elkhart. As Bob and Sue's son Joel Miller once admitted to The South Bend Tribune, "We don't have enough buggy parking."
So what's all the fuss about? Go-to favorites include Creamed Chicken & Biscuits, and either beef or chicken noodles topping creamy mashed potatoes. There's the classic Manhattan sandwich, served with white bread and mashed potatoes — all drowned in gravy. And where would we be without our Broasted Chicken, our Pork Fritter Sandwiches, or our Grilled Hickory Smoked Hams? Even if you're stuffed to the brim, you certainly have a little room for a slice of light-as-a-feather Angel Food Cake. We won't tell anyone you got the Red Raspberry Cream Pie to go, too.