Amish Country Pennsylvania, USA Travel Guide
This cuisine comes from Lancaster County's agricultural abundance and its early settlers' frugal nature. Dishes are filling, nutritious, and use farm-grown ingredients.
Cooking methods are straightforward, focused on flavor. This culinary tradition persists through generations, preserving a taste of the past.
Most dining establishments, especially family-style restaurants and smorgasbords, are informal and welcoming.
Traditional Pennsylvania Dutch restaurants often offer "family-style" service with large platters for sharing, similar to communal meals.
Breakfast: 7-10 AM. Lunch: 12-2 PM. Dinner: 5-8 PM. Many Amish-run eateries close earlier, often by 7 or 20:00, especially on Sundays.
A molasses-based pie with a crumbly topping. Available in "wet bottom" (gooey) or "dry bottom" (cake-like) varieties.
Find at local bakeries, markets, and many restaurants.
A thick, comforting stew, not a pie with a crust. It contains wide, flat, homemade egg noodles, tender chicken, and vegetables in a rich gravy.
Served at many traditional Pennsylvania Dutch restaurants.
Two soft, cake-like cookies (often chocolate) with a sweet, creamy, marshmallow-like filling in between. A popular snack and dessert.
Available at farm stands, bakeries, and markets.
Lancaster County has a pretzel heritage. These are typically softer, lighter, and typically served with mustard.
Found at pretzel bakeries and market stalls.
Often homemade, available at local eateries and markets, offering a sweet, earthy flavor.
Freshly pressed apple cider is available, especially in the fall season.
A broad range of homemade cakes, cookies, and breads are available at Amish bakeries and vendor booths.
Look for these at farm stands and markets, made from local fruits.
Mainly found in Lancaster City. Restaurants like The Pressroom or John J. Jeffries. These offer upscale menus and sophisticated atmospheres, departing from traditional Pennsylvania Dutch fare.
Numerous options in Lancaster City and surrounding towns. They offer a mix of American cuisine, international flavors, and modern takes on local dishes.
Small diners have cheap breakfast/lunch. Farm stands and roadside markets sell fresh produce, baked goods, snacks (often cash-only).
Oldest continuously operating farmers market in the U.S. A must-visit for local produce, meats, cheese, baked goods, and prepared foods. Open Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Historic, diverse selection, local specialties.
Offers a wide array of local cuisine, Amish-made goods, and prepared meals. Open specific days, usually Wednesday through Saturday.
Amish-made goods, prepared meals, local foods.
Pasta, pizza, and more.
Chinese, Japanese, Thai varieties.
Tacos, burritos, and traditional dishes.
Variety beyond Pennsylvania Dutch.
Options for Halal food are very limited in rural Amish Country.
In Lancaster City, a few specialized grocery stores might carry Halal items, but availability is not prevalent.
Options for Kosher food are very limited in rural Amish Country.
In Lancaster City, a few specialized grocery stores might carry Kosher items, but availability is not widely distributed. Plan to prepare your own meals if requirements are strict.
Online research using apps and online platforms like HappyCow (for vegan/vegetarian) or Yelp/Google Maps with dietary filters can find suitable restaurants.
Some newer restaurants in Lancaster City offer menus with plant-based selections. Always verify current offerings.
Some local venues, B&Bs, or visitor centers may offer hands-on classes focusing on Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine.
Guided food tours are available in Lancaster City, focusing on Lancaster Central Marketplace and its diverse eateries.
Many farms offer direct sales of produce, eggs, milk, cheese, and sometimes meat. Purchase Amish-made jams, jellies, or baked goods from home-based businesses.
A distinctive experience, these present a vast array of Pennsylvania Dutch dishes served buffet-style, emphasizing abundance and hospitality.
Plain & Fancy Farm or Miller's Smorgasbord are popular choices.
Directly purchase from farms and roadside stands for the freshest ingredients, connecting with the source of your food.
A simple, true culinary connection.
Local residents can point you to their favorite dining spots and dishes for genuine culinary discoveries.
Confirm operating hours for markets and Amish-run eateries, as they often close earlier than typical restaurants.
Be aware of Sunday closures for many Amish-run businesses and traditional smorgasbords.
