Giant pierogies have a Pennsylvania Dutch name, and it's boova shenkel. Say it out loud once. It sounds like a nickname your great-uncle gave the family dog, and it tastes like a Sunday afternoon.
That's the fun of eating in this corner of Pennsylvania. Pot pie here often means thick, square noodles in broth, not a crust. Ham loaf, scrapple, and buttered noodles show up on menus like old friends who never moved away.
You'll find these dishes in some surprising spots. A few sit inside farmers markets and malls. Others feel like a relative's dining room, with pie on the counter and coffee that keeps coming.
Some of the cooks and servers are Amish, and the recipes behind the food go back further than anyone's menu.
So what makes a meal taste like home when it isn't your home at all? Maybe it's the shoofly pie. Maybe it's the gravy.
Either way, you'll want a napkin and probably a second plate.
1. Cabbage Hill Schnitzel Haus
Schnitzel in a food hall sounds like a mix-up, yet it works beautifully in downtown Lancaster. Cabbage Hill Schnitzel Haus serves German comfort food from a counter inside an elevated food hall.
The star is right there in the name. Golden schnitzel leads the menu, and house-made pretzels give it serious competition.
Do you love a soft pretzel? Order one with the cheese dip and thank yourself later. The menu also lists red cabbage and pierogies, so your plate gets plenty of color.
Vegetarians aren't stuck with side salads here. A full vegetarian menu means more people at your table can find something hearty.
Service moves fast, which helps when your stomach starts making demands. The setting stays casual and friendly, with seating for lunch and dinner.
Families will find high chairs, changing tables, and a kids' menu. Groups fit in easily, and solo diners blend right in too.
Plan your visit for Wednesday through Sunday, since Monday and Tuesday are days off. Reservations aren't taken, so just show up hungry. Parking options include a free lot plus nearby garages and street spots.
Address: 100 S Queen St, Lancaster, PA 17603
2. Deitsch Eck Restaurant
Deitsch means Pennsylvania Dutch, and Eck means corner. Put them together and you get a restaurant that lives up to its name in a historic corner building in Lenhartsville.
This is mom-and-pop cooking in rural Berks County. The dining room feels quiet, homey, and a little old-fashioned in the best way.
Scrapple fans, your moment has arrived. The menu offers scrapple bites, a single slice of scrapple, and plenty of other regional classics.
Chicken pot pie sits on the menu alongside Chicken a La Deitsch Eck, a house specialty. You'll also spot hot salad, fritters, meat loaf, and sauerkraut on the lineup.
Save room, because the homemade pies matter here. Shoofly pie is a classic choice, and the coffee pairs nicely with any slice.
Hours are limited, so check before you drive. Doors open Wednesday through Saturday afternoons and for Sunday lunch and dinner.
Reservations are accepted, and a private dining room works for family gatherings. Kids get their own menu and high chairs. Free parking is usually easy to find.
Address: 87 Penn St, Lenhartsville, PA 19534
3. Dunderbak's Market Cafe
Shopping bags in one hand, sauerbraten in the other. That's a combination you can actually pull off at Dunderbak's Market Cafe in the Lehigh Valley Mall.
This German-themed spot has been a mall fixture for years. It's casual, quick, and surprisingly hearty for a shopping trip pit stop.
The menu leans into comfort. Sauerbraten, a Bavarian goulash platter, and a Hofbrau platter all show up with classic sides.
Hot German potato salad and red cabbage round things out nicely. On a chilly day, the Hungarian mushroom soup sounds like a smart move.
Like breaded cutlets with gravy? Jager schnitzel is a solid pick here. Kielbasa with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes also earns a spot on the table.
Sweet tooth calling? A coffee and dessert counter sits right on site. German chocolate cake makes a fitting finish.
Service runs fast, and kids get high chairs and their own menu. Reservations are accepted for groups. Parking at the mall is free and usually plentiful.
Address: 121 Lehigh Valley Mall, Whitehall Township, PA 18052
4. Quentin Haus
Breakfast starts at 6 a.m. here, which tells you plenty about this place. Quentin Haus is a family-owned roadside restaurant on PA-72 in Lebanon County.
Home-style Pennsylvania Dutch platters fill the menu. You'll also find cheesesteaks, meatball subs, and Reuben sandwiches for anyone craving deli classics.
Isn't it nice when a menu doesn't make you choose sides? Grandma-style cooking and diner favorites share the same pages here.
The room feels casual and calm. Weekday visits tend to be quieter, while Sunday mornings bring the bigger crowds.
Dessert deserves your attention. The kitchen gets real credit for its sweets, and the coffee holds up nicely too.
Families can relax with high chairs and a kids' menu on hand. A private dining room helps when the whole clan shows up at once.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from early morning to 7 p.m. Sundays wrap up at 2 p.m. Reservations are accepted, and takeout works if you'd rather eat at home.
Free parking makes the stop easy.
Address: PA-72, Lebanon, PA 17042
5. Katie's Kitchen
Peanut butter spread on a dinner roll might sound odd. In Lancaster County, it's practically a tradition, and Katie's Kitchen serves it up.
This Ronks restaurant mixes Amish-style dishes with classic diner fare. The mood stays relaxed, soft-spoken, and easygoing.
Chicken pot pie and stuffing bring that Sunday dinner feeling. Mac and cheese and ham loaf also earn their spots on the table.
Do you have a soft spot for fruit desserts? The apple dumplings should be on your list. Strawberry jam also shows up for anyone who likes things sweet.
Nice weather? Grab one of the outdoor picnic tables. Dogs are welcome outside, so your four-legged buddy can tag along.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner all happen here. Doors open Tuesday through Saturday, with Sunday and Monday off.
Reservations aren't taken, so plan around busier evenings. Mornings tend to be calmer. Curbside pickup and takeout make leftovers easy.
Kids get a menu of their own, and free parking keeps things simple.
Address: 200 Hartman Bridge Rd, Ronks, PA 17572
6. Hometown Kitchen
Amish cooks in the kitchen and Amish servers at your table make this stop feel like a family meal. Hometown Kitchen sits in Quarryville, surrounded by southern Lancaster County farmland.
It works as both a family restaurant and a bakery. That second part matters, so keep an eye on the dessert case.
Chicken pot pie leads the comfort lineup. Meatloaf, roast beef, and scrapple also show up on the menu.
Here's a regional treat worth trying. Pepper slaw is a tangy Pennsylvania Dutch side, and it brightens up a heavy plate fast.
Craving something sweet? Carrot cake is a menu favorite. Hot chocolate and a good tea selection keep cold days pleasant.
Early birds will love the hours. Weekdays open at 6:30 a.m., and Saturday starts even earlier. Sundays are closed.
The room stays laid-back and quiet most mornings. Reservations are accepted, and a private dining room handles larger groups. Kids get high chairs and their own menu.
Free parking sits right outside.
Address: 18 Furnace Rd, Quarryville, PA 17566
7. Yoder's Restaurant & Buffet
Brown buttered noodles are the kind of side that quietly steals the show. At Yoder's Restaurant & Buffet in New Holland, they often do.
This local standby serves American fare with Pennsylvania Dutch specialties. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner happen every day of the week.
The buffet covers a wide spread of homemade dishes. Broasted chicken, meatloaf, and ribs are among the favorites.
Prefer something lighter? A salad bar and full vegetarian menu give you options. Desserts get plenty of love too, so pace yourself.
Not a fan of long lines? Yoder's tends to feel calmer than the bigger buffets nearby. Wednesday mornings are usually the quietest time to visit.
Weekdays start at 6 a.m., while Sunday runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Weekend afternoons bring the busiest crowds.
Families get changing tables, high chairs, and a kids' menu. Free Wi-Fi and a private dining room add extra convenience. Reservations are accepted, and the free parking lot usually has room.
Address: 14 S Tower Rd, New Holland, PA 17557
8. Dienner's Country Restaurant
Pork and sauerkraut is a Pennsylvania Dutch favorite, and Dienner's Country Restaurant gives it a proper spot on the menu. You'll find it served with two sides, the way a good farm supper should be.
This Soudersburg restaurant sits along Lincoln Highway East. It offers a buffet plus sandwiches and country platters.
The buffet keeps things simple and hearty. Chicken pot pie, roast beef, and mashed potatoes are typical picks.
Buttered noodles deserve a mention all their own. They're soft, salty, and very hard to stop eating.
Then comes the dessert bar. Shoofly pie, Oreo pudding, and hot fudge cake make choosing a little stressful.
Breakfast starts at 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Sundays are closed, so plan your weekend around that.
Service moves quickly, and the salad bar adds some crunch. Reservations aren't accepted, so mornings are your best bet for a calm table. Kids get high chairs and a menu of their own.
Free parking is usually plentiful.
Address: 2855 Lincoln Hwy E, Soudersburg, PA 17572
9. Shady Maple Smorgasbord
Four grills. Multiple food sections. A dessert area with ice cream cake.
Shady Maple Smorgasbord in East Earl does nothing small.
This massive buffet serves Pennsylvania Dutch comfort food in a big, cafeteria-style space. Seating is plentiful, and the lines tend to move along.
Carved beef brisket, ribeye steak, and crab cakes all appear on the spread. The breakfast smorgasbord is popular too, so early risers are covered.
Got a favorite night of the week? Tuesday dinner brings Seafood Night. Wednesday dinner rolls out Prime Rib Night.
That ice cream cake gets plenty of attention. Don't skip it unless you truly can't manage one more bite.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sundays are closed, and Saturday afternoons bring the biggest crowds.
Weekday mornings are a calmer option. Reservations are accepted, and a kids' menu plus high chairs help families. Vegan and vegetarian menus mean nobody leaves hungry.
Free parking is easy to find.
Address: 129 Toddy Dr, East Earl, PA 17519
10. Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord
Turkey with filling sounds like a holiday plate. At Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord, Lancaster County Roast Turkey and Filling sits right on the regular menu.
Filling, by the way, is the local word for a bread stuffing. Now you can order like you grew up here.
This long-standing landmark gives you two ways to eat. Pick the smorgasbord, or order from the regular menu.
Broasted chicken is a popular pick. Pork and sauerkraut also earns strong praise from the buffet crowd.
Want something lighter? The soup and salad bar is a good middle ground. Then circle back for dessert, because it's hard to resist.
Servers here are known for helping indecisive diners. That's handy when the whole menu looks tempting.
Doors open Tuesday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday are closed. Mornings tend to be quiet.
Reservations are accepted, and free Wi-Fi is available. Kids get high chairs and their own menu.
Address: 2760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird in Hand, PA 17505
11. Boova Haus
Boova shankels are giant potato-stuffed dumplings with a name that's pure fun to say. Boova Haus builds its menu around them at the Quakertown Farmers Market.
This casual counter sits near the market entrance. It keeps Pennsylvania Dutch cooking front and center in Bucks County.
The portions are sized just right for a market visit. You can eat well and still have energy to wander the stalls.
Homemade soups are a big part of the menu. On a gray day, a bowl sounds like the perfect plan.
Family recipe desserts finish things off. Shoofly pie is a natural choice, and rice pudding has its own loyal fans.
Do you love a meal that won't drain your wallet? This is one of the most budget-friendly stops on the list. Service also moves quickly.
Timing matters here. Boova Haus is open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday hours run until 4 p.m.
Free parking surrounds the market.
Address: 201 Station Rd #18, Store 403, Quakertown, PA 18951
12. Miller’s Smorgasbord
Chicken and waffles, Pennsylvania Dutch style, means stewed chicken and gravy ladled over a waffle. Miller's Smorgasbord in Ronks serves it on a buffet that runs all day.
The spread is big and well kept. A carving station, salad bar, and large soup selection all compete for your attention.
Ham balls are a local favorite worth tasting. Meatloaf, mac and cheese, and potato salad bring classic picnic energy.
Turkey with gravy and stuffing also shows up. It's basically a holiday dinner with no dishes to wash afterward.
Dessert has its own section. Shoo fly pie and salted caramel cheesecake both make strong cases.
A fireplace adds charm to the historic dining room. Free Wi-Fi and a private dining room are available too.
Here's a tip that will save you time. Reservations are recommended for lunch and dinner, since there's often a wait. Weekday mornings are quieter.
Families get changing tables, high chairs, and a kids' menu.
Address: 2811 Lincoln Hwy E, Ronks, PA 17572
