posted Mar 27, 2026

Best PA Dutch Foods to Try in Lancaster County

Taste the heart of Lancaster County with authentic Pennsylvania Dutch dishes made from generations of tradition.

Pennsylvania Dutch food is one of the most memorable parts of visiting Lancaster County, PA. Known for hearty comfort dishes, homemade baked goods, and generations-old recipes, these traditional meals reflect the region’s Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. From chicken pot pie and shoofly pie to scrapple and whoopie pies, this guide highlights classic PA Dutch dishes to try in Lancaster and where to find them.

Pictured: Hershey Farm Resort

Credit: Gabe McMullen

Main Dishes

Chicken Pot Pie
Now, most of you think you have tried this dish before, but here in Central PA it is prepared a little differently- there is no crust! Chicken Pot Pie in this area is a tasty, stew-like meal, complete with hearty broth, tender slow-cooked chicken, carrots, potatoes, and savory square noodles. It’s like a hug in a bowl.

Try chicken pot-pie at: Dienner’s Country Restaurant or Oregon Dairy Country Restaurant & Buffet

Ham Balls
This PA Dutch delicacy is similar to meatballs, but prepared with ground pork and ground ham. To pair with the savory flavors of these meaty morsels, ham balls are commonly served with sweet pineapple glaze. You won’t be able to eat just one!

Try ham balls at: Hershey Farm Grand Smorgasbord, Yoder’s Restaurant & Buffet, Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord, or Oregon Dairy Country Restaurant & Buffet

Pork & Sauerkraut
While this dish is traditionally served on New Year’s Day for good luck, it can still be found year-round at many PA Dutch restaurants and smorgasbords. Juicy pork is slow-roasted with tangy sauerkraut, creating the perfect meal for a fall or winter day.

Try pork & sauerkraut at: Katie’s Kitchen or Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord

Chicken Croquettes
Chicken croquettes or turkey croquettes are like gourmet, grown-up chicken nuggets. They’re fried to perfection, creating a crisp outer shell covering the rich, velvety inside. Commonly served with mashed potatoes and gravy, this meal will have you in carb heaven.

Try Chicken Croquettes at: Shady Maple Smorgasbord or Miller’s Smorgasbord Restaurant & Bakery

Schnitz-un-Gnepp
A beloved Pennsylvania Dutch comfort food, Schnitz-un-Gnepp combines dried apples, ham, and fluffy boiled dumplings in one hearty dish. The name comes from the Pennsylvania Dutch words for “apples and dumplings,” and the sweet-savory combination is a hallmark of the region’s cooking style. If you’re looking to try something truly unique to Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Schnitz-un-Gnepp is a great place to start.

Try Schnitz-un-Gnepp at: Dienner’s Country Restaurant or Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord

Sides Dishes & Snacks

Brown Buttered Noodles
Some Lancaster County cuisine is rooted in simplicity – much like the tasty side, brown buttered noodles. Soft egg noodles are tossed in nutty browned butter for a scrumptious side enjoyed by diners young and old.

Try brown-buttered noodles at: Yoder’s Restaurant & Buffet, Dienner’s Country Restaurant, or Katie’s Kitchen

Chicken Corn Soup
Ask a Lancastrian what they think about chicken corn soup and their face will instantly light up- it’s that good. With every spoonful of this rich soup, you’ll find tender chicken, sweet corn, rivels (small dough balls, sort of like miniature dumplings), and sometimes hard boiled eggs, all swimming in savory broth.

Try chicken corn soup at: Cloister Restaurant, Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord, Dienner’s Country Restaurant, or Miller’s Smorgasbord Restaurant & Bakery

Chow-Chow
In Lancaster County, chow-chow is a sweet-and-sour pickled relish made with a mix of vegetables like corn, beans, cauliflower, and peppers. This Pennsylvania Dutch favorite is often served as a side dish or topping, adding bright flavor and crunch to heavier meals like ham, pork, or baked goods. Recipes can vary from kitchen to kitchen, but the balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors stays the same. It’s a classic example of how Pennsylvania Dutch cooking makes use of preserved vegetables in delicious, practical ways.

Try Chow-Chow at: Kitchen Kettle Village, Lancaster Central Market, or Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord

Lebanon Bologna
Though it originated just outside Lancaster County, Lebanon bologna is a well-known specialty throughout this part of Pennsylvania and a popular food to try while visiting Lancaster. This smoked, fermented beef sausage has a bold, tangy flavor and is often served sliced on sandwiches, paired with cheese, or enjoyed as part of a snack board.

Try Lebanon Bologna at: S. Clyde Weaver, Lancaster Central Market, or Dutch Country Farm Market

Potato Filling
What do you get when you cross mashed potatoes and stuffing? PA Dutch Potato Filling. Classic filling is mixed into creamy potatoes, making one big, happy, side-dish. While it’s commonly served at Thanksgiving, you can also find it on smorgasbords year-round.

Try potato filling at: Hershey Farm Grand Smorgasbord, Yoder’s Restaurant & Buffet, the Cloister Restaurant, or Miller’s Smorgasbord Restaurant & Bakery

Red Beet Eggs
A staple on many Pennsylvania Dutch tables, red beet eggs are hard-boiled eggs pickled in beet juice, vinegar, and sugar until they turn a vibrant pinkish-purple color. Their sweet-and-tangy flavor makes them a popular side dish or snack at markets, diners, and family-style restaurants across Lancaster County. They’re also a familiar sight at salad bars and smorgasbords throughout Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

Try red beet eggs at: Lancaster Central Market, Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord , or Shady Maple Smorgasbord

Soft Pretzels
Few foods are more closely associated with southeastern Pennsylvania than the soft pretzel, and Lancaster County is a fantastic place to enjoy them fresh. Pennsylvania Dutch and German baking traditions helped make soft pretzels a beloved local staple, whether served warm and salty as a snack or paired with mustard, cheese, or dips. You’ll find them at markets, roadside stands, bakeries, and festivals throughout Lancaster County. For visitors exploring authentic Lancaster foods, a fresh soft pretzel is a simple but essential bite.

Find top pretzel places in Lancaster

Scrapple
Scrapple is one of the most talked-about Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast foods, and Lancaster County is a great place to try it for the first time. Made from pork scraps and cornmeal, then sliced and pan-fried until crisp on the outside, scrapple is hearty, savory, and deeply tied to the region’s farm heritage. Some locals enjoy it plain, while others top it with syrup, ketchup, or apple butter. Whether you love it or are simply curious, scrapple is a must-try food in Lancaster for anyone interested in authentic local flavor.

Try scrapple at: Dienner’s Country Restaurant, Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord , or Shady Maple Smorgasbord

Desserts

Whoopie Pies
This dessert makes everyone “whoop” with joy! Soft cream is sandwiched between two cake-like cookies – like an Oreo, but better. The traditional variation is chocolate with vanilla cream, but there are new combinations are popping up in bakeries and market stands.

Try whoopie pies at: Hershey Farm Grand Smorgasbord, Shady Maple Smorgasbord , at Lancaster Central Market, or Village Farm Market

Apple Dumplings
Simplicity is key with this dessert, featuring just a few staple ingredients. A cored apple is wrapped in buttery pastry dough and baked with brown sugar and cinnamon which creates a sweet, gooey sauce. It’s a great way to wrap up a PA Dutch meal – especially in the fall.

Try apple dumplings at: Shady Maple Smorgasbord, Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord, or Zig’s Bakery

Shoofly Pie
Me oh my – it’s shoo-fly pie! This fluffy molasses dessert is a Lancaster tradition that got its name because the molasses attracts flies. It comes in two varieties – dry bottom with a cake-like consistency throughout, and wet bottom with a cake-like top and gooey custard underneath.

Try Shoofly pie at: Yoder’s Restaurant & Buffet, Hometown Kitchen, Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord, or Hershey Farm Grand Smorgasbord

Punxsutawney Spice Cookies
Punxsutawney spice cookies are an old-fashioned Pennsylvania treat known for their soft texture and warm blend of molasses and spices. Their flavor makes them especially popular during the cooler months, pairing perfectly with coffee or tea. If you love baked goods, these spiced cookies are a charming hidden gem to look for in Lancaster County.

Try Punxsutawney spice cookies at: Lancaster Central Market, Achenbach’s Pastries, or Bird-in-Hand Bake Shop