Das Dutchman Essenhaus

If you want to enjoy some of the best broasted chicken you will ever taste, then visit this restaurant. The chicken is crispy, flavorful, and juicy. Also, you can eat family style off the buffet or order just a single meal, but most eat off the robust buffet. Everything you want to eat bit your doctor would object to are here. Multiple types of meat, including the delicious and always fresh chicken, stuffing, multiple gravies, noodles swimming in butter, pastries, etc. There is also a filly stocked salad bar, but you know why you're really here... Also, the gift shop area is great, and the surrounding property is worth exploring. This is a place to make a pilgrimage to for home cooked food every time I am in the area. You will not be disappointed.

There's not enough words to describe this food experience! The first view coming up the drive during the holidays as the sun sets brings to mind a Norman Rockwell painting and a warm friendly feeling. The entryway is a beautiful welcome to the friendly faces that greet you at the desk. Yes, there's a wait usually but it's not long and they notify you as soon as a table is ready, butttt in the mean time there's the very beautiful store which wraps around and offers a wide array home goods, cooking tools, comfy clothing toys, games & so much more! This is a definite family friendly and group friendly location. In the event the wait is a little long feel free to enter the bakery....SWEET FREAKS BEWARE😁 The smell of deliciousness will overwhelm you as you walk towards the bakery and take in the view. Baked goods of all shapes and sizes will grab your attention and the huge variety of breads and rolls will as well. The store also offers an array of sauces, gravies, salads, cheeses and appetizer fixins! Of course there are many chocolate and candy treats for your enjoyment as well...and did I mention there's food lol. As I get called to my table I walk past the large buffet that is offered and it couldn't be more appealing. The salad bar includes various greens as well as vegetables and accompaniments to try.
I got lucky and came on a night when the chicken soup was a choice...even if you just take a small portion this is a must taste ! Finally.. the main event...yessss that pot roast boasted chicken and roast pork you've been waiting for. It all sits in good company next to the mashed potatoes, veggies, stuffing , mac & cheese and of course gravy. The Amish Ghoulash was a table pleaser for sure as well as the noodle Casserole. There are a variety of sweet treats including chocolate and white sheet cakes and mud pudding. My super friendly and very diligent server Naomi deserves a HUGE shout-out for the friendliest efficient service she offers and always with a smile. If you choose not to take buffet option there is a very palate pleasing menu you can order from. This is definitely worth the drive and most pleasant food / shopping experience !

The food was delicious, Be sure to get some rolls and try the apple butter, it is to die for!!!! The service was outstanding and the grounds were absolutely beautiful. Be sure to set aside some time to explore the grounds and the shops while you are here. While I did not pick up anything from the bakery, everything looked amazing. I will definitely visit again the next time I am in Northern Indiana!

My family has been coming here to eat for more than 30 years. The food is absolutely incredible. My favorite is the roast beef, noodles, and old fashion cream pie. 10/10 recommend.

Stopped in here while passing through Middlebury. We had the breakfast/brunch buffet. Holy cow! Everything we had was made to perfection and perfect! Biscuits were light and fluffy…. white gravy was spot on. Mush was cooked perfect. Service was very friendly and quick. The gift shop attached had a ton of amazing stuff for sale. And the pies…. ohhhhhh the pies! 🥧

Party of two came in on Saturday afternoon. We waited for 15-20 minutes or so, checking out the gift shops while waiting. We went for lunch menu not buffet. Price and portion are reasonable. Waiters are friendly and helpful. Food was great but a bit too salty for us. We ordered baked steak and chicken . Pie was great. Good portion for one small slice. We got Dutch Apple and raspberry cream. It’s a great enjoyable weekend meal and outing overall.

This pass weekend, we had the wonderful experience to visit Amish country in Middlebury, Indiana. One of the restaurants we dined at was “Das Dutchman Essenhaus”. Talking about down home cooking, macaroni/cheese, cabbage, fried chicken, roast beef, string beans, corn bread and home made pies. The best part was reasonably priced buffet for $13.50. The waitresses were pleasant and accommodating. They had a yummy bakery and souvenir shop. Not to mention the Hostess, Carol Detweiler remember my name the second time we went there, what a treat! Worth a visit.

I’ve been visiting this restaurant since I “was knee high” as my grandma would say and it’s still as delicious as when I was a kid. The staff is always very friendly and happy to get you what you’d like. The food is that back-country good home cooking. And DONT skip on the pie! I swear I’ve tried all of them over the years and they all taste magical.
Couple the restaurant with the bakery and you can grab fresh bread, pies, baked goods and more. Plus there are shops around to find beautiful home decor.

If you’re in the area, this is definitely a classic that has lasted over the years and for good reason. Check them out for yourself! But I would definitely say 10/10 would definitely recommend.

Amazing atmosphere, clean rooms! Breakfast was all you can ask for and COMPLIMENTARY! I will definitely be back!

Above average 👍 the buffet was about $22 with drink and it was great. Obviously all homemade food and the stuffing really stood out to me as excellent. We went on Thursday, which just happened to include a free car show. Highly recommend.

Roast beef and chicken were excellent! Bakery is hard to resist. Donuts/cinnamon buns were 'to die for'! This restaurant is one of my favorites. Wonderful country drive on a beautiful day. Don't miss it!

We stopped for a late lunch/early dinner. They have 2 dining rooms. One is for the buffet and one is traditional menu dinning. We chose the latter. Our waitress, Roberta, was very knowledgeable about the preparation of the food and super friendly. When one of us asked for a cheeseburger with no seasoning she picked right up on it and asked if he had food allergies. She said she wanted to make sure the kitchen was aware of it. The food was served quickly. It was absolutely delicious. We had cheeseburger soup (my first), broasted chicken, meatloaf and the burger. Unfortunately we were too full and didn’t get dessert. Prices were very reasonable. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.

We've eaten there before, but had not yet gotten items from their store. We got a few pies, some donuts of course... thoroughly enjoyed everything

This Amish-themed restaurant has various food options in traditional sit-down dine-in or buffet styles. Be sure to try the baked steak, Amish peanut butter, and custard pie. Baked goods, snacks, gifts, and home decor are also on-site. When you dine in, opt for the full Amish experience by dining in one of the buggy tables!

We are so glad we came and stayed here.
The atmosphere was refreshing, and everything the Essenhaus family does to make your stay restful was fantastic.
This is a great place to bring your kids, or get away as a couple, or even come for a family gathering.

Essenhaus is a great place to eat. We drive a little over an hour to eat here. Food is excellent, makes you feel like you're back at grandma's house. Same with the atmosphere. Just a down home place. Service is excellent as well. I would definitely recommend. Don't forget to stop by the bakery, after eating not before. Lol

Allegedly the largest restaurant in Indiana, the offerings on the buffet were extensive. Lots of excellent sides and the mains are "grandma" good.
The fried chicken has just the right amount of crunchy breading and is always hot as someone is constantly refilling it.
Not a huge dessert fan, but the cakes and cookies were a great finish.
Super friendly staff and quick to seat and serve.

If you like meat and potatoes, Home cooked style dinners, or buffets, then this is the place for you. Choose from prime rib, chicken, ham, rump roast, chicken gravy, beef gravy, green beans, corn, carrots, mashed potatoes, salad, stuffing, Mac n cheese etc... all prepared by the Amish. So delicious 😋 😍 When you are done eating, visit the bakery for the best red raspberry pie you'll ever taste. Then shop to you drop! Perfect little getaway for a Saturday afternoon.

Das Dutchman Essenhaus is as always a Great Experience every time I visit and I visit a lot! Don't give it a second thought. The home cooked meals to the Amish and country atmosphere to all the things you didn't catch the last time you visited. The most wonderful thing about the Essenhaus is the people. Das Dutchman Essenhaus is full of the kind of people you miss seeing and talking to from days gone by. Stopping in with take you home.... And you know you don't get home nearly enough.

I had not been here in 25 plus years and it was still so good and excellent service.