Blue Gate Restaurant and Bakery
A beloved country kitchen and bakery serving hearty Amish-style comfort food, with a renowned bakery offering delicious pies and fresh bread.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed
Blue Gate Restaurant and Bakery
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A beloved country kitchen and bakery serving hearty Amish-style comfort food, with a renowned bakery offering delicious pies and fresh bread.
"Everything I mean everything was so delicious that I wished I had 2 stomachs!!!"
🍞 Warm Bread & Cold Butter
Bread is served at room temp; butter is cold. Let butter soften a bit before spreading for an easier experience.
🍰 Dessert Heaven
The dessert selection is extensive, with numerous pies and other sweet treats. Don't skip it!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
All-You-Can-Eat Buffet
Main Dining Area
Savor a generous spread of authentic Amish-style comfort food, from meats to sides and a decadent dessert bar.
Freshly Baked Goods
Bakery
Indulge in a variety of pies, breads, and pastries, with rhubarb pie and Amish peanut butter being crowd favorites.
Family-Style Dining Experience
Main Dining Area
Enjoy a hearty, multi-meat dinner served family-style, featuring melt-in-your-mouth roast beef and delicious fried chicken.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Buffet vs. Menu Dining
Bakery Delights & Souvenirs
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🍞 Warm Bread & Cold Butter
Bread is served at room temp; butter is cold. Let butter soften a bit before spreading for an easier experience.
🍰 Dessert Heaven
The dessert selection is extensive, with numerous pies and other sweet treats. Don't skip it!
⚖️ Buffet vs. Menu
Choose buffet for variety or menu for specific dishes. Both offer hearty portions.
🥧 Rhubarb Pie Must-Try
Many visitors highlight the rhubarb pie as a standout dessert.
Tips
from all over the internet
🍞 Warm Bread & Cold Butter
Bread is served at room temp; butter is cold. Let butter soften a bit before spreading for an easier experience.
🍰 Dessert Heaven
The dessert selection is extensive, with numerous pies and other sweet treats. Don't skip it!
⚖️ Buffet vs. Menu
Choose buffet for variety or menu for specific dishes. Both offer hearty portions.
🥧 Rhubarb Pie Must-Try
Many visitors highlight the rhubarb pie as a standout dessert.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Blue Gate Restaurant and Bakery is praised for its authentic Amish-style comfort food, especially the buffet and family-style dinners. The bakery is a highlight, with many loving the pies and fresh bread. Service is generally good, though some note minor issues with food temperature and buffet variety for the price.
"Service was excellent, drink glasses were never empty. The whole restaurant is immaculatly clean. The landscaping outside is absolutely beautiful and the size of the interior is overwhelming. Average food, not seasoned or flavorful. For the price of a buffet, I thought the selection of food was quite small. Desserts were good. There is also a full menu restaurant as well. Wouldn't return."
Tony Swann
"Smaller selection Amish style buffet..which is nice. The food is plentiful and very well prepared. The desert section is pretty amazing. the fresh loaf style thick cut bread was excellent. Our server was Sharon, she's excellent and had a pleasing personality."
Lenny Handfinger
"It was a good place to eat, our server was good, but we did hear other servers being rude to customers. The bread they bring out to you before your food comes tasted good, but they serve the bread at room temperature and the butter was cold so it was hard to spread on the bread and with the bread being basically cold, you have to hold the cold butter in your hands for a few minutes before you can spread it on the bread. We are from the south and most places that serve bread, bring it out warm and the butter is room temperature so it spreads great. The food we ordered was good, again though the mashed potatoes my wife received weren't hot, they were warm, mine were warmer than hers. Overall, the food tasted good, they weren't packed out at the time we went, but it looks like they can get pretty busy. Also, we ordered off the menu instead of eating the buffet. I would try them again though if we are ever in the area again, everyone can have an off day."
Eric Price
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Blue Gate Restaurant and Bakery is located in Shipshewana, Indiana. It's easily accessible by car, with ample parking available on-site. Many visitors arrive as part of a larger trip to the Amish country area.
Public transportation options directly to the restaurant are limited. It's best to plan your visit with a personal vehicle or consider local tour services that may include stops here.
Parking is generally available on-site. During peak times, it can get busy, so arriving a little earlier or being patient can help secure a spot.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Reservations are not typically required for the restaurant, especially for the buffet. However, for larger groups or during peak seasons, it's advisable to call ahead.
The restaurant and bakery are open all day, but hours can vary seasonally. It's recommended to check their official website or call ahead for the most current operating times.
The buffet price is around $26+ per person, with variations for children. It's a significant portion of the dining experience for many visitors.
Yes, Blue Gate offers a full menu in addition to the buffet. This allows for more specific ordering if you don't want the all-you-can-eat option.
There is no admission fee to enter the bakery or the adjacent crafts marketplace. You only pay for what you purchase.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Blue Gate specializes in Amish-style comfort food. Expect hearty dishes like roast beef, fried chicken, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, and a variety of sides. +1
Many visitors rave about the family-style dinner, especially the roast beef and fried chicken. The rhubarb pie and Amish peanut butter from the bakery are also highly recommended.
While the buffet offers a good selection of Amish-style dishes, some reviews suggest the variety might be smaller than expected for the price. However, the quality and preparation are generally well-regarded.
The buffet typically includes a salad bar and various side dishes that can cater to vegetarians. Ordering from the menu might offer more specific vegetarian choices.
Bread is served at room temperature, and the butter is cold, making it difficult to spread. Some guests prefer it served warmer, as is common in Southern cuisine.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, the restaurant boasts beautiful landscaping outside, and the interior is quite spacious. The bakery also offers visually appealing treats.
Consider visiting during daylight hours to capture the exterior landscaping. For food photography, any time you're dining is great, but the buffet spread can be particularly photogenic.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Beyond the food, the spacious interior and beautiful landscaping outside provide a pleasant environment. While there aren't specific play areas, the overall atmosphere is relaxed and accommodating for families. Don't forget to stop by the bakery for some sweet treats that kids will surely love!
💰 Budget Travelers
Alternatively, ordering from the menu allows you to control costs more precisely. While the buffet is a significant investment, it's often seen as good value for the quantity and variety offered. Consider sharing dishes or focusing on the buffet if you plan to eat only one large meal for the day.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Blue Gate Dining Experience
For those who prefer to order specific dishes, the menu provides a range of entrees and options. A unique aspect of the dining experience is the bread and butter served before the meal. While the bread is fresh, the butter is often served cold, which can make it difficult to spread.
Beyond the main dining, the Blue Gate Bakery is a significant draw. It's celebrated for its wide array of pies, including a highly recommended rhubarb pie, and other baked goods like Amish peanut butter. Many guests find the bakery a perfect place to pick up souvenirs or enjoy a sweet ending to their meal.
Exploring the Blue Gate Bakery
Many guests find the bakery to be the perfect place to purchase edible souvenirs or to grab a delightful snack. The aroma of fresh baking often fills the air, creating an inviting atmosphere. It's a place where you can truly experience a taste of Amish country baking traditions.
When visiting, consider trying a slice of pie or picking up a loaf of their signature bread. The bakery's offerings are a testament to the care and quality that goes into traditional Amish baking, making it a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit