Unearth The Voyage
Pennsylvania’s backroads and small towns hide some of the best pie-makers in the country. Forget fancy bakeries with Instagram-worthy displays, these humble spots pour their hearts into every flaky crust and creamy filling. From towering meringues to gooey shoofly pies that define Pennsylvania Dutch tradition, each slice tells a story of family recipes passed down through generations. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, these seven destinations will remind you why homemade pie will always beat anything from a box.
1. Bingham’s Family Restaurant — Kingsley (Susquehanna County)
Roadside restaurants don’t get much more authentic than this Susquehanna County gem. Bingham’s has built a loyal following by doing one thing exceptionally well: baking sky-high cream pies that look almost too pretty to eat. Almost.
Chocolate peanut butter is the star everyone talks about, but don’t sleep on the lemon meringue or seasonal caramel-apple crumb. Each pie arrives fresh from the oven daily, and the glass case near the register practically begs you to take a whole one home. Open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., it’s the kind of place where locals know the bakers by name and visitors leave planning their next trip back.
2. The Original Pie Shoppe — Laughlintown (Laurel Highlands)
Since 1947, this unassuming bakery has mastered the art of keeping things simple. No trendy flavors or flashy decorations, just honest-to-goodness pies with buttery crusts and fillings piled high. Apple, coconut cream, and their signature razzleberry rotate through the lineup like old friends.
It’s more than a pie counter, though. You’ll find a full deli, patio seating for sunny afternoons, and even pizza if the kids aren’t in a dessert mood. But let’s be real: you came for the pie. Grab a slice of razzleberry and settle in, or take a whole apple pie home for later. Either way, you’re tasting nearly eight decades of baking tradition.
3. Dutch Haven Shoo-Fly Pie — Ronks (Lancaster County)
If shoofly pie has a throne, it sits right here on Route 30. Dutch Haven opened in 1946 with one mission: make shoofly pie so good that people would drive miles out of their way for a taste. Mission accomplished.
Walk through the door and you’ll get a free sample before you even decide what to buy. The gooey, molasses-rich filling and crumbly topping have made this landmark famous enough to ship pies across the entire country. Locals stop by for their regular fix, tourists snap photos, and everyone leaves with at least one extra pie tucked under their arm. It’s sticky, sweet, and absolutely worth the hype.
4. Yoder’s Restaurant & Buffet — New Holland
Community gathering spots like Yoder’s don’t just serve food—they bring people together over plates piled high and dessert bars that stretch forever. This smorgasbord-style restaurant connects to Yoder’s Country Market, so you know the ingredients are fresh and the recipes are rooted in tradition.
After you’ve worked your way through the main buffet, save room for the dessert spread. Cream pies, baked fruit pies, and seasonal specials rotate daily, and you can order whole pies to take home if one slice isn’t nearly enough. The atmosphere feels warm and welcoming, like Sunday dinner at your favorite aunt’s house—except with way more pie options.
5. Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord — Bird-in-Hand
Amish country classics don’t get more iconic than this. Bird-in-Hand has been feeding hungry travelers and locals for years, and their smorgasbord always includes a generous selection of PA Dutch desserts. Shoofly pie takes center stage, naturally—it’s the dessert that defines the region.
You can grab a slice right from the bakery counter after your meal, or browse their online shop if you fall hopelessly in love and need pies shipped to your doorstep. The restaurant itself feels cozy and unpretentious, exactly what you’d hope for in Lancaster County. Come hungry, leave happy, and maybe sneak an extra slice for the road.
6. Shady Maple Smorgasbord — East Earl
Calling Shady Maple big feels like an understatement. This is Pennsylvania’s mega-buffet, where the dessert bar alone could qualify as its own restaurant. Fruit pies, crumb-topped beauties, whoopie pies, and more line up like a sweet parade.
Blueberry crumb shows up often, and regulars know to save just enough room after the main course to do the dessert station justice. With a spread this massive, you might need a second visit just to try everything. The atmosphere buzzes with families, tour groups, and anyone who appreciates good food in serious quantities. It’s loud, it’s lively, and the pies are absolutely worth navigating the crowd.
7. Hershey Farm Restaurant — Ronks
Lancaster County knows how to do comfort food, and Hershey Farm delivers it with a smile. Their deluxe dessert bar earns rave reviews, especially for what they proudly call “the area’s best shoo-fly pie” and apple pie that tastes like autumn in every bite.
After filling up at the smorgasbord, wander over to the on-site bakery to pick up a whole pie for later. The dining room keeps things simple and family-friendly—no fuss, just good food and even better desserts. Visitors come for the full Pennsylvania Dutch experience, but they remember the pies long after they’ve driven home. Grab a fork and prepare to understand why.
