This Ohio Amish Restaurant Is Quietly Ruling Mornings With The Perfect Breakfast
I still remember the first morning I pulled into Der Dutchman in Walnut Creek, Ohio. The sun was barely awake, but the parking lot was already filling up with folks who knew exactly where to find the best breakfast in Holmes County.
This place has perfected the art of morning meals in a way that makes you want to wake up early.
What sets Der Dutchman apart is not just the Amish-style cooking or the pastoral views from the dining room windows. It is the way they treat breakfast like it matters, like it is the most important meal they will serve all day.
Walking through those doors at seven in the morning feels like stepping into someone’s farmhouse kitchen, except this kitchen feeds hundreds of hungry people every single day.
After visiting countless times and watching the breakfast crowd grow year after year, I have figured out exactly why this Ohio restaurant has become the go-to morning destination for locals and travelers alike.
The Breakfast Buffet That Draws Crowds Before Dawn
Walking up to the breakfast buffet at Der Dutchman feels like discovering a secret treasure that everyone somehow already knows about.
The spread starts at seven in the morning sharp, and by 7:15, you will see a steady stream of people filling their plates with everything from fluffy scrambled eggs to crispy bacon that actually tastes like bacon should.
One regular from Lakewood, Ohio told me she drives down every four to six weeks just for this buffet. She shops at the nearby Walnut Creek market first, then treats herself to breakfast.
That kind of dedication tells you something real about the quality.
The variety is what keeps people coming back. You will find traditional breakfast staples alongside Amish specialties and fresh pastries from their bakery.
Hot coffee flows freely, and the staff keeps everything stocked and steaming hot throughout the morning rush.
At around $13.99 per person, you get unlimited access to everything on that buffet. Some folks arrive at 10:30 to catch both breakfast and lunch items.
Homemade Pastries That Disappear Fast
The bakery section at Der Dutchman deserves its own spotlight because those pastries do not last long once the doors open. Every morning, bakers arrive hours before customers to prepare fresh cinnamon rolls, danishes, and other sweet treats that make your coffee taste even better.
Reviews mention the bakery 188 times, which should tell you something about how memorable these items are. People do not just eat them at breakfast.
They buy extras to take home, knowing they will not find anything quite like this at their local grocery store.
The cinnamon rolls are particularly famous, with that perfect balance of sweetness and spice that makes you close your eyes on the first bite. The fruit danishes change with the seasons, featuring whatever is freshest and most flavorful at the time.
What makes these pastries special is the traditional Amish approach to baking. No shortcuts, no preservatives, just quality ingredients mixed and baked the way families in Holmes County have done for generations.
The Views That Make Your Morning Better
Sitting by the windows at Der Dutchman transforms a regular breakfast into something more peaceful. The dining room overlooks beautiful Ohio countryside, with rolling hills and farmland stretching out as far as you can see.
It is the kind of view that makes you slow down and actually enjoy your meal instead of rushing through it.
Multiple reviewers specifically mention these views in their feedback, noting how the scenery adds to the whole experience. One visitor said the beautiful views made their meal even more enjoyable, which is exactly how I feel every time I sit by those windows.
The restaurant is positioned perfectly to take advantage of the natural landscape. Whether you visit in fall when the leaves are changing or summer when everything is green and growing, the view gives you a real sense of place.
There is even a photo spot in the parking lot where visitors can capture the scenery. Smart planning by the restaurant, because people love sharing these pastoral views on social media.
Service That Remembers Your Name
The servers at Der Dutchman have this uncanny ability to make you feel like a regular even on your first visit. Names like Annie, Kris, Sharon, and Madison pop up repeatedly in reviews, with customers praising their attentiveness and genuine friendliness.
One customer who described herself as an older server gave Annie five stars, noting that she knew exactly what guests needed without asking. Straws, napkins, water refills all appeared like magic because Annie paid attention and cared about her tables.
Kris gets mentioned for being wonderful and attentive even when the restaurant is packed. Sharon receives praise for going above and beyond to make guests comfortable.
This consistency in service quality does not happen by accident. It comes from good training and staff who actually enjoy their work.
Even when the restaurant is incredibly busy with people waiting outside, the service remains prompt. Servers manage multiple tables without making anyone feel rushed or forgotten.
That balance is hard to achieve, especially during peak breakfast hours when everyone wants their coffee hot and their food fast.
Rocking Chairs That Make Waiting Worthwhile
Nobody likes waiting for a table, but Der Dutchman makes the experience almost pleasant with rocking chairs on the front porch. You can sit and rock while watching other visitors arrive, enjoying the fresh Ohio air and getting excited about the meal ahead.
The porch seating area serves a practical purpose during busy times, but it also sets the tone for your visit. It tells you this place values comfort and hospitality, that they want you to relax even before you sit down to eat.
Several reviews mention the rocking chairs specifically, noting that the wait went quickly because they could sit outside. One visitor appreciated being able to shop at nearby boutiques while waiting, then returning to rock on the porch until their table was ready.
This simple touch reflects the Amish approach to hospitality. Take your time, rest a bit, do not rush through life.
Those rocking chairs are not just furniture. They are a philosophy about how meals should be experienced, starting from the moment you arrive.
Portions That Could Feed Two People
Ordering from the menu at Der Dutchman requires courage because the portions are absolutely massive. One reviewer ordered a roast beef dinner after having a late lunch, specifically because she did not want to waste food.
Even that single dinner plate was huge, she reported.
Another customer mentioned getting a cheeseburger and potato wedges that arrived piping hot with enough food to satisfy even the heartiest appetite. For breakfast, you can order individual plates if the buffet feels like too much, but be warned that those plates still come loaded with food.
This generous approach to serving sizes reflects traditional Amish values about hospitality and making sure nobody leaves hungry. It also means you get serious value for your money, especially at the reasonable prices Der Dutchman charges.
Many visitors end up taking leftovers home, which means one breakfast at Der Dutchman can actually provide two meals. Smart planning if you are traveling and want to save money on lunch later.
Just make sure you have room in your cooler for those takeout containers.
The Broasted Chicken That Surprises Breakfast Visitors
While most people focus on traditional breakfast items, Der Dutchman offers broasted chicken that has developed its own following. Multiple reviewers mention this chicken specifically, with one calling it some of the best fried chicken around.
Broasting is a cooking method that combines pressure cooking and frying, creating chicken that is incredibly juicy inside with a crispy, flavorful coating outside. It is not something you find at every restaurant, which makes Der Dutchman’s version even more special.
One regular visitor always orders the broasted chicken when she comes with her mom. That kind of repeat ordering tells you the quality stays consistent visit after visit.
The chicken appears on both the buffet and the menu, giving you options for how you want to enjoy it.
Some smart visitors time their arrival for 10:30 in the morning, right when the restaurant transitions from breakfast to lunch. That way they can grab breakfast items and also enjoy the broasted chicken, getting the best of both meals in one visit.
Free Bread That Keeps Coming
One of the best surprises at Der Dutchman is the free bread service that comes with your meal. Not just one basket, but refills whenever you want them.
This bread is baked fresh daily using traditional recipes that have been perfected over generations.
A reviewer specifically called out the free bread with refills as incredible, noting it as a highlight of their meal. When bread gets mentioned alongside the main dishes in reviews, you know it is something special.
This is not generic restaurant bread from a bag. It is real, homemade bread with texture and flavor.
The bread pairs perfectly with the apple butter that Der Dutchman is known for. Spread that sweet, spiced apple butter on warm bread and you have a side dish that could almost be dessert.
No wonder people keep asking for more.
This tradition of serving bread with meals reflects Amish hospitality and the agricultural heritage of the region. Bread was always the foundation of meals, and Der Dutchman honors that tradition by making sure every table has plenty.
The Pie Sampler That Solves Decision Problems
Choosing just one pie at Der Dutchman feels impossible when you see all the options, which is why the pie sampler exists. This brilliant menu item lets you taste multiple varieties without committing to a full slice of each one.
One reviewer raved about the pie sampler being amazing, noting it is absolutely perfect if you cannot make up your mind. The sampler typically includes small portions of different pies, which might feature peach pie, apple crisp, or bread pudding depending on what is fresh that day.
Reviews mention specific pies like peach pie 13 times and apple crisp 17 times, showing these are customer favorites that appear regularly. The pies use fresh fruit and traditional recipes that make them taste like something your grandmother would bake, if your grandmother was an exceptional baker.
Even though pie is technically dessert, plenty of breakfast visitors order a slice to go, planning ahead for an afternoon treat. The bakery case near the entrance tempts you on the way out, making it easy to grab a whole pie for later.
Timing Your Visit for the Best Experience
Getting the most out of Der Dutchman requires some strategic planning because this place gets busy. One smart visitor arrived on a Thursday morning at 9 AM and found it quiet and uncrowded, something she had never experienced before.
Her breakfast for two cost only $23, and she called it awesome.
The restaurant opens at 7 AM from Monday through Saturday and closes at 7 PM on Mondays through Thursdays and 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. They are closed on Sundays, which is standard for Amish-owned businesses that observe traditional rest days.
Arriving right at opening gives you first pick at the breakfast buffet when everything is freshest. Mid-morning around 10:30 lets you catch both breakfast and lunch items.
Early afternoon around 1 or 2 PM can be quieter, though one visitor noted the buffet food was not as hot at that time.
Peak times like Saturday mornings will have lines out the door, but the turnover rate is fast and the rocking chairs on the porch make waiting bearable. Plan accordingly based on whether you want a peaceful meal or the energetic atmosphere of a packed restaurant.