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Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery

3.4 (377 reviews)
Open • 10:30 am - 8:00 pm

Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery Photos

BLUE GATE RESTAURANT & BAKERY ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Touristy
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery

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Doris E.

I love pie. This place is pie heaven. The only downside is that the pie is put on the buffet by the slice, and it's hard not to eat the entire slice because it is so good, which means you get full before you can try all of the pies. There's salad, bread, soup, entrees and sides too - all cooked Amish style. I loved the beef noodles, meatloaf, and broccoli salad. I sampled some other dishes, but had to save room for pie. There were some really delicious puddings too - blueberry with fresh blueberries in it and a warm bread pudding. Delicious! Service was quick and friendly and I think it's a good value for $22. It's best to arrive early and plan for a long walk afterwards (to work off the pie).

sample cookies
Deke M.

Place was crowded, lines for buffet and for supper menu ordering room but things moved quickly. Great server, fast service, offered suggestions. Didn't like the higher prices but I guess that's the times. We wanted beef & noodles but that is only on a certain day so chicken 'n noodles it was. We split an order so we could enjoy splitting a lovely butterscotch pie slice off their 20-pie menu. It was fabulous! Only think I didn't enjoy was my friend's side of mac & cheese. (So she got it all.) Ambiance is the same as Cracker Barrel--noisy & bustling but can't beat the great Amish menu and care.

meatloaf with mashed potatoes & gravy and baked apples
Marta S.

The food quality was quite disappointing here. Everything looked so good on the menu and I was so very hungry, I ordered the sampler platter because I couldn't decide. Kudos to the restaurant for having that option , otherwise I would have had to order multiple meals. Besides the fresh bread and butter - which was amazing- nothing tasted good. The fried chicken was soggy, the meatloaf was mostly bread, the beef had no flavor at all it tasted like it's been rinsed in water. The stuffing was basically just mushy bread with seasoning. The green beens were mushy frozen green beans, the baked apple was overly sugary and the flavor was just strange. The food was 2 stars at best. However, the service was 5 star, excellent. Our waitress was exceptionally attentive and generous with the free bread and helping us with the menu items. It's a very large restaurant and there were only a few us us dining there right after the holidays. There is a large interesting gift shop inside the restaurant and an entire bakery. I wish we would have gotten dessert but given that we were not enjoying our meal, we decided against it.

Salad
Julie E.

I had forgotten I reviewed this place in 2020. Not much has changed in terms of food quality since then. I had the Sampler Platter with Roast Beef, Chicken ( you have to request all white) and Meatloaf. The chicken was served hot and FANTASTIC! The roast beef was tender and the meatloaf didn't seem to mix well. The garden salad was nice, I always enjoy the sweet and sour dressing. The bread was what it always is, bread but soft. Where I begin to lose attraction to Blue Gate was the fake mashed potatoes. I would bet they are not real, I get it the volume they serve real potatoes likely are not fiscally responsible. The gravy I am certain is canned and the stuffing was good but I am also certain not home made. The ice tea was great, I didn't even need sugar! The pies. The bakery is relatively small in comparison with Das Essence Haus (spelling). I had the chocolate cream pie, which was gone by the time I got back into Michigan from IN. I was a bit disappointed the chocolate crinkles were not being produced on this day. I am not sure if this is a permenant change or a seasonal change. I saw the whoopie pies with moisture in the container on the shelves, maybe let them cool a bit longer. I get it want to sell. The pie refriderator was not very stockeed and I knew to ask for specific pies but some people may not know that. I will say another reason for lower stars was the absolute displeasurable older women (Saturday 11/15/25 approx 1430) who was working as a cashier for the menu side. I am not sure why she was so absolutely unpleasent but I hope management sees this discusses her awful attitude. All in all I belive the days of home made authentic amish food may be gone. After my experience today, trying the Essaunce Haus again may be in my future. Sorry Blue Gate.

Liz A.

It was my first time here and probably 15 years since my mom was here. The restaurant was beautifully decorated for fall and gave me Stars Hollow vibes. We got in just before the lunch rush. You can choose the lunch buffet located downstairs or to order off their menu which was on the main floor. We went with ordering off the menu. I got the pulled ham special. Everything about it was delicious, the ham, mashed potatoes and cinnamon apples so good. My mom got the chicken salad plate which is definitely a good bang for your buck. After lunch we stopped in the bakery and picked up several tasty items: Amish peanut butter, cinnamon roll, apple bread, fudge, cashew crunch and pumpkin donut. Ample bathrooms located in the lower level. If I find myself back in the area, I'll for sure get a meal here and stock up on some bakery.

Brian K.

A Southern Feast at the Blue Gate Restaurant - Shipshewana, IN Last weekend, I had the pleasure of dining at the Blue Gate Restaurant in charming Shipshewana, Indiana, and let me tell you--it was comfort food heaven. The buffet spread is a riot of home-style goodness, anchored by standout dishes that hit every nostalgic note. Blue Gate Fried Chicken This is their signature--and it lives up to the hype. Pressure-fried to juicy perfection, each piece boasts a satisfyingly crisp crust. A Reddit visitor praised the "Amish fried chicken," calling it one of the menu highlights . And I couldn't agree more--it's exactly what comfort food should taste like. Mashed Potatoes & Homemade Noodles The mashed potatoes were impossibly creamy, topped off with a savory gravy that warmed the soul. The noodles--thick, silky, and rich--were the perfect pairing. Blue Gate advertises its mashed potatoes, chicken dressing, and homemade noodles as staples on their buffet (), and they delivered splendidly. A Plate Full of Good Stuff Beyond chicken and carbs, the buffet offered a full range of homestyle sides--corn, green beans, mac & cheese, and a lively soup and salad bar. The rustic charm of Amish-style cooking is on full display, with dishes that remind you of family gatherings. Pecan Pie (and More!) I saved the best for last: pecan pie. It was buttery, nut-packed, and offered a perfect balance of sweet and toasted flavors. Blue Gate boasts over 20 varieties of pie, with their dessert bar being a highlight of the buffet . Each forkful made me appreciate why their bakery garners so much love. Why the Blue Gate Buffet Works * Hearty, homestyle cooking - Classic Amish recipes with lots of soulful comfort. * Variety galore - From soups and salads to noodles, meats, and pies--you'll find something nostalgic and comforting. * Warm, welcoming ambiance - Casual and cozy, it's the kind of place where you feel at home--staffed by people who clearly care . A Few Tips Before You Go 1. Come early or reserve - Buffets fill up fast, especially before shows at the nearby Performing Arts Center . 2. Save room for dessert - With dozens of pies, every slice is worth it--especially pecan! 3. Consider family-style dining - They also offer a served version of fried chicken, meatloaf, turkey, and more, if you prefer to skip the buffet. Final Thoughts The Blue Gate Restaurant delivered everything I hoped for: crisp fried chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, tender noodles, and a pecan pie that was absolutely divine. Warm, filling, and lovingly made, it's a destination for anyone craving hearty, Amish-style comfort food. I can't wait to go back--and try more pie flavors next time!

Pies in bakery area
Nikki P.

This review is for the bakery side! When you walk in, it feels like you're in grandma's kitchen...if she was Amish, super sweet, and had all the goodies on deck. Tried the banana cream pie but I wasn't a fan. Recommend getting the lemon cookies, and chocolate candy bags (I think it was $12/lb?) Parking is a breeze. Just across from the Craft Barn. Pro tip: Enter from Van Buren side unless you enjoy wandering through the restaurant or need to use their restroom. Will be back for more desserts and maybe to finally find the one pie! The pecan pie looked promising

the front of the restaurant
T H.

Still as good as ever. Absolutely love going to Blue Gate for their buffet. Great servers and great food. So much to chose from, so go hungry.

Exterior of establishment
Joe B.

Had been wanting to compare this traditional Amish, all you can eat buffet to another we had visited. This particular restaurant does offer either the buffet or ability to order off the menu. Located In the heart of Shipshewana, this adorable restaurant and music hall has very friendly staff and is quite popular. Prices were reasonable, includes unlimited beverages, soup, salad, entree items and dessert. Compared to the other location visited, was disappointed with the options of the buffet, not much of a variety as compared to the other and could have been better seasoned and a bit more flavorful, in comparison. Other experience felt as if they took a bit more pride in their Amish cooking.

Mac and cheese, fried chicken, pot roast, mashed potatoes
Abby W.

I was really excited to try an Amish buffet as I've never been to Amish country before. We put our names down on the list and only had a short wait for a table despite the bustling venue. It seems like this is really a hotspot for entertainment in the area. The food was just okay though. Nothing special. The fried chicken and mashed potatoes were the best items. The pies were good but they were not labeled, which made selecting them an interesting gamble. I would have preferred a banana pie but I ended up with a slice of coconut and chocolate. In hindsight, I wish we would have chosen the restaurant instead of the buffet because we may have had better quality dishes.

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5 months ago

Rylee at the front desk was rude as hell. Been here before and the food is good though.

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11 months ago

Great friendly service and fabulous food that my country girl mother made regularity! Yum!

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Ask the Community - Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery

Does the Blue Gate still give a free birthday meal?

Harry, thanks for your question! We have discontinued the birthday club due to difficulty managing its size and the resulting abuses, but we're working on new ways to say thank you to our loyal guests so stay tuned. To get updates subscribe to our… 

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Review Highlights - Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery

“I had the Amish Sampler With roast beef, fried chicken, meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, and stuffing.”

Mentioned in 5 reviews

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Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery - bakeries - Updated November 2026

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