Wow. This was such an excellent find. It's a small cash-only operation, but you can really tell that their heart is in the work. As far as I can tell, they run a normal menu Wednesday through Friday, then offer a special buffet on Saturdays. We checked out the Saturday buffet, and the overall experience was amazing. It's important to make reservations ahead of time, but when you do show up, they present a light brothy soup and a basket of bread almost immediately. At that point, the buffet is filled with a range of different hand crafted items. My partner loves Hungarian food, and I was a little nervous about the availability of vegetarian options for me. That turned out not to be an issue. They had a whole section of vegetarian options along with a salad bar. The whole experience was phenomenal, with a low key live accordion performance in the background. Highly recommended. read more

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Cute old building with lots of old world western pa charm. Staff were welcoming to a toddler. Saturday buffet was good Easter European food. The Kreme dessert was excellent and lots of options on buffet. read more

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If you're looking for a little slice of Budapest, this is the place for you... from the warm and festive atmosphere of the decor, to the melodious strains of the strolling accordion player, you'll be primed for what you really came for: a wonderful array of Hungarian delicacies... If I spoke Hungarian, I'd try to say whatever the word for delicious was... you can't go wrong with Darlington Inn. Especially recommend the Saturday night buffet... Not only is it delicious, but it's a fantastic value.! read more

We enjoyed eating Hungarian cuisine for the first time. Portions were huge, so you could easily share a plate. Staff was very friendly.

I love this out-of-the-way restaurant. It is well worth the drive! I particularly recommend the Saturday evening buffet, and don't forget the kremes for dessert, it is a true indulgence. read more

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We were so excited to try this place. We made our reservation for the Saturday buffet. Our drinks were not delivered until we were almost completely through our meal. The buffet food was sad, seriously overcooked, and tasted processed and days old. The stuffed cabbage rolls were so incredibly overcooked that they were nothing more than a weird shaped meatball sitting in a pool of cabbage mush. It was not at all appetizing. The entire experience was a disappointment and I left embarrassed that I suggested to our large group that we try the place. read more

The Saturday buffet assortment was all delicious. Very nice atmosphere and good, friendly service from everyone. A keeper!

After 3 visits in 3 weeks, I can safely say that this is about as good as it gets. I really can't add anything new to the comments that are already above, but I will try. Some restaurants get ratings somewhat based on their location... such as a 4 star restaurant gets a bonus star because they are not where you'd expect to have a great restaurant. Or a 3 star review because they "should be better" based on their location. The Darlington Inn, with it's "Eastern European Comfort Food" is 5 stars wherever you go. If you aren't "really hungry", then don't be bashful about ordering a "Senior Portion" or taking some home. Big portions of really great food in a very casual and comfortable atmosphere. This is as good as it gets. Are you full? Then take dessert home - either one - or both... (you can thank me later). Folks, read the reviews... if you're looking for a 2 hour fancy dining experience, this isn't it. If you're looking for very casual, very comfortable, VERY filling and very delicious... this is your spot. Think of your favorite diner, with a welcoming staff, about to feed you with a flavorful and fulfilling meal. read more

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The best Hungarian food I ever ate besides my parents and grandparents . we try to go back a few times a year. read more

Is ok of you wanna eat at someone's old grandmother's house...who heck wants stuff cabbage and pierogoes...not everyone is 70....yuk!

I need to move to Ligonier just so that I can come here on a regular basis. The Chicken Paprikash is as good as I've had, The meatloaf, stuffed cabbage and everything else was delicious. The service was top notch. read more

So cute and amazing food. Reservation required, but we called last minute and they had an opening!

When we came up for our Grandson's Christening in December, my wife who is from the area, wanted some Eastern European Comfort Foods but the only one locally was the Darlington Inn and they are closed on Sunday. On this trip, we arrived on Friday and needless to say, they were open. We checked into our hotel in Greeensburg and called and made reservations although I don't thing reservations are necessary except maybe for the Saturday Night Buffet or special event. Arrived and were promptly seated. Server was very friendly and made us feel right at home. She explained the menu and specials of the day but we settled for what we could not find in Charlotte NC and loved. My wife order the Stuffed Cabbage (Toltott Kaposzta on the menu) with dropped noodles aka Spaetzel or Rivlas. Since I lived next door to a fantastic Slavic Lady in Ohio, I ordered the Chicken Parikas ( Csirke Paprikas) for my main. Prior to our order being served, we were treated to a house Potato and Mushroom soup that was fantastic. When our entrees were served, we were impressed. The quality was great, protion sizes are hugh and the value is definately there. While we were dining, the owner stopped by to insure that we were well served and asked if we needed anything. Good touch and her picture is posted as well. They do have live music in the form of an accordian player and whle not a fan of Lawrence Welk or accordians, this guy was great and very talented. Good background. This place is a keeper and will definately be on my list as a favorite in the future. And to thing that back in 1989 when PPG moved me from Ohio to Pa, I almost bought a house a little over 1 mile away. If I had and they were open then, i would love to think of all of the great meals I could have had. read more

Darlington Inn - Proud owner and great chef - Hungarian Near Me - Ligonier, Pennsylvania

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This is an old roadside tavern that has been turned into a pretty good Hungarian restaurant. The beef stew, peas, pork goulash and chicken paprikas were really good. Loved the homemade dumplings. Very nice family restaurant. Will definitely go back. read more

Hard to write this review when the owner is so friendly. The food is absolutely bland and tasteless. They do have Hungarian paprika in Hungary and the food there is far better than anything on this buffet. The atmosphere I found to be old world, quaint and charming with a nice accordion player. Everything is overcooked. Green beans, pasta in soup, pigs in the blanket aka stuffed cabbage were all over cooked. The selection on the buffet was good and the pierogies might have been the best selection of the whole buffet. This could be an excellent restaurant if the food had some flavor. I think the natural ingredients were good but the sauces were absolutely awful. Cooking this whole buffet is a lot of work and it is such a shame that the end result is lacking in flavor. $7 for a small glass of wine and buffet was $19. read more

Traditional home cooked eastern European food! Pirogies, chicken crepes and pork were all excellent. Served with dinner was a beef stew and normally I would not be very interested but wow - it was sooo good alongside their homemade bread. And don't pass on desert, try the Creme. Servers were very nice and constantly checking on drinks, etc. We will definitely be back. read more

Wonderful Hungarian food. Made from scratch. All the food is good but highly recommend going on Saturday for the buffet - you get to sample lots of foods and amazing desserts! read more

Service was great and food was amazing! A perfect array of Hungarian delicacies. Highly recommend!

Take my advice. Do not eat anything at least 3 days prior to your visit and expect to not be able to move or eat for a few days after! This place serves HEARTY Transylvanian-Hungarian food and it is not the place for those with weak appetites or healthy eating habits! Where shall I begin. The place is charming, unique, and is hidden off Route 30 along the Loyalhanna Creek. It is a house. You enter through what would be considered the basement door. Once you enter you immediately realize this place is one of a kind. Starting with the cozy bar and all the miscellaneous paraphernalia hanging on the walls. If you come on the weekend you might just walk into a full-blown party atmosphere while the professional accordion player keeps the mood as such. Once seated (reservations are highly recommended) the dining experience begins! If you go on the weekend your only option is the buffet . Your meal starts with a nice bowl of their homemade soup and the absolute best homemade bread. Did I mention your food is served on Corelle dinnerware! Pretty nostalgic and practical stuff in my book! A sampling of the buffet includes mashed potatoes, pierogies, sauerkraut, halushki, polenta, beef, chicken and pork specialties swimming in sauce, steamed vegetables, salad, pickled cabbage, and 4 different kinds of homemade desserts. I could go on and on about this unique and wonderful dining experience but I invite you to try it for yourself. A few things to remember. Cash only but there is an ATM available. They have limited hours of operation. The township does not permit them to place signage on the main road directing you to their site but it is not far off of Route 30 before approaching Idlewild Park. Look for the Darlington Road sign. Be sure you go when you can also experience the regularly featured, and very popular, accordion player. And if you are lucky enough, you might just hear Freebird played on an accordion! read more

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I was recently in the Western PA area visiting family, and my sister and her family dragged us out to this place. I was a bit leery as it's kind of in the middle of the woods, in the middle of nowhere. *Cue banjos* The place is nothing spectacular from the outside, just a two-story yellow building that kind of sticks out from its wooded surroundings. I was even more leery when we went inside and found tables on one side and a bar on the other--it felt like we were in a dodgy B-movie. However, both sides were equally busy, bustling and jam-packed. My sister said to trust her, the food was awesome. Who was I to turn down good food? Even my young nephews (ages 9 and 11) were eager to go inside and eat. What? So we sat at our (reserved) table and our waitress took our drink orders. Shortly after, she put out bread and some kind of soup (it was a bit unremarkable, kind of like a chicken broth with noodles?). My sister told me not to fill up, because the buffet was that good. I knew something was up when my nephews went straight to the buffet line and didn't even bother with the soup and bread. I followed suit and got in line. The buffet was set up on two folding tables separating the bar area from the seated restaurant area. It wasn't fancy at all, with a setup kind of like you'd expect to see at someone's grandma's house. The desserts were actually first (my mouth started to water just looking at them), then a small sort of sad salad station, and then the hot steam tray section at the end. The selection wasn't vast, but what lacked in quantity totally made up for in quality. EVERYTHING was homemade. If something ran out, you had to wait until another batch was made. And trust me, the wait was worth it. Everything from homemade noodles, sauerkraut, pierogies, beef stew/goulash, piggies (cabbage rolls), to pork with mushroom sauce. EV-ER-Y-THING was excellent. I mean, there was not ONE thing that I didn't absolutely love (and inhale). You could tell everything was made with love! Seriously, I think a few babushkas (or however you say "grandma" in Hungarian) were back there making everything. I had two plates. (oink!) And then there were the desserts. Oh my goodness. There was a whole sheet cake box full of Kremes and even other desserts that I can't even remember, but they were ALL good. Thank goodness my sister is adventurous, because I would never have known about this hidden diamond in the rough, and probably one of the top 5 best restaurants at which I've ever eaten. I would go there again. And again. read more

Darlington Inn - A hidden gem. - Hungarian Near Me - Ligonier, Pennsylvania

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Our meal at Darlington was basically heaven on earth. Our family had spent the day at Idlewild and was looking for someplace different to have dinner at. When we saw Darlington had a buffet on Saturday evenings, we knew it would be the perfect option. Waking in, I felt like I was walking into a family member's dining room. It is very homey/comfortable feeling and has fun decor. There are not many tables, but they got as many tables in as they could without you feeling over crowded. The food was heavenly. Your meal starts with a bowl of their soup of the day. We had chicken noodle soup that was incredibly tasty. Even the noodles were home made. Once you are finished with your soup, you can head up to the buffet. I'm Polish, so a lot of the cuisine is similar to the comfort foods of my childhood. You know you are in for a special meal when you see the chef walk out of the kitchen with a glass pan full of food to add to the buffet. It was fresh and genuinely homemade. There were several entrees on the buffet, several sides, salad greens and toppings, a veggie tray and several options for dessert. Some favorites among our party were the chicken, the stuffed cabbage and the noodles with cheese. But literally everything we tasted had a great amount of flavor. The servers were attentive without being intrusive and were very accommodating considering we had two toddlers with us. If you are looking for an affordable, yet tasty option while out in Ligonier, I highly recommend checking out Darlington. read more

It's kind of a weird setup but it's actually very tasty and unique. I wish I could have tried the Chicken livers! read more

Darlington Inn - The chicken dish - Hungarian Near Me - Ligonier, Pennsylvania

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Very good food. Plenty to eat. Prices were good. Authentic, homemade food without all the artificial additives, so you aren't drinking tons of water when you get home. Definitely recommend this place for a change in the usual places. read more

I love this place!!!! Seriously, folks, this is truly a little slice of Hungarian heaven! Though not the most trendy, on Saturdays this place cannot disappoint. Upon entry, the waitress welcomes you and takes you to your table. Be certain to have reservations on Saturdays as they fill up quickly. Once seated you will receive the complimentary bowl of soup. So far I've had Sauerkraut soup, chicken or beef noodle, ham and bean, and some others I've since forgotten. I could write books on the soup and thick, crusty bread they serve with it. After that, the grand buffet awaits! The buffet items change but there are some staples which do not. These include the legendary Chicken Paprikas, slathered in a delicious sauce, and so tender it melts in the mouth. It is truly made with love. Other regulars include the stuffed cabbage rolls but without tomato juice. Some infrequent items include pork in dill sauce, goulash, polenta with a savory cheese topping, Transylvanian goulash with its sauerkraut, and on rare occasions liver or homemade sausage! I've sadly forgotten about the delicate drop noodles which are exquisite. Finally, the desserts are rich and flavorful and I am most partial to the flaky crusted one with the custard filling. Did I mention her side salads???? You pay a decent sum at 14.50 something but good grief is it worth it. If you leave "Hungary" and still feel hungry...well, I feel sorry for you! read more

This is the place for central European food. I don't know how to spell them all but I eat them all. My favorite is the veiner snitzel. Perfect. Everything is homemade. The bread, soup, main course and the deserts. The owner comes out to great you and inquires how you like your food. It's like being in grandma's house. read more

Hungarian and Transylvanian food is similar to the hunky food I grew up on. We had the Hungarian meatballs for an appetizer, but before you even order they sit a bowl of soup in front of you. I'm not sure what ours was but the broth had tons of flavor. It was a really good bowl of soup. This also came with a slice or two of good bread. Back to the meatballs, they might have been deep fried so they were crunchy on the outside, soft in the middle. They came with a side of mustard. The mustard was strong and little bit went a long way. Very good. I had the lamb, the most expensive thing on the menu, and it was fantastic. It was a bit fatty, but the flavor was outstanding. Also got the Drop noodles. I'm not sure how these are made, but they're very similar to my grandma's noodles. Not a ton of flavor, but nice with some salt and pepper. They also had some sauteed green onions with them. The dish also came with brussel sprouts. These were quite good as well, very soft and not very bitter like I'm used to with sprouts. My old lady had the pork with a mushroom sauce. Once again they killed it. The sauce was fantastic, so much flavor. Lastly was dessert. I had the Kremes, which is like a giant Lady Finger. There was so much of the frosting/creme. It was very flaky, very good. I assume it was also homemade. The only downside is the lack of a beer selection. This is a small place where the craft beer demand is probably quite low. That said, I had the Penn Dark, which sufficed for the meal. As we were eating, the Chef/Owner came out to see how our meal was. She was very nice and seemed genuinely pleased when we told her how great everything was. I'd much rather pay someone running their own mom and pop restaurant for a good meal than the Olive Garden for a watered down "Italian" meal. Go here. Buffet on Saturday, which is also very good. And you also get soup with the buffet. When I couldn't finish my last plate and didn't want dessert with the buffet they asked if I wanted a box to take my unfinished portion and some dessert home. Awesome. Note: They don't take credit cards, but do have an ATM. read more

I didn't want to recommend this place because I'm selfish. This is an amazing home cooking hungarian restaurant. The menu is great, but if you are not sure about this style of cooking, visit on a Saturday night when they have their buffet. This is another one of those places where the interior hasn't changed in years which really makes it kind of homey. Please don't go to this restaurant. I want to make sure I get a seat :) read more

Elizabeth always has a great variety on her buffet. The food is amazing. The staff is always polite and very attentive. We will always go and enjoy our night. Joe is the best as well with his polka music too. read more

Amazing food. Tucked away off all main roads, this place definitely needs shared so that others can find it! I had never had Hungarian food before, so I did not know what to expect- buy I was blown away. Nice sized menu for selection. The chicken paprika with aside of drop noodles is to die for! Before we even ordered we were given bowls of bean soup and bread. Everything is homemade and amazing! The chef even came out and talked with my friend about the menu because of her unique allergies. If I could give ten stars, I would!! read more

Darlington Inn - Hungarian Near Me - Ligonier, Pennsylvania

I've been to this restaurant 3 or 4 times since discovering it driving four hours to get there from northern Virginia. I grew up eating Hungarian food and i can honestly say that this food is authentic and awesome. I almost always get the chicken paprikas and take a few orders to go. I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

My wife and I had a wonderful meal tonight!!(6-25-21) The food is fantastic and our server was very friendly!! Found out they are starting their buffet again tomorrow!! The buffet was always fantastic and I can't wait to try it again!! If you don't want the buffet their menu is excellent!! Just make sure you go hungry because the portions are large!! We highly recommend it!! So much better than a chain restaurant!! read more

If your looking for authentic ethic food, make sure you put this on your list. The buffet on Saturday night is great! You get to taste a little bit of everything and it's hard to decide what was the best food you ate off your plate. And to think, you can go back for more as many times as you want. So unbelievably priced for the quality and unlimited amount of food. Great comfort food! read more

One of my favorite places to eat of all time. I grew up eating my Hungarian grandmother's cooking and baking. Elizabeth's food is better-her sauces are amazing. We have never had a bad meal here. We had a few friends out for a picnic and take out from the Darlington last weekend. No surprise that you still get generous portions, homemade soup and the fresh baked bread. The home made desserts are consistently great. Thank you Elizabeth and family for all your wonderful meals-comfort during Covid 19. read more

Loved Loved Loved our first visit and are going back very soon. The food was out of this world. we hit the buffet and it was smashingly good. The abeyance was the best with live music from 80 year old men who just come to play. You will never for get your time there and will want to go back over and over. read more

Kind of a creepy but interesting place... You walk in and it's like walking into grandma's summer kitchen.... Dark, old but interesting....i didn't not like it..... Had the smell of German food cooking.... Which definitely reminded me of grandma's! We went on the night when the buffet was out..... Lots and lots of dough. All in all....i enjoyed it! Not your typical restaurant... Felt a little like you were eating at someone's home. It wss good. read more

This place should be getting one hundred stars! Quaint atmosphere, fabulous service and AMAZING food! Grandma is literally in the kitchen cooking!! You can't go wrong with whatever you order and you won't leave hungry! read more

My first experience with Darlington Inn , went to the Hungarian buffet on Saturday evening . Authentic Hungarian food outta this world !!! Polka player playing great tunes while you thoroughly enjoy stuffed cabbage , pierogi's ,mashed potato's, beef stew and etc. I can't believe this gem is tucked away in Darlington and I never got to experience this until now . Gotta come back here frequently and support this home cooked perfection .great atmosphere, great service this gem needs to be preserved and valued as a great restaurant. I defiantly would recommend eating here . read more

Awesome Saturday buffet. Everything fresh and homemade. It was like walking into Grandmas house thirty years ago.... Decor and all. A MUST for our next trip. read more

Darlington Inn - From the outside - Hungarian Near Me - Ligonier, Pennsylvania

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Wholesome food, great authentic atmosphere and the best buffet in town every Saturday evening. Cash only but they have an ATM on site. Be sure to call ahead for reservations for Saturday seating. read more

There are many Hidden Gems as far as the restaurant world goes, but every now and then you stumble upon something that far surpasses this title. This would be the case with the absolutely amazing Darlington Inn. Hidden on the backroads off the beaten path of US Route 30 is the little town of Darlington. The last place you would expect to find an authentic Hungarian/Transylvanian restaurant. The owners are straight out of Hungry and Romania, and you get that feeling the moment you walk through the door. This place has a feel of Europe for sure! On Wednesday and Saturday nights the Darlington offers an amazing buffet filled with the most amazing hardy food you possibly have ever tasted. The buffet changes from week to week but always offers the staples such as Pierogies,and Haluski. Every item is hand made in the back, and when I say hand made, I mean hand made! Nothing has come from a box here. They work all day to prepare for the evening buffet. If your looking for authentic hardy food the Darlington Inn is the place! This place is incredible. Be sure to call ahead, and make reservations due to this place being small. You wont regret it! One thing to keep in mind is the Darlington is Cash only, with an ATM on site. So be sure to be prepared for this. read more