How could anyone resist a pretzel the size of a steering wheel? Crystal and I sure couldn’t. A taste of Shipshewana, Indiana, beckoned us, as we laughed through the golden loops of dough. The buttery aroma was already setting the stage for our two-day food adventure.
This corner of northern Indiana feels like stepping into a postcard from the 1950s, horse-drawn buggies clip-clopping down Main Street, hand-painted signs swinging above shops, and that gentle hum of small-town pace. But beneath the charm lies a culinary heartbeat, a blend of Amish heritage, farm-to-table freshness, and Midwestern creativity.
We came for a taste, but Shipshewana offered a story, told through coffee cups, picnic baskets, and plates that feel like home.
We want to thank Visit Shipshewana for hosting our visit. Rest assured, all photos and opinions are our own.
Morning Brew and Small-Town Buzz
Can a cup of coffee tell you something about a place? In Shipshewana, we think it can.
Our first stop was Five Lakes Coffee, where the air smelled faintly of toasted beans and caramel. The barista greeted us like old friends, her smile matching the hand-carved sign above the counter. My cup —a soothing latte with notes of cocoa —tasted of early mornings and endless roads. Crystal found bliss in a Vanilla Caramel latte, a sweet nod to the morning in Amish country.
Later, we discovered Kitchen Cupboard Coffeehouse, tucked inside Davis Mercantile. The hum of conversation mixed with the scent of baked goods fresh from the oven. Locals lingered over refills, sharing news of auctions and barn raisings. Here, every pour felt personal, every sip a connection.
Shipshewana’s mornings don’t start with a hurry; they begin with warmth.
Picnic Prep at Yoder’s Meat & Cheese
What’s the secret to a perfect picnic? In Shipshewana, the answer lies inside Yoder’s Meat & Cheese Company, where the weight of tradition fills the shelves. The cool air smelled faintly of smoked ham and aged cheddar, and I couldn’t help but marvel at the gleaming glass cases, filled with more than 150 kinds of cheese.
We spotted a mild Colby and a smoky Gouda, both crafted just miles away. Then came the meats: summer sausage, Cotto salami, and a smoked beef jerky that tasted like campfire and craftsmanship.
Crystal examined the jams, apple butter, and spices, while I dwelled at the meat counter. We departed with a small feast in motion, a testament to what this region does best: simplicity elevated by care.
By the time we stepped outside, we heard a picnic calling.
The Picnic Feast by Shipshewana Lake
There’s something timeless about spreading a blanket beside a lake, especially when that lake mirrors the lazy clouds above an Indiana afternoon.
We drove out to Shipshewana Lake, the air soft with the scent of cut grass and summer wind. Our meal looked like a treasure chest, filled not only with our finds from Yoder’s but also with Shawna Rae’s Bakery & Cafe premade lunches. Her sandwiches were packaged with care. A cup of fruit accompanied each, and something to wash it all down.
Then came the cupcakes. Swirled toppings sat like clouds atop the moist and buttery cake. As we ate, clouds drifted by, reminding us that Shipshewana allows visitors to slow their pace.
If there’s a secret to loving a place, it’s this: take your time, and taste it slowly.
The Pretzel Craze
Who knew a simple twist of dough could become a town-wide obsession?
Earlier that morning, we’d posed behind that giant pretzel for a laugh, but now we were getting serious about tasting Shipshewana’s best. At JoJo’s Pretzels, the air shimmered with the buttery scent of freshly baked dough. The pretzels came out steaming, soft on the inside, crisp at the edges, sprinkled with just enough salt to make the first bite unforgettable.
Later, we found ourselves at Ben’s Pretzels, where the family recipe has been perfected over generations. Their secret? Simplicity and patience. The dough is hand-rolled, dipped, and baked to golden perfection. I watched in wonder as the pretzels were rolled and shaped into their iconic form.
There’s something communal about pretzels here; maybe it’s their shape, perhaps it’s the joy they inspire. Either way, they tie Shipshewana together like the loops of memory.
A Taste of Shipshewana: A Hearty Amish Dinner
As the evening settled in, we made our way to the legendary Blue Gate Restaurant.
If you’ve never had a traditional Amish meal, prepare to loosen your belt and open your heart. Our table quickly filled with dishes heaping with flavor. Fried chicken with golden skin, roast beef so tender it fell apart under the fork, and creamy mashed potatoes smothered in gravy. The green beans tasted like they’d been picked that morning, cooked in butter the way my grandmother used to make them.
Then came dessert. I couldn’t resist the coconut cake, its frosting light as snow and impossibly rich. Each bite felt like a hymn to home cooking.
Dinner at the Blue Gate isn’t just about food; it’s about fellowship. Every meal is a story told in flavor, and every plate feels like an invitation to stay a while longer.
Burger Night in LaGrange
The next evening found us in LaGrange, just a few miles west of Shipshewana, where a local we met while shopping had insisted, “You’ve got to try the burgers at Fireside.”
She was right.
Fireside Craft Burgers & Brews reminded us that good things are found in the most unlikely places. Inside, I discovered they serve unique hard ciders and an assortment of local craft brews. My Wrangler burger came stacked with melted aged white cheddar, battered onion rings, garlic aioli, and a drizzle of bourbon BBQ sauce. It was the perfect balance of sweet and smoky. Crystal’s Bacon’s My Jam version was comfort on a bun. The fried onions complemented the sweet bacon jam spread.
We spotted the lady who recommended this place and continued our conversation with her. It’s interesting how life in northern Indiana is about balancing Amish tradition with modern tastes. It’s a conversation echoed in the food here, old roots with new ideas.
When we stepped outside, we found that the night sky was slowly spreading across the horizon. We lingered before meandering back to our lodging, trying to soak up every memory possible.
Sweet Finale at Vanilla Bean Creamery
Every great food story deserves a sweet ending.
On our final evening, we stopped by Vanilla Bean Creamery, where the line of smiling families told us everything we needed to know. Inside, the air smelled of waffle cones and nostalgia. We ordered scoops of their locally made ice cream and sat down to watch bicycles roll past. In the distance, we heard the clip-clop of a buggy heading home. It struck me how Shipshewana’s magic isn’t loud or showy; it’s layered, like flavors that linger long after the last bite.
Here, food isn’t just sustenance; it’s community, memory, and the gentle art of slowing down.
As we packed up the car and waved goodbye to Shipshewana, we couldn’t help but feel that we’d tasted more than just good food; we’d tasted the heart of a place.
From steaming pretzels to handcrafted cheese, every meal carried a story of patience and pride. The foods of Shipshewana reminded us that joy often hides in the simple things: the warmth of a bakery, the hum of conversation over coffee, the laughter shared over dessert.
In this little Indiana town, flavor becomes history, and every bite feels like belonging.
So tell us, if you found yourself wandering these streets, which of these foods would be your first stop?
The Blue Gate Restaurant is one of my favorite stops on any Indiana road trip. Reading your story brought back the smell of fresh-baked bread and pies from their kitchen!
That aroma is unforgettable! The Blue Gate is a Shipshewana classic and such a wonderful place to experience authentic Amish cooking.