Guests often ask us about the best places to eat near Sight & Sound Theatre Lancaster. Located in nearby Ronks, the theater is practically in our backyard, so we know what’s nearby and can make recommendations with confidence. What do we suggest? It depends on what you’re looking for—but chances are you’ll find something on our list to suit every appetite and every budget.
Don’t Know Sight & Sound?
The enterprise that today is Sight & Sound Theatres began with a single slide projector and later evolved into a multimedia presentation. In 1987, they staged Behold the Lamb, their first full-length live stage production. Ever since, they have been bringing stories that reflect the power of the Gospel to life on their stages in Lancaster, PA, and Branson, MO. The stage show Daniel will run through December 31. In 2025, they will stage a special 30th anniversary season of Noah from mid-March through the end of the year.
Buffet Dining: Bird-in-Hand
If you want to eat your fill of traditional Pennsylvania Dutch dishes and other favorites, Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord is a convenient—and delicious—option. Our famous Amish-style buffet includes a mouth-watering variety of Grandma Smucker’s favorite scratch-made meals and other entrees, fresh vegetables, soups and salads and desserts. Table service is also available if you prefer to order from our varied menu. In season, we get most of our produce from local Amish and Mennonite farmers and meat, poultry and dairy from local producers. And we serve it all with a smile, as we have for generations.
While we rebuild our original location in the wake of a kitchen fire, we are serving at a temporary location in a historic stone tavern at 3063 Lincoln Highway East in Paradise. It is 8 miles—a 4-minute drive—from Sight and Sound via Paradise Lane and Herr Road or Lincoln Highway East and Herr Road.
We’re open from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
Dining Car Dining: Casey Jones
For unique ambience, enjoy a pre- or post-show meal at Casey Jones Restaurant at the Red Caboose. Have lunch or dinner in a vintage railroad car. The menu ranges from appetizers and salads, to burgers and a selection of other hot sandwiches, to entrees. Beer and wine are available, as is a children’s menu.
Casey Jones is located near the Strasburg Rail Road in Ronks, just 3 miles from Sight & Sound via Paradise Lane and Herr Road or North Star Road. It is open daily, year-round. Summer hours are 7:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Dining with great décor: Agape
JR and Ruthie Stotlzfus serve casual fare at their Agapē Café & Grille in Ronks. Choose from decadent sandwiches, soups and salads, and delicious desserts. The smoked meats and seafoods on their platters are smoked right on the premises, and they even offer charcuterie and smokehouse boards.
The café is co-located with Beautiful Home Interiors, the family’s décor store. And it’s just about half a mile down Hartmann Bridge Road (Route 896) from Sight & Sound. They’re open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Amish-Owned Dining: Katie’s
Another casual dining option that’s very close to the theater is Katie’s Kitchen, an Amish-owned and operated family restaurant in Ronks. Enjoy your meal in the dining room, at the counter or at one of the restaurant’s shaded outdoor picnic tables. They serve a variety of lunch and dinner entrees, featuring classic American diner food and many Pennsylvania Dutch favorites, as well as homemade Amish desserts.
Katie’s Kitchen is on Hartmann Bridge Road, less than a mile north of Sight & Sound. They’re open from 7:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Di
ning in Style: Fireside Tavern
If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, try the Fireside Tavern in Strasburg. You’ll enjoy fine food in a cozy tavern ambiance with hand-painted wooden signs, a fireplace and beautiful views of the surrounding Lancaster County farmland. Choose from a wide variety of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees and desserts. Don’t forget to ask about the daily specials, which might include dishes like dry rubbed pork chops with whole grain mustard sauce, a “Black and Bleu” prime rib with lump crab meat and bleu cheese sauce, and a curry shrimp and carrot soup.
Fireside Tavern is about a mile and a half southeast of Sight & Sound—about 5 minutes via Hartmann Bridge Road and Historic Drive. They are open from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday, and from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Plan Your Lancaster visit today
We’ve shared some of our favorite restaurants near Sight & Sound Theatre Lancaster, and there are many, many more. The spectacular stage productions at Sight & Sound will fill your soul. With so many nearby dining options for every taste and budget, you’re sure to find something to fill your belly and satisfy everyone’s appetite as well!
No one goes home hungry from Lancaster County.
