Bird-in-Hand Buffet Prices (2026)
Bird-in-Hand buffet prices in 2026 are roughly $23 to $31 per adult for the lunch and dinner smorgasbord, based on the most recent reports from October 2026. The last itemized menu lists lunch at $20.95 (Tuesday to Friday) and $22.59 (Saturday), and dinner at $26.95 (Tuesday to Thursday) and $28.39 (Friday and Saturday). The Noah’s Ark kids’ buffet was last listed at $10.95 to $16.95 depending on age and meal, and beverages are included with the smorgasbord. The buffet is open Tuesday to Saturday, with breakfast from 7 to 10:30 am, lunch from 11 am to 3:30 pm and dinner from 4 to 7 pm.
Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord does not display its buffet rates openly on its website, so this guide pulls together the last itemized prices, fresh 2026 reports and the full menu in one place. Where a price is older, it is labeled that way so you can plan with confidence.
Bird-in-Hand buffet prices per person
The table below shows the last itemized adult buffet prices published for the restaurant. Treat these as the starting point, because 2026 reports show checks running higher.
| Meal | Days | Adult price (last itemized menu) |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast smorgasbord | Tuesday to Saturday | $11.59 (older listing, likely higher now) |
| Lunch smorgasbord | Tuesday to Friday | $20.95 |
| Lunch smorgasbord | Saturday | $22.59 |
| Dinner smorgasbord | Tuesday to Thursday | $26.95 |
| Dinner smorgasbord | Friday and Saturday | $28.39 |
Here is what recent diners and publications report for 2026.
| Source | When | Reported price |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food Club | October 23, 2026 | About $23 to $31 per person for lunch and dinner, with a drink included at lunch |
| Fast Food Club | Mid-2026 | About $25 to $28 depending on the day |
| Fast Food Club | Early 2026 | Around $25.99 |
| Tripadvisor reviewer | May 2026 | $28 for a Saturday night buffet |
A safe budget is $23 to $31 per adult before tax and tip. Saturday and dinner sit at the top of that range.
Pennsylvania’s 6% state sales tax applies to restaurant meals. Call (717) 768-1500 if you want the exact register price for your visit.
Buffet Hours
The restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday from 7 am to 7 pm and is closed on Sunday and Monday. Each buffet has its own window, and the price you pay depends on which window you arrive in.
| Service | Time |
|---|---|
| Breakfast smorgasbord | 7 to 10:30 am |
| Lunch smorgasbord | 11 am to 3:30 pm |
| Dinner smorgasbord | 4 to 7 pm |
| Menu dining, breakfast | 7 to 11 am |
| Menu dining, lunch and dinner | 11 am to 7 pm |
Arriving a few minutes before a window changes can move you into the higher price tier. One Tripadvisor reviewer who arrived near the end of breakfast was offered the chance to stay for the lunch buffet for about $6 more.
Breakfast Buffet Price
The breakfast smorgasbord runs from 7 to 10:30 am. The last published adult price was $11.59, with children ages 5 to 12 at $6.95. That listing is old, and no current official figure is posted online.
Expect the real price to be higher today. The breakfast eggs come from cage-free hens at Smucker Farms, a local family farm.
Lunch Buffet Price
The lunch smorgasbord runs from 11 am to 3:30 pm. The last itemized price was $20.95 from Tuesday to Friday and $22.59 on Saturday. Recent 2026 reports put lunch and dinner combined between about $23 and $31.
Lunch includes a beverage, with Pepsi products and sweet tea available. It is the cheapest way to eat the full buffet, and it still includes the soup, salad and dessert bars.
Dinner Buffet Price
The dinner smorgasbord runs from 4 to 7 pm. The last itemized price was $26.95 from Tuesday to Thursday and $28.39 on Friday and Saturday. A May 2026 reviewer confirmed paying $28 on a Saturday night.
Dinner adds the carving station, which has featured items such as brisket and turkey. If the lower price matters more than the extra dishes, go for lunch instead.
Kids Buffet Prices
The Noah’s Ark Kids’ Buffet is built for children 12 and under and features kid-friendly foods and desserts. These are the last published prices.
| Meal | Age 4 to 7 | Age 8 to 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Lunch | $10.95 | $12.95 |
| Dinner | $14.95 | $16.95 |
I could not find a published rate for children under 4, so ask at the register. One regional listing marks the kids’ buffet as currently closed with kids’ menu dining offered instead, so confirm before you bring little ones.
The kids’ menu items were listed at $6.95 each and include chicken nuggets, grilled cheese, a hot dog, a cheeseburger and roast turkey with filling.
Bird-in-Hand buffet price history
Prices have climbed steadily over the years. The table shows the data points available online.
| Period | Meal | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Older owner-posted menu | Breakfast smorgasbord | $10.95 |
| Older owner-posted menu | Lunch and dinner smorgasbord | $16.95 |
| Older listing | Breakfast, adult | $11.59 |
| Last itemized menu | Lunch, Tuesday to Friday | $20.95 |
| Last itemized menu | Dinner, Friday and Saturday | $28.39 |
| 2026 reports | Lunch and dinner | About $23 to $31 |
One longtime customer wrote that their usual lunch check was around $13 before the pandemic and rose to $21.60 each on a visit afterward.
The restaurant also went through a major disruption. A kitchen fire in January 2024 closed it, a temporary location operated in Paradise from March 2024, and the original restaurant reopened on August 28, 2025. Breakfast buffets returned on September 11, 2025.
How much does Bird-in-Hand cost for a family?
This estimate uses the last itemized prices for two adults, one child aged 4 to 7 and one child aged 8 to 12. It is before tax and tip, so treat it as a minimum.
| Meal | Estimated total for 4 |
|---|---|
| Lunch, Tuesday to Friday | $65.80 |
| Dinner, Tuesday to Thursday | $85.80 |
| Dinner, Friday or Saturday | $88.68 |
If the 2026 adult prices run higher than the last itemized menu, add a few dollars per adult. Using the lunch buffet instead of dinner saves roughly $20 for this family.
What is included in the Bird-in-Hand smorgasbord price
The smorgasbord price covers all-you-can-eat access to the hot buffet, the soup, salad and bread bar, and the dessert bar. The listed menu notes that the lunch smorgasbord includes a beverage.
Management replied to a March 2026 review saying beverages are included with the smorgasbord. That reviewer said they were charged for a drink at breakfast, so confirm at the register if you visit in the morning.
Tax and tip are extra. Gluten-friendly and vegetarian options are available according to the restaurant.
Bird-in-Hand buffet menu: what is on the line
The hot buffet was redesigned after the fire. It is larger, moves more smoothly, and now has a permanent carving station, an expanded dessert bar and a reconfigured salad bar. Dishes rotate, so ask your server for the day’s selection.
Hot entrees and sides (lunch and dinner)
- Broasted (fried) chicken
- Baked ham balls with pineapple sauce
- Pork and sauerkraut
- Roast turkey with gravy and stuffing
- Chicken pot pie
- Ham loaf and meatloaf
- Baked fish
- Buttered noodles
- Real mashed potatoes
- Carrots, corn, baked lima beans, green bean casserole, butter beans and cabbage
- Carving station at dinner, with items such as brisket and turkey
Soup, salad and bread bar
- Chicken corn soup and beef vegetable soup, with other rotating soups reported
- Tossed salads with bacon dressing
- Pickled beets and other Pennsylvania Dutch salad bar items
- Freshly baked breads and a cheese bar
Dessert bar
- Shoofly pie and oatmeal pie
- Whoopie pies
- Chocolate cream pie
- Banana split dessert
- Hot apple crisp
- Watergate salad, orange fluff and pineapple jello salad
- Caramel pudding and pumpkin bars
- Cookies, plus chocolate and vanilla ice cream
Breakfast buffet
- Scrambled eggs and baked egg casserole
- Bacon, ham and sausage
- Pancakes, waffles and baked French toast
- Home fries, scalloped potatoes and tater tots
- Sausage gravy and dried beef gravy
- Breakfast burritos, breakfast pizza and quiche
- Oatmeal, hot and cold cereals and fresh fruit
- Pastries and shoofly pie
Bird-in-Hand menu dining prices (a la carte)
If you prefer table service, the restaurant also offers menu dining from 7 am to 7 pm. These are the prices found on 2026 listings.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Broasted chicken | $13.95 |
| Meatloaf | $15.79 |
| Scrambled eggs | $5.95 |
| Hot soup, cup (beef vegetable or chicken corn) | $4.19 |
| Hot soup, bowl | $5.95 |
| Chicken strip salad | $12.95 |
| Chef’s salad | $14.95 |
| Kids’ menu items | $6.95 each |
These prices come from older listings and are likely higher now.
| Item | Last published price |
|---|---|
| Two eggs any style with home fries and toast | $5.95 |
| BLT | $11.95 |
| Roasted turkey breast sandwich | $12.95 |
| Bird-in-Hand Club | $13.95 |
| Cardinal Club | $13.95 |
| Pork BBQ on a Kaiser roll | $11.89 |
| Classic hamburger | $10.39 |
| Chicken or tuna salad melt | $10.95 |
| Grilled cheese | $7.49 |
| Hot dog | $5.95 |
Monthly specials are posted on the official website. October 2026 specials include a pear walnut salad, a cider glazed pork chop and beef stroganoff, with prices listed in the restaurant.
Bird-in-Hand buffet discounts and ways to save
There are several ways to lower the bill. Some are listed by the restaurant, and others are reported by guests.
- Birthday meal: The restaurant offers a free smorgasbord on your birthday. Sign up through the official birthday program page.
- Senior card: Ask the cashier about a senior card.
- Veterans discount: A veterans discount is available, so ask at the register.
- Show packages: From April through December, meal packages with discounted Bird-in-Hand Stage tickets are available. Call (800) 790-4069 for reservations.
- Sight & Sound packages: Dining and show ticket packages are offered for guests visiting the theatre.
- Coupons: An April 2026 reviewer used a buy one, get one half off coupon. Check whether a similar offer is active.
- Text club and newsletter: Sign up on the official site for news and specials.
- Lunch instead of dinner: Lunch costs several dollars less per adult and still includes the dessert bar.
Is the Bird-in-Hand buffet worth the price?
The restaurant has a 4.3 Google rating based on more than 5,600 reviews. Many guests praise the fried chicken, ham balls, salad bar, dessert bar and friendly servers. Reviewers describe it as more affordable than some of the larger buffets in the area.
Opinions are mixed on value. Some 2026 reviewers say quality and variety slipped after the reopening, and a few felt the price was high for what was offered. The selection is moderate rather than huge, and some dishes lean sweet.
Here is a quick summary.
| What guests like | What guests criticize |
|---|---|
| Broasted chicken and ham balls | Moderate variety compared with giant buffets |
| Bacon dressing and the salad bar | Some dishes too sweet or mild |
| Large dessert bar | Mixed comments on food quality after the fire |
| Friendly, attentive service | Price felt high to a few diners |
| Central location near attractions | Seating can be tight on show nights |
How Bird-in-Hand compares with other Lancaster County buffets
Bird-in-Hand is a mid-sized Pennsylvania Dutch buffet, not a giant. Other buffets near Bird-in-Hand include Miller’s Smorgasbord, Hershey Farm, Yoder’s Restaurant and Buffet, Dienner’s Country Restaurant and Manor Buffet. Shady Maple in East Earl is the region’s largest and is a longer drive.
Choose Bird-in-Hand if you want a Pennsylvania Dutch meal close to Sight & Sound Theatre, Dutch Wonderland and the Artisan Village. Choose a larger buffet if variety is your top priority.
Reservations, groups and show-night dining
The official site lists reservations Monday through Thursday, although the restaurant is closed on Monday. On Friday and Saturday, the restaurant offers call-ahead seating, and you should call (717) 768-1550 within an hour of arriving.
Some tables are held for theater guests, so seating can feel tighter on show nights. Waits are usually a few minutes.
Groups of up to 200 can be seated, and bus tours are welcome. For group reservations, call (717) 768-1110.
Bird-in-Hand restaurant location, contact and payment
- Address: 2760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand, PA 17505
- Phone: (717) 768-1500
- Call-ahead seating, Friday and Saturday: (717) 768-1550
- Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 7 am to 7 pm
- Payment: Major credit cards and cash are accepted
- Accessibility: The restaurant is wheelchair accessible
- Parking: Free parking, with space for buses
Tips for visiting Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord
- Arrive well within a buffet window so you pay the price you expect.
- Take a small first plate, find your favorite dishes, then go back for more.
- Save room for the dessert bar, since shoofly pie and whoopie pies are guest favorites.
- Go on a weekday for shorter waits and the lowest lunch price.
- Call ahead on Friday and Saturday to avoid a long wait.
- Check the specials page for monthly dishes before you go.
- Ask about senior, veteran and package discounts before you pay.
FAQs
How much is the Bird-in-Hand buffet per person?
Recent 2026 reports put lunch and dinner at about $23 to $31 per adult. The last itemized menu lists lunch at $20.95 to $22.59 and dinner at $26.95 to $28.39.
How much is the Bird-in-Hand breakfast buffet?
No current official price is posted online. The last published adult price was $11.59, and it is likely higher now.
How much does the Bird-in-Hand kids buffet cost?
The last published prices were $10.95 for ages 4 to 7 and $12.95 for ages 8 to 12 at lunch. At dinner they were $14.95 and $16.95. Confirm availability before you go, since one listing shows the kids’ buffet as closed.
Are drinks included at Bird-in-Hand?
Management says beverages are included with the smorgasbord, and the lunch menu notes a beverage is included. One March 2026 breakfast reviewer reported a separate drink charge, so confirm when you pay.
What days is Bird-in-Hand Restaurant open?
It is open Tuesday to Saturday from 7 am to 7 pm. It is closed on Sunday and Monday.
What time is the Bird-in-Hand dinner buffet?
The dinner smorgasbord runs from 4 to 7 pm. Lunch runs from 11 am to 3:30 pm.
Is dinner more expensive than lunch?
Yes. The last itemized menu shows dinner several dollars higher than lunch, and Friday and Saturday carry the highest dinner price.
Is there a senior or veteran discount at Bird-in-Hand?
Yes. Guests report that seniors can ask for a senior card and veterans can ask about a veterans discount at the cashier.
Is there a free birthday meal at Bird-in-Hand?
Yes. The restaurant offers a free smorgasbord on your birthday through its birthday program.
Do I need a reservation for the Bird-in-Hand buffet?
Reservations are accepted early in the week. On Friday and Saturday, call (717) 768-1550 within an hour of your arrival for call-ahead seating.
Does Bird-in-Hand have vegetarian or gluten-friendly options?
Yes. The restaurant lists vegetarian and gluten-friendly options.
Can I order from a menu instead of the buffet?
Yes. Menu dining is available from 7 am to 7 pm, with items such as broasted chicken, meatloaf, salads and sandwiches.
Does Bird-in-Hand offer meal and show packages?
Yes. Meal packages with Bird-in-Hand Stage tickets are available from April through December, and Sight & Sound dining packages are offered too.
How many people can Bird-in-Hand seat for a group?
The restaurant can accommodate groups as large as 200.
Final Thoughts
Plan on roughly $23 to $31 per adult, with Saturday and dinner at the top of the range. Lunch is the best value, kids pay less, and discounts for seniors, veterans, birthdays and show packages can lower the cost further.
Prices change often, so call (717) 768-1500 or check at the register before you go. This guide will be refreshed as new official prices are posted.
