Mount Hope, Ohio: A Guide to Holmes County's Amish Heartland

Mount Hope is a quaint crossroads in a heavily Amish part of Holmes County — sitting squarely in the middle of the world's largest Amish community. It's not a destination that announces itself. There are no billboards, no outlet malls, no visitor centers with glossy brochures. Mount Hope rewards the traveler who is paying attention.

And that's exactly what I love about it.

Part of the fun of Mount Hope is getting there — proving the journey is just as fun as the destination. Any time I go to Mount Hope, I get lured off the main roads by enticing signs directing me to Amish-based home businesses outside town, where I've made discoveries of farm-fresh eggs, home-baked bread, and beautiful hanging baskets. The back roads between here and there are half the experience.

But once you finally do get to Mount Hope, there are a few staples worth checking out.

The Mount Hope Auction

No visit to Mount Hope is complete without at least passing through the auction grounds. The Mount Hope Auction is one of the most authentic and well-attended Amish auctions in Holmes County — and that's saying something in a county full of auctions.

Held regularly throughout the year, the auction draws both Amish and non-Amish buyers and sellers from across the region. You'll find livestock, farm equipment, household goods, and more passing through the ring. Even if you have no intention of bidding, the auction is worth experiencing simply as a window into the working commercial life of the Amish community. This isn't a tourist attraction — it's where the community actually does business. That distinction matters.

Check current auction schedules before visiting as days and times vary by season.

Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen

8101 Ohio 241, Millersburg, OH 44654 | 330-674-0922

There is no better restaurant to experience traditional Amish cuisine than this delicious eatery.

Mrs. Yoder's has a regular menu and then they have TWO buffets, a salad bar buffet and a regular meal buffet...this is my plate from the salad bar...holy moly.....Mrs. Yoder's has true traditional items on their menu, like these pickled eggs (the yolks inside were massive)

First of all, it's situated in the center of one of the largest Amish communities in the world. If you want a genuine Amish immersion experience, this is where you'll get it. On any given day, for any given meal, half the patrons will be of the Plain persuasion while others are tourists and locals.

Most nights feature two ordering options: off the menu and off the buffet. There's not a buffet every night, but when there is, you can sample from such delectable Amish-inspired food as rivels, Amish wedding steak, hand-breaded broasted chicken, country-fried steak, and pot roast beef. There are plenty of options for vegetarians as well, including fresh salads created using generations-old recipes and local produce.

There are plenty of pies to choose from for dessert, but I recommend the date pudding and cracker pudding. Both are traditional Amish desserts that you won't find at most restaurants — Amish or otherwise. They are worth the trip on their own.

Red Mug Coffee Shop

7789 County Road 77

Okay, this isn't Amish — but I've been here a time or two and there are always Plain people enjoying the lattes and chais. It's a great place to gather without some of the hubbub and noise found at Mrs. Yoder's. This is a more casual early-day hangout spot and a genuine community gathering place where an Amish farmer and a tourist from Columbus might end up at neighboring tables without either of them thinking twice about it.

Getting to Mount Hope

Mount Hope sits along Ohio Route 241 in Holmes County, roughly between Millersburg and Berlin. From Berlin it's a short drive south — but resist the urge to take the most direct route. Take a county road instead. Follow a sign or two. See where the journey takes you before you arrive.

That's the Mount Hope way.