What makes a great farmhouse restaurant menu?
Farmhouse restaurants aim to give guests a cozy, rustic dining experience — and the menu is a huge part of creating that vibe. It’s more than just a list of what you serve. It’s a way to show off the fresh, local ingredients and comforting, home-style cooking that define this type of restaurant.
A good menu balances classic dishes with options for various dietary needs and preferences. This guide walks you through the key sections of a great menu for farmhouse restaurant, from appetizers and entrees to desserts and brunch. We’ll also explore drinks, daily specials, and how to make sure everyone finds something they’ll love.
Appetizers and Small Plates
For a farmhouse-style restaurant, you’ll want to offer a range of tasty starters, both shareable plates and smaller portions for individuals.
Appetizers
You can’t go wrong with classic farmhouse starters like mozzarella sticks, fried pickles, loaded fries, homemade chicken salad, and corn nuggets.
For shareable appetizers, consider rustic bruschetta, deviled eggs, or house-smoked wings.
Farmhouse Small Plates
For individual enjoyment, you might offer smaller versions of main dishes like a small hamburger steak, a bowl of beans, or a shrimp basket with fries. You can also offer a scoop of your homemade chicken salad as a lighter option.
Salads and Soups
At our farmhouse restaurant, we lean into fresh, seasonal ingredients for our salads. You’ll find a mix of lighter options and heartier salads packed with protein.
Salads
- Toss Salad
- Ham & Turkey Salad
- Fried or Grilled Chicken Salad
- Cajun Chicken Salad
- Buffalo Chicken Salad (Fried or Grilled)
- Loaded Toss Salad
- Farm “House” Salad
- Caesar Salad
- BLT Wedge Salad
- Kale + Beet Salad
Soups
Our soups are homemade and hearty, perfect for a chilly evening.
- Smoked Chicken Noodle Soup
- Farmhouse Onion Soup
Main Courses: Burgers, Sandwiches, and Hoagies
For your main courses, consider a selection of hearty burgers, sandwiches, and hoagies, with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients where possible.
Burgers
Offer both familiar favorites and unique farmhouse-inspired options. Think beyond the standard hamburger and cheeseburger to include signature creations like a “Tucker Burger” or a bacon cheeseburger. Sourcing your beef locally, if possible, adds a special touch. Consider a “Farm House Burger” highlighting the local beef or a slightly more adventurous bison burger.
Sandwiches and Hoagies
Provide a diverse range of sandwiches to cater to different tastes. Homemade chicken salad, fried or grilled chicken sandwiches, a classic Farmhouse Club with chips, a BLT on Texas toast, BBQ with chips, fried bologna, grilled cheese, and grilled ham & cheese are all appealing options.
For heartier appetites, offer substantial hoagies. A beef and cheese Philly steak with chips, a ham and turkey hoagie (available hot or cold) with chips, and a fried flounder sandwich with chips are all crowd-pleasing choices.
Hearty Platters and Meats & Vegetables
For those who like a little bit of everything, a farmhouse restaurant menu should offer satisfying platters with a choice of sides. Think of these options:
- Hamburger Steak
- Chicken Strips
- Fried Shrimp
- Thursday Sirloin
- Friday Sirloin or Catfish
Make sure diners can substitute one side for another to accommodate dietary needs.
Another satisfying option is a “Meat + Veggies” plate. Here are some ways that could be offered:
- Meat + 2 Vegetables
- Meat + 3 Vegetables
- 1 Vegetable
- 2 Vegetables
- 3 Vegetables
- 4 Vegetables
The vegetable sides should rotate with the seasons to ensure freshness and the best flavor.
Sides and “Taters”
No farmhouse menu is complete without a robust selection of sides, especially anything involving potatoes!
Sides
Think classic comfort food here:
- French Fries
- Tater Tots
- Onion Rings
- Potato Chips
You can also add a Potato Hash or some creamy Poblano Grits.
“Taters”
Offer potatoes in all their starchy glory:
- Baked Potato
- Loaded Potato (with all the fixings!)
- BBQ Potato (topped with pulled pork or brisket)
Brunch Menu
A farmhouse brunch menu should be comforting and delicious, with a focus on fresh, local ingredients.
Brunch Starters
Start with lighter fare to ease guests into the meal. This might include fresh fruit, pastries, or yogurt parfaits.
Main Courses
Offer a mix of sweet and savory dishes. Consider these options:
- Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes
- Mascarpone French Toast
- Eggs Benedict
- Farmhouse Omelet
Brunch Beverages
Round out the menu with beverages like:
- French Press Coffee
- Cold Brew Coffee
- Lemonade
Beverages, Specials, and Dietary Considerations
Of course, it’s important to have a great selection of drinks. Think signature cocktails, mocktails, and farmhouse-style lemonades and iced teas. Local craft beers and wines can be a big draw, too.
And who doesn’t love a good special? Happy hour specials are always a win. How about Thursday Sirloin Night and Friday Fish Fry with either sirloin or catfish?
Finally, be sure to clearly mark your vegetarian (V) and gluten-free (GF) options. Offering vegan choices is always a plus for guests with dietary restrictions.
Summary
A successful farmhouse restaurant menu starts with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, comforting dishes that evoke a sense of nostalgia, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes every guest feel at home.
It’s also important to remember that your guests will have a wide range of preferences and dietary needs. By offering a diverse menu, you can make sure that everyone finds something to enjoy.
Ultimately, a well-crafted menu contributes to the overall ambiance of your restaurant and helps create a memorable dining experience that keeps customers coming back for more.