Dobbin House Tavern

This restaurant has very nice food and great service from all of the wait staff. However, requiring my server to say «I’m your indentured servant for the evening» was a bit offputting to me. Wait staff are often paid at a lower than minimum wage tip service rate. This script makes me wonder if the «indentured service» is just to be cute or if there is a true underlying wage issue.

I cannot say enough about this place! We stayed two nights at the Gettystown Inn, had two breakfasts (included) and a dinner at the dining room, and dinner once in the tavern. Everything was fantastic from A-​Z!
Accommodations: We stayed in the overlook suite 2. The building is separate from the main building but it is right next door in a house. There were two units in the house which directly faced the site of the gettysburg address. Very cool! My husband and I stayed with another couple and there was ample room — separate rooms to sleep — and I believe it was only $ 95/​night — offseason in feb (my birthday). The room was beautifully kept with beautiful furniture and amenities and very clean. The housekeeper was so nice to us. For those of you looking for a paranormal experience — we had a bit of an occurance but I’ll leave it at that!
Food: the included breakfast was top-​notch. One morning was a delicious breakfast strata and the next a traditional bacon eggs an potato breakfast plate — allll gooood! Dinner at the tavern: rum bellies vengeance and french onion soup were EXCELLENT. Ambience is very cool and service friendly. Not super fast but seriously enjoy your experience — why r u in a hurry? This place is awesome and not mcdonalds. Dinner: I had the drunken scallops which were AMAZING. The ambience was really cozy and unique. Our server was awesome — we thought he looked like an old timey Phil Collins and we ended up talking about Phil Collins the whole time. Best server ever. Prices are worth it for the quality — lots of other places in g-​burg are just as expensive if not more.
I can’t wait to come back next month. We will be trying out the steinwehr room this time I think!
Ps — country curiousity shop very cute and reasonably priced!
Pps — I met Ben Franklin there!

Historic and delicious with a dash of touristy, the Dobbin House Tavern is worth a visit if you’re staying in town.
Predating the Civil War by nearly a century, the Dobbin House is the oldest structure in Gettysburg, having been built in 1776 by Reverend Alexander Dobbin for his ten children and nine step children. Today, it’s a restaurant and gift shop. There are actually two restaurants — the more formal Alexander Dobbin Dining Rooms (reservation and a bit more formal dress) and the informal Springhouse Tavern/​Bar in the basement (no reservations needed and you can go casual). It’s exactly what you expect it to be — it’s decorated like it was in the late 1700 and early 1800s, with even the wait staff in period dress. My girlfriend and I decided to eat at the Springhouse Tavern downstairs on a Sunday at around 6:30pm. Even though it was out of season, it was very crowded, as the tavern is smaller than I expected, but fortunately we found two seats at the small bar by the front door. The service throughout the night was exceptional.
The signature drink of the bar is the Run Bellies Vengeance consisting of light and dark rums, «exotic» liqueurs, fruit juice, and apparently it’s so strong they only allow you two. I was not a fan at all — the rum taste was overwhelming, and forcing down one was a challenge let alone two. I totally understand if liquor drinkers love it, but it was too rummy and sweet for me. Next, we ordered the Adam’s Delight ($ 9.95), which consisted of a very sweet dense bread, various fruit (grapes, oranges, apples, pineapple), and two types of cheeses. It was a great way to start the meal, especially the sweet bread and the silky sweet soft cheese. Next was the Maryland Colony Crabcake Sandwich ($ 13.50 — fresh crabmeat on French Bread with Dijon Balsamic mayonnaise, with a choice of potato salad, cole slaw, or potato chips) and the half turkey sandwich with a side salad ($ 9.50). The crabcake was was exceptional, thick and served warm with only a hint of the Dijon Balsamic mayonnaise that didn’t overwhelm the taste of the crab. The french bread was only so-​so, just your standard white bread. The coleslaw was creamy and good, but was desperately in need of more pepper. The half sandwich was good — the turkey was sliced thicker than deli meat, the stars of the dish is the fresh vegetables that dominated the plate. Very fresh, very crunchy, very delicious.
Overall, for being a bit touristy, the food was really good. It’s hard to argue with the old world charms, engaging waitstaff, and the unique dishes served here. It’s arguably some of the best food in Gettysburg, just makes sure you come early.

Went to eat in the main dining area. The ambience was so authentic and charming. The bread… Ah… The BREAD! It was delicious. I had the Filet Mignon and TBH, I’ve had better, but it was still good. The salad with homemade blue cheese dressing was wonderful. My boyfriend had the pork tenderloin and it was even better than the steak.
Our waitress, Lauren, was extremely attentive and very friendly. She gave us advice on what to see during our stay in Pennsylvania. Loved her!
Found DH via Unilocal and was not disappointed. A must-​go!

LOVE LOVE. This is one of my very favorite places to take out of town guests who want a unique Gettysburg experience. The atmosphere is pleasant, the menu offers some unique options. I’ve been there many, many times and the service has always been exceptional. The tables are squeezed together in a very tight little space but it’s all part of the Colonial ambiance I suppose. Regardless, it is a small price to pay. Also, there is sometimes a wait but the gift shop upstairs is a nice place to browse and kill a few minutes until your table is ready.

Drove up through the fog and rain from Baltimore and glad we made the effort. The food is excellent, the French Onion Soup especially.
Lamb chops and the filet were cooked perfectly the homemade breads were perfect and the waitress was attentive.
I would definitely return.

Michelle was our waitress this new years eve. She was so amazing and we were very impressed with the service. The place was jam packed and her service was so amazing that we (the 12 person party) have to say that she was super helpful. I have a food allergy and she was great about it! We had everything from the duck to steak for shrimp to scallops and crab. We were all very happy campers! have been coming for new years for about 20 years and this was our best one yet!

Lunch the Saturday after New Years so it was busy and crowded — very tight quarters so be warned. When asked for a recommendation slaw, chips or potato salad — response «Eh they’re all good.» — Barb — not helpful at all (potato salad isn’t good btw)
I had the open faced Reuben and it was smothered in 1000 Island so I would recommend you ask for light dressing or on the side. The French Onion soup and Hot Beef was good.
I’ll try it again though — cool ambiance

We were in the area for a wedding and found this gem via Unilocal.
If you are hesitating, go!
Their French onion soup might just be one of the best I’ve ever had! It has chunks of beef in the soup which was unexpected but added a great depth to the soup. It was super filling but fantastic. I paired it with a BLT and was very happy with my meal.

The décor here is amazing. the lighting is intimate and i always though this was the best place to take the wife on a date when we visited Gburg.
My favorite thing on the menu is the Prime Rib. once in a while this is a bit tough and not up to the usual standard set by the restaurant and that is the only reason why I take a star away. It is still a must on any trip I take to Gburg for one of my nightly dinners.

Go for the history, but the food is enjoyable. The staff were all dressed in period clothing and they were excellent and extremely friendly every step of the way from host, hostess, cashier at the gift shop and our waitress. Other waitresses were also giving us history of the building as we walked around. I loved being immersed in the colonial times. We ordered the spit fire chicken, as well as and crab cake. We enjoyed the cheesecake with blueberries for dessert.
Check out the history along the way … especially the hiding place for underground slaves, and the running spring beneath the house. seen from the inside. They built on a spring for convenience as well as to protect the family from thirst if Indians attacked and they couldn’t leave the house.

Like a lot of people who come to Gettysburg, my wife and I were tourists. Not really knowing what to eat but knowing we wanted a big dinner, Dobbin House seemed to fit the bill with their seemingly large portions and awesome atmosphere.
Walking into Dobbin House (entrance on the left as opposed to the tavern on the right facing the house) I was immediately struck both by how old fashioned the entrance was with it’s fireplace and period clothing but also by how cramped it was. There were about 4 parties in there waiting to be seated and it was just super cramped. Poor guy in a wheelchair was having problems getting around people. Eventually we got our names called and got taken up to the second to highest floor. Our waitress was super helpful and very sweet. She of course was wearing period clothing (house was built in 1776) which was cool too.
She got us started with some bread, which was great, and then took our drink orders. I got the Rum Bellies (limit 2 per person for good reason) and the wife just got water. That rum bellies alone is worth a star. It was pure excitement. Fantastic drink. Very potent. For dinner I got the bigger prime rib cut and baked potato. Wife got filet mignon with the same baked potato. Both our impressions of the food was that it was good but not great. And that’s why this review only gets 4 stars because for the price of over $ 30 for a prime rib that wasn’t House of Prime Rib in San Francisco «good» it just didn’t scream worth it to me. I tried the Filet and it was good but certainly not worth what was being charged for it.
We topped the evening with a Swedish Coffee (I’ll stick with Irish from now on) and triple chocolate cake. Again, not bad but not the best.
I do recommend this restaurant but just keep in mind that you are mostly going for the atmosphere and not the best food. That being said, I have no problems recommending it and would go back again. It was definitely good, just not great.

I was traveling with a large group of people in Gettysburg and needed a place to feed them quick. Was praying for somewhere that would be both quality food and give us the Gettysburg experience. I’m not sure I could have found a better place! The Dobbin House Tavern is registered with the National Register of Historic Places. I believe the building dates back to 1776. You eat in the tavern downstairs and can explore the living quarters upstairs. The home was actually a site along the Underground Railroad, so you can see one of the hidden compartments where they hid slaves.
The dining experience was also very good. You eat by candle light and have to squint to see the menu items. I enjoyed my steak sandwich and apple pie. Not everyone was absolutely thrilled with their meal, but we all enjoyed our food well enough. Plus the ambience is so spot on it’s hard to complain about anything. Everyone in our group was very happy we chose Dobbin House Tavern.
Side note: I had taken a few pictures of our group at the table. In one of the pictures there was a dark blur at the end of the table. The next picture, identical to the first, the blur was gone. I sort of thought, thats strange, and I held on to it just because. I later read that this site is often considered haunted. I’m not saying I definitely got a picture of the ghost, but I don’t rule it out as a possibility! Just sayin!

Awesome tavern in Gettysburg, but I highly recommend going here to enjoy a beer at the historic tavern and skipping the food altogether. The ambience alone with the old décor and candlelight is wonderful, along with the original wooden bar.
The food though was sub-​par unfortunately. Our sandwiches were soggy with too much mayo and the lunch meats weren’t too fresh tasting.

I’m going a solid Five Stars on Dobbin House Tavern, not because of the food although excellent and Gettysburg’s best, but more so because of the atmosphere and historic setting. The building, erected in 1776 and a survivor of the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg is about as historic and historically well-​kept as good any could be. Upon entry and upon being seated in the glow of surrounding candlelight and the wait staff dressed in period clothing, you swear you were sitting down to a meal being served to you during the years of the 1860’s or prior. Every detail has been kept as authentic and real as possible. Even the food offerings are prepared and kept as early American and as a tip, unless you have great eyesight and can read under candlelight, bring a flashlight with you.
I went for the Veal Madeira, $ 24.95, as Madeira was the wine of wealth and discernment in early America, a favorite of Jefferson and reputed by some to be the celebratory toast wine of the signing of the Declaration of Independence; a favorite not only during throughout the antebellum years but also during throughout period of the Civil War. True to early tradition it came with escallops of veal, thinned by mallet, and a scented sauce flavorfully prepared with Pennsylvania mushrooms.
If you’re a history buff, relish in a dining experiences or just enjoy being within a setting oozing with atmosphere, Dobbins House Tavern is an absolute must.

Was in Gettysburg. Was hungry. Needed food. Looked on Unilocal.Found Dobbin House. Head to Dobbin House. Find Dobbin House. Walk in. Go to the basement. It reminds me of England. Old. Smells old. Looks old. Very old.
Ordered the chicken sandwich. Came with potato salad. Ate it all. Was good. Tasted normal.
A 3* restaurant and bar anywhere else. Because it is old, neat, and smells — 4*. It’s distinctive. That’s worth an extra star.

Go back to colonial times this house which is now a restaurant is as old as the United States the food is great the atmosphere is fantastic the staff is fantastic it’s like going back into yesteryear you’re surrounded by antiques I would recommend the veal along baked potato or sweet potato vegetable and a salad the drinks are pretty good too there is also parking it also has an in and a country store in front you can buy tickets to the ghost tour and they even have a ghost hunt where they give you equipment but that’s another story

IT’S ALL ABOUT HISTORY
We had a lovely lunch here with friends. The highlight is not the food, but the true feeling of going back in history. The Tavern is in the cellar and has become «touristy» (½ hour wait to get in) but it’s worth it to sample the historical feeling.
To eat? I had the Roast Beef and Sharp Cheese Flat Bread Sandwich (#37). It was decidedly average, or worse, as were the accompanying chips.
And be aware: the flat bread, called a «rustic style round flatbread,» is actually a pita! Imagine my surprise and disappointment.
Location — 4 STARS
Ambiance/​Décor — 4 STARS
Food — 3 STARS
Service — 3 STARS

This was a great experience, not just good grub, but great Colonial atmosphere too. Although our waitress wasn’t over friendly, she was efficient. This is a must go to historical place. The food was very fresh and tasty. We started our meal with homemade onion soup, which was loaded with cheese. De-​li-​sh! My char-​grilled New York strip steak meal was equally as tasty.
This tavern was built in 1776 and is filled with historical items. The restaurant is in the cellar, which is dimly lit and the lighting is subsidized with lots of candles, so be careful when bringing the little ones. You must look around the house portion of the building, there’s a spring, which has been diverted into one area to help preserve the building. The house was also a «Way Station» for hiding runaway slaves and shows a hideout tucked into a staircase wall. The pamphlet states the house was used as a hospital for both union and confederate soldiers.
There’s also a very nice gift shop, for which I was sorry to have discovered, because I walked out with 2 bags full of things that I thought I «needed» at the time. Merry Christmas to me!
Afterwords we walked around town to browse the very lovely shops. A great day, I will go back, again and again!

I went to the Dobbin House this evening for dinner with some friends. It was my first time eating the upstairs dining room. I’ve also been to the Springhouse Tavern downstairs, but dining upstairs is a whole different experience.
We had a reservation right at 5:00 when the dining room opened, and the four of us were seated right away. We were in a cozy little room and our table was right beside a fire place. The ambiance in the restaurant is fantastic. The lighting is all candlelight, and the tables are sectioned off into the different rooms of the house. The waitstaff wears period outfits, which I like. Drinks are served in goblets, whether it be soda, water or a beer/​cocktail.
When we first sat down we ordered drinks, and they came out promptly along with a basket of warm breads. There were three kinds: fresh-​baked white bread, a sweet bread made with peaches, and cappuccino chocolate chip muffins. All three were excellent. We each ordered the King’s French Onion which was so tasty and is definitely a must-​have! For my entrée I had the Gettystown shrimp, which are stuffed with crab imperial, served with a salad and a baked potato. It was all fantastic. I recommend getting the homemade blue cheese dressing on the salad. The other members of my party ordered the Drunken Scallops, Imperial Crab, and a surf and turf dish. They all looked excellent too. The meal was great and I left stuffed.
The entrees are pricey, but the quality is great and the ambience makes it worthwhile. Downstairs at the Springhouse tavern you can get lighter fare like soups, salads, and sandwiches for a cheaper cost but the same great quality.