Dobbin House Tavern: Historical Dining In Gettysburg

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Dobbin House Tavern dates back to the 18th Century, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Sitting along Steinwehr Avenue in Gettysburg, PA is a beautiful piece of history. Go back two centuries to experience an elegant candlelit restaurant, superb cuisine, and gracious hospitality.

Dobbin House Tavern

Long before President Lincoln gave his Gettysburg Address, the Dobbin House stood as a prominent home in this historic town. Rev. Dobbin played a large role in founding Gettysburg, in 1774 he purchased 300 acres of land and began a farm, a school (liberal arts college), and place to call home for himself, his wife and their 10 children.

In my many visits to Gettysburg I have always passed by the Dobbin House, even gone on a ghost tour there, but never dined. I really had no idea what I was missing, as this is the best dining in town. Did I mention it’s kid friendly! We had two 10 year old girls with us, and they thoroughly enjoyed this colonial-era experience.

Dining at Dobbin House Tavern

The Dobbin House is open for dinner hours, beginning at 5 p.m. daily. Due to the popularity you must make an advanced reservation, as walk-ins are next to impossible. You can dine in one of six historic dining rooms, The Dining Room, Library, Parlor, Study, Spinning Room, and Bedroom (wherein you can actually dine in bed). Requests for a specific dining room can be made when you make your reservation. 

You will enjoy an array of delicacies including Colonial and Continental Cuisine, prepared with the
freshest ingredients. After a full day exploring Gettysburg, we had really worked up an appetite. The menu is vast and offers salads, soups, appetizers, entrees’ and fresh dessert. I have to admit, we tried a little of everything! The also offer a very good kids menu, and not just typical “kids menu” food, everything from roast chicken to steak is on the menu for kids 10 and under.

Each meal begins with a bread service, baked fresh daily served with fresh butter. I couldn’t put the warm bread down! We began our meals with french onion soup, and a crab cake for appetizers. Both were fantastic, being a Marylander I am always cautious about crab cakes outside of Maryland, but the Dobbin House offers a delicious crab cake.

For our main course I decided on the house special, Prime Rib and my friend ordered the Gettystown Shrimp (jumbo shrimp stuffed with crab meat). The kids had the filet mignon and the pasta with tomato sauce. The portions are HUGE, and yes that includes the kids meals. Honestly, a kids meal would have fed me! The Prime Rib was so tender I could cut it with a butter knife, it was juicy and full of flavor. Our meals also came with a house salad and baked potatoes.

I have been to my share of fine dining restaurants, and The Dobbin House really ranks high on my list as one of the best. The food was fresh, cooked to perfection and full of flavor.

While we knew we shouldn’t indulge, what is a formal dinner without dessert?  Offering a variety of ice cream, sorbet, Adams County Apple Pie, Pecan Pie and daily specials the choice was hard. The kids settled for ice creams, and the adults ordered the cherry cheesecake and a daily special pie. Rich, fresh and decadent, this certainly sent our meal over the top.

We were more than satisfied with our experience at The Dobbin House Tavern. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but any expectation I did have was far exceeded. I love the fact that you can bring children, and they offer a more grown and fancy menu, as our girls stated.

The next time you find yourself in Gettysburg, be sure to make a reservation at The Dobbin House Tavern. Step back in time to a by-gone era, dine by candlelight and enjoy fine dining.