Join the fun on the first Friday of the month for live piano and guest music. Make reservations. The meals here are very consistent. There is usually friendly chatter at the bar. Our party of 7 is always happy with the kind service, food, drinks, deserts and entertainment. We highly recommend the peanut butter pie. The soups are good. And the dishes mentioned below. Additionally, the lighter meal of shrimp and scallops, the chicken piccata and chicken Kiev are typical orders. And if live music, great service and locally traditional food is not enough, there are usually entertaining artwork and special candies for sale. This long-standing small business is well worth a trip. They also host smaller private events. read more

See all

Beautiful place but it has issues. I felt like I was being served food from my mom's retirement home, bland as bland gets. The waiter was terrible. We could over hear him boring the table behind us for over 1/2hr about his youth and baseball while our food sat in the back getting cold. I finally said something to another server. Which she assured us that the food comes out fresh. His manager had to stop by and correct his behavior. Interesting, that although our food wasn't ready after the manger spoke with him he walked in the back and instantly came out with Luke warm food. I think there is a reason the median age of the clientele is 85. If you are 85yrs old and hate flavor and love lousy service, then you found your spot. If not don't eat here. read more

Great food and setting! Staff so accommodating. An iconic Mt Gretna restaurant! We love coming there each time we are in Gretna!

If you're looking for a unique place, this is it. The service is great. Menu has a wide variety to suit every palate and prices are reasonable. read more

Family run business with kind waitresses and an unique atmosphere. In the woods, it had a romantic feel with a live piano player and delicious food. Full menu had great selection and we were very full after. We had filet mignon and salmon and each meal came with a salad, baked potato and a veggie (tasty green beans that night). Good dessert selection too! They took credit cards too! But bring cash as their credit card machine went down. Owner asked us to mail in the payment later! Friendly and trusting! read more

See all

I'm happy to say that the Timbers is back open for dinner and is taking reasonable steps to address current Covid issues and create a pleasant, safe environment. A semi-outdoor dining area has been set up in front of the stage where performances are usually conducted. Guests must wear masks unless seated, and all staff are wearing masks. Tables a separated by about six feet. Food is served in take-out containers and may be transferred to supplies plates if desired. Live piano music is provided from the stage by Andy Roberts, helping to create a pleasant, relaxing atmosphere. And as always, the food and staff are just great. Highly recommended for a great evening out! Remember, no credit cards accepted! read more

We were there for Mother's Day buffet. We had an attentive waitress, but the food was bland and not hot. They had a nice selection to choose from though. The ambiance puts you back in the 60's. I seriously doubt that any updates have been done. It was very disappointing. We won't be back. read more

We recently held our class reunion at The Timbers. Such an awesome place for an event! The food was really good. The staff was awesome and accommodating. The place was perfect for us. The prices were reasonable. I would highly recommend this place for an event like a class reunion or wedding. It is quaint, casual, simple elegance, and friendly. Tucked in the woods, made it nice for people to walk outside after dinner to mingle and relax. (This is actually the second time we we held a reunion here). I hope to return sometime just for dinner & the theater. read more

Nestled in the trees at the far side of one of Mt. Gretna's newer neighborhoods across Lake Conewago, Timbers is easy to find. Follow the signs from the Gretna stores in the center of town. The short evening drive includes beautiful sunsets and lawn mowers before you eventually plunge back into the woods to get to the restaurant in a small clearing at the end of the road. It is safe to say the Timbers is like no other restaurant. The rustic low-slung brown building blends into the forest, outdoor speakers broadcasting jazz over well-tended gardens and into the trees, as well as in the dining room. Operated by the same family for almost 50 years it's a quirky place, but friendly. The youngest two generations include jazz musicians who perform there alone or with friends from time to time, scheduled and unscheduled, downstairs near the bar in winter or onstage in summer in the small outdoor theater in back when they become a dinner theater with young aspiring singers and dancers live musicians (July/Aug). These reviews are favored by senior citizens in part because they like the all-you-can-eat buffet than includes prime rib and roast turkey. (You can still dine quietly downstairs during the shows.) Timbers can accommodate anywhere from 2 to 200 patrons in one of several private dining rooms, a large vaulted dining room upstairs or, especially in winter, by the fire in the cozy downstairs bar/dining room. Depending on the night of the week, you encounter a different cast of characters eating and drinking at the bar. They can give you inside information about the menu (soups are always good), real estate, or Gretna summer theater, lectures, music and art. If you are not feeling sociable you can settle into a quiet corner and admire the objets d'art around the room. Arguments can be resolved by an old Funk and Wagnalls that sits with other references on the bookcase (residuals of past bar quizzes when they were especially helpful for questions related to Proust). Note: they don't accept credit cards, but in a cash emergency you can take your bill home and mail a check to Josie. Though locals might use the term 'fine dining,' Timbers is also casual and inexpensive (a 3-course nightly special is $17.95). It takes its distinctive character from its patriarch, the late John Briody, a man of many talents including an acute sense of irony. Occasionally tangling with the more conservative and pious denizens of Gretna, John shaped as much as anyone to shape the present small but distinctive community--where it is always safe and fascinating to walk after dinner. read more

There are two good reviews at the moment for the Timbers Dinner Theatre, but I wanted to just review the restaurant because it's the star of the show. Sorry, I couldn't resist. My wife and I have celebrated our anniversary there twice while dining at the bar, yes, the bar for an anniversary. The food is great and covers many different types of food well...steaks, sea food, lamb, and some down-home items. We had clams casino and were sad to be finished. I had the NY strip and my wife had the filet. We both enjoyed our steaks but we needed to add seasoning ourselves. When you order most entrees you get a small salad, baked potato, and a vegetable. I must also giver credit where credit is due...they know how to mix a drink. Everything about Mt Gretna is special. It has a by-gone sense about it that is just plain charming and makes you forget about the rest of the world for a while. read more

A charming restaurant with very friendly service. I had the absolute best hot turkey sandwich and REAL mashed potatoes I have ever eaten. The turkey was tasty and moist and the potatoes just melted in my mouth. All of our meals were excellent and very satisfying. The ambience of art for sale and beautiful landscaping made this dinner a feast for eyes as well. read more

The Timbers is a wonderful place to dine all year around. Fall and winter there is not a nice cozier place to have dinner. The lower level with the lit fireplace is just beautiful. Summer you have the show, steaks being grilled outdoors and one of the best parts is that you can enjoy being outside no matter what the weather is because it is covered. Our daughter had her wedding reception there also. There were so many things that they offered above and beyond any other venue. And it was a perfect day. If you are planning a wedding they are worth the call. read more

Why can I only give 5 stars? We have not eaten at a restaurant since March. We were hesitant to dine in but our relatives insisted this was a safe place to go. This restaurant has an open air area for seating. They are open for reservations only, have ample spacing between tables, and are taking great steps to ensure the safety of patrons. All food is served in covered carry out containers to ensure that the food arrives safely at your table. Masks are required unless you are sitting down to eat. The food tasted great, there was a live musician playing piano for ambiance, and the staff was very friendly. I will certainly be back when COVID is over and for now, it is the only place I would consider dining in. This small, family-owned business is a must try for the local area! read more

Excellent. Went for our anniversary. Buffet very fresh and tasty. Show was fantastic. The kids in the show were amazing. So talented. Tremendous voices. Would highly recommend especially for the price read more

Great restaurant nestled in the woods of Mount Gretna. In the summer time you can have dinner and then enjoy a production in their outdoor theater. Great family run business. We had our mom and sisters birthday party in their upstairs banquet facility. Lot of ambiance and charm of years gone by. read more

Had a filet and chicken parmigiana ,food cooked perfectly and service was excellent. What a gem in the woods and the food and show was very reasonable. Will be back. read more

Every vacation to Mount Gretna we have the buffet dinner and summer musical show. I highly recommend adding this to your list of things you must do here. We have done both the menu dinner and buffet, but prefer the buffet. Great food and comedy/music show! read more

Love the Timbers. Can't say anything bad. Ummm.... Sarah I've been going there for many years and I can't see the kitchen from my dining seat. I think you may need to seek some professional help for your psychological problems. read more

I have been going to the Timbers for years. Great spot in the lovely town of Mt Gretna. They have weekend specials for a very reasonable price, and have accommodated my change ups when ask. And you just can't beat the staff, they are the best! Oh and by the way, I have sat at the bar for dinner as well. It's impossible to see in to the kitchen, so the rat across the grill is pure crazy! read more

A great spot for dinner and drinks. Staff are accommodating and treat you like family. Always a dinner special, not to mention all of the "secret" items that the local crowd knows to ask for...it's like stepping back in time. Reminds me of Kellerman's from the movie Dirty Dancing. The BEST Veal Parmesan (in my opinion). First Friday's are great for live music/art. There's also the summer dinner theater... read more