Knute's Tap Room — Restaurant in Shippensburg

Knute's Tap Room was an amazing choice for date night with my wife, far exceeding our expectations. Located in a small town, it took over the space of an old Appalachian brewery, but the transformation is impressive. The atmosphere is perfect—moody, romantic, and stylish without being cliché. The lighting is just right, with modern tabletop accents and comfortable seating that create a cozy, upscale vibe.

Now, about the food: every dish we tried was fantastic. I was initially concerned about portion sizes, but they ended up being spot on, and the seasoning was flawless. I’ve dined at places charging three to four times as much, yet they couldn’t match this level of flavor. We tried a variety—their handheld burger, steak entrée, and an appetizer—and every item was a home run. That level of consistency is impressive, especially for a local spot.

The drinks were equally well-executed. Beers were around $6 and had a great craft selection, while my wife’s specialty cocktails (about $12 each) were top-notch and worth every penny.

Service rounded out the experience. Our waitress was on top of everything, with help from another server and the owner herself, who greeted guests at the door. It was packed, with every table occupied, but they handled it seamlessly. The team’s dedication added a personal touch that elevated the entire night.

Overall, Knute's Tap Room is a gem—delicious food, a beautiful setting, and top-tier service make it a standout...

I really want to see this place do well and if it were based on how nice the staff was, then it would be 5 stars. To begin with the place is unrecognizable from the street. We parked DIRECTLY across the street and couldn’t see it, half expecting it to have a green/white canopy so please update that pic. We got back in our car and drove around the block, then saw a dimly lit Yuengling sign. Even a $5 box of Walmart twinkle lights would be a helpful clue. We did try calling but machine says the number is not in service. No website either. The only signage is a white flag wrapped around itself and a teensy piece of paper in a window. Finally walk in, still not sure this is the right place, and a very nice hostess seats us, who apparently is also the bartender. So she works polar opposite ends of the restaurant. Maybe just have a sign to say “Seat Yourself” otherwise staff one more person. Ordered drinks, minimum 15 mins later they arrive (with questioning if the order was placed). We did have to find our own water too. BUT, super nice waiter. EXCELLENT job by the kitchen staff on the truffle fries and Angus burger. We did mention that we were really surprised the NY Strip sandwich is served ice cold, like a sub. Even the waiter seemed surprised. Just list it that way, some people might prefer it cold but not what we expected. No one likes surprises. This place could be great. We’ll wait a few months to try...

I so badly want to love this restaurant because the concept is there and it is better than most other options in Shippensburg, but they are missing the mark on some things. For example, there is absolutely no ambiance. There is no decor on the walls, no music playing in the background, they are using the old furniture left from previous ownership and covering with a tacky black tablecloth. It is dark inside and un-inviting. They need an interior decorator. Our most recent experience was on a Sunday. We waited over 40 minutes for our meals. With an extensive hospitality background, it was clear front of the house had enough people working, but back of house was short. The kids meals and sides were cold, the crab cakes were perfect! My father got the grilled seafood skewer (shrimp, scallops and lobster) special and it was sub-par for the price. More on the dry side (cold) and should have had a drawn butter or something to complement the skewers. It is just as important that the ambiance is complimentary to the menu they are producing based on what they are charging. Just needs some refining and that may...