Public Fish & Oyster

Name: Public Fish & Oyster
Address: 513 W. Main St, Charlottesville, VA, United States, 22903
Telephone: (434) 995-5542
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.9

4.9

2634 Reviews

$31 to $50

Seafood

Make a reservation

2 people

Jan 2, 2025

7:00 p.m.

Booked 42 times today

Great for happy hour
Neighbourhood gem
Good for special occasions

Public Fish and Oyster serves only the freshest and responsibly sourced seafood. We believe in the complete dining experience and our knowledgeable staff is eager to provide you with the best dining experience Charlottesville has to offer.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Seafood, Contemporary American, Oyster Bar
Hours of Operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Dinner Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–9:30 pm Happy Hour Daily 4:00 pm–6:00 pm
Phone number
(434) 995-5542
Website
http://www.publicfo.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Dylan Allwood

Location
513 W. Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Neighbourhood
Charlottesville
Cross Street
6th St. NW
Parking details
Parking is available in our shared lot adjacent to the restaurant. In addition there is ample street parking and a free city lot a block away in the Ambemarle Hotel lot.
Public transit
Bus line and trolly service right outside our door.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

A Guide to the Best Date Spots in Virginia

Minnie Pearls, Gloucester, VAUS$3.25
mild brine, creamy
Nothern Belles, North Lake, PEIUS$3.25
medium brine, umami finish
Sand Dunes, Souris River, PEIUS$3.25
medium brine, buttered veggie finish
Gowanbraes, Assiniboine River, PEIUS$3.25
medium brine, champagne finish
Katama Bays, Martha's Vineyard, MAUS$3.25
high brine, intense sweet finish
Cape Cod Bays, Eastham, MAUS$3.25
high brine, salted butter finish
Firesides, Orleans, MAUS$3.25
high brine, full ocean finish

More Raw Bar

add to your tray of oysters or on their own

Colossal Shrimp CocktailUS$3.50
lemon, cocktail sauce
- eachUS$3.50
- five pieceUS$16.00
Middleneck Clams, Eastern Shore, VAUS$2.75

Seafood Towers

available friday, saturday and sunday only

Neptune's TowerUS$95.00
(2-3 guests) eight oysters on the half shell, four middleneck clams, five cocktail shrimp, smoked trout dip, daily crudo, cluster of snow crab legs, half chilled lobster
Poseidon's TowerUS$165.00
(4-6 guests) sixteen oysters on the half shell, eight middleneck clams, ten cocktail shrimp, smoked trout dip, daily crudo, two clusters of snow crab legs, whole chilled lobster

What 2,634 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.9Food
4.9Service
4.6Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Virginia
Seafood
Charlottesville
Best Overall
Charlottesville
Best Food
Charlottesville
Best Service
Charlottesville
Best Value
Charlottesville
Hot spot
Charlottesville
Great for outdoor dining
Charlottesville
Lively
Charlottesville
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Public Fish & Oyster is a seafood lover's paradise in Charlottesville, renowned for its "top-notch oysters" and "always great service." The menu is diverse, featuring fresh seafood like lobster rolls and crab cakes, complemented by a "spectacular" atmosphere. Patrons frequently return for the "excellent cocktails" and the energetic vibe, though it can be "a bit loud" inside. Reservations are recommended to enjoy their popular offerings, especially during happy hour.

2,634 Reviews

W
Whitney
VIP
Richmond
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We really enjoyed our dinner on New Years Eve. The restaurant staff was very accommodating with our reservations, which we had to change. Our server was excellent and handled our table of 6 inquisitive diners with grace and efficiency! The food was delicious especially the rockfish special.
Is this helpful?
A
Alexandra
Richmond
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The mood in the room was very festive for the occasion of New Year’s Eve. The service was flawless, the staff was engaged. The oysters on the half shell were delicious and there were many varieties to choose from. The French wine recommended to go with the oysters was a wonderful pairing. Every item in the tower of seafood was fresh, flavorful and cooked to perfection with creative tasty accompaniments. My drink with Junioer berries and a cucumber garnish was pretty and well balanced. It was a fantastic experience.
Is this helpful?
b
brad
London
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Great food and great service. The experience was great.
Is this helpful?
C
Carly
New York City
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent start to finish, we will definitely be returning!!
Is this helpful?
C
Cheryl
VIP
Raleigh
19 reviews
5.0
19 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The raw oyster selection is impressive . The crabcakes were delicious . The menu looked so good is was really hard to make a decision . Our server , Ian , was very knowledgeable , friendly and efficient . We will definitely go back !
Is this helpful?
c
chris
Richmond
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great seafood as usual. Efficient and friendly service. A favorite spot of ours in charlottesville for a reliably great meal Out.
Is this helpful?
M
Medi
VIP
Washington DC
42 reviews
5.0
42 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Andre was a great server, very friendly and attentive. The food is always great.
Is this helpful?
E
Emily
VIP
Washington DC
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
"warm farro & mushroom salad" was stellar. Trout dip- excellent. Clam chowder -super creamy & delicious. Always yummy & fun at Public Fish & O.
Is this helpful?
T
Tina
VIP
Charlotte
43 reviews
5.0
43 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our favorite restaurant in Charlottesville! Cocktails and Food are amazing. My husband and I got the mussels and smash burger both were incredible.
Is this helpful?
R
Ricardo
Washington DC
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 24, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious seafood in a fun atmosphere. Gets quieter once happy hour ends.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Public Fish & Oyster is rated 4.9 stars by 2634 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Jan 2, 2025

7:00 p.m.

Booked 42 times today

513 W. Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22903

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
6th St. NW
Neighbourhood
Charlottesville
Hours of Operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Dinner Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–9:30 pm Happy Hour Daily 4:00 pm–6:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Seafood, Contemporary American, Oyster Bar
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Parking is available in our shared lot adjacent to the restaurant. In addition there is ample street parking and a free city lot a block away in the Ambemarle Hotel lot.
Public transit
Bus line and trolly service right outside our door.
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Dylan Allwood
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.publicfo.com/
Phone number
(434) 995-5542

Featured in

A Guide to the Best Date Spots in Virginia

Public Fish & Oyster

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

Featured in

A Guide to the Best Date Spots in Virginia

Menu

Raw Oysters on the Half Shell

Minnie Pearls, Gloucester, VAUS$3.25

Nothern Belles, North Lake, PEIUS$3.25

Sand Dunes, Souris River, PEIUS$3.25

Gowanbraes, Assiniboine River, PEIUS$3.25

Katama Bays, Martha's Vineyard, MAUS$3.25

Cape Cod Bays, Eastham, MAUS$3.25

Firesides, Orleans, MAUS$3.25

More Raw Bar

Colossal Shrimp CocktailUS$3.50

Middleneck Clams, Eastern Shore, VAUS$2.75

Seafood Towers

Neptune's TowerUS$95.00

Poseidon's TowerUS$165.00

What 2,634 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Public Fish & Oyster restaurant rated?

Is Public Fish & Oyster currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

Featured in

A Guide to the Best Date Spots in Virginia