Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Virginia
  4. Charlottesville
  5. Charlottesville
Public Fish & Oyster, Charlottesville, VA

Public Fish & Oyster

4.9
4.9
2637 Reviews
$31 to $50
Seafood

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 36 times today
  • Great for happy hour
  • Neighborhood 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
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Dylan Allwood
  • Neighborhood
    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

What 2,637 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

NoiseModerate

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.

2,637 Reviews
  1. Charles

    Los Angeles

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always great here. Hard to get a table but worthwhile

    Is this helpful?

  2. Whitney

    VIP

    Richmond

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 2 days 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?

  3. Alexandra

    Richmond

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days 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?

  4. brad

    London

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined 2 days 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?

  5. Carly

    New York City

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 3 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?

  6. Troy

    VIP

    Richmond

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lobster rolls are always amazing! But, you got to get there early as they sell out of them very quickly. John (Bartender/Waiter) is always knowledgeable and respectful. Greeted me by name when we walked in, and shared with us the specials of the day. John took our drink orders and gave us his recommendations for the best raw oysters. We like the ones that have the high brine, and the oysters he recommended didn’t disappoint. Thank you again John for making me, my wife and our friends feel right at home as you always do!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Marc

    VIP

    Richmond

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Amazing meal as always with incredibly prepared food and great service. We always have a great meal and this was no exception!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Cheryl

    VIP

    Raleigh

    19 reviews

    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined 3 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?

  9. chris

    Richmond

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 5 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?

  10. Medi

    VIP

    Washington DC

    42 reviews

    5.0

    42 reviews

    Dined 5 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?

FAQs

Public Fish & Oyster is rated 4.9 stars by 2637 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 36 times today
Google Map for Public Fish & Oyster

513 W. Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22903

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    6th St. NW
  • Neighborhood
    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
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo