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Public Fish & Oyster, Charlottesville, VA

Public Fish & Oyster

4.8 (2718)
$31 to $50
Seafood
513 W. Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22903

Make a reservation

2 people
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
7:00 PM
Booked 34 times today

About this restaurant

  • Neighborhood gem
  • Great for happy hour
  • Lively
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
  • 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 2,718 people are saying

Public Fish & Oyster reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Virginia

    Seafood

  • Charlottesville

    Best Overall

  • Charlottesville

    Best Food

  • Charlottesville

    Best Service

  • Charlottesville

    Best Value

  • Charlottesville

    Hot spot

  • Charlottesville

    Neighborhood gem

  • Charlottesville

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Charlottesville

    Lively

  • Charlottesville

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Public Fish & Oyster in Charlottesville is renowned for its fresh seafood, "spectacular wine list," and "wonderful service." Diners rave about the "amazing food," especially the oysters and lobster rolls. The lively atmosphere pairs well with "friendly and attentive" staff. It's a favorite for special occasions and seafood lovers.
2,718 Reviews
  1. Paul

    New York City9 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The oysters were excellent and the lobster roll was very tasty. The happy hour prices were still steep.

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  2. Brynn

    Virginia2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Outstanding meal, service and love the quaint environment. The oysters were amazing!!!

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  3. Tamara

    Washington DC5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Went for UVA graduation dinner. There was a fixed menu which at first I wasn’t terribly excited about but it was incredible. It was efficient and all their best choices were offered. I had oysters (of course) which were perfect, scallops and chocolate dessert. Amazing. Thank you for an amazing celebration for my son

    Is this helpful?

  4. susan

    Virginia1 review

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The fixed priced menu for graduation was very good and had great options

    Is this helpful?

  5. Kathy

    Unspecified1 review

    4.0

    Dined on May 15, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food, great atmosphere. We love coming here.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Corey

    San Francisco Bay Area3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Delectable as usual, the food was fresh and the oysters divine! Cocktails did not disappoint either and the server was very pleasant, helpful and just attentive enough. Public Fish & Oyster is definitely one of the 'Hook' 's best casual evenings out.

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  7. Scott

    Virginia1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Celebrated UVA graduation with family - another wonderful meal and superb service.

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  8. Larry

    Washington DC1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    food and service was great. the waiter was very attentive. great selection of oysters to choose from.

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  9. Jane

    Orlando1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Avery was great! Really good oysters and linguini shrimp pasta was lovely.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Cheyenne

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    public fish was yummy as can be! always love the staff and the vibes. food was standout

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Public Fish & Oyster is rated 4.8 stars by 2718 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Virginia
  4. Charlottesville
  5. Charlottesville

Make a reservation


Booked 34 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
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