WOW! The hype is real! Manager fit us in when our res did not show up! I mean it was packed and she made it happen. Literally why I am writing this review! John behind the bar is you're go to guy! He asked our names and then remembered them throughout the whole night (2hrs on a sat night)! Ordered the Mussels in white sauce-which was light & huge-yum. 12 raw oysters-4 different kinds, loved all 8 options! Had the special-trust the chef or John. We had the crab cakes which were delicious-as expected! The main room or bar is ideal but the covered patio is worth the wait! Oh yeah, and the free fries they brought us-delicious! read more

Public Fish & Oyster is a very vibrant , cozy and welcoming restaurant. The staff is very professional and friendly; the food is excellent. I highly recommend reservations. read more

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Like an expensive dive bar! We sat at the bar where the oyster shucker presented the oysters so our whole visit the servers were reaching over our heads so didn't like that at all , although our server Eric was great and informative and fun. We also had the shrimp pasta which was DELICIOUS and Tuna Crudo which was also really good with a slight kick read more

Public Fish & Oyster - Shrimp pasta - Seafood Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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This is a very lively, fun seafood & oyster bar with a full ambitious menu. Everything about the restaurant was outstanding except for one thing. When the main courses arrived my date and I found them to be too heavily seasoned. Ultimately had remove the seared portion of my halibut to be able eat it. Service was outstanding. Definitely would return for the oysters. read more

MUST get a reservation here as it is a very small restaurant, otherwise you might find yourself waiting for a spot at the bar. This is probably our favorite restaurant here in cville, and even after many years, it is still consistently amazing! We ordered a dozen raw oysters of different brine levels, and they tasted so fresh. I especially loved the oysters from Breakwaters Newport, RI. My favorite main to order here is always the Moules Frites. Tried the Classic Mariniere, and it was SO DELICIOUS OMG. The sauce was decadent, that I had to make sure to soak up every mussel and the crostinis. And idk how they do it, but their frites are perfectly seasoned and crispy! The portions for this is pretty large, and shared some with my husband too, and is worth every penny. My husband tried the Rockfish with Chimichurri, with was also very good and fresh! Loved the crispy skin with the chimicurri sauce, gave a nice crunch! But I felt the portion size was a bit on the smaller end For dessert, LOVED the Apple Crumble, not too sweet, loved the contrast of the vanilla ice cream with the warmed apples, and loved the layer of oats on top, gives really good contrast in texture read more

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Public Fish and Oyster is a place I go to fairly often when I'm in Charlottesville for work, and it's always a solid experience. Sitting at the bar is my favorite spot. The vibe is relaxed and welcoming. The service is friendly and attentive, the food is consistently well done, and they have a solid bourbon selection as well. Always has a great selection of oysters too. read more

Public Fish & Oyster - Bar - Seafood Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Warning reservations are required and if you are late by 20 minutes, your table will be given away. Note they are known for their lobster rolls but only make a few so get there early or you will not get one. They open at 4pm. We arrived at 5:28 for a 5:15 reservation lost our table and were told that they were out of lobster rolls for the evening. So we ordered crab cake sandwiches, fried oysters, French fries, Bloody Mary and beer. We received an apology for losing our table reservation, had a very informative and friendly waiter and had a great time catching up with friends. The area was tightly packed with people and was very loud. There's not much room to move around and the temperature fluctuates between hot and cold due to overflow dining outside with heaters that come on intermittently read more

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Came here for dinner-cute place with friendly service. Some dishes were outstanding - hamachi crudo and halibut entree. Somewhat disappointed by the pan roast-shellfish in a lobster curry over rice-just didn't rise to the other dishes. Noticed many folks were having mussels with the Belgian fries. Mussels aren't my fave but those fries sure looked delicious! read more

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This is an incredibly cool place in downtown Charlottesville. It's a snug place, so don't be afraid to sit at the bar and trust that John and his co-pilot will take good care of you. You can sit out on the patio, but since it was almost 90 degrees out with 100% humidity, I wasn't entertaining that idea. Service is fantastic. You might wait a little for your food to be prepared, it's totally worth it. Your night will start of with an introduction, and from there on out, you're in for a treat. They obviously specialize in oysters, but the menu has so much more to offer, and check the board for specials (or ask John what's good). I had the clam chowder, which was absolutely on point, and went with the recommended Atlantic halibut. It was a luscious fresh piece of fish, done perfectly with a nice light buerre blanc. This is a must-stop in C'Ville, and I will definitely be stopping in again next time I'm in town. read more

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Niece J suggested going for Happy Hour on Saturday of Mother's Day weekend. With no reservation, we joined the line that formed just before they opened at 4pm. Fortunately, the 4 of us got seats at the corner of the bar, so it was easy to chat and share food. My Negroni cocktail and Niece K's Kir Royale were delightful. With 7 choices of fresh oysters on the half shell, we had a huge platter of 28 with plenty of lemon wedges, mignonette, cocktail sauce and horseradish. The smoked trout dip was a new item for me. It was very tasty on crackers with the housemade pickles. Next, we shared the lobster roll with the Belgian fries. I'm glad we chose the Connecticut Style, which was deliciously "hot and buttered". Good service, excellent fresh seafood. read more

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My wife and I are in visiting our daughter and son in law. My daughter suggested public fish and oyster. We tried all of the oyster options and could not decide which ones to get more of as we lost track of the specific order. They were all pretty good. I ordered the oyster po boy. It was good but lacked seasoning in my opinion. The pickled vegetables were good and their mayo was spot on. The service was good our waitress was friendly and knew the menu well. The decor is inviting but kind of not eye catching. All in all I liked our meal read more

Public Fish & Oyster - We tried three of each oyster and they were all good. - Seafood Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Wonderful service and food as per usual! One of my favorite intimate dining experiences in charlottesville. Our waiter, Alex, was wonderful and seemed to be a seafood master. We got plenty of help in picking out our main courses. The fried oysters continue to be my favorite on the menu. Perfectly lightly battered and served in creamy white sauce paired with a spicy red sauce for dipping. Oyster selection is exquisite with many offerings across the east coast. My favorites tend to be the most briny but the flavor profiles are all worthwhile. This is the best place to get a sample of everything! Thank you Alex and Public Oyster Bar! read more

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Everything was so good and service was on point perfect!! Food was delicious and everyone was very happy with Oysters, salads, fresh fish! It is very busy and noisy after 7 pm when we arrived but good vibes. Happy diners and lots of laughter!! read more

Had a variety of oysters per the waitress' recommendations. They were so delicious and fresh! They have happy hr deals and the oysters were around $2 each. Definitely need a reservation, especially on the weekends. It's a nice date spot close to the corner with outside seating available read more

Public Fish & Oyster - oysters - Seafood Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Food is fresh, high-quality, and prepared professionally. The atmosphere is fun and the servers and bartenders are wonderful.

It's a small place that maximizes their seating. I guess it can't hold more than 50 people. Staff was knowledgeable and friendly. Our waitress Alexis was able to guide us through each selection. I wasn't looking for a full meal, maybe just shareables. We started we a dozen raw oysters, which were excellent. We then moved on to an order of mussels (Belgian style) which came with toasted bread and fries. We chose the tomato based lobster sauce that had a little heat. My wife then got a bowl of clam chowder, which was really good. Light broth. I selected the smoked trout dip. The pickled veggies really made this dish. Nice joint, I would recommend reservations. read more

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Best seafood I've had ever! Loved the happy hour oysters, warm lobster rolls, curry moulles frites, and cocktails. Chef's kiss! read more

Public Fish & Oyster - Cozy nook! - Seafood Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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One of the best restaurants in Charlottesville and by far the best happy hour! Public has outstanding service and a great ambiance both inside and outside. The severs here always go above and beyond and have impressive knowledge of the menu. Food wise, you can't make a bad choice here. This time, we enjoyed the happy hour selection of oysters and a Maine style lobster roll. I also had a nonalcoholic version of an Aperol spritz that was surprisingly delicious! Everything here was fantastic and the seafood is very very fresh! read more

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With reservations, we were immediately greeted and seated. The food was amazing. The service was impeccable. The place has an upbeat vibe and energy. As busy as they were, we were never rushed! Heads up, reservations are a must! We are out of towners, but hope to be back! Thank you Public Fish & Oyster! read more

Public fish does not disappoint. We eat at this restaurant whenever we travel to Charlottesville. Service is usually top notch. Food is fresh and well-prepared. Atmosphere is lively. Drinks are very good. The Dolly & Fun was a very good cocktail. We enjoyed raw oysters, shrimp cocktail, shrimp po-boy, crudo, and classic mussels for dinner. Desserts were delicious...key lime pie and Sugar Bear ice cream (tasted like an almond joy candy bar). We definitely plan on returning and highly recommend this restaurant. read more

Went with a friend and we had a blast. Oysters were delicious and mignonette sauce was delightful. Service was great! Cute spot. Packed. read more

Public Fish & Oyster - Raw Oysters on the Half Shell* - Seafood Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Eat at the bar. John is the best server I have met in a while Enthusiastic and on top of things without being overbearing And the food was great too read more

Great service and delicious food! The New York strip was incredible! We sat on the patio which was very nice. read more

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Love this addition to downtown Charlottesville! It makes me feel like I'm at an oyster bar in Charleston! The food and service was wonderful, however this place is really cramped. The tables are a tad too small for their dishes/plates and there's 1-2 too many tables crammed into the space because it was really hard to maneuver around, even servers were having to take turns walking up and down between the tables. Really enjoyed the food, but wish we had more space to be comfortable! read more

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A hot evening for for a patio dinner at the public; hadn't been there since pre-Covid. What a lot of missed opportunities for great fish all these years. This remains the clear lead in town for seafood. Scallops were awesome. (And dining partners equally effusive about their dishes). A dozen oysters, graded by salt and brine, perfect and distinctive. The oil cake, a subtle lemon and smooth (?oil) texture/ very nice. And a very energetic seasoned waiter who led us solidly into choices, we just said 'yes.' It's a splurge, but you'll eat super seafood on the high end. Excellent. read more

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Had stop over here overnight after visiting Monticello. Sounded like the tastiest restaurant in the area. Restaurant was crowded and they were taking reservations but they did not have that option for a solo diner. I finally found a seat at the counter. I had a pan roast with a variety of seafood. Very good with the bread, and John got me more bread. We talked about oysters and he said he liked East Coast oysters. That would seem natural. They are good but my preference are Pacific NW and Japanese oysters. read more

Public Fish & Oyster - Pro Pan Roast - Seafood Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

We walked in and were greeted by a very rude host who laughed and told us the soonest available table was "tomorrow" after he noticed we had a toddler with us. He then proceeded to take names and seat other people without kids. Definitely not a family friendly place, and condescending staff. In response to your reply: It's even more embarrassing that you are the owner. "Sorry folks we are busy and not accepting walk-ins" would have been an appropriate response. You wouldn't even tell us what the wait time was or if you were accepting walk-ins. I hope future families don't experience this unprofessional behavior...But looks like they unfortunately have after reviewing previous 1 star reviews. read more

This is hands down the best spot for a special celebration, especially if you love quality, fresh seafood. From the moment we walked in, the service was impeccable--attentive, friendly, and genuinely welcoming. The staff made us feel like valued guests rather than just customers. Now for the food! WOW. Plated beautifully, bursting with fresh flavor and no over the top seasonings. We selected the calamari, ceviche, oysters Rockefeller and fried oysters as starters for our table. The calamari with pickled vegetables seemed odd, but man what a killer combo, it was amazing! The ceviche was also a highlight on the tastebuds. And the serving sizes were large enough for our table of 4 to share easily. The main entrees we ordered were Rockfish and lobster roll. Super good and cooked to perfection! Dessert: keylime pie (get it, you won't be disappointed) Olive Oil cake and the chocolate pot. All exceptional and served with housemaid whipped cream. The ambiance is cozy yet casual and fun. You can tell this place is run with love and pride, and it shows in every detail. We'll definitely be back and recommending this gem to everyone we know. If you love fresh seafood and top-tier service, do yourself a favor and check this spot out. read more

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From food to cocktails to service, nothing here disappointed! Would definitely recommend to anyone interested. The raw Dunbar oysters on the half shell (not pictured because they were eaten too fast) were our particular favorites of the night! read more

Public Fish & Oyster - Oysters Rockefeller - Seafood Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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This place is great. The food and drinks are amazing. The service was good. The ambience is ok can be a little crowded. read more

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I went out with my wife for a business dinner. Got a great table and the place was packed. Of course I started off with a 12 oysters on the half shell. They have great selection and super fresh. Could have ate another dz. Paired with a glass of Champagne it was amazing. Ordered the Atlantic flounder and it came out beautifully. The sauce was a perfect balance and I paired it with a glass of Sancerre. A perfect business dinner at an amazing restaurant. Not sure if there is any better than Public. read more

Such a great find for our evening in Charlottesville! I made reservations since I read the restaurant is small - do this! It is small. When we arrived our table was ready and Danny was our server. We started with raw oysters. He suggested the different types and they were AMAZING! We also had the mussels with frites. Sooo good. And concluded with fried oysters - crunchy and hot! And a lobster roll. Full of lobster with butter and herbs. Better than what I have had in New England! An amazing little find with great seafood in Virginia- and not near the coast. If I am ever back in C-ville this will be a definite stop. BTW the aioli with the hand cut fries is almost worth the 4 hour drive! read more

Fantastic service and food - started with a dozen Briney delicious oysters, moved on to 1/2 lb of the massive peel and eat shrimp and ended with the Tilefish special - everything was prepared perfectly and the service at the bar was both entertaining and excellent! Don't miss this place if you want truly great seafood in Charlottesville! read more

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I was really excited to go here because the reviews are so good, but some parts of the food left me disappointed. I ordered the duo of lump crab cakes, and I liked the flavor of the crab cakes, but there were a ton of crab shell pieces that were unpleasant. I ran into a piece almost every bite. There was also not a ton of crab meat, and it was mostly filler, so I don't feel as if it was worth the almost 40 dollar price. It came with mashed potatoes and asparagus, which were fine. The mashed potatoes were very standard, but the asparagus were cooked well. The portion size was decent though. I tried some of the lobster rolll and it was very good. It came with a good amount of meat, and the bun was nice and buttery, but it felt slightly overpriced. I thought it maybe should've been closer to $30-35 instead of $40, but I also know lobster is expensive so I sort of understand. It came with a ton of fries, and they were good. I tried the pasta and it was pretty good too. The noodles tasted homemade. The service was pretty good. Our server was friendly and came back a good number of times. The restaurant is pretty nice inside, and it is much bigger than you think it would be. There is a ton of seating. Overall, the food was pretty good, but I will be skipping the crab cakes if I come back again. read more

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Awesome food, vibe, drinks... highly recommend. We just walked in on Valentine's Day, knowing that it was probably already booked up, the hostess noted that they had a couple of seats at the bar if we wanted to sit there and have dinner so we jumped on it. We are so glad that we did, Jon, who was working the bar, had a great personality and provided really good recommendations. We met another couple and had a great conversation. Perfect Valentine's Day evening. We will be back. read more

There was a distinct moment during my meal when I said "I feel like I'm in the Northeast by the water" - great vibes here. We ordered the Oyster Rockefeller which was very light and refreshing. Never had a prepared oyster before, but I really enjoyed these. Gave more flavor than what I typically expect when I go out for oysters. For my entree, I ordered the Mahi Mahi with Roasted Pineapple Salad that was just delicious. Cooked perfectly. The pineapple was a nice touch. Definitely want to come back again and try out their many different types of oysters! read more

Public Fish & Oyster - Happy Monday - Seafood Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Food - 4 service - 5 ambiance - 4 Solid seafood place! Ordered oysters, the Connecticut lobster roll (buttery), and tried my family's crab cake and shrimp pasta. The oysters were very fresh and cold - yummy. The lobster roll was expensive ($40 happy hour price), worth it to try it. Delicious, a lot of lobster and I loved the buttery bun. The crab cake had a lot of little shells in it that were not picked over well, and did not look like lump crab. The ratio of crab to filer was lower than I would like as well. It tasted really good though. The fries were delicious but I asked for malt vinegar and surprisingly they had none. The shrimp butternut pasta was good and the shrimp were good sized and juicy, but not my favorite flavor profile. Felt like it needed a dollop of creme fraiche on top. Located in between the corner and downtown mall. Would return if I had a seafood craving and try other things (calamari, mussels). read more

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Came here based on others recommendations and had a fabulous time. We had no reservation but was seated when we walked in right at 4pm in the outdoor area. Turns out that there's happy hour from 4-6pm daily! We got the raw oysters on the half shell with is $1off each during happy hour. We got 2 rounds of a dozen each. After listening to our server's recommendation we ended up getting 10 northern belles, 10 katama bay, 4 southern something (seems like the menu changes throughout the day since checking now a couple hours later it is different). The quality is amazing. I would also recommend asking the server which oysters are big/juicy that day (katama bay were the biggest today) before deciding which to order. Everything tastes extremely fresh and the meat is plump. Super delicious, a must get especially for oyster lovers. We also got the fresh Maine lobster rolls (Maine style) with salad. If we hadn't gotten fries earlier in the day we would've ordered it with fries which looked crispy and delicious. Finally, we also got a New England clam chowder which was pretty good. The march hare mocktail was also pretty good! We asked which was the sweetest and the server recommended the first two. It tasted good, like juice and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommend this place especially if you like happy hours and seafood. Our server was knowledgeable and friendly. read more

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You have a pretty good chance of getting a seat without a reservation if you show up when they open for dinner. If you like seafood, there is something on the menu that will strike your fancy. I found the food to be serviceable, the desserts to be reasonably sized, and the coffee best avoided. Ambiance is upscale and a tad noisy. Drink orders come quickly. Substitutions are limited. read more

Dinner was nothing short of fantastic. Our party had the red snapper special, Connecticut style lobster roll (hot and buttered), snow crab legs, and the steak. Everything was delightful. Be mindful if you're looking for a lobster roll, they are only available during happy hour. Happy hour specials feature a dollar off oysters, $2 off draft beer, wine specials, and numerous cocktails for $9.50. Service was speedy and entertaining, but not rushed. The space is cozy and at times a little cramped, but they make full use of what they have and also expand out onto the spacious patio. If you're in the mood for some good fish and drinks, this is the spot. read more