
Public Fish & Oyster
A rustic-chic East Coast seafood spot renowned for its raw bar, craft cocktails, and exceptional, personalized service.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Public Fish & Oyster

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A rustic-chic East Coast seafood spot renowned for its raw bar, craft cocktails, and exceptional, personalized service.
"Impeccable service, flawless food – one of the best dining experiences I’ve had anywhere."
Make Reservations
Secure your table by making a reservation, especially for weekend dining, as the restaurant is very popular.
Happy Hour Oysters
Visit during happy hour (4-6 pm) for fantastic deals on fresh oysters and other seafood favorites.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Seafood
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Oyster Heaven
Indulge in a wide variety of incredibly fresh, East Coast oysters served raw or prepared in inventive ways.

Delectable Lobster Rolls
Savor generously filled lobster rolls, both hot and buttery, that rival legendary East Coast versions.

Exceptional Service
Experience warm and personal hospitality from staff who make every guest feel like a VIP.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Make Reservations
Secure your table by making a reservation, especially for weekend dining, as the restaurant is very popular.
Happy Hour Oysters
Visit during happy hour (4-6 pm) for fantastic deals on fresh oysters and other seafood favorites.
Mix Mash Potatoes
For an interesting flavor, try mixing the mashed potatoes with the crab cakes.
Bar Area Vibes
The bar area offers a fun and lively atmosphere, perfect for enjoying craft cocktails and the buzz.
Tips
from all over the internet
Make Reservations
Secure your table by making a reservation, especially for weekend dining, as the restaurant is very popular.
Happy Hour Oysters
Visit during happy hour (4-6 pm) for fantastic deals on fresh oysters and other seafood favorites.
Mix Mash Potatoes
For an interesting flavor, try mixing the mashed potatoes with the crab cakes.
Bar Area Vibes
The bar area offers a fun and lively atmosphere, perfect for enjoying craft cocktails and the buzz.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Public Fish & Oyster is celebrated for its exceptionally fresh oysters and well-executed seafood, particularly the highly-praised lobster rolls. Guests consistently highlight the warm, personal, and attentive service, making for a memorable dining experience. While some entrees could benefit from a touch more seasoning, the overall quality of the food, drinks, and hospitality makes it a standout destination for seafood lovers.
"⏰Be sure to get a reservation to be seated ⏰
Great experience here ! Very welcoming. Soon as we entered we were greeted by the owner. Our servers were great ! The oysters were fresh 🤤. Mussels were one of my favorites. Mash potatoes were a little bland , but when mixed with the crab cakes they were good!"
Shaquail Clark-Dance
"Awesome experience! Were greeted and sat at the bar after only a few minutes on a busy Friday evening. Oyster varieties were amazing and fish specials were cooked perfectly. Our waiter Eric went above and beyond to make our experience enjoyable and unique and the bartender was on point with almost no wait for drinks. Eric even helped us with an itinerary for the rest of the weekend with recommendations. Was refreshing to stop at such a classy place. If you’re just visiting, recommend getting an uber and just walking around. Gets very busy downtown. If I’m ever in town again this will definitely be my first choice for dinner!"
Josh Gordon
"⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Instantly in My Top 10
Public Fish & Oyster in Charlottesville is the real deal. Happy hour hits hard with buttery lobster rolls, ultra-fresh oysters, perfectly seared tuna, and crispy calamari that’s next-level.
Impeccable service, flawless food — one of the best dining experiences I’ve had anywhere. Yes, that good."
Bill DiPaolo
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is highly recommended to make a reservation, especially on busy nights, to ensure you can be seated.
Happy hour typically runs from 4-6 pm and features great deals on fresh oysters and lobster rolls.
Yes, the restaurant has a pet-friendly patio, making it a great spot to enjoy a meal with your dog.
Oysters are sourced from various East Coast locations, from the Chesapeake Bay north to Eastern Canada.
The atmosphere is described as lively and rustic-chic, with the bar area offering a particularly fun vibe.
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Best restaurants The Piedmont
This bright and inviting space will catch your eye, but it's the skillfully seasoned seafood dishes that will keep you inside ordering plate after plate of freshly shucked oysters, mussels and other maritime delights. If you're a raw-oyster virgin, this is the place to change that story. The twice-cooked Belgian fries with sea salt are fantastic.
Pet Friendly Restaurants & Cafes in Charlottesville, Virginia accepting Dogs, Cats and other Pets
Oysters five different ways; Scallops & Lobster with Cherrywood Smoked Bacon and Oyster Mushrooms; the Low Country-style Steampot with Alaskan snow crab legs, Carolina shrimp, Virginia clams, crawfish, house-made chorizo, and corn on the cob; or a pan roast of oysters, clams, mussels, and shrimp in a lobster veloute. Eat yourself into blissful oblivion with your pooch by your side on their pet-friendly patio. Open Sunday & Monday 4 to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday 4 to 9:30 p.m., Friday & Saturday 4 to 10 p.m.
The Best 9 Restaurants in Charlottesville, VA
From the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, Public Fish and Oyster selects only the finest oysters—the meaty gems of the ocean—to serve raw everyday. Order a martini with an orange twist alongside a plate of Oysters Rockefeller and you’ll feel like a captain of industry from another era, all at a reasonable price point. The tasty little morsels also pop up in the oyster stew, oyster Lyonnaise, and the PFO pan roast.
15 Best Restaurants In Charlottesville, Virginia
A beloved seafood restaurant, Public Fish & Oyster is known for its fresh, sustainably sourced seafood and lively atmosphere. A raw bar features a diverse selection of East Coast oysters, including those from as far north as Canada’s Prince Edward Island. Open for dinner only, the menu delights with dishes like seared sea scallops, crab cake sandwiches, and mahi mahi with grilled pineapple salsa.
Charlottesville: For Foodies & Lovers
Tavern & Grocery and Public Oyster Bar are tried-and-true classics for good wine, dim-lit ambience and American cuisine, all within the same few blocks. Or walk around the downtown mall and stop in Alley Light, a French speak-easy bistro complete with candlelight and a nightly rotating menu. Go to Tavola for handmade pasta in Belmont, a residential-area-turned-restaurant-region.
Food and Wine in Charlottesville
These include Red Pump Kitchen for Italian and Mediterranean specialties, Public Fish & Oyster for great seafood, and Lampo Neapolitan Pizzeria for pizza. First opening its doors in 1923, The Virginian is Charlottesville’s oldest restaurant. Their menu includes burgers and sandwiches, fresh salads, signature crab cakes, and their famous mac ‘n cheese.
21 Fantastic Local Restaurants in Charlottesville VA
Our newest Charlottesville favorite is Public Fish and Oyster, located on West Main Street a few blocks from the mall. Choose from the day's selection of fresh oysters or dive into steamed mussels, crab cakes, scallops, and more. For the best deal on oysters, cocktails, and lobster rolls, visit during the daily happy hour (4:00 – 6:00).
Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Charlottesville, VA: Dining with Fido
Outdoor patio with seating for pets – Quiet atmosphere for sensitive pups – Water bowls provided on request. Landlubbers who love seafood – rejoice!. Find oysters done five different ways, scallops and lobster, country-style steam pots with Alaskan snow crab legs, Carolina shrimp, Virginia clams, crawfish, mussels, and so much more.
Where to Eat in Charlottesville
Next door to Oakhart Social, you will find the best spot in town for raw oysters at Public Fish and Oyster. In addition to great oysters and seafood, they have a great happy hour (order the Lobster Roll!) and their Key Lime Pie is the best in town. This small space fills up quickly, so be sure and reserve a table beforehand.
Charlottesville & Central Virginia: A wine lover’s guide
Post-tasting, head back to Quirk, drop off any acquired bottles, then head a few doors down to Public Fish & Oyster for one of the best daily happy hours (4-6pm) in town. For pre-dinner craft cocktails in a true speakeasy, it’s The Alley Light, located on one of the side streets of the Downtown Mall.
5 Instagrammable Murals in Charlottesville, VA
This is one of the first murals I ever remember driving by when I moved to Charlottesville, and this spring I finally got to take blog photos by it!. It's located on the side building of Public Fish & Oyster restaurant. The blue and green colors in it are beautiful, and even more stunning in person.
Where to Eat in Charlottesville When Your Parents Are Visiting
Public Fish & Oyster is the perfect spot for any seafood lover. They offer an awesome rotating selection of oysters on the half shell from many different locations. If you haven’t had the opportunity to try oysters, Public is no doubt a great place to step outside your “shell” and give it a go.
Highest-rated Seafood Restaurants in Charlottesville by Diners
- Rating: 4.6/5 (536 reviews)- Price level: $$$- Address: 513 West Main St. Charlottesville, Virginia - Categories: seafood- Read more on Yelp. This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zeynep Guler Tuck, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 282 metros.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Charlottesville VA
513 W Main St, Charlottesville VA • (434) 995-5542 • Official Website. HOURS: Sun to Thu 4PM-9PM, Fri to Sat 4PM-9:30PM. If you have a yearning for fresh East Coast Seafood, Public Fish & Oyster is our pick for a taste of the coast while still in view of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
14 Places to celebrate Virginia Oyster Month in Charlottesville, VA
Well, this one seems like a no-brainer - the word "oyster" is even in the name of the restaurant!. And as you might expect, at Public Fish & Oyster, they take their oysters very seriously. The extensive menu features locally-sourced oysters prepared in just about any way you can imagine!
New to Charlottesville and no idea where to eat. : Charlottesville
But luckily we have Public Fish and Oyster which is my favorite spot for a good variety of oysters. Both Brasserie Saison and Public Fish and Oyster have Moules-frites. Mariscos El Barco is a new Mexican seafood chain restaurant that just recently opened a location in town.
Your 10 Options for Happy Hour in Charlottesville, VA
This is hands down my favorite happy hour in town and it all comes down to two words: Lobster Roll. I love a good lobster roll. Not only are they delicious, but some of my favorite memories with my dad involve driving to get lobster rolls and I’m a very sentimental person.
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Public Fish & Oyster: This phenomenal spot offers fresh, sustainably-sourced seafood dishes . From the raw bar’s oysters to the expertly prepared fish entrees, every dish highlights the flavors of the sea. The cozy, nautical-themed interior enhances the dining experience.
Best Restaurants To Find In Charlottesville VA
Location: 513 W Main St, Charlottesville Phone: 434-995-5542. The Public Fish and Oyster has classic east coast seafood with a raw bar, lobster rolls (when you can get them), and other favorites. Craft beer and cocktails, as well as a select wine list, are available.
16 Best Restaurants in Charlottesville, VA [2024 Updated]
For an intimate dining experience, there is none quite like the Public Fish & Oyster. This small restaurant serves a wide variety of seafood dishes for every preference, as well as their famous lobster rolls during their 4 pm-6 pm happy hour.
Top 11 Spots For Oysters In CVille!
513 W Main St, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903 Website | Facebook | Photo: FB. Start your meal at Public Fish & Oyster with a half dozen raw oysters or enjoy their Oysters Rockefeller!
The Charlottesville Dining Guide
Public Fish & Oyster | 513 W Main St. – East coast seafood & raw bar, join craft cocktails & microbrews in a rustic-chic space. One of the best happy hours in town.
Your Guide To Dining In Charlottesville
Public Fish & Oyster- A seafood lover’s delight with a fantastic daily happy hour from 5-6 p.m. Raw bar and seafood entrees including mussels, crab cakes and more.


Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit