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: 4.8

4.8 (2766)

$31 to $50

Seafood

513 W. Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22903

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 6, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 54 times today

About this restaurant

Neighborhood gem
Good for special occasions
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
(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
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

Featured in

A Guide to the Best Date Spots in Virginia

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Popular dishes

Revivals, Rappahannock River, VA$3.30
mild brine, mineral
Minnie Pearls, Gloucester, VA$3.30
mild brine, creamy
Sand Dunes, Souris River, PEI$3.30
medium brine, buttered veggie finish
Red Raiders, East Dennis, MA$3.30
medium brine, clean
Patriots, Duxbury Bay, MA$3.30
high brine, seaweed finish
West Bays, Cotuits, MA$3.30
high brine, savory & sweet
Salt Ponds, Point Judith Pond, RI$3.30
high brine, salted-butter finish

More Raw Bar

add to your tray of oysters or on their own

Colossal Shrimp Cocktail$3.50
lemon, cocktail sauce
- each$3.50
- five piece$16.00
Middleneck Clams, Eastern Shore, VA$2.75

Seafood Towers

available friday, saturday and sunday only

Neptune's Tower$75.00
(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
Poseidon's Tower$145.00
(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

What 2,766 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

4.8Food
4.8Service
4.5Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

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

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Public Fish & Oyster in Charlottesville is a local gem renowned for its "consistently fresh seafood" and "attentive service." Patrons rave about their "freshest briniest oysters," "outstanding lobster rolls," and "superb wine selection." The atmosphere is "buzzy" yet inviting, with both indoor and outdoor seating options. Perfect for seafood lovers seeking an "amazing" dining experience.

2,766 Reviews

J
Jared
San Francisco Bay Area6 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Third time eating here. Every time we go, we are blown away. We got the specials and the 4 of the offered oysters. The snapper was incredible and the rock fish was great. This is on the list of places we take visitors for dinner every time. Can’t speak highly enough of the service and the ambiance of the place.
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J
Jeff
Philadelphia County1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had an amazing experience! Coming in from Philadelphia not knowing what to expect and the experience far exceeded our expectations. The food & drinks were delicious, the vibe was great as well but our waitress Chenelle was the best part! She was social, comforting & extremely fast & attentive to us.
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T
Tina VIP
Charlotte45 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The waiter Eric was amazing. There was a new chef and a couple of the entrees were cold. Had to send them back. Once we got them they were good. Happy hour specials were incredible.
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J
James
West Virginia7 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Enjoyed oysters Great food AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
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N
Nora VIP
Virginia35 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our server, Ian, remembered us from our last visit to Public Fish and Oyster, and we remembered his great service. All the food and drinks were perfect: the Old Fashioned and the beer, the lobster bisque, the salad, the lobster roll and asparagus. Perfectly cooked and seasoned. I especially enjoyed the oysters on the half shell, lovely, fresh, and perfectly briney. We always look forward to our meals at PFO and can’t wait for our next visit.
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V
Valerie VIP
Northwest Florida3 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Food was outstanding - raw oysters, flounder, mussels all wonderful. Excellent wine and beer offerings.
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S
Stanley VIP
Virginia33 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a great meal. The food was tasty and well- prepared. Our waiter was attentive without beind intrusive. They were efficient but we never felt rushed. We will definitely come back to try out other menu options
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C
Camille
Los Angeles1 review
5.0
Dined on June 27, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Freshest briniest oysters and succulent mussels in green curry sauce were amazing. Also, great halibut. Our waiter John Lindsey provided amazing service and great humor. This is a gem of a place!
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D
Davra
Virginia2 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 26, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was amazing, service was great, outdoor seating was first for me at PFO and was very nice. More spacious than inside and not as noisy. Highly recommend whatever oysters in the half shell are available, the lobster bisque, the little salad, PFO pan roast, and berry crumble. Shout out to Alex B for his dry send of humor and wit! We enjoyed him as our server. PFO is a local favorite, so always look forward to time there. Thank you for a beautiful and wonderful meal!
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L
Lucy
Washington, D.C. Area1 review
3.0
Dined on June 26, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It’s been two years since we last came here. Glad they still have the lobster rolls.
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FAQs

Public Fish & Oyster is rated 4.8 stars by 2766 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 6, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 54 times today

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

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

About this restaurant

Dining areas

Additional information

Featured in

A Guide to the Best Date Spots in Virginia

Ask Concierge
AI Beta

Popular dishes

Duo of Crab Cakes

Oyster Shooters

Crab Cake Sandwich

Menu

Raw Oysters on the Half Shell

Revivals, Rappahannock River, VA$3.30

Minnie Pearls, Gloucester, VA$3.30

Sand Dunes, Souris River, PEI$3.30

Red Raiders, East Dennis, MA$3.30

Patriots, Duxbury Bay, MA$3.30

West Bays, Cotuits, MA$3.30

Salt Ponds, Point Judith Pond, RI$3.30

More Raw Bar

Colossal Shrimp Cocktail$3.50

Middleneck Clams, Eastern Shore, VA$2.75

Seafood Towers

Neptune's Tower$75.00

Poseidon's Tower$145.00

What 2,766 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