Public
131 E Main St, Zeeland, MI, 49464
Public Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Zeeland for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Zeeland for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Zeeland for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
131 E Main St
Zeeland, MI, 49464 - Phone (616) 741-9772
- Website https://publiczeeland.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Jonathon F.
All I can say is AMAZING! This place is a much needed change in this area. All handcrafted food and all fantastically made. I had the flat iron steak perfectly medium rare on an out of this world sweet potato hash and my wife had the primavera. The homemade pasta was great. All of this is priced amazingly for the quality and painstaking process of handcrafting everything. Would definitely recommend as we are planning our next trip to try more of the menu.
(5)Mike D.
My fiancé and I ate lunch here a few Saturdays ago. We both came away very impressed. We started our meal with the avocado egg rolls. They were nice and crunchy. I really enjoyed the horseradish sauce that accompanied it. My fiancé had the Cobb salad, and it was huge! I had the olive burger, and it was delicious. The olive sauce gave it that extra kick, and the meat was cooked perfectly. It is not served on the typical, generic bun. Instead, the bun seems to be made like an artisinal bread and hold up against the contents of the burger. This is a good thing, because the patty is huge! We ended the meal with a delicious dessert. It was like a pecan pie, but in cake form. I will definitely come back here again.
(5)Kyle R.
I ate here a few Saturdays ago with some friends. My first impression of Public after walking in was great. The design is cool and modern with a relaxed feel. For the smaller size of the place the layout is well utilized and has lots of seating. There was a short wait so we headed over to the bar and grabbed a drink. They had a great selection of microbrews by the bottle. After we were seated we ordered the avocado egg rolls and pub cheese. The egg rolls were my favorite and could have been even better if they came with some more of the sauce that was spread on the board. I tried to order the special but it had already sold out so we all ended up ordering a burger. I had the black and blue burger and it was one of the best I have ever had. It was the quality of the meat that made it great. Can't wait to go back and eat outside.
(5)Artit J.
I went here for lunch during opening week. The restaurant was certainly crowded, and by the time we left, there was a wait for tables -- practically unheard of in Zeeland! My friends and I all ordered sandwiches, which were all really delicious and plated nicely! These were quite a step up from anything I've had in the area -- way, way better than Panera. I'm not sure where they get their bread from, but it was delicious! The decor was attractive, with a mostly dark theme with contrasting walls. It was cozy and slightly upscale, so it would be a good place for a date. It looked to have a full bar, though I didn't see the drink selection. I only have two minor complaints. One, the service was a bit slow -- it took us over an hour to complete our meal, and we just had soup and sandwiches. I attribute this to the fact that it was opening week. Two, it was a little on the expensive side. Given the ambiance, food quality, and lack of options in Zeeland, it's probably worth it, but I was hoping for a little bit more food for the price. Overall, I like the place, but I'll probably only use it for special occasions.
(4)J Y.
Excellent food and atmosphere. Attentive service. I had the homemade fried cheese and they were awesome. Also tried their BBQ burger. Very tasty with great seasoning. The hand cut fries were perfect. I tried their pecan pie, it was a little too artsy for my taste but there was nothing wrong with it. Their craft beer selection is nice, as well. I didn't have any but the variety was nice.
(4)Jessica F.
I have never had anything here that wasn't wonderful. Period. It's just that good. The only minor drawback is that it can be crowded and it's not the place to go if you want to have a quiet meal and conversation.
(5)H V.
I walked in and left on two occasions because I wasn't acknowledged. However, I recently went with a friend and, although super busy, I really appreciated that a lady acknowledged me and said they would be with me as soon as they could. I was seated within 5-10 minutes and my friend joined me. There were not many options on the menu but the salad I got was amazing. Plus, servers were super friendly and it was a nice environment. Well, for the most part. We were seated near the bathroom so we had to listen to the squeaky door every time someone used it. The friendly service and good good was worth that and the wait though. I just might ask for a different spot next time.
(3)Bernadene F.
Definitely a place to go in downtown Zeeland. Small and quaint and a nice menu. We thoroughly enjoyed our meals before heading out for a game of golf.
(4)Abbie B.
The avocado egg rolls & crab rangoons are the most delicious things I have ever eaten! The staff was very friendly and the atmosphere was wonderful!
(5)Bob T.
Great food and friendly staff! I had the BBQ Burger and fries. It was very good with good favor. I would order it again. Go visit and enjoy!
(5)amy f.
So good! Caesar salad with polenta croutons, creamy tomato soup and grilled cheese and an awesome crispy chicken sandwich...all delicious
(5)GR G.
One of only a few restaurants open for dinner in the downtown Zeeland area. They have a lot of interestingly named appetizers, but the portions are small for the price. Tried avocado egg rolls and their shrimp. Both were very good. Also tried their creamy tomato soup - was just ok for me. For a salad, tried their Leroy Street. This was one of the three available as a smaller side salad. The poppy seed dressing was tasty. For the main, tried their pot pie and added chicken. Was quite disappointed with this one. Lacked flavor, was very soupy and some of the veggies weren't cooked enough. Apparently their freezer was left open the nite before and only a limited number of entrees were available. Insider tip: Monday's are $5 burger and a beer night. They had two choices of craft beer you can pick from. The burger is plain, up charge for fixings. They have an awesome onion bacon jam for $1.50. That is all the burger needs! Would have given this place four stars except they were out of the onion bacon jam and would not let me substitute the olive spread. Normally not a big deal, but considering most of their entrees got defrosted and weren't available, it was the least the manager could have done - especially for a local place trying hard in a small town.
(3)Cliff B.
I frequent Public often for lunch and have had dinner there several times. Food is always excellent and the owner is almost always there ensuring quality. Burgers are great and menu is small but filled with quality dishes. They don't take reservations and the place is small and can be loud but worth it for good food and service.
(5)Steve F.
I wish I could give it 6 stars. My wife and I went for our anniversary and it was amazing. First let me say it's loud. My wife and I came in on a Friday night and got a table right away. Our waiter was great I had the trout my wife had the beer braised beef ravioli. It was amazing. Ok the best part they have $3.00 deserts what how can they do that? I had the carrot cake it was the best I have ever had. My wife had the blond brownie with brown butter galoto... Our server was the best our food was amazing... It was a great experience for our anniversary..
(5)Stephanie L.
Public is my favorite restaurant in Zeeland/Holland for dinner. Their presentation, taste, and quality of ingredients is great. I've never been disappointed with my orders and I've been there quite a handful of times. I also love their avocado eggrolls and $3 desserts! I do wish they serve water in larger glasses because they tend to be a little slower at times when it comes to refills. The atmosphere is great. Public is a great addition to downtown Zeeland.
(5)Anthony D.
I went there for their $5 ($6?) beer and burger one day and I thought it was okay. One thing everyone must know is that the special is literally the beer and burger. Toppings such as tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles are extra. It's still not a bad deal. The reason why I gave it four stars is because I asked for a medium rare burger and my burger came out well-done. A friend of mine who went with me asked for the same and still his burger burnt.
(4)Jenny S.
Cute place in downtown Zeeland. Service was great and outdoor seating was a pleasant option. The dinner was a little over priced but you definitely get what you pay for here. Their grilled cheese with Brie and Michigan honey + tomato soup was delicious. Quality experience overall.
(4)Lindsay C.
We had burgers (I had the olive burger and my SO had a bacon cheeseburger) and they were out of this world great. They also have hand - cut fries which are super delicious. We got the bacon wrapped dates as an appetizer, and those were not so great - the bacon was not crispy because they drown everything in bbq sauce. The bbq sauce is totally tasty, but should be on the side. I'm still going 4 stars because of the burger. I mean you gotta try it - insanely good. Service was good, also, prompt and cordial; and this is such a gem for the town on Zeeland - we ended up there because we got lost and decided to get out and see what was up!
(4)Robin S.
I have enjoyed both lunch and dinner here many times. I have tried many dishes ranging from unique chicken plates, savory soups, two fisted burgers and scrumptious salads. I have never been disappointed. This is a little slice of Heaven right downtown Zeeland. Who would have guessed? If one didn't know otherwise, you might think you were in River North neighborhood of Chicago! Absolutely delicious and service is superb!!
(5)Palamino B.
We went to Public over Memorial Day weekend and it was fabulous! Not only was the service friendly and attentive but the food was AMAZING! I got the tuna special while Bueller got the infamous pot pie. IT WAS DELISH! The ambiance was nothing to sniff either. Bueller and I will be returning customers to this establishment.
(5)Andy S.
Really cool feel; low light rustic contemporary. It is a little small so there is a wait if you come during prime hours. Waitress was very knowledgable about the drinks.
(4)Matthew B.
Very good food but the quantity was lacking for me. However good overall. Nice drink menus and prices. When we went it was late on a Saturday and they were out of some of the main menu items which was a surprise. Very small seating with one large table were u might get seated with others if you have a group of 6 or more. If there is a wait for seating go across the street to Trippleroot brewery and have a drink. Public will call when your table is ready.
(4)Todd A.
Excellent food and service. Fantastic find in the newly liquored up small town of Zeeland!
(5)Glen F.
There's no reason for me not to give Public 5 stars. We had read a review in the Grand Rapids magazine about Public, recommending it. As we were going to see a show in Holland, we thought it would be the perfect excuse to dine at Public before we headed to the show in Holland. I've never been in Zeeland before. Its main street is quaint. It was a cold Thursday evening with not much pedestrian traffic. There's obviously a big push to promote Zeeland, along every lamppost there was a red poster with a white circle with a giant red Z on it. As quaint as the street is with the posters I thought I had arrived in some fascist propaganda town! I was expecting to have to "kneel before Zod" or something with all the red Z posters! Public is on the main street. A very warm atmosphere greets you as you enter, a lovely restaurant/tavern feel. Brick walls, a little dark and airy. We're sat at the back on high chairs and a table. The menu consists of snacks, small plates, large plates, pastas, sandwiches, "pots" which are their specialty (pot pies and such) and salads. As is becoming the standard in Michigan, their menu is mainly local craft beers. I fully tip my hat to the production of craft beers and the support of them, they're tasty alternatives to Bud and Coors light, but I'm not a huge beer fan. Thankfully they also have a wonderful hard cider, we got a bottle. Delicious, delicious, delicious!! After thinking we wouldn't drink the bottle, we heartily drank ever drop! The menu is very appealing and interesting, real Neu American. Instead of both getting mains, we decide to share a selection of small plates, much to the absolute approval and joy of our waitress. Now keep up! We order the angels on horseback, avocado egg rolls, jalapeno corn dogs, baked crab dip, the Public mac and cheese and creole chicken Alfredo. The waitress asks do we want them to come out all at once or just whenever they're ready. We think whenever they're ready is fine. She gets very happy about this and suggests she'll organize it in a progression, bringing out dishes that complement each other. The angels on horseback (oysters wrapped in bacon) and the avocado egg rolls appear first. Whatever bacon they use is magnificent, a very tasty little bite. And the aroma from the bacon as well is just mouth watering. Yum. A good start. The avocado is lightly battered and very tasty. The avocado is no way over cooked; it's fresh and light for a battered dish. The crab dip arrives with toasted pitta bread. It's the first time I've ever had a dip where the bread you use to pick up the dip complements the dish. There's a lot of thought and attention put into these dishes. Being a non-American, corn dogs and mac and cheese hold no nostalgia for me, they make no appearance in an Irish diet or household, so I've never been a huge fan. Having tried both previously, I'm still nonplussed by both. I may have found exceptions here. The coating of the corn dog has a nice crunch to it to reveal a nicely boiled sausage underneath all tied together with some beautiful grainy mustard. The mac and cheese is highlighted by a touch of lemon. The cheese is also slightly burnt revealing some wonderful flavor. The Kraft boxed stuffs got nothing on this! We've been spoilt, and decide there's only one way to round the meal off, dessert, and for me, dessert and coffee! We decide to share the bread and butter pudding. I pop off to the loo. Again, there's a beautiful old beach desk in the bathroom, once aquamarine, now worn giving a very rustic, homey, holiday feel. I come back to find as a "thank you" for trying different dishes on the menu, we've been given a complimentary dessert in the carrot cake, they're prize dessert. The bread and butter pudding is supreme, but hands down, it is the best carrot cake I've ever eaten. The coffee is hot and flavorful. There is no reason I shouldn't give this restaurant 5 stars. Public is what I adore when I eat out; it's warm, hearty comfort food, full of flavor, tasting like it was made in the kitchen of 'that neighbor who cook's kitchen." It has a local and neighborhood friendly atmosphere, reflected in its décor, it's staff and it's food. There's love in the food I tasted. I left full but not heavy. I look forward to many visits. There's no reason I shouldn't give Public 5 stars. So I did! 5 stars
(5)Austin T.
My wife and I recently moved back to west michigan from chicago. Public was a very pleasant welcome home! Fundamental to great food is equally appealing service: the staff, ambiance, and presentation. Public hit all three in style. I've had a salmon sandwich and a lake trout dinner special. If you like fish, then you'd enjoy those because both were cooked to delight - not dry and overdone but juicy and savory. I'd try the burger next time we go but I'm nervous given we were regulars at Au Cheval and Owen & Engine in the Chi. The missus swears by the perch and has had it multiple times over. We were recently in Grand Marais, MI and if you've been then you'd know that a really light batter is the way to go with perch. More relevant to this post, she's had her share of perch and rated Public's platter 2nd only to the Yooper formulation. Overall a great addition to the Zeeland community and a worthy inspiration to future culinary impresarios!
(4)Caleb V.
This place is fantastic. I was skeptical when the waiter recommended the bacon wrapped dates as a appetizer but they make for a great starter. I also tried the pub cheese and fried olives which were good but nothing special. Each entree is served with a side salad either caesar or their Leroy St. The caesar is served with polenta fried to look like croutons which are quite good and make what would otherwise be a boring salad into something unique. I would however recommend the Leroy St. salad because it's really something special. The entrees is where this place is really strong. I had the meatloaf and it was amazing. I also tried the macaroni and cheese which was creamy and flavorful if a little runny. Other items that people at my table all loved were the pork tenderloin and the poached salmon. The portions on all the entrees are definitely large enough to share but you might not want to for how good they are. For dessert I tried the creme brulee and the berries and cream. The creme brulee was nothing special but good. It needed to be caramalized more. The berries and cream however were fantastic. Blueberries were in season and the best I've ever had. Even with a few shortcommings the strengths were definitely good enough to give it five stars.
(5)Steve B.
What a great find in Zeeland Michigan! The atmosphere is rustic and welcoming. With a 15min wait for a table, the kids hopped on a pair of stools and we were instantly greeted by the great smile of Bethany at the bar. From the album cover menus to the exposed brick walls the place drips ambiance. They have a fine selection of Michigan beers. Our drinks came swiftly and we ordered the fried dill pickles. Our table was ready before they arrived so we moved to our seats. We had the two specials; Jerk Mahi-Mahi on bacon fries and Grilled Salmon on Cauliflower Cous Cous along with the menu standard Braised Beef Ravioli. Everything came in just the right amount of time and our glasses were never empty. The ravioli are seriously dangerous. I could eat plates and plates full of them and never tire of their fantastic flavor. The other two dishes were very well plated and fetching food displays. Our plates were clean, our tummies full and we left with smiles. This is a must stop at if you are in the area.
(5)Janelle P.
Huge portions, amazing food! Seriously, I got the meat loaf and it came with a huge pile of potatoes and 2 pieces of meatloaf. Yum yum yum. I will be coming back soon! Everything that came out of the kitchen looked amazing.
(5)Keith W.
Outstanding! As good as any cutting edge Chicago restaurant! Don't miss this place. Our experience was excellent!
(5)Matt M.
This place is really solid. I have to admit it. We wanted dinner when we were in Holland on a rainy night and I looked up places by highest rating and I was not at all disappointed. They have a unique "chic" menu with very cool spins on meatloaf and chicken pot pie which were both really good. The service was impeccable. Not too high pressure, but very attentive. I was very pleased by this experience and I recommend shooting down this way for a good dinner. One downside is the small venue.
(4)Andrew S.
This place is trying to bring some big-city food excitement to the sleepy community of Zeeland, and it succeeds reasonably well but could still improve. The best parts of the meal were probably the beginning and the end: avocado "spring rolls" appetizer (really: lightly breaded and fried avocado boats) and the key lime pie dessert. The avocado dish was very nicely done and came with a mildly spicy sauce on the side. The key lime pie was one of the best I've ever had. It is listed as a "serving for 2" but it is so good you will easily be able to eat the whole thing yourself! My main dish, the Public Pot Pie, was a bit of a disappointment. Basically the only vegetarian option on the menu, the filling of a traditional pot pie was served in a small cast iron pan with the "crust", a puff pastry, served separately on the side. I didn't really enjoy this deconstructed view of the traditional pot pie -- not that I'm against innovation in food, just this particular innovation didn't really do anything for me. The puff pastry was incredibly messy to eat and I ended up with a big mess of pastry flakes on the table in front of me. The most disappointing part, however, was the taste. There wasn't any. Literally, if you had blindfolded me and didn't tell me what I was eating, I wouldn't have been able to tell you. The potato-heavy filling was otherwise entirely dominated by a non-descript cream sauce. Vegetables deserve better treatment than this. My companions had the chicken with cauliflower dish (very good I am told) and the pesto chicken sandwich (also pretty good, but the pretzel-dough bun was deemed unnecessary). The other two desserts we sampled, the carrot cake and the blonde brownie, were just "meh". With no actual descriptions of each in the menu, the "blonde brownie" ended up being essentially a dense cookie with no chocolate (c'mon! if you call it a "brownie" it had better have some chocolate in it!). Worse, it glommed on to the "salted caramel" craze by having a drizzle of caramel and, unfortunately, way too much salt. In addition to it being too sweet, the whole combination did not fulfill. The carrot cake was pretty good, but not exceptional. Overall, this restaurant is a much more interesting option than the burger shack across the street, or the fast food joints down the road. I would definitely like to come back, and hope the menu continues to improve.
(4)Max D.
Nice intimate setting. I ordered the burger which came with the topping I could add on, and the bun was nicely toasted. The interior decor was very classy and sharp. I like how they added some Mirrors on the wall. The waiter was very friendly. Food was excellent and it's time Main Street has outdoor seating :)
(4)Bill J.
I'm giving three stars to Public but plan to try it again when I'm in the area. There is a large communal table directly inside the front door, which is where we (party of 4 sat). They have crammed a few too many chairs in at the table, if all of them were full, I can't imagine that it would be comfortable. Luckily there wasn't a full house and we could spread out a bit during lunch. Lots of great sounding choices on the menu. I elected to split the grilled cheese and creamy tomato soup entree with one of my colleagues. I wanted the grilled cheese but no soup, she wanted the soup but no grilled cheese. We both also ordered a salad. The house salad with balsamic vinaigrette was fresh, but nothing special. The grilled cheese (brie & havarti, I think?) was very small, very dry and was only slightly warm when it came to the table. My colleague said the tomato soup was good and another colleague raved about the mushroom burger. I think I'll try a burger the next time I dine here, they did look pretty fantastic. Overall, I like the look and feel of the restaurant, but wouldn't sit at the communal table again unless I was sure I'd have some room to spread out.
(3)Stephen B.
Menu is excellent. Food is awesome. Atmosphere is top class. The space is small so be prepared to be in close quarters with other tables. No complaints about a wonderful dining experience.
(5)Jim P.
The upscale restaurant is a little out of place in downtown Zeeland, but don't let that steer you away. The decor is modern and cozy and the wait staff is first class all the way. They serve up chic comfort food that is plated with a gourmet presentation. The menus are printed on old record albums which is very cool. I recommend the Mac and Cheese with bacon, but I have never had anything here that wasn't terrific! Go to Public and you will not be disappointed !
(5)Tom V.
In our never ending search for the perfect hamburger we found this place using Yelp and went there due to the high rating. As is usualy with restaurants highly rated on Yelp we were not disappointed. Small place with very good service and wonderful ambiance. Right downtown. It was a cold and snowy day and downtown was ablaze with lights. Right outside the restaurant were 2 tame raindeer that were there for the kids to pet. Even Santa came in and gave us all a HO HO HO. (we were there during Cristman time) All of which we could see out the window from our table. There was four of us there and we all agreed that the bugers on a prezel roll were excellent. Cooked exactly as ordered.
(5)Tom L.
Jumped between 3 and 4 stars....decided on 4 as for Zeeland this is a great place to has dinner although selection/pricing aren't great to me. Seating can be awkward and layout is odd.
(4)Dan B.
Huge fan of this place, great find. Don't care for the avocado egg rolls, not much too them other than the avocado. Rock star tomato soup! Love the small deserts - small enough to add to any meal. The brown butter gelato is amazing! Usual food fixed in interesting and creative ways - worth the stop.
(4)Leang E.
We came here for my aunt's birthday, and it was a wonderful celebration. They don't take reservations but my aunt and cousin got here at 6 and by the time my parents and I got here we waited at the bar for 10-15 minutes before a table was ready for us. It was situated right next to the window, which was a little aways from everyone else and a location I would have picked if I had chosen it myself. The bartender was nice and helpful with the drink recommendations, so we went with a pitcher of the Public Punch which was quite refreshing and tasty. We started out with the Avocado Eggrolls and the Chicken Lettuce Wraps which were very yummy. My dad, mom, and I all got a different fish special. I got the Whitefish, my dad the Loup de Mer, and my mom got the Hawaiian Mahi Mahi. Each dish was unique and flavorful. I really liked them all, and glad I got the opportunity to taste each. We split the Creme Brulee and Pumpkin Bread Pudding which was the perfect ending for our meals. I have to say I did taste the Pumpkin Ravioli that my cousin got and it was a bit on the too sweet side for a meal, so I would try to stick with the specials when I come back again. I believe the chef came by to check on things with us and other tables a few times and our waitress was very nice and friendly. The prices were reasonable and I can certainly see this being one of my favorite spots in town.
(5)Zachary H.
Arrived around 6pm and it was moderately busy but not too crowded. Got a bit busier as the night went on. I tried to order the avocado egg rolls but they were out. They were also out of several beers and I believe one entrée, which was really annoying. Ended up getting the Mozzarella Sticks and Lettuce Wraps. I liked the lettuce wraps a lot and thought the sticks were ok, other people at my table thought otherwise. The appetizers came out quickly, within 5 minutes of ordering and we placed our dinner orders while we ate. Salads came out shortly thereafter. Then we waited, and waited, and waited some more. No one came by to say anything about why it was taking so long and when we inquired the waitress just told us it was coming. About 15 minutes after that our food came out, about an hour after placing our order. I'm not against a nice slow meal but things have to keep coming out slowly so you aren't just left sitting there wondering. We had our apps and salads finished within 20 minutes and the meal in total took 2 hours without desert. I had the meatloaf which I would definitely recommend if anyone does try this place out. I may try going back again but not on a work night.
(2)Joshua S.
Public, how I love you and hate you at the same time. It's essentially the only place to get a quality meal in Zeeland. I've been here probably a dozen times since moving to town. Their food is quality, there's no debate there. But a lot of it just doesn't fit my taste. There are a handful of items on the menu that are unique, but they seem to fall flat with me. Then the burgers, there's nothing wrong with them, they're properly cooked, they're on a huge pretzel roll, and served towering over the plate, providing sufficient awe for their price. I guess I just wish for a simple burger that fits in your mouth made with the same care that the mega burgers have. Now, the bar portion of the place. Sometimes you come in and get an excellent person behind the bar that can whip you up an amazing drink, other times like a visit a couple weeks back, the person bar-tending is clueless. One of our party asked if they could make a raspberry martini, what was served turned out to be a martini glass full of raspberry stoli, which I would have happily consumed, but it was a little much for the person that ordered it.
(4)Tracy M.
It is hard to find something not to like to eat at Public. Everything anyone I know has ever had at Public has been amazing. Such a great little surprise in downtown Zeeland (which is not know for its food). Only thing -- Not a fan of their version of "happy hour", but love the food and location. Really is a "Must Try" venue.
(4)Ron M.
Olive burger was great & the service was perfect. They had a good atmosphere with the lights down and good music. Only beef would be no Sunday hours. I am a bar tender so my weekends are different than most. I am surprised that this place is in Zeeland.
(5)Oliver J.
I've eaten at Public a dozen times or so and I seem to always return. I would also recommend stopping there for lunch or dinner when in Zeeland. The chef/owner (Lukas) is super approachable and you can tell he is all in on this restaurant. There are great personal touches to the food. To keep thing brief, here are 3 highlights: 1. The menu changes seasonally. Point in case - the "dude" is the signature steak and I've had it prepared three different ways. All great. The original rendition, served on a sweet potato/chorizo hash was perfect. Was sad to see it go. When asked, Lukas mentioned that the palate of West Michiganders felt the chorizo was a little too spicy. Goes to show you that he listens and adjusts for his clientele. Kudos. 2. Great apps and small plates! Definitely get the avocado egg rolls or the mozzarella sticks. Neither are too heavy in terms of being fried. They are crispy, not soggy. Amazing home made sauces go along with each. 3. The specials are usually a great way to go. The best I've had, and hope I see it again soon was the Thai fisherman's stew. Now I knew the heat would be toned down, so I asked my server to have the kitchen add a little heat. They added a good drizzle of Sriracha and it hit the spot. To be fair, I need to balance with some low-lights. 1. I didn't really enjoy the pork chop. I was underwhelmed by the flavor and presentation. Granted, it was night that Lukas was out... so maybe the quality control suffered a bit. Hashed browns were burnt and soggy. The maple glaze was so subtle that I actually added salt and pepper to my dish. I rarely do that here. 2. While the $5 burger/beer combo on Mondays is a great deal it seems to also be very popular. I recently visited and the restaurant was completely packed. People actually waited 45 minutes for a table. With so many tables, it seemed that our service and food suffered. I brought up our experience with Lukas and he made every effort to make things right. So again, kudos. Great place, off the beaten path. But definitely a wonderful lunch or dinner option.
(4)Matt P.
Have been here three times since January '13 and each time I look forward to going. Love the setting, good feel, good atmosphere. Food's been good quality. I like how they change up the menu fairly frequently. There are some staples each time I've been, but it's never been EXACTLY the same on each visit. I'm not big into mixed cocktails, but the options on the menu all seem good. I have had the Gin & Ginger-- it was good, but I did learn/decide I'm not a huge fan of ginger in my drinks. Good bottled beer selection (note, they don't have beer on tap-- not necessarily a bad thing). We don't get out to Zeeland much, but honestly when we do, we make it a point to stop for a bite to eat at Public.
(4)Amy H.
We love this restaurant!! We have been there for both lunch and dinner and every time the food is fantastic, service great and just a really nice atmosphere. Prices are very reasonable. The tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich is amazing. A fine selection of drinks and love the fact that the owner is so hands-on. Also love the $3 mini dessert options. Really just love everything about this place!
(5)Steve B.
Just awesome! I have grown up here an have been waiting for a place like this. I have had everything on the menu and it's all fantastic. The bonus is that everything is very reasonably priced!
(5)Joe D.
We love Public. The food is really, really good- we haven't had a bad meal yet! They are the first restaurant to get my 8 year old son to eat a salad... :) We also love the avocado egg rolls, and I loved the pot pie and mac 'n cheese. Portion size is not as large as other restaurants, but I get that- it's not a bad thing, and they're not that bad aside from a few cases- my wife had the Pumpkin ravioli once, and I think she had 5 of them or so- that's a little light for the price. Another thing we like is the punch- it's a special concoction that they make there, and it's really good. But, just order glasses. We did the pitcher for an upcharge, and honestly- it's within 2-3 oz. of the same amount. Save your money... Overall, we love Public, although I wonder once the novelty runs out, if the prices will keep packing people in, especially since they're off the beaten restaurant path in Zeeland. We can't afford to be regular diners, as much as we'd like to!
(4)Timothy B.
Really enjoying this place the few times I have been there, great bottled beer list, nice lunch specials... I'm a huge fan of the grilled cheese and tomato soup. Happy to have this place in Zeeland!
(4)Cat K.
Oh god. Pure bliss. Maybe it's because I just finished a Zeeland 5k and I was hungry A F, but either way this food is excellent. I hear the owner makes his own meat fresh and doesn't freeze anything. I split a burger with avocado on it with my mom. The burger was great, but the grilled pretzel bun is what makes it. WOULD COME BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN!!
(5)Joseph S.
Ordered a cajun catfish dish and was more than satisfied with that choice. Dinner came with a balsamic type salad, not typically a salad person I found such to be delicious itself. Rather impressed! Excellent food, and staff!
(5)Ed C.
Great service and fantastic food. This is a great independent restaurant in quaint downtown Zeeland. Dinner was a delight so we went back for lunch before leaving town. Lunch was equally as good. A+
(5)John L.
Wow! Do I like this place! Great menu and a nice small wine list. Very tiny but cozy as there are only about 15 tables and a few seats at the bar. My wife and I have driven from Grand Rapids three times because we enjoy it so much. The large community table in the center is kind of funky but we sat next to some nice people on two ocassions. The other visit we had our own table in a corner. The chef owner is on site and greets his patrons. If you arrive around 7:30 or 8:00 PM chances of a wait are much less as there are no reservations. Seating outside in the warm weather adds quite a few tables to the place which really helps.
(4)Delilah D.
Their service is getting better and better, but they still need to work on taking orders quicker at lunch, and bringing the check in a timely fashion. That being said, the food is getting more consistent for sure. Try the turkey reuben! Would still like to see draft beer as a more expanded option, but they do have a GREAT selection of MI craft beer in bottles.
(4)Chad R.
Ate here last night on the patio. Fantastic service and fantastic food. Definitely will go back again. A must try in Zeeland.
(5)