Public Kitchen & Bar

Love the atmosphere, the food is always amazing, and the staff are super friendly!

Atmosphere:
This restaurant is located in a strange neighborhood, but don’t let the neighborhood scare you off! Inside this quaint and intimate restaurant lies seats and tables to fit roughly about 40 – 50 people max. The décor is unique and full of personality, yet still very charming.
Drinks:
I love their cocktails. They’re unique and full of different flavours.
Meal:
Tapas, family-​style dining. Typically, you want to order about 3 dishes between 2 people. We dined with 4, so we tried 6 different dishes, plus 2 desserts. Amazing! It was fresh, nicely presented, and tasty.
Price:
For all 4 people, we spent about $ 240 for everything, including tip and tax. I felt the price was very reasonable for the amount of food we ate.
Service:
I loved it. Nothing to complain about.
Overall experience: I would love to go back and I’ve been telling people about it ever since I’ve dined here!

Perhaps my review is influenced by the very high expectations I had for this place, or perhaps we just didn’t order the right dishes, but overall it was disappointing. We read the previous reviews which were all glowing but warned against expecting much in the way of décor, but the narrow corridor we were seated in was distracting for whomever was seated against the wall because of the constant traffic from clients and wait staff. Other seats in the place were better but it was busy so we had to take what we got (we probably should have just moved our seats to the adjacent side of the table).
The wait staff was very attentive and very knowledgeable about the menu so we were pleased with that aspect of our experience. She brought additional toasted bread to eat with the duck pâté and was responsive to requests for additional mustard. That being said, based on the food being left behind it was pretty clear we were not enjoying some of the plates but the waitress did not really ask us at any point if we were enjoying the dishes or offer any substitutes.
We ordered 6 dishes, of which 2 were very good, two were good, and two were pretty disappointing.
The wine we ordered (Tempranillo) was very good and the King Street Station beer from St. Jacobs was also nice — so things started out well.
The oysters we started out with were very good. We ordered 6 oytsers so they brought two of each kind (they were Atlantic oysters but I don’t recall the names of them). They were accompanied by a chipotle hot sauce, horseradish, a vinegrette type of sauce with onion and small diced tomato, and a lemon. We like our oysters well garnished so we put a little of everything on them and they were delicious.
So between the wine, beer and oysters we were out to a good start from a food perspective.
The next thing that came was the duck pâté. It came with pickles, pickled beats, Oktoberfest mustard, some sort of balsamic raspberry oil, some arugala, and some crusty bread crackers. The combination was nice and the flavors all worked well together. It was pretty good.
Next came the special of the day which was a tuna carpaccio taco with pickled cabbaged and red onion and some sauce. The flavor of the dish was really nice — spicy and tangy and just the right balance of flavors. However, it was a very juicy dish and the liquid soaked the soft-​shell such that it pretty much fell apart in your hands. so it was pretty messy, but no complaints about the taste.
The next dish was the carmelized eggplant and deep fried onions with some other stuff (can’t remember). My colleague had recommended it earlier in the week, but neither myself or my wife particularly enjoyed it. It comes with four pieces and we ended leaving two of them. the flavor was just flat and the combination didn’t do much for us.
The next was the arugala salad with goat cheese and bacon. It was good and there was a decent portion. Can’t say there were any surprises in the taste but, OK, it came with what was advertised.
The final dish was the crustini hambon (or something like that) and it was all but inedible. I don’t recall everything that was on the cracker but there was this mystery brown stuff that didn’t look terribly appealing and tasted less appealing. We each had one bite and left the other 3 items untouched. It was a little disappointing that the wait staff did not pick up on the left over food and ask if we didn’t enjoy it.
However, we didn’t want to end on a bad note so we ordered two more oysters to cleanse our palate. They were both very good.
We spent about 2 hours and $ 200 on the dinner. On some notes it was very good, but overall it was not the 4.5 star Unilocal experience I was hoping for. For the price, I can’t honestly say I will be going back again any time soon.

Quaint and full of character, our taste buds fell in love with this place.
We have been looking for a small intimate restaurant in Kitchener and stumbled across Public. It was perfect. It was small but not cramped, the wait staff were professional and charming, the food was fantastic.
We had a dinner of oysters, a collection of their buck-​a-​shuck picks and some fancier selections. They were done perfectly. The plates we shared were interesting in taste, presentation, and composition.
If you want a place to bring a date, this is it. Prices were decent but worth it in comparison to what else is out there.
We are going back, and more than a few times.

Came here for a late dinner on Friday evening, it’s a small, cozy restaurant. Between the three of us, we had ½ dozen oysters, escargot fricassee, foie gras, crostini with prosciutto, sausage and apple slaw. The food was amazing! Everything came in portions suitable for sharing, and it was just enough food for us. I also had a cocktail with tequila and egg white brulee foam… it was interesting. Service was excellent, our water glasses were always full. Great experience, though on the pricey side. Will definitely be back! Best tapas in KW!

I in town from the OKANAGAN and I found this gem of a great tapas bar on the Unilocal app, don’t miss this place

This place is a rare gem in Kitchener. It’s very hard to find a restaurant here that does food as good as this and in such a unique manner. The outside of the restaurant is simple and so is the inside. It’s not a fancy restaurant, but the food definitely is (and the prices are reflective of that). They serve tapas, which are small dishes so you’ll need to order I’d say about 6 tapas to fill up two people comfortably. Each dish itself isn’t expensive ($ 10 – 17 usually) but they do add up! But the food IS really good. Everything was prepared perfectly and the attention to detail and plating of each dish was really above and beyond compared to any other restaurant I’ve been to in KW. All the dishes were very diverse as well so you’re not going to get bored by the third one. The only dish I didn’t enjoy was the pork rillette dish, which wasn’t really their fault. I just didn’t know what it was and wanted to try it. Wasn’t for me. Aside from that, everything was perfect. Also, the server was very knowledgeable and was listing off the dozen ingredients in each dish like a pro. He was also friendly and fast.

WOW were we surprised this restaurant exists in KW! We walked in and were super pleasantly surprised by the cute and friendly and inviting décor and music. It’s not too loud here either. It’s very cozy. We made reservations on the day of and were supposed to sit at the bar but surprisingly got a table. The menu looked great and the service was excellent. The food was also good! We came on a wings night and their wings aren’t like the sketchy wings at a traditional wings place it’s like a classier version of it but super good too (we got the cranberry chilli one). The wine list is also extensive and the servers and bartender seem all happy and excited to be here. All in all excellent place!

Such a great find in an unexpected location!
I went with a friend and we split 4 plates and a dessert between the two of us, but we probably would have been fine with one less plate. Although I wouldn’t have wanted to cut down on one plate because they were all so good! This is what we had:
— Lentils and mushrooms with a fried egg (lentils had surprisingly great flavour)
— Crostini with eggplant, feta, tahini sauce (overpowering feta flavour in the best way possible)
— Smoked salmon on crispy potato (the salmon was so soft and fresh!)
— Confit and roasted Cornish hen (this dish is how all chicken should taste)
— Apple profiterole «sliders» with caramel sauce and cheese (wasn’t sold on the profiteroles, but the apple compote inside was heaven)
The wine list had really helpful descriptions to assist in choosing a wine. I ended up going with a really nice and reasonably priced Cabernet Sauvignon.
I’m really looking forward to going back again soon!

You could drive by this place never knowing you’re missing out. Reservations recommended. It is small with a cozy and fresh atmosphere. Candles are lit and water is constantly being topped up in adorable fish jugs.
We had to wait a few minutes for our table but were immediately given drink menus. This was the beginning of the excellent service. The cocktails were debatably the best thing I had. My favourite was the Crème L’Orange, which had a nice froth on top.
The three of us were seated. There was a decent sized group of maybe six people in the back, if you’re worried about numbers. The menu was paper because they’re always changing it. There was no menu online. This was exciting and annoying. You have no idea what to expect.
We had five plates and dessert. Each plate comes out separate, so you don’t feel rushed. Most portions are for four. We had beef tartare crostinis, scallops in beurre blanc*, eggplant in tahini sauce on crostinis*, Cornish hen confit, and Serrano ham and sausage with apple slaw*. The desserts weren’t as exciting as dinner, but we ordered apple sliders with shaved cheese. (* Favourites)
It is expensive and the portions are small to medium sized. The salad dishes are oddly massive. The scallops, the most expensive dish we had, were $ 17 for four petite ones. It was worth it in a ‘treat yourself’ way.
The service was awesome. The staff is never idle. Our server was friendly and helpful when we weren’t certain about dessert or what patatas bravas meant.
The food, service and prices are upscale. The interior doesn’t match it, but makes up for it in a charming and warm atmosphere.
ALSO: they recently started serving brunch from 10 – 2. Will have to come back for this.

My boyfriend took me here for my birthday. We had been here once a year ago and loved it but for some reason hadn’t been back. The service was great and quick. The food came out at just the right time and overall it was delicious! We ordered 4 tapas — the southern fried quail (nice and lemony), the goat arugula salad (good not amazing) the potatas Braves (very good but could have had more sauce — I’m a sauce gal) and the eggplant crostini (very delish) and it really was the perfect amount (or probably a bit much but it was a special occasion). And since it was a birthday we had to have dessert: crime brûlée! Super duper delish!!! I’ll go again for sure :)

The meal was great. The price for it was to much. Service was the best. Most customers are just wannabe foodies. Glad I went but once is enough.

This was the best meal I’ve had yet in KW, bar none. High-​quality food, comfortable atmosphere, and attentive service. The place was full and we were lucky that another reservation cancelled right before we called, or I doubt we would have gotten a spot. The address listed is correct, but we drove right past initially without noticing — it’s in a fairly nondescript spot near a strip mall with little signage to see at night.
We ate:
Arugula salad with walnuts and house-​made bacon
Duck confit crepes
Crab and shrimp melt on toast
*Scallops with Serrano ham and cauliflower purée (our favourite dish)
There was also a wide selection of beer (I had Galt Knife from Grand River brewery) and cocktails, including one which we saw being made and topped with gold leaf.
My only regret was that I wasn’t hungrier, since everything we tried was great and the rest of the menu looked just as good. Can’t wait to come back.

I’m impressed by unassuming exteriors with cool insides: Gene Hackman, VW Golf R, the Beatles’ White Album, and Public Kitchen & Bar (corner Lancaster and nowhere). Public’s front façade has all the charm of an H&R Block office, but don’t let that fool ya. For hardcore foodies and trendy wannabes, this place is a find.
Carnivores have a hard time finding decent raw flesh in this town (We carpaccio– and tartar-​lovers prefer our Sushi to be made outta cow). Public’s beef tartar ($ 15) is a puckish delight, delicately seasoned, served with skinny blonde house-​made crostini, and garnished with caperberries (aristocratic cousins to the neighbourhood caper) and a Jackson Pollack of oil and balsamic. The world is as it should be.
The donuts ($ 8) are to Timbits what Lamborghini is to Camry. PK&B serves them sensuously warm, with a drizzle of whisky caramel and an iniquity of whipped cream. I’ve had sex that’s not as good as these donuts (er… long ago, I love you, Dear).
If you hate red lights, you’ll love this place: no waitin’. I don’t know what kind of wizardry Mama and Papa have got back in that [Public] Kitchen, but every round of tapas seemed to arrive, freshly made to order, precisely 15 seconds after this Muggle ordered it.
Public’s stools were designed by a frugal Swedish architect who’s never actually seen a human being. They’re a visual match with the Hipster Fusion interior (IKEA meets well-​curated thrift shop), but also cruel and unusual punishment for any posterior aged more than four decades. But hey, if torturous seating is your only beef about a joint, you know you’ve found a great one.
Just like Momma always said. it’s what’s on the inside that counts.

Best tapa place is the region. I highly recommend you to make a reservation a day prior to make sure you have a spot. Also, the restaurant can only seatt 8 – 9 tables of 4, so make sure its not a big group.
That being said, prepare to make your wallet bleed.
They have oyster and wings night, both are my favorites.
Also try their wine listing if you don’t have to drive.

The food was flavourful and presented beautifully. The cocktail special that night (French Connection) was delicious. Service was on point, too — genuine and attentive.

This restaurant was the substitute choice for my partner’s bday, and I’m so glad we ended up there!!! The service is excellent, the food exciting and delicious, as well the space being a lovely spot to spend time with friends. Good beer and wine selections too. I was there on tapas & oyster night and we really enjoyed the oysters. I don’t believe that they serve espresso though… Not entirely sure.

My sister randomly selected Public Kitchen and Bar for Father’s Day dinner with my family this year. How could such a random selection lead to such a perfect meal? I’ve since been one more time, but would love to arrange all occasions I celebrate in Kitchener here. It is sooo good.
Both times I went were on Sundays where they do a four course family style set menu. It is $ 35 a person and basically all you can eat. The meal starts with a surprise amuse bouche. For Father’s Day, it was a huge, perfectly cooked shrimp with a home-​made seafood sauce and micro greens. This was followed by a big bowl of salad and a plate of warm, chewy fresh baked focaccia (my favourite part of the meal). Next was a platter of chicken and ribs with sides of roasted potatoes and vegetables. The roasted vegetables were anything but ordinary — among others, beets, zucchinis, cabbage, heirloom carrots, that were perfectly cooked and seasoned. After we ate the full platter of meat, the server came around to ask us if we wanted more. We asked for one serving of ribs and he ended up bringing out an order of chicken too. Dessert was an icecream Sunday with chocolate sauce, peanuts and fresh berries.
At my second visit, the amuse was a tart filled with a creamy mussel filling. It was interesting, but probably best left as a tiny amuse (I probably wouldn’t have eaten a second). This meal came with a similar salad, bread, potatoes and those amazing roasted vegetables. The main this time was fried chicken with sausage gravy. The fried chicken was better than most barbeque places that specialize in fried chicken! The gravy was thick and flavourful with the odd chunk of sausage. Crème brulee for dessert was perfect.
Disclaimer — when you walk in, this place looks like a total hipster hangout. Vintage furniture, bearded servers and a mix of clientele. However, both times the servers were friendly and genuinely excited about the food and the night’s menu. The location is a bit odd, in a small plaza on Lancaster. However this place is definitely worth checking out.

Hard to find but worth the effort! Have had dinner here twice, and both times been impressed with the food. The tapas are all pretty good, esp. the pork belly sliders and fried chicken. The first time I was here, the patatas bravas were cold and undercooked, but my second visit proved more positive in this regard, and the patatas were crisp and delicious.
I highly recommend getting their drink specials, as they’re often a very good deal. The first time it was the vodka-​based Public Punch, and then on the second visit had the cava special ($ 6/​flute).
We hit up the Wednesday oyster special ($ 2.50 each or $ 2 after 7 p.m.), adding a line-​caught tuna special and those yummy sliders as well. The oysters were all shucked perfectly, no grit, and came with mignonette/​hot sauce/​cocktail sauce. The tuna was lovely, cooked extra-​rare as I’d asked, on a bed of edamame and pickled hot peppers.
Service is efficient and friendly, and our waitress was happy to tell us about an upcoming food event in KW. She even brought us an extra little treat, as well, which was an unexpected and welcome surprise. Will definitely keep coming here, as I’m getting tired of similar places in uptown Waterloo.

Simply fantastic! KW has another new Gem. Some may find it pricey, but I’ve never regretted paying for top quality food and service.
Wheelchair/​walker friendly