Tucked just off Highway 55 on New Hill Road, a mile and a half puts you at the door of Oakview Public House in Holly Springs. And once you’re inside, it’s clear the short drive is the point, not the obstacle.
Tall ceilings, generous windows, and light wood floors give the space an airy, elevated feel, while the vintage cutting boards on the wall and the approachable, down-to-earth energy keep it from ever feeling stuffy.
That balance comes by design.
“We wanted to fill a gap and provide a nice, non-chain dining option on this side of Highway 55,” says co-proprietor Stephen Brauer, who represents one of eight local families that came together to open the eatery at the fledgling Oakview Commons mixed-use development. “Our goal was to create the kind of place that feels just as right for a casual weeknight dinner as it does for a date night on the weekend.”
Since debuting last October, the restaurant has leaned into its identity as a go-to neighborhood spot, well positioned to pull in both residential regulars and the area’s business crowd.
Scott James, left, and Stephen Brauer, Oakview Public House co-owners
Oakview’s carefully composed menu has evolved since its early days. It ran a bit more upscale than the neighborhood wanted at first, Stephen says, so the team dialed it back and broadened the lineup, adding plenty of dishes under $20 alongside more refined plates. The result comfortably spans both ends of that range.
When you visit, start with the hot honey–infused pimento cheese, made fresh daily with a good kick of spice and served with grilled crostini for dipping. It’s a Southern staple done right and built for sharing. The crispy calamari with Calabrian chili marinara and the burrata, served atop arugula, roasted cherry tomatoes, and a copious drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar, round out a strong selection of shareable starters.
For the main event, the smashburger reigns as the top seller: two 3-ounce Angus patties, caramelized onions, pickles, and a custom OPH sauce (mustard, mayo, and abundant zip — think a maverick cousin of Chick-fil-A sauce, though Stephen wouldn’t divulge the recipe).
The short rib and mash, braised in red wine, stands out as an entrée, as does the fish and chips, made with beer-battered cod, house-made tartar sauce, and fries cooked in beef tallow.
The steak frites also brings the dressier side of the menu forward: a 12-ounce New York strip with crispy fries and chimichurri. The seared Antarctic salmon with sautéed asparagus shows just as much finesse. For something in between, the short rib grilled cheese on marbled rye earns the trip on its own — never mind the BLT, a worthy nod to Chapel Hill’s iconic sandwich at Merritt’s Grill.
Located off Highway 55 a short distance from Target, Oakview Public House boasts experienced service, creative cocktails, and a menu full of favorites.
Desserts land just as well, including a white chocolate bread pudding with orange crème anglaise, a gluten-free chocolate torte, and a cast-iron skillet chocolate chip cookie served with FRESH. Local Ice Cream that’s become a hit.
The bar holds its own, too. Fifteen seats anchor a rotating lineup of eight local and regional draft beers, including Mason Jar, Carolina Brewing, Burial, and NoDa, swapped out regularly in partnership with the breweries themselves.
On the cocktail side, the bar team has built out a solid list. The citrusy Blue Lagoon and the purple-hued Hibiscus Daydream rank among guest favorites.
“We’ve curated an approachable wine list that includes a few unexpected selections, with half-price bottles every Wednesday,” says general manager and co-owner Scott James, adding that guests skipping alcohol aren’t an afterthought, as a full mocktail menu covers that ground well.
Weekend brunch brings its own personality to the menu, from a Sunrise Breakfast Burrito loaded with scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and melted cheese to a French toast featuring thick-cut challah soaked in spiced vanilla custard. A flight of mimosas in flavors like passion fruit, mango, lychee, and strawberry rounds out the morning in style.
Family-friendly touches are everywhere, too. A kids’ menu comes with ice cream, crayons are on hand, and a round of Shut the Box keeps young diners and parents alike entertained between courses.
Patio dining at Oakview Public House
With seating for up to 50 guests, AV capability, and a full catering menu, a semi-private dining room makes a natural fit for business meetings, showers, graduations, and other special events. Full restaurant takeovers are available too, and live music plays once a month, either on the patio or in the back room.
Staff continuity is one of Oakview’s quiet strengths. Many servers have stayed on since the beginning, know the menu inside and out, and have built the kind of rapport that brings guests back.
That same sense of loyalty shows in Oakview’s community involvement, from sponsoring charitable golf outings to simply staying invested locally. The restaurant has also partnered with nearby Golf Hour and Switch Craft, offering free food delivery to both, a small but telling example of local collaboration. “We’re privately owned,” Stephen says, “so we can make the decisions that are right for us and for the community.”
The owners hope that more people simply discover the restaurant’s existence. “A lot of people just don’t seem to realize where we’re located,” says Scott. “There’s a whole new world back here that’s definitely worth finding.”
Between the food, the service, and the atmosphere, Oakview Public House has made a compelling case for itself as a destination worth seeking out, whether you’re coming from Apex, Fuquay-Varina, or just the other side of the highway.
oakviewpublichouse.com
@oakviewpublichouse
- Recipes from Readers: Prosciutto & Peach Pizza
- Restaurant Spotlight: Oakview Public House
- Woman to Watch: Susan Weis
- Chronicles of an HOA: The Enclave at Sunset Lake, (Final Installment … For Now)
- Dig In & Drink Up: Korean-Inspired Bowls
- Meet & Greet: Jana Clinard Harris
- See & Do: September to October 2026
- Nonprofit Spotlight: The Hope Closet
- Backyard Bliss
