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The Optimist, Atlanta, GA

The Optimist

4.8
4.8
8986 Reviews
$31 to $50
Seafood

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 106 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Lively
  • Great for creative cocktails
The Optimist brings a seaside fish camp experience to landlocked Atlantans. The ever-changing menu features high-quality, sustainable seafood masterfully paired with fresh, local ingredients. From sophisticated, daily-catch dishes to crudos and beachside classics, chef-owner Ford Fry’s the Optimist transports guests to their favorite coastal haunts.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (404) 477-6260
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Eddie Barrett
  • Private party facilities
    The Optimist has a variety of event spaces that include bar events, restaurant buy outs, private dining up to 20 guests, semi-private dining for up to 50 guests.
  • Neighborhood
    West Midtown
  • Cross street
    8th Street
  • Parking details
    $5 Valet service is offered through the Brady parking garage, located on property. Additional surface street parking is available throughout the neighborhood, as well as additional lots in the area.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wine

What 8,986 people are saying

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
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Atlanta Metro

    Seafood

  • Atlanta Metro

    Most Booked

  • Atlanta

    Seafood

  • Atlanta

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Optimist offers an exceptional seafood dining experience in Atlanta. Guests rave about the "amazing service," "fresh oysters," and "creative menu." The ambiance is lively, making it perfect for special occasions. While some find it pricey, the quality of food and standout dishes like the octopus and lobster rolls ensure many return visits.

8,986 Reviews
  1. Ryan

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We were there to celebrate our engagement and we could not have asked for a better experience. The food was amazing and the staff super attentive. We could not have asked for a better atmosphere and night for celebrating a very important day to us. Thank you!

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  2. Fred

    Los Angeles

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food. Excellent service. Pricey, but really good.

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  3. NiteOut

    Los Angeles

    60 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    60 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I had a great time here. The service was great and the food was DELICIOUS! WE WILL BE BACK. I’m highly recommend this restaurant 💜

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  4. Jennifer

    New York City

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was fabulous. Wine selection a little short.

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  5. Dan

    Atlanta Metro

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food, Corey was an amazing server, great atmosphere!

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  6. Crystal

    Tampa

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Easily one of my top 10 favorite restaurants ever & I’m a foodie. Lemme start w the bread - mouth melting deliciousness. The oysters fantastic & homemade hot sauce perfect. Shrimp appetizer out of this world. Loved the beet salad. Kids meals and roasted veggies perfect. Only thing I would recommend is a better selection of wine by the glass, the one Sauvignon Blanc by the glass wasn’t my favorite but overall 10/10!!!!

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This has been on our list of places to go for probably 5 years. Finally it happened! Went here for the first time for our second anniversary last night, also the first time we’ve been out alone since having our first baby a month ago. It was such a great night! Our server, Corrie, was so amazing and made great suggestions on apps, oysters, sides, and wine. All around awesome. Corrie and The Optimist really made our night out special. Little “Happy Anniversary” print outs topped it all off. All of the food was delicious, not a single thing uneaten. We will definitely remember this occasion, and cannot wait to go back for another meal experience. Thank you for the amazing evening!

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  8. Amber

    Denver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had the most fabulous meal from start to finish. Can’t recommend The Optimist enough!

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  9. Ida

    Tampa

    27 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    From the service , the food and the atmosphere it was amazing. Our waiter OD was outstanding! Everything he recommended from the wine to the food was spot on. I was celebrating a belated birthday. They made me feel so special. Highly recommend!

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  10. Holly

    Atlanta Metro

    37 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    37 reviews

    Dined on October 6, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a 10/10 at The Optimist. If you love oysters, start with at least two dozen. Best shared with friends! Next, select 3-4 appetizers. We love the PEI mussel’s, grilled calamari, Whole Ga Shrimp A La Plancha, hamachi crudo, and the lobster roll. Perfect bites to savor.

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FAQs

The Optimist offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (404) 477-6260.

The Optimist is rated 4.8 stars by 8986 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 106 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Optimist

914 Howell Mill Rd., Atlanta, GA 30318

Additional information

  • Cross street
    8th Street
  • Neighborhood
    West Midtown
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    $5 Valet service is offered through the Brady parking garage, located on property. Additional surface street parking is available throughout the neighborhood, as well as additional lots in the area.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Eddie Barrett
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wine
  • Phone number
    (404) 477-6260
  • Private party facilities
    The Optimist has a variety of event spaces that include bar events, restaurant buy outs, private dining up to 20 guests, semi-private dining for up to 50 guests.
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