The Optimist

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1. k

   koop

   Atlanta Metro

   16 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   16 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Always a fav for many years. Still never disappoints!!
   

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2. MD

   MarcD

   Tallahassee

   8 reviews

   5.0

   8 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Great place. Super service. Definitely order the fried oysters. Unique twist in a swordfish dish.
   

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3. IB

   IkeB

   Atlanta Metro

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Fantastic time with my wife and nephew. The food and drinks were on point. Love this place!
   

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4. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Atlanta Metro

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Our server was great! It was my wife’s birthday and I brought my 6 year old which I was hoping wouldn’t be awkward. He immediately connected with my son. All along the way he made sure to make my wife feel special and create an indelible experience! Thanks so much!
   

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5. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Atlanta Metro

   1 review

   vip
   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall3food5service2ambience5

   Food is still outstanding. Service was extremely slow. Also the price has gotten pretty steep.
   

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6. MR

   MarkR

   San Francisco

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   The very best seafood in town. Highly recommend for locals or visitors.
   

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7. A

   Annie

   San Francisco

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Food & drinks were fantastic! Winnie, our server, was amazing :) Will be back!
   

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8. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Atlanta Metro

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Always get the Shrimp La Plancha, everything else is good to, but always get the shrimp…
   

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9. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Atlanta Metro

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   The food was fantastic especially the greens, carrots and roasted oysters. My scallops were so tender and the dessert was light and the perfect way to end our meal. Our waitress was attentive and made splendid recommendations and explained the difference between the raw oysters. Will definitely return
   

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10. NB

    NickB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Absolute gas every time. Not the biggest fish eater but their dishes are incredible
    

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11. s

    saffoodiegirl

    Atlanta Metro

    36 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    36 reviews

    Dined on May 16, 2023

    overall5food2service3ambience5

    Our entrees came slightly warm. Broccoli was a bit oily. But really not good cold. Our server was great but delivery of food not so great. Still love optimist. Will be back
    

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12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 15, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Great food great atmosphere  great service. A very fun place to dine in Atlanta.
    

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13. D

    Diamond

    Atlanta Metro

    18 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Overall good experience, any issues corrected quickly.
    

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14. KH

    KeeshaH

    Atlanta Metro

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Absolutely Fabulous Mother's Day dinner at the Optimist. The food was spectacular from start to finish. We tried the fried oysters, Georgia Scallops, and the vanilla bean strawberry crumble cheesecake. Delicious!! Our service was wonderful. We will definitely be back to try other things on the menu.
    

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15. BB

    BritBrit

    Cincinnati

    9 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall2food1service5ambience5

    Hates the Mothers Day menu; otherwise I love this place
    

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16. TD

    TiffanyD

    Orlando

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It’s always an enjoyable time when I’m able to dine here!! The food and ambiance are top tier! 💯
    

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17. SO

    ShannonO

    Atlanta Metro

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wonderful Mother's Day Brunch!! Service was outstanding and food was even better! Valet was a bit backed up, but not a big deal.
    

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18. C

    Chik

    Atlanta Metro

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    This was our second visit. The food didn't disappoint and the service was fabulous. Upon arrival, there was only one poor fellow at Valet so there was a long line and long wait just to get in the door. But once in, it was great.
    

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19. JG

    JohnG

    Atlanta Metro

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience4

    Excellent food and our server was extremely attentive and knowledgeable. Very cool inside. The cadence was slow from the start -- took far too long to be greeted at our table and then waited an hour plus between appetizer and entrée. I imagine this is just a staffing shortage issue so hopefully they are able to solve.
    

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20. M

    Mellow

    Atlanta Metro

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Had the best night celebrating my mom for Mother’s Day. Amanda was amazing! Thank you for making our night so memorable.
    

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21. T

    Tracy

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    A very nice experience. Would go again. Had the monkfish, seafood platter, shecrab soup, smoked fish chowder, branzino, collard greens... it was all tasty.
    

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22. ML

    MaureenL

    Atlanta Metro

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4

    Food is good but expensive. Great place for special occasions. They provided dessert for free to celebrate by daughter’s graduation.
    

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23. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Kansas City

    23 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Dined here for an early mother’s day dinner! Absolutely loved all the food & the service was phenomenal
    

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24. SC

    SandraC

    Atlanta Metro

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    So enjoyed our experience— tried different dishes and all we delish. Spanish octopus best. Service was impeccable.
    

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25. RF

    RolandF

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great first experience.....will definitely recommend.
    

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26. R

    Rich

    London

    25 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall2food5service4ambience3

    We’ve been dining at the Optimist for years and have always enjoyed our experiences, this time though leaves us with doubts. The food is always excellent and there is nowhere else in Atlanta to have raw oysters. Friday night I booked a table as it was our anniversary and I had requested a table at the side of the restaurant as it’s very noisy in the center of the dinning area. We we seated right in the middle of the restaurant on the edge of a main walkway for both patrons and servers not an ideal seat, when I mention this to the young man who seated us he stepped away and returned to inform us that no such request was noted. I made the request through Open Table so there would be a record of the request, he was disinterested and dismissive and walked away without regard. This may be a random incident of this young man not being trained properly or empowered to make decisions but it leaves a bad taste (no pun intended). We will still return to the Optimist from time to time but it will no longer be our got to restaurant for special occasions.
    

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27. AS

    AndyS

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Best ever.oysters were top shelf.I have had oysters all over the world, and these rate as the best.The restaurant manager stoped by and we had a great conversation Sarah Schwager is a great asset to the restaurant.The server was very attentive,do not rember his name,my bad.Little pricey but you get what you pay for.
    

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28. AT

    foodmanATL

    Atlanta Metro

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4

    Overall a bit disappointing given the price. The food was pretty good but didn't justify the price tag in our opinion.
    

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29. D

    Delta

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The host, Anthony, is simply amazing! He has always been the absolute best!
    

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30. MK

    MikeK

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Great food, great beverage, great service. What’s not to like…..
    

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31. S

    Sunhinetm

    Atlanta Metro

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We always have a wonderful time at the Optimist! Our family enjoyed the Shrimp A La Plancha, Smoked Fish Dip, Beignets, She Crab Soup, The Lobster Roll and the Cheesecake woth Strawberry Crumbles!
    

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32. C

    Chris

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4

    Went for an anniversary. Food was out quickly and was delivered server was good but could have been better. We celebrated our anniversary here. And no freebies were provided. It was still a great time.
    

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33. JB

    JolenaB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It was a refreshingly positive and delicious dining experience. The food was really good and not crazy expensive for no reason. Ambience was nice, not too loud. Drinks were a bit weird but they have full bar so can order what you know. My bf ordered a Maine lobster($45)😍 and I got banzino (sp) one with the Thai spices and it was excellent and delectable. They sent the first one with peanuts which I ordered without so I got the next one to go. But I had a few bites and omg!! The flavor was so delicious. With the broccoli and potatoes as the sides. Will definitely be back. This is one of our favorite dining places from now on.
    

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34. CT

    CarolT

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    The lobster roll was amazing. The chicken dish was also very good. The fried rice was different. Had an unusual taste/season but it was very good. I was disappointed becuase the corn hush puppies were not cooked all the way through. They were gummy inside so the waiter took them off our bill. Overall my experience was great. I will come back. I think I am going to ask to sit outside next time, that area seemed to be really romantic at night.
    

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35. F

    Foodisgood

    Philadelphia

    10 reviews

    2.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall2food3service3ambience1

    The was good but NOT exceptional. The process were outrageously high. End up spending about $100 pp. The cocktails were interesting and overpriced. The ambiance was Horrible. Music was extremely loud. Didn't have table cloths and the table that we got was wobbly. Service was good. Would never go back and would NEVER recommend.
    

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36. LL

    LucyL

    Baltimore

    21 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The ambiance here is great - very lively and fun cocktail vibe. Great food and will definitely be back
    

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37. RF

    RichardF

    Atlanta Metro

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    As always, Great food and service! Expect is to be expensive, but worth it.
    

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38. KI

    KIMBERLYC

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall3food5service5ambience3

    Too noisy, music selections were too much on the loud side especially when you take into account that you can hear a bit of everyone’s conversation. The aesthetics are lovely but too many hard surfaces; noice bouncing everywhere. My server was awesome; friendly and professional, but course pacings had big gaps. Not her fault!
    

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39. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on May 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Totally wonderful dining experience. Our waitress was attentive and engaged throughout the evening. I highly recommend this restaurant to everyone!
    

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40. TG

    TedG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great Sea Food and Great Service! Fun atmosphere! Especially want to thank CJ for helping to make our visit a magical moment!!
    

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