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The Optimist, Atlanta, GA

The Optimist

4.8
4.8
8516 Reviews
$31 to $50
Seafood
Top Tags:
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.

Make a reservation

2 people
8:30 PM
Booked 112 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (404) 477-6260
  • Website
    https://www.theoptimistrestaurant.com/atlanta
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Brian Horn
  • 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.
  • Private party contact
    our Private Event Coordinator : (404) 355-5311 ext. 212
  • Location
    914 Howell Mill Rd., Atlanta, GA 30318
  • 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

Featured in

Experiences

  • Ring in the New Year with The Optimist!

    $125.00 per person

    Dec 31, 2023 only
    Spend this New Year’s Eve “coast-side” with a four-course, prix-fixe meal from executive chef Brian Horn. $125 per person with wine pairings available for an additional $45 per person. Premium wine pairing option available for $85 per person. Menu choices include she crab soup, crispy Spanish octopus, duck fat poached swordfish, desserts from pastry chef Chrysta Poulos and more! A complimentary champagne toast will help close out the night.

  • Valentine's Day Prix Fixe at The Optimist!

    $125.00 per person

    Feb 14, 2024 only
    The best way to spend the evening with your special someone is "coast side!" Celebrate Valentine's Day at The Optimist with a four-course prix fixe menu Executive Chef Brian Horn for $125 per person. Wine pairings available for and additional $45 per person. Premium wine pairings available for and additional $85 per person. Enjoy oysters on the half shell, coastal inspired cuisine and much more! We look forward to celebrating with you!

What 8,516 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
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Atlanta Metro

    Seafood

  • Atlanta Metro

    Most Booked

  • Atlanta

    Seafood

  • Atlanta

    Most Booked

8,516 Reviews

  1. OpenTable Diner

    Western NC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    The service was good just a little slow regarding the kitchen. However, overall it was a good experience.

    Is this helpful?

  2. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was a very special night for me and my loved one and our server made the experience so much better

    Is this helpful?

  3. AliciaL

    Charleston

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent service, delicious food and great ambience. Our server Leighton was friendly yet professional and catered to an elevated dining experience. His recommendations were spot on and everything we tried was tasty…from the cocktails to the raw oysters and the octopus. Definitely one of my favorite restaurants.

    Is this helpful?

  4. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our server Austin was so informative and beyond delightful. Made the whole experience 1000%

    Is this helpful?

  5. andrewc

    New Orleans

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall2food5service1ambience5
    Service trumps food any day, at any restaurant. Mediocre food with exceptional service can be tolerable. The opposite can ruin a meal. Ordered multiple courses and each one was fantastic. Ingenuitive, fresh, and well thought out menu, complementing the raw products. Absolutely nothing disappointed except the service. Wow. I will provide more details on my Google review. 

    Is this helpful?

  6. Bdog

    Atlanta Metro

    32 reviews

    5.0

    32 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic evening. Oysters started the night and all were great. Everyone ordered something different and we all thought the food was fantastic. Service was excellent also. We will be back

    Is this helpful?

  7. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We celebrated my brother’s 40th birthday, and everything was great! We were able to add flowers to the table and bring out own cake! Our server was awesome! Hilarious and felt like family. The food was amazing per usual! Thank you for making it a special night

    Is this helpful?

  8. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service is phenomenal, the food is exceptional and the experience is amazing. I thoroughly enjoy this place. Visited Saturday December 2nd.

    Is this helpful?

  9. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Damian did a fantastic job as our server. He was skilled and very helpful. The food tasted very good, and the portions were good. Our table by the window for two was perfect. The only downside is that the music is too loud. There is already plenty of sound from the other diners when the place fills up. Make your reservations early. This restaurant fills up quickly.

    Is this helpful?

  10. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service and great food! Prices are great for the quality of food

    Is this helpful?

  11. lfarm

    Atlanta Metro

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    We absolutely enjoyed our first visit to The Optimist. We had 8 PM reservations to enjoy our anniversary dinner, arrived about 10 mins early and were seated immediately. We enjoyed everything from our drinks (cocktail and beer) to the fish chowder and crab claws, arctic char and burger (my husband is very picky about his burgers lol). Yes, the music was a little louder than I would expect for the establishment. However the noise level was nowhere near bad for us since we were sitting in a booth, beside one another. We shall return!

    Is this helpful?

  12. ChristopherH

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    Superb service. Seafood was great. Our table was really small and cramped for 5 people. And it was placed next to the bar so at times it felt like people were standing over my shoulder when I was eating.

    Is this helpful?

  13. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Jajahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

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  14. ErikP

    Atlanta Metro

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Dined at "The Optimist" prior to the Cirque du Soleil show. Despite the early hour, the staff was gracious and accomidating. Our server CJ was really great. I wish the portions had been a bit larger but we really enjoyed it.

    Is this helpful?

  15. OpenTable Diner

    West Palm Beach

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was good and nice dimly lit ambience. Had reservations and was seated immediately upon arrival. The staff was very attentive. Drinks on the smaller side but very strong. The menu was kind of limited and we ended up having gumbo, red fish with the rice dish -very good, opti burger -delicious. Overall I was satisfied with my experience and would recommend.

    Is this helpful?

  16. Marco

    Atlanta Metro

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 28, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    Great food. Some plates are more generous. The kale salad and fried oysters were the best. Prices have gone up. Sides are not included in the main plate. So, an appetizer, a main plate, and a side, even without wine and dessert, is very expensive. The worst part was the wait at the valet, about 20' outside. Weird. They have an app, but it doesn't work well.

    Is this helpful?

  17. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 25, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Very nice vibe warm and cozy atmosphere, lots to choose from as far as drinks and food. Definitely a great date nite locale....

    Is this helpful?

  18. Lady

    Tallahassee

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on November 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amanda was amazing ... it was another server a African American gentleman I think it's Ron was his name providing service around the entrance area was fantastic. My family had a great time and the food was amazing!!

    Is this helpful?

  19. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was a great place for a first date where the server was attentive. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was perfect.

    Is this helpful?

  20. ToddP

    Indiana

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was prepared great. Small portions for the price Service was spot on and would go back there solely based on the wait staff and our main server Christie

    Is this helpful?

  21. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amanda was really great and had such a cute personality! I have always enjoyed my dining experience at The Optimist!

    Is this helpful?

  22. Saul

    Atlanta Metro

    20 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on November 22, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience5
    Don’t get the octopus or the fried rice side. Octopus was tough and chewy. The fried rice was trash. I have made better. Redfish was overcooked. Potato side was good. Overpriced for what they are putting on the table. Over $300 for three people. Won’t go back. Atlanta Fish Market is much better food.

    Is this helpful?

  23. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on November 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was my first time at Optimist for dinner. The experience was amazing from the bartenders to the many servers taking care of you. There was never a minute you had to look around to get your waiter's attention. The food and drinks were great. The lobster is a definite must have. As for the sides, I wasn't crazy about the basmati rice but the cauliflower was delicious. Great experience overall. Will definitely go back and try something else on the menu.

    Is this helpful?

  24. kankead

    Atlanta Metro

    35 reviews

    5.0

    35 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    We went for the first time tonight. Our waiters attentiveness and recommendations were spot on. The experience was great. The spicy kale salad and the tuna crudup were great. My Redfish was very tasty, as were my PEI oysters. The apple salad was excellent too. The bread pudding was outstanding too!

    Is this helpful?

  25. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Words can’t fully describe the great experience we had for my husband’s birthday. The waitress Amanda had a great vibe and was very knowledgeable. The food and cocktails, TOP NOTCH! Everything we ordered, and I mean EVERYTHING was great! The complimentary rolls….yum yum yum!’ You can’t go wrong here!! This is will be my must visit every time I come to ATL!

    Is this helpful?

  26. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    It was FREEZING in there. Every woman in our party and even those sitting next to us were freezing. I am not cold-natured and was miserable.

    Is this helpful?

  27. BenjB

    Atlanta Metro

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was great! We had the Plateaux and it was truly amazing with oysters, shrimp, lobster, smoked fish dip, crab, and octopus. Each component was very good. The service was top notch and the experience was completed with a fun and lively atmosphere.

    Is this helpful?

  28. Scotti

    Columbus

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Loved everything about The Optimist...Can't wait to return!

    Is this helpful?

  29. HoustonCajunFoodie

    Minneapolis

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic service and vibe, delicious food but expensive

    Is this helpful?

  30. redinjapan

    Atlanta Metro

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 13, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Outstanding service! Our waitress was spot on and delivered for us.

    Is this helpful?

  31. TaeS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Perfection. Out of 30+ new restaurants I’ve been to this year only one other restaurant has impressed me so much.

    Is this helpful?

  32. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Dinner was absolutely AMAZING! My cousin & I came out to celebrate her birthday and we were absolutely blown away by the delicious food and great service provided by Andy. Compliments to the chef; the scallops & halibut were cooked to perfection! The apple pudding cake was a great closer to end the night. We will definitely be back!

    Is this helpful?

  33. dickie

    New Orleans

    21 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great setting, service, and food. Really great time this time, and every time!!

    Is this helpful?

  34. MikeD

    Atlanta Metro

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is my favorite place for oysters, she crab soup, seafood and celebrating special occasions.

    Is this helpful?

  35. KwonC

    Coastal Georgia

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Our family of four enjoyed dinner on 11/11/2023 to celebrate a birthday. Oysters were fresh & delicious, as was the grilled octopus. The redfish, whole flounder, and the scallops were delicious. Service was efficient and attentive for the most part. While The Optimist menu prices have certainly kept up with the inflation, we plan to return.

    Is this helpful?

  36. ChuckD

    Atlanta Metro

    43 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    43 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Probably our sixth or seventh dining experience at The Optimist. Once again, everything was excellent. We arrived early and had a few minutes to people watch at the oyster bar before being seated. Justin paced our meal perfectly and everything was delicious. Can't wait for our next visit!

    Is this helpful?

  37. Shan

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The first and only place in Atlanta to have a large variety of oysters. Will definitely be back!!

    Is this helpful?

  38. ChefGeorge

    Charlotte

    114 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    114 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It's a cavernous open space and noisy, but overall great. Wide variety of seafood, best shrimp app I've ever had. Server was excellent - offered tastes and wine recs that were very good. Parking is a bit of a hassle but overall a great experience.

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  39. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Incredible food. Incredible staff. Amazing ambience. You need to stop by. Want to go back already!

    Is this helpful?

  40. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of the best restaurants in Atlanta! This place is amazing and everything we had was delicious!

    Is this helpful?

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

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 8516 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
8:30 PM
Booked 112 times today
Experiences are available.

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 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
    Brian Horn
  • 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
  • Website
    https://www.theoptimistrestaurant.com/atlanta
  • 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.
  • Private party contact
    our Private Event Coordinator : (404) 355-5311 ext. 212

Featured in

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