Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
The Optimist, Atlanta, GA

The Optimist

Visa logo badge

Visa Dining Collection

4.8 (9248)
$31 to $50
Seafood
914 Howell Mill Rd., Atlanta, GA 30318

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 114 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Hot spot
  • Lively
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.

Dining areas

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
  • Website
    https://www.theoptimistrestaurant.com/atlanta
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Edward Barrett
  • Private party facilities
    The Optimist has a variety of event spaces that include bar events, restaurant buy outs, with private and semi-private dining for up to 200 guests.
  • 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, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wine

Featured in

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 9,248 people are saying

The Optimist reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Atlanta

    Seafood

  • Atlanta

    Seafood

  • Atlanta

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
"The Optimist" shines with "amazing seafood," "exceptional service," and "fantastic ambiance." Guests rave about the oysters, rolls, and peel & eat shrimp. Notable mentions include attentive staff and a memorable dining experience, making it a top choice for celebrations. While some dishes and portions faced critique, overall, it remains a beloved Atlanta spot.

9,248 Reviews

  1. Amy VIP

    Denver2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Optimist always delivers great food and service! The oysters we amazing, the rolls always hot and fresh, and the lobster rolls were delicious. We are looking forward to being back very soon!

    Is this helpful?

  2. lisa VIP

    Kansas City22 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Took son here for graduation. Food was delicious…especially the oysters & clams. It was pouring down rain when we left. One of the employees insisted on walking us to our car with an umbrella. The service was outstanding! Highly recommend

    Is this helpful?

  3. Lauren

    Atlanta2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This was my first time dining here. Highly recommend and will be back. Obviously, it’s primarily seafood/fish, and it’s in Atlanta (not coastal), so it’s a little pricy for the portion size. I think it’s worth it, but our dinner for 2 with alcohol was almost $300 including the tip. So not a cheap date night, but again completely worth it for us.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Kristi

    Charleston4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    It was a wonderful dining experience. This was our first visit ao we were unfamiliar with the menu. Our waiter, CJ, suggested excellent menu choices which we thoroughly enjoyed. The She-crab soup was amazing! Our fish entrees were seasoned to perfection.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Jennifer VIP

    Orlando11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 28, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful atmosphere. Fresh locally sourced ingredients, cooked to perfection. Will definitely return when I’m in Atlanta. Service was impeccable. 

    Is this helpful?

  6. Michael

    Las Vegas1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 27, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great overall experience. Awesome staff and cuisine

    Is this helpful?

  7. Lauren

    Phoenix1 review

    2.0

    Dined on April 27, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    Service was terrible. Billed us for 2 bottles of wine when we only purchased 1. They did take it off our bill though.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Bill

    Las Vegas1 review

    4.0

    Dined on April 26, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Drinks were very slow to come from the bar. Sides arrived ~10 minutes before the mains and were pretty cold by the time the mains arrived. Food tasted great.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Joey

    Alabama1 review

    3.0

    Dined on April 26, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was great. Our server wasn’t friendly, attentive or engaging.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Bayard

    Tampa4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 26, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great place. Food and service are excellent. Open main room can get quite noisy at peak times.

    Is this helpful?

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 9248 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Atlanta
  4. Atlanta
  5. West Midtown

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 114 times today
Google Map for The Optimist

914 Howell Mill Rd., Atlanta, GA 30318

Dining areas

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
    Edward Barrett
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wine

Featured in

Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Our sites
Businesses
  • Restaurant reservation software
  • Industry insights
  • Hospitality resources
  • Marketing resources
  • Operation resources
  • How to open a restaurant
  • For restaurants
  • For restaurant groups
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2025 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo