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

The Optimist

Visa logo badge

Visa Dining Collection

4.7 (9284)
$31 to $50
Seafood
914 Howell Mill Rd., Atlanta, GA 30318

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 52 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Lively
  • Hot spot
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 9,284 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

4.7
4.7 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 delights with "exceptional food and superb service," making it a top choice for seafood in Atlanta. Guests praise the "fantastic dining experience" and highlight standout dishes like oysters, scallop ceviche, and blackened trout. The staff is "attentive and welcoming," and the ambiance is lively yet comfortable.
9,284 Reviews

  1. Inde

    Atlanta2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great location. Staff friendly and cozy atmosphere.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Colin VIP

    Greater Boston11 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was great as always. Service was incredibly slow. Took at least 30 minutes after sitting down to get water. Had to ask numerous times to order another bottle of wine. Ultimately, this was a loss to the Optimist because we would have ordered more if we had the opportunity.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Val

    Atlanta32 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The food was high quality but some portions (red fish) were small, given the high price point. Service was friendly and prompt, not rushed.

    Is this helpful?

  4. william

    Atlanta1 review

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was delicious. The service was top notch. We will definitely be going back again.

    Is this helpful?

  5. JoLynn

    San Francisco Bay Area5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our server Tyra was great and the food and atmosphere were outstanding. All staff were really nice and upbeat.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Norris

    Atlanta21 reviews

    2.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The portions are EXTREMELY small. Given the prices, this was VERY disappointing!!!

    Is this helpful?

  7. scott VIP

    Atlanta1 review

    1.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 4
    After dozens of great experiences, I guess we were due for a bad one. We were a party of 6 and got stuck behind group of 30. Entrees took one hour and were served cool. Manager did the right thing. Hope we don’t experience again at one of my favorite places.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Courtney

    Atlanta1 review

    4.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Timing of dishes was not ideal and things came out a little wrong

    Is this helpful?

  9. Erin VIP

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This was one of the best dining experiences me and my husband has had since moving to Georgia 6 years ago. The food was delicious and our server was so nice and had great recommendations. We will most definitely be back soon!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Don VIP

    Atlanta1 review

    4.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Every dish we were served was outstanding from the appetizers, to the entrees and sides, to the dessert. Truly excellent flavors. The place was pretty full on a Monday night which tells you they're doing something right. I would definitely go back. The server did a nice job until it came time for us to get a check and pay. Normally businesses are happy to take your money, but this was a chore. No big deal, but they should attend to this.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

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

The Optimist is rated 4.7 stars by 9284 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 52 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