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The Optimist, Atlanta, GA

The Optimist

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Visa Dining Collection

4.7 (9278)
$31 to $50
Seafood
914 Howell Mill Rd., Atlanta, GA 30318

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2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 99 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

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Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 9,278 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 offers an exceptional dining experience with "fantastic food and superb service." Guests rave about the "amazing seafood," notably the oysters and octopus, and appreciate the "attentive and welcoming" staff. The restaurant provides a lively yet comfortable ambiance, perfect for special occasions or casual outings. "A must-try" in Atlanta!
9,278 Reviews

  1. Norris

    Atlanta21 reviews

    2.0

    Dined 2 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!!!

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  2. scott VIP

    Atlanta1 review

    1.0

    Dined 2 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.

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  3. Courtney

    Atlanta1 review

    4.0

    Dined 3 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

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  4. Don VIP

    Atlanta1 review

    4.0

    Dined 4 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.

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  5. Sandra VIP

    Atlanta34 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food is always wonderful! We had an early reservation, so it was not overly crowded, moderate noise level and the table was ready when we arrived. Our server, Donnie, was personable, funny, attentive without being intrusive, helpful in explaining items to a person in our group who was a 1st timer and spot on with his recommendations! He made it a very pleasant dining experience! Our 1st timer will now be a repeat diner.

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  6. Brooke

    Atlanta2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Donnie our server was THE best. Lobster roll was excellent but almost missed it on the menu. This little gem is at top right in red

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  7. OpenTable Diner VIP

    Nashville4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Nothing bad touched the table, down to the still water. Always an experience when we dine at the Optimist.

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  8. Michael VIP

    Atlanta24 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 29, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic food and superb service as usual! The Lady Peas on the vegetable menu were out of this world! We also enjoyed the scallop ceviche, mussels, and blackened trout! Can’t wait to go back again!

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  9. ken

    Atlanta7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 27, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Great server and food is delicious and reliably consistent- I’ve been here before

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  10. Alyson

    Memphis / West Tennessee7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 24, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    From the moment we walked in the door, we felt welcomed and appreciated. Our server, DJ, was outstanding! He is extremely knowledgeable about all the dishes, differences in tastes and textures, and isn’t shy about recommendations. Our experience was a delight to all the senses, especially “taste”. Every plate was made with care. The octopus was SO flavorful, the blackened char flaked perfectly, and the lady peas side was boosted by the inclusion of blue crab. We look forward to dining here again.

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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 4.7 stars by 9278 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 99 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

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