The Optimist

Great energy and service. Some of the fish was prepared with too much oil and fried coating I could do without.. I like fresh fish with salt pepper and a touch of oil mostly...

Fried oystes were awesome though! And so were their specialty drinks!

The food and atmosphere were perfect! Ordered the roasted oyster to start - simply AMAZING and a must whenever I return. The staff was friendly and attentive as well.

Excellent Food & Service, atmosphere was awesome. It’s pricey.

always a good choice for seafood in atlanta! love it here

Food has been better in the past... went for a special occasion and it just wasn't that special.

The best time! Always a great experience. Will be back soon!

I visited The Optimist for the first time two nights ago and it was an amazing experience. I’m doing the Whole 30 diet (so am basically a server’s nightmare...), but our server Kaila was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and worked with me to curate a delicious dining experience. The food was phenomenal.
I work in the service industry, so I know good service. Kaila brought GREAT service and was a total sweetheart too. I will be back!

I dined with my 16 year-old son who loves food as much as I do. The oysters were outstanding. All of our food was amazing. We will definintely return to try other dishes. The Optimist is a must for seafood lovers.

The Optimist has been on my list for a long time! I haven’t been back to Atlanta in 8 years, so this was at the top of my list to visit! The whole shrimp a la plancha was delicious! The soggy toast was amazing. It soaked up all those wonderful flavors! The buttered bread rolls that we got were THE BEST rolls I’ve ever had. So buttery and it melted in my mouth. I wish I ordered some more! The Maine lobster roll was so refreshing and of course, the buttered roll was delicious. I bow down to you guys — bread masters! Overall, it was an amazing experience and I can’t wait to come back again next time I’m in Atlanta!

Even though we had a reservation, we had to wait 30 minutes for a table. What’s the point of making a reservation if you still have to wait?
The food was excellent and our waitress was very nice.
Drinks and food are expensive but worth it, the place is great for a nice occasion or date- will definitely go back.

We enjoyed an amazing dinner with wonderful, safe and covid-conscious service! We will definitely return.

A night out with excellent food, drinks and service.

INCREDIBLE

The Optimist was a recommendation from a boutique owner we met in Nashville actually. And it truly did not disappoint. I let them know we were out celebrating my 35th birthday, and they not only wished me a happy birthday when we arrived but also printed out a menu that said happy birthday on it too! Loved that personal touch. Our server was great; attentive and friendly - offering suggestions not only on our meal, but also what to do while we were visiting in Atlanta. And then the food - TO DIE FOR. Everything we had was excellent. We ordered The Optimist cold platter with oysters, peelneat shrimp, white fish dip, ceviche and crab. Then I ordered the Maine red lobster and my boyfriend ordered the red grouper. Followed by the almond cake with apples dessert! Would highly recommend to anyone visiting or living in ATL!

I can’t say enough about our server. She was very knowledgeable about the menu and gave great recommendations. It is fine dining so sides are extra and for the price, we figured we would just get a lobster roll to split alongside our entrees. (We are foodies and need to try all the things haha) We discussed sides with our server and I think she agreed our decision was the way to go but she still wanted us to try some of the sides so she attempted to get us a few samples but they ended up just bringing us a full portion on the house! Needless to say we were completely stuffed by the end but she also wanted us to have a little something extra for our anniversary so she brought us each a glass of a port/Prosecco concoction that was absolutely delicious! Overall we had an amazing experience and I look forward to more celebrations here!

Great service at the bar thank you!!!!!

Everything was phenomenal! Great wine, service, management, and place! 10/10 would recommend.

Always one of the best places in town. Food was great and felt very safe.

Great experience, awesome food. Will be back!

Amazing evening. The food was exceptional and the service was tremendous. I would highly recommend this place for a great meal.

We had a wonderful time. Loved the social distance. The food was delightful and our waitress had excellent wine recommendations.

My husband and I celebrated our anniversary there. Everyone made us feel very special. Can’t wait to return for our next date!

The socially distancing was the best I have experienced at any Atlanta restaurant. Food was amazing, as usual. Service was wonderful as well. I cannot wait to return!

As an avid traveler. Nothing better in Atlanta, food and service is on par with the best restaurants you have been to. Highly recommended....

I liked it so much! Very safety Covid rules! Professional stuff. Very tasty oysters

Food was great

The Shrimp a la Plancha is one of the most amazing dishes in the city.

Excellent service and food!! Would dine there again.

Wonderful food. Little bit of loud table next to us. Great experience overall.

We booked this reservation and confirmed without knowing masks were required. My boyfriend served in the army (as a Ranger) and has a medical condition and they still insisted on him wearing a mask so we had to sit outside. He was treated very unfair.

We will not be going back to this restaurant unless they remove this rediculous policy.

The food was good but not worth the hasle or the money.

Allison was a fantastic server for a much needed date night.

Amazing as always!!

We have been here before Covid. I felt bad for the review, but needed to be honest. The food was not good this time. Only one person ate their entree.
Service was excellent.

Cold air blowing on table, a server that seemed disinterested, terrible loud music and overpriced okay food. Also, unfriendly staff. Will not return.

Be prepared for a large tab, but it's very much worth it! Oysters, Entrées, Desserts, and Drinks were fantastic! Service was great! She was very attentive, but not overbearing. A pleasant way to celebrate my wife's birthday.

Absolute must!
Had to wait a little bit just because everybody is being cautious, nothing wrong with that. Our waitress was so nice and recommended all the right meals. Hush puppies were on the house which are so good. Squid and oysters were spot on.
Absolutely satisfied!!

Best seafood I've had in my 8 years of living in Atlanta.

The best raw oysters in Atlanta area!! Been to several places and these are by far the best!!

The best place to eat in Atlanta. The seafood all tastes fresh and the atmosphere makes for a perfect date night.

The food was delicious! We sat outside and felt safe and properly socially distanced. It was the perfect place to celebrate my father's 75th birthday!