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The Optimist, Atlanta, GA

The Optimist

4.7
4.7
9174 Reviews
$31 to $50
Seafood

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 75 times today
  • 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.

Order delivery or takeout

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
    Eddie Barrett
  • 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.
  • 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

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 9,174 people are saying

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
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Atlanta

    Seafood

  • Atlanta

    Seafood

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Optimist offers a delightful seafood dining experience in Atlanta. Guests rave about the "phenomenal" food, especially the oysters. The ambiance is vibrant, creating a perfect setting for celebrations. With "exceptional" service from knowledgeable staff like Amanda and Savannah, visitors leave satisfied and eager to return. Highly recommended for seafood enthusiasts seeking quality and creativity.
9,174 Reviews

  1. OpenTable Diner

    Charleston

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined today

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    One of the best meals I’ve had this year. Come if you have plenty of time.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Jovi

    Coastal Georgia

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great place to meet friends, good service, delicious food.

    Is this helpful?

  3. ROY

    VIP

    Atlanta

    196 reviews

    2.0

    196 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The bread service is spectacular. She crab soup was tasty

    Is this helpful?

  4. Julian

    Atlanta

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    as usual the food was amazing and our server amanda was incredible and friendly and made the evening even better

    Is this helpful?

  5. Christa

    New York City

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic night out with the family! Food was great!

    Is this helpful?

  6. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    I’ve dined here several times and have always enjoyed but this time the quality of the food was nothing like the food in the past. The presentation of the food made us chuckle. The opti old fashioned was served with small cubed ice, not to clown the bartender but any 15.00 dollar drink should be well prepared. The she crab soup had enough parsley for two bowls. The mahi mahi was served in a small bowl and it was one of the higher priced meals on the menu. I thought that I’d play it safe and order the burger and fries but that too was a disappointment as well. The key lime pie had a crust that we thought was candy because we had to break through it for each fork full. Sorry Optimist but you guys failed us last night.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Lindsey

    Atlanta

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful! The beets and strawberries were amazing, and the Mahi was killer. Shout out to Chef Tyson and Brett! Our server Damien was knowledgeable and unintrusive as we definitely took our time ordering/eating while catching up. We will be back!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Lynne

    VIP

    New York City

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food is amazing and our server Damien was incredibly attentive. I would give this restaurant ten stars if I could.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Gioo

    Seattle

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    It was ok. Glasses have lipstick marks on them. Food was delayed. Wine has glassy/sugary kind of residual on glass.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Laurel

    Atlanta

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Optimist is in my top three tier of Atlanta restaurants. I am a seafood lover. Ambiance ranges from chilled during Sunday happy hour to exuberant during later hours. Your choice!

    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 9174 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 75 times today

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, 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
    Eddie Barrett
  • 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.

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