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The Optimist, Atlanta, GA

The Optimist

4.7
4.7
9086 Reviews
$31 to $50
Seafood

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 112 times today
Experiences are available.
  • 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.

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

Experiences

  • Ring in the New Year with The Optimist!

    $125.00 per person

    Dec 31, 2024 only
    Spend this New Year’s Eve “coast-side” with a four-course, prix-fixe meal from executive chef Eddie Barrett! $125 per person with wine pairings available for an additional $45 per person. Premium wine pairing option available for $85 per person. Menu choices include tuna crudo, lobster & potato bisque, duck fat poached swordfish, special desserts and more! Preview the menu here: https://bit.ly/optinye2024

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 9,086 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
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Atlanta Metro

    Seafood

  • Atlanta

    Seafood

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Optimist is a seafood lover's paradise, celebrated for its "amazing food" and "exceptional service." Diners rave about the "freshest oysters" and "outstanding hospitality," making it an ideal spot for special occasions. While some find prices high, the "vibrant atmosphere" and consistent quality make it a must-visit.

9,086 Reviews

  1. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and beautiful presentation. Great seafood and’s nice ambiance

    Is this helpful?

  2. Annie

    Atlanta Metro

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We came to celebrate my fiancé’s birthday. They were able to accommodate us with a booth request. They had a special menu with the words ‘happy birthday’ on his menu, cute touch. Our server, Brett, was phenomenal. Every dish we ordered he explained to the T, so no unknown surprises. He saw I was taking photos and grabbed another candle for me! Great experience once again. We love coming here and can’t wait for next years new menu! Cheers!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Ana

    VIP

    Atlanta Metro

    22 reviews

    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing, per usual. Sat at the bar and had great service. The food was flavorful.

    Is this helpful?

  4. jonathan

    Atlanta Metro

    24 reviews

    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was great! This is our second time dining at this establishment. We know the menu alters but we definitely miss the crab claw appetizer.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Amanda

    VIP

    Atlanta Metro

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Great dinner out with friends. Food was fantastic!! Highly recommend!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Brandon

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 4
    I have dined at The Optimist many times and have always appreciated the great food and good service. Unfortunately, my most recent visit was profoundly disappointing and left me appalled. Midway through our dining experience, the manager, Mark, approached our table and asked us to leave. He explained that the host had reported feeling "inappropriately touched" by my friend when we were being seated. As a direct witness to the interaction, I can confidently say that this accusation was entirely unfounded. My friend had briefly touched the host's shoulder while politely asking for the location of the restroom before taking his seat—a gesture that was nothing more than a standard, respectful interaction. I attempted to explain the situation to Mark and defend my friend, but he was unwilling to listen or consider any perspective beyond that of the host. While I fully support a workplace where staff feel safe and respected, this situation was handled in a way that was not only reactive but also deeply humiliating. Mark's approach—escalating the issue without fully understanding the context—was unprofessional and unnecessarily confrontational. The public embarrassment caused by this ordeal was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It felt as though the host and Mark had decided to target us without justification, leaving us shocked and deeply offended. Given how this situation was handled, I will not be returning to The Optimist. I strongly urge upper management to thoroughly investigate this incident. A manager in Mark's position should be capable of addressing concerns thoughtfully and with a level of professionalism that ensures all parties feel heard and respected.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Andrew

    VIP

    Atlanta Metro

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food. Service is exceptional. The Christmas ambiance is everywhere.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Luna

    New Jersey

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent experience. Food was delightful. Beautiful decor for a date night. Great quality. One complaint was that the seats were a little too close together. Conversations couldn’t be private for real. There was enough noise however to keep us focused on each other.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Shamika

    New York City

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Incredible service and food! I highly recommend this restaurant.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Kristie

    VIP

    Atlanta Metro

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 2
    Hi we enjoyed our time amThe Optimist. Quality of ingredients was exceptional. However, every dish but the raw seafood was so rich it was hard to enjoy beyond the first bite. Every dish from the entrees to the bread was coated or infused with so much butter it was hard to enjoy beyond the noise level in the main room is also too much to enjoy such a nice meal.

    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 9086 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 112 times today
Experiences are available.

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.

Featured in

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