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The Optimist, Atlanta, GA

The Optimist

4.8
4.8
8971 Reviews
$31 to $50
Seafood

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 114 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Lively
  • Good for business meals
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 17:00–22:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–23:00
  • 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
  • Area
    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, Takeaway, Wine

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Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 8,971 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Atlanta Metro

    Seafood

  • Atlanta

    Seafood

  • Atlanta

    Most Booked

8,971 Reviews

  1. Zeferino

    San Francisco

    15 reviews

    4.0

    15 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Nice noisy place, more for friends than for a date.

    Is this helpful?

  2. LeahD

    Nashville

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely service and surroundings. The food was complex and delicious. Definitely want to come back again when I’m in Atlanta again.

    Is this helpful?

  3. EmilyD

    Baltimore

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The oysters were fantastic. I think the only issue that I have is that the hush puppies and my scallops came out cold. She crab soup also wasn’t my favorite. Food was good otherwise and our waiter was fantastic for happy hour and the meal.

    Is this helpful?

  4. shannon

    Atlanta Metro

    8 reviews

    3.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    The food was good. Entrees took a long time. Waited 15 minutes for a glass of wine. Hush puppies weren’t warm. Ive had great food experiences here before. Tonight wasn’t one of them.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Josh

    Orlando

    20 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    20 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    The appetizers were all GREAT! The entrees were all marginally ok; a group of 7 people with varying items all felt the same way; nothing stood out and there were issues(cold burger, overly salty scallops, flavorless and hard halibut). Not a good look. Desserts were solid especially the chocolate cake. For wine enthusiasts, look elsewhere for variety. Good affordable price points but nothing stood out. Likely won’t return.

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  6. Robert

    Coastal Georgia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing restaurant. The Halibut cheeks were out of this world.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Brian

    New York City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great place. Love the environment and service. The food is always the best

    Is this helpful?

  8. Clifton

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    The service was great however the food was not. The lobster roll was very rubbery and the swordfish was extremely dry. Probably won’t return. The fresh oysters and hush puppies were good though.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Linda

    Atlanta Metro

    51 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    51 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great dinner at the optimist! Loved the Thai inspired mussels! Oysters were great. Lobster and Red Fish delicious. Had the hush puppies - taste like beignets! Good service great food!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Sonia

    Miami

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 25 September 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The oyster bar is AMAZING! The service is outstanding. The food was delicious. Everyone was super nice and paid attention to details. Great experience.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

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

The Optimist is rated 4.8 stars by 8971 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 114 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Optimist

914 Howell Mill Rd., Atlanta, GA 30318

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    8th Street
  • Area
    West Midtown
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 17:00–22:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–23:00
  • 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, Takeaway, 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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