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The Optimist, Atlanta, GA

The Optimist

4.8
4.8
8946 Reviews
$31 to $50
Seafood
  • Lively
  • Good for special occasions
  • 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.

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2 people
19:00
Booked 106 times today

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
    Brandon Hughes
  • 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.
  • Private party contact
    our Private Event Coordinator : (404) 355-5311 ext. 212
  • 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 8,946 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

8,946 Reviews

  1. Lucy

    Western NC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Awesome food and service. Our table location was not ideal but ok. Expensive but worth it. Definitely would go again.

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  2. Paul

    Atlanta Metro

    28 reviews

    4.0

    28 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great service. Side dishes, salads and desserts were delicious. Fish main entree was just ok. Fish was hard coated with bread crumbs. The texture reminded me of frozen fish square at the grocery store.

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  3. Toni

    Atlanta Metro

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The waitstaff was wonderful food was outstanding.

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  4. Brent

    Toronto

    47 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    47 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Wonderful food, excellent service and a very nice ambiance.

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  5. Todd

    New York City

    1 review

    vip
    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Another average restaurant in ATL. Nothing that stands out to make this better than average. Service was excellent, but the overall value is not.

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  6. Cassandra

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Customer service from start to finish was exceptionally amazing food was 10 out of 10 great vibe lovely staff amazing experience overall tryout the redfish and basmati rice amazing great wine selection as well

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  7. Lisa

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Food was enjoyable. Service was very very slow. We did not get our food until after an hour of ordering. Wait staff was not attentive.

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  8. Brad

    Mississippi

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service. Food not so great! My husband and I celebrated our 25th anniversary four years ago at The Optimist, the food was excellent and we always recommended to our friends and family. We moved from Atlanta in 2021. Visited our son this past weekend, definitely wanted to go back The Optimist, unfortunately, the food was a big disappointment.

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  9. kevin

    Chicago

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Service an atmosphere was very good. The rolls were a tad salty for me. I had the peel and eat shrimp appetizer chilled. One was very mushy and not cold the rest were good. I guess they put old base seasoning on them which is new to me but I like it. Main dish I chose the lobster and it didn’t taste anything like The good lobster I know from back home. No drawn butter and for $46 you would think the lobster could’ve been a little bigger since they don’t do any sides with anything. Then get the hush puppies as a additional side which were different compared to what I’m used to but in a good way. Dessert was this blueberry pancake croquet thing which was good and different.

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  10. Joshua

    Atlanta Metro

    158 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    158 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Despite the competition, The Optimist remains packed on weekends with a young and fashionable crowd (although a reservation was easy to snag early in the week). My date and I enjoy a flight of apps when we don't see anything that grabs us on the entrees, so thats what we did and were particularly pleased with the Plancha Shrimp and Crispy potatoes. The bread service (hot salted rolls) was the most memorable dish and it seems we may have been there on an off night as service was harried and disjointed. I will be back but this was my least satisfying meal at a higher end joint in some time. And watch out for the Valet, bring cash or share your cell and CC.

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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 4.8 stars by 8946 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 106 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
    Brandon Hughes
  • 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.
  • Private party contact
    our Private Event Coordinator : (404) 355-5311 ext. 212

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