The Optimist Reviews

Stormy, Brittany, everyone behind the oyster bar and actually the entire staff of The Optimist was on point 👌. They all give 5 star service and they help give this restaurant to be in my opinion the best in Atlanta. They are AWESOME!!!

My wife and I and friends had dinner at Optimist restaurant in Atlanta, the ambience was nice and the food was ok. I had one of the worst meals every in a restaurant they considered a high rating. My Ahi tuna was the worst I every had in which I should had sent it back, so maybe I was part of the problem, but then again they should not have presented something so awful. My tuna had so much fat in it for a pricey meal that they should had known better. My wife ask me not to make a scene but I should had said politely, this tuna is not up to my standard. Sometime you fear some kind of retaliation with not knowing what you order next, could they have did something to your food. Austin the waiter was excellent, they will be another restaurant in Atlanta I will scratch off my list

Seafood is fresh and made to order. The hosts/hostesses are very friendly and are very accommodating to those with dietary needs. The front of the restaurant has an adorable putting area for the kids while you wait.

I guess we had very high expectations. We went for lunch (birthday) and I ordered the Lobster Roll and daughter got the Shrimp PoBoy. I've had Lobster Rolls in many restaurants. I just wasn't that impressed here. It's really a 'salad' with lots of celery and way too much dill. (I prefer my lobster plain...) The Shrimp POBoy was fine, but again, nothing out-of-this-world. The service was rather slow. We had a reservation for 11:30 and luckily, daughter's 1 PM meeting was moved to 2, because we would never have made it. (Granted the restaurant was pretty full, so maybe there weren't enough staff people? Don't know...) Daughter also had the She-crab Soup, which was quite tasty and we shared the Lemon 'Pie' which was the highlight of the meal. With no drinks, and only 1 appetizer and dessert, the bill was $69!!!! Sorry this is for 2 people for LUNCH! Just don't think it was worth it...

Guys, I do not know how to explain how fantastic this restaurant was. The food was amazing. The server, kevin was fantastic.Everything we experienced there was on point. At a table of five we enjoyed a variety of what was offered, and everybody raved for hours. I could not expect less from a former. Auburn, alumna. But I have to say it was impressive. Beyond that, they address my gluten allergies and felt like I was well taken care of in that respect. Great job!

This was our second visit to The Optimist and it was just as wonderful as the first. my husband ordered the "Starving Man" plateau and RAVED about it for a week. It was amazing. Wonderful food, atmosphere and service. Just make sure to make reservations in advance!

Our road trip started in Atlanta, with the outstanding Miller Union, via the best restaurants in Savannah, Charleston, Santa Fe, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Albuquerque, and finished in Atlanta with the exceptional The Optimist. We were lucky enough to have the delightful Portia as our server, who pointed us towards the best oysters and introduced us to the delight of Hush Puppies. The oysters were perfect, and the peeling shrimp from Savannah were exquisite. We both had the lobster roll, which was memorable. We come from Shetland and think we have the best lobsters on the planet, but the sweetness of this lobster in an almost brioche roll was extraordinary. An excellently priced Muscadet was the perfect accompaniment to a wonderful last dinner.

We were a party of something like 20 people, and were seated "semi-private" which was fine - basically, we took up an entire wall of tables. The food was excellent in both taste and presentation, and although we were introduced to two servers for the tables at the beginning of the meal, there were significantly more people running back and forth to make sure our drinks were kept coming, and that our food arrived hot and at approximately the same time!

This restaurant came highly recommended by a real "foody" friend so we had high expectations. We started with the Shrimp a la Plancha. The menu says "messy but worth it" and I would disagree. Good sized shrimp (head and all) and the sauce was really good, but it was unbelievably difficult to peel the shrimp when covered in the sauce. We needed 3 napkins just to get through. It comes on a bed of "sopping bread" which was frankly the best part. The lobster roll was excellent, fresh and perfectly dressed. The scallops looked good but were underdone. Nice location and good cocktails.

We had a great evening at the Optimist. Austin was our waiter, he was charming, knowledgeable, made excellent recommendations and everything was timed to perfection. Our food was fresh and prepared perfectly. From the Grouper to the Lobster Rolls. The Hush Puppies are to die for. It was just.an all around upbeat and wonderful evening. Thank you Austin from all the Nurses!

I deliberated over whether or not to share my less than adequate dinner experience at this formerly stellar establishment. I decided to publish this negative review so that others will not be shortchanged when dropping the serious bank that admittance to The Optimist requires. We had an early reservation. The place was empty, since we were first in. Yet our table was the one closest to the servers’ kitchen entrance/exit. I found myself staring at the staff flirting with each other, dropping things, cleaning them up, and all about 10 ft away. This was not relaxing. If it wasn’t Siberia...one must wonder what Siberia in this place is like. The bench I sat on had seen better days to put it kindly. Why? You’d think at a place where you pay to see and be seen...the scenery would not be tattered. My $8 a piece scallops. Yep. That’s the price. Were so salty...so VERY salty...as to be almost inedible. But because our server was nice I said nothing. although personally I found her to be kind of stunningly aggressive- (like, save the pushy but lovable broad routine for your acting class, not my big expensive dinner reservation). Here’s the good: the a la carte side of grits with feta, corn, and dill. So good. The lobster roll I found cloying with its overly rich brioche. After the really delicious but overly rich bread course. You ate much better off at Ford Fry’s other great eateries just 10 blocks North on Howell Mill - JCT Kitchen for THE best fried chicken - or Marcel for old school steak house. Maybe it was an off night at The Optimist. But for those prices? Why find out.

The food was great, the ambiance was great, service was great. I wish they had steamed or baked oysters on the menu, they were all raw. When we mentioned this to the waitress she mentioned an off menu item where the oysters were steamed with seaweed, sea salt, and parmigiana and it was great.

A Google search turned up this delicious seafood restaurant located in a funky area just outside of downtown. Due to the pandemic, we chose to eat outside. The vibe was great — tiki torches, Adirondack chairs and a putting hole. We especially appreciated the awning that kept us dry during a brief shower. The meal was fabulous. Highlights included the snapper crudo, hush puppies, tomato salad, and beau soleil oysters. Service was friendly and professional. Highly recommend.

Was taken here on a business dinner. First the beers are small for the price. The food was extremely expensive with small portions and no sides. I ordered the halibut, the fish was over cooked and nearer cold than warm when it arrived at the table. The only redeeming thing was the oysters they were excellent. Not recommended.

Drinks and oysters were our reason for stopping by, but the manager came out to chat with us so we ended up having dinner - get the octopus! It’s so good! Staff and food are always good here. I just moved into an apartment close by so I can walk over.

Great place to relax and enjoy wonderful cocktails and amazing seafood! Dinner rolls are the bomb “no really the best ever” Gumbo was perfect and scallops were perfection! They have an oyster bar to die for all kinds of fresh oysters from small to large! Putting green on patio

Was picking my husband up from the airport and wanted a great dining experience to reconnect. Wow. We picked a wonderful place. Food was very good. But our waitress, Portia, was fabulous. Engaging, friendly, attentive without being intrusive. Nice wine list.

The food ‘looked’ good, but it was horrible. The hush puppies were raw in the middle, the gumbo was like soup, the raw oysters made us sick later that night! The lobster roll and the lemon pie were just ok. The only thing that was great was the strawberry ice cream! After spending $300 for three adults we were extremely disappointed. Never again!

We had a 7 pm reservation on a Sunday night we were seated promptly and offered water and bread instantly! Service was attentive and pleasant The octopus app was the best dish we ordered - we ordered the mahi crudo (outstanding) a variety of oysters ( delicious and educational) the she crab soup (very tasty) and we both ordered the halibut as our main and I have never eaten a better prepared piece of it! Food was hot and tasty- our best meal in Atlanta by far

We had a wonderful experience at The Optimist! The atmosphere is upscale casual & the wait staff was knowledgeable & friendly! The food is spectacular! The sides are served family style & entree portions are just right! You will not regret dining here! We can’t wait to go back!

I'm not from ATL and had never heard of The Optimist, so I went in without any expectations. Everything I had was fantastic - and not at all fishy - very fresh. Oysters were exceptional, the apps and soup were even better (although the shrimp a la plancha was a bit messy!), the halibut and lobster rolls were phenomenal and the drinks and desserts were one of a kind. Best meal of my trip.

My wife and I have had dinner and lunch at the Optimists probably 10 times since they opened. It had been about 8-10 months since we last ate here, so we went back Saturday night with high expectations. We were disappointed by the service. We sat at the bar, and there was plenty of staff, but nobody was interested. Over an hour and a half we had two drinks and a plate of oysters and shrimp served by 3 different people, with lots of waiting in between. And the bar was by no means crowded. Several open seats on both sides of us. It also seems like the prices have increased quite a bit. Tired of waiting, and since we arrived at 8:30 and it was 10 after the appetizers, we decided just to leave before ordering mains that might show up who knows what time. That was disappointing.....

The best seafood experience anyone could hope for in Atlanta, and one of the best around the world! From the get-go, the setting strikes you almost as though you were entering one of those amazing lighthouses we see in movies. The staff is super friendly, and the service is simply great. The oysters are a must-try, and a mere twist of lemon is enough to bring out the taste of the sea, which can be beautifully paired with a white wine. Try the Spanish Octopus in brava sauce! For crab-lovers, the soup is a must-try and if you are lucky enough to be served by the lovely Kasha, your experience will be even better. Tip: The Optimist offers a "Oyster Happy Hour" every weekday between 5pm and 6pm, during which you can order a baker's dozen for an incredibly reduced price.

Kyla and the team provided outstanding hospitality. Oysters on the half shell with house made saltines.. delicious! The octopus and Branzino were prepared perfectly. The ambiance perfect and we appreciate the optimism layered through the experience. I hope I spelled Kyla’s name correctly, please send our thanks to her again for a delightful experience.

My wife and I have driven by The Optimist for a while and have been meaning to try it out. We saw some of the reviews and it wasn’t really that high on our list. Well I must tell you, we were so wrong! The Optimist has a lot to offer. The atmosphere was wonderful and inviting. We dined during the early evening and the restaurant was dimly light. The were a lot of couples but the restaurant is family friendly. Our waitress Alissa D was very warm and inviting. She took her time to provide us with some suggestions since this was our first visit. If you enjoy Oysters, please try the Momma Mia’s. They were very delicious and as we were told, they are a really popular dish. I really love calamari and In my humble opinion, The Optimist has by far the best calamari in Atlanta. This was perfectly cooked and had just the right texture. It was not rubbery or hard. My main course was the Duck Fat poached Swordfish. This dish was sinfully delicious and the sweet potato side dish was wonderful. My wife had the Monk fish and brussel sprouts. Her meal was equally delicious. I am so sorry we didn’t dine here at the Optimist sooner. We were so impressed with this restaurant we will have to dine there again soon. Please do not take our word for it, please go and try it for yourself and you will be glad you did. If you like more of an oyster bar setting, they have a wonderful oyster bar as you walk in.

Kyla was outstanding at the bar. Friendly and efficient service throughout our meal. Oysters on the half shell with house made hot sauce and saltines! Yum yum The Spanish octopus was tender and flavorful paired beautifully with the capers and mustard seed. The Tom Kha style Branzino was absolutely delicious and we had a little fun with him before Kyla took care of us. Thank you Optimist for a welcoming ambiance and polished staff. We will be back as soon as possible. Thank you!

You walk into the oyster and shell fish bar- and it has a welcoming feel- my husband is not big on any crustacean so we walked on by- but I would have gladly stayed there awhile, The restaurant itself has a soaring ceiling that dwarfs the eaters but because there is a lot of wood , it doesn't feel sterile- quite the contrary. We were beautifully taken care of from start to finish- with suggestions, warmth and efficiency- wish I remembered her name. The food was carefully done and everything was delicious. The chicken dish was perfect- lightly sauced and the meat plump and not dry ( hard with a chicken breast)- My she crab soup was rich but not over rich and the portion was easily split for two of us to have more than enough- the salad was truly crisp and we loved the dressing. Two of us had the lobster roll- it was very good but I wouldnt do it again- too much roll and not quite enough lobster= you know, I think I am spoiled from having a lot of lobster rolls in Maine where the lobster overflows and is so juicy and sweet- shouldn't really have ordered it.. It was good- but not in the same class as what I have had in Maine Desserts were fantastic. I really think this is a great restaurant- and I gather there are others in the south. Don't know if they are exactly as good as this one- but given my experience here, I would try them out wherever they turn up. We just had a great evening

My wife and I were both impressed with the facilities, the servers, and the food. The Gumbo and the She Crab soups were both very good. The Lobster Roll and fries were very good. Think we have found a new spot to go to.

Atlanta has become a food scene...The Optimist is a fun vibrant seafood restaurant. They have $1 oysters and a dozen “bakers” chef’s choice oysters for $12 for happy hour but be timely 5-6 pm. But you can enjoy the oysters anytime. We enjoyed the Spanish octopus and Duck Fat poached Swordfish. The Ajo blanco and almonds complimented the octopus. Looking forward to going back and trying more! There were so many starters and entrees to try.

Came in for the Oyster Happy Hour (3pm-5pm) on a Sunday and had a great time with friends. Had a "baker's dozen" Oysters on the half shell for $12.00. Good beer selection as well. If you like oysters - I would recommend coming in during their Happy Hour as it's a great value!

The Optimist has been one of our favorite special occasion spots for dinner. Decided to try a special lunch on Memorial Day. Made reservations on Open Table and arrived right on time and we were told we did not have a reservation. I showed the hostess my phone where it actually said "now dining". No apology she just said I'll find you a table. At 1:00 it was 1/2 full so my wife and I were seated right next to another couple, and we politely asked if we could have a table by ourselves. Just don't understand why you would seat us so close when the restaurant was empty. Had a Bloody Mary with no imagination. Very bland, no salted rim. My wife had a grilled shrimp poboy with 5 shrimp on it. Mostly bread. What was there was tasty but for $18 just underwhelming. I had the tuna poke which was great tasting but the serving was like an appetizer. Fish chowder was also good but a very small portion. Overall just a bad experience. We've never spent $100 on a lunch before. Both left still hungry which is unacceptable. Hate to say it, but I can't imagine returning to a place that reeks elitism and pretentiousness.

We were visiting (from Europe) a nephew at Georgia Tech so the meal was a special one! The table was reserved a few days' prior and we arrived a few minutes early and waited for our nephew outside. There was a kind of courtyard with outdoor seating and we were offered a glass of water - it was a hot sticky afternoon so it was very welcome! We were given a large table for the three of us, and the seating was a corner bench. The wine list was good but no Zinfandel! My favourite. I had a glass of Riesling and my husband a stout type beer. The waitress brought some delicous sweet, soft rolls for us. We ordered the spanish octopus to share as a starter. And half a dozen oysters. The octopus was delicious as were the oysters. We each ordered fish for main course, the mahi mahi, the snapper and halibut. To accompany we ordered hushpuppies and the asparagus. All the food was delicious and well cooked, the server was very attentive and carefully explained the dishes to us. The restaurant has a very modern vibe, more european perhaps then american. It was busy but we were still able to have a converstation. I would certainly return if I ever go back to Atlanta, it is one of the best restaurants I have ever visited in the US.

We had a great lunch here yesterday! When the hostess seated us and observed that we were all wearing dark skirts or shorts, she immediately switched our white napkins for black ones. Our server Michael was attentive without hovering or being intrusive. Our service was excellent and very professional. We love the atmosphere as well. Now to the food. I had the she crab soup which was one of the best versions that I have had, followed by their delicious lobster roll. Yes it is pricey, but it is loaded with lobster and tossed in a very light dressing, not bogged down by mayonnaise. The roll was toasted perfectly. My son had the burger, which has been rated one of the best in Atlanta, and he agreed. We will definitely be back.

My dinner at the optimist started out amazing. The atmosphere and service were wonderful. I was enjoying myself until it got to waiting for my entrée. I looked around and saw all the other people who would come before me receiving their food quickly. I looked at the time and 20 minutes had passed. I started to wonder where my food was? Finally it came. It was an average lobster roll. My partner enjoyed the halibut which was hot. Finally when a manager did come by my table and asked me how my meal was I did say it took 20 minutes between my appetizer and entrée to receive my food. Normally in this kind of situation a check might be adjusted. Or the manager might return with apologies and comp drinks. But nothing was done. Our server did acknowledge she was sorry I did not know why the food took so long. I don’t think I’ll be going back for more.

If you are looking for seafood, THIS IS THE PLACE! I'm obsessed with The Optimist. Great quality Seafood, creative dishes and friendly staff

Best seafood in ATL for sure, but honestly I’ve not had better in any other city. Menu changes daily and produce is always fresh. Service is great and the drinks menu is vast. Had the octopus and swordfish… and both were perfection.

We recently visited The Optimist in Atlanta, drawn by the promise of their advertised “ dollar oyster” happy hour from 5-6. Upon arrival, however, we were surprised to find the price was actually $1.75 per oyster. Not a huge difference at first glance, but it felt misleading, given they prominently list the deal at a dollar both online and on the menu. Despite already feeling misled, we decided to give it chance since we paid for valet parking. We ordered 2 dozen oysters. Unfortunately, the oysters themselves were a letdown- not only were they thin and small, but they didn’t seam particularly fresh or flavorful. For what ended up being a $50-$60 tab with just water we expected a far better experience. While the service was adequate, the overall experience left a bad taste. It felt like a bait-and-switch to get patrons in the door and spending more than anticipated. We won’t be back

Four of us had dinner at the Optimist in Atlanta and really enjoyed the experience. The atmosphere is the ubiquitous “modern Industrial” type of thing, but it’s very open and pleasant. Not too noisy. The food was creatively prepared and heavily slanted to seafood. They cook most things in their wood oven, which is a great approach with most fish. Turbot, swordfish and mahi were all great. The fried rice is fantastic! Only downside is the price. $200 for 4 with little alcohol.

The food and drink very very good. The service was excellent. I loved the watermelon salad and octopus. My friend said the scallops were outstanding. The peach salad was wonderful was with peaches and cucumbers. Will be back.

Just fabulous. Amazing food, service, ambience and cocktails! Now one of my favorite spots on the planet. Go! Go now!

What a place!! Seafood lovers take note! DO NOT VISIT ATLANTA AND MISS THIS PLACE!!! Great atmosphere, great service, great drinks and awesome seafood!!! We had a great time and I finished the Kraken!!! It felt a little like a challenge from Man Versus Food and perhaps it’s better to share this one but I loved every minute of my time here and can’t wait to visit again!! To all of the good people at The Optimist, thank you for the memories and keep up the great work!!

We heard about the restaurant from an Atlantan native during our recent visit. Our dinner there was truly unforgettable. The dishes were unique and delicious. The service was friendly. If you're a foodie, definitely check this restaurant out.

We finally got reservations to the Optimist over the holiday season. They have a bar that you can sit at and order food and drinks. We had a drink here before the dining room opened. Once inside, service was excellent. We ordered one course at a time and had a leisurely meal. Fresh oysters, She crab soup were good. Lobster roll had too much dill for me to recommend it. Our entrees were snapper, swordfish, and steak. They were all good but not exceptional. Nice wine list, a lot of French wines. The open dining room had a lot of energy. I would go back for a special occasion.

The food was fantastic, and the menu makes it easy to over order. The apps were all amazing, perhaps too good! I was full by the time dinner came and had to get it to go. I will absolutely be back!

Best: wood fired oysters and the buttery yeast rolls. Good but not particularly inventive: Scallops and Halibut. Less Good: kale salad with chorizo - way too salty. Bad: No vegan/dairy free desserts (except sorbet, which is a cop out). Wine: list decent, enough wines by the glass. Atmosphere: a little loud but nice. Service: Okay - this is team-based service, which is slow (especially getting drinks) and things get missed.

I ate at the bar my evening there as a walk-in but I would recommend making reservations for a table. From the hostess stand, to the bartender and bar backs, every employee acknowledged me and had a genuine interaction with me. Besides the absolutely delicious and creative kale and arugula salad I had, this was a notable standout to me as truly good consistent service is hard to find these days especially post-Pandemic. High kudos to the management of this establishment. Mac the bartender provided me fantastic recommendations and was spot on about the highlights of the dishes I selected that evening. He and his colleagues behind the bar provided the PERFECT level of service. I ended up taking a kale salad to go for the following day, as it was that delicious. Other reviews highlight the food, and my experience was delicious as well as enjoying the tuna crudo, but this establishment makes going out to eat an enjoyable experience with the absence of the phrase "it was good except for....."

If you enjoy Seafood, then you much visit this restaurant when you are in Atlanta. The food is well done and tasty.

Chanced upon this place on a recent trip to Atlanta, and what a meal. The ambience is light, comforting industrial that provided both openness and warmth on a dreary evening. The drinks are great. The service so unbelievably quick, it was as if the staff read my mind before i actually placed my order. I got the duck fat braised sword fish that sits on a sampling of short rib....rich & decadent, yes....but the portion size is just perfect. Finished the night with a chocolate tart and it was divine!

Not sure what all the raves are about. Lets start with the good. The place is architecturally interesting. The drinks we had were very good. The potatoes side was the best thing on the menu. Now the bad. Second round of drinks took 30+ min to arrive. Sides came 25 min after the mains, literally after we were done. And they delivered the wrong ones. Lobster roll was average at best. The seafood chowder was horrible. No seafood! And super salty. It was a rice and chives mix. Thats about it. The rice side was inedible. Lots of people walking around that work there but apparently none delivering our food or drinks. They did apologize for the sides and took them off our check. We won't be back.

I went to dinner on January 5th and left my car with the Optimist branded valet. When I requested my car, the valet came with it and indicated that my car was broken into while in their possession. The valet immediately jumped on the phone before I could even respond. I asked if he called police and he said "No, I'm talking with my manager". After he got off he said "My manager says we won't pay for anything and avoided me". I then spoke with the manager of the Optimist that evening and corresponded with afterwards asking for them to make things right. No help there either. Very frustrating and disappointing.

Food was really good, small portions though which I appreciated. Loved the dish I had. We also had dessert and it wasn’t disappointing either.

My expectations were sky high for this one, so this probably effects my rating. I pondered 5 star. Great selection of oysters, creative dishes, good flavor. So maybe it is a 5. But for whatever reason it didn't blow me away the way a 5 should. The drinks/wine were good, not great. Our server was good, not great. So despite all the components being very good, they didn't come across as great. So go here, just have appropriate expectations.

Our dinner was amazing. First of all Amanda our waitress was FANTASTIC!!! So friendly, and helpful. Truly, the best service I’ve had in years. She really made the experience!! Now, let’s talk about the food…DELICIOUS. I had the shecrab soup which came with some type of shrimp fried thing I don’t even know what it was but i ate every crumb. We also had the scallops and some oysters…., so good. The potatoes were delicious as well, but the hush puppies are out of this world. Order them!!! Just do it. They are so good, order two orders if there are more than two of you. Would highly recommend. We had an amazing meal from start to finish and ask for Amanda’s section. When I come back to Atlanta I will be coming back. I will show up hungrier because it is so much food!

I cannot review food at this restaurant because though it took my reservation Super Bowl weekend, when we arrived it was closed for a private party. The hostess was less than helpful and downright rude considering it was THEIR ERROR. I heard how great it was but I am less than impressed to say the least. No matter how good the food is they SUCK.

OK, I love this whole trend that repurposes old industrial facilities making them cool entertainment establishments. Entering this restaurant you get a really lively inviting feel. You first notice the outdoors seating area that when the weather cools off a bit will be filled with guests. Walking past the Oyster Bar, we made our way to the bar bar and were met by the smiling faces of Rachel and Courtney. You want to be met by those two. They were very helpful and friendly. Forget the table, we're sitting with those two! Next, Michael and James helped us with a wine choice for dinner and who would have ever thought of a Pinot Noir Rose? Perfect with our meal! Start with oysters...they're kind of know by them so worth the "starter" time. Next, I'm not a big Swordfish fan because of the dry meatiness of that fish but the Duck Fat Poached Swordfish was without a doubt the moistest Swordfish I've ever had. My friend's Mahi Mahi was equally good. (Both of which paired nicely with our Sinskey Pinot!) Then Jamie convinced us to move into the dessert menu of which the Blueberry Pudding Cake was a really nice way to cap off the evening. What a great team behind the bar. They really make you feel like a regular. For sure, give this place a try!

we have been twice now and I must say it is one of the better experiences dining out the food was on point and the service was attentive and friendly.. Thank you

This restaurant was a very pleasant surprise. We had a large group which they accommodated and we loved everything we tried! From the bread rolls to the halibut we had a great meal!

First time at this place and it was a good experience. The waiter was very good and accurate with the info at hand. Good recommendations on the food options and the first timer’s request for an oyster. Order to table was about (12-15) minutes, food temp was warm-hot, quantity of food was decent. It was a Saturday around 6pm and it was starting to get busy, I recommend reservations. They have park that valet takes care of for about 6$. Not a bad place if you’re craving oysters. A decent place if you’re looking for a restaurant to try for the first time.

From the crudos to the mains, seafood stands out here. Had a nice selection of oysters and calamari to start then totally enjoyed the mahi mahi main course.

My wife and I celebrated our anniversary here and man let me tell you it did not disappoint!! We started with the mussels which was the best we’ve ever had and then got to our entrees. She had the halibut and fried potatoes and I had the redfish with the braised greens which was so delicious I can’t even begin to describe how good it was. We also had the hush puppies which were so very good and then I topped it off with the key lime pie which was a little too tart, but still decent. This is a place you can’t visit frequently because of the price, but for a date or a special occasion you can’t go wrong. Also, I highly recommend the Old Fashioned the best I’ve had by far!!

Wow! This was some of, if not the best seafood I have ever had! I was impressed when the waitress immediately asked as if we had any dietary restrictions, to which I informed her that I was gluten free. She made suggestions and helped guide me in my ordering. They have an extensive oyster menu. It was my first time trying raw oysters, and I was a little bit worried, but they were actually pretty good. I've had cooked oysters that had a fishy taste to them before, but there was none of that here! The raw ones were good, but the roasted ones were amazingly delicious! The roasted ones come with bread crumbs, but our waitress made sure to split the order with some without breadcrumbs for my gluten-free request. the roasted oysters were so good, we ordered a second round of them, and the chef forgot to remove the bread crumbs from half, so we ended up getting three more essentially on the house. And then...the fish was to die for! My husband had the red snapper, and he found it to be amazing. I had the duck fat poached swordfish, and it was absolutely amazing served atop a bed of juicy, slow-cooked shredded short rib meat and a puree of celeriac. The swordfish itself was so succulent, juicy, meaty and flavorful. My husband had a side of roasted cauliflower and romanesco, which he said was very delicious as well. We also had the fried oysters, which were good as well. The hot sauce is made in house and is very tasty and delicious, it looks like your typical red hot sauce, but it definitely packs a more flavorful punch then your average. We were so impressed with it that we asked our waitress about it and she sent us home with a container full. My husband had a cocktail that he actually could not finish because he said it was too strong (imagine that). I had a glass of Cabernet Franc, which I had never had before, but it was definitely delicious and smooth. an extremely high-quality establishment and a five-star dining experience. It is definitely expensive, plan to open your wallet wide when going there. But absolutely worth it!

We were recommended this restaurant by the manager of another restaurant we were at the day before, and are we ever happy that we listened! This is a meal I won't soon forget. My advice would be to ask the servers what they love, and get a couple dishes to split and share so you can try everything. One thing you HAVE TO GET are the peel and eat shrimp with old bay seasoning. We got them cold, and as soon as we finished one dish, we ordered a second - they're THAT GOOD! The ambiance, staff and food are all spectacular. I'll be back!

The whole dinner was fantastic! The appetizers were delicious and plentiful! We started with a recommended assortment of oysters! We all enjoyed the various fish entrees! The sides were superb! We also enjoyed a bottle wine which was excellent! Our servers were readily available & quite pleasant. Dessert was also fantastic! As I said it was a wonderful meal from start to finish!!

We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner here. The she crab soup was wonderful as were the raw oysters my husband and his friend had. I had one roasted oyster and it was great. Grouper and Mahi Mahi were fresh and expertly prepared. They have wonderful rolls that we could have eaten a lot more of, but glad we didn't as our entrees were fabulous. I was a little disappointed that they could not prepare a chocolate martini, but the wine I had was very good. We skipped dessert as we just could not eat anymore, but the list looked good. It is a little noisy in the dining room but we were able to converse with our friend who we had not seen in years. Very good restaurant !!!

The food is delicious. Service is great. Noisy bustling atmosphere. I sat at the bar the first night and had a great meal and enjoyed talking with the bartender. The next night I went with a co-worker. Noisier, but fun and great food!!!

My husband recommended this restaurant due to the hype, and not from experience. I made a reservation to take my nephew to what I had heard was a fabulous place for seafood, but I took the time to read all the reviews. After learning that the service was poor, the food highly overpriced and not that good, I called to cancel our reservation. I politely told NICOLE that we would not be able to make it, and... she hung up on me! Needless to say, we won't be trying this restaurant.

We had a reservation for a small group for dinner. We were seated promptly upon arrival. Service throughout our meal was attentive, helpful, and pleasant. We started with several appetizers - the octopus, tuna crudo, and calamari. The octopus was a surprise hit. For entree, I ordered the halibut which was perfectly prepared. For sides, I would recommend the hushpuppies and grits. The hushpuppies were tasty enough for desert. The prices were on the high end, but highly recommend.

My brother in law took us to his restaurant The Optimist this evening for dinner. The service & the meal was excellent. My wife & I will definitely recommend the The Optimist to our friends, co workers at SouthwestAirlines & American Airlines & family if there in the Atlanta area.

Our family arrived a little early and to our surprise we were just in time for happy hour at the oyster bar which has a special of a baker's dozen oysters on the half shell for $12. The 4 chef selected types were all delicious. Upon being seated, our service was attentive and all of the entrees selected were delicious. I was so impressed that we have reservations later this month.

Where do I start, upon arrival, we were seated within 3 minutes, we did have reservations, we found our waiter( ) over the top helpful with both his food suggestions as well as the wine selection, we started with 2 different types of raw oysters, both good, then went with the Tuna crudo and the Swordfish crudo, both really good, then moved on to Crispy Blowfish tails, a very unique dish, our final item on our "grazing menu" was the Spanish Octopus, probably the best we have ever had. There are quite a few items that we will try on our next visit.

I met an old friend and colleague for lunch recently and we chose The Optimist because it was between our respective homes. Glad we did. We were a bit surprised that it was not busy at all, which has not been the case in my previous experience there. However, that only made the service better and our server was great. Lovely smile, great personality and very attentive service. In spite of the fact that this restaurant is known for their seafood, we both ordered hamburgers. Instead of fries we both honored our New Year's resolutions and I had Brussels sprouts and my friend had a side salad. The burgers are great here with perfect seasoning, lovely cheese and a pickle. The buns looked good but since we were both on low carb diets we left them on the plate. We finished with a nice cup of fresh coffee and we were delighted to see the owner (Ford Fry) sitting at the table next to ours. That is always a good sign as he was eating in his own restaurant. Lovely place, unique menu and fine service. Also noted for its lively bar scene in the evening and they do have a great bar and always with fresh oysters. Wish I lived closer. I love this place and hope to eat here again soon.

The staff is completely rude and misleading on the phone for the reservation. You call yourself a luxury restaurant when you can’t even wait 15 mins for a 30th birthday reservation after there were emergency reasons as to why we were running behind. We even called and you said it would be fine, then called and cancelled our reservation at 9:55pm while we were in the Uber. To add we specifically booked a hotel by your restaurant to go specifically to your place. We lost out on money for the Uber and have no where to eat now. Way to treat a costumer like 5 stars.

The rolls, oysters, and soup were delicious! The Christmas cocktail was delicious. I can’t wait to go back. The grouper was not great, but the rest was worth five stars.

We came here on the second night of our first trip to Atlanta because of the location somewhat nearby our hotel and the great reviews. Although they knew it was our anniversary that night, we were seated in a regular table (not a nicer booth) and the only recognition we really received was a menu stamped with "Happy Anniversary" on it. My husband enjoyed some delicious $1 oysters during happy hour. The corn fritters we ordered as an appetizer were quite yummy! The fish we each ordered was good, but the portions were rather small so we were still a bit hungry afterward. The wait staff was friendly enough but not as happy or enthusiastic about her job or about wanting us to feel welcome as wait staff we had just experienced the night before.

First off they’re doing a good job with Covid safety measures. We haven’t been in a couple years, and it’s still amazing. We started with raw oysters and smoked fish dip. The oysters were some of the best I’ve had, and the fish dip was awesome as well. For the entree, my wife had the best scallops I’ve ever tasted, and I went with that swordfish which was done to perfection. The hush puppies are so good they’ll make you want to slap yo momma (yes, that’s a southern term...LOL)! We won’t be waiting 2 years to go back!

In a bright, festive (and somewhat noisy) ambiance, The Optimist serves beautifully presented premium quality seafood. My dinner companion and I both kicked off our meals with the She Crab Soup. My entrée, recommended by our server, OD, was the Whole Flounder while she went with the Roasted Maine Lobster. We shared the sides of Crispy Potatoes and Roasted Squash. Everything was melt-in-your-mouth perfect including the complementary bread. Satisfying is an apt descriptor of the experience, covering the atmosphere, cuisine and service. One caveat: Be prepared to spend some money. The prices seemed on the high side, even for the restaurant’s top-drawer level of quality. And valet parking costs $6 plus tip.

My husband and I ate here for the first time; we chose it because it was close to a venue we went to after dinner. The food, overall, was very good, although it is pricey. My husband had the octopus and really liked it. I had the she crab soup, and while it was good, there wasn't much crab, and it was a little on the sweet side. For entrees, we had the scallops and striped bass and shared the grits and Brussels sprouts as sides. The entrees were very good, the Brussels sprouts were delicious, and the grits were good but not great. The rolls they serve before dinner were super yummy. We left feeling very full. Our waiter was great - attentive but not overbearing. There is valet parking that serves the restaurant and nearby complex. My only real complaint is that this restaurant is super noisy, to the point where having a conversation across the table with my husband was very difficult.

The octopus is fantastic! We had the steak and it was done perfect , everything we had was very tasty The atmosphere was great ,service very nice ! Definitely a come back place

The meal was overall very good. Started with bread with a hint of sea salt, excellent followed by Octopus, seafood gumbo and smoked seafood chowder. The gumbo was alright, but the octopus and chowder were excellent. My daughter had the whole bronzing in a citrus sauce, also very good, and I had the groper which I thought was excellent. I will probably return to this seafood resturant again.

My wife and I ate here for the first time, celebrating our anniversary. The acknowledgement from the team there was a very nice touch and our server was outstanding and very attentive to our needs. Overall, the food was terrific (halibut, grouper, fingerling potatoes, cauliflower, she crab soup, peel and eat shrimp, blueberry cake) but we were a little disappointed in the hushpuppies (a bit overcooked and not much flavor). The vibe was a bit noisier than we've experienced in previous locations for our anniversary, but it was not too noisy and felt this was a great "go to" place for many groups and couples. The only thing I would point out was that in many other restaurants we've visited (Bones, Chops, Lobster Bar, Pano and Pauls, Capital Grille, Nikolai's Roof, Canoe, Aria, Park 75, etc.), we've always been offered a free dessert, but this did not happen here. Not a big deal, but something for which we were surprised.

If you like oysters, this is the place. They have a selection of 13 different oysters. I always get a sampling of at least 6 ((2 of each). They just slide off the shell. Highly recommend. They have a large selection of fish, shrimp and scallop entrees. All very good. A very nice selection of wines and cocktails.

Local friends took us here. We loved it, food and service were perfect. Great atmosphere. Trendy but no too trendy.

I had an after work dinner with a colleague Wednesday night. John was our server. He made several recommendations, after briefly describing each. We ordered the octopus and shrimp for appetizers. Both were well prepared. It is so difficult to prepare octopus well, and it was cooked perfectly. The last time I had octopus prepared this well was in Greece. I was really looking forward to the next course. We ordered the redfish and grouper. The grouper was delicate and also very good. We shared a dessert, and that was another mother home run. I hadn’t been to the restaurant since it shortly after it opened, and I was very pleasantly surprised to find their food quality and great service have. It diminished in the least. Great achievement.

My husband and I were looking for a new (to us) place to eat before heading to a concert at State Farm Arena. We decided to try out The Optimist and was not disappointed. The decor is great and the service was very friendly and helpful with recommendations. I wasn’t overly hungry and decided to make meal of starters—walked out very full! My husband started with the Tuna Crudo and I had the She Crab Soup. Both were excellent! He got the Halibut and I shared the Peel and Eat Shrimp—again both delicious. My very favorite thing was the Heirloom Tomato Salad (recommended by the server)! I think it is seasonal, but just fantastic! Will definitely go back.

Was here on a Saturday night. The service was excellent. The atmosphere is “busy” but if you really want to talk this is not the place. It is noisy. Very noisy. Two people can hear each other but more than that no way. The food was good. The She-crab soup was generous and extremely rich. The Lobster Roll was disappointing. There was a good deal of lobster meat but virtually nothing else in the bun—which made it dry and unexciting. The Grouper was good but not great. Drinks here are good but border on tiny. Given the price I would expect a full martini class not half full. Again the service from the hostess to the waiter was excellent. I think the kitchen just needs to up their game.

A wonderful restaurant in West Mid Town Atlanta and a must visit if you are in the city. Great vibe and atmosphere and a lovely environment for dinner. Food is spectacular with an excellent variety of seafood prepared in innovative ways but with a focus on taste and presentation. The bread is spectacular, the shrimp served on the same bread is also amazing. Every dish we ordered was excellent and the service was great. Given a predominantly fish restaurant we did however order the Butter Beef Burger which our server described as a “bad ass burger” and how right was he! It is absolutely wonderful and I’d suggest ordering to share as an appetiser it’s that good. Great wine list with some very good affordable options.

A very nice dining experience. Creative menu including some awesome appetizers. Sure, they have great oysters, but try the fried oysters for a chance. Mains were all great. We ordered several a shared them to give everyone an opportunity. Scallops were very good, Redfish and swordfish all solid.

Both the food and service were the best I have ever received. We came from the UK to visit specially as we’d seen it on the Chef Show. And the staff bent over backwards for us which was so unnecessary but so amazing. The manager came over and spoke to us and we had the best time. We can’t thank you enough to this place. The experience will stay with us for the rest of our lives. Thank you so much.

Our party of four had an awesome weeknight experience here. The food was great and the service even better! We sat outside to enjoy the fresh air, and even though a pop-up rain shower hit, we were safe under the canopy. I had the Monkfish, which was light and delicious. Hubby had the scallops, which were excellent, but not necessarily plentiful. ("Only five. Could have used one or two more.") We highly recommend the Shaved Squash as a side. We'll be back!

Amazing oysters. She crab soup was fantastic. Best halibut I have ever had. Reservations recommended

I dined here with friends and had a great experience. I was especially impressed with the space and level of service from our server Leslie. She recommended the octopus and it was SO good. Definitely a great time and we’ll be back!

Recently re-visited The Optimist - Atlanta for a special occasion in April 2023. The hostess staff were very welcoming, directed us to our table, congratulated the person and gave them a stamped souvenir dinner menu. Ok, check mark! The server was very friendly etc etc. and what to hire. Another check mark! The pre-dinner rolls, oysters and smoked fish dip were the only highlights of the meal - oysters were so fresh and briny, rolls melted in your mouth and the fish dip had just the right amount of seasoning and a nice portion. The crackers with the dip and oysters were too hard, didn't seem fresh and were unremarkable. Commercial saltines or wafers in a pack would taste better. The monkfish was flavorless and did not have the consistency/texture of monkfish rather a flaky bland white fish of some sort - certainly not the **poor man's lobster** by any stretch, but more like a Tilapia. The menu did not have a wide selection of salad starters just an apple or a kale salad that sounded so-so did not order and there were no baked oyster options like Rockefeller etc. As far as the main entrees go where are the options for scallops broiled, sauteed etc.? There was a Portugese stew offered with shrimp and scallops but that is more appropriate for maybe fall/winter I think. The hushpuppies had a great taste but were over fried to a dark brown and very dense not light at all. The fries that were served as a side were also over fried to a dark brown and cold. The wine prices are not on point either. Know your wine and wine prices before you order any wine. We all know as diners to expect a mark-up on restaurant wine orders, but do beware... I am thinking that this is just not my go to luxe restaurant anymore. The kitchen needs a wake-up personally from Chef Fry. I am wondering if he may be stretched a little thin with all his restaurants etc. You can try to hire all the best passionate and enthusiastic people from the area and have the right decor and ambience, but if the menu and kitchen are missing some basics then what? The greater Atlanta metro area has a lot of choices!

Outstanding appetizers and main courses. All of the seafood was very fresh with a great oyster selection. Be sure to try the smoked fish chowder. I maybe the greatest soup ever. Noisy atmosphere.

The Optimist provides a bright, enjoyable setting and plenty of interesting approaches to seafood. We had a large group and the service was excellent. Clearly the waitstaff cares about providing a wonderful dining experience and they are well supported by management. Fresh oysters were presented well, and included one of the better hot sauces we've had in that it was a really round but sharp sauce. Each diner who had a fish dish commented on the excellent presentation. Two diners who had grouper did mention it was a little dry. The She Crab soup was excellent, very flavorful and not heavy or cloying. Hush puppies, which are often an afterthought at many seafood places, were quite a surprise in how well they were done. It's nice to see a chef really dial in every offering on the menu. Overall, a fun experience, atmosphere, and consistent menu presentation. The hostess was great as well, as we had our group arrive in dribs and drabs and she was very gracious in getting everyone to our table.

Someone defined optimism as the triumph of hope over experience. But he or she probably never had the pleasure of dining at this singular "Fish Camp & Oyster Bar" housed in an old ham aging house on the Westside of Atlanta. Maybe it was taking in The Optimist from the same vantage point where Samuel L. Jackson had dined several nights earlier. Maybe it was the bespoke house bitters that optimized the "Opti Old Fashioned." Maybe it was the warm welcome I received on a night where I had traveled 1946 miles from LAX to ATL only to find my meeting unceremoniously cancelled. Or maybe it was all of the above and then some. This bustling venue purportedly owes its name to an eponymous dinghy used to train sailing novices rather than a cheerful outlook, but don't be fooled. Chef Ford Fry (was there ever a better chef's name out of central casting?) and his team of gustatory wizards let a wood fire and top notch, sustainably sourced seafood take care of all of the auspicious future prognostication. Polished technique lets the Whole Branzino fall off the fork and burst with flavor. And who would have thought that Duck Fat + Swordfish = a match made in heaven? Regardless of your selection, chances are you'll be instilled with a new found hope for the future. In fact, if Cardi B and Offset were to attempt a rapprochement, The Optimist might just be the one place that could reconcile their irreconcilable differences. Should your future travel plans include Atlanta, put The Optimist on your short list. And don't skip the Key Lime Pie.

The Optimist is a fun scene and well designed. Three of us dined and shared several items. The duck fat swordfish was recommended by our helpful and friendly waiter. It was phenomenal. The brussell sprouts were good. Corn milk hushpuppies were excellent. Everything else was ok but nothing special. The cold seafood platter (plateaux) was good except for having the most watery, flavorless and boring oysters I have ever tasted. All 12 were the same variety (from Chesapeake Bay) rather than an assortment like is done at their wonderful and fantastic sister restaurant Marcel. We ate 4 and left the others. Considering the price (can’t recall if it was $65 or $86) we expected more.

Location and look - great Servers not that well informed on menu, I question whether they really no their product! Food was supa tasty, What I did find different was cocktails served in Marie Antoinette champagne glasses - very small. Especially for the price!

From the warm welcome that you receive when you walk in to the Key Lime pie me everything about The Optimist is fabulous… And that’s coming from two fussy New Yorkers. The dining room has a great hip vibe.. Our server Sid was so gracious, fun and gave excellent recommendations.. Even on a very busy Friday night the service was outstanding. You are welcomed with delicious warm buttery rolls.. The fried oysters were the best we ever had… loved the peel and eat shrimp, the red fish.. raw oysters and the Key Lime pie!!

I appreciated being asked if I wanted a warm or cold lobster roll! I'm from up north and YES I like mine warm buttered. Such a nice modern decor and menu. The rolls served were piping hot and yummy along with our she crab soup and shrimp toast....Look about that specifically - I NEED THE RECIPE TO THE TOAST! PLS! LOL it wasn't even my main meal but had to have been the most memorable part - for me. I ordered the cheese roasted potatoes, lobster roll and chips. The lobster roll was the most disappointing for me...It was literally meat on top a loaf of bread. Not their fault, I will say a failed expectation on my part for sure though. Service was AMAZING - no one said this is their responsibility, although clearly we disturbed another service station. He showed us grace and assisted when needed.

This is definitely a happening place. You can sit at the oyster and seafood bar or reserve a table. Everything on the menu looked too good. We ordered more food than we can eat. The oysters were fresh and tasty. The scallops were of big size. They were cooked perfectly. The sides were generous portions. If I come back to Atlanta, I’d come again.

The food is good, but with all the fantastic restaurants in Atlanta this will not be in my top 10. The service is slow and the staff is snobby. When confronted with an issue with an order, they become defensive and offer zero apologies or solutions. Spend your hard earned money elsewhere.

Looking so forward to a great seafood meal,so disappointed! Ordered Skate , I love Skate hard to find .it was overcooked and the sauce tasted like vinegar,couldn’t eat it.sent it back ordered the Scallops,they were undercooked,and the sauce was overpowering .Ended up not eating it ,I I cut it up in little pieces and I camouflaged it in the sauce as to be discreet that I could not eat it. Hush puppies were black and overcooked, By this time, it was so late and everybody was starving. Our meal took almost 4 hours which I think was a little lengthy. So we will not be going back.

Simply the most delicious food with top notch, caring and attentive service available in Atlanta. The seafood selections and oysters are so fresh it’s like you went fishing and cooked them right on the boat. Buttermilk rolls and hush puppies are melt in your mouth delicious. Fun lovely casual atmosphere yet not too noisy and easy to talk with your fellow diners. I have started to eat her like 2x each week - sometimes just stopping in and sitting at the bar for a quick, delicious meal alone or with a friend. Try this restaurant and prepare to become addicted.

Awesome place to eat with a great vibe. I had perfectly cooked whole fish, our waiter was simply the best

If you love seafood this is the place to go to! Try the oysters, Mahi mahi or halibut! So fresh and tasty. Very friendly and professional staff. Great environment! You have to book in advance because of its popularity Valet parking is only $3.00.

OMG, you just need to go! The menu is everything!!!!! The drinks were phenomenal - you have to try the Summerland. It is absolutely summer in a glass. Super refreshing. My husband had their take on an old fashion and it was soooooooo good. We had the Bronzino and the red fish - both were exquisite. The oysters were great. I highly recommend this restaurant. The wait staff left nothing to be desired. Top notch dining in ATL!

This was a wonderful restaurant to celebrate Haley’s 27th birthday. Outstanding meal from bread to the dessert! Haley had phenomenal scallops, Jimi and I had the tuna and edward had the grouper. Sides were amazing! Overachieved on all points. One of the best restaurants I’ve ever been too!

We went there on June 14th. There were 3 adults and 1 child in our party. 2 people were local and 2 were from Canada. We arrived an hour before opening and were welcomed to the bar to wait. What an experience with the amazing bartender that although he was prepping for the opening took the time to chat and share stories. Great first impression. His drinks were pretty amazing especially the Sun God. We were taken to a table near the kitchen where we could observe and it was clean and organized. The food...oh the food :) We are already planning our return visit (from Canada) because everything exceeded our expectations. The menus are printed daily according to what is brought in fresh from the market for the day. Watch Netfilx "Chef Show" Avengers Atlanta to get an idea as to the quality, atmosphere, and presentations you will be greated with. 2 at our table had the whole GA shrimp a la plancha and talked about it constantly. I had the calamari and it was amazing. Done to perfection. Crispy on the outside and tender (not rubbery) on the inside. From the kids menu was popcorn shrimp and fries. Sides of fingerling potatoes and hush puppies were added to our order. They brought us hot from the oven buns. The servings of food was generous to the point that we had food for taking home. The deserts...we all shared 2...were well presented and delish. The whole team were delightful, attentive, and very sociable. There were handshakes and hugs goodbye when we left. A truly delightful experience from every member of the team. This is what customer service is all about...make people feel like they are visiting friends. The only thing that would make me happier is if they opened one near me in Canada but until then...we will be back when we are in Atlanta. Well done to everyone at The Optimist.

We had high hopes for The Optimist, but were so disappointed. The service is just that bad. We were given a table so far back that we were on top of the servers station area and so close to the back door/window we could've easily been pushed outside. The worst part was the service. It took an extremely long time for anyone to approach us and when our server "Kasha La" did, she never introduced herself. She had a scornful, off putting expression and only warmed up when she asked if we were ready for the check. She plopped things down on the table, picked up things without excusing herself, etc. It made pretty good food not even worth it. So unfortunate. IF we were to ever visit again, we would sit at the bar. I get having a bad day at work, but unfortunately, we got the brunt of that sour attitude!

Our group had dined at the Optomist before and were impressed. This experience was good, but service issues and basic drink orders were a disappointment. On a positive note, Brooke, in the Oyster Bar area was professional, polite and very attentive. Once seated inside the dining room, our waitress was friendly and our food was very good.

Our meals were way over the top. The Octopus was the best I've ever had, but so was the Brocolini, the fish tasted like it was just caught, and the Bone in Rib Eye once again, was the best I've had. And I travel full time and continually eat at the best restaurants I can find. I'll be back with my wife soon.

We had been here about five years ago and noted that at that time they overbooked and our table was not ready and there was no place at the bar to wait. We were delayed this time, our Uber was almost 15 minutes late, so we thought we might be seated on time. We still had to wait an additional 25 minutes after we arrived, or 40 minutes after our reservation. Area was full of people waiting for their tables. Only place to sit was a bench outside but it was too cold to sit there. That said, they clearly expect this because a server came around with glasses of wine to offer while we were waiting. If we are walk-ins to a restaurant and we were told the wait was 25-40 minutes we would not stay, so if you have a reservation, why would you? We were just about ready to bag it when we were seated. As to the rest - food is ok, not great. For example, I had the lobster roll, which comes with house-made chips, They were not very good - I ate only a few and that is a record for me. Normally I would be scarfing those down. Service is fantastic. Our server was Jonathan and he was efficient, personable and knowledgable. Very helpful on the gluten-free for my celiac husband. Atmosphere just ok. Given the long wait to be seated for a reservation, the good service did not compensate and make the whole experience worth the wait. eat you think this review reflects an old crock's attitude, our thirty-something son who went with us when we visited five years ago said this matched his experience last time.

My favorite seafood restaurant in Atlanta! We were treated very special and the manager stopped by, sent a lovely tuna tartare starter over and made us feel important!

We went on a date night and everything was stellar. We really enjoyed the oysters, scallops, and mahi mahi. The service was good and the building/atmosphere was very nice. Will be back.

Great fresh selection. Great service. The wait staff was very knowledgeable. The food did not disappoint. Try to visit every time I’m in town.

Scallops were great. Dinner rolls were outstanding-seemed like they added a whole stick of butter in them. Others had lobster roll, halibut, grouper, she-crab and was all excellent.

Great menu and modern setting, dined in the bar area. Loved the octopus and also had the grouper. Had to snap this pic of the Brussels sprouts side that looked like a Christmas wreath :) will return

Simply sensational. Atlanta maybe 267 miles from the nearest ocean beach, but the finest seafood is here. We are Scottish. We are surrounded by sea, but this was just fabulous. The very best oysters I’ve ever eaten anywhere in the world. The halibut with scallions (spring onions) with the savouriness of Iberico ham was out of this world. The cocktails were very different but all the better for it. And the staff were smart, authentic and interested. Wonderful. One watch out - the broccoli was a bit stringy. But I’m picking faults here. Totally top seafood restaurant. Can’t wait to visit again. Well done to all the team

all good, excellent manhattan, the grilled octopus terrific, 4 kinds of fresh oysters ! very nice....oh, the complimentary buttery rolls FREAKING FAB! took 2 home~~~~ ill go back FOR SURE !

We were a party of 8. Many things ordered that everyone seemed to enjoy. Service was friendly and attentive. Only downside was noise. The open ceiling meant the ambient noise was so loud we often couldn’t hear each other!

Absolutely loved it! my husband and I went there on a datenight. Service was incredible, all orders came in right and in a timely manner. Food incredible, wine was great as were the cocktails. Even my (very critical) husband couldn't find one thing wrong!! We'll be back!

Cocktails, apps, and dinner with a friend in town. Wanted Seafood. Great place! Easy and inexpensive Valet. Oyster bar, drink bar, and dining area inside...but chose to eat outside in a very nice courtyard area. Oysters and Octopus were very good. Entrées were well prepared. Service from Sara was excellent. Will go back!

I'm not a person often given to exaggeration...so when I tell you this is the Best Seafood meal ever... Do yourself a favor, take someone you love to The Optimist! Just spectacular food for foodies and folks who deserve a treat every now and again. I had the Duck Fat Poached Swordfish -- which not for nothing but was served on a bed of short ribs; sounds like it wouldn't go together but OH WOW! I also was fortunate enough to be with an experienced couple of diners who had the presence of mind to choose the fried rice and brussel sprouts from the Sides. Tremendous. You've never tasted Brussel Sprouts so divine they could be an entrée unto themselves. We kicked it off with 3 varieties of Oysters that needed nothing but the tiny fork ride from the ice to my mouth to get things started. Anyway...what else is there to say? The Gastric Goddesses of the Universe aligned the Stars last night, parted the clouds, soaked us with rain and gave us an unforgettable night at The Optimist. You could go, too! Don't blow it...

Very nice food! For starters, the octopus was delicious- sweet and spicy. I had the scallops, which were lovely, and a side of blue corn grits. The table also ordered the hush puppies which are delicious- almost like dessert. The ambiance is nice, but it is loud. Would be nice if the music was turned down a bit. Service was fine, nothing special, which I suppose I expected more. Overall, very nice evening!

I was really looking forward to celebrating my birthday at The Optomist, but the experience was unfortunately disappointing from the moment we arrived. We had made a reservation for my birthday dinner with family, but when we showed up with one extra person, the host (at the front, I believe his name is Sid), refused to accommodate us, even after we explained it was a special occasion. Instead of seating us inside the main restaurant, we were placed at the oyster bar area, which felt like a significant downgrade. While our waiter was friendly and attentive, the food and drinks left a lot to be desired. The dishes were poorly prepared, tasted terrible and the drinks tasted off. It’s really unfortunate because we had high expectations for this dinner (as I & many others I know frequently eat here) but the poor food quality and unwelcoming attitude at the front cast a shadow on what should have been a celebratory evening. I appreciate the service from our waiter, but the overall experience was disappointing. It’s not a place I would recommend for special occasions based on this visit and I will be sure to alert others that I know.

I loved this restaurant. The seafood was fresh and delicious. I came for Happy Hour and returned for dinner the next night. Everything I tasted was superb. I highly recommend the swordfish, the oysters and the halibut. You leave feeling you’ve made a trip to Cape Cod. It’s worth a trip to Atlanta.

Six persons enjoyed eating at this restaurant starting with a ricotta pear toast, pear salad, and octopus. I was not sure I would enjoy the octopus, but was very pleasantly surprised. Others in the group had branding, scallops, she crab soup and each dish was very good. The only negative thing is that it is noisy and was hard to hear.

I had a great experience at the Optimist on Thursday March 28th, 2019. The food was incredible and enjoyed by the entire table (4 of us). I will focus strictly on my dinner. I started with the Gumbo soup. It was very spicy, which I liked, and had large pieces of shrimp along with whole oysters. The flavor surpassed my expectations. For my main course I selected the swordfish. I was prepared with duck fat and served on top of shredded beef and mashed potatoes. The fish was coold to perfection and had an incredibly savory flavor. My sides were the fried rice and the hush puppies. The fried rice had an Indian flare and was good. The hush puppies were served with cane syrup and powdered sugar. They were absolutely incredible. For dessert I had the chocolate pic with peanut ice cream. The pie had a brownie texture. It was good. The highlight was the peanut ice cream that accompanied it. Very good. The restaurant had a great vibe and decor in a hip part of town. I will definitely come back here the next time I am in Atlanta.

We ordered a gigantic appetizer tower for the table and even though I don’t really like cold seafood, I had plenty to eat. The hot buttered rolls are amazing. Service was great and they even have some small putting greens outside if you have to wait for a table. My scallops were cooked perfectly. The grits, broccolini and hush puppy sides were all excellent. I definitely recommend this place!

Back to Nashville again this year for a conference we immediately made reservations for supper here. The wait staff are always so knowledgeable you would think they were the chef come out from the kitchen! The entree we chose this time was the Swordfish on bourguignon with Yukon mashed potatoes was so flavorful, the oysters we chose for an appetizer were great, and the coconut pie was as excellent as it was a year ago. Garth, our waiter recommended a good cocktail and a good wine.

Excellent service, tasty cocktails, and delicious food! We had oysters, scallops, snapper, and hush puppies. All were perfectly prepared. Can't wait to go back!

I had always heard good things about The Optimist so when my son took his dad out for a Braves game, my daughter-n-law and I made a reservation, loaded up the two kids (an 18 months old and a 4-month-old) and opted to treat ourselves. The restaurant is located in a revitalized area near downtown Atlanta. Valet parking is available underground in a parking garage for an adjacent apartment complex. Our time eating out with our 18th-month-old granddaughter has just about hit a wall as she is no longer content to sit and eat while we sit and eat. So our outing to The Optimist was no different regarding her behavior but thankfully we were seated at a great booth near the bar where the sound level was loud enough to drown out her unhappy moments--plus our waitress was more than kind and accommodating and very engaging with my granddaughter. The seafood is some of the best I've had---especially considering the restaurant being in the heart of Atlanta and not near any ocean. My granddaughter had fish and chips. The fish was so fresh and crisp I told the waitress that this needed to be offered to adults. She did tell me that they served a fish sandwich at lunch that utilized the same fried fish "fingers." My daughter-n-law and I both split an order of hushpuppies then I had the swordfish and she had the scallops---both of which were delicious. A storm had broken out so we opted to stay a bit longer for dessert. We opted to split a boozy sorbet that was light and refreshing while our granddaughter had a scoop of vanilla icecream. There is key lime pie and a few other tantalizing options. I definitely plan to go back, next time taking my husband as he would love the fresh variety of fish...and we will just have to leave the little ones behind. There is a large oyster bar that greets guests by the hostess stand offering a wide variety of oysters...so there is dining options near the oyster bar or more of a full dining experience. Like I say, I can't wait to go back.

The atmosphere is vibrant. The Decour is up-to-date. Food was really good and service was great. I have no complaints about my experience with the optimist other than the area around it is a little hard to navigate. This is my new favorite spot

The ambience of the restaurant was very nice, unfortunately the meal did not meet our expectations. We ordered a variety of starters, entrees, and sides for the group, but the food was either unnecessarily drowned in oil or tasted mediocre. We would recommend that they cut back on the olive oil on at their main courses.

Everything about our experience at The Optimist was excellent! The servers were friendly and accommodating and the food was amazing. Even the bread had us pigging out! The swordfish braised in duck fat was delicious. I’m usually not a proponent of ordering steak at a seafood restaurant but the steak rivaled what I’ve had at established steakhouses. We will definitely be back to visit when we come back to Atlanta.

We were sad after our Michigan Wolverines lost at the Peach Bowl, so we consoled ourselves with a lovely seafood dinner. Everything was very tasty. Service was good. Very enjoyable dinner.

Not a cheap place to eat, by any means. But if you decide to do so you will likely not be disappointed. The place was very busy when we arrived, but we had made prior reservations. We were immediately seated and our server introduced himself. Our drinks arrived quickly and oyster appetizers also. Soon enough our entrees came out. Most of the five of us in our group ordered the fish ($25-$30 per entrée). All report the flavor was wonderful, cooked to perfection by the chefs. Our server was attentive and friendly, stopping by our table many times to check on our needs. Dessert was incredible too. The Optimist is a nice place to dine, but be prepared to pay. Well done!

Loved The Optimist. We had a 6:15 reservation but our play at the fox got out very early. So we went at 4:30. The hostess took care of us and got us another reservation at 5. We sat at the oyster bar for shrimp, oysters and cocktails and our waitress was adorable and so helpful. Dinner was amazing. My 4th time there my friends first time, they loved it. Our waiter made the night, thank you Daniel, when we come back we'll ask for you. LOVE the Optimist!!!

Lovely atmosphere. Wonderful seafood. Great attentive service! There are good seafood restaurants in Atlanta, this is top notch on all levels!

We went before enjoying a show at the fox. The food was good and the service was on point. We got the redfish, calamari, gumbo, grits, sprouts, and hush puppies. The hush puppies were the only thing we didn’t love. The powdered sugar on them was good, but they were a bit chewy. We enjoyed the atmosphere and the wait staff was accommodating. The manager came over to chat which was a nice personal touch. The cost was a bit pricey. There are other restaurants in the city that are just as good and half the price.

Very cool atmosphere. Great bar and drinks. Great variety and selection of oysters, all were fantastic. Service was top notch. Great Swordfish and Seabass. The rolls are fantastic. I could keep on going. Well done from start to finish.

A real gem! Beautiful casual setting. I had the octopus and monk fish. Both perfectly executed. Surprised how well selected and reasonably priced the wine selection was. Kudos to the whole team!

***Atmosphere*** Doesn't get much better than this. There's a reason The Optimist carries such high regard and it all starts with the space. The oyster bar, the drinks bar, the huge dining room - all of it makes for one of the best spots in Atlanta. ***Food*** Always get the oysters. They have a great variety so you can usually find a fit for your taste. Otherwise, everything I've had here was top notch, most recently a swordfish special with this incredible sauce. Really can't go wrong here. ***Service*** The entire staff is impressive. The bartenders compare to anywhere in Atlanta, the support staff is manic attentive, and the servers are knowledgable as hell.

Wow!!! From the minute we walked in the door, we were treated like VIP’s. My friends and I came to Atlanta for a 55th birthday celebration and someone recommended The Optimist for dinner. The atmosphere was welcoming with attention to detail. We didn’t have a reservation & we had to wait a bit for a table so we headed to the bar where Johnny D greeted us with a friendly smile and we could tell right away that he really loved what he was doing. After a drink we decided to eat at the bar because Johnny D was so awesome! Ordered Striped Bass, Duck Fat Poached Swordfish and Lobster Roll. Every single entree was absolutely incredible. Side dishes of Parmesan Grits and the best Fingerling Sweet Potatoes we have ever tasted! Travis was one of the managers on duty who stopped by and chatted with us about our experience and we felt like he truly cared about what we thought. What a treat the whole night was for our group! We’ll be telling all our friends about The Optimist with complete confidence that they’ll be as blown away by the incredible food and fantastic service as we were! It’s so nice to find a restaurant where from the front door to dessert, was a 5 Star experience!

Although the restaurant was packed, we were seated promptly. Amy, our server, was excellent ! Our food was very good. Oysters were fresh, clean and delicious. Great place for atmosphere and date night.

Really impressed with outstanding seafood served very professionally in a bustling open space. Oysters and seafood platters were interesting and generous.

The Optimist is a great space, huge old warehouse space, with massive windows create a super dramatic effect. The noise level is surprisingly well mitigated with other materials. Great bar with craft cocktails, and awesome, cozy oyster bar.

Apart from the loud atmosphere, the dining experience was wonderful. I had the halibut with octopus appetizer and it was excellently prepared. The cocktails were also well presented.

I was in Atlanta on business with my wife. Stayed over Friday night just for dinner st t je Optimist. Was not disappointed. My wife commented that this was probably one of the best meals we ever had. And the service staff was superb. Friendly and happy to make suggestions that were spot on.

The setting is fun but the food is what this place is all about. We had a mixture of oysters to begin our meal. Great starter along with she crab soup. All our entrees were fish. They were outstanding especially the redfish. Grouper and swordfish also are really good. Lemon pie was good for dessert as well as the sundaes. Will come back the next time we visit Atlanta.

Friendly and efficient service with great menu advice from the server who paid lots of attention to the diners. Minimal wait time for reserved table. Best octopus I have ever eaten anywhere and scallops were perfectly cooked with nicely matched accompanying veggies. Would happily go again.

Third time over 10 years. Still remains top notch. Rock shrimp a must with incredible bread service. Artic, scallops, and halibut fantastic as were the squash and blueberry cake!

Wow! This was truly a fantastic evening in every way. The service was spot on. Our server, Carolyn, was fully attentive, recommended an excellent bottle of wine, and was friendly without being obsequious. I can’t say enough good things about this place. We got grouper and scallops and both were way above average, as were the salads and desserts. Just go and you’ll see.

We hosted a corporate event for about 20 in the raw bar. The food was beyond delicious and the service was impeccable, The attention to detail made the event a huge success - and we were entertaining meeting planners!

My wife and I had dinner at The Optimist a few nights ago. We had a wonderful meal (the swordfish was particularly good) and the service was incredible. Very friendly and lovely atmosphere. We will definitely be back.

Four of us ate at The Optimist after attending a Theatrical Outfit matinee Saturday before last. Our dinners were excellent including halibut, smoky fish chowder, ceviche', and accompanying drinks. Service was flawless. Ambience was comfortable. Valet parking was immediate and very reasonably priced. All and all, an absolutely delightful experience.

Valentine’s Dinner at the Optimist. They were packed last night as guests chose selections from a four course set menu. The Lobster Bisque soup and Raspberry cheesecake were two highlights. The lobster & NY strip steak were luke warm. The steak was very fatty. My halibut was good. Service & staff were very friendly. 3.5 Stars. There are better options in the city for the money. But, it was a nice night.

For all the rave my expectation was for this to be a very upscale restaurant but I was pleasantly surprised with how laid back and welcoming the restaurant felt when entering. The dual outdoor indoor space was the touch that made the experience charming. The menu was packed with delightful bites that pushed the urge to order more off the menu than intended. After settling on three chilled oysters due to April being the last month these yummy fellows will be in season. I decided to indulge. I also elected to try the rice with smoked fish, the fingerling potatoes with saffron and the homemade hush puppies. For the main course I elected the Lobster Roll served Connecticut style. The rice with smoked fish was tasteful and would be a regular dish when visiting. The fingerling potatoes with saffron were a bit disappointing and not because they were not good but anytime you list something made with saffron it should immediately have that saffron flavor at first taste. You shouldnt have to attempt to discover this flavor. Overall the potatoes were good and I could see having them with seafood and eggs for breakfast but for rating them based off fulfilling your saffron fix I would suggest you pass on these. The hush puppies where by far the most outstanding eat of the night. They covered all the flavors, sweet with a bit of heat! This combination when done right is always a treat. The Lobster was good but not great! In the world of Lobster Rolls it would make in the top 5 but not the only to literally travel to get. All in all the Lobster Roll was solid, enough meat for the rising cost of Seafood. Dumbing it done a bit I dont know how many people are literally paying $40 for a sandwich 🤷🏽‍♂️. I guess I need to reconsider this for most as well.

We had two business meals in one week and much to our enjoyment. Both evenings The Optimist was hopping with no empty tables and no intimate tables of two. The place is vibrant, lively, and alive and fun. Our meals both evenings were delicious and everyone at our tables agreed. My best advice is to communicate to your server as to your taste. Try anything on the menu and be adventurous. One item I do remember is another diner and myself shared a larger seafood stew and the kitchen automatically served it on two plates. Nice!

Its pricey but worth it. Food, service and ambiance are excellent. Host station needs a bit of attention as they are not close to the service you get once you are seated hence the 4 star instead of 5 star. First impression is a must and hostess stand not there. HUGE bar selection, open kitchen and spacious seating. Its a place you need to try over the "more popular" Fish Market in Buckhead.

I can't say enough how much I love dining here. Hands down one of THE best restaurants in ATL! We always start with the oysters at happy hour! Dinner is always exciting and fresh. And those pretzel rolls are heaven! Ford Fry does not disappoint!

Haven't traveled to Atlanta (or eaten at The Optimist), since 2019. Came back for work and knew we had to return to the restaurant. 5 years!! and still as good as I remember. Smells amazing right when you walk through the door. Everything we ate was delicious. Tried a sampling of apps and sides with dinner. Nothing disappointed. There is a wonderful alchemy at work here, you can sense it from the moment you are seated. Strong hostess, waitstaff and cooks that all work together seamlessly. Entire staff shares an energy of a well oiled machine, hard to put into words but it palpable watching them interact with the guests and each other.

The optimist is in my opinion the best seafood restaurant in Atlanta. Great food, nice atmosphere and design. You can chose between the bar (no reservation) or more formal with the restaurant. Appetizers are amazing, especially the “crudos” and the lobster roll (quite expensive though). The best part is in my opinion their happy hour. It’s every day!, on Saturday from 3 to 5pm. The menu is very limited during happy hour but oysters are for 1$each and are delicious. What I’m suggesting is to come at around 4:00pm on a Saturday for the oysters and then you can always transition to the full menu from 5:00pm. You will save a lot if you like oysters.

We started with the rolls melt in your mouth don’t even need butter! Next had the appalachie oyster were fantastic. Then we did grouper and red snapper were both stellar! Would give this place a BIG 5 !

The absolute one of the best seafood restaurant I've been to in Atlanta! Especially compare to author restaurant, this place was much better for a similar price point. The service was perfect, food was amazing, and ambience is perfectly balanced between elegant and cozy for a date night. Definitely I will come back.