Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Atlanta Metro
  4. Atlanta
  5. West Midtown
The Optimist, Atlanta, GA

The Optimist

4.7
4.7
9119 Reviews
$31 to $50
Seafood

Make a booking

2 people
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
19:00
Find next available

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Booked 98 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Lively
  • Hot spot
The Optimist brings a seaside fish camp experience to landlocked Atlantans. The ever-changing menu features high-quality, sustainable seafood masterfully paired with fresh, local ingredients. From sophisticated, daily-catch dishes to crudos and beachside classics, chef-owner Ford Fry’s the Optimist transports guests to their favorite coastal haunts.

Order delivery or takeout

Restaurants you may also like

View all

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
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Eddie Barrett
  • Private party facilities
    The Optimist has a variety of event spaces that include bar events, restaurant buy outs, private dining up to 20 guests, semi-private dining for up to 50 guests.
  • 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

Experiences

  • Valentine's Day at The Optimist!

    US$125.00 per person

    14 Feb 2025 only
    The best way to spend the evening with your special someone is "coast side!" Celebrate Valentine's Day at The Optimist with a four-course prix fixe menu Executive Chef Edward Barrett for $125 per person. Two tiers of wine pairings available for an additional $45 or $85 per person. Enjoy oysters on the half shell, coastal inspired cuisine and much more! We look forward to celebrating with you!

What 9,119 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

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

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Atlanta Metro

    Seafood

  • Atlanta

    Seafood

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Optimist is a seafood lover's paradise in Atlanta, cherished for its "amazing" oysters, "fantastic" food, and "impeccable" service. Regulars adore the "knowledgeable" staff and the ambiance enriched by "beautiful" decor. While some dishes could improve, its consistent quality and "thoughtful" service make it a must-visit for special occasions.
9,119 Reviews
  1. Glory

    Pittsburgh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Was very loud. We had GREAT service but we spent $120 on a side of fries, two bite sized lobster rolls, and a not very good dessert. Was a busy experience that felt more like fast food than fine dining. I would avoid the sugary hush puppies definitely a strange idea.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Hernan

    VIP

    Columbus

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great experience from start to finish!!! I highly recommend!!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Shauna

    VIP

    Orange County

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The oysters were amazing and our bartender Walter was very pleasant and made an amazing extra dirty Martini plus the bread there is just too good especially once dipped in the rock shrimp butter.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Joyce

    Atlanta Metro

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a wonderful evening and Alex was absolutely on point. Thank you!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Aisha

    New York City

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Evan was a great waiter. He was very knowledgeable about the menu and helped make great decisions. He was also very attentive and personable. We will definitely be back again.

    1 person found this helpful

  6. James

    VIP

    Indiana

    18 reviews

    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had such a wonderful time. The food and drinks were award winning! And I would strongly suggest you ask for Tristan as your server. He is one amazing soul very helpful with the menu and suggestions. Thank you and the chef for such an amazing evening.

    1 person found this helpful

  7. Janie

    VIP

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Please bring back the old menu - or at least some of the favorites. We’ve never missed a trip to the optimist every time we come to Atlanta twice a year for years. We tried a number of the new additions to the menu and sadly not one item was anything we’d want to come back for. We really hope you’ll reconsider the new direction.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Tmiya

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I had a great birthday experience with The Optimist. I enjoyed the view, service and food. Don't just take my word for it go check them out for yourselves 🤗

    Is this helpful?

  9. Natalie

    Memphis

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always the best! Portions seemed quite a bit smaller than usual … but flavor and quality will keep us coming back.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Karen

    West Palm Beach

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Austin was excellent Very knowledgable and attentive

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

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

The Optimist is rated 4.7 stars by 9119 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking


Find next available

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Booked 98 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Optimist

914 Howell Mill Rd., Atlanta, GA 30318

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    8th Street
  • Area
    West Midtown
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 17:00–22:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–23:00
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    $5 Valet service is offered through the Brady parking garage, located on property. Additional surface street parking is available throughout the neighborhood, as well as additional lots in the area.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Eddie Barrett
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wine
  • 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.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Impressum
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable International Ltd. Alphabeta Building, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo