Great food Lots of celebrities Wonderful cocktails. Service is top notch! I totally recommend this restaurant read more

Would of have been a solid 5 star if it weren't for the service. Came during happy hour, could tell the server wasn't estatic. - Oysters were good, muscle wasn't cut from the oyster, so expect to cut yourself - Shrimp La Plancha was great as usual - Had a few mojitos which we asked to have remade. They tasted completely different than first ones brought and it was clearly different. The server came back and insisted we try something different and then ended up bringing a new drink and another set of mojitos. We were confused at best read more

The Optimist - Seafood Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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The Optimist is easily my favorite restaurant in Atlanta. Those looking for quality seafood and oysters MUST stop in and try. We came on a Sunday afternoon for their happy hour, which we do frequently. We started off with some bubbly that paired great with our bakers dozen oysters. The Optimist has some of the freshest and cleanest oysters that I have ever had. And we recommend you try them out during their happy hour for a reduced price. I had to get their incredible lobster roll which I think is the best one in Atlanta. I prefer to get mine with drawn butter instead of all the mayonnaise and it never disappoints. I actually crave it after not having it for some time. We also got the heirloom tomatoes salad which is so fresh and light. Such a good mix of food all around. The day we visited the staff was having an off day - but more than made up for it with their food quality. We love the optimist and always recommend it to all our friends who are visiting. read more

The Optimist - Menu - Seafood Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Food was excellent, our server explained my order with accuracy and knowledge Ambiance although I felt a little underdressed in a sweatsuit, was very nice Great place Seafood Gumbo and scallops amazing read more

You can never go wrong with this restaurant. Food is delicious no matter how many times the menu changes. Oysters are a hit every time. The decor and aesthetics are always perfect. Service is pristine. Cocktails are fabulous. This is one of my favorite spots in the city by far read more

Excellent seafood restaurant. They have a seasonal/rotating menu, so the food is always fresh. Love the low light, intimate atmosphere. Perfect for date nights. The food is only preceded by the excellent service (I have been multiple times and had different servers - consistently quality no matter who I get). My go to when I want really good seafood. read more

The is by far my FAVORITE restaurant in Atlanta. Me and my husband recently went to Seattle and Portland and let me tell you... the oysters here are more enjoyable. Happy hour is a ridiculous good deal. Every single thing we ordered was divine. I'm obsessed. Optimist is where it's at!! read more

A friend wanted to celebrate her birthday here and so we went. We booked the reservation through OpenTable which was very convenient. The parking situation was very convenient as well. I'd like the valley option was being able to pay and have my car retrieved before walking out of the restaurant. So on the inside, it is very clean. The tables are a little on top of each other but it's OK I guess. The atmosphere on a Saturday early evening was not too crowded but the volume of people around made it a little loud. If you are wearing an Apple Watch, it will not like it at all. Also if you care about the restrooms, they have about eight single stall rooms that are pretty clean for the most part. They are all unisex so, you know. I do not remember our waitresses name but she was really great. I kept requesting mocktails because I don't drink alcohol and every drink she brought back from the bartender it was amazing so kudos to the bar. OK so let's discuss the food. The table bread was delicious. Oh I could've eaten like 10 of those and been full. My friends order whatever the shrimp appetizer was and it was immediately a no for me just by looking at the description on the menu. I will say that I have a very sensitive stomach and I try not to shake the table and the cream that the shrimp was in look like I could have problems and no. I don't think they were too impressed by it either. I ordered the grouper and my friend and I shared the broccolini and potatoes. No I will say it was very hard for me to figure out what I was gonna order because this menu is doing a lot and a little at the same time. Again, I am very cautious about what I eat and in my big age of 35, I cannot eat like how I used to. So things with wine sauces or cream based marinades are just not probably gonna agree with me and I live too far to have those issues on the unpredictable highways of Atlanta. Well baby my grouper and those sides were amazing. The food was extremely satisfactory and was well beyond my expectations. I really wasn't expecting to enjoy my meal as much as I did but I am so glad I did because I had heard really good things about the optimist. I just didn't want it to be like Lure. (IYKYK) We didn't do desserts or anything but overall the experience was amazing and I would definitely go back. read more

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My experience was nothing shy of amazing. Everyone is required to wear a mask while roaming the dining floor, the hostess has individual masks wrapped and ready for you. They are very compliant and has adequately complied with COVID restrictions. I would advise you to make reservations just in case. The service was amazing and everyone was very attentive. The food was exceptional! I couldn't decide between the Redfish and Flounder so I ordered both. I opted for the Redfish with a side of Cucumbers. I know I took photos, but I can't seem to find them anywhere. I'll definitely be back. read more

This may have been the best restaurant experience I have EVER had. Ryan was our server and he was so knowledgeable and you could tell he LOVED his job. The food was absolutely incredible. We had the baker's dozen oysters, shrimp a la plancha, lobster roll, roasted lobster, and potatoes. I will forever rave about this place. read more

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This has quickly become one of my favorite spots in West Midtown. I absolutely love the smoked fish chowder and the Yucatan drink with tequila. I come once a week for these alone. I usually get a spicy kale salad as well to help balance it but I have tried a lot of dishes. I asked the chef to prepare the lobster roll hot and it was decent. It's normally served cold but they will prepare it how if you ask. I really like the Basmati rice, it's very flavorful and filling. I don't eat raw oysters but I see they have an assortment to try if that's your thing. Overall, I believe you will enjoy this place and it's worth the money. read more

The Optimist - Smoked White Fish Chowder - Seafood Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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We went here on a Thursday night for dinner and it was quite busy but the server was able to get us a table. Service was EXCELLENT and the food was nothing less than phenomenal. I highly recommended this restaurant read more

I used to come here twice a month for oysters! They have switched from homemade crackers to very stale ones that look similar to saltines. I have tried going back many times since the change. I would eat the oysters without the crackers. But I have realized that I can just go to any restaurant. I used to think the oysters were special here but now I'm realizing it was the crackers. It's a sad day when your favorite restaurant is ruined by a cracker. read more

Check the box for yet another overhyped, overpriced and unpleasantly loud Atlanta "gem"! The service was outstanding (except for one thing; see below). The rest...meh: * Oyster bars are never cheap, but you can do a lot better at many other spots and get comparable--if not better--quality for less money. * We ordered the obnoxiously large "tower," and at any price, it was terrible. The shrimp were completely inedible, and the lobster was like rubber. The oysters were good, but frankly, we couldn't tell the difference between the tower's "you get what you get" variety and the dozen (and more costly) "call brand" oysters we ordered for an app. * Our party of four asked BEFORE the meal for two separate checks. When the checks came, there were two of 'em...but they were just what the entire table ordered, divided by two. Gee, thanks, I'm glad I got my pay for my friends' numerous and expensive cocktails [rolls eyes]. read more

Our experience here was kind of odd. The service was amazing, wonderful wait staff. Our starters were A+. We got the crudo, oysters, and squid all outstanding. Then our entrees ..... they were awful, I should have sent the fish back. It was room temp, in a Thai style sauce that seemed watered down like it came from a pot that was soaking in prep for cleaning. My husbands fish was also not great. He described it as a stinky foot. :/ it was really weird...... as if the first half of the night was prepared by a completely different staff. Unfortunately, we probably won't be back. read more

Back at The Optimist last night in the ATL for the weekend. Always one of our fave places. Service, flavors, vibe, all the usual excellence. HOWEVER, none of our dishes were hot. A fail. Had the swordfish -flavors and presentation GREAT -- but luke warm when arrived at the table and the duck confit actually cool to the touch. No excuse for this even when busy. read more

$1 OYSTERS for happy hour, best thing ever! I've been to the Optimist a couple times for lunch and dinner but their happy hour special is my favorite. They have happy hour on the weekdays 5 to 6pm and Saturdays and Sundays 3-5pm. During happy hour some of the oysters are $1 and then they have the baker's dozen that's a selection of 13 oysters for $12. The oysters are AMAZING! The sauces and crackers that come with it are great as well. It's definitely a great deal. They also have the punch of the day for $5 during have happy hour. I recently came on a Tuesday around 5:30pm. The bar area wasnt super busy. We got the baker's dozen and they brought the oysters very fast. We also ordered some cocktails, the spanish octopus and the rolls. The octopus is great! I really like octopus but a lot of places do not cook it right so sometimes it can have a weird texture. However, the optimist definitely knows how to cook octopus right! Their octopus is juicy, soft and full of flavor. The sauce is really good and it comes with some veggies. The rolls are super buttery and delicious too. The place is really cute and has a great atmosphere. They have a valet parking for $3 that you can pay through a webside (great for when you dont have cash!). If you park in the parking lot you still have to pay for parking so I think the valet option makes more sense. I love this place but it's a little expensive for dinner. The lunch menu is a little bit more affordable. I would say it's a great place for a special occasion or for happy hour! Overall it never disappoints, but make sure you order the oysters! read more

The Optimist - Spanish Octopus - Seafood Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Cool location on the "upper Westside". Buttery sea salted rolls are too good. Drinks and service were artisan. The food was delicious. The bar is beautiful. Great date night or night out for drinks. read more

Portions were tiny and service was terrible. Food was disappointing and not very flavorful. Oysters were very good, as were the homemade crackers. Don't waste your money or time on this place. Food is so overpriced for what you get. We finally just told our server to wrap up our main course, because it took so long to come out. read more

Definitely worth a stop! Freshest seafood, great menu items, top notch service. Run, don't walk, to The Optimist!

The food and service are excellent! The atmosphere is very warm and comfortable with everyone enjoying themselves.

Ladies: 3 Women's bathrooms! Heard so much about this place and took a friend for birthday. Love the space and ability to pay for valet by text including tip. Service was good as to be expected at this level. When we left not one of the 4 mentioned the food. Hugs and goodbyes. The food was good but I didn't think outstanding. Octopus appetizer was the favorite and great choice in Oysters. Heck of a Wine list. The ZARZUELA is a seafood stew but though this was flavorable and seafood fresh it was more of their take and more like a soup. Lobster rolls were good but with a bit too much bread. The bread they serve before the meal are fresh out the oven, buttery and melt in your mouth. All in all a good experience, but didn't live up to the hype. At least go once to experience. read more

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Always excellent service and food. The staff is very knowledgeable and accommodating. Definitely recommend the seafood tower and the grilled octopus. Sometimes the bar has specials not on the menu and custom crafted liquors. Been several times and have never been disappointed. read more

I knew I wanted to visit this restaurant the moment I read the reviews. This is one restaurant that's been on my bucket list and was difficult to get reservations for. My luck finally changed and I was able to secure a reservation for a party of 3 and there is valet available for only 3 bucks. When we arrived, the hostess informed us that our table would be ready shortly so we sat at the bar for the time being. Once we were seated, warm buttery Hawaiian bread was placed on the table and our waiter provided an introduction and put in our drink orders. Fem was so attentive and gave wonderful recommendations which I truly appreciated. Our waiter treated us with so much care I couldn't leave with him knowing how impressed I was with his service. He informed me that all of the staff are just as incredible which says a lot of this restaurant's standards. The murder point, chebooktook and savage oysters were some of the best oysters I've had since moving to GA and that alone will bring me back to this restaurant. The oyster were fresh, light and sweet and all the condiments heightened the flavors. We all decided to try a different fish, but omg the artic char was aaaammmmmaaazzziiing, literally finger licking good. The red fish was perfectly prepared and the halibut was moist, meaty and very flavorful. The only thing I could've done without on the halibut were the pickled peaches, other than that another spectacular dish. My advice is if you want to try the lobster try it without eating the fish first because honestly the lobster didn't hold a candle to the fish dishes and I love lobster. The hush puppies Oh Babyyyy were prepared like beignets and they were so so so good. The broccolini was hearty, with a nice crunch and with a balance of lemon and garlic. We were celebrating a birthday an ordered the fudge brownie sundae and to make it even more special, our waiter Fem brought us out a slice of coconut pie. This was one of the best dining experiences ever. I can't way enough about the impeccable food, the excellent customer service, the cleanliness of the bathrooms and the outstanding recommendations given by the waiter. The waiters know so much about each dish and the chefs make sure the waiters deliver only the best presentation from the kitchen to each diners table. I wasn't being optimistic at all when I knew I would enjoy this experience and I did and I will continue to enjoy it because the Optimist is my new spot whenever I am craving great seafood and unforgettable service. Now if you stayed to read this entire review, then make reservations because they book quickly and for great reasons so don't miss out. read more

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This place was a 10 all around. From the ambiance to the service to the food. Everything was perfect. Me and my husband lucked up with getting a sitter on a Saturday night and I tried my best to make reservations at several places but had no luck. I said I'd chance it and hope we could grab a seat at the bar (which we did). The bartender was super nice and attentive he made awesome recommendations and even made me a special drink since I didn't see anything on the menu that struck my fancy. The whole GA Shrimp A LA Plancha was delicious! The seafood was more on the average side. It was very good just not amazing. The Branzino with basmati rice was an excellent choice for the main dish & side. I will definitely be back to try more of their menu. I knew we were going somewhere else afterwards and would probably be having a small bite there so I didn't want to overdo it. Overall 10 out of 10. read more

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Get the octopus. That's the post lol great ambiance and perfect for a date night. Sat at the bar and the service was friendly and had great suggestions. I ordered the octopus and have craved it ever since - it was cooked perfectly! read more

The Optimist is one of my favorite seafood restaurants in Midtown. The ambience, the service, the quality of the seafood makes this one of the top seafood restaurants in Atlanta. Their menu is seasonal, but my recommendations here are: the crispy fried oysters, the Spanish octupus, whole shrimp, Georges bank scallops, striped bass, and the corn milk hushpuppies. They are pretty busy on the weekends (as most restaturants in the area), so I do advise to make a reservation. Parking is valet read more

First timer here and The Optimist did not disappoint! Drinks were delicious and the food was incredible. We ordered 11 dishes and they were all 10/10 but the one that really stood out as special was the Hamachi Crudo- get it! Andy was our server and he was so wonderful. Extremely friendly, walked us through everything and made excellent recommendations. He made us feel special even though he had 6 other tables, thanks for an amazing night Andy! Definitely ask for him if you want top notch service. We will be back very soon. read more

The Optimist - Seafood Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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For several years I've heard "The Optimist" come up in conversation. Almost always there is some reference to the price. I regret to have let that detour me for so long. I went 2 weeks ago and enjoyed some of the freshest seafood I've ever had in landlocked Atlanta. I will definitely return. Another note: I sat at the bar and the service was unlike anything I regularly experience in ATL. Every member of the bar staff actively checked on me and my date throughout the evening. Hope this helps. :) read more

This place is dope... The atmosphere is amazing. Me and my wife love the customer service and the attentiveness of every server the came in our path. Our main server (Ryan) west the best. His breakdown of the menu is above and beyond. And last but certainly not least, the food......Meaning I was left speechless...(because I had food in my mouth) LOL!!! Overall is great place for vittles. read more

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The Optimist absolutely lives up to the hype and Chef Ford Fry's reputation. Located in the West Midtown area by Public School 404, Eight Sushi Lounge and not far from places like Painted Duck, I would highly recommend coming on an evening that you plan on going out after eating. Love love love this area, as there is so much to do. Parking is a little unfortunate, as there's no self-parking lot, though they do offer $3 valet, and there's metered street parking around. Outside, there's lawn chairs and some cute grass if you're in the mood for some putt putt. Inside, you can choose from sitting in the main dining area (highly recommend for special occasions or a date) or at the oyster bar. If you're coming for Happy Hour (Monday through Friday from 5p-6p), you have to sit at the bar in order to get the oyster deals. And if you like raw oysters, I would highly recommend getting the Baker's Dozen. You get 13 oysters for only $12 and they are huge, delicious, and not at all slimy in texture. Their pricing on their entrees are a little steep, but you honestly get what you pay for. They have tons of options of wood-roasted fish, or you can get lamb, chicken, or ribeye if you're not feeling seafood. While their food is amazing, what really blew me away was their astounding service. Last time I was there, I guess the bar was a little backed up and it took a while for us to get our drinks, so, even though we didn't mind and didn't complain at all, our second order of drinks wound up getting comped. Also, we sat in the bar area, and there was a large party reservation coming in, so not only did they graciously ask us to move to another table, they provided us with a sampler of their desserts. Overall, I would highly recommend The Optimist, especially if you enjoy seafood. The Optimist is great for dates and special occasions. While their prices are a little higher than other places, the food, the atmosphere, and the service all justify that. read more

The Optimist - Baker's Dozen $12 (only served during happy hour) - Seafood Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Best oysters in ATL! Fresh food and great service. The mussels were also yummy and the ambience in the restaurant is nice

Delicious!!! Hubby had scallops with cauliflower purée, and I had the half chicken with asparagus. We shared hush puppies and also blueberry cake for dessert. The food was so, soooo good!! I had an Oceanside cocktail with Hibiscus vodka....not my fave, so I ordered a vodka, soda, lime in a short glass. It was pretty weak for my taste. My hubby had a San Sebastián cocktail which was gin and muddled celery leaves, lemon, lime,, and not really his taste. He went with a Rowan's Creek and coke and was happier. Service was awesome. Ambience was pleasant. Perfect dinner for Saturday night before a concert. read more

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This is my new favorite restaurant in Atlanta! If you're into fish or seafood this is your spot. I had the tuna crudo and the branzino, both of which were top notch. The atmosphere is great and the service was friendly and excellent. There are also great cocktail options. I hope to be back soon. read more

The Optimist - Branzino - Seafood Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Great for date night or a casual dinner. Food is somewhat farm-to-table. Drinks are worthy of five stars. I go for the freshwater oyster bar. Service was great, our waitress was very knowledgeable about the menu and recommended a few items. Don't forget the warm bread .....soft little salty but sweet read more

The outdoor seating makes for the best experience. Great food and ambiance. We'll be back!!!

Gotta try the octopus! Overall the vibe, cleanliness and my experience was great! I was surprised that the valet was less than $10 Wich is I'm heard of in west midtown read more

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I will keep coming back to The Optimist for one reason, and one reason alone: OYSTER HAPPY HOUR. Yes, this review is onlyyy for oysters. But I'm fully confident that other menu items must be delicious as well! You can tell that this establishment cares about quality and freshness of their seafood. Other than oysters, they have salads, poke, calamari, and fresh caught fish. I'd go out on a limb and say this is one of the best places you can go for seafood, and of course oysters for sure! Happy Hour always comes with variety of oysters including a few from places I've never seen (AL, FL, who knew?) as well as drink specials. I also loved the outdoor seating. It was pretty hot when I went, so sitting outside, downing a few drinks and slurping oysters with your friends truly makes it feel like summer for me! I'm absolutely returning for happy hour and I will be sure to get something else off their menu too! Being an optimist never felt so...optimistic :) read more

The Optimist - Oyster happy hour: Sat/Sun 3-5pm, Mon-Fri 5-6pm - Seafood Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Some of the best seafood I've had not by the ocean. The shrimp appetizer is fun and delicious.

I am sorry but the lobster roll was extremely tiny, I was dissapointed. I get it, the environment, the feel, the fanciness. I am fine with paying $28 for a lobster roll IF it is of quality AND quantity. $28 for Halibut that comes with no sides... come on... Oysters were $2.90 to $4, I can dig it because it was fresh tasting. GREAT service. 5 stars service for sure. She was nice and friendly, very patient as we carefully made our selection. read more