The Optimist

Fresh seafood, however they didn't have lobster mac n cheese and their main lobster dish that day. Was disappointed :( Service was very friendly. Amanda and Rob were both amazing.
It was cold inside though, we had to wear our jackets. The chairs were uncomfortable. The noise level too high, it was hard to sit across from each other and speak. The meals were delicious though. Had roasted oysters and grilled calamari as appetizers, lobster roll as an entree and the blueberry bread pudding with vanille ice cream as a dessert. Amazing.

What a fun night. The Optimist is a wonderful place to celebrate an event. The staff helped surprise the award winner with champagne and a congratulations sign on the table, and continued making his night throughout dinner. Started with raw oysters and octopus. Loved the spicy honey on the octopus. Shared the apple and blue cheese salad with a friend and another had the she-crab soup. Then entrees, a lobster roll, mahi-mahi and halibut. Sides were cauliflower and hush puppies. All plates were clean. I do wish my mahi-mahi had a bit more flavor. The best part was dessert. The chocolate pudding cake was to die for. The staff out did themselves with the presentation.

Food in my opinion, was excellent. I didn't have one thing that I wasn't happy with. The mescaline old fashioned wasn't on the menu, but if you ask for it, ye shall receive. Leighton, our server had excellent recommendations and was professional yet friendly.

Loved every bit of this restaurant! Went for my parents anniversary and it was a success. For starters we got the smoked oysters, crab soup & shrimp a la plancha. For dinner we got the red fish & whole founder. Then for dessert we got the apple pudding cake & coconut pie!! A plus is that since it was my parents anniversary the restaurant gave them 2 complementary champagne glasses.

The absolute best seafood restaurant I've been to in Atlanta! Especially when compared to others like Beetlecat, this place was much better for a similar price point. The service was exceptional, food was amazing, and ambience is perfectly balanced between elegant and cozy for a date night. The complimentary rolls are so buttery and perfectly salty. I also ordered the mussels, which came with a deliciously buttery, crusty bread that was the highlight of my meal when dipped in the rich tomatoey mussel broth. Don't miss out on the dashi collard greens either, it's so umami and perfectly flavored. Definitely coming back and haven't stopped raving about this place since I went!

It's a crowded and busy space that is dimly lit and somehow still great for those trendy date nights.

The oysters and seafood here is amazing and I'll gladly come back next time I'm in town. The selection of oysters is great and I loved how there was a description of the tastes of each one. I ordered a handful of different types and they were all delicious in their own way. Probably some of the best oysters I've had recently.

Burger: Get
If you want to be filled up, this big burger also comes with frites which are just so crispy and crunchy yet still fluffy.

Potatoes: Get!
We double dipped on the potatoes because we didn't know the burger came with fries oops. But no regrets at all because these were some of the most fluffy and airy potatoes I've ever bit into. How can something so simple be cooked so well to perfection!?

Scallops: Get!!
These were just so butter and tender and again, cooked to perfection where was still so juicy and melted in your mouth.

Tuna Carpaccio: Skip
I love a good carpaccio and usually my favorite is salmon but this one felt very one dimensional to me. It did have a very clean and bright flavor but I personally wasn't feeling this dish to start.

The space inside is big but they really cram you in there. Some of the tables in their main room were like 1 feet apart so you're really feeling the people around you. Parking is very limited and we just parked at a nearby structure.

Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Atmosphere: 7/10
Value: 7/10

Ok listen, I’m a foodie so let me just say as a well versed food lover… you will NOT be disappointed coming here! Our server Amanda was a delight! She gave us immaculate service and was very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu! She definitely understands top tier service and I would request her as our waitress again! Now the food, baby! The food was AMAZING! The flavors and textures of everything really transported me to another galaxy! When I say the chef really knows what he’s doing!!! Baby! He knows what pairs well with each other! We had the swordfish and redfish, crispy potatoes, collards, and hush puppies. Everything was absolutely spectacular and I felt like I was in another dimension when the flavors hit my palate. Like all my tastebuds were dancing with glee with each bite! I will definitely be coming here again and I’d definitely recommend this place to anyone who appreciates QUALITY, FLAVOR, and ATMOSPHERE!! 1000/10!!!!

Daily oyster happy hour is a must for raw oyster lovers. She crab soup and rolls are a must try. Food and service always excellent.

Beautiful atmosphere and delicious food. All of the food wasn’t as flavorful but overall the food was great. The oysters were the best I’ve had. The mussels and the sauce with the subtle kick was so flavorful. The only thing that was disappointing were the sides. They were fresh but a little bland. I did get the hush puppies afterwards and it was good. It tasted sweet but not too sweet, light and airy. The service was also great from beginning to end.

Difficult to put into words how perfect this experience was.

As soon as I arrived, there was a valet waiting for me to get out of the car. Took my phone number, quickly and efficiently explained the valet system, and my car was gone, so fast.

Was greeted by two lovely hostesses. I sat myself at the oyster bar. Jacob was my most attentive server, quickly got my drink order, and away we went with the Oyster Happy Hour.

Drinks were delicious, and oysters were fresh! Never had a need for anything as Jacob had everything streamlined.

When it was time to get my car back from the valet, it was as simple as pressing a button. My vehicle was summoned instantaneously, I couldn't believe how fast my car appeared before my eyes.

100/10

That's right, 100 out of 10 would recommend.

WOW!
Really a great experience all around. From the drinks, service and food was great.
Had the Shrimp and Octopus small plates app along with the Kale Chorizo salad and Redfish dinner.
Everything was cooked to perfection and times well.
Can’t wait to go back to their as bar and enjoy more.

I love this place. Have been at least a half a dozen times. They always have a nice oyster selection and a knowledgeable staff to help you pick and can’t beat their weekend oyster happy hour!

The service is always on point whether you’re in the main dining area or in the cozy oyster bar area.

Two of my faves are the Burger (fries need a little help ) and the Crab soup.

The Optimist has never disappointed me.

Pro Tip: The entrance is located near the sign (pictured) and the parking lot. You cannot enter through the glass door at the corner.

Great restaurant option for seafood lovers. Very open space with high ceilings where you can see the kitchen, but the seating still feels very intimate and low-lit for dates.

They have a variety of plate sizes, offering ways to share food or eat your own dish solo. We had shrimp a la plancha as a starter (which also comes with a tasty bread/sauce combo), and I had the scallops for my main, which were great. The table bread is delicious and gloriously doused in butter. Fun drink options and an extensive wine list round everything out for a great night. Recommended.

Excellent!!! This place is fantastic! Great atmosphere.....very different. The food was incredible and our server was just as nice as can be. I can't recommend this place enough. The swordfish was amazing....if you don't like seafood, my friend had the burger and he said that even that was delicious. The fries are hand cut!!! Yum!

Pictured : Spanish Octopus, Grilled Mahi, & Georges Bank Scallops. Every bite was delicious. Atmosphere was nice, staff was extremely pleasant. Will 100% be back

Amazing food and service! Raw oysters are top notch. Patrick was a consummate bartender and Derek privided our group fantastic service. We had kobster, grouper, and scallops. All were raved ocer as sooooo good. Can't go wrong here!

Finally! When I first heard about this amazing place it was Pre-Covid and unfortunately they were closed. But now, the doors are wide open, the food is fresh, and they have the best staff ever. If you want a 5-Star experience ask to be seated in Rob's section. Afterwards, go with his food suggestions. The Optimist will not disappoint.

My second time to the optimist, and they delivered once again. The shrimp la plancha is an absolute mainstay. Mainstay course was the Mahi with duck confit.

Noise level a little high. They could probably use some noise dampening pieces in the ceiling. The food was excellent! I
The service was wonderful. Our waiter (Andy) was so attentive and accommodating.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Optimist in Atlanta, GA, and let me tell you, it was an absolute treat! From the moment I walked in, I knew I was in for a fantastic dining experience.

First of all, the restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating options, making it a versatile choice for any occasion. Whether you prefer the cozy ambiance of the indoor dining area or the refreshing outdoor patio, Optimist has got you covered.

To kick off our evening, we ordered their signature margaritas, and they did not disappoint. These cocktails were expertly crafted, perfectly balanced, and incredibly tasty. They set the tone for a delightful meal ahead.

One thing that stood out right from the start was the warm, freshly baked bread that was served as an appetizer. It was so tempting that we couldn't resist indulging. The bread was soft, warm, and had a delightful crust - an excellent teaser of the culinary delights that awaited us.

For our main course, we decided to share the lobster and shrimp dish, and it was a decision we did not regret. The seafood was impeccably prepared, succulent, and bursting with flavor. The dish had a perfect balance of seasonings, and the portion size was just right. It left us craving for more.

Throughout our meal, our waiter provided exceptional service. They were attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu, making excellent recommendations. Their professionalism added to the overall enjoyment of our dining experience.

By the end of the evening, I was already planning my next visit to Optimist. It's safe to say that this restaurant has catapulted itself into my top three favorite dining spots in Atlanta. The combination of delectable food, outstanding service, and a welcoming atmosphere is truly hard to beat.

Optimist is undoubtedly the place to go if you're looking for a place to enjoy an incredible meal, fantastic drinks, and a memorable dining experience in Atlanta. I can't recommend it enough and can't wait to return for another delicious meal.

Went here on my birthday with my husband and everyone was so nice and they gave me a birthday dessert with a little cute bouquet!
I really recommend the shrimp a la plancha!! It was so amazing. Literally the best shrimp dish I had.🤌