"The Optimist opened in West Midtown in 2012 and has since maintained its status as Atlanta’s buzziest seafood restaurant. The massive main dining area is often full of corporate teams, yacht owners, and couples celebrating big night outs. If it's too packed and noisy, the quieter oyster bar area feels more like a retro diner—plus, you get to watch them shuck. Dishes like the creamy smoked fish chowder, delicious beignet-style hushpuppies, and their legendary meaty lobster roll, solidify why Optimist continues to reign when it comes to seafood." - team infatuation