The Optimist
Seafood restaurant · Atlanta
914 Howell Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30318
Highlights
Lobster rolls, wood-fired oysters, gumbo & raw bar in lofty space
Lobster rolls, wood-fired oysters, gumbo & raw bar in lofty space
"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
"The experience that Ford Fry has created with this intown “seaside fish camp” is so stellar, this is the first place we send out-of-town guests. The Optimist truly is the best and freshest sustainable seafood in town – a full oyster bar, beach-food essentials and seasonal handcrafted cocktails, all perfectly cast in an old ham-aging house. And if you geek out on a branded experience as much as we do, you’ll be sure to love Smith Hanes’ aesthetic touches from the surf chic décor all the way to the match books and beach keys. The Optimist is not to be missed!" - Resource Branding
"ATL residents already know about this seafood restaurant that’s been a big name in the city since 2012. No West Midtown guide would be complete without The Optimist, but it isn’t just an obligatory addition—its reputation as a top seafood restaurant is well earned, especially if you like oysters since they have a big variety. The massive subway-tiled dining area is usually full of corporate groups hitting Happy Hour after work and couples looking for a romantic dinner over aphrodisiacs, so you should make a reservation before you come. Plus, the buttery lobster roll on a brioche bun is one of our city favorites. Get access to exclusive reservations at this spot with Chase Sapphire Reserve. New cardmembers get $300 in annual dining statement credits." - jacinta howard, juli horsford, nina reeder
"The Optimist, a West Midtown seafood powerhouse, rightfully remains the most well-known spot to snag high quality oysters. That’s because there's a nice range of options here, including all the usual suspects from Powder Point to Mere Point, and a daily happy hour when you can roll up and get as many as you want for $1.50. There's an outdoor dining area which, like the massive, modish dining room, is always full so reservations are a good idea, but walk-ins can usually find a seat at the raw bar, where staff shuck and plate these briny beauties. Get access to exclusive reservations at this spot with Chase Sapphire Reserve. New cardmembers get $300 in annual dining statement credits." - juli horsford
"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 white collar business teams, yacht owners, and couples celebrating big nights out. If it's too packed and noisy, there’s a quieter oyster bar area that feels more like a retro diner—plus, it’s fun to watch the oyster prep. But we care about the food, not the fanfare. And dishes like their legendary meaty lobster roll help to keep The Optimist on top of our Best Seafood guide. Get access to exclusive reservations at this spot with Chase Sapphire Reserve. New cardmembers get $300 in annual dining statement credits." - demarco williams, nina reeder, juli horsford, jacinta howard
