Service was terrible. Billed us for 2 bottles of wine when we only purchased 1. They did take it off our bill though.
Bill
Drinks were very slow to come from the bar. Sides arrived ~10 minutes before the mains and were pretty cold by the time the mains arrived. Food tasted great.
Bayard
Great place. Food and service are excellent. Open main room can get quite noisy at peak times.
Catalina
Kennedy was an amazing server. She had a great personality and was the perfect amount of attentive. The was all delicious. Highly recommend the deviled eggs, smoked fish dip and lobster rolls. And those hush puppies!
Sidney
We went for an early dinner... We were the first folks in the restaurant!! The staff was hustling around getting ready for the busy night. I had some delicious fresh Oysters .. a pretty tasty tequila cocktail and the Red Fish and sweet wife had the Halibut. They both were amazing dishes. Oh yea we can't for get the killer house made rolls!! We finished off with a killer Chocolate dessert!! We have never had a bad dinning experience at The Optimist and the service was spot on as always. Can't wait to make it back to Atlanta to go back..
Sterling
The optimist never disappoints. Food quality and recommendations were excellent and just the right amount of service attention to be helpful but not overbearing. 
Barrett Madrigal
Popular restaurant that specializes in seafood. The place gets busy after 7 PM so make sure to have a reservation unless you’re willing to sit outside. Casual vibe and dress. The food is very good but not as great as hyped. Fish is fresh and starters very tasty. I recommend the crispy fried oysters, the Georgia apple salad, and the shrimps à la Plancha. They have extensive oyster selection. Service is very good especially if you’re in the first seating. After that, it can get pretty hectic. Three people for $260 including two drinks, desert and coffee it’s a splurge so plan accordingly. It’s in busy part of town with heavy traffic. You probably will use valet parking.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crispy Fried Oysters, Shrimp a La Plancha
Eric Wilson
Stepping into The Optimist feels like being transported to a coastal retreat, right in the heart of Atlanta. The airy, repurposed industrial space strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and comfort, making you feel immediately at ease. But it’s the impeccable service that really sets the tone—the staff is warm, knowledgeable, and their thoughtful recommendations make you feel like you're in for something special.
?WHAT I TASTED: I started with briny East Coast oysters and a perfectly charred Spanish Octopus drizzled with hot honey glaze, which hit the perfect balance of sweet and heat. For the main course, the Woodfire Grilled Swordfish had rich flavors but was slightly overcooked. Dessert was a delightful blueberry pound cake with basil ice cream, offering a unique twist.
?STANDOUT: Overall, The Optimist delivers a taste of the coast with flair, but it’s the extraordinary service that leaves a lasting impression.
⚠️WHAT WAS MID:While the kitchen has moments of brilliance, a bit more attention to consistency could elevate it even further.
Still, it’s a dining experience that lingers in your memory—fresh, flavorful, and full of surprises. 8.8/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Jennifer Jones
Seafood was great. Chicken lacked flavor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Zach Srodulski
Had a birthday dinner tonight. Probably ate too many oysters, but, we couldn't stop. The shrimp a la plancha was sinful. Our sever Rob (Robert) was Exceptional! His service was the perfect balance between giving us space while being attentive. He was very professional and hospitable. Thanks for Everything! Will be back!
I like this spot. Nice and good, but pricey. Our bill for two of us was over $200, no alcohol involved, tip not included. Great space and atmosphere. Nicely curated menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood
Jeremy Choo
Fresh, well prepared and tasty seafood. Impressive selection of seafood items, all fresh and really delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
shannon
The food was good. Entrees took a long time. Waited 15 minutes for a glass of wine. Hush puppies weren't warm. Ive had great food experiences here before. Tonight wasn't one of them.
Clifton
The service was great however the food was not. The lobster roll was very rubbery and the swordfish was extremely dry. Probably won't return. The fresh oysters and hush puppies were good though.
Linda
Great dinner at the optimist! Loved the Thai inspired mussels! Oysters were great. Lobster and Red Fish delicious. Had the hush puppies - taste like beignets! Good service great food!
Service was terrible. Billed us for 2 bottles of wine when we only purchased 1. They did take it off our bill though.
Drinks were very slow to come from the bar. Sides arrived ~10 minutes before the mains and were pretty cold by the time the mains arrived. Food tasted great.
Great place. Food and service are excellent. Open main room can get quite noisy at peak times.
Kennedy was an amazing server. She had a great personality and was the perfect amount of attentive. The was all delicious. Highly recommend the deviled eggs, smoked fish dip and lobster rolls. And those hush puppies!
We went for an early dinner... We were the first folks in the restaurant!! The staff was hustling around getting ready for the busy night. I had some delicious fresh Oysters .. a pretty tasty tequila cocktail and the Red Fish and sweet wife had the Halibut. They both were amazing dishes. Oh yea we can't for get the killer house made rolls!! We finished off with a killer Chocolate dessert!! We have never had a bad dinning experience at The Optimist and the service was spot on as always. Can't wait to make it back to Atlanta to go back..
The optimist never disappoints. Food quality and recommendations were excellent and just the right amount of service attention to be helpful but not overbearing. 
Popular restaurant that specializes in seafood. The place gets busy after 7 PM so make sure to have a reservation unless you’re willing to sit outside. Casual vibe and dress. The food is very good but not as great as hyped. Fish is fresh and starters very tasty. I recommend the crispy fried oysters, the Georgia apple salad, and the shrimps à la Plancha. They have extensive oyster selection. Service is very good especially if you’re in the first seating. After that, it can get pretty hectic. Three people for $260 including two drinks, desert and coffee it’s a splurge so plan accordingly. It’s in busy part of town with heavy traffic. You probably will use valet parking.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crispy Fried Oysters, Shrimp a La Plancha
Stepping into The Optimist feels like being transported to a coastal retreat, right in the heart of Atlanta. The airy, repurposed industrial space strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and comfort, making you feel immediately at ease. But it’s the impeccable service that really sets the tone—the staff is warm, knowledgeable, and their thoughtful recommendations make you feel like you're in for something special.
?WHAT I TASTED: I started with briny East Coast oysters and a perfectly charred Spanish Octopus drizzled with hot honey glaze, which hit the perfect balance of sweet and heat. For the main course, the Woodfire Grilled Swordfish had rich flavors but was slightly overcooked. Dessert was a delightful blueberry pound cake with basil ice cream, offering a unique twist.
?STANDOUT: Overall, The Optimist delivers a taste of the coast with flair, but it’s the extraordinary service that leaves a lasting impression.
⚠️WHAT WAS MID:While the kitchen has moments of brilliance, a bit more attention to consistency could elevate it even further.
Still, it’s a dining experience that lingers in your memory—fresh, flavorful, and full of surprises. 8.8/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Seafood was great. Chicken lacked flavor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Had a birthday dinner tonight. Probably ate too many oysters, but, we couldn't stop. The shrimp a la plancha was sinful. Our sever Rob (Robert) was Exceptional! His service was the perfect balance between giving us space while being attentive. He was very professional and hospitable. Thanks for Everything! Will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I like this spot. Nice and good, but pricey. Our bill for two of us was over $200, no alcohol involved, tip not included. Great space and atmosphere. Nicely curated menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood
Fresh, well prepared and tasty seafood. Impressive selection of seafood items, all fresh and really delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was good. Entrees took a long time. Waited 15 minutes for a glass of wine. Hush puppies weren't warm. Ive had great food experiences here before. Tonight wasn't one of them.
The service was great however the food was not. The lobster roll was very rubbery and the swordfish was extremely dry. Probably won't return. The fresh oysters and hush puppies were good though.
Great dinner at the optimist! Loved the Thai inspired mussels! Oysters were great. Lobster and Red Fish delicious. Had the hush puppies - taste like beignets! Good service great food!
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