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The Optimist
Seafood Restaurant$$$$
Atlanta
Go here. Experience the seafood. It's worth it.
"Lobster roll, French Malbec and the octopus at the bar - fantastic"(17 Tips)"Try the Corn Milk Hushpuppies, Beignet Style - Omg"(4 Tips)
"They have a fantastic oyster menu - the Tatamagouche are wonderful!."(49 Tips)
"Smoked fish chowder & the she crab soup are delicious."(7 Tips)
208 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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Samir GillaniDecember 27, 2015Hands down the best restaurant in Atlanta! Get the She Crab Soup, Peel and Eat GA Shrimp (messy but worth it!), the duck fat swordfish (holy it's good!), and fish & chips (huge!). Valet is only $3.
EaterJanuary 21, 2013Ford Fry's much-hyped fish camp and oyster bar in West Midtown opened in May and has since been the recipient of praise galore. Don't forget to leave some time for miniature golf. [Eater 38 Member]
Upvoted Oct 18, 2024- Djaniella D.September 6, 2016If you just want oysters, i'd recommend coming during happy hour and getting the chef's choice where he picks 13 for $13. The oysters are absolutely delicious so you'll probably want another round...
David RosenmanJune 24, 2019SWORDFISH IS LIFE CHANGING!!! I hate swordfish for always being dry, however this dish also had short rib on it just to prove how amazing a swordfish can be!!! Absolutely stunning and delicious!
Upvoted Nov 30, 2024
Great lobster roll and oysters. Had an awesome lunch here while I was visiting from New York. Good for business lunches or a more casual meal.- James KiernanApril 19, 2021Place is LEGIT! We especially enjoyed the appetizers including the buttery lobster roll, octopus, oysters and tuna tartare. Enjoy!!!Upvoted Nov 30, 2024
Creative Loafing AtlantaJanuary 7, 2015Thanks to this spot, there's a solid place to go for a carefully curated oyster selection so fresh you'd think you lived on the water. Pair them with a crisp glass of craft beer. Read more
- ATL_HunterJuly 15, 2015They have a fantastic oyster menu - the Tatamagouche are wonderful!. Try them! If you don't have a reservation, they have full service at the bar. The bartenders are friendly and attentive.
Get some west coast oysters. Drink all the drinks. Order whatever tickles your fancy. Make sure to indulge in the hush puppies though. This is definitely one of the best restaurants in Atlanta.
鈩仇潚娥潛庘檷August 3, 2015The clam roll, mussels, kale salad, oysters, seafood gumbo,and scallops. Everything was fresh and delicious. Fantastic! My best meal in Atlanta. The atmosphere is definitely trendy, hip and modern
EpicuriousOctober 2, 2014Don't let the airplane hanger-sized dining room fool you, the adjacent oyster bar is plenty intimate. Grab a stool and hone in on whatever chef Adam Evans has on the raw bar menu that night. Read more
- Mike the ElderMay 14, 2017Smoked fish chowder & the she crab soup are delicious. Seafood plateaux is fresh & fantastic. Swordfish in duck fat and short rib. Don't forget to order a side of hushpuppies. Great wine election.
Neal JainApril 26, 2017We had three kinds of oysters, which were really fresh, the whole fish (branzino), shrimp a la plancha and crispy Spanish octopus. Sides - hush puppies and the broccoli/spring onion. Excellent!
Laurie LuckieFebruary 10, 2015Food was fabulous but Dion our server was the best! The whole fish black bass was incredible and the brussel sprouts were some of the best I've had! This place is a must try and ask for Dion!- Creative Loafing AtlantaMarch 16, 2015Try the Hot Buttered Rum cocktail here. It's hot and sweet with a lump of brown sugar dissolved in hot water, doused in a healthy dose of the Kraken spiced rum. Read more
Fernanda Di GiaimoJuly 19, 2013One of the best seafood places ever! World class cook and service (ask for Christopher, such a nice waiter)! Tender Octopus as a starter, Scallops with potatoes and asparagus for entre and Boston pie.- Creative Loafing AtlantaApril 25, 2013The she-crab soup is a piping hot bowl of buttery froth is packed with crabby ocean flavor. One of CL's 100 dishes, this menu item is filled with sweet and salty notes of emulsified crab roe. Read more
- Creative Loafing AtlantaApril 25, 2013Gently poached in glorious duck fat, this swordfish steak is all meaty and supple. It's surf and turf 2.0, and one of CL's 100 Dishes to eat in Atlanta before you die.
Ryan ConwellJanuary 15, 2016Everything! Fried oysters, Caesar Salad, Mahi, Cioppino, all amazing! The atmosphere was full of energy and amazement. Service, spot on! Make a reservation. We will be going back!
Anne TaillandierSeptember 19, 2013Oh so tender grilled octopus, succulent shrimps, hearty scallops with chicken jus & brisket, and out of this world seared & tender raw tuna! One of the better seafood restaurants I've been to!!
Jack ScottyJanuary 29, 2015The menu changes everyday, tough to recommend anything specific. But, I've been here many times and have always had a phenomenal meal. Can't go wrong if you love seafood as much as I do.- Creative Loafing AtlantaApril 25, 2013A carefully curated oyster selection so fresh you'd think you lived on the water. It's no surprise the raw bar here made Creative Loafing's 100 Dishes list. Read more
- David RosenmanJune 24, 2019Salmon crudo local peaches jalape帽os and basil with a bacon crumble absolutely amazing!!!
Cody MooreNovember 14, 2014Tried raw oysters for the first time here, found a new favorite food. Much better than fried. Hush puppies are a must, and give the broccoli with crispy shallots a try, delish!
Ricardo ValdesApril 20, 2016I loved the oysters. The lobster roll was packed with meat. Fresh, awesome and very good wine list without being too overwhelming
Patrick LesterJanuary 28, 2013Shrimp a la plancha is messy but totally worth it. Try the brussel sprouts, even if you think you don't like them. Oh and the hush puppies, you're a fool if you walk out of here without trying them!- Get the charred octopus and wash it down with the mother of pearl cocktail. If you can't get a table, sit at the bar. The seats move quickly!
Tim HMarch 22, 2013Incredible seafood restaurant! Even if you're an oyster noob, the staff is very noob-friendly and gives great suggestions, so try it!! Great for lunch, gotta try the lobster roll!! Excellent flavors
TJAugust 5, 2015Fresh seafood. Great service. Drinks are good too. Definitely a place I will return & try other menu items.
kneeseespiecesOctober 27, 2012the oyster bar is perfect for a date, the plates are sized to share a perfect portion. you'll be spending a pretty penny but it'll be worth it. house made hot sauce is amazing.- Creative Loafing AtlantaApril 25, 2013One of CL's 100 dishes to eat before you die, the Hot Buttered Rum includes actual butter (and rum, of course). Who puts butter in cocktails?! These guys. Read more
Atlanta Eats TVDecember 6, 2012Beer Battered Haddock and Chips - A serving is about enough food for two people. Fish and chips might be a Brit classic, but The Optimist's dish will remind you that history is written by the winners. Read more
You're not a true Atlantan unless you try out this new spot. Enjoy the casual side; enjoy fresh oysters and raw bar, punch of the day, play some putt put & feel like you've just left the beach.
Kyle ByeSeptember 11, 2016The place itself is stunning. Went for happy hour and loved the chef's choice oyster selection.
Mackensie H.August 7, 2013They do an amazing, modernized spin on seafood! I would 100% recommend this restaurant to anybody! Also, Try their caramel sea salt frozen treat for dessert- Simply delicious!- Kemba CofieldJuly 4, 2014The Optimist is awesome! I haven't enjoyed a meal like that inATL in awhile. The bread is scary great! The baked oysters were wonderful. Appetizers were fabulous!
KaitlinAugust 7, 2014Yummmm. The chowder was fantastic. The menu changes frequently to accommodate fresh items but I can't imagine you could go wrong with anything.
Nathan WrightOctober 2, 2015Fantastic seafood and the atmosphere has a youthful, fun vibe. I recommend the swordfish (if available) and a side of hush puppies.
David MonteroAugust 5, 2015Everything was delicious. The octopus, shrimps, oysters, the fish poached in duck fat, even the dessert. This is a must to visit in Atlanta
Jan RyniewiczMay 27, 2016Great food! The ambiance and mood are great too. A must-go in ATLUpvoted Nov 30, 2024
Andrew FilarAugust 5, 2018The Spanish octopus (right) is an amazing app. $1 oysters during 3-5pm happy hour sat/Sunday!
The lobster rolls are the best. Chunks of lobster nestled in a soft toasted roll. I would also recommend the West Coast oysters.
Brian DeWittMay 20, 2014You can get the brown sugar cake with ANY ice cream. Try it with salted caramel or Chris Kelner's fave, sour cream ice cream.
Carly LouxMarch 29, 2013The east coast oysters and the shrimp a la plancha were phenomenal! Also the hush puppies beignet style are a must try! Amazing restaurant and service!
Fadia KaderFebruary 5, 2013Try a little bit of everything! The gumbo and white fish chowder was fresh. Loved the scallops with Oxtails and brown chicken jus. Don't skip on dessert.
Victor MarshallMarch 27, 2014It was a great place to eat. I had the duck ham, oysters, and scallops. Menu changes every day so you might not be able to have that.
Danny CzeczilNovember 21, 2013The triggerfish was the best thing ive ever put in my mouth....finish the meal off with salted carmel ice cream and you're on cloud 9
RichNovember 10, 2015All the seafood I had was amazing. Never had octopus before but now I know it's delicious. Large groups are served family style.
Mary GassJune 24, 2013Literally the best restaurant I have ever eaten at. I live 4 hours away and will be coming back to Atlanta just to eat here. You HAVE to get the mushrooms!!!!!
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The Optimist's menu focuses on sustainable seafood prepared in a wood-burning oven. Adjacent to the new restaurant, Fry has opened Oyster Bar at The Optimist, a more casual "fish camp" style venue, featuring an outdoor patio, live music and an oyster bar.
Closed until 11:30 AM (Show more)
- Mon鈥揟hu
- 11:30 AM鈥�30 PM
- 5:00 PM鈥�:00 PM
- Fri
- 11:30 AM鈥�30 PM
- 5:00 PM鈥�:00 PM
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- 5:00 PM鈥�:00 PM
- Sun
- 5:00 PM鈥�:00 PM
(404) 477-6260
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Dinner, Happy Hour
Drinks
Beer, Wine, Full Bar, Cocktails
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- 9.0
"$6 prosecco on tap. Loved the scallops and the grilled octopus lettuce wraps."
Caroline Schulweis - 7.3
"Great oyster selection, downstairs area is the place to be. Feels like a neighborhood bar. Caleb and Mayam are awesome. The seasonal old fashion was perfect recommendation."
Alejandro Echevarria Gil - 8.7
"Atmosphere is awesome. A lot of people like the lobster bisque soup it was very thin & soupy? Blakened scallops were good! Wish I had tried the oysters rockafellow"
Elaine Little
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- 8.4
"Great bar areas up and down stairs. Large draft and bottle beer selection. Good food."
Jim Caruso - 9.2
"AMAZING! Definitely try a few flavors before choosing what to get since they're all so unique and different. I recommend the Wildberry Lavender and Salty Caramel flavors!"
Maddie Swab - 8.7
"Great service, pretty place, nice drinks. Chicken or steak highly recommended!!"
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