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.

You’ll feel like you’ve escaped to a seaside resort when you step into this nautically-designed spot on Howell Mill Road. The modern interior features a designated raw bar and a dining room that feels anything but landlocked. Start with tuna crudo or smoked fish dip with a round of handcrafted cocktails, then choose from the ocean-fresh menu featuring whole roasted fish, lobster rolls, Spanish octopus, poached swordfish, and more seaworthy delights.

The Optimist sits on congested Howell Mill, but once you approach the patio and lawn (complete with a putting area) you feel removed from all of that. The restaurant has strong coastal vibes, especially the bar, which is sunny and features an oyster bar. Start with one of the crudos (like the cobia with strawberry gazpacho, orange gremolata, and almonds), some crispy oysters, and a lobster roll.

This repurposed factory warehouse from Ford Fry shows off fat Georgia shrimp in a bath of arbol chile butter and lime, and treats Georgia scallops and Florida grouper with simplicity and respect. Fish from northern waters is on the menu, too.

Ford Fry’s sterling fish camp has survived and thrived since its 2012 opening thanks to high-level executive talent leading the way, from Adam Evans (who recently picked up a James Beard Award) to Pat Pascarella (who just opened Bastone across the street) to Brian Horn, who expertly trims the sails today. Start things off with warm, creamy she-crab soup or seafood gumbo that boasts a perfectly penny-dark roux—in addition to, of course, amazingly fresh oysters on the half shell. The most ideal supper then proceeds to fish, any fish—Thai-style branzino, swordfish poached in duck fat, a simply dazzling Arctic char with salsa verde—all roasted in the restaurant’s blazing wood hearth.

As one of Atlanta’s finest seafood restaurants, The Optimist is a testament to chef-owner Ford Fry’s commitment to delivering only the freshest, highest quality seafood available. As you’d expect of an establishment owned by a chef who’s been named a James Beard Foundation Outstanding Restaurateur semifinalist; Restaurateur of the Year by the Georgia Restaurant Association; and Empire Builder of the Year by Eater Atlanta, its food isn’t going to come cheap, and indeed it doesn’t. $86 will get you the “Refuge”, a collection of oysters, shrimp, ceviche, fish dip, salmon poke, lobster.

Chef-owner Ford Fry's (also owner of King + Duke, St. Cecilia, No. 246 and JCT. Kitchen & Bar) ode to the Southern coast has become an instant hit for Atlantans seeking seaside cuisine. Executive Chef Adam Evans cooks up a menu peppered with seafood staples (think lobster rolls, hush puppies and eat-and-peel shrimp)as well as divergent renditions (wood hearth roasted mangrove snapper or duck fat poached swordfish with smoked short ribs). Begin your meal with an artful appetizer and indulge in one of the craft cocktails.

The Optimist in the city of Atlanta was founded by Ford Fry, owner of a handful of restaurants. The restaurant brings an experience of a seaside fish camp to the landlocked residents of Atlanta.The menu at The Optimist includes offerings ranging from fresh oysters sourced from the coast of Alabama and sea scallops from Maine to whole roasted trout sourced locally in Georgia. Customers can dine on sustainable, high quality seafood from some of the best suppliers in the United States.

914 Howell Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30318404-477-6260 Visit Website. Voted the best restaurant of the year from Bon Apetit, with glowing accolades in famed publications like Travel and Leisure and Esquire, The Optimist certainly has critics feeling optimistic. Located inside a refurbished ham-aging house in West Midtown, The Optimist offers a cool, rustic-meets-nautical chic atmosphere to enjoy sustainably sourced, high-quality seafood in all its forms.

If you're looking for a more upscale meal, travelers recommend steakhouses like Bones and The Capital Grille and contemporary American establishments, such as Canoe and The Optimist. But if want to grab a more casual (and affordable) bite to eat, Fat Matt's Rib Shack, the Atlanta Breakfast Club and Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q are favorites, as are international options like Aviva by Kameel, El Viñedo Local and Desta Ethiopian Kitchen.

After years of serving classic, white-tablecloth fine dining, chef Gerry Klaskala remodeled his Buckhead staple restaurant to appeal to a younger generation of diners. Now it’s a bit more relaxed and casual — there’s a walk-in ready bar and lounge for drinks and snacks for an impromptu night out. The kitchen consistently cranks out Aria favorites, like butter braised lobster, slow braised pork, and lump crab cakes.

When it comes to the best romantic restaurants in Atlanta for seafood, The Optimist sails straight to the top. Housed in a converted industrial space, it strikes the perfect balance between laid-back charm and stylish appeal. The dining room features maritime-inspired touches, and the menu goes beyond the usual suspects, spotlighting oysters, lobster rolls, and inventive fish entrées.

Although dinner at The Optimist is a treat in and of itself, it’s the oyster bar just off the main dining room that caught our eye. The menu includes a rotating selection of the freshest oysters—served on ice or roasted in the wood-fire oven—small plates and a killer Daily Punch. Bonus: Select oysters are $1 during Oyster Happy Hour (Monday to Friday, 5 to 6PM; Saturday, 3 to 4PM).

Seafood is always a classy choice for date night, and The Optimist is the perfect destination. This romantic restaurant in Atlanta is also an oyster bar, so you can feast on oysters along with delicious steak and fish dishes. This Atlanta restaurant is prized for its West Midtown location, allowing you to extend your date by meandering the streets of downtown Atlanta after dinner.

Gumbo is a quintessential southern treat that captures everyone’s imagination. The list of famous restaurants in Atlanta includes The Optimist, a seaside fish camp and gumbo eatery that does gumbo right. A medley of oysters, shrimp and andouille sausage served with garlic bread, this take on classic Atlanta food calls to mind far-off coastal breezes and the flavors of the sea.

The Optimist is the place to go when craving a seaside fish camp experience amid Atlanta. Featuring sustainable seafood like fresh oysters, Maine scallops, and roasted trout, this restaurant’s delectable menu is sure to appease every seafood lover. You can also pair your coastal cuisine with a handcrafted cocktail or a glass of something from their beer and wine menu.

This seafood joint is known for its oyster-stocked raw bar and irresistible crispy fried oysters topped with remoulade, fresh horseradish and charred lemon. Visitors can also pair wood oven-roasted oysters with libations, entrees and various raw bar selections, from bay scallops to Prince Edward Island mussels. See also: The 8 Best Restaurants For Caviar In Atlanta

Living up to its name, The Optimist exceeds expectations through fresh, sustainable seafood. Self-described as serving “a seaside fish camp experience to landlocked Atlantans,” Ford Fry’s Georgia location is beloved for its Maine lobster rolls, oyster happy hour, and handcrafted cocktails. Think sunny seaside resort—but inside a former West Midtown warehouse.

Head to the Optimist to taste the best lobster roll you have ever had. This trendy restaurant owned by the prominent restaurateur, Ford Fry takes the region’s culinary experience to a whole new level. Impeccable service, passionate chefs and an unbeatable location right next to a golf course make the Optimist one of the finest seafood restaurants in Atlanta.

Some of the best seafood in town is served in this buzzy, upscale spot known for its curated cocktails and cool scene. One of the jewels in the crown of chef Ford Fry's Atlanta restaurant collection, The Optimist is a full-on seafood experience, complete with a fresh oyster bar. Always packed, it has cocktails that draw as many fans as the cuisine.

Chef-owner Ford Fry's Westside upscale fish camp has it all: a beautiful patio, an oyster bar offering 10 varietals and a menu featuring everything from beachside classics like lobster rolls, peel and eat shrimp and smoked fish chowder to sophisticated mains like the can't miss "duck fat poached" swordfish with short rib, kohlrabi and horseradish.

It's a notable oyster deal not just for it being Fry's, nor because of the house-made saltines that come alongside the oysters, but for its schedule: The Optimist offers certain oysters (there are other, fancier oysters, too) for $1 from 5 - 6 p.m. on weekdays (like many others) and from 3 - 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday (rare, and exceptional).

If you’ve never tried oysters, there’s no better place in Atlanta than The Optimist. Their oysters are fresh from the Alabama coast and are part of the restaurant’s sustainable seafood drive. Pair the oysters with some of their other fantastic dishes like their lobster roll and don’t forget to get a pitch of their tea-infused fish house punch.

If you’re looking for fine dining in Atlanta, there are plenty of options to explore. Whether you want to experience the finest fine dining in the city, or discover hidden gems that offer an authentic taste of local culinary culture, there is something for everyone when it comes to fine dining Atlanta. So what are you waiting for?

Seafood lovers should not miss The Optimist, renowned for its fresh fish and exceptional service. Visit during Happy Hour to enjoy a variety of oysters for just $1 each. For a unique dining experience, head to Gunshow, where dishes are presented on rolling carts instead of traditional menus, offering a fun and interactive meal.

This popular, beautifully designed Westside seafood restaurant is always packed, so call ahead to make sure they can take you for lunch or dinner. You won't be disappointed by The Optimist's delicious chowders, salads and fresh seafood dishes and an attention to detail that marks all of chef Ford Fry's Atlanta restaurants.

This dining room is urban sleek in black and beige tones, but the menu comforts with two Southern favorites: oysters and smoked meats. Chef Todd Richards prefers the term "smokehouse" to "barbecue," because he scents enticing trout, pork, chicken, and beef brisket with hickory and pecan woods at low temperatures.

You didn’t really think we’d talk about seafood without mentioning one of Atlanta’s all time favorites… did you?. The Optimist is always an unforgettable dining experience, thanks to Owner-Chef Ford Fry and Executive Chef Tye Carpenter. The bar is absolutely stunning, perfectly designed for oyster slurping.

One of the best restaurants in Atlanta, the Optimist transports visitors to a seaside resort. With a soothing nautical interior, the experience here feels no less than divine. Their stunning seafood menu revolves around a wood-fired hearth, high-quality dishes, and ingredients from all around the country.

Tucked away in an old house on the Westside, The Optimistbrings seaside dishes to landlocked Atlantans. From smoked fish chowder and hickory roasted fish to classic hush puppies and crab soup, the dishes will surely transport you straight to a sustainable, coastal fish camp. Where: 914 Howell Mill Road

Part of Ford Fry’s restaurant empire that Esquire named restaurant of the year in 2012. Although the Optimist has been open for a few years, reservations for dinner at this seafood spot can still be hard to come by, but you can eat a full meal at the bar or just make a meal at the oyster bar.

If you are craving mouthwatering seafood and a large variety of cocktails, head to The Optimist for a royal experience. Every dish is made with a signature recipe that highlights the individual essence of the fresh ingredients. You can enjoy gourmet food in a relaxing and classy ambiance.

An absolutely decadent meal with lots of fresh seafood options, this restaurant features Latin-inspired flavors and a self-proclaimed “fish camp” vibe. The cocktails are a must!. I love the Yucatan, a combination of tequila blanco, agricole rhum blanc, green tea, agave, lime.

The Optimist seems to reign supreme as far as seafood restaurants go in Atlanta. It’s got a beautiful décor with a beachy feel that we land-locked Atlantans can’t get enough of. Although a bit small, the lobster roll at The Optimist makes for a great pick me up at lunch.

A location found in the very trendy West Midtown area of Atlanta, The Optimist provides more than 10 different types of oysters. You can get them on ice or have them wood-roasted in the oven. This is also a great spot for people watching if you sit at the Oyster Bar.

The Optimist is a monument to chef and owner Ford Fry's dedication to serving only the freshest, highest-quality fish. This lovely eatery is without a doubt one of Atlanta's best seafood establishments. While dining, you'll enjoy an upscale seafood experience.

The Optimist The Optimist is a popular seafood spot located in West Midtown. They offer a wide selection of fresh seafood dishes, including oysters, lobster, and scallops. The restaurant has a lively atmosphere and a great bar area.

The Optimist is more of a restaurant that has fantastic cocktails than anything else. All have oceanic names like the Jolly Rodger and the Scurvy Scoundrel, pictured above. Be sure to order oysters, seafood gumbo, and mahi mahi.

For seafood lovers, The Optimist offers a delightful array of fresh, sustainably sourced seafood dishes. From oysters to lobster rolls, this West Midtown hotspot delivers an exceptional dining experience with coastal flavors.

Atlanta's outdoor dining scene spans everything from dog-friendly beer gardens to rooftop lounges with skyline views. Many restaurants feature fire pits, heated patios, and covered spaces to extend the season even further.

As endless bright-side-lookers with a goal to "positively impact people, communities, and the planet," we're already seduced by The Optimist’s name — and the food and service exceed all expectations.

The Optimist is a seafood restaurant located in West Midtown. The menu features fresh seafood dishes like whole roasted fish and wood-grilled oysters. The Optimist also has an extensive wine list.

The Optimist – Beetlecat’s sister restaurant that has fabulous seafood, incredible dinner rolls (I can’t stop eating them), and an awesome vibe. Best item on their menu – Shrimp A La Plancha.

I swaggered into The Optimist with my taste buds ready for a seafood fiesta. Holy mackerel, this place did not disappoint!. Their menu is a treasure trove of delicacies from the sea.

- Rating: 4.3/5 (2225 reviews)- Price level: $$$- Address: 914 Howell Mill Road Atlanta, Georgia - Categories: seafood, cocktail bars, beer bar- Read more on Yelp

My favorite restaurant in Atlanta is La Grotta, a very good Italian restaurant in Buckhead. Delicious Italian food and the owner is good friends with Chef Andrea

The Optimist has made its name by serving some opulent dishes, including some of the best seafod you’ll find in the city.