The Optimist

Welcome to The Optimist, where seafood lovers and cocktail enthusiasts unite in a trendy and classy atmosphere. Located at 914 Howell Mill Rd in Atlanta, GA, this cocktail bar and beer bar offers a delightful blend of fresh seafood dishes, vegan options, and a full bar experience. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible, accepts credit cards and Apple Pay, and even provides outdoor seating for those beautiful Atlanta evenings.

At The Optimist, you can expect impeccable service, as highlighted by reviewers who praise the attentive and knowledgeable staff. The menu boasts a variety of delectable dishes, from perfectly grilled octopus to succulent lobster rolls. The she-crab soup is a must-try, and the raw bar offers an impressive selection of oysters that will satisfy any seafood enthusiast.

Customer reviews rave about the flavorful dishes, with mentions of crispy fried oysters, smoked fish chowder, and mouth-watering lobster rolls. The ambiance is described as hip and modern, setting the stage for a memorable dining experience. While it can get a bit noisy once the restaurant fills up, The Optimist's offerings more than make up for it.

Whether you're looking for a casual dinner spot, a place to gather with friends, or a memorable dining experience, The Optimist has something for everyone. With valet parking, Happy Hour specials, and gender-neutral restrooms, this restaurant truly caters to a diverse clientele. So why not make a reservation, grab a drink, and indulge in the culinary delights of The Optimist?

The Optimist Menu

Location

Address: 914 Howell Mill Rd Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone: (404) 477-6260

🕓 Work Hours
MON 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
TUE 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
WED 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
THU 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
FRI 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
SAT 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM
SUN 3:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Business info

  • Takes Reservations
    Yes
  • Offers Takeout
    Yes
  • By Appointment Only
    Yes
  • Delivery
    No
  • Vegan Options
    Yes
  • Limited Vegetarian Options
    Yes
  • Wheelchair accessible
    Yes
  • Accepts Credit Cards
    Yes
  • Accepts Apple Pay
    No
  • Outdoor Seating
    Yes
  • Trendy, Classy
    Yes
  • Moderate Noise
    Yes
  • Casual Dress
    Yes
  • Good for Groups
    Yes
  • Good For Kids
    Yes
  • Good for Dinner
    Yes
  • Valet Parking
    Yes
  • Waiter Service
    Yes
  • Free Wi-Fi
    Yes
  • Best nights on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
    Yes
  • Happy Hour Specials
    Yes
  • Full Bar
    Yes
  • Smoking Outside Only
    Yes
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • Heated Outdoor Seating
    Yes
  • Covered Outdoor Seating
    Yes
  • Gender-neutral restrooms
    Yes
  • Offers Catering
    No
  • Not Good For Dancing
    No
  • Pool Table
    No
  • TV
    No
  • Bike Parking
    Yes
  • Plastic-free packaging
    Yes
  • Provides reusable tableware
    Yes

Last Reviews

  • Author: Jayla T.

    10 August 2024

    I was surprised with this place as my birthday dinner and I honestly couldn't have asked for a better choice ! I've heard so much about the optimist and their oysters and let me say there is even more to offer here than just that . Everything taste AMAZING please believe the hype . And honestly I'll hype it even more !

  • Author: Crystal S.

    03 August 2024

    I love coming here for their amazing happy hour and tonight I had the pleasure of having Amanda as my server. Listen, when I tell you she was sooooo good. Charismatic, bubbly, happy to give wine recommendations, and on point with anything we asked her to bring or do. Phenomenal so I had to share. Food wise the oysters were tasty as always. I enjoyed the smoked fish chowder and hubby ha la the seafood a la plancha. Highly recommend.

  • Author: Samantha L.

    25 July 2024

    Came here on a Monday and I was surprised how busy it was. We did not make reservations but we were able to get seated. I highly recommend making reservations if you come on a different day. We started with the Spanish Octopus and the Halibut Cheeks. My word, was the Octopus was good (a little spicy), but Halibut Cheeks was amazing!!! For dinner my husband ordered the Maine Lobster Roll and I ordered the Roasted Maine Lobster and a side of the Basmati Fried Rice. Both our meals were good but we could not stop talking about the Halibut Cheeks. It was delicious!

  • Author: Erin G.

    23 July 2024

    This is one of the best meals I have had in a while. The service was stellar. We consulted with our server before we ordered anything. We decided to split everything we ordered so we could try more because it all looked amazing. Started off with a nicely mixed cocktail that wasn't too sweet (Make Me Feel Good). The bread was delivered to the table hot and fresh and light and fluffy. It was hard to stop at just one roll, but didn't want to fill up. The friend oysters were crispy but not greasy. The she crab soup was flavorful. The lobster roll was one of the best I have ever had and I cannot rave enough about the housemade chips. They had a bbq flavored seasoning on them. We finished with the blueberry pudding cake which came server recommended and it was delicious. The ambiance was hip and modern although it is very loud once the restaurant fills up. It was sometimes hard to hear what the server was telling us. This place is a must for your Atlanta restaurants to try list.

People Recommend