The Optimist

Hands 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.

Ford 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]

If 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...

SWORDFISH 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!

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.

Place is LEGIT! We especially enjoyed the appetizers including the buttery lobster roll , octopus , oysters and tuna tartare . Enjoy!!!

Thanks 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

They 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.

The 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

Don'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

Smoked 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.

We 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!

Food 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!

Try 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

One 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 .

The 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

Gently 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.

Everything! 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!

Oh 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!!

The 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.

A 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

Salmon crudo local peaches jalapeños and basil with a bacon crumble absolutely amazing!!!

Tried 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!

Whole Georgia White Shrimp : The menu rightly calls this saucy heap “messy but worth it.” Fingers and forks work in tandem to deliver each meaty, buttery, spicy bite. Read more

I loved the oysters . The lobster roll was packed with meat. Fresh, awesome and very good wine list without being too overwhelming

Shrimp 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!

Incredible 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

Fresh seafood . Great service. Drinks are good too. Definitely a place I will return & try other menu items.

the 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.

One 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

Beer 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 .

The place itself is stunning. Went for happy hour and loved the chef 's choice oyster selection .

They 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!

The 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!

Yummmm. The chowder was fantastic. The menu changes frequently to accommodate fresh items but I can't imagine you could go wrong with anything.

Fantastic seafood and the atmosphere has a youthful, fun vibe. I recommend the swordfish (if available) and a side of hush puppies .

Everything was delicious. The octopus , shrimps , oysters , the fish poached in duck fat , even the dessert . This is a must to visit in Atlanta

Great food! The ambiance and mood are great too. A must-go in ATL

The 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 .

You can get the brown sugar cake with ANY ice cream . Try it with salted caramel or Chris Kelner's fave, sour cream ice cream .

The 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!

Try 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 .

It 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.

The 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

All the seafood I had was amazing. Never had octopus before but now I know it's delicious. Large groups are served family style .

Literally 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 !!!!!