The Crown Jewel Of Ford Fry’s Culinary Kingdom

With its humble origins in a gritty warehouse on 914 Howell Mill Road in West Midtown, The Optimist Restaurant is arguably the finest offering in Ford Fry’s culinary empire. Perfect for a date or a meeting, The Optimist, Atlanta, GA  offers a delightful dining experience for seafood lovers in Atlanta.

Valet parking is available at the venue, which is a good enough reason for restaurateurs in The Big A. And if you are forced to wait for a table, take a stroll on the mini-golf lawn where you can sip cocktails while playing a round. The Washout cocktail comes highly recommended, giving you beach vibes with its coconut-infused bourbon, pineapple, and tiki bitters.

The Optimist, Atlanta, GA –
Inside, you are greeted by an oyster bar (happy hour is 5 – 6 pm throughout the week and from 3 – 5 pm on the weekend).The main vaulted dining room with an open kitchen can be found by turning right from the oyster bar, where you usually find the over 30 crowd. Perhaps it’s because of the prices?

A word about the décor. The walls are tiled white, and the rest of the place has a nautical blue-and-white theme. The wooden floor augments the seafood experience in the landlocked city.

What’s on the menu, you ask? Everything that you expect from a seafood joint, and more. The Optimist offers arguably the best lobster roll in town, accompanied by equally tasty house made barbecue chips (the dish costs $32). The salmon and octopus are also worth trying.

The Optimist, Atlanta, GA – is located at 914 Howell Mill Road and is open from 5 – 10 pm throughout the week for dine-in and take-out. TEL: 404-477-6260 for Reservations.

The Optimist, Atlanta, GA – Website

The Optimist, Atlanta, GA –Yelp