The Optimist opened in West Midtown in 2012 and has since maintained its status as Atlanta’s buzziest seafood restaurant. The massive main dining area is often full (yeah, this place is that popular) of corporate teams, yacht owners, and couples celebrating big night outs. If it's too packed and noisy, there’s a quieter small oyster bar area that feels more like a retro diner—plus, it’s fun to watch the oyster prep. But we care about the food, not the fanfare. And dishes like the creamy smoked fish chowder, delicious beignet-style hush puppies, and their legendary meaty lobster roll, solidify why Optimist is one of the better seafood spots in the city.