Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
The Optimist - Nashville, Nashville, TN

The Optimist - Nashville

4.8
4.8
3082 Reviews
$31 to $50
Seafood

Make a reservation

2 people
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
7:00 PM
Booked 58 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Neighborhood gem
The Optimist transports landlocked Tennesseans to the coast for super-fresh, sustainably sourced seafood. Our menu weaves together classic and modern seafood favorites, cocktails of the season complement the fare, and an extensive outdoor patio and “game” area complete the full experience.

Restaurants you may also like

View all

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:30 pm–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Mike Parhm
  • Private party facilities
    We have 2 areas that can accommodate private events! Our Captain's Room can seat up to 10 guests and our Private Dining Room can seat up to 30 guests or up to 16 guests semi privately. The Optimist is also available for a full restaurant buyout!
  • Private party contact
    Angela Clover: (678) 536-6506
  • Neighborhood
    Germantown
  • Parking details
    Valet
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wine

Private dining

What 3,082 people are saying

The Optimist - Nashville reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Optimist in Nashville offers "excellent food and service" with a seafood-centric menu that features "phenomenal" dishes like oysters, halibut, and Arctic char. The ambiance is "inviting and upscale," complemented by a "thoughtfully curated wine list." Service is consistently praised as "attentive and personable," making it a top choice for special occasions.
3,082 Reviews
  1. Jeff

    Nashville2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    First let me say my wife and I had a great time. It was quiet and we were able to enjoy ourselves. She had the lobster rolls which she thought were very good and I had the fish and chips which I thought was a little tough. Overall we had a good time and a good experience. Just not my cup of tea.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Jon VIP

    Nashville4 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    Service was very slow and inaccurate. Waited 20 minutes twice for an espresso martini. Order a dozen oysters and they came in three separate trips because the server didn’t punch in the written order correctly. The food was great, it was loud and the service was lacking.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Jane

    Seattle2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a great experience at The Optimist to celebrate our friend’s birthday. The service was excellent and the food was all so delicious with amazing flavors! Will definitely be back!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Blythe

    Nashville8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a wonderful dinner at The Optomist. Our server was delightful,  knowledgeable about the menu, and very friendly. I think his name was James. All of the staff were welcoming. A memorable evening.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Philip VIP

    Milwaukee5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was great. Start to finish. We will be going back again.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Krista VIP

    Nashville12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My last visit to The Optimist was about a year ago and my review wasn’t good. However, this time things were excellent! Our waitress was attentive, personable, and even gave us an added appetizer with our oysters. All our food was delicious, fresh, and came out timely. We even got a nice post card signed by all the staff that said happy anniversary - a really nice touch to our 1 year engagement celebration. I am so relieved that things were so nice for us. This restaurant certainly moves back to one of my absolute favorites in Nashville. Thank you guys for everything!

    Is this helpful?

  7. OpenTable Diner

    Nashville2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I had eaten here a few times before and always really enjoyed it, but I had my birthday dinner here and was so blown away! They really went all out and all the staff were lovely. Our server Gabriel was amazing and went above and beyond. Could not recommend enough!

    Is this helpful?

  8. melissa

    Nashville2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The seafood was amazing and the portion sizes were good. Our server was Charles, and he was extremely charming and knowledgeable about the menu. At his suggestion, we had the shrimp starter and deviled eggs. There were three in our party, and we got the Mahi Mahi, Halibut, and Char based on his suggestions of the preparation and sauces. He made the experience absolutely perfect! We will definitely be back!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Cole

    Nashville1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 24, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Optimist was the perfect location for a date night! Food was great, drinks were great, the ambiance was great, and the service was great! A little slow getting our drinks to the table but outside of that, it was well worth the visit.

    Is this helpful?

  10. David

    Little Rock1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I work in the industry, and have been looking forward to trying the Optimist for the first time for quite a while now. All I can truly emphasize is how much I can't wait to return after my first experience. My lovely partner and I had a rare night off together for our anniversary, and somehow managed to find ourselves enjoying the best meal we've had to date on our first anniversary with each other. She languished in comparing oysters while I was much like a kid in a candy store with the wine list. It's not often one can find such a thoughtfully curated list of specifically white wines. We started with a glass of muscadet to pair with oysters. If this is an option with oysters, I have a hard time not choosing it, and I was not disappointed. Finding a reasonably priced bottle of Aligoté on the menu furthered my excitement as we moved forward with our seafood driven experience. Major props for its inclusion on this wonderful list of wines. This wine perfectly complimented the Arctic Char with Lump Crab and Beurre Blanc I chose, my wonderful date opted into even more oysters for her entree, and we were both just absolutely elated. I know this review is getting a little long winded, but I would hate to leave out the extremely significant point that our server, Izzy, was nothing less than fantastic, and could not have made our experience more lovely. Her attention to detail was exquisite, and her demeanor is sought after in special hospitality moments. I'm so grateful we were blessed by her service, and the flowers she so thoughtfully gave us at the end of our meal as a lagniappe are currently in water on our kitchen table. She was a joy. Cheers to this absolutely wonderful establishment. I can't emphasize how much I am looking forward to coming back, and I have been excitedly recommending it to anyone who will listen as well. Oh...one last thing. Best dinner roll I've ever tasted. Well done.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Optimist - Nashville is rated 4.8 stars by 3082 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Nashville
  4. Nashville
  5. Germantown

Make a reservation


Booked 58 times today
Google Map for The Optimist - Nashville

1400 Adams Street, Nashville, TN 37208

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Germantown
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:30 pm–11:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Valet
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Mike Parhm
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Private party facilities
    We have 2 areas that can accommodate private events! Our Captain's Room can seat up to 10 guests and our Private Dining Room can seat up to 30 guests or up to 16 guests semi privately. The Optimist is also available for a full restaurant buyout!
  • Private party contact
    Angela Clover: (678) 536-6506
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo