The Optimist
Westside · Atlanta · Seafood
Reviewed February 15, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
A thick, leather-bound list that feels like it belongs in a restaurant twice this price point. Organized by style rather than region, which immediately signals that someone here actually thinks about how people choose wine with food. Over 200 selections with a by-the-glass program that rotates weekly.
Selection Deep Dive
This is where The Optimist earns its Gold badge. The list goes deep on coastal whites you'd expect with seafood (Albariño, Muscadet, Vermentino) but also surprises with a serious Burgundy section and a half-page of Greek wines that pair brilliantly with the raw bar. The buyer clearly has a point of view and isn't afraid to stock bottles you won't find at the table next door.
By the Glass
Twelve pours that change weekly. On our visit, the lineup included a Txakoli from Basque Country and a skin-contact white from Georgia (the country). This is not a by-the-glass program running on autopilot. Every pour felt intentional.
Domaine de la Pépiere Muscadet Sèvre et Maine — $14/glass
Bone-dry, saline, and built for oysters. At $14 a glass, this is one of the best seafood wine values in Atlanta.
Assyrtiko from Santorini (Sigalas)
Buried in the Greek section that most diners skip. Volcanic minerality that makes the grilled octopus sing. Ask your server about it.
The entry-level Sancerre
Not a bad wine, but at $18/glass it's the most overpriced pour on the list. The Muscadet is better with seafood and costs $4 less.
Sigalas Assyrtiko + Grilled Octopus
The volcanic mineral character of the wine mirrors the char on the octopus. Salt meets smoke. This is why you came here.
🔥 The Bottom Line
The Optimist isn't just a great seafood restaurant with a wine list. It's a wine destination that happens to serve incredible fish. Trust this restaurant to choose your wine for you.
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