,url-https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tripexpert.com%2Fimages%2Fmarker-fade%402x.png(-84.41052,33.779858)/-84.35150988399982,33.77568664894445,12.466790089989017/1280x214@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoidHJpcGV4cGVydHdlYiIsImEiOiJja2Fud3l2MDcwbXZ0MndyeGF3eGI3ZWhzIn0.zLqNa1RECyZZadF8zfQM5w)
Kimball HousevsThe Optimist
Both The Optimist and Kimball House are rated very highly by travel writers. On balance, The Optimist is the choice of most professionals compared to Kimball House. The Optimist scores 86 with praise from 10 reviews such as Where, On the Grid and Gayot.
Kimball House
Zagat
Gayot
Travel + Leisure Zagat
On the Grid
Where
Bon Appétit
Tasting Table
The Infatuation
Condé Nast Traveler
303 E. Howard Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030
From $0/night
Zagat4.5
"“truly amazing” farm-and-foraged-to-table offerings shine on a “small but varied” menu." Full review
Gayot15.0
"Kimball House occupies Decatur's restored 1891 depot." Full review
i
Choose an escabeche of mussels, for instance, as a small plate or a smoked-on-the-bone short rib with accompanying tiny and nicely cooked root vegetables with bordelaise sauce for something heftier.
Travel + Leisure "The eclectic, Southern-inflected menu features items like catfish stew with graham dumplings and grilled Gulf shrimp with sauce antiboise." Full review
Zagat "Opens up to the public on Friday and Saturday nights, serving killer cocktails, wines and a limited snacking menu of cheese, charcuterie, caviar and other indulgent bites." Full review
On the Grid "Located in a turn of the century train depot, Kimball House is the best spot in Atlanta for oysters and cocktails." Full review
Where "This train depot-turned-restaurant offers farm-to-table food, craft drinks and one of the city's best oyster bars in an industrial-chic setting." Full review
Bon Appétit "The restaurant that happens to be the best bar in town." Full review
Tasting Table "Head barman Miles Macquarrie has earned a reputation for his subtle tweaks on classic cocktails." Full review
The Infatuation "In terms of food, the first thing you’ll want to order at Kimball House is a lot of oysters. There’s a wide variety of them, and they’re always great." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "Located in a former train depot, Kimball House embodies Southern decadence and elegance in a tastefully understated way." Full review
The Optimist
Fodor's Zagat
BlackBook Gayot Travel + Leisure On the Grid Where The Infatuation Condé Nast Traveler
Frommer's
914 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, GA 30318
From $31/night
Fodor's "Named Esquire magazine's Best New Restaurant of 2012, the Optimist lives up to the hype, serving top-notch seafood in a dazzingly refurbished warehouse space." Full review
Zagat4.5
"This Westside seafooder from owner Ford Fry (his JCT. Kitchen & Bar is just a clam's throw away) baits crowds with a range of raw to roasted fin fare and beachy cocktails." Full review
BlackBook "Upscale fish spot from chef Ford Fry raises the oyster to an art form."
Gayot14.0
"Styled after a fish camp, The Optimist fields both a restaurant and a raw bar operation adjacent to the main dining room." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Whether you swing by the first-come, first-served oyster bar or go for a full meal at the barrel-vaulted main restaurant, it's clear that chef Adam Evans knows seafood." Full review
On the Grid "The experience that Ford Fry has created with this intown “seaside fish camp” is so stellar, this is the first place we send out-of-town guests." Full review
i
And if you geek out on a branded experience as much as we do, you’ll be sure to love Smith Hanes’ aesthetic touches from the surf chic décor all the way to the match books and beach keys.
Where "This chic restaurant embodies coastal living—from tangy cocktails to delicious starters (seafood gumbo, mussels in crabby-coconut broth, fried clam roll), roasted fish dishes and a wine list." Full review
The Infatuation "It’s a great option for when you want have a few cocktails on the astroturf patio and then eat some oysters or a whole roasted fish." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "Legendary seafood in a landlocked city
The vibe
Warehouse turned upscale seafood house
The drinks
Fun and approachable
The food
Go for the lobster roll
The service
Over and above" Full review
Frommer's "I'm not a huge fan of shellfish, but I'll admit the oyster bar was impressive with its sheer volume of selections. The seared scallops are a winner, with their accompanying glazed pork." Full review
i
Be sure and call a couple of weeks early to make a reservation.
