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The Optimist is a polished seafood restaurant on Nashville's Adams Street, the kind of place where the wood-roasted oysters arrive before you've decided how much of the bill you're willing to think about. The room leans nautical in a restrained, postmodern way, and the menu rotates often enough that regulars can't coast on habit. Outside, a seasonal bar called Jacqueline serves cocktails when the weather cooperates. Nashville Scene named it Best High-End Seafood in 2025.
The awards strongest first
- Nashville Scene 2025 · Best High-End Seafood · Best of Nashville
One number, weighted & current 44
How we scoreThe dishes from the writeups
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Wood-roasted oysters
“Pair the wood-roasted oysters with a cocktail (get one from the seasonal outdoor bar, Jacqueline, when it’s open) and a delightful dessert.”
Nashville Scene, 2025 -
Lobster roll
“In our Writers’ Choice they’ve been named Best Lobster Roll (2026, 2022) and Best Seafood (2021).”
Nashville Scene, 2025
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