The Optimist in West Midtown is the most essential seafood restaurant in Atlanta.

Go to Beetlecat in Inman Park to sit on a patio and eat great seafood, or to drink in a basement bar that looks straight out of That ’70s Show.

Watchman’s in Inman Park feels a little like a beach vacation, with a seafood-heavy menu and a long list of oysters.

This unique spot in Buckhead is a beach house for half the year and a ski house for the other, serving South African-inspired dishes.

Blue Ridge Grill looks like an expensive ski lodge, with a seafood-leaning menu (with meat options), and is great for a group or a date.

Bon Ton in Midtown is a New Orleans-inspired spot with seafood boils, Vietnamese food, and lots of fun drinks.

Chops Lobster Bar in Buckhead serves steaks and seafood without even the slightest air of cool, which is exactly what makes it’s great.