Backwater Fins

65

294

1480

7 months ago

Very nice. William was our server and he was excellent. I had the jalapeño cornbread and red beans and rice while the hubs got a burger, all very good. Pretty spot on the water. Plenty of parking. read more

Backwater Fins - Red beans and rice - Seafood Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

Backwater Fins - Jalapeño cornbread - Seafood Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

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Deborah M.

5

8

1

2 months ago

Food and service was amazing and the location is beautiful . We have been back several times now

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Cyndi S.

0

20

1

3 months ago

Wonderful restaurant & food! One of our favorites & great atmosphere! Their service is always good.

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Shannon J.

Elite 26 All-Star

2

293

2002

1 year ago

Went here for lunch this week, cute little place off the beaten path...they offer daily specials and offer waterfront dining as well..ordered a Combo of Clams and Shrimp and they offer a choice of side items..Chose the dirty rice and slaw ..food and service were excellent and food was served piping hot...Shrimp were delicious and Slaw and Dirty Rice as well..Clams were hard and were little tiny crumbs and pieces, would pick another choice for this combo next time.... read more

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Diane S.

0

45

126

6 months ago

We rode our bikes from sweet citrus acres Rv campground and were so happy to have stopped here for lunch. We sat at the bar, service was great, so was the food. And the view was so peaceful out the back windows onto the water. read more

Backwater Fins - We even saw some flying fish! - Seafood Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

Backwater Fins - Smoked fish dip, yummy! - Seafood Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

Backwater Fins - Fried green tomatoes, came out piping hot with a zzesty dip! Perfect - Seafood Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

Backwater Fins - The view out the back to the water (seating at the bar, inside and on back deck) - Seafood Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

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Larry D.

0

62

0

6 months ago

We look forward to this restaurant on an annual basis. Last night we went there. I always have the steamed pot, they took it off the menu. Such a bummer that was such a great meal like I said it's something that we look forward to every year. The items on the menu that were available and its place did not hold a candle. The server was excellent. She knew her stuff and was very tentative The atmosphere in the restaurant again was superb. Really miss the great food that they used to have. read more

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Susie G.

0

42

20

1 year ago

This out of the way spot has a beautiful view and the onion rings were amazing...those are the only reason I gave 2 stars. The rest of the dinner was a nightmare. We went for the bacon wrapped shrimp which we never received. My friend ordered her burger medium and it came well done, she never ate it. And our server, well let's just say I could have served myself better. She showed up once to take our orders and we didn't see her again for the rest of the meal. No drink refills, no passing by to see if we needed anything, nothing til we said something to the manager. And the restaurant was not crowded at all. We won't be going back, to worth the long drive. Plenty of other places on the water with great views to choose from in the area. read more

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Nick D.

0

187

2

9 months ago

Great place - was introduced to this place in 2022 by some great friends. Been there about a dozen times and never disappointed. Frequently visit on friday for the all you can eat fish. Great place, food, value, and amazing service. read more

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Rhonda L.

0

75

136

1 year ago

Just a great spot to grab some fresh seafood and views. Will B recommended our first experiences- stuffed Cajun angels and Grouper bites! Fabulous. Onion rings were huge! Great service and first time visit! read more

Backwater Fins - Onion rings - Seafood Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

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Brad B.

0

8

1

1 year ago

Great food and service... Tucked away on a back road that you think you may start to hear the banjos playing lol read more

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Janis G.

0

5

0

9 months ago

Great service Delicious food Fish is fresh and oysters are delicious.Although the second time we went there, they were not as huge. dirty rice is delicious coleslaw is delicious read more

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Dwaine C.

25

362

1024

2 years ago

This restaurant is about 5 miles down a windy road to Ozello. They have seating outside and in. It sits on a beautiful backwater bay. They have music and karaoke. Drinks are good. Service is good and friendly. We always start with the crab balls . They are large and plenty of crab. The crab soup is also delicious. I got the all you can eat fish . It was lightly breaded and good. You must try the Cajun angels bacon wrapped shrimp. So good. read more

Backwater Fins - Crab balls - Seafood Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

Backwater Fins - Baked potato - Seafood Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

Backwater Fins - Crab soup - Seafood Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

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Renee L.

105

116

55

10 months ago

Absolutely, amazing food!!! Loved this place!!! New favorite!!!! Will definitely be back when I'm back in Town!!

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Adam T.

0

6

2

1 year ago

Stoped in for lunch ordered grouper bites , fish dip and bacon wrapped shrimp. Was all excellent will visit again read more

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Kelly W.

657

745

4754

3 years ago

My friends and I went to Backwater Fins after a day of scalloping. We had an array of items, some of our favorites were the crab soup, the stuffed cajun angels and the conch fritters. I got the Hook, Line and Sinker, it was good and was just the right amount of food! The atmosphere is relaxing and there was a nice view of the water. Great little casual place to hang out after a day on the boat! read more

Backwater Fins - Coconut shrimp - Seafood Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

Backwater Fins - Hook, line and sinker - Seafood Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

Backwater Fins - Conch fritters - Seafood Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

Backwater Fins - a menu for a seafood restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

Backwater Fins - Stuffed Cajun angels - Seafood Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

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Marie M.

0

4

0

9 months ago

Beautiful sunset!!!! Food was delicious and fresh. Service was wonderful. And I met the local kitty at the door!

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Norah L.

0

3

2

1 year ago

This place is so good !! every time i have been here , the food was so good . I've been here 7 times . the waiters are always so sweet . theres live music on Fridays , its a gorgeous view. 11/10 experience. read more

Backwater Fins - clam chowder - Seafood Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

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Troy M.

19

130

12

2 years ago

This place is a hidden gem. I mean hidden deep in the gulf coast marshes of Ozello. The food was nicely prepared. The price matched the portions provided. Shrimp scampi had a lot of shrimp on a small bed of noodles. The fried haddock, shrimp and grouper were lightly breaded so you could taste the fish. The crab cakes and hush puppies were nice also. The crab legs were a good size unlike what you would find at a chain restaurant (red lobster). read more

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Jim And Jeri F.

0

6

0

10 months ago

I love it when I can give a great rating. This is one of those times. I had about the best burger ever there today. 10/13/25. It was huge, tender and juicy. The tomatoe was actualy ripe and ruby red. The bun was fresh and lightly toasted. The fries were hand cut and tender. The server was friendly and service was good. We definitely had a great dinning experience there. read more

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Toni W.

1

262

61

2 years ago

We were looking at a house on Ozello today and were hungry after! We spotted Backwater on our way out and gave it a try! From service to food, it was fantastic! The view was incredible! We started with the smoked fish dip. It was serviced with crackers, tortillas and sliced jalapeños. It had the wow factor!!!!! Next, we had our entrees: the shrimp basket and a side of coleslaw and the grouper sandwich with onion rings. The shrimp were huge and freshly breaded! The grouper was a thick fillet! And, omg, the onion rings!!! We know where we'll be going all the time, once the house transfers!!! read more

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Mia M.

0

1

0

11 months ago

Cute little place. Server was nice...however, the food was lacking in flavor. Specifically the seafood boil. There was next to no seasoning. As if it was boiled in water then sprinkled lightly with paprika. The fried food was standard. The seafood boil was a major let down. Even my ancestors were disappointed. read more

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Michael P.

0

2

0

10 months ago

we were visiting family locally, being from Ohio we definitely expect the seafood to be exquisite and expect to pay for it, but this incredibly quaint out of the way place did not disappoint at all. incredible food, service, hospitality. The prices were not over the top at all. Very awesome experience!!!! read more

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Kieth K.

0

24

8

2 years ago

While a few miles off Hwy 19/Commercial Way, what a great spot. Knew we hit a keeper when 10 locals all walked in. Met friends for lunch and the food was outstanding. I swear my scrimp platter tasted like lobster. The server was hopping but did a great job with the rush. read more

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Liege C.

0

37

4

1 year ago

Now if you are willing to go off the beaten path this is a place to stop at. We sat on the deck in the sunshine overlooking the water. Really peaceful. The service was very good. For starters we got the Stuffed Cajun Angels and Extremer Crab Bites. Both were different, delicious and fun. For our main courses we got a Fins Reuben Sandwich and a Seafood Alfredo. Portions were huge and both were amazingly tasty. I would certainly recommend them and would go back if we end up in their area again. read more

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Trey L.

43

20

1

1 year ago

I'm sure that this place doesn't advertise nearly enough; they are so far off the beaten path that most people would have no idea that it exists, if they were passing through the Crystal River area. It's worth the drive if you have the time. Their blue crab bisque (a sort of chowder), is amazing. They also have really good crabcakes and shrimp appetizers. read more

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Bob M.

20

87

44

2 years ago

Excellent crab chowder. It's a casual place. Waitresses friendly and the food is good. Also tried the crab cakes. All good.

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Jill A.

0

5

2 years ago

The Crab Bisque was the best I've ever had! Crab cakes and ultimate burger were fire too. The vibe and atmosphere is so dope. Definitely a hidden treasure. A local suggested it, so you know it's good;) Really cool drive to get there, off the beaten path. We went after crystal river springs - solid day read more

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Kyla M.

501

126

103

3 years ago

We came here after an exhausting day of scalloping. This place was highly recommended by our boat captain. It did not disappoint. Everything from the appetizers to the entrées were amazing. I ordered the crab cake, and I am generally a harsh critic since I am from the Maryland area. Even though it did not taste exactly like the crabcakes back in Baltimore, it was really good, well-seasoned, and I would order it again. Our waitress was very nice and treated us like we come there every week. They also have karaoke in the main room which is exciting. We came in during dinner and did not have a long wait. Everyone loved their food. I will definitely come back here the next time I am in the area. read more

Backwater Fins - Appetizer - Seafood Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

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Braylon S.

0

2

1

2 years ago

The service there is top tier some go out of there way for you and get to you quickly the bar and view is amazing as well. They never burn or over cook food and it is always delicious. The bar has some great options and flavors they can mix up for you and they will have a football game for everyone whenever they can. read more

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Shirley K.

0

8

0

1 year ago

Food was fabulous and had it been less windy and a bit warmer the patio would have been better to enjoy it all.

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Katrina P.

2

82

177

3 years ago

Was very good, serving sizes are great! Our server was wonderful and took great care of us. The food is tasty with lots of local flavor :) lots of local fresh f fish! read more

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Jean B.

0

1

0

2 years ago

Ordered a fish Reuben on rye bread. Order came out, grilled fish on about half the sandwich with a melted slice of cheese. No sauerkraut, no dressing. $19.75. file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/d8/08/C3CDF424-5ACB-4DAA-A8ED-21EAE58B1518/IMG_0775.heic read more

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Barb 1.

0

23

0

2 years ago

Very disappointing. We waited 15 min before anyone came to get our drink order. Our dinners were substandard. Fried haddock was undercooked, limp. 2 grouper dinners were overcooked. Shrimp scampi was in oil not butter. read more

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Chris P.

0

1

0

1 year ago

Service was great hower the renowned stuffed Cajun angles which tasted ok gave me and my friend serious gypo guts the next day. Unfortunate, must have been old stock that had been upcycled onto our plates. read more

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Don M.

36

131

75

4 years ago

I drove an hour North of Tampa to the small fishing village of Ozello to check this place out, and was not disappointed. We sat outside by the water, and had a ton of steamed shellfish, corn, and red potatoes dumped in a glorious pile on our table. My only criticism is that I would prefer more seasoning. But, I'll make the trip again, because I saw others get chowder, gumbo, and bisque that I just have to try. And, the onion rings I saw on the next table were huge! read more

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Perry M.

1

12

1

1 year ago

Great service and sitting outside on the patio was a great way to end our busy day out on the water!!

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David W.

38

63

0

2 years ago

Off the wall place on the water. Food was fantastic. Had their burger. Incredible. Small place unassuming but the food was great. I don't think anyone would be disappointed. Dive bar. Sure. Drinks were very good also. read more

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Barbara S.

2

90

3

3 years ago

Great place. Beautiful setting. Food and service is really good. I highly recommend the shrimp or fish tacos. Onion rings are lightly battered and yummy. read more

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Marie F.

38

6

2 years ago

Worth the trip from Ocala. Food was freshly prepared and plentiful serving sizes. Staff was friendly and attentive. read more

Backwater Fins - Po' boy with shrimp and oysters - Seafood Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

Backwater Fins - Reuben and fries - Seafood Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

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More info about Backwater Fins

13982 W Ozello Trl
Crystal River, FL 34429
Directions
(352) 794-6000
Call Now
Visit Website
https://backwater-fins.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Backwater Fins open?

Backwater Fins opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Backwater Fins close?

Backwater Fins closes at 9:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday.Backwater Fins closes at 10:00 PM on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Wed, Sun 11:00 AM - 9:00 PMThu-Sat 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Backwater Fins take credit cards?

Yes, Backwater Fins takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Backwater Fins have catering options?

No, Backwater Fins does not have catering options.

Does Backwater Fins serve alcohol?

Yes, Backwater Fins serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does Backwater Fins have TVs?

Yes, Backwater Fins has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Backwater Fins have bike parking?

Yes, Backwater Fins has bike parking.

Does Backwater Fins have outdoor seating?

Yes, Backwater Fins has outdoor seating options.

Does Backwater Fins have parking?

Yes, Backwater Fins has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Other Amenities

Is Backwater Fins wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Backwater Fins is wheelchair accessible.

Does Backwater Fins allow outdoor smoking?

Yes, Backwater Fins allows outdoor smoking.

Does Backwater Fins have free WiFi?

Yes, Backwater Fins has free WiFi.

More Info

Health Score

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Lollygaggers Sports Pub & Grill

Our server was Cassidy and I'm tellin you she was AWESOME!!!! Give that girl a raise! She…read morerecognizes food allergies and went out of her way to make sure I was safe. Offered alternative food choices and double checked with the kitchen staff....always, always ask for Cassidy.

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Norton's Riverside Sports Bar & Grill

Food was good and the Life music was amazing. Unfortunately the beers were not cold, I tried both,…read morebottles and draft, very disappointed because if you have a bar you should know that people love a very cold beer.

Stopped by Norton's Riverside Bar & Grill in Crystal River for lunch, and unfortunately it just…read morewasn't a good experience. The service was the highlight of the visit--the bartenders were genuinely friendly, attentive, and made me feel welcome. That's the main reason I'm giving this place two stars. The food, however, was disappointing. I ordered my burger medium, but it arrived raw in the center. The onion rings were overly greasy with a heavy, unimpressive batter. After reading other reviews, I noticed someone else had a similar experience with the patty melt, so my meal may not have been an isolated issue. The atmosphere wasn't for me either. It feels much more like a neighborhood dive bar than a restaurant, with multiple TVs, loud music, constant chatter, and live entertainment outside all competing at once. If you're looking for a lively sports bar where you can watch a game, have a drink, and socialize, this may be exactly what you're after. I prefer a quieter, more relaxed dining experience, so it simply wasn't a good fit. The restaurant also has a dog-friendly patio, which many people enjoy, though it's not something I personally look for when dining out. Overall, I think Norton's has a loyal local following, and I can understand why some people enjoy the casual bar atmosphere. For me, though, the combination of the underwhelming food and the very loud environment means I won't be returning. The staff deserved better than the meal they were serving, because their friendliness and service were the best part of the visit.

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Jerseys Hometown Tavern

I know I gave two reviews before this, but I have to do another one. I went to Jerseys and had a…read moregreat time and met a bunch of cool people and had a basket of french fries with ketchup. I wasn't super hungry. Even Met to Mrs. Claus, you can see the pictures in the gallery, they have a lot of TVs and still have the aquarium and they have great bartenders and a great owner. I'll be back to watch more lightning games which they show.‍‍

One of my favorite local bars! Always have a good time here and I always leave swimming like the…read morefish

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My review is based on my dish vs cost. I got the curry chicken. It was subpar, for the price I…read morepaid, very poor. On top of that the waitress, an older lady, said would you like that with garlic nan bread or regular. I said garlic, thinking the nan bread came with it like in traditional Indian food restaurants. Well when the bill came, it was a 3.99 up charge. In total it was 32$ for a subpar Indian dish. If I would have paid 14.99 it's more acceptable. Also, the pieces of chicken were small, almost like diced instead of bigger chunks. See pictures. The curry sauce is what made it. But other than that I'll go for a burger if I ever comeback

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Holy crap balls, the food here tastes so good, you wanna smack your mamma or at least I did!!! Up…read morein CR with the wife exploring and she works her usual Yelp magic. She's like a yelp ninja that one. She pulls this place up and we plot our course. It's located in the crystal river plaza which looks like an abandoned strip mall . Windows are covered with graphics so you're not 100% sure of what you're walking into but.......open the doors and it's a cool looking Irish pub. This Sunny in Philadelphia type vibes. We sat at the bar and Marissa waited on us. She was a total delight. Lots of fun to chat with. The food was WOW! We had the lobster bisque, ponzu and chili oysters, tuna sushi and a lobster roll. All were stellar, like hands down amazeballs for real. The bread there is LIFE. Soooo good. The bisque was outstanding and the oysters were insane. I wish we lived closer but if we get a place in the water up there we will bug the crap out of Marissa. I don't give out 5 stars often but this place deserves it.

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My friend and I visited St. Johns Martini Bar while on vacation and had a very disappointing…read moreexperience. We went there as our first stop of the night and were served with no issue. At the end of the night as we're getting ready to go back home, we went back for one last drink. We both presented valid, unexpired South Carolina driver's licenses that were genuine and in good condition. At the door, the bouncer told us they don't typically accept South Carolina IDs, but ultimately allowed us inside. When we went to order drinks, the bartender refused to serve us, claiming our IDs had "scanned as fake." When we questioned that, we were then told they didn't actually have an ID scanner. We even offered to have local law enforcement verify that our IDs were legitimate, but they still refused to serve us. We completely understand the importance of checking IDs and appreciate that businesses have to be cautious. However, being given conflicting explanations and feeling like our valid out of state IDs were dismissed without a legitimate verification process was frustrating and embarrassing. If there is an official policy regarding South Carolina IDs, it should be clearly communicated. If there isn't, I hope management addresses this so other visitors with valid out of state identification don't have the same experience.

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Cappo’s Italian Deli

4.4

(20 reviews)

6.3 mi

Cappo's Italian Deli is located in Crystal River on the right side of US Hwy 19 going North. It's…read moresituated in a small strip store area. It's a small deli with a few tables for a place to eat in but they do mostly take out. It may be small but it's big on flavor! My husband went there to order us sandwiches because we've been hearing good things about them. I have to agree with the general consensus! I have my husband pick me up their Italian sub called Capone's Italian. Made with Boar's Head meats : Capicola, Genoa Salami, Pepperoni, Picante Provolone Cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo and their deli dressing served on a 10 inch demi baguette roll. It was delicious! Definitely a hearty sandwich so it might make two meals for you as it did for me. My husband had their Italian Sausage sandwich which he loved too! It was large enough to feed two people and scrumptious. He said he would definitely order it again. Cappo's Italian Deli also offers a variety of different side salads such as potato salad, pasta salad and even chickpea salad along with their Chef salads, Greek salads and Italian salads. They offer desserts also - not a large variety but they look delicious! Assorted Cannolis which come in two sizes : Large and Mini plus Cheesecakes and Assorted Cakes. Hubby brought home a mini Pistachio Cannoli as a treat and I have to say it was scrumptious. The filling was perfect - not too sweet just perfect sweet and it was loaded with crushed pistachios. The shell was crispy and very fresh tasting. My hubby was treated very nicely by the lady at the cash register and the gentleman who made our sandwiches. They were friendly and prompt in their service. We will be stopping by again to try their other sandwiches and pasta meals that they offer only on certain days of the week. I cannot wait to try those too! A very nice addition to Citrus County Community!

I found this little gem yesterday tucked in a Plaza I drive by all the time..I actually picked up a…read moremenu at an office close by and called them to see where they were located...How have I driven by this place for over a year? Nice little place inside, some tables to dine in and let me tell you at Noon, it was packed in there with people getting their take out orders! Daily specials, hot food and also side salads to go with your meals, desserts and Cannolis too ..Very large Sandwiches and made to order fresh and delicious... They have a combo for 3.50 more where you get a drink and bag of chips or a side salad, we got the Pasta Salad and it was very good...ordered Chicken Salad Wrap and Ham and Swiss and both very big.,we even got a Mini Cannolis for being first time guests which I thought was a nice touch! I will be back for sure in my frequent travels in the area now that I found you!

Small Ham and Swiss, this is half of it....very nice!

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A look inside my sandwich - loaded with meats and vegetables. A very substantial meal.

Waterfront Social

We loved this place…read more We were a little skeptical walking up to due to the hotel being renovated on the outside but we are so glad we committed. The inside is extremely clean and the outdoor patio has great waterfront (queue the name) views. Our drinks were cold, and my watermelon margarita was sweet. My shrimp po boy was HUGE and our wonderful server brought me extra remoulade on the side without me even asking because "that's what she likes". I thought it was really sweet that she thinks of her customers. We will be back.

This place was recommended to us after kayaking to see the manatees, we asked for a spot with a…read morewater view, and this was the place to come. The building nearby is currently under construction, but surely the location would be much more welcoming once the construction is complete. We ordered the smoked fish dip to share, and I had the fish and chips. The smoked fish dip came with round crackers. I liked that it had a hint of smoky flavor without being overpowering. I'm always a fan of fish and chips, and the portion was generous! The only downside was that the fries were placed under the fish, so by the time I got to them they were a bit greasy and soggy. The view is truly a great selling point -- we spotted birds, fish, and what we believe were dolphins!

Strawberry marg (tajin rim!) with a view

Outdoor dining area

Blackened Grouper bites

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Beef 'O' Brady's

This beef of Brady's location is always very clean. We love the large salads. Their chef salad is…read moremy husband's favorite. It is huge and very filling. My family has also eaten their burgers and steak sandwiches and chicken tenders are very good. We usually make beef or Brady's a weekly night out.

Went for lunch , ordered an appetizer of onion rings, we both had the fried cod, fries, cokes. The…read moreonion rings were delicious, hot, and tasty. The service was very quick and Nicole was great! The fries were cooked a little too crispy for me, but great otherwise! Nice place with great people.

Fried chicken, coleslaw and pub chips

Kentucky Hot Chicken

Fried pickles

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8 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Matt W.

29

4

0

6 years ago

What a disaster. After waiting 1 hour for greasy disgusting onion rings, we had to watch a drunk moron pee off the back deck. Realizing he was a drunk idiot we kept an eye on him. Apparently the management couldnt to that because he got in a fight that lasted about 30 mins. Amazingly enough the drunk idiot camr back in and sat back on the patio with the incompetent management did nothing. With never return and with bad mouth them whenever I can. read more

Fred H.

1

13

0

6 years ago

Sit at a table with a friend and waitress walked by our table 3 times. Took drink order from couple who arrived 15 minutes after us. Felt very embarrassing due to other customers seeing us foolishly sitting there with nothing on our table for so long. She kept replacing other peoples' drinks and asking them what she could do for them, while walking right past us. We were completely clean, well dressed, and quite. Very strange, so we left hungry. read more

Dan N.

0

2

0

10 years ago

Stopped in yesterday and was very pleasantly surprised. The place was spotless. Everything was clean as a whistle. We ordered a buffalo shrimp appetizer that was excellent. It had 16 good sized shrimps and was less than $10. The fries were very good and the small glass of beer was a buck. Beautiful view but limited outside seating. Great place. read more

Teresa G.

0

20

0

3 years ago

Sorry--posted by accident thinking this was a different place and don't know how to delete the review!

Sherry M.

0

19

0

7 years ago

Drive right on by to Peck's Old Port Cove just a few more miles down the road!! You're welcome!!!

Carla Q.

0

17

9

4 years ago

We stumbled upon this gem. Great food and great service. We will definitely be back here.

Keith H.

0

2

0

3 years ago

Love the clam chowder, friendly bartender.

Brian A.

0

1

0

11 years ago

A great place

Backwater Fins - seafood - Updated August 2026

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Cracker's Bar & Grill

3.0

(705 reviews)

We e been a couple of times now. The inside dining are is cavernous, filled with tables and booths…read more Outside, there is seating under umbrellas and damn right near the water at the bar. Service can be slow depending on how busy it is. Their fried shrimp is my favorite thing!

This place has changed so much over the years and I was surprised to see the space! It was really…read morebusy for Mother's Day but we got a table inside so we didn't have to stand the heat. Our server was super nice and took good care of us. We got a free mimosa and little carnation for the holiday, which was super sweet. The food was decent, I had a big salad and the others had some shellfish dishes that I couldn't try. It wasn't bad, but there was a huge piece of melon in the salad, which was very unusual to me. Prices are reasonable. It's a fun vibe and I think would be good for drinks and hanging with friends. It's in a good location in town and has a lot of space. It's not anything crazy, but it's a good time.

Bayside Seafood Grille

3.9

(14 reviews)

This place is next door to Nortons bar. It is very nicely decorated and clean. Service was very…read moregood. The bread to start was hit and fresh. Butter was very soft. We started with a salad that was good with plenty dressing. My wife ordered the coconut shrimp that was very good. Hush puppies were good also. I ordered the prime rib special. It was huge. When I cut into it the center was raw. I like it rare but not raw. She took it back and when it came back it was thinner and grilled like a steak medium. I was ok and hungry. I believe the seafood is what I should have ordered. Next time.

We'd come to go to the steakhouse next door, but it wasnt open yet, so we walked around the corner…read moreto bayside seafood grille. Its snowbird season and literally all but one table at 5pm was packed in. Our sear was a high top next to the walk way, which gave us plenty of people watching, food smelling and conversation. We were not expecting the live music, but it was nice on a week day evening to sit outside and enjoy the fresh air. The food we had, the southwest eggrolls, grouper nuggets and the grouper sandwich. We asked for our fries to be extra crispy and they were perfect. The nuggets were slightly over cooked, but they were really nice. I specifically enjoyed the flavours of the egg rolls. It was really busy, so instead of staying to enjoy the music, we decided to let a couple of ladies have our table as soon and the check was paid. A really nice place to come and enjoy Florida before the summer's heat and humidity encroaches.

Stumpknockers On the Square

3.7

(263 reviews)

I absolutely love this place. Second time I've eaten there. The seafood was fresh and cooked…read moreperfectly. Of course, the decor is awesome. Our server was helpful and friendly. The food came out fast (it was lunchtime busy) it was nice and hot. The sandwich roll fresh. Even the tartar sauce was cold and fresh not something sitting around like other restaurants. Highly recommend this place and I drove 2 hours to get there. Told my friend who traveled with me, if we did nothing else that day we had to eat lunch at Stumpknockers. She was also impressed. It made our day. Excellent restaurant that reflects the charming town.

Cool vibes, good place to stop for the shops in the area. Food was ok.... It was hot... I felt it…read morewas super bland, but looking around, I was easily the youngest person in there, so I guess that's about par for the course. Clam chowder D Grouper sandwich C+ Fries C Catfish B- Drinks C

Dan's Clam Stand

4.2

(322 reviews)

This used to be one of our Favorite Seafood restaurants. Not anymore…read more Let me be very clear. The food has changed completely from the original recipes from the original owners. It's not the same quality or tastes. Let us go down memory lane here & revisit our last conversation, we had with you all there, last visits. You told us the story that the new owner was so dedicated to keeping the recipes the same, that they offered the one person a higher salary to stay on, because they were the ONLY person that knew how to make the original Clam Chowder, that everyone loved. You told us to our faces, my husband & I, that he was the only person that knew how to make the Clam chowder & you KNEW that you all had a LOYAL CUSTOMER BASE & FOLLOWING that loved your food & you were NEVER going to change the recipes. You told us you offered the man a bigger salary to stay on. You assured us the new owner wasn't going to change the recipes, just give the place "a makeover." We drove hours to get to Dan's on Saturday. We get there & there is a new sign out-front, its super cute, the building is painted very cute, looks like a super cute little Maine lobster shack in New England somewhere you would visit on Vacation. Now, the Local Florida vibes & charm, all gone. Asked for Tabasco & you don't even have any. In a southern Seafood Restaurant. Insanity. We order our usual Haddock sammy's, fries & Fried oyster app. The fried oysters batter is different, it's sweet. The two sauces on the side are different. Tastes like bottled Miracle whip & sweet cocktail sauce with no horseradish at all. Both sauces are HORRIBLE. The haddock batter is different. It's sweet & doesn't stick to the fish. (see photos) It's just falling apart all over the place b4 we could even attempt to eat them. Both our Sammy's a complete sweet mess, and not in a good way. The fries are some kind of GIANT hand cut fries that are undercooked. The bun, is a cheap bun like from walmart. No side of cole slaw nothing. I'm also not sure why your Haddock sandwiches and fries are $25 bucks each, double the price as "Gaby's" in Clearwater, Florida. I have posted many photos of their Haddock Sandwich's also, and not only are theirs half the price at $12.99, theirs are twice as big served on a cornmeal crusted bun WITH cole slaw. Math doesn't add up. Your haddock is overpriced and/or you cannot do simple math. OuiOui. Now that you have wrecked the food we will be eating The Haddock sammy's at Gaby's in Clearwater, Florida from now on. I have now taken you off all my Favorite restaurants lists & added "Dan's" to the "Worst food of our lives lists." Congratulations on your gentrification of what used to be one of our favorite seafood restaurants. You wrecked it, the food sucks. But, great paint job, it looks so cute. Will never return.

We stopped at this place because it looked like a great spot to grab some seafood. It had the look…read moreof a beach shack and had a cute outdoor covered porch area, which is where we sat. They had a fair amount of GF foods and the server told me I could get most things GF! That was so awesome to me! The server was super friendly and really a sweet person! I don't remember her name, but she had a red flower in her hair! The food rocked, atmosphere was exactly what we were looking for and the service was great! Highly recommend this little "hole-in-the-wall" mom and pop place!!!

The Boil Yard

3.5

(116 reviews)

Stopped in on a Saturday night with a large group and got seated immediately which was great. Large…read moreparking lot out front for the whole plaza. Our waitress was super sweet and explained the different seafood boil flavors really well! I also enjoyed the live music they had. I tried the Lobster Mac and Cheese ($21) which looked nothing like the picture online (LOL) and came out a bit too crispy on top for my liking. It made the sauce dry out a lot. However, it was packed with lobster which was awesome! I also tried the Boil with 1 lb of Snow Crab (MP) and 1/2 lb of Shrimp. We got the flavor with butter and old bay, I forget what they called it. The boil was good but not great - the shrimp was super tough, and I wish there was more flavor all around. My friend's boil also came out cold and after sending it back to be reheated, it was still barely warm. Overall, it was an expensive dinner and I was glad I tried it but unsure that I'll be back.

Since buying a house north of Crystal River, I pass this place every time. Last weekend it was time…read moreto try it out. First, on a not so busy night, live music spilling out from the bar area, and No Hostess was able to seat us. We waited over 5 minutes, before a waitress noticed us and went to get someone. We sat near the music, and he was good, we sang along with the 70's & 80's hits as we waited to be waited on. When we finally got a waitress, she was NEW. It was one of her first nights alone, and though she made some errors, we have faith that she'll be fine with time under her belt. We ordered fried Mushrooms and the Ahi nachos, we were not upset by these appetizers, they were delicious, and their ranch dressing is amazing We ordered a Shrimp platter and a Shrimp noul with the spicy butter sauce. There was a LOT of red pepper, but the hubby said it was tasty, byt he kind of expected the butter to be melted vs still chunky. The shrimp i ate,( lightly fried with Onion Rings and a side salad) were HUGE. I mean plump and Juicy. We did find out that they import their scallops from Japan, while being located in a scalloper's area. They were good, but still, eat local when you can. Other than a bit slow, id say that id come back for those sheimp

The Freezer Tiki Bar

4.1

(729 reviews)

Great seafood. Great view…read more The main building looks like a freezer warehouse. The outdoor view is worth the drive, and the seafood is great. We got rich yummy chowder bursting with plump little clams. And a pile of shrimp. We ate on the deck overlooking a peaceful inlet of the Homosassa River in FL. Cold beer was icing on the cake. It can get a little crowded. We were so relaxed, we spent a little more than we intended. But no regrets.

Wait on people when they come to bar for service Also acknowledge your customers…read more Not what we've read about Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx

RoughStocks Grill

3.8

(12 reviews)

The busband and I stopped in at Roughstocks grill for the first time this evening. As we are new to…read morethe area, we didn't know what to expect. What we found was a quaint place that was really busy The entertainment of the evening was a gentleman who was a one man band, and almost everyone there was a part of the fam club. He was pretty good. We had fast and friendly service, and placed our orders for thr grouper platter, Fried and the Filet mignon, Medium. We got sides of salad, fries and beans and rice, Nawlins style. The food was delicious! My steak was perfect and rhe grouper was delicate and tender. Its a little hard to get into and out of at peak traffic times. We'll be back

Not sure how to write this review without sounding critical but I wasn't thrilled with this place…read more I ordered the catfish dinner with slaw and it wasn't like any I've had before. The catfish was thick chunks of fish with no breading or flavor. The Cole slaw was a creole slaw made from raw Brussels sprouts, shredded carrots and kale. I couldn't eat either. The server was nice to take half the price off the bill. Not one of my favorite places.

Florida Cracker Shamrock's

3.8

(16 reviews)

Had the catfish. Never better. Others had the garlic wings - sooo very good…read more Waitress was a gem. Brought water for the dog. This is a place to stop and enjoy.

The fried pork chop fritter, essentially a schnitzel, with Guinness gravy was sublime. Delicious,…read moremelt in the mouth. They also have a Ruben 5star, and bangers and mash. Service great location cool. Will be back. Staff so friendly it was lovely.

83 West

3.9

(181 reviews)

This area is know for its local clams & seafood. Knowing…read morethis, all we wanted was the clam chowder. And moi wanted the Crab bisque. This place makes the red clam chowder, which is what we prefer over the white & fresh crab bisque. You can get it by the cup or bowl or you can get a quart to take home. Both soups were amazballs. In fact, we haven't stopped talking about them since. We wished we would have got a quart of each to take home!!! The red clam chowder has potatoes/onions very hearty with their fresh local clams it's just fabulous. The crab bisque is cream based & has tons of fresh crab in it. Both of them are just divine. like i said we still are talking about these two soups. We can't wait to return for the quarts to go!!! Very cool dockside dining under the stars. Highly recommend.

Perfect date night spot. Food was great! Our favorite was the Pimento cheese and biscuits with…read moremaple bourbon pickles, and pepper jelly!! Service was excellent, even though the girls were super busy!

Gator Cove Bar & Restaurant

3.7

(31 reviews)