Absolutely LOVE this little gem. We were driving around to find somewhere to eat and we found this fabulous restaurant! Wow....very deceiving from the outside, but as we walked through the restaurant (which was busy as it was a Saturday night) they luckily had a table outside for us....and the views were just amazing. This was the perfect place to eat dinner in the Florida evening sunset and a wonderful end to our vacation. The food was delicious, the staff were friendly and I can't wait to go back :-)
(5)
Gordon S.
My wife and I had a delicious dinner here yesterday. The staff was really friendly and so accommodating. Our waitress, Sarah, was patient and extra helpful to us. My wife ordered the 2 Blue Crab Cakes dinner, which were loaded with crab and very tasty. She opted for the Caesar Salad and Steak Fries, which were both quite tasty. I enjoyed my 8 oz. sirloin, which was grilled to perfection. My Wild Rice medley was awesome, as my chef salad. We shared a delicious Key Lime cheesecake slice, which was outstanding. Our table on the deck had a great view of the water. Backwater is an exceptional value for reasonably priced waterfront dining.
(5)
Debra H.
Backwaters is a tried and true favorite of ours. Hubby and I live about 6 miles away and love coming here for a nice casual dining experience about once a month. The prices are very reasonable and our favorite server "Linda" always guarantees excellent service! My personal favorite items on the menu include Island Mahi, Smoked Fish Spread, all burgers, and the Fresh Grouper Sandwich (blackened of course)! Nothing better than sitting outside watching the sailboats and dolphins while eating a great meal and drinking icy cold beer.
(5)
Thomas J.
Ambience quite nice. Service was friendly but somewhat slow. Food overall gets B+ to A-. Quite enjoyable. Somewhat pricey. Will be going back.
(4)
Lindsay D.
Great FRESH seafood!!! Beautiful view. Come on Wednesday for the crab cakes. Lobster bisque as a side!.... You're welcome.
(5)
Michele D.
When I can't name one of my favorite items from a menu after eating here multiple times. I would have to give this place 2stars. The food here is OK at best. Certainly better seafood joints in Clearwater but family doesn't like to change routine when visiting from out of country. It seems that when you walk past the bar area it has that wet rag smell. From this most recent visit, I feel like they aren't on top of the cleanliness in the place. The food isn't terrible and the service is always good. But the wet rag smell keeps me from giving a good review of this establishment.
(2)
Alexa H.
We enjoyed eating here for lunch! The prices were reasonable and the daily drink specials are great! We drank Blue Hawaiis for only $3.50! The location on the pier was exactly what we were looking for. Service was a little slow, but we didn't mind because the view was so pleasant!
(4)
Sabena M.
Our family of four had a wonderful meal in a beautiful setting last night. Gorgeous, no-filler lump crabcakes, scallops, steak and shrimp, grouper and a cheeseburger with Mac-n-cheese for the youngest. Amazing desserts too. Friendly service. 10% off your non-bar tab with your receipt from Maggie Mae's (a diner in the same shopping center). It was an easy walk from our hotel (Sheraton Sand Key) so it was a winner all around! We highly recommend!
(5)
Kerry O.
Started with the lobster bisque....outstanding! Had the jumbo fried. Shrimp with rice. Very good!! I had root beer so no recommendations on cocktails, but they have a featured cocktail every day. Moderately priced and great service.
(4)
Kimberly B.
The service was good and so was the food. Ate here twice while on vacation and both times were good. Highly recommend the seafood
(4)
Periwinks P.
Don't know what the good reviews are about. Came here for lunch and just wasn't impressed. Grouper sandwich did not taste fresh. Frenchy's had much much better grouper! The restaurant looked old and dirty, not very appealing.
(2)
Chris L.
Day two of three days of Fried Grouper Sandwich. This was my second favorite of the three. The fish on the sandwich was big, the fish was flaky, but it was a bit greasy. Well worth the cost though, it was a pretty damn good sandwich. We had the thin cut onion ring kind of things for a table appetizer, they were so-so, not to impressed with them. Cut so thin that you don't even notice that you are eating any onion. I have eaten here before a few years ago, and remember liking it. I still like it and am happy that my sister bought a condo across the street so that I can come here again someday.
(4)
Heather P.
Came here two years in a row with the family. Everyone enjoyed their seafood dinners, and the service was great both times.
(3)
Gregg E.
13th Anniversary Backwater Burger is outrageous. I didn't know I was taken a food challenge like Man vs Food, but I think the food won..
(3)
Bryan E.
I seriously have never had a steak (which i ordered butterblackend, their so called specialty!) so botched. First try, over cooked although the menu specifies it comes med rare to medium... mine was well, I mean murdered, second try... better, still far from perfect. The bisque and the lobster egg rolls which i remembered as being very good were mediocre this time around. I found our food to be lacking in all points. I really used to like it here but what a decline.
(1)
Kevin G.
Backwaters is a good place for seafood. Everyone at the hotel I was staying at suggested it and it did not disappoint. I had the bacon-wrapped scallops, which were amazing. The portion sizes were great. There was just enough to be stuffed, but not so much you end up taking half of it home. The prices were also good. Typical seafood prices, but unexpected for the quality and other options in the area. It's a bit touristy in this area. This place could benefit from some more draft beer selections at the bar...the selections was painfully limited. Beer selection aside, the food was great.
(4)
John R.
I was staying in Clearwater for a conference and I couldn't get enough of this place! Best fried grouper sandwich I've ever had! Great service and really tasty food in a laid back atmosphere! I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Amanda W.
Best fried Mac and cheese I've ever had!!!! The grouper sandwich was amazing too. I had mine fried and my boyfriend had his blackened and they were both delicious. The bartender was super friendly and service was paced perfectly.
(5)
Gavin R.
good location, family friendly, excellent wait staff,
(3)
Nathan W.
This place was pretty good. I was most impressed with our waitress as she was able to make several good recommendations. The food was ok but not the best we had in our trip. It was conveniently located by our hotel. I would recommend it though.
(4)
Frank C.
What a disappointment. Hard to believe we could not get in here last night. I have had better at Red Lobster. Started with a poor welcome when we entered. Sat us outside which had wind barriers up, but still cold. Waiter was nice but pretty useless. The grouper was dry and tasted like it came out of a freezer. The fried calamari was like leather. The tomato sauce served with it was terrible. Pathetic bread served with dinner. Don't waste your time.
Ordered seafood marinara and asked her to make it spicy and it came out perfectly. The lobster bisque was also amazing! The waiter was great and the food was great. The only thing is that it took us about 30-40 mins to get our main course after our appetizer.
(4)
Gwanda P.
They set us wayyyy in the BACK and they served us water before we walked out! #backwaters!!!!! Ummm K! Bad service!!!! The restaurant a few units down is awesome! Colombia! You will NOT be disappointed!!!!
(1)
Maureen K.
This is a casual restaurant located in a strip mall, overlooking the water. We sat on the deck which had great views. Out server was Sandy and she was excellent. The reason for the 3 star rating was because the food was just okay. I had the scallops which were way over done. The other members of our party ordered grouper, mahi, crab cakes, seafood salad, etc. and all agreed that there meals were average. Given that this restaurant was about a half hour from our hotel we wouldn't make the trip again the next time we are in town.
(3)
Robby H.
Visited on a Thursday night. Got the impression it's a local favorite. Ordered the grouper. (fried). Fish was excellent ... the accompanying rice however was nothing special. Service was very good.
(5)
Susan B.
Absolutely terrible. I took my man here for his birthday and the water was inattentive and didn't seem to care much. When I asked to see the manager he refused to come out because he was fixing a computer. This makes me angry. So I left my phone number for him to call me because I was furious at him, seeing our food came out wrong and it took almost 45 minutes for us to get our check. He never called me. We'll never be back there again!
(1)
Jim S.
My visits (during Christmas week - 12/21/13 - 12/24/13) Two dinner visits here went fairly smoothly. I sat at the bar each visit. The food prices are pretty good and food quality was always very good. My only complaint. One bartender for a full bar and full restaurant. She worked like crazy but still...with a packed house she had trouble keeping up. Order taking was slow. Drink orders were slow. Getting the bill was slow. Paying the bill was slow. I'm not saying I wouldnt go again...but after that last night I didnt return for the rest of my vacation. There are many restaurant options in the area and if I hit one with poor service...I tend not to go back very soon. Look at other reviews during the week I mention above....maybe it was just a vaca week and they didnt have the staff.
(3)
Jane E.
Went to this place a bazillion times due to a conference at the Sheraton down the street. The food is amazing!!! I have never had such amazing fish anywhere. The atmosphere is nice the service is great. But by far the food is the star. The place is quite unassuming in a strip mall, however, I recommend going to this place just to taste the food and sit by the water. Definitely will go here again in the near future.
(5)
Jt E.
Excellent food and service. Large portions. Kids had the lobster tail. Salmon salad was excellent. You can sit out on the balcony or inside.
(5)
Teresa K.
This place was a really nice surprise. We were staying on Belleaire Beach and the pickings for dinner are slim unless you want to go over the bridge to the circus that is Clearwater beach or head south to Indian Rocks. It was nice to have this option so close. We had the lobster egg rolls and the lobster dinner and were very pleased with both. Also had the lobster bisque (the theme being...Lobster!), which was the best I've ever had. The egg rolls were hot and yummy and the lobster tail was perfect. Their sangria wasn't quite up to snuff, it didn't taste as sweet as the others we had tried on this trip and that's why I docked them one star. In Florida, you ought to have excellent sangria. I think they need to add simple syrup. Service was excellent, here's a shout out to my Ft Wayne buddy Heather who made sure we had what we needed and was funny too. Told her I was from South Bend and she called me "Miss South Bend" the rest of the visit. She was professional but personable, a good mix for a waitress. The patio is really nice, airy and open enough to feel like a patio. It looks out over the bay, not the gulf but is still really nice and relaxing. And we got lucky with no smokers! (What's up with that, FL?)
(4)
CJ H.
Tried this place a couple times. First time had the Catfish "all-u-can-eat" special. Blackened fish was seasoned to my liking. Shared the lobster bisque soup, very tasty. Sat outside, had to watch for the birds of prey stealing our food. Second time had the blackened Grouper sandwich, not much flavor. I like blackened to be a little spicy. Sweet Tea was a little too sweet. Sat inside on a cool night, not bad seemed like the atmosphere was out of a scene from John Candy's movie "Summer Vacation".
(3)
Greg L.
This isn't a real big restaurant and it's nothing special inside, but the service and food were very good. They did have some limited outdoor seating. I had the crab cake special and I certainly enjoyed them! I was eating with eight others who all ordered a variety of items and everyone enjoyed their meals. If someone in your party doesn't like seafood, you can get steak or a hamburger. Would certainly come back here if I'm in the area again.
(4)
John K.
Had the blackened grouper with a Rufino Chardonnay. Service by Jenn was quick and polite. Just before 9pm got a table right away. Lobster bisque was very good. There's smoking on the outside deck. Sliders were as big as a reg hamburger.
(4)
Jason P.
My wife and I gave Backwater a shot at the advice of a local. Let's just say we had went to Guppys the night before, so Backwater left me less than impressed. The service was slow and our waitress was not attentive at all. The food I would say was fair, not bad but not great either. The appearance of Backwater as well from the exterior is not very inviting. Overall for the price, environment and quality of the food / service, skip Backwater and hit up Guppys instead.
(1)
Kristyn P.
While vacationing in the Clearwater area we ate lunch at this fabulous restaurant!! it was a beautiful day, sun shining and a clear sky. We sat on the back deck, in the sun, with the view of the bay. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL. We had the drink special of the day Blue Hawaiian?? $3.75, which was the perfect "summery" drink I was looking for being from Chicago and having no prior luck in two different Establishments for a "summery" drink. The food was just as good as the drink. I had the Blackened Mahi Mahi sandwich, $9.99 wich was fabulous. the fish was fresh, tender and cooked to perfection. I was with my mom and step-dad whom both had burgers. Both had a different variation of the burger and both where extremely satisfied stating"that is a Burger" and "that hit the spot!" We will definitely come here again. I saw a lot of great options on the menu which intrigued me.
(5)
Leo C.
I personally thought the prices were kinda high for just average tasting food...nothing here gave me the WOW factor, again just average..I gave 1 star for the friendly greeting and server. 1 star for the place being clean and 1 star because the food was edible..
(3)
Valarie G.
Incredible service, beautiful food, and breathtaking views. Our server was Jeb - he was so much fun!
(5)
Colleen B.
The hostess was very unwelcoming and told each party that entered that there would be a 45-1 hour wait. It took about 10 minutes to get in but only if we sat on the back deck. The drinks were slow to come out and the food took about 45 minutes. Also, there were many smokers outside. The oysters were small and the steamer bucket was just ok.
(3)
Michelle N.
This place simply pissed me off. My complaint is not regarding the food, its regarding the employees/customer service. The hostess told us it would be an hour wait for a table. The place was nearly half empty. I think I saw tumbleweed roll by. I asked if we were allowed to sit in the bar area without a wait, she rolled her eyes at me and said, "well yeah, if there is anything available" like this was a near impossibility. I turned the corner, there were 3 or 4 empty tables. This set the pace of poor customer service that soon followed with our devoid of a pulse or personality waiter. He would not look either of us in the eye and acted like we were inconveniencing him by ordering food and a martini? I would never go back to this place. Not to mention the martinis we received tasted like isopropyl rubbing alcohol. Horrible.
(1)
Debbie G.
We live nearby and eat here frequently. The place has been remodeled so apparently the prices have gone up as a result. That said, we love the food most of the time. Great oysters - fried or raw. Great house salad, currently with pomegranate dressing. Sometimes the steaks are excellent, like with the "crab butter." Most seafood dishes are just terrific. The locals know this is a great place to come to. Active bar but also full of families.
(4)
Mike B.
This is a decent, casual but terribly overpriced place. They have no idea how to cook a steak. We order a filet medium and it comes out well done. So we send it back and the replacement also comes out well done. Nowhere near worth the money, we will not be back.
(1)
Lori D.
This restaurant has always been a staple of our family trips to Clearwater Beach. When we first found this place (owned by the same people who own Maggie Maes which we love), my family and I all fell in love with the food and service. I had both the crab cakes and the butter blackened strip steak, both were spectacular. This trip we returned as always to Backwaters our first night in town. I ordered the crab cakes, eager to have the mouthwatering experience i remembered. Now maybe my memory serves me wrong, but the crab cake dinner I had this week couldn't possibly have been the one I raved about. There were no lumps of crab and almost a mushy, mayonnaisey base. Not to be deterred by one mediocre meal, we returned to backwaters later in the week where I went with the butter blackened NY strip. The flavor from the butter and blackening was delicious, however my medium steak was much closer to medium well... My daughter's steak was overlooked as well. I hope that maybe Backwaters is just having some kitchen trouble and will be back to what I remember of years past soon. Service by Heather was top notch, as always.
(3)
Judy F.
I had the oysters in butter cream sauce and it was to die for! The staff was great and we are going back again tonight with friends! This is a keeper!
(5)
Boston Italian Girl O.
Great views, service was acceptable and food was ok. Started with lobster bisque but it had pieces of pollack in it, and the pollack have those little thin bones which taste like you're crunching on shell. I had the crab cake special for dinner and I was disappointed. While they had good flavor, the crab cakes were deep tried which took away from their typical fresh crab-cak-ey allure. Bread served with dinner was dry and tasteless. Husband had a pasta with chicken dish which was pretty good. I'd say this is more of a casual lunch place than a good dinner place.
(3)
Donna B.
Just read the prior review about the hour wait. We had the same situation. The restaurant did not appear busy when we showed up at 5:00 on a weekday. They said it was an hour wait and we decided to walk across the street to watch the sunset on the beach. In retrospect, I think they were trying to deter us because we had a 6 year old with us and to create some weird sort of exclusivity. We were seated as far away from everyone else and never even saw that the restaurant was on the water or had some great views. My husband is a big seafood eater and loved his blue fin tuna cocktail. He also had the lobster chowder and some Mahi Mahi and said it was great food. I had the filet and it was good but not spectacular. After a week in Florida with theme park chicken nuggets, the meal definitely satisfied but the friendliness and customer service was not as good as it could have been.
(4)
Hung D.
Solid 4 stars just because of stiff competition in seafood restaurants. Party of 6 for lunch. Had various fish & shrimp sandwiches. Seafood was fresh & cooked just right. Location was great. Get a water view from inside or outside. Coleslaw was fresh. Server was courteous & friendly.
(4)
DuJuan B.
My wife and I came while on our honeymoon. The atmosphere was lovely and the back deck overlooking the water made for a very romantic candle lit dinner. I recommend the bacon wrapped scallops, a bit pricey, but worth it. Food was fresh and tasted great. Service was awesome. Thanks backwater for an unforgettable honeymoon!
(5)
Lulu K.
Been coming here since they opened. Friendly staff, great food. Be sure to go for happy hour, the oysters, shrimp and drinks are discounted!! My suggestion is blackened grouper sandwich with provolone. Chef is Cajun and Tuesday's is cajun night. ROCKIN GUMBO! Husband loves the butter blackened steak. Used to have the most amazing coconut fried lobster on menu. When my dad told chef that I was sad it was gone he said 'no problem'. All I have to do is give a couple days notice before I come in and he will run as special. That's class! Best part?? Mostly locals go there, not much tourist bs, which is nice and rare in Sand Key/Clearwater. Love you Backwater!! Oh, and their breakfast place a few doors down, Maggie Mae's, is awesome too! Great omlettes.
(5)
Lois L.
We went last night and were completely disappointed. We've been wanting to try it for awhile and the food was absolutely mediocre. The service was horrendous. TERRIBLE, and the server kept calling us "her babies" as if that would placate us for the fact that she didn't want to come and check on us at all. It was really bad. Will never, EVER go back.
(2)
Jone H.
We were a party of 12 that stopped by after work on the recommendation of a fellow co-worker who makes it a point to stop by every time he's in town for dinner. Apparently they have the best fried chicken. Fried chicken in Florida?? After he talked the rest of us (mostly out of towners from NY and CA) to accompany him to try this fried chicken, we found out that their weekly Tuesday special is not available during the month of April. Spring Break. He was so disappointed, but it gave him the opportunity to try other things on the menu. It did not disappoint. For starters, we had the fried calamari and the buffalo wings. The calamari was on par to some of the best that I've ever had, the marinara dipping sauce was superb. The buffalo wings were average and fairly good. After some arm-twisting, I also had a small bowl of the gumbo as I was told that I would be sorry if I didn't try it. They were absolutely right. The gumbo was extremely hearty and tasty, filled with the most tender pulled pork, sausage, shrimp, crayfish, rice and what ever other yumminess comes in a gumbo. By now, I was already full, so I only took a few bites of my ceasar salad, also very good although the ceasar dressing was a little on the heavy side. Finally, I forced a few bites of my main meal down. I was so full, yet I couldn't stop eating. I tried the local fish, grouper, pan seared with a thick, buttery, wine sauce. The combination was delish! Garlic mash and corn added to an already perfect meal. We came during a crowded season but still had phenomenal service. This restaurant was a great experience! Minutes from the beach, so it was a full night!
(5)
Ramona I.
Dined here on Friday, June 22, 2012. Horrible experience! Very poor customer service. Unfriendly waiter. Will never return!
(1)
babs m.
Loved it! Total local place! Great service, great prices...we made reservations and had no problem. I would give it a try
(4)
maria w.
This restaurant is a hidden gem on Gulf Blvd. Popular with locals but a short walk along the boardwalk behind the Marriott Suites Sand Key. One of the best grouper sandwiches I've ever had and delicious steamed mussels. We ate here twice in one week and had great service both times from the hostess and servers. Awesome shrimp cocktail and build your own salads that you can add your choice of fish to. Really a great place!
(5)
WHD D.
The typical Florida spot on the water. Stick with the easy fish bar type of food. They have other things on the menu but you will be very happy with the obvious choices. The boardwalk it is on is a nice retreat after. The Marriott at the end of the walk is a nice place to finish the evening if you do not want to drive around much. Backwater has a lot of locals and the age shows but that does not keep many from having fun. Folks are friendly and I think you'll enjoy if you come with this Florida type setting in mind. Enjoy
(3)
William W.
First timer at Backwater's. A 2-minute walk from my hotel and in a hubbub of activity (shops, restaurants, etc). Reservations recommended, especially if you want to sit outside-but not required. Wait was 5 minutes. Quiet atmosphere with an excellent wait staff. Great food, appetizers and ambience. Recommended for families, couples or get together a with friends. We took a chance and brought out of town friends here - highlight of their dining experience. Moderately priced.
(4)
Annie R.
Underwhelmed. We stopped in for an early lunch. The waitress was barely interested, the burger was well done and no cheese when it was asked to be served medium rare with cheese. We had to go in search of ketchup and the waitress never checked back with us until we were almost done with the meal. The outdoor seating was pretty and the smoked fish spread very good. Other than that I wasn't all that impressed
(2)
R B.
I recommend the bacon wrapped scallops, calamari and the view is great, however the decor a bit older.
(4)
Betsy G.
Calling this place a tourist trap would be generous. The prices are outrageous for the poor quality. Everything we ordered ranged from disappointing to inedible. The grouper sandwich was rubbery and the mussels were disgusting. We left feeling ripped off and grossed out. The $$ sign is not accurate - most of the entrees were in the mid-$20 range.
(1)
Alex G.
Convenient to Sheraton and Marriott, this is nice family seafood restaurant. Friendly atmosphere and service, large portions, reasonable prices. OK wine list, not great, but OK. The basis for 3 stars, rather than 4, is simply quality of good. It is hit or miss. Liked lobster bisque and raw oysters, but sirloin was too bland, while blackened shrimp and scallops were too salty. Mahi mahi was too dry, plus salty too for my taste.
(3)
Jerry G.
Good place to eat off the beach. Nice bar area, and a covered outdoor seating area with heaters. Backwaters is one of three restaurants located in the Shoppes of Sand Key strip mall. (Across from the Sheraton Sand Key) It anchors the south end of the mall. On the very north end is a Columbia restaurant. Backwaters and the two Maggie Mae's restaurants are owned by the same group. One of the Maggie Mae's is located within this strip mall, the other on West Bay Dr (next to Bone Fish) in Bellair Bluffs. Backwater's prides itself on it's Black Angus steaks and fresh local seafood. The widely varied menu has something for everyone. How about some Buffalo Grouper Nuggets w/ blue cheese, fried macaroni and cheese, sweet potato fries, lobster egg roll, or some hot crab and seafood dip, very good French onion soup too. One of my favorites is the Southern Fried Oysters, 12 lightly battered Oysters w/ your choice of dip or sauce. Great App to share. Meat lovers can choose from Ribeye, New York Strip, Filet Mignon, and Sirloin steaks. Also Pork Chops, Baby Back Ribs, and Chicken entrees. Good variety of sandwiches of all kinds. How about this...the "Anniversary Bistro Burger" a half pound burger with bacon, Swiss cheese, fried onion rings, blue cheese, lettuce, tomato, served on a kaiser roll, with a side of steak fries and cole slaw!! Fish and Seafood? The seafood can be prepared pan seared, panko crusted, blackened, deep fried, or char grilled. Selections are Grouper, Mahi-Mahi, Salmon, Catfish, Lobster Tail, Shrimp, Sea Scallops, the also have "The Big Steamer" which are oysters, mussels, and shrimp. Some great sauces to complement your fish are Mango Habanera, Oriental Teriyaki, Seafood Cream, or Gorgonzola Cream sauce. A few tips: Don't even think of going on a weekend without reservations "in-season". If you join their email club, you get a free entree (up to $25) on your birthday. The best part is they give you a 3-4 day leeway too!
(4)
Charles C.
An entirely excellent experience bbeginning with a relaxed environment,followed by a courteuous and professional waitress who attended to our needs . The pasta selections my wife and I chose were well prepared and presented in a very appealing manner.
(5)
Vocal P.
Rachel was an outstanding server, however - lack of parking spaces, over-done fish, and over-priced for the portions - won't go again
(1)
Wanda M.
I don't know what the great reviews are about. Prices are okay, but the food isn't worth fighting a parking space over and neither is the service. We went on an off season Monday night and had to wait over 30 minutes for dinner. I had the Surf and Turf which consists of a dried piece of steak(cooked med rare and still dry) with two small grilled shrimp. My husbands fish was dried out also and the lobster egg rolls were greasy. Go to Kegan's up the street for fresh food and better prices!
(1)
Elizabeth W.
Amazing! Best Mahi Mahi I've ever had, and I've eaten some of the best from an extremely expensive chef in Hawaii one time that I thought would never be beat. Next time I'm in Tampa I'm eating there again! Great value for the price as well.
(5)
Mica M.
Great scene! Great service! Great drinks! Food is okay but not all that!
(4)
Glynis A.
1st time yesterday and everything was on point. Lobster rolls were fantastic as well as the wings steamed shrimp the steak and some of the freshest oysters that I have had in a long time. Will be sure to visit this place again.
(5)
John T.
Lobster bisque is delicious. I had crap cake special and it was meaty and well seasoned. My wife had garlic scallops and shrimp in a cream sauce and enjoyed it too. Nice kids menu, plenty of locals, nice back deck and efficient and friendly service. Good spot for a mid week dinner and I would recommend it.
(4)
Sharyn J.
Nice back deck if it's not too hot. Fish and chips are very good and the shrimp basket is good also. Have also had the lobster bisque and the seafood lasagna and both were excellent. You need reservations for dinner on the weekends it's packed.
(4)
Linda C.
Best food and drinks on Sand Key and Clearwater Beach! Intercostal view for dining And Helen, Ashley, and Krystal are the Best bartenders on the beach. Helen rocks
(5)
Sara T.
This place is a gem. The back patio view is incredible and the grouper is the best I've ever had. I travel to Clearwater just for this place!
(5)
Michael C.
Walked in without reservation, manager immediately welcomed us and seated us. Crab cakes were light but filling. Fried catfish dinner was true Southern delicacy. Rachel was an excellent server who made spot-on suggestions for dinner. Lobster bisque best ever. Visiting area; will be sure to return. Mike
(5)
Marshs P.
Ate here during wknd after Xmas & had very nice server & place cleared out by 930pm! We sat outside back f restaurant on bay side & food was great, ample servings, I got grilled fish that seemed to need more flair, but all was fine & borrowed my husband's sauce w his fish dish. Crab dip & Key lime cheesesteak very good too!
(5)
Jake C.
Best Burger "Backwater Burger" I have EVER eaten!!! Cooked Med-Rare with Swiss cheese, it was Juicy, cooked perfectly, and full of flavor! My wife had the chicken sliders. They were huge! She couldn't even finish them. The were also perfect! Covered in cheese and bacon, the chicken was cooked perfect and was moist and tender! I will definitely recommend this place!
(5)
Melissa L.
Unfortunately I have to credit this establishment with at least one star because yelp won't let you leave 0, otherwise I would. My husband and I had the worst restaurant experience in our lives at this place. We are locals and dine out 4-6 times a week and we sometimes like to come here but we will never be back after our last experience. My husband and I came without a reservation and the hostess asked us to wait at the bar. After waiting for over half an hour we realized there were three open tables. My husband had to let the hostess know there were open tables where we could sit. In the meantime, I was very cold sitting outside and so I went ahead and moved to the table. A server came and said to me this table is reserved you can't sit here, although there was no reserved sign anywhere to be seen. I told her I was cold and was simply sitting there until our table was ready to keep myself warm. After she walked away I was rudely approached by the manager, Chris. He told me to move from that table or to leave. He even offered to cancel our order! I was appalled and shocked at this rude treatment. There were three open tables, none with a reserved sign!! I told Chris that this is an inappropriate way to talk to customers and he did not seem to care at all. Soon after, another man interrupted our conversation. I had to ask him who he was because he didn't feel this need to introduce himself even though he was the owner. I told him that I was cold and wanted to sit at this open table and asked him if he could ask the people with the reservation that come later to sit at the outside table. His response was "well then the customer will be cold." Oh, right! Because I am not a customer! How silly of me! I told the owner how the manager was asking me to move or to leave and how inappropriate that was and his response was "what am I supposed to do? Fire him?" I told him all I wanted was to be talked to like a person and be treated respectfully because I am a paying customer. I also work with people and I know the customer is always right and you should always speak to them in a sincere way, not rudely telling them to leave. I am incredibly disappointed by the way my husband and I were treated. This was the most horrible dining experience I have ever had. If you don't want to be treated like a piece of dirt, I suggest avoiding backwater at all cost! Tourist or local, do not dine here, these owners and employees don't know the first steps of service and you will not have a good experience. Unfortunately this story is true and I would never take this much time out of my day to post this unless it was truly that horrible.
(1)
Stephanie C.
They had amazing seafood. I got the daily special which was grouper and my friend had the filet both of which very delicious! They actually great sangria and drinks too. I would recommend a reservation because they were "sold out" but someone canceled last min so we got right in. They also have tables on the patio with a great view of the water.
(5)
Bridget O.
Easy place with kids! Great views, waitress was super friendly and all her recommendations were perfect!
(4)
Sean B.
Excellent food. Excellent service. Highly recommend this restaurant to anyone in the Clearwater area. Grilled mahi mahi sliders were fantastic. The combo of tuna salad sandwich and lobster bisque is ridiculously affordable, absolutely delectable, and unbelievably filling.
(5)
Ed M.
Was expecting better. Mussels had way to much wine, that's all you tasted. Shrimp were good but difficult to peel. Oysters were very good, definitely recommend them. I had the lobster BLT, I think they forgot to include the lobster. Waiter was very nice but service was slow. Was expecting much more.
(2)
Lisa R.
Nice view, but service was 1 star and food 2 stars. The server didn't look like he wanted to be there.
(2)
Carl M.
Our waitress was Sandy. She very efficient and quick, just what we wanted. I loved my fried oysters, lots of flavor, not too much breading. My wife loved her Seafood Steamer. Lot of flavors, cooked just right. It had cooked oysters, mussels, shrimp. You'll need more if you are famished. I had the Blackened Grouper, good, but not great. I expected the grouper to be a little juicier and thicker, that's why I didn't give BW's 5 stars. Sandy was very knowledgeable. Usually when I ask what kind of Bombay gin a restaurant has, I get a puzzled look. Sandy knew exactly which might they had. (Sapphire) .
(4)
Hannah B.
We had an awesome dinner here! They allow reservations so we were able to get a table on their back deck right on the bay! I had "the island grill." The presentation was great and the mahi was cooked perfectly! The mango salsa added the perfect sweetness to the fish. Would definitely recommend this to others visiting!
(5)
Tim J.
Awesome place to eat! Had breakfast at Maggie's and breakfast reciept gave me 10% of off my dinner bill at backwaters. Trust me, great meal....great deal!
(5)
m p k.
Celebrated my birthday (8-1) there with my wife. We had been to their sister establishment many times in the past for breakfast but never in the area for dinner. Had made reservations for later, but arrived early and was ushered out to their deck on the bay. It was very nice looking out on the bay and in a relaxed atmosphere. Our server, Brea was very attentive, professional with a number of suggestions. The meals were delicious and done well. My wife's the Seafood Mangotini, and mine the Salmon with Dill Sauce. This will not be the last time we frequent this restaurant in the future. I highly recommend it... Michael P. Kerwin
(4)
Julie O.
WOW! We've been staying at Indian Shores for almost a week and have eaten out twice a day. This was my favorite meal here so far and this is one of two restaurants that we are putting on our must return to list (most likely again before we go home next week). I ordered the lobster bisque instead of a boring side salad and was not disappointed. It is so delicious! Tonight's special was crab stuffed jumbo scallops in a lemon butter sauce that was amazing! My husband ordered the other special - snapper with mango salsa. He liked it, but not as much as my scallops. Service was fast and sitting outside on the bay was the best dinner view we've had so far also.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Diane C.
Absolutely LOVE this little gem. We were driving around to find somewhere to eat and we found this fabulous restaurant! Wow....very deceiving from the outside, but as we walked through the restaurant (which was busy as it was a Saturday night) they luckily had a table outside for us....and the views were just amazing. This was the perfect place to eat dinner in the Florida evening sunset and a wonderful end to our vacation. The food was delicious, the staff were friendly and I can't wait to go back :-)
(5)Gordon S.
My wife and I had a delicious dinner here yesterday. The staff was really friendly and so accommodating. Our waitress, Sarah, was patient and extra helpful to us. My wife ordered the 2 Blue Crab Cakes dinner, which were loaded with crab and very tasty. She opted for the Caesar Salad and Steak Fries, which were both quite tasty. I enjoyed my 8 oz. sirloin, which was grilled to perfection. My Wild Rice medley was awesome, as my chef salad. We shared a delicious Key Lime cheesecake slice, which was outstanding. Our table on the deck had a great view of the water. Backwater is an exceptional value for reasonably priced waterfront dining.
(5)Debra H.
Backwaters is a tried and true favorite of ours. Hubby and I live about 6 miles away and love coming here for a nice casual dining experience about once a month. The prices are very reasonable and our favorite server "Linda" always guarantees excellent service! My personal favorite items on the menu include Island Mahi, Smoked Fish Spread, all burgers, and the Fresh Grouper Sandwich (blackened of course)! Nothing better than sitting outside watching the sailboats and dolphins while eating a great meal and drinking icy cold beer.
(5)Thomas J.
Ambience quite nice. Service was friendly but somewhat slow. Food overall gets B+ to A-. Quite enjoyable. Somewhat pricey. Will be going back.
(4)Lindsay D.
Great FRESH seafood!!! Beautiful view. Come on Wednesday for the crab cakes. Lobster bisque as a side!.... You're welcome.
(5)Michele D.
When I can't name one of my favorite items from a menu after eating here multiple times. I would have to give this place 2stars. The food here is OK at best. Certainly better seafood joints in Clearwater but family doesn't like to change routine when visiting from out of country. It seems that when you walk past the bar area it has that wet rag smell. From this most recent visit, I feel like they aren't on top of the cleanliness in the place. The food isn't terrible and the service is always good. But the wet rag smell keeps me from giving a good review of this establishment.
(2)Alexa H.
We enjoyed eating here for lunch! The prices were reasonable and the daily drink specials are great! We drank Blue Hawaiis for only $3.50! The location on the pier was exactly what we were looking for. Service was a little slow, but we didn't mind because the view was so pleasant!
(4)Sabena M.
Our family of four had a wonderful meal in a beautiful setting last night. Gorgeous, no-filler lump crabcakes, scallops, steak and shrimp, grouper and a cheeseburger with Mac-n-cheese for the youngest. Amazing desserts too. Friendly service. 10% off your non-bar tab with your receipt from Maggie Mae's (a diner in the same shopping center). It was an easy walk from our hotel (Sheraton Sand Key) so it was a winner all around! We highly recommend!
(5)Kerry O.
Started with the lobster bisque....outstanding! Had the jumbo fried. Shrimp with rice. Very good!! I had root beer so no recommendations on cocktails, but they have a featured cocktail every day. Moderately priced and great service.
(4)Kimberly B.
The service was good and so was the food. Ate here twice while on vacation and both times were good. Highly recommend the seafood
(4)Periwinks P.
Don't know what the good reviews are about. Came here for lunch and just wasn't impressed. Grouper sandwich did not taste fresh. Frenchy's had much much better grouper! The restaurant looked old and dirty, not very appealing.
(2)Chris L.
Day two of three days of Fried Grouper Sandwich. This was my second favorite of the three. The fish on the sandwich was big, the fish was flaky, but it was a bit greasy. Well worth the cost though, it was a pretty damn good sandwich. We had the thin cut onion ring kind of things for a table appetizer, they were so-so, not to impressed with them. Cut so thin that you don't even notice that you are eating any onion. I have eaten here before a few years ago, and remember liking it. I still like it and am happy that my sister bought a condo across the street so that I can come here again someday.
(4)Heather P.
Came here two years in a row with the family. Everyone enjoyed their seafood dinners, and the service was great both times.
(3)Gregg E.
13th Anniversary Backwater Burger is outrageous. I didn't know I was taken a food challenge like Man vs Food, but I think the food won..
(3)Bryan E.
I seriously have never had a steak (which i ordered butterblackend, their so called specialty!) so botched. First try, over cooked although the menu specifies it comes med rare to medium... mine was well, I mean murdered, second try... better, still far from perfect. The bisque and the lobster egg rolls which i remembered as being very good were mediocre this time around. I found our food to be lacking in all points. I really used to like it here but what a decline.
(1)Kevin G.
Backwaters is a good place for seafood. Everyone at the hotel I was staying at suggested it and it did not disappoint. I had the bacon-wrapped scallops, which were amazing. The portion sizes were great. There was just enough to be stuffed, but not so much you end up taking half of it home. The prices were also good. Typical seafood prices, but unexpected for the quality and other options in the area. It's a bit touristy in this area. This place could benefit from some more draft beer selections at the bar...the selections was painfully limited. Beer selection aside, the food was great.
(4)John R.
I was staying in Clearwater for a conference and I couldn't get enough of this place! Best fried grouper sandwich I've ever had! Great service and really tasty food in a laid back atmosphere! I'll definitely be back!
(5)Amanda W.
Best fried Mac and cheese I've ever had!!!! The grouper sandwich was amazing too. I had mine fried and my boyfriend had his blackened and they were both delicious. The bartender was super friendly and service was paced perfectly.
(5)Gavin R.
good location, family friendly, excellent wait staff,
(3)Nathan W.
This place was pretty good. I was most impressed with our waitress as she was able to make several good recommendations. The food was ok but not the best we had in our trip. It was conveniently located by our hotel. I would recommend it though.
(4)Frank C.
What a disappointment. Hard to believe we could not get in here last night. I have had better at Red Lobster. Started with a poor welcome when we entered. Sat us outside which had wind barriers up, but still cold. Waiter was nice but pretty useless. The grouper was dry and tasted like it came out of a freezer. The fried calamari was like leather. The tomato sauce served with it was terrible. Pathetic bread served with dinner. Don't waste your time.
(2)Robert B.
Decided to try one more time. Have stayed away from the entrées but tried one more time. As usual the Mahi Mahi was below average for the regular order not the smaller dish. Only order sandwiches!! The other entrees were average. Atmosphere great but food average or below. Clearsky, Bonefish Harbor Bluffs superior for the same price!!
(2)Verina A.
Ordered seafood marinara and asked her to make it spicy and it came out perfectly. The lobster bisque was also amazing! The waiter was great and the food was great. The only thing is that it took us about 30-40 mins to get our main course after our appetizer.
(4)Gwanda P.
They set us wayyyy in the BACK and they served us water before we walked out! #backwaters!!!!! Ummm K! Bad service!!!! The restaurant a few units down is awesome! Colombia! You will NOT be disappointed!!!!
(1)Maureen K.
This is a casual restaurant located in a strip mall, overlooking the water. We sat on the deck which had great views. Out server was Sandy and she was excellent. The reason for the 3 star rating was because the food was just okay. I had the scallops which were way over done. The other members of our party ordered grouper, mahi, crab cakes, seafood salad, etc. and all agreed that there meals were average. Given that this restaurant was about a half hour from our hotel we wouldn't make the trip again the next time we are in town.
(3)Robby H.
Visited on a Thursday night. Got the impression it's a local favorite. Ordered the grouper. (fried). Fish was excellent ... the accompanying rice however was nothing special. Service was very good.
(5)Susan B.
Absolutely terrible. I took my man here for his birthday and the water was inattentive and didn't seem to care much. When I asked to see the manager he refused to come out because he was fixing a computer. This makes me angry. So I left my phone number for him to call me because I was furious at him, seeing our food came out wrong and it took almost 45 minutes for us to get our check. He never called me. We'll never be back there again!
(1)Jim S.
My visits (during Christmas week - 12/21/13 - 12/24/13) Two dinner visits here went fairly smoothly. I sat at the bar each visit. The food prices are pretty good and food quality was always very good. My only complaint. One bartender for a full bar and full restaurant. She worked like crazy but still...with a packed house she had trouble keeping up. Order taking was slow. Drink orders were slow. Getting the bill was slow. Paying the bill was slow. I'm not saying I wouldnt go again...but after that last night I didnt return for the rest of my vacation. There are many restaurant options in the area and if I hit one with poor service...I tend not to go back very soon. Look at other reviews during the week I mention above....maybe it was just a vaca week and they didnt have the staff.
(3)Jane E.
Went to this place a bazillion times due to a conference at the Sheraton down the street. The food is amazing!!! I have never had such amazing fish anywhere. The atmosphere is nice the service is great. But by far the food is the star. The place is quite unassuming in a strip mall, however, I recommend going to this place just to taste the food and sit by the water. Definitely will go here again in the near future.
(5)Jt E.
Excellent food and service. Large portions. Kids had the lobster tail. Salmon salad was excellent. You can sit out on the balcony or inside.
(5)Teresa K.
This place was a really nice surprise. We were staying on Belleaire Beach and the pickings for dinner are slim unless you want to go over the bridge to the circus that is Clearwater beach or head south to Indian Rocks. It was nice to have this option so close. We had the lobster egg rolls and the lobster dinner and were very pleased with both. Also had the lobster bisque (the theme being...Lobster!), which was the best I've ever had. The egg rolls were hot and yummy and the lobster tail was perfect. Their sangria wasn't quite up to snuff, it didn't taste as sweet as the others we had tried on this trip and that's why I docked them one star. In Florida, you ought to have excellent sangria. I think they need to add simple syrup. Service was excellent, here's a shout out to my Ft Wayne buddy Heather who made sure we had what we needed and was funny too. Told her I was from South Bend and she called me "Miss South Bend" the rest of the visit. She was professional but personable, a good mix for a waitress. The patio is really nice, airy and open enough to feel like a patio. It looks out over the bay, not the gulf but is still really nice and relaxing. And we got lucky with no smokers! (What's up with that, FL?)
(4)CJ H.
Tried this place a couple times. First time had the Catfish "all-u-can-eat" special. Blackened fish was seasoned to my liking. Shared the lobster bisque soup, very tasty. Sat outside, had to watch for the birds of prey stealing our food. Second time had the blackened Grouper sandwich, not much flavor. I like blackened to be a little spicy. Sweet Tea was a little too sweet. Sat inside on a cool night, not bad seemed like the atmosphere was out of a scene from John Candy's movie "Summer Vacation".
(3)Greg L.
This isn't a real big restaurant and it's nothing special inside, but the service and food were very good. They did have some limited outdoor seating. I had the crab cake special and I certainly enjoyed them! I was eating with eight others who all ordered a variety of items and everyone enjoyed their meals. If someone in your party doesn't like seafood, you can get steak or a hamburger. Would certainly come back here if I'm in the area again.
(4)John K.
Had the blackened grouper with a Rufino Chardonnay. Service by Jenn was quick and polite. Just before 9pm got a table right away. Lobster bisque was very good. There's smoking on the outside deck. Sliders were as big as a reg hamburger.
(4)Jason P.
My wife and I gave Backwater a shot at the advice of a local. Let's just say we had went to Guppys the night before, so Backwater left me less than impressed. The service was slow and our waitress was not attentive at all. The food I would say was fair, not bad but not great either. The appearance of Backwater as well from the exterior is not very inviting. Overall for the price, environment and quality of the food / service, skip Backwater and hit up Guppys instead.
(1)Kristyn P.
While vacationing in the Clearwater area we ate lunch at this fabulous restaurant!! it was a beautiful day, sun shining and a clear sky. We sat on the back deck, in the sun, with the view of the bay. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL. We had the drink special of the day Blue Hawaiian?? $3.75, which was the perfect "summery" drink I was looking for being from Chicago and having no prior luck in two different Establishments for a "summery" drink. The food was just as good as the drink. I had the Blackened Mahi Mahi sandwich, $9.99 wich was fabulous. the fish was fresh, tender and cooked to perfection. I was with my mom and step-dad whom both had burgers. Both had a different variation of the burger and both where extremely satisfied stating"that is a Burger" and "that hit the spot!" We will definitely come here again. I saw a lot of great options on the menu which intrigued me.
(5)Leo C.
I personally thought the prices were kinda high for just average tasting food...nothing here gave me the WOW factor, again just average..I gave 1 star for the friendly greeting and server. 1 star for the place being clean and 1 star because the food was edible..
(3)Valarie G.
Incredible service, beautiful food, and breathtaking views. Our server was Jeb - he was so much fun!
(5)Colleen B.
The hostess was very unwelcoming and told each party that entered that there would be a 45-1 hour wait. It took about 10 minutes to get in but only if we sat on the back deck. The drinks were slow to come out and the food took about 45 minutes. Also, there were many smokers outside. The oysters were small and the steamer bucket was just ok.
(3)Michelle N.
This place simply pissed me off. My complaint is not regarding the food, its regarding the employees/customer service. The hostess told us it would be an hour wait for a table. The place was nearly half empty. I think I saw tumbleweed roll by. I asked if we were allowed to sit in the bar area without a wait, she rolled her eyes at me and said, "well yeah, if there is anything available" like this was a near impossibility. I turned the corner, there were 3 or 4 empty tables. This set the pace of poor customer service that soon followed with our devoid of a pulse or personality waiter. He would not look either of us in the eye and acted like we were inconveniencing him by ordering food and a martini? I would never go back to this place. Not to mention the martinis we received tasted like isopropyl rubbing alcohol. Horrible.
(1)Debbie G.
We live nearby and eat here frequently. The place has been remodeled so apparently the prices have gone up as a result. That said, we love the food most of the time. Great oysters - fried or raw. Great house salad, currently with pomegranate dressing. Sometimes the steaks are excellent, like with the "crab butter." Most seafood dishes are just terrific. The locals know this is a great place to come to. Active bar but also full of families.
(4)Mike B.
This is a decent, casual but terribly overpriced place. They have no idea how to cook a steak. We order a filet medium and it comes out well done. So we send it back and the replacement also comes out well done. Nowhere near worth the money, we will not be back.
(1)Lori D.
This restaurant has always been a staple of our family trips to Clearwater Beach. When we first found this place (owned by the same people who own Maggie Maes which we love), my family and I all fell in love with the food and service. I had both the crab cakes and the butter blackened strip steak, both were spectacular. This trip we returned as always to Backwaters our first night in town. I ordered the crab cakes, eager to have the mouthwatering experience i remembered. Now maybe my memory serves me wrong, but the crab cake dinner I had this week couldn't possibly have been the one I raved about. There were no lumps of crab and almost a mushy, mayonnaisey base. Not to be deterred by one mediocre meal, we returned to backwaters later in the week where I went with the butter blackened NY strip. The flavor from the butter and blackening was delicious, however my medium steak was much closer to medium well... My daughter's steak was overlooked as well. I hope that maybe Backwaters is just having some kitchen trouble and will be back to what I remember of years past soon. Service by Heather was top notch, as always.
(3)Judy F.
I had the oysters in butter cream sauce and it was to die for! The staff was great and we are going back again tonight with friends! This is a keeper!
(5)Boston Italian Girl O.
Great views, service was acceptable and food was ok. Started with lobster bisque but it had pieces of pollack in it, and the pollack have those little thin bones which taste like you're crunching on shell. I had the crab cake special for dinner and I was disappointed. While they had good flavor, the crab cakes were deep tried which took away from their typical fresh crab-cak-ey allure. Bread served with dinner was dry and tasteless. Husband had a pasta with chicken dish which was pretty good. I'd say this is more of a casual lunch place than a good dinner place.
(3)Donna B.
Just read the prior review about the hour wait. We had the same situation. The restaurant did not appear busy when we showed up at 5:00 on a weekday. They said it was an hour wait and we decided to walk across the street to watch the sunset on the beach. In retrospect, I think they were trying to deter us because we had a 6 year old with us and to create some weird sort of exclusivity. We were seated as far away from everyone else and never even saw that the restaurant was on the water or had some great views. My husband is a big seafood eater and loved his blue fin tuna cocktail. He also had the lobster chowder and some Mahi Mahi and said it was great food. I had the filet and it was good but not spectacular. After a week in Florida with theme park chicken nuggets, the meal definitely satisfied but the friendliness and customer service was not as good as it could have been.
(4)Hung D.
Solid 4 stars just because of stiff competition in seafood restaurants. Party of 6 for lunch. Had various fish & shrimp sandwiches. Seafood was fresh & cooked just right. Location was great. Get a water view from inside or outside. Coleslaw was fresh. Server was courteous & friendly.
(4)DuJuan B.
My wife and I came while on our honeymoon. The atmosphere was lovely and the back deck overlooking the water made for a very romantic candle lit dinner. I recommend the bacon wrapped scallops, a bit pricey, but worth it. Food was fresh and tasted great. Service was awesome. Thanks backwater for an unforgettable honeymoon!
(5)Lulu K.
Been coming here since they opened. Friendly staff, great food. Be sure to go for happy hour, the oysters, shrimp and drinks are discounted!! My suggestion is blackened grouper sandwich with provolone. Chef is Cajun and Tuesday's is cajun night. ROCKIN GUMBO! Husband loves the butter blackened steak. Used to have the most amazing coconut fried lobster on menu. When my dad told chef that I was sad it was gone he said 'no problem'. All I have to do is give a couple days notice before I come in and he will run as special. That's class! Best part?? Mostly locals go there, not much tourist bs, which is nice and rare in Sand Key/Clearwater. Love you Backwater!! Oh, and their breakfast place a few doors down, Maggie Mae's, is awesome too! Great omlettes.
(5)Lois L.
We went last night and were completely disappointed. We've been wanting to try it for awhile and the food was absolutely mediocre. The service was horrendous. TERRIBLE, and the server kept calling us "her babies" as if that would placate us for the fact that she didn't want to come and check on us at all. It was really bad. Will never, EVER go back.
(2)Jone H.
We were a party of 12 that stopped by after work on the recommendation of a fellow co-worker who makes it a point to stop by every time he's in town for dinner. Apparently they have the best fried chicken. Fried chicken in Florida?? After he talked the rest of us (mostly out of towners from NY and CA) to accompany him to try this fried chicken, we found out that their weekly Tuesday special is not available during the month of April. Spring Break. He was so disappointed, but it gave him the opportunity to try other things on the menu. It did not disappoint. For starters, we had the fried calamari and the buffalo wings. The calamari was on par to some of the best that I've ever had, the marinara dipping sauce was superb. The buffalo wings were average and fairly good. After some arm-twisting, I also had a small bowl of the gumbo as I was told that I would be sorry if I didn't try it. They were absolutely right. The gumbo was extremely hearty and tasty, filled with the most tender pulled pork, sausage, shrimp, crayfish, rice and what ever other yumminess comes in a gumbo. By now, I was already full, so I only took a few bites of my ceasar salad, also very good although the ceasar dressing was a little on the heavy side. Finally, I forced a few bites of my main meal down. I was so full, yet I couldn't stop eating. I tried the local fish, grouper, pan seared with a thick, buttery, wine sauce. The combination was delish! Garlic mash and corn added to an already perfect meal. We came during a crowded season but still had phenomenal service. This restaurant was a great experience! Minutes from the beach, so it was a full night!
(5)Ramona I.
Dined here on Friday, June 22, 2012. Horrible experience! Very poor customer service. Unfriendly waiter. Will never return!
(1)babs m.
Loved it! Total local place! Great service, great prices...we made reservations and had no problem. I would give it a try
(4)maria w.
This restaurant is a hidden gem on Gulf Blvd. Popular with locals but a short walk along the boardwalk behind the Marriott Suites Sand Key. One of the best grouper sandwiches I've ever had and delicious steamed mussels. We ate here twice in one week and had great service both times from the hostess and servers. Awesome shrimp cocktail and build your own salads that you can add your choice of fish to. Really a great place!
(5)WHD D.
The typical Florida spot on the water. Stick with the easy fish bar type of food. They have other things on the menu but you will be very happy with the obvious choices. The boardwalk it is on is a nice retreat after. The Marriott at the end of the walk is a nice place to finish the evening if you do not want to drive around much. Backwater has a lot of locals and the age shows but that does not keep many from having fun. Folks are friendly and I think you'll enjoy if you come with this Florida type setting in mind. Enjoy
(3)William W.
First timer at Backwater's. A 2-minute walk from my hotel and in a hubbub of activity (shops, restaurants, etc). Reservations recommended, especially if you want to sit outside-but not required. Wait was 5 minutes. Quiet atmosphere with an excellent wait staff. Great food, appetizers and ambience. Recommended for families, couples or get together a with friends. We took a chance and brought out of town friends here - highlight of their dining experience. Moderately priced.
(4)Annie R.
Underwhelmed. We stopped in for an early lunch. The waitress was barely interested, the burger was well done and no cheese when it was asked to be served medium rare with cheese. We had to go in search of ketchup and the waitress never checked back with us until we were almost done with the meal. The outdoor seating was pretty and the smoked fish spread very good. Other than that I wasn't all that impressed
(2)R B.
I recommend the bacon wrapped scallops, calamari and the view is great, however the decor a bit older.
(4)Betsy G.
Calling this place a tourist trap would be generous. The prices are outrageous for the poor quality. Everything we ordered ranged from disappointing to inedible. The grouper sandwich was rubbery and the mussels were disgusting. We left feeling ripped off and grossed out. The $$ sign is not accurate - most of the entrees were in the mid-$20 range.
(1)Alex G.
Convenient to Sheraton and Marriott, this is nice family seafood restaurant. Friendly atmosphere and service, large portions, reasonable prices. OK wine list, not great, but OK. The basis for 3 stars, rather than 4, is simply quality of good. It is hit or miss. Liked lobster bisque and raw oysters, but sirloin was too bland, while blackened shrimp and scallops were too salty. Mahi mahi was too dry, plus salty too for my taste.
(3)Jerry G.
Good place to eat off the beach. Nice bar area, and a covered outdoor seating area with heaters. Backwaters is one of three restaurants located in the Shoppes of Sand Key strip mall. (Across from the Sheraton Sand Key) It anchors the south end of the mall. On the very north end is a Columbia restaurant. Backwaters and the two Maggie Mae's restaurants are owned by the same group. One of the Maggie Mae's is located within this strip mall, the other on West Bay Dr (next to Bone Fish) in Bellair Bluffs. Backwater's prides itself on it's Black Angus steaks and fresh local seafood. The widely varied menu has something for everyone. How about some Buffalo Grouper Nuggets w/ blue cheese, fried macaroni and cheese, sweet potato fries, lobster egg roll, or some hot crab and seafood dip, very good French onion soup too. One of my favorites is the Southern Fried Oysters, 12 lightly battered Oysters w/ your choice of dip or sauce. Great App to share. Meat lovers can choose from Ribeye, New York Strip, Filet Mignon, and Sirloin steaks. Also Pork Chops, Baby Back Ribs, and Chicken entrees. Good variety of sandwiches of all kinds. How about this...the "Anniversary Bistro Burger" a half pound burger with bacon, Swiss cheese, fried onion rings, blue cheese, lettuce, tomato, served on a kaiser roll, with a side of steak fries and cole slaw!! Fish and Seafood? The seafood can be prepared pan seared, panko crusted, blackened, deep fried, or char grilled. Selections are Grouper, Mahi-Mahi, Salmon, Catfish, Lobster Tail, Shrimp, Sea Scallops, the also have "The Big Steamer" which are oysters, mussels, and shrimp. Some great sauces to complement your fish are Mango Habanera, Oriental Teriyaki, Seafood Cream, or Gorgonzola Cream sauce. A few tips: Don't even think of going on a weekend without reservations "in-season". If you join their email club, you get a free entree (up to $25) on your birthday. The best part is they give you a 3-4 day leeway too!
(4)Charles C.
An entirely excellent experience bbeginning with a relaxed environment,followed by a courteuous and professional waitress who attended to our needs . The pasta selections my wife and I chose were well prepared and presented in a very appealing manner.
(5)Vocal P.
Rachel was an outstanding server, however - lack of parking spaces, over-done fish, and over-priced for the portions - won't go again
(1)Wanda M.
I don't know what the great reviews are about. Prices are okay, but the food isn't worth fighting a parking space over and neither is the service. We went on an off season Monday night and had to wait over 30 minutes for dinner. I had the Surf and Turf which consists of a dried piece of steak(cooked med rare and still dry) with two small grilled shrimp. My husbands fish was dried out also and the lobster egg rolls were greasy. Go to Kegan's up the street for fresh food and better prices!
(1)Elizabeth W.
Amazing! Best Mahi Mahi I've ever had, and I've eaten some of the best from an extremely expensive chef in Hawaii one time that I thought would never be beat. Next time I'm in Tampa I'm eating there again! Great value for the price as well.
(5)Mica M.
Great scene! Great service! Great drinks! Food is okay but not all that!
(4)Glynis A.
1st time yesterday and everything was on point. Lobster rolls were fantastic as well as the wings steamed shrimp the steak and some of the freshest oysters that I have had in a long time. Will be sure to visit this place again.
(5)John T.
Lobster bisque is delicious. I had crap cake special and it was meaty and well seasoned. My wife had garlic scallops and shrimp in a cream sauce and enjoyed it too. Nice kids menu, plenty of locals, nice back deck and efficient and friendly service. Good spot for a mid week dinner and I would recommend it.
(4)Sharyn J.
Nice back deck if it's not too hot. Fish and chips are very good and the shrimp basket is good also. Have also had the lobster bisque and the seafood lasagna and both were excellent. You need reservations for dinner on the weekends it's packed.
(4)Linda C.
Best food and drinks on Sand Key and Clearwater Beach! Intercostal view for dining And Helen, Ashley, and Krystal are the Best bartenders on the beach. Helen rocks
(5)Sara T.
This place is a gem. The back patio view is incredible and the grouper is the best I've ever had. I travel to Clearwater just for this place!
(5)Michael C.
Walked in without reservation, manager immediately welcomed us and seated us. Crab cakes were light but filling. Fried catfish dinner was true Southern delicacy. Rachel was an excellent server who made spot-on suggestions for dinner. Lobster bisque best ever. Visiting area; will be sure to return. Mike
(5)Marshs P.
Ate here during wknd after Xmas & had very nice server & place cleared out by 930pm! We sat outside back f restaurant on bay side & food was great, ample servings, I got grilled fish that seemed to need more flair, but all was fine & borrowed my husband's sauce w his fish dish. Crab dip & Key lime cheesesteak very good too!
(5)Jake C.
Best Burger "Backwater Burger" I have EVER eaten!!! Cooked Med-Rare with Swiss cheese, it was Juicy, cooked perfectly, and full of flavor! My wife had the chicken sliders. They were huge! She couldn't even finish them. The were also perfect! Covered in cheese and bacon, the chicken was cooked perfect and was moist and tender! I will definitely recommend this place!
(5)Melissa L.
Unfortunately I have to credit this establishment with at least one star because yelp won't let you leave 0, otherwise I would. My husband and I had the worst restaurant experience in our lives at this place. We are locals and dine out 4-6 times a week and we sometimes like to come here but we will never be back after our last experience. My husband and I came without a reservation and the hostess asked us to wait at the bar. After waiting for over half an hour we realized there were three open tables. My husband had to let the hostess know there were open tables where we could sit. In the meantime, I was very cold sitting outside and so I went ahead and moved to the table. A server came and said to me this table is reserved you can't sit here, although there was no reserved sign anywhere to be seen. I told her I was cold and was simply sitting there until our table was ready to keep myself warm. After she walked away I was rudely approached by the manager, Chris. He told me to move from that table or to leave. He even offered to cancel our order! I was appalled and shocked at this rude treatment. There were three open tables, none with a reserved sign!! I told Chris that this is an inappropriate way to talk to customers and he did not seem to care at all. Soon after, another man interrupted our conversation. I had to ask him who he was because he didn't feel this need to introduce himself even though he was the owner. I told him that I was cold and wanted to sit at this open table and asked him if he could ask the people with the reservation that come later to sit at the outside table. His response was "well then the customer will be cold." Oh, right! Because I am not a customer! How silly of me! I told the owner how the manager was asking me to move or to leave and how inappropriate that was and his response was "what am I supposed to do? Fire him?" I told him all I wanted was to be talked to like a person and be treated respectfully because I am a paying customer. I also work with people and I know the customer is always right and you should always speak to them in a sincere way, not rudely telling them to leave. I am incredibly disappointed by the way my husband and I were treated. This was the most horrible dining experience I have ever had. If you don't want to be treated like a piece of dirt, I suggest avoiding backwater at all cost! Tourist or local, do not dine here, these owners and employees don't know the first steps of service and you will not have a good experience. Unfortunately this story is true and I would never take this much time out of my day to post this unless it was truly that horrible.
(1)Stephanie C.
They had amazing seafood. I got the daily special which was grouper and my friend had the filet both of which very delicious! They actually great sangria and drinks too. I would recommend a reservation because they were "sold out" but someone canceled last min so we got right in. They also have tables on the patio with a great view of the water.
(5)Bridget O.
Easy place with kids! Great views, waitress was super friendly and all her recommendations were perfect!
(4)Sean B.
Excellent food. Excellent service. Highly recommend this restaurant to anyone in the Clearwater area. Grilled mahi mahi sliders were fantastic. The combo of tuna salad sandwich and lobster bisque is ridiculously affordable, absolutely delectable, and unbelievably filling.
(5)Ed M.
Was expecting better. Mussels had way to much wine, that's all you tasted. Shrimp were good but difficult to peel. Oysters were very good, definitely recommend them. I had the lobster BLT, I think they forgot to include the lobster. Waiter was very nice but service was slow. Was expecting much more.
(2)Lisa R.
Nice view, but service was 1 star and food 2 stars. The server didn't look like he wanted to be there.
(2)Carl M.
Our waitress was Sandy. She very efficient and quick, just what we wanted. I loved my fried oysters, lots of flavor, not too much breading. My wife loved her Seafood Steamer. Lot of flavors, cooked just right. It had cooked oysters, mussels, shrimp. You'll need more if you are famished. I had the Blackened Grouper, good, but not great. I expected the grouper to be a little juicier and thicker, that's why I didn't give BW's 5 stars. Sandy was very knowledgeable. Usually when I ask what kind of Bombay gin a restaurant has, I get a puzzled look. Sandy knew exactly which might they had. (Sapphire) .
(4)Hannah B.
We had an awesome dinner here! They allow reservations so we were able to get a table on their back deck right on the bay! I had "the island grill." The presentation was great and the mahi was cooked perfectly! The mango salsa added the perfect sweetness to the fish. Would definitely recommend this to others visiting!
(5)Tim J.
Awesome place to eat! Had breakfast at Maggie's and breakfast reciept gave me 10% of off my dinner bill at backwaters. Trust me, great meal....great deal!
(5)m p k.
Celebrated my birthday (8-1) there with my wife. We had been to their sister establishment many times in the past for breakfast but never in the area for dinner. Had made reservations for later, but arrived early and was ushered out to their deck on the bay. It was very nice looking out on the bay and in a relaxed atmosphere. Our server, Brea was very attentive, professional with a number of suggestions. The meals were delicious and done well. My wife's the Seafood Mangotini, and mine the Salmon with Dill Sauce. This will not be the last time we frequent this restaurant in the future. I highly recommend it... Michael P. Kerwin
(4)Julie O.
WOW! We've been staying at Indian Shores for almost a week and have eaten out twice a day. This was my favorite meal here so far and this is one of two restaurants that we are putting on our must return to list (most likely again before we go home next week). I ordered the lobster bisque instead of a boring side salad and was not disappointed. It is so delicious! Tonight's special was crab stuffed jumbo scallops in a lemon butter sauce that was amazing! My husband ordered the other special - snapper with mango salsa. He liked it, but not as much as my scallops. Service was fast and sitting outside on the bay was the best dinner view we've had so far also.
(5)