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Hours
Sun
11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Mon
11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tue
11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wed
11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thu
11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Fri
11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sat
11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, American, Cajun & Creole, Bar, Seafood, Vegetarian friendly
“This was the best jambalaya I have ever had: oversized chunks of andouille, s...”
“The fish and chips was excellent nice and crisp, the shrimp also, and the rib...”
“... (oh so good) and the Hawaiian Chicken burger with their home made chips.”
“We usually eat, (great burgers, fish and chips, and sandwiches) and always ha...”
Is this restaurant good for scenic view?
Details
About
The Swamp House Grill is located overlooking the St Johns River and Highbanks Marina in peaceful, beautiful Debary Florida. If you're looking for good food with a homegrown, old-Florida vibe then we're your place! Please feel free to bring your well behaved dogs and eat downstairs at The Happy Snapper Tiki Bar on Saturdays and Sundays.
CUISINES
American, Cajun & Creole, Bar, Seafood
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music
Contribute
4.5
1,040 reviews
Excellent
610
Very good
268
Average
80
Poor
43
Terrible
39
Cathleen L
Oshawa189 contributions
Nov 2024 • friends
A motorcycle ride to DeBary and a frequent visit to Swamp House located at Highbanks Marina on the St.John River. You can sit inside restaurant which is a very nice environment or you can sit on the deck outside on the downstairs patio. We had the pulled pork potato skins (oh so good) and the Hawaiian Chicken burger with their home made chips. You won’t leave hungry. Service is great!
Written December 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abby M
1 contribution
Nov 2024 • family
The service and food were excellent, with friendly and hardworking staff who made the experience enjoyable. The restaurant offers a lovely view of the river and passing boats, adding to the relaxing atmosphere. It’s a great spot for families, friends, or couples looking to enjoy a meal in a welcoming and scenic setting.
Written November 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
runner24
Orlando2287 contributions
Dec 2023 • family
We've popped into this location many times over the years and have always enjoyed a good meal, cold beverages, and interesting views. It's also a great place to people watch during the day. Reciently, we had family drop in from Nevada and they wanted to try someplace near the water. As this place is the closest that fit's the discription, off we went. Pricing is pushing up everywhere so I won't comment on that except to say that this place is no exception. All of our meals were fine and the service was very good. Our visitors? They loved the place.
Written December 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
runner24
Orlando2287 contributions
Dec 2024 • family
We stopped in for lunch while passing through the area. For context, I’ve been patronizing this location for over 20 years, so I have a good sense of how things usually operate here. Historically, I’ve rated it average or better.
This time, we were looking for something light and simple. Our group ordered the following: I chose the beef tacos, my daughter tried the Coconut Shrimp Salad, my son-in-law went for the Catfish BLT with a side of Gator Bites, and my grandson opted for the Chicken Fingers.
Service was fine, and the food was brought out in a timely manner. However, the problems began as we started eating.
First, my son-in-law noticed that his BLT arrived without the bacon. Yes, a BLT without the "B." We pointed this out to our waitress, who informed the manager. His response? He comped a single soft drink. Really? A professional manager would have comped the sandwich or at least offered to remake it.
Then, things took a turn for the worse. While eating her salad, my daughter found a 3-inch stick—yes, a literal stick—in the greens. At this point, we had to involve the manager again. He came to the table, apologized, and then, shockingly, asked if we had brought the stick and put it in the salad as a joke. “Ha, ha,” he said. Not funny.
He went on to blame the vegetable supplier, which was irrelevant and unprofessional. It’s his restaurant, and ultimately, his responsibility to ensure food quality. Instead of comping the salad, he gave us a $4 discount.
Given these kitchen mishaps, I’ve dropped my rating by a star. Normally, this place would earn three stars from me, but the lack of attention to detail and the poor handling of issues make it hard to justify that. If things don’t improve, my rating might drop even lower.
Consider yourselves warned.
Written December 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trish D
DeLand349 contributions
Dec 2024 • family
Swamp House has always been a great place and I could recommend it or take out of town visitors there for a true old Florida experience. Sadly that is no longer the case. We were there last night for our family's traditional seafood dinner on the 23rd.
First, I will compliment our server as she was as accommodating as could be. She worked with one member of our party to help him find dishes he could eat with his dietary restrictions. When our food came it was freshly cooked and hot.
However, the menu has changed and not for the better. The pork rinds appetizer is gone! No hush puppies or grits, no catfish entree. The Southern influence is gone. We won't be back. Sad when new management tries to fix something that isn't broken.
Written December 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maya K
43 contributions
May 2023 • couples
I Ordered Mahi and Shrimp Dinner for $33.00 it said it came with one side (rice) plus one choice side I chose salad. When order came, there was no rice on the plate other than directly under the Mahi, in all there were maybe 4 tablespoons of rice, tiny amount. I told waitress asked for more rice, she brought a tiny portion of rice again (little more this time maybe 6 tablespoons and charge extra $3.00 for this, so the $33.00 +$3 is $36 plus upcharge was for salad +$2/3.00? too so close to $40 for my dinner. I could have had 2 dinners for this at a similar place, I mean we ate with plastic dinnerware...also on salad I said hold croutons but they still were on plate. Waitress did not come to check if food was OK after it was served. I would have showed her the plate looked empty half white with the rice hiding under the fish...it was disappointing for an expensive dinner. Last year I did not have this problem and portions were generous, very disappointed. Our dinner totaled $115.00 for 2 and with tip we left $140 behind...way to expensive to eat with plastic cutlery. Needless to say our date night turned out to an argument about the price, the rice and the situation, so night was ruined. I don't think the young waitress cared when I told her there was almost no rice on my dinner plate. It was yesterday Thursday evening dinner and they were not busy few people in only, around &;30-8PM, Maybe cook did not want to cook a new batch of rice so made a decision to serve less?
Written May 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ahjah9
Pierson125 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
1. It was expensive
2. The menu is very limited
3. The food is bad
4. Service is ehh
Food was overcooked not once but twice and had no flavor at all. It took forever to get the food & service was very lacking. Never saw the mgr or owner. It would have been nice for the waitress to have the Mgr come talk to me since both orders were overcooked.
If I could give no stars, I would
Written October 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DRB
1 contribution
Sep 2022 • none
My wife and I had lunch at the Swamp House, and a chalk board upon entrance advertised $6 Margaritas. The tab at the end showed $18 for our two drinks. Questioning the manager, he said that the board listed only select flavors. I checked, and that was the case. From entering to ordering, I failed to recall which specific flavors (or if they were limited just to those) were discounted. The waitress rattled off all the flavor choices and my wife and I settled on the same flavor. Apparently our choice wasn't discounted. Margaritas weren't on either of our minds upon entering; it was the board that caught our attention. Had the waitress mentioned the price differences or that only limited flavors were discounted, we would've selected a different flavor. It was not a $9 drink—mostly ice and how much do ice cubes cost? I felt that since we gave the restaurant good business with what we bought for lunch, the manager could've made the minor adjustment to the bill to satisfy his customers. Regardless of the flavor, it was the same alcohol and same amount, so adjusting the bill to reflect the discounted flavors wouldn’t have been a big hit their bottom line. The experience left a sour taste in our mouths that was sourer than our Margaritas, so I don't expect we'll be returning there anytime soon.
Written September 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Coco
Wyoming253 contributions
Feb 2024 • friends
We liked the dockside location and outdoor seating and the fact that the deck was pet friendly. The service was a bit slow and the food was ok, but nothing too memorable. Food was brought out to thee of the four in our party and it was clear the fourth lunch was missed as it came out much later. The fries were very good, probably the best thing in our lunch order. The crab cakes were good, beer could have been colder. Portions were generous and prices were fair.
Written February 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard C
Atlanta6 contributions
Dec 2023 • family
90 minutes is too long to wait for a pair of Caesar salads. I don't care how good the food is or how reasonably priced it is- if you can't get it to the table in a reasonable amount of time You. Will. Fail.
Written December 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VillageGypsy
The Villages438 contributions
Jan 2024 • friends
We went as a group of 18 for a late (1:30PM) lunch. We deliberately split into tables for 6 to speed up the process. Unfortunately, we were the last of the 3 tables seated. Drinks came promptly. The server was helpful with menu selections. The 2 appetizers arrived. Then we waited.... After about 1/2 hour, our other 2 tables of friends had finished, paid and were leaving. We had not been served our meals yet. I asked the server, and our meals came shortly after that. My catfish tacos were good. One person said her crabcake was very disappointing. The checks came promptly after that. We got out of there about 3PM.
Written January 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marshaj42
Miami Beach4 contributions
Feb 2022 • none
Maybe it's a sign of the times, but we waited 30+ minutes to be seated, and then 45+ minutes for the food, which we had to cancel it so we didn't miss our pre-paid boat tour. It's obvious that this out-of-the way restaurant is the only game in town for a large campground, popular boat launch, and vacation community nearby. They have too many customers, and they are just completely overwhelmed.
Written February 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rb2424
Orange City156 contributions
Jun 2022 • none
Over the past few years, I’ve passed on several opportunities to have a meal at the Swamp House Grill; so many times I’ve given in to guests who steered me away to restaurants with more traditional names
Huge mistake
On our recent visit, we ordered several shrimp and fish dishes many different ways. But the kicker was Jammin Jambalaya. This was the best jambalaya I have ever had: oversized chunks of andouille, shrimp and chicken served in a delightfully spicey tomato auce. I had to refuse my fellow diners who wanted to share the leftovers because I wanted to take them home.
Written July 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michele107
New Smyrna Beach9 contributions
May 2021 • none
Okay, the location is beautiful overlooking the St Johns River but it is so disturbingly dirty I can't believe the health department doesn't shut them down. The bathrooms are so nasty they need to be pressure washed with bleach. They have fish tanks that have not been cleaned in so long you can't see the fish. Your shoes stick to the floor and your behind to the chairs. All I could think about was the kitchen where the food was being prepared. The food? Average and over priced. My fried shrimp was pretty good ($19.00) but the cold slaw and fries tasted like they had some age on them.
Written May 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike B
Greenville606 contributions
May 2021 • none
Wife and I brought my mother here for early Mothers Day lunch. I had the St. Johns Catfish (fried) with corn fritters and baked potato - all very good. Wife and my mom each had the fish & chips and were very happy with that. NOTE that the portion on the fish & ships is so large that 2 people could easily split it. The catfish dinner portion was more reasonable and I had no trouble finishing it off. Service was good, but I thought the food took a little long to come out, but we weren't in any hurry.
Written May 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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