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Backwaters - Steakhouse in Clearwater, Florida

Backwaters

4.4 (1880 reviews)

1261 Gulf Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33767

Seafood restaurant
Steak house

About Backwaters - steak house in Clearwater, Florida

Steak, seafood, wines & desserts in a laid-back restaurant with waterfront dining.

Customer Review Summary

Backwaters offers an incredible dining experience with outstanding service. Servers are noted for their friendliness, especially Kay and Rick, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere. The food is consistently praised, with highlights including the Buffalo Grouper Bites, Greek Salad, oysters, and the grilled Mahi sandwich. Outdoor seating provides beautiful water views, although distractions from birds can occur. Happy hour is popular, featuring enticing drink specials. Guests appreciate generous portion sizes and quick service, making it a favorite spot to revisit. Overall, Backwaters is recognized for its delicious food, friendly staff, and pleasant ambiance.

Key Features

Service options

  • Outdoor seating
  • Curbside pickup
  • Delivery
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in

Highlights

  • Fast service
  • Great beer selection
  • Great cocktails
  • Great dessert
  • Live music
  • Sports

Popular for

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom
  • Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings

  • Alcohol
  • Beer
  • Cocktails
  • Coffee
  • Comfort food
  • Happy hour drinks
  • Happy hour food
  • Hard liquor
  • Healthy options
  • Late-night food
  • Quick bite
  • Small plates
  • Wine

Dining options

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
  • Seating

Amenities

  • Bar onsite
  • Restroom
  • Wi-Fi

Atmosphere

  • Casual
  • Cozy
  • Trendy

Crowd

  • Family-friendly
  • Groups
  • Tourists

Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments

Children

  • Good for kids
  • High chairs
  • Kids' menu

Parking

  • Free parking lot
  • Free street parking
  • Valet parking

Customer Reviews

Rating Distribution

4.4 out of 5
5
1295
4
317
3
114
2
65
1
89
Based on 1880 reviews

Mark Mills

2 months ago

Incredible dining experience! Our server Kay was outstanding! Chips and salsa aren’t on the menu but were great. Loved the Buffalo Grouper Bites, Greek Salad (very large) and Butter Blackened Ribeyes.

Brian Hammill

2 months ago

Food was great and the service was also quite good. Grouper sandwich is a go-to favorite. Outdoor seating on the water gave a very nice view but birds can be a little distracting. I'd go back in a minute when visiting this area again.

Joanne Bowling

2 months ago

One of my moms favorite places to eat... love all of your smiles!!! They are all so nice. Rick was our server and his smile was contagious... what a wonderful soul!!! The young lady held was training was showing her beautiful smile as well. Loved all the smiles 😁. Food as always so delicious 😋 keep smiling in the new year and hope to see you when I come back down ... thank you!!!

KOURTNI MILLER

1 month ago

Omg!!!! This was my second time here and the food along with the service is unmatched!!! Service is quick and friendly!! I had an issue with my drink and the mgr Mike was extremely kind and accommodating… they fixed me a new drink and it was perfect! I personally recommend the oysters, the ahi tuna and the cheddar cheese burger but try everything!!!!

Byron Vanzandt

1 month ago

Love love love the fresh oysters. Peel and eat shrimp: mouth watering! Don’t tell the tourists. This place is so great in many ways. Right on the water. Just before the high prices and no parking of Clear Water Beach.

Mjp

1 month ago

A nice place for a drink and dinner. If you catch happy hour, you can get 2 daiquiris or margaritas for the price of one. Happy hour is a very busy time and there are no reservations. The outdoor seating overlooks the water. Servings are large. Our group had dinners ranging from the Nashville hot chicken sandwich to salmon, mahi mahi, and chicken Parmesan. There were no complaints about any of the food. As a testament to their food. we are there twice on our short vacation.

Martin S

10 months ago

This was a great late lunch early dinner outing. We were initially seated inside but asked to move out to the patio to take in the water views. The hostess and waiter was extremely helpful and quickly moved our whole table outside. Service was quick and attentive and the food was fresh, served in good portions and really tasty. I can personally recommend the grilled Mahi sandwich. The happy hour was an added bonus and allowed for an extra drink or two while we soaked in the views. We will be back!

Paul Carlsen

5 months ago

Always a wonderful meal at Backwaters. It has been my favorite restaurant for years. The happy hour menu has great drink and food specials. Bill and his entire team all make you feel so welcomed.

Location

Contact Information

Hours of Operation

Friday 11 AM–10 PM
Monday 11 AM–10 PM
Saturday 11 AM–10 PM
Sunday 11 AM–10 PM
Thursday 11 AM–10 PM
Tuesday 11 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 11 AM–10 PM

Price Range

$20–30