"You'll find car parking available in an unpaved lot, so be prepared for a bit of sand underfoot. The restaurant is located within the Highbanks Marina and Camp Resort, which also serves as the launch point for St. Johns River Eco Tours. If you're interested in the tour—a flat-bottomed pontoon boat experience—be sure to call ahead, as they don’t operate during high winds.
The camp resort accommodates RVs, while the marina provides a spot for boats. The building housing the restaurant also contains a convenience store, with a spacious dining area upstairs, a bar at one end, and a Tiki Bar on the ground floor right by the marina. You can enjoy food from the same menu whether you're upstairs or downstairs, and there’s even a private room available for small gatherings of about 25 people.
As a nod to its name, Swamp House, the walls are adorned with alligators, including a large preserved one that separates the bar from the dining area, proudly displaying its headstone. Being directly on the St. Johns River, the menu features options like catfish, alligator, shrimp, and various fish. Most seafood can be grilled, blackened, or fried, with Louisiana-inspired dishes such as gumbo, crab cakes, and jambalaya to satisfy diverse palates. If you prefer something more familiar, you can still find classic favorites.
One must-try dish is the Fried Gator Tail—¼ pound of hand-prepared, citrus-marinated nuggets, cornmeal battered to perfection. The seasoning is subtly flavorful, with a crisp, crunchy exterior that gives way to tender, succulent alligator meat. Honestly, ¼ pound isn’t enough!
The Grilled Grouper Sandwich is another highlight, featuring a generous portion of lightly seasoned grouper, along with tomato, onion, and lettuce on a bun. The fish is cooked to flaky perfection, and the seasoning enhances its natural flavors. Don’t miss the sweet potato fries; they’re lightly seasoned and fried to crispy perfection, served with their delightful Mud Sauce, a blend of whipped cream, cinnamon, and brown sugar.
The Big Catfish B.L.T. features fried catfish topped with Applewood bacon, lettuce, and tomato, served with sweet potato fries and that delicious Mud Sauce. Although I found the bacon a touch too crispy for my taste, the catfish stole the show—perfectly seasoned and cooked. I would gladly order another piece!
Keep in mind, this isn’t the place for a quiet meal; it's all about having fun! The live music creates a lively atmosphere, inviting animated conversations. The staff is friendly and enjoys sharing witty remarks, and the cold drinks flow freely. From upstairs, you can hear cheers from the Tiki bar below, adding to the jovial energy.
The food is fantastic, the atmosphere is vibrant, and the St. Johns River flows lazily alongside it all. On my next visit, I plan to hop into one of those boats and explore the river. This is what living in Florida is all about—so go out and experience it!"
