Wow! We have been coming here for 8 years regularly. Also, my last review was 8 years ago, so it's time for an update. I can safely say SWG has stood the test of time in quality, consistency and fun on the river. Feeling like a crisp salad with fresh grilled cajun or creole chicken or seafood? Maybe some grilled ribs? Pork belly, shrimp, rice and beans, jambalaya, indulgent bread pudding, craft beers, they will take care of you. There is frequently management and ownership presence on site, which is always refreshing and explains the consistency and quality. We enjoy the dark - down on the bayou - atmosphere and feel transported to one of our favorite places in the south every time we visit. If we happen to be there on a weekend afternoon, bonus points to stop by the attached antique mall. Bravo to a great local restaurant making it for the long haul! read more

Legit New Orleans style char grilled oysters and gumbo in a dive bar/sports bar atmosphere!

Even though I'm not a seafood fan, my wife and I come here to get the jumbo salads and cheese sticks. We have never had bad service here. It can get pretty busy on weekends though, as seating can fill up quickly read more

I had the Swamp Pasta which was flavorful. The skewered shrimps were good but not much else. We did get some gator bites which were good but again, not a whole lot going on. Guess I just expected more from a Cajun/New Orleans eatery and yes, I've been down there a few times. Our server was great and so is the ambience. Overall, it was okay. Would I go back or out of my way to go there? Only if in the area. read more

Our favorite restaurant in Cinci! The dippers appetizer was out of this world. I love the ribs and the greens. Service is always good. Fun decor. Great bartender. 10/10 I wish we lived closer so we could be regulars here. read more

Everything! The jumbalaya, the gumbo, and the crayfish dish were just so delicious. It was my first time having food from Swampwater Grill. . My friend got a carry out order for us. I am indebted to her. Thank u read more

My mother and i came out to this restaurant for my 17th birthday, drove 35 minutes, to be greeted with a 40 minute wait, on a Thursday. We happily waited and came back in after the wait and were seated. upon being seated we were told that they had ran out of the boils for the night. They ran out of seafood boils at 7:30 on a Thursday night. Will NEVER come back. read more

It was a nice silver lining to a less-than-inspiring experience at the adjacent Riverside Antique Mall. The food was fresh, well-prepared, and served hot, fast, and with a smile. The fried shrimp won't necessarily change your life but they're light, crispy and plentiful and for less than $20, you're unlikely to get a better shrimp dinner til you hit saltwater. And a shout-out to the side salad - the ingredients were quality and fresh and the ranch dressing was thick and probably house-made (none of that Sysco BS here)! Enjoy! read more

Swampwater Grill - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

If you ever want to find a true slice of N'awlins right here in Cincinnati, Swampwater Grill is the place for you. It's a big taste of the "big easy" without the hassle of the long drive. You can always count on a laid back atmosphere, great service, and truly delicious food. My lady and I decided to stop by for dinner on Saturday night before a concert at Riverfront Live. There was a little bit of a wait for a table, but we didn't mind, and had a couple brews at the bar while we were waiting. They were definitely complying with social distancing and making sure each table was cleaned and sanitized between guests. My lady had an Abita Turbodog while I had a Fifty West Punch You in the EyePA. We sipped our brews while browsing their menu, which was loaded with lots of Cajun goodness, including lunch and dinner specials. It wasn't long before we were called for our table. We ordered a couple more brews, my lady had a Fifty West Doom Pedal while I had a Braxton Storm, and we went ahead and placed our orders. She ordered chargrilled oysters and a side of fries while I went with the blackened swamp platter with blackened catfish (with two sides; collard greens and roasted corn cheese grits). Was it all good? ABSOLUTELY!! My lady was raving about the oysters and my catfish was nothing short of epic. The collards tasted super fresh and cooked just right. The grits were damn good too. We weren't even half-way through our dinner when we decided we're DEFINITELY coming back here again. Maybe next time, we'll save room for dessert. This is one great Cajun spot that truly has it all; great service, great food, excellent drinks, and a very cool vibe! Laissez les bons temps rouler, mes amis! Come get your N'awlins on! read more

Pretty tasty food. I ordered the smoked chicken with okra & shrimp etoufee as my sides. Not large portions for the cost of the food, but flavor was really good. couple of downsides were, when we were sat our server rolled her eyes when she saw a party of two was being sat at her 6 person table top. We requested to be further from the door, and thats just where the hostess sat us. Another thing was some man came and asked us how our food was. I'm assuming he was the manager, but never introduced himself, so that was a little odd. Bathrooms were kept clean and stocked. Parking lot had lots of pot holes, which are tough on your car. read more

Swampwater Grill - spinach artichoke dip - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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My Mr. wanted to dine here for the longest time. Great timing... we had tickets to go to a show at Riverfront Live on a Saturday and decided to check it out. I am so glad we did. The atmosphere is very laid back with a southern feel. Love the decor and the outdoor patio. It was definitely busy but only had to wait 20 minutes. We sat at the bar. Bartender was very helpful and took the time to describe the beers on tap which they had a great selection. Simple but selective to go with your meals. I started out with the Abita Turbo Dog (Porter) and my Mr ordered Fifty West Punch you in the Eye PA. Besides beer on taps, they also offer other craft beers and domestics along with wine and mixed drinks. Before we seated, we viewed the menu and instantly knew what I wanted. I ordered the half dozen Chargrilled Oysters (lemon, garlic and Parmesan) with a side of seasoned fries. My Mr got the seafood platter -Blackened Catfish and shrimp topped with a seafood swamp sauce. His sides were the cheddar corn grits and collard greens. We didn't have to wait long. Once We got our meals, we enjoyed every bit of it. I've never had chargrilled oysters so this was a nice treat. The garlic and parmesan complimented well with the oysters. Love the toast that came with the meal. Seasoned fries were amazing! Not greasy. I tried my Mr's catfish and shrimp and it was bomb! Fish flaky and shrimp was not rubbery. The sauce made the meal. The grits were not runny, great taste! Have to get that again next time! With our meals we ordered another round of beers to pair. I got Fifty West Doom Pedal and my Mr got Braxton's storm. Went very well with the food. Our server was very kind, patient and attentive. Overall the experience was awesome and can't wait to come back again. So good! read more

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I really enjoy eating here. The decor is very different. The staff is quite inviting. And the food- yea, its real good! On this trip, we started with appetizers of pork belly and fried jalapeno poppers. They were both fantastic! Highly recommend both of them. For dinner I got the swamp pasta. Hubs got the catfish new orleans. My pasta was very good- I ate on it for 2 days there was so much. It gave me some nasty heartburn, but it was worth it! Hubs liked the catfish, but thought the sauce was a little weird. I would recommend getting the sauce on the side, and then the fish would stay super crispy. The sides of grits, jambalaya and mac and cheese were on point- yum yum yum! read more

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This place has a great feel. The service was top notch. Special shout out to Frankie the bar tender. Appetizer was deep fried Jalapeño poppers with Chorizo cheese and bacon. We ordered Pork Belly w/ cheese grits. They put crispy jalapeño rings on the top. OMG!! Highly recommend Swamp Water, we will definitely be back. read more

Swampwater Grill - Jalapeño Poppers w/Chorizo cheese and bacon. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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We had the full rack of ribs (nice and thick), 4 sides and two pieces of corn bread (amazing!). Our 4 sides were 2 Caesar Salads (nice and crisp), White Mac N Cheese (the flavor!) and Jambalaya (great zing)! Service was prompt and upbeat! Following COVID restrictions well! We will be back!! Probably sooner than later! read more

Swampwater Grill - "Sweetheart Deal For Two" - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Overall super good, the food was amazing and the service was great. Didn't have to wait long at all for table and it really gives off southern restaurant vibes. read more

I used to live in New Orleans and I heard that Swampwater might be a great place to reminisce. There were definitely some standout dishes that were done just the way they would have been in Nola. We started with the oysters. They were flavorful, with a good amount of Parmesan, and fresh tasting. My friend and I got two dishes to split, the Catfish New Orleans and the Swamp Pasta. The catfish was crispy and well seasoned, however the crawfish étouffée it was topped with wasn't quite right- it muddied the flavor of the catfish. The swamp pasta was perhaps the biggest disappointment of the evening, given its positive reviews. It lacked spice and enough seafood. Most bites were bland Alfredo sauce. The sides were the best part of the meal. The jambalaya was an absolute standout- smoky sausage played off seasoned rice for our favorite bite of the night. The cheesy corn grits and red beans were also delicious and authentic. Worth a stop, but not quite a New Orleans replacement. read more

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The food was awesome and the vibe was amazing! Swamp water you have something special, thank you for a great evening! read more

Swampwater Grill - front of restaurant - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Wow is all I have to say!!! This place was great! Food was so good! We got multiple things to try such as alligator po boy, rubs, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, fries and oysters!! All of the above was so good!! Oysters 10/10! Make sure to check out the hot sauce shelves! We also tried the river water cocktail = amazing!! Such a great atmosphere and the staff was amazing!! They were so punctual and very informative about what to order and gave us info about Thursdays when they have their books! The place was packed so its obviously a pretty good place! They don't take reservations so I'd get there early!! read more

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Dude / the food here is just gross. Wack ambiance. Could have done without this experience.

Food is really good here! Good service. Restaurant is fun Nice decorations outside. Would eat here again.

went in with five adult adults and two children on a Saturday night for my birthday. It was packed. We had to wait about 90 minutes to get seated, but luckily there is an antique store attached through this restaurant so the kids had something to keep them busy all of that time. When we were finally seated, we were served promptly and the food was fantastic. We definitely will be coming here again. read more

Our first visit to Swampwater Grill on a friend's recommendation. Parking was very limited and it took me a while to get a space. We ordered the Gator Bites to start and they were good. Had a full side of ribs which were tender and tasty along with slaw, crawfish etouffee and jambalaya for sides. The crawfish etouffee was too salty but the jambalaya was delicious! Ordered the Blackened Swamp platter with mahi-mahi and a grilled shrimp skewer which was very tasty! We ordered the Louisiana BBQ shrimp but thought it was too spicy and had a different taste. Had Swamp Juice and Boubon Slushy for drinks which were great and bread pudding for dessert which was delicious! The atmosphere was very casual and warm. Our waitress has worked there for eight years and she knew the menu well, gave great suggestions and provided great service! We will definitely return and we highly recommend this restaurant! read more

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The ambience was great, the food was decent for being 800 miles north of nola, the service was great. But food poisoning on your first visit really puts a damper on the experience. Instead of a romantic evening, my girlfriend and I spent the evening on the toilets. read more

Wife and I stopped for dinner. She had 6 oysters on the half shell and she liked them. I ordered the ribs with ceaser salad and collard greens. She had a tilapia with some shrimp and swamp water sauce on it. She liked her entree. It was pretty coming out. My ribs were dry and a bit over cooked. Their BBQ sauce is wonderful. But price vs portion size is not great. Our greeter was not very happy to be here either. read more

Swampwater Grill - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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The food is excellent! I usually order the same thing, but on my last visit I tried the pork chop and now I'll order that again!!!

I grew up an hour from downtown New Orleans. The Swampwater Grill is the closest I've had to back-home food. The Tomahawk pork chop is the best I've had in years. Behind the bar, Brian gives excellent service and makes you feel at home. The environment is rustic with a great ambiance. read more

I went in for the first time where I actually was able to dine in. When we arrived there were people outside but couldn't determine if staff. We waited at the first for awhile then a gentleman came and seated us. He appeared to be the bartender. Nick came over to introduce himself as our server. He talked to us about happy hour specials. We ordered spinach dip and the grilled oysters as well as our drinks. It was not to busy when we arrived but picked up fast. We ordered bbq shrimps and grits and a shrimp pasta dish. We waited a little while and the dip was brought out. After waiting awhile we asked about the oysters. He apologized as it was not put in the system. Our salads came which were clearly freshly made. The entrees came out first then the oysters. I was honestly full from the appetizers, salad then trying the oysters. I looked at my shrimp and it was undercooked so the kitchen staff came and cooked it more. By the time the shrimp returned I was packing up the rest of my grits. There was a chocolate cake for dessert. It was thick and rich, very good. Had a raspberry topping that brought out the favor. Nick was a great server and did his best to accommodate us. The environment was nice and we were comfortable. I would like to go back and try a few other items that I would only try if dining in. The cool part of this restaurant is that it is connected to an indoor flea market. So if you have time you can work off much of what you ate. I will be back. read more

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The food here is amazing. Everything is homemade except the french fries (according to the manager), with an eye to keeping everything authentically Cajun. I had the blackened shrimp, gumbo, shrimp and grits, and collard greens. My favorite was the gumbo, with a layer of flavors. I wasn't as fond of the collard greens, which seemed just okay. One sour note was the atmosphere, which seemed in my experience to have a "survival-of-the-fittest," "you're-on-your-own" feeling. For example, I ordered take-out, but when I got there and asked the waitress, she brushed me off with "go to the bartender." I found my own way in the vague direction she pointed her finger, but no one was at the bar. I wandered back and asked her again, and was told, "they're just changing shifts, go back and wait." It just had the feeling that she couldn't be bothered to help me. Similarly, they don't take reservations for any reason, not even when I told them my group was older and frailer and it would be a hardship for them to wait. I'm giving them 4 stars because it's the food that deserves it, but for me, if I want to get that kind of impersonal brusque atmosphere, I'll just go to a bar instead. read more

The name "Swampwater" was probably the reason we put off going for so long - but my goodness what a neat place! We went on Friday night, arrived around 6 and there was a 30 min wait. They have seating inside and outside to wait for your table. Service was quick and staff was friendly. Menu has great options - Cajun inspired! We got the signature swamp juice to drink, fried gator bites and Jalepenos appetizer, and the jambalaya and the swampwater pasta for dinner that was also served with a choice of a side. Everything was DELICIOUS! The drink was very fun- bright green, strong, and HUGE! We could even take Home the mason jar if we wanted. The dinners were large portions and we had plenty of leftovers to take home! We will definitely be returning to try more menu items, very neat place inside, nothing fancy but it's fun, great menu. read more

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Everyday is Mardis Gras at this cajun culinary company. One step inside and you're transported 800 miles south to the backwoods of a parish just outside New Orleans. The decor is absolutely spot on with what you'd expect to find. Rustic and inviting, this is a place you could go for dinner and drinks with family and friends and you won't be disappointed. What really stands out, however, is their homemade soulful dishes. From crawfish etoufeé to jambalaya, gumbo, po' boys, to their weekly crab/seafood boils and oysters (raw or roasted) you really can't go wrong. It's all delicious and full of flavor. Just take a peak at their menu it's got something for everyone. What I like best about their menu is that they offer most of their mains as side dishes so you can sample a little bit of everything if you can't decide on a single large serving of one entrée...which is exactly what I did on this occasion. I really haven't found a dish that hasn't been absolutely amazing and can't give this restaurant and staff/management enough credit for always making sure the their customers have a great experience so if you're looking for a taste of the south or just an excellent meal, I'd suggest giving this place a visit. You won't be disappointed. read more

Swampwater Grill - Cajun Delight - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Might not look like much from the street but don't be fooled. From the staff to the managers to the food all were excellent. Sat at the bar and couldn't have been treated any better never had an empty cup or had to wait for any kind of help since this was my first visit. Was given a grilled oysters to try. So how to explain heaven this dish comes close. Had a half order of grilled then a half order of raw oysters and couldn't be any happier. Finished of with their gumbo. Some of the best I've ever had. Cant wait to come back and try the rest of the menu out. read more

Swampwater Grill - Half dozen raw - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

This was a super fun restaurant for my two little kids. We went at 2p on a Sunday so the crowds weren't there thank goodness. The Tomahawk Pork Chop was char-perfection. The red beans and rice were lovingly prepared, and almost too spicy for my kid, so perfect. Our server was knowledgeable, passionate, and supremely helpful. read more

Food was delicious the bartender was awesome engaging, friendly, recommended a lot f food it's as as it was our first time eating there. Everything we had was delicious bartender gave us a sample of their jambalaya Which was amazingly delicious. I can honestly say the only complaint i have is the jalapeño corn bread could have been slightly larger in size, way too small of a piece for me lol but all the way around a great experience. We will def be back! read more

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Ok its definitely cinci-creole. This was the 2nd time I went. Trying to give them another chance. But meh! Gator bites are good but pricey. My friend got mozzarella sticks. They took cheese and rolled them in an eggroll wrapper and not like and egg roll. It was hard and chewy. My friend said it taste freezer burnt. The marinara sauce taste like ragu. I got the swamp pasta on the menu it said andouille sausage, shrimp, and lump crab. I had 1 piece of crab. 5 shrimp on a skewer and a ton of sausage. It just feels like no one puts love into their food here. Pasta was over cooked. Hot mess. I'll never order that again. Shrimp and gator bites were great. Should have stuck with that. The two of us ended up spending $88 too much for poor quality of food. read more

Swampwater Grill - Swamp pasta. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

They have Bourbon Slushies and Hand Grenades... Great menu and amazing service! The place is a bit out of the way, but the atmosphere and food make it worth the drive. I have a new favorite restaurant. read more

Swampwater Grill - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Ever since I first stopped in this place with my husband I can't stop coming back! So many times we would pass by and would be turned off by the name/curb appeal. The service is superb here and have a great selection of crafted drinks and choices offered on the menu! For appetizer we ordered the Smoked Jalapeño Poppers, it was spicy but loved every bite! I had the blackened swamp platter; blackened Mahi Mahi with collard greens, and the best cheese grits! So delicious! For dessert I must recommend their Bread Pudding with dark rum sauce....talk about mouthwatering! I also had tried their Beef Brisket that is only served on Wednesdays, and the brisket was so juicy, and tender! The coleslaw and cornbread was a downer! read more

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The them here is great. I love the menu. The seafood is fresh and cooked right with great flavor and seasoning. The servers are nice and bar staff is pleasant! read more

I have always heard of this place, but never been, now I'm mad I've been missing out!! All the food had so much flavor! I tried about everything. The Gumbo was really good. The baked beans were smoky and not sweet, with a red, earthy taste. My main dish was the fried Catfish, which was lightly battered. It was flaky and juicy and the breading held on perfectly, light and crispy. Now, the chef surprised me with a side of Crawfish Ettoufe. That was an interesting taste adventure. I guess you could liken it to a Cajun curry. Tender crawfish, smoky and a bit spicy. I had Green Beans and Collard Greens as well. I was surprised by the amount of taste and flavor in them. Just a hint of pepper and vinegar. I need the recipe for those lol!! The Mac and Cheese was creamy and the Jambalaya was smoky with chunks of sausage and pulled pork mixed in. Overall, you can tell that everything is made from scratch, nothing frozen and reheated. Fast service, the food was quick to come out and was piping hot. I overheard from 2 other tables comments about how good and flavorful the dishes were. I am grateful to have such an establishment in the city. read more

Swampwater Grill - Fried Catfish, Collard Greens, Mac and Cheese, Jambalaya, Crawfish Etouffe, Green Beans, homemade Tarter Sauce - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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I love the offerings on the menu. You feel like you are in New Orleans. I ordered the Seafood Platter. Alligator and Shrimp. My choice of sides are a salad and jambalaya. The side salad is plain and nothing special. The flavor of the jambalaya is pretty tasty. I arrived at 1:30pm. Our food was served about 1:55. I am very disappointed. Our food is not hot. We will be taking the food home in a box. I doubt we will be able to eat the gator! Is it even possible to reheat fried gator? I drove from Hillsboro to dine. I was looking forward to gator. This meal has been an epic fail. Our server was very good. She appeared to be the only person serving food in the dining room. Maybe, that is why our food was not hot? There is a nice large parking lot. I do like the atmosphere. As you enter the building a large alligator is there to greet you. read more

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It's not bad, but it's just not great either. First time in and we were really looking forward to it from all the reviews on Yelp and word of mouth. First tip, this is a sharing restaurant so plan on large portions that would be better for the table, I can't imagine trying to eat the shrimp and grits by myself. Everything was super salty and really expensive for what you got. The shrimp and grits was $19 and only had 6 tiny shrimp with a massive portion of grits, uneven. The gumbo was good and by far the best thing we ordered. The voodoo catfish was not good. So much salt and just not worth the $21. Service was great and atmosphere was fun. But after eating here once, there was just nothing calling me back for seconds. read more

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