I was coming home from a men's conference in ormond beach heading to Clermont and needed a place to eat. We saw the Blackwater Inn on the list and decided to check it out. We actually ate at Williams landing on the upper floor. The food was very good, typical bar fare. My burger was cooked correctly and was very juicy and fresh. The service was good, our waitress seemed a little distracted but it was no big deal to us. If I found myself in Astor again, I would eat here for sure. I would recommend it to anyone traveling along fl-hwy 40 or the St. John's river. Good food and nice atmosphere right on the river.
Review Source:I had dinner with a friend here after going to Juniper Springs for the day in the Ocala National Forest. For the first time, I (we) had to wait over thirty minutes to get a table, but the wait was certainly worth it. The emphasis here is on seafood, as the restaurant is on the St. John's River, however they also serve prime rib, quail and other hallmarks of traditional American dining in the twentieth century. In fact, the restaurant has a very mid-twentieth century feel--like something from a television show from the 1960s perhaps. That is fully meant in an endearing way, and while most of the patrons are in the golden years (as are some of the waitstaff), the quality of the food and old-fashioned Florida charm of the Blackwater Inn have won it many fans, including myself. It is casual and not innovative, not "new" cooking nor showy or trendy, but the quality of the food more than speaks for itself.
Tonight I had the triggerfish--a special they don't always have in stock but which is well worth getting when they do--fixed broiled with lemon-pepper and it was amazing. The rice served with it was also perfectly-cooked but almost as amazing as the triggerfish was the smoked fish dip I ordered: it was possibly the best fish dip I've ever had, with more of a lemon flavor to it than most, but the overall effect was exactly as it should have been. My friend Justin was very pleased with his shrimp scampi, too.
Perhaps old-fashioned to a degree, but they do what they do better than anyone else and they've been doing it for years. Certainly worthwhile if in the area.
My family and I eat here at least twice annually, and have yet to be disappointed. It's a charming little place on the St. John's, and the menu has enough variety to satisfy the pickiest of eaters. They are modest in price, and give plenty of food in their portions. The seafood is fresh, and they serve a nice variety. We always make a reservation, but I don't believe you'd have to. They are friendly kids, and for those who want more of a bar atmosphere, there is a second level for that.
Review Source:My mate and I visited Blackwater Inn for the first time. Â We received outstanding service and enjoyed a wonderful time outside on the patio. Â Couldn't help but peek at all the beautiful platters being delivered tableside - Good God they were wonderful! Â After chatting up with some of the regulars they confirmed to us that great food and service is a staple that everyone can count on at the Inn. Â Now isn't that grand to hear..."you can count on them." Â How many restaurants can lay claim to that one? Â It gives me great pleasure to rate this establishment well. Â It is so entirely deserved!
Review Source:Had lunch here on a Friday and chose to sit in the outdoor patio area upstairs so I could take pictures of boats going by on the river.
The waitress was efficient and friendly and the food was good for the price.
The lunch menu had your typical bar food along with a few fish entrees. I tried the grouper caeser salad and it was delicious.
This is one of those restaurants that gets by on location. Â I had high hopes reading all of the customer reviews tacked on the wall, but it went downhill rather quickly. Â It took a fairly long time for a hostess to acknowledge us and then another 10 minutes to be seated. Â During that time we sat at the sofas next to a weird shrine to Florida taxidermy. Â Dusty stuffed fish, bobcat, raccoon and turkey shared space with a tabletop pond of living koi and a forest of plastic ferns.
The table was right in front of a large window, where we had a front row view of the St. John's river. Â A basket of packaged crackers, bread sticks and foil wrapped butter was in place. Â The bread sticks were past their prime. Â The menu had a good offering of fish, salads and chicken and steak. Â I was glad to see they had a selection of "petite plated" for smaller appetites, which was a relief because the portions that I was seeing on other tables border lined on obscenely large. Â My scallops came as ordered, the baked potato was a bit small and came with...packaged sour cream on the side. Â My children were happy with grilled cheese and fries. Â After ordering I hear another waitress telling her table about the specials. Â Had I been told about them, I might have ordered the trigger fish.
The restaurant's vibe was a big distraction for me. Â The dirty stuffed animals, the drop tile ceiling, heavily shellacked tables and 70 year old waitresses in black pleated shorts was a bit much. Â Then add in all of the roadside souvenir shack knick-knackery all accented with a touch of faded out teal. Â The bathroom was authentic to something that one would find next to the river. Â The vents were coated in dust and the sinks actually had green and brown fauna growing all around the faucets. The bowls were nasty too. Â It was beyond gross. Â I have been in nicer gas station bathrooms. Â
Overall, the food was serviceable but the atmosphere was dated, the service was very slow and bathrooms were horrid. Â I would not go back.
We had dinner there today and as usual it was excellent! If you enjoy casual dining, beautiful views of the St Johns River from your table, fresh seafood and good service then you should plan a visit to Blackwater Inn.
We had the "Catch of the day" which was trigger fish. We were served two nice filets  (8 oz) which we had prepared "grilled lemon pepper" and it was delicious! Baked potatoes were steaming hot and the salad bar is well stocked and fresh. The coffee was good (not 'Starbucks good' but still good). We had a nice strawberry cheesecake for desert.
Prices are very reasonable as our bill including dinners, beverages and desert for 2 was $43.00
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