Backwater Grill | Casual American Dining Fresh Seafood in Brandon, MS

Overview

Backwater Grill, nestled on Spillway Road in Brandon, Mississippi, offers a fresh take on classic American dining with a Southern twist. Its sizeable venue features two floors of inviting indoor and outdoor spaces, including casual seating areas and a lively bar. The setup is perfect for a relaxed meal with friends or family, appealing to locals and visitors alike who appreciate a balanced blend of comfort and style.

The menu showcases coastal and Southern influences prominently, with standout dishes like the Pan Roasted Redfish and the Ribeye paired with Crawfish Cream. Seafood lovers will find plenty to enjoy, from crispy Catfish plates and Blackened Redfish Bites to shrimp baskets served fried or grilled. The seasoning and preparation reflect a careful attention to Southern flavor profiles without overwhelming the palate, making each bite memorable.

Guests frequently praise the casual yet vibrant atmosphere, highlighting the occasional live music upstairs and the spacious outdoor areas adorned with fire pits. This combination cultivates a welcoming environment suited for gatherings of all types, including casual dates, family outings, or celebrations. The presence of games like corn hole adds to the playful, community-driven vibe.

Service at Backwater Grill has received warm acknowledgments, with attentive staff ensuring that patrons feel valued even during busy times. This level of hospitality complements the hearty portions and well-executed dishes, creating a dining experience that feels both satisfying and approachable.

While the restaurant is new and working through minor operational kinks, the overall impression is positive. Backwater Grill stands out in Brandon for delivering flavorful, well-portioned Southern American cuisine in a space designed for relaxation and connection. It’s a promising spot for anyone seeking a quality meal paired with a lively yet laid-back ambiance.

Amenities & Services

Popular for

Lunch

Dinner

Solo dining

Offerings

Alcohol

Beer

Cocktails

Comfort food

Late-night food

Quick bite

Small plates

Spirits

Vegetarian options

Wine

Atmosphere

Casual

Trendy

What Customers Say

Rebecca Luther

Feb 16,2026

5/5

2 floors of indoor outdoor spaces, casual dining restaurant with a bar and tvs. We played corn hole and there were fire pits they were not on but might have driven some mosquitos away. Nice ambiance regardless. I had the Caesar chicken wrap and red beans and rice, both good. Catfish plate was enjoyed at our table with comments that onion rings were especially good. I think this place is a solid 4.5 stars and the 3.8 might be about startup stuff, we will definitely be back.

Tony Oberhausen

Feb 16,2026

4/5

I was pleasantly surprised for a place that just opened a few weeks earlier. It was crowded, but we were able to be seated fairly quickly. The food is good. It's bar food, which we love. They have a few draft beers. The rest of their beers are in cans. You can get mixed drinks as well.

Kimberly W

Feb 16,2026

5/5

First off I have to say, this place is not what I expected. It's so much more! We went on Sunday around noon. It was very busy but we did not wait for a table. We ordered the Boudin egg rolls. I'm not a fan of Boudin but they were very good with a unique Peach dipping sauce. Also had the Mozzarella sticks, they were huge and were seasoned very well. The fried Catfish rivals my Dad's so that says a lot, the grilled and fried shrimp baskets were so delicious. The seasonings were spot on! The Philly was amazing, as was the loaded Potato salad. Highly recommend! The only thing that I felt lacked seasoning was the green beans. They were very tender, I just think they needed maybe a little sea salt or parmesan. Something. The food was amazing, the atmosphere was great. Can't wait for better weather to enjoy their outdoor space. They also have live music upstairs, so will definitely be back for that. Shout out to Jamie, our server, who was so sweet and as busy as she was, we never felt unattended. We will be back!

bhwthrn

Feb 16,2026

5/5

My wife and I ate here tonight for the first time to celebrate our anniversary. It was amazing and we had a great time. Our server was excellent. The food was amazing and there was plenty of it. For what you get the prices are very reasonable. The atmosphere was great and it was totally a great place to be. I will be hard pressed to ever want to go anywhere else. We’re already planning a trip back with kids and parents. Thanks guys. You made for a great night.

Milly Altamirano

Feb 16,2026

5/5

We went on Sunday around 4 pm It was not crowded, we asked for a seat outside, it was comfortable we can hear the music but not loud it was enough to be relax outdoors. The decor it’s simple but soothing, the place outside was clean. Did not used the restrooms so I can’t comment on that. The area inside had a particular smell as we went through maybe like smoke or vape smell but there was nobody smoking inside that I noticed. We had the chicken and sausage gumbo, Oysters with butter and garlic, and the shrimp baskets one grill and one fried, sweet potatoes and regular potatoes EVERYTHING WAS DELICIOUS!!! Not so greasy as well. Oh and 2 mojitos not great but ok. ( we are not big drinkers anyways) Maybe because it was Sunday there was no more shrimp and crab gumbo, or crab claws, no bourbon dessert and no mint for my mojito drink. But it’s OK!!! We have to be understanding, the place just opened and I am sure they will work out the kinks. We need to be kind to out bartenders, waitresses and service in general. A restaurant this big requires a lot of hands and Great management. We need more places like this and if we trash them as soon as they are open nobody will take a big risk like this. To open a restaurant it is one of the hardest business to open.

Josh Sullivan

Feb 16,2026

4/5

Really love the atmosphere! The service was great. I’m a lover of buffalo flavored wings and they absolutely nailed it. The Philly cheesesteak was not quite what I expected tho. It was more of an onion po-boy, hardly any steak. I love onions but it was a bit much. Only reason it doesn’t get 5 stars from me. I will return based off of the wings and atmosphere.

M. L. Putnam

Feb 16,2026

5/5

Food was great and so was the service. Those french fries are some of the best around. They're a bit bigger, like old school jo jo potatoes, if you were fond of them. And don't be afraid of the traditionally spicy dishes. Those are tamer than dishes on the coast, while still being flavorful. Cool place. Will go back when I visit the area in the future.

Scott Kelly

Feb 16,2026

5/5

Tried Backwater for the first and did not disappoint. Friendly service, Great food, good cocktails, great live music and on the back bay of the reservoir with great views. Two stories of fun with plenty of space and things to do for families. Great place to watch sports. TV's everywhere! A must stop if your local or from out of town!

Backwater Grill - in Brandon, Mississippi, USA

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