DUNNELLON, FL (352today.com) – At Swampy’s Bar & Grill the sound of live music mingles with the gentle splash of paddles on the Rainbow River. Locals and visitors alike come for the laid-back atmosphere, hearty food and the chance to watch wildlife drift by from one of the best waterfront views in Marion County.

A wood sign has a white and orange logo that reads, "Swampy's Bar & Grille." in the background are trees, bushes, a sidewalk and palm plants.
Swampy’s Bar & Grille is a riverside restaurant that serves a variety of unique dishes with special diet menus to cater to any local. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

General Manager, Erin Peil, knows the magic of Swampy’s well. After moving to Florida in 2014, she said she drove past the restaurant one day, felt drawn to it and decided she wanted to work there. After climbing up the corporate ladder, she took over as general manager and has been helping grow the popular Dunnellon spot ever since.

A woman wearing a Swampy’s Bar & Grille t-shirt smiles while standing beside the river.
Swampy’s Bar & Grille’s general manager, Erin Peil serves guests and provides a welcoming atmosphere. Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

“It’s a little more casual, laid-back kind of restaurant,” Peil said. “We do have Cajun, New Orleans-style food, but also your basic American meals like burgers and Philly cheesesteaks. It’s all about that outdoor atmosphere and relaxed vibe. Sometimes we have a single person playing music here… And you can sit back and watch wildlife or people float by on boats or tubes.”

Outdoor seating area with wooden picnic tables, blue umbrellas, and hanging string lights under tall trees.
Outdoor seating area at Swampy’s Bar & Grille featuring wooden railings, canopy shades, and string lights among tall trees.
View of a calm river surrounded by lush green trees with boat docks and waterfront homes along the shore.
An open-air bar with a corrugated metal counter, where a few patrons sit and chat with the bartender. Televisions are mounted above the bar, and colorful decorations and drink bottles line the back shelves.
In the distance is a host stand with two umbrellas covering it, stairs leading into a restaurant and a building behind it. In the front is a railing with fairy lights wrapped around it, a deck with a Bud Light sign, an umbrella covering a section, a sign turned toward the host stand and a tree. The ground is freshly rained on.

The restaurant sits right along the water, and features a dock that visitors can use to tie up and grab a meal. During the summer months, Peil said, it’s packed with kayakers, tubers and tourists. But as the weather cools, regulars return for a quieter, more personal experience.

“I have met so many different types of people,” she said. “I’m not from Florida, but I’ve learned the culture down here a little bit more–people call it being on ‘Florida Time.’ It’s a little more like a vacation kind of spot. We also have a lot of repeat visitors who come back each year, and they spend time with their families.”

Swampy’s has also become more community-focused under Peil’s leadership. The restaurant hosts local events like Trunk-R-Treat during Halloween and other family-friendly gatherings throughout the year. Most events are promoted through Facebook, along with in-house posters and flyers.

When it comes to food, Peil said the menu has something for everyone. “Our gator bites are probably, hands down, one of the most popular things,” she said. “The [Mahi Mahi] tacos have the biggest fans. If you ask customers, the shrimp, sausage and grits are a must-try.”

Close-up of a person dipping a tortilla chip into a gator dip served in a white bowl.
A close-up of creamy macaroni and cheese topped with a sprinkle of cajun seasoning in a white bowl. A fork is partially visible on the side.
A white bowl filled with gator dip with a spoon toward the back and tortilla chips.
A basket of crispy sweet potato fries served with a side of dipping sauce on parchment paper.
Close-up of a person holding a taco filled with grilled meat, lettuce, and diced tomatoes.
A bowl of macaroni and cheese topped with paprika, with tacos and chips in the background.
A table full of food at Swampy’s featuring tacos, a sandwich, macaroni and cheese, chips with dip, and sweet potato fries.

Swampy’s is also pet-friendly, encouraging guests to bring their animal companions along for riverside dining.

Peil takes pride in making sure the guest experience stays top-notch, even as the restaurant grows. During the busy season, Swampy’s limits to-go orders to weekdays to keep the dining experience enjoyable for everyone. Off-season, they’re working on expanding online pick-up options through their website.

“I’m personally big on feedback,” Peil said. “I like to hear what people have to say. It’s how we’ve grown as an establishment.”

Swampy’s Bar & Grill is located along the Rainbow River in Dunnellon at 19773 E. Pennsylvania Ave., across the street from Blue Run Park. Visitors can find event updates, menus and reviews on Facebook, Instagram, Google or at the restaurant’s website.

Whether you’re stopping by after a paddle down the river or looking for a taste of Cajun flavor by the riverside, Swampy’s offers a true taste of “Florida Time”–one plate, one song and one view at a time.