RIVER DECK RESTAURANT

RIVER DECK RESTAURANT is among the lower-graded kitchens we track. Its most recent inspection on May 4, 2026 put it at 60/100 — a D on our A–F scale.

Inspectors cited 2 high-priority, 2 intermediate, and 3 basic violations. That leaves it safer than 5% of Volusia County restaurants we grade. Its trend is downward, not up. Safer, higher-graded options nearby are listed below.

D grade · 60/100 · safer than 5% of Volusia County restaurants we grade

Get directions Call (386) 957-4198

Safer options nearby

Higher-graded restaurants close to RIVER DECK RESTAURANT, by Florida DBPR grade:

  • NEW SMYRNA BEACH BREWING COMPANY

    3.7★ 0.2 mi away

  • ANCHOR INN

    4.9★ 0.4 mi away

  • BIG JOE'S

    4.7★ 0.5 mi away

Restaurant details

Health grade
D (60/100)
Violations
7 total — 2 high-priority, 2 intermediate, 3 basic
Address
107 N RIVERSIDE DR, New Smyrna Beach, FL
Cuisine
Other
Categories
Bar & grill
Price
$20–30
Rating
4.4 stars (2144 reviews)
Neighborhood
New Smyrna Beach Historic District
Seats
150
Phone
(386) 957-4198
Website
Official website
Photo of RIVER DECK RESTAURANT
Photo: River Deck Tiki Bar & Restaurant

Community Rating

Reviews via Google
4.4 Community-sourced rating 2,144 reviews
Read all reviews on Google →

What diners say — our read

Reviews here split hard: 14 five-star against 3 one-star, with little in between. Service cuts both ways here, averaging 3.9 among the reviews that raise it.

16 of 23 rated reviews are four stars or higher; 4 are two or lower. One subject never comes up here: plate size. If you had to pick one number to represent this corpus it would be 5, the most frequently given rating (14 reviews).

None of that is visible in a star rating: the most recent DBPR inspection graded this kitchen a D (60/100), citing 2 high-priority, 2 intermediate, and 3 basic violations. Diner sentiment and inspection result are measuring different things here, and only one of them is checked by the state. DBPR last walked in on May 4, 2026. The trend across inspections is decline. On health score it sits safer than 5% of the Volusia County restaurants we grade. The citations behind that grade include cross-contamination and dishwashing facilities.

Taken together, this is a place diners like and inspectors do not. A good meal and a clean kitchen are different questions. The individual reviews are below, newest first, if you want the raw material.

Our own analysis of 23 reviews for this restaurant, set against its Florida DBPR inspection record. How we calculate grades →

  • June 26, 2026

    This is a great place the food,service & location on the water is wonderful

  • June 22, 2026

    Fish n chips, coleslaw, iced tea. Shrimp, shrimp, shrimp. Cocktails: crown n sprite, lemon martini. I didn't like the side items had a fishy taste, and the fish was a low quality white fiah. I wasn't going to pay double for "market price" grouper.

  • June 20, 2026

    Great place, good food, good drinks..very nice view.

  • June 18, 2026

    This place was terrible, right from the start waited 25 mins just to get greeted by a server! Ask to speak with the manager and refused to come speak with us! Mind you it’s 7:00 on a Thursday! Not busy! Place needs new staff starting from the top all the way to the not know what’s going on hostess

  • June 18, 2026

    THIS! Love this place so much 😍 The food is really good. The live music and energy is electric and fun for all ages. The Blackened Mahi Sandwich is but one of the absolute favorites for us. The staff is friendly and responsive, the atmosphere is relaxing and fun, right on the water. Can't say enough good things! A must when in NSB. GO!

  • June 16, 2026

    What an amazing place to have a drink and food. The views of the river and surrounding area are beautiful. The food and drinks are great. I was traveling with my mom and it was a great stop before the airport. Thank you so much!

  • June 15, 2026

    Phenomenal Food and Service

  • June 15, 2026

    The TIKI BAR crew is AWESOME (6/14/26 night crew, we loved you). Top notch service from the moment we walked through the door. Came on a Sunday night with friends & babies, right away they made sure we had a place to sit that was comfortable for us & even went out of their way to place an extra fan where it would keep the kids cool. Food was great, service was great, live music was great. Overall 10/10 place, we will visit EVERY TIME we’re in NSB.

  • June 15, 2026

    Love this location, amazing food and outstanding staff.

  • June 15, 2026

    Really good Cesar salad and fish sandwich. Fair price. Service was reallt nice. Didn't love the bun on the samdwich but I'll be back!

  • June 14, 2026

    We went here for dinner on a Friday night at 5pm with a group of 9 and we were seated right away. Our waitresses did really great and the food was good. FYI- Parking in the restaurant’s lot is valet only, but it is complimentary. Tips are appreciated.

  • June 13, 2026

    Website and reviews say "dog friendly" but I got stopped by the valet telling me I couldn't bring my dog in. Then he pointed to a sign that says no dogs but that they "allow" service dogs only. If your lying about your policies before I step foot in the door i can only imagine how bad it is inside.

  • June 13, 2026

    Not dog friendly even though you have an outside area

  • June 12, 2026

    Mixed experienced, came a few weeks back with the boat and dock it right in front, pretty cool. Had an awsome tuna salad, drinks were ok Today we drove in, and we got surprised that we were told that the Parking was valet only, but we could go park our high end vehicle between a fork lift and a tractor on the last parking line that was full of boat rentals, and only had 2 " parking spots " open, all of the rows of what seemed to be Valet in the front rows were empty with only 2 vehicles at 2pm on a Friday. We did not like that. The waitress and staffs inside were all very nice. Today we got 2 coronas 1 slushy for our daugter and a trio Shrimp plater to share. $60 plus tips. We asked if we could get new fries as they were stone cold probably 30min out under a heat lamp and dry as it can be. They did bring us some fresh one when we asked so that was nice. The shrimp were of the plain shrimps are very rubbery and super plain, like no seasoning, and does not even taste like normal steam shrimps, something I would surely look at being in front of the water with a gorgous view i would review that recipe. Everything else was great. We will comeback for drafts only. Also mgm not responding to any of the reviews, might be a signs of how much the place care for feedbacks. Just saying.

  • June 12, 2026

    Misty isn’t the most friendly or attentive waitress but we love this place. A great atmosphere, musicians never disappoint and the food is great!

  • June 9, 2026

    Had some Clam chowder and burger. All good.

  • June 9, 2026

    Everything was good

  • June 8, 2026

    Great place. Great food. Great pina coladas! Service was very friendly. Right off the water, we were watching the dolphins jump! Real nice time.

  • June 6, 2026

    Seared ahi salad was good, service was extremely attentive. Manager was even working the bar to keep the patrons extra happy!

  • June 5, 2026

    Good experience with great music

  • May 30, 2026

    What a joke Valet only. I f you don't choose Valet you are disrespected from the beginning and told to park next to a forklift on the back row, Sorry My car is a extension of my house I don't want just anybody in my vehicle my choice. The environment was great food was great service was great. I will not be back due to the valet persons response. Its pathetic you have this policy in affect. By the there was at least 15 parking spaces available but Valet only. I will spread this to everybody I can and hopefully it will change the way you do business. Once again what a joke.

  • May 27, 2026

    Wife got shrimp basket I got shrimp, shrimp, shrimp platter both were good(probably try someplace else) don't like the valet parking.

  • May 27, 2026

    Luved the atmosphere the most about this place, with the beautiful boats & birds drifting by! The food & service were decent, but could have a little more flare to match the view ;) We've heard the live talent before-during Christmas at the Riverfront Esplanade and he was still pretty good; but the volume could be turned down a bit, so we could enjoy more of the subtle river sounds, which we purposely sat near.

Overall Score

38 / 100

  • Health inspection grade 10/40
    Grade D
  • Dietary transparency 7/20
    2 options listed
  • Community rating 18/20
    4.4★ average
  • Hidden-gem status 0/10
    Not flagged
  • Track record 3/10
    Declining, 17% clean

Composite score from health grade, dietary options, ratings, and inspection record — distinct from the state-derived health grade.

Opening hours

Monday
11 AM to 9 PM
Tuesday
11 AM to 9 PM
Wednesday
11 AM to 9 PM
Thursday
11 AM to 9 PM
Friday
11 AM to 10 PM
Saturday
11 AM to 10 PM
Sunday
11 AM to 9 PM

Inspection history

The following records are from Florida DBPR public inspection records, most recent first.

  1. May 4, 2026 · Routine - Food

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    2 high-priority · 2 intermediate · 3 basic

    • 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage
    • 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
    • 24 — Storage & handling of clean equipment and utensils; air drying
    • 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests (×2)
    • 41 — Chemicals / toxic substances properly stored & used
  2. March 3, 2026 · Complaint Full

    Emergency Order Callback Complied

    0 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 0 basic

    No violations cited.

  3. March 2, 2026 · Complaint Full

    Emergency order recommended

    1 high-priority · 2 intermediate · 5 basic

    • 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges
    • 21 — Wiping cloths; clean & soiled linens; laundry
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
    • 28 — Sewage and waste water disposed properly
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided
    • 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests (×2)
  4. March 2, 2026 · Complaint Full

    Emergency Order Callback Not Complied

    0 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 2 basic

    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
    • 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests
  5. March 2, 2026 · Complaint Full

    Emergency Order Callback Not Complied

    0 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 1 basic

    • 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests
  6. November 3, 2025 · Routine - Food

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    3 high-priority · 1 intermediate · 6 basic

    • 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating)
    • 09 — Bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat food
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
    • 24 — Storage & handling of clean equipment and utensils; air drying
    • 25 — Single-service and single-use items
    • 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention (×2)
    • 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation

This grade is calculated by us from Florida DBPR public inspection records — Florida does not issue official grades. How we calculate it →

Data last updated: May 4, 2026