Aqua Restaurant

both classic and creative dishes prepared well with fresh local ingredients. the egg roll was awesome. stuffed with eastern NC bbq and kimchi, then deep fried. perfect balance of flavors. Shrimp and grits made perfectly. creamy grits seasoned with salty ham, topped with large shrimp. although it’s an entree this makes a great appetizer to share. both small plates and big plates are individual entrees. Sea and Share is good. the filet was a little more charred on the outside than i like. the semi glaze went well with the Grouper. the dining room is small and has both indoor and covered porch seating. I’m not a fan of the booths, so you may want to request a table. free parking with validation on the parking app. $9+ charge for using credit card. fantastic service. staff is personable, did a great job explaining the menu, and provided good recommendations.

Aqua is the perfect restaurant to dine in for special occasions and date night. The food, drinks, and service are all excellent. I would like to give James a big shout out for exceptional service. We celebrated my husband’s birthday and the staff hand signed his birthday card. That was a thoughtful gesture. Everything was delicious. I highly recommend the banana bread old fashioned, pear salad, and steak and salad. The bananas fosters is always a fun dessert. It is served table side.

This Italian restaurant was amazing! Every dish was a surprise. We also ordered a few drinks — their names were super fun, haha.

My favorite restaurant in Beaufort NC! We come to town 2-3 times a year and I cannot fathom not making a dinner reservation here when we do. Every time it’s absolutely perfect!

5 stars but it's pricey so recommended for special occasions. Local but this is my first time coming to Aqua. Menu on website is not up to date. Interior had low lighting and upscale ambiance. Don't recommend parties larger than 6 due to space. Friend's wife was gifted a gift card, so they offer that. Free bread - soft, warm, and perfect for soaking the olive oil/balsamic dip; not crusty. Quinoa salad bite - complement; light and no strong opinions. Saffron poached pear - liked the poached pear texture; not much, if any, saffron flavor; main green was spinach and the vinaigrette was sweet; love sweets and no problem cleaning my plate, but I almost feel like they should move this to the dessert section. Duck confit - delicious; great crust on the duck leg and gratin; meat easily separated from bone. Dessert sampler - mini banana foster, chocolate mousse, and creme brulee; they were all good; banana foster had a show; i like chocolate and a bit more texture variety, so I recommend the mousse.

We had eaten here before and been really pleased and returned. We tried to order a Poke bowl But our server, Anthony said they were out of that. We’re not sure what went wrong because you could still order tuna off the menu and the Poke Bowl we wanted to order was a tuna protein. I’m not sure if they did not have it prepped or did not want to prep it but with a restaurant that charges very high prices and boast heavy quality I would’ve made a way for my customer to have what they ordered if I had to go cut the tuna up myself and prepare the bowl. It was my wife’s birthday and they did have a birthday card ready and each person at the restaurant signed it, which was a very nice touch. Our other dishes were good, but portions were tiny for the price. I have no problem paying the higher price for a great venue and good food but if you’re going to charge a higher price, you have to deliver excellent quality otherwise patrons will not return. We had thought this would become a favorite restaurant when we were in the area but now we will try different place when we return. Our server, Anthony was super nice overall, but I’m really disappointed about not having the tuna Poke Bowl when they offered other tuna dishes on the menu. If this had been a low end restaurant, I would not have thought twice, but this is an expensive dining experience and should not have let down on the quality and availability.

They made it very special for my daughters birthday. The food was spectacular. Our service by Sarah was superb. Thank you.

I absolutely LOVE this place!!!!! I go a couple times a year on beach trips with my girlfriends. The host at the front has been there for a while and is always fun and kind to talk to. I love the atmosphere!!! The petite filet small plate has forever been the absolute best steak I have ever had!!!!

A phenomenal eating experience in beautiful downtown Beaufort! Aqua is an artfully decorated, top quality, small plates kind of experience just one street off the main drag in the center of town. At first, you might be questioning where you're going, but sure enough you'll find Aqua tucked away next to the "Backstreet Pub" on Middle Lane. Reservations are definitely recommended, as this is not an especially large place, and the word has for sure gotten out about the incredible food you'll find here. To be up front, it's not an inexpensive place to go. But, and for those who know me that know I don't say this lightly, everything here (with rare exception) was worth it. The food is phenomenal. Everything from a simple salad, to the various small plates and mains, nothing was a let down on pure flavor or presentation. Even the complimentary Focaccia bread was something we couldn't get enough of, served with high quality olive oil and balsamic. Cocktails were also exquisite, and those that ordered them were treated to a feast of the tongue and eyes. I wanted to do the 47 Ronin, but sadly, they were out of one key ingredient! As far as small plates, we got a nice collection spread around the table. Multiple caprese salads because each couple wanted their own, a seasonal classic that didn't disappoint. Amazing hummus with chips that was also a great value, and artichoke hearts that were lightly panko fried. While that final item was delicious, it felt like a terrible value for two artichoke hearts, four would have been more appropriate. For mains, I had the shrimp and grits provencal, and this was an absolutely perfect decision. First, the grits themselves were perfectly rich and creamy, the kind of grits that if this were a person's first grit experience, they are sure to love them. I could have put back a bowl three times this size, but I felt the portion was quite good. The shrimp were large, plump, and cooked just right with a nice seasoning level. The tomato basil relish, citrus cream sauce, and bacon bits provided balance and little flavor bombs throughout. I don't think I'll be able to visit again without ordering this. My wife had the sea and shore, mainly for the shore part which was a CAB filet with a demi glaze that was spot on. For the sea part, she handed over to me her filet of red snapper, not a full filet mind you, but regardless, again, cooked to perfection. The gouda mashed potatoes that served as a bed for this delight were almost as good as my grits. The seasonal veggies were an excellent compliment. We used the bread to mop the entire plate, just like with the grits. We passed on dessert, already quite full and satisfied with the meal, plus we all had a taste for ice cream to be procured later. I would absolutely return to Aqua for future meals, and recommend it to anyone looking for a date night spot, special occasion, or just any reason to have an excellent eating experience.

I loved Aqua when I dined there two years ago and expected to love it again as I made it my first restaurant to dine. After my recent experience, it left a bad taste in my mouth. When I was two bites away from finishing my meal, I was told that my table was needed for a reservation. What about my reservation? I wasn't close to the 90 minutes allotted for my meal according to the reservation email. My table was to be reserved for 90 minutes. The situation was not handled well. I was comped $10 but it disrupted my experience and was just rude and nowhere I'd return based on how they operate.

Absolutely adorable retro looking restaurant. The food was amazing and the wine was a very generous pour, very generous!!! As for our waiter we had to have someone track him down twice but it was very busy. I would go back for sure. We both had the surf and turf dish and we split the Creme Brule

Beyond excellent service and delicious food! Every single dish we had from tapas to big dishes were just so flavorful and delicious. And the service was just wonderful. I wish I remember her name but she was so sweet, knowledgeable and attentive. Highly recommend this place if you're in Beaufort. Try the shrimp and grits or catch of the day (grouper today). They do not disappoint.

Aqua is a fine dining experience in Beaufort. The dishes are visually appealing and very tasty. Service was excellent. A great selection of desserts. The inside ambiance is understated classy.

Absolutely DIVINE. The tastes of everything here is phenomenal. I don't know why we have waited so long to finally come here, but we sure will be returning frequently. Service was quick and very friendly. We ordered the ceviche and tuna poke... plus the seafood noodle dish and the sea and land meal---WOWZA! Honestly, this may be the best prepared meals and flavor profiles we have had in a long time. The restaurant was rather cozy though it also has an outdoor covered seating area. We made reservations and got seated quickly. This is a definite eat-very-well kind of place!

There are only a few meals in my life that I was still thinking about when I woke up the next morning, but this was one of them! Everything was wonderful - the service, the atmosphere, and the food! My husband and I split the Caesar salad to begin. I forgot to take a picture, but it wasn't your usual Caesar! The dressing was homemade and it included boiled egg, roasted tomatoes, olives, and croutons. Delicious! The stars of the meal were our entrees, however! My husband ordered the Land and Sea combo of filet/scallops and asked for extra veggies instead of the mashed potatoes. Everything was cooked to perfection and seasoned perfectly. I ordered the noodle bowl at the suggestion of our waiter. If you're an adventurous eater, I highly recommend! Made with buckwheat noodles and loaded with lots of crunchy veggies like carrots, Napa cabbage, mushrooms, and ginger, it's a party for the senses! The seared tuna, scallops, and shrimp were perfect and you won't want to leave a drop of the coconut curry broth! We will definitely be returning here when we are in town again. It is the perfect place for a date night!

A fantastic dining experience. We loved the tapas and small plates. Service from the call for our reservation, arrival, and food and wine service was excellent and well informed. The food is expertly prepared and delicious. We shared a tuna tapas dish, the kale salad, seared tuna, and Cast Iron Seared Crab Cake. While every dish was fantastic, the Crab Cake was exceptional. We had hoped to have the local catch, which sounded wonderful, but they were out of the dish. Their large wine list and thoughtful advice resulted in a wine that was exactly what we wanted. This dinner stands above all our meals in Beaufort. Reservations are highly recommended.

Aqua does it right. My husband and I have been going here every time we go to Beaufort for more than 20 years and I've always had a memorable experience. They have somehow continued to elevate the dining experience and seem to have gotten through the whole COVID/mass layoff issue that all other restaurants have faced. It's a testament to the group that they can be as good as they were 20+ years ago as they are now. Aqua is built on the premise of good wine, small plates, and large plates. The menu changes and the catch is always local. You will not see salmon as the fresh catch here. On Friday nights bottles of wine are 33% off. To date myself, I remember the 50% off nights but I digress. Get a reservation and be prepared to have a lovely meal. My husband and I celebrated our 20th anniversary here. We shared the shrimp and grits and for dinner I had the petite fillet. It was served on a stack of au gratin potatoes. My husband had the sea and shore which was the local catch, Waygu beef with potatoes and an amazing roasted vegetables. The mushrooms were a bit smoky, with a red wine taste- they were amazing. The service is always fantastic and it's just a comfortable and intimate place to dine.

Aqua is on my must visit when I am in the area list. Reservations are tough to get, I recommend to reserve early. I love getting small plates and sharing. This time we had fantastic duck wings, the fish of the day, crab cakes and creme brulee as big as my head! Pictures are below. Plating is an art form and taste is equally perfect A shout out to the service too. Our bartender/waiter made the best suggestions for food and drink. The old fashioned was fabulous.

Lovely place to dine. The staff were very friendly and the host had a classy greeting for us, upon our arrival. The menu was a little smaller selection than I would've liked for my entree choices but we throughly enjoyed our selection of Sea and Shore and Noodle Bowl with a nice variety of fresh seafood! I took pictures of my appetizer and salad but the entree smelled so delicious, I dug right in before I realized I failed to capture a visual for other possible diners. Trust me, you won't be disappointed if you like a little exotic type dishes! Enjoy!

Always a good meal here! Good service too! I had the petite filet and as always the bananas foster for dessert. A little disappointed that they have changed the cake that goes with this dessert as the one in the past was quite a bit better this dessert is still delicious.

Elegant and quiet, tasty tapas and excellent wine selection. Tucked in on Middle alley, IYKYK

Awesome restaurant. Had a great cocktail called 47 Ronin which is only found here. The duck confit is very tasty and my wife enjoyed the petite filet. Had crème brûlée for desert and it was perfect. The service was very attentive.

Great food was very fancy but somehow was able to get children to eat here as well. Beaufort is a beautiful historical town worth visiting and eating in.

Love this hidden gem in Beaufort! The ambiance is wonderful, very inviting! And the food is out of this world! Everyone is very friendly and make the experience great! Looking forward to our next visit!

Delicious dinner!! I had the petite filet- it was cooked perfectly. Whatever the scalloped potato thing it was served with was to die for. Also at our table was the fresh catch red drum and crab cake, which were both delicious. Ended with the bananas foster and the crème brûlée. Biggest crème brûlée I have ever seen! And the bananas foster was incredible. Also had a delicious espresso martini. Will absolutely return.

An amazing restaurant. It has everything ...great service, fabulous food, ambience, presentation and a very accommodating staff. Even the pour is better than average. Probably the best restaurant I've eaten in in years. I am making a special detour On my way from Florida to Virginia just to eat in this restaurant again. And the best part maybe is that it won't curl the edges of your credit card.

Best. Crab cakes. Ever. I came with a big group and tried everyone's dish. Every single one was excellent. The crab cakes were out of this world amazing. The shrimp and grits were really good too. The grits tasted like butter (in the best way possible) I could have eaten a gallon of them. There was a clear coconut flavor in the noodle bowl. I got the seared tuna, and was very happy with the portion size. The noodles that came with the seared tuna had a really good sauce, which added some umami tones to the tuna. The cheese plate came with the cheese serving seared, which added a lot of depth to the appetizer. Tuna poke bowl was a smaller serving than expected, but still tasted great, good quality fish, and reasonably priced. The cocktails were really well priced and excellently made. I got the blackberry herb martini, which had flavors that went together really well. The classic extra dirty martini was also decently priced. They also have gluten free options for certain dishes. The crème brûlée here comes in a nice big plate, is fresh and delicious. The chocolate mousse was high quality. It has amaretto in it I think, which I wasn't a huge fan of, but most of the people in the group liked it. We will be coming back here again!

As is par with Aqua over the years, excellent food and service EXCEPT the crab cake The "lump" crab was over mixed to mush. It was over seasoned such that you couldn't taste the crab and the breading to crab ratio... go back to your crab gratin, because your cook doesn't know crab cakes

Wonderful small plates that were perfect for our 4 to 5 small meal a day diet. Tasted delicious, looked great, served by friendly staff. Located in Beaufort, one of our favorite small coastal towns.

The food was exceptional, we were only able to get a reservation for inside dining for 4:45pm in july. Because of this, our dinner with appetizers, main course and drinks was done in 40 minutes. We love this place, but this time, we felt rushed. My advice, book early and get reservation around 6pm, to get a more paced eating experience.

Everything we had from start to finish was FIVE star delicious. We ordered a little bit of everything...crab cakes...clams...petit filet...shrimp and grits and finished with dessert sampler. AMAZING. Wine list was phenomenal and cocktail menu was exceptional. Highly recommend the gold raider. Can't wait to go back. I can't believe two chefs can crank out that high quality of food for such a busy restaurant they on point. Well done!

This was a treasure. Inside seating is limited. Lots of small booths and some tables. Patio is very nice, too. The decor is upscale for a converted house. Host was very gracious and our waiter was excellent. Mojito with a soupçon of jalapeño was really good. Three of us had the special:,swordfish over a selection of veggies that included leeks. Presentation was very nice and the meal was excellent. The fourth had soba noodle bowl with shrimp, tuna and scallops with ginger and coconut milk. Definitely the best meal we've had here.

Great food as always I had the filet. Cooked perfectly. James and Sarah did a wonderful job of taking care of us. We never wanted for anything. Will definitely be back because they never fail us !

By far one of the best restaurants we've been to. Great food, great service! Noodle Bowl was fabulous

All excellent! First time very impressive. Certainly will come back. Even better if Less salty. Nice to have an option on the manual for low salt if possible.

This restaurant is a MUST while in Beaufort!! I cannot sing the praises of Aqua loud enough! From the amazing maitre d, Quinton, to the knowledgeable and efficient wait staff ( especially Jonathan and Michelle) to the superb chef. I highly recommend the duck wing appetizer and DO NOT skip the Caesar salad. The fresh catch was amazing and the bananas foster cannot be missed! I want to give this restaurant 100 stars- we ate there last night and had to come back tonight- it's that good!!! To top it off, they gifted us a small bottle of Prosecco at the end of our meal for being return guests!!! Make a reservation now!!!

My wife and I have been eating at Aqua for over 20 years and it's always been a favorite. Our favorite menu item was the unique Caesar salad with whole pieces of Romaine lettuce and the other items that come with a Caesar salad, but a year or two ago they changed it to an ordinary chopped Caesar salad that is nowhere as good. Other than that the food at Aqua is as wonderful as ever. I went there with family in early July to celebrate my birthday but was a little surprised they didn't offer any kind of birthday dessert, which was okay since we had already planned to have something special at home, but most restaurants do give a small dessert to the person celebrating a birthday. It was made clear when we arrived that we were celebrating my birthday. Also, I was irritated that we had a 6:30 pm dinner reservation and pulled into their parking lot at exactly 6:30, but it took a minute or two to get parked and get everyone out of the car since there were seven of us and some, including me, are senior citizens. My cell phone rang at 6:32 pm and it was Quinton calling from Aqua as we were walking on their walkway to enter the restaurant. He was calling to see if we still planned to be there. Most restaurants give their customers 10 to 15 minutes before calling, or cancelling, a reservation, but evidently not Aqua. Last, but not least, when we were given the credit card check to sign it included a "credit card usage fee" of close to $8. None of us recall seeing anything on the menu or being told ahead of time that there would be an additional fee for using a credit card. If they choose to add such a fee that's their choice but it should be made clear when you hand them a credit card, if not before. I used to give Aqua a 5 star rating. However, given these changes I think 4 1/2 stars would be more appropriate, but since Yelp only deals in whole stars, I've given Aqua 4 stars.

What a delicious meal we had here. Tucked behind the main drag, we were treated to a delicious fish meal. It was the special tile fish with a very tasty cream sauce and some amazing potato hash. We had the artichoke hearts as an appetizer and they were also really good. Pair this with a nice wine and it was a great experience. The staff were so nice and attentive. Definitely recommend eating on the patio if you can. It's a bit upscale, so expect to spend some money but we will come back next time we are in town.

A gem in downtown Beaufort! Amazing cocktails and small plates! They always bring out a small tasting from the chef which elevates the meal that much more.

Wow! From beginning to end, the service and food were on point! And the desserts! Get the sampler; you won't regret it!

We have a new favorite spot! In our travels up and down the coast, we have discovered various eateries that are gems. Now we are adding Aqua to our list! The service is outstanding! Their team approach insures that your needs are satisfied quickly; your glass is never empty and your plates and table are cleared promptly after each course. A friendly welcome greets you when you walk in, and it's from whoever happens to see you first. Then the food is amazing. Lots of gluten free options are well-marked. We shared a few small plates. The salad was delicious, as were the duck wings, petite filet, and fresh catch. We almost ordered a second one! It was my partner's bday and she was treated to a comp creme brûlée, which was huge and mighty tasty! Prices are reasonable, especially considering the service and food quality. It's tucked away on a side street, but there seems to be plenty of nearby parking. The decor is eclectic, a little post-modern, and very cozy. A must try!

We stumbled across this place walking around and were overly impressed. Portions are lighter but the flavors impressive. We will be back and highly recommend.

Jonathan our server was amazing, along with what I assume is the manager.. seriously they are nice to talk to and cuties as well.... we didn't have a reservation but got seated quickly (hubby and I) drinks were banging! The noodles small plate was not my favorite. Price is $$$ but so worth it!

Great food, service and wine. Wine-O-Rama is always fun and my wife can't leave without buying 4 or 5 bottles.

We've eaten here countless times in the past 15 years. And I should have written 5 star reviews during that time - my bad! THAT'S how good and consistent the staff, service, and food has been! During those years many people, like us, have participated in the every second Tuesday wineOrama because of the great wines made available to enjoy with your dinner. Usually it is 4, sometimes 5 wines, poured by staff and discussed by the wine distributor for a very reasonable price. These wines are then available for purchase. We find it is the perfect amount to consume with dinner, especially if driving home is more than a little distance! On this visit we enjoyed an arugula salad, a grilled petite filet, and the red drum fish special. I can honestly say we've never had anything other than an excellent meal with fresh ingredients, attentive service, and creative flair, for a reasonable fine dining price! Our server PJ was especially nice and made the evening more fun because of his excellent attitude. Support local and come out to Aqua!

Staff super friendly. Our server was very knowledgeable about dishes and drinks. When she was unsure about a wine, she had notes on it! Appreciated the attention to detail. The arugula salad was tasty, wonderful blend of melon, arugula, cheese. The Caesar was not traditional but better. The shrimp and grits were delicious, shrimp cooked just right, andouille had just the right amount of smoke, polenta was creamy. Grouper was the catch of the day, 2 in our party had it. Both agreed the flavor was good but the fish was actually very chewy. Bananas Foster to top it off! Our party shared and were very happy with the presentation and the yumminess. The only downside, Bloody Mary was forgettable, even after sending it back for some spice.

June 2021 Update- This was our second time visiting Aqua. We brought some more family with us and talked it up big, to the point where I was a little nervous that the picky eaters in our group may leave disappointed. However, following our dinner, everyone absolutely raved about how much they enjoyed their meals- not to mention their desserts! We had to get the jalapeño poppers again and we also tried the fried artichoke hearts, both were delicious. My dad and I shared the Sea and Shore and the Naan Tacos. The Sea and Shore was amazing, with the Grouper daily special tasting wonderfully. The two tacos were good, they weren't the same though. I preferred the cucumber one over the tuna, but they were both good. We also tried each of the desserts (we were too excited to try to get pictures), they were all simply amazing! The crème brûlée was a huge portion and amazing! Definitely a dinner my family will talk about for a while! August 2020 (original post)- We didn't have a reservation, but were offered and seated immediately on the covered patio. The ambiance was lovely and our party noted the attention to detail. Our waitress was very friendly and helpful with all of our questions. We began with the bacon wrapped jalapeños where absolutely delicious. I had the cast iron seared crab cakes which were also amazing- the sauce was so good! The rest of our party's food was great too, notably the filet and the catch of the day which was a red snapper. One thing to have in mind was that the menu listed on Yelp appeared to be a different seasonal menu, the current menu was found on their website. All in all we had an amazing experience and hope to be back when we stop through the area next!

Delicious food and amazing service. Accommodated some difficult requests - the chef even came out & spoke to someone in my party with an unusual allergy. Lovely environment and a fully enjoyable experience! Ate way too much!

My family and I spent about 600.00 for us to eat average around 50.00 head and had no food I left hungry I had the grouper special came with 4 oz on top of some dehydration rice no salad no bread and that all I ask the waitress if that was a large plate and she said yes you get plenty of food people should help people in this time of need not gouge them I bet his total cost of food was 50,00 for 12 of us charged us 600.00 I been before and always enjoyed it but will not go back and iam a local I would not Wright this it it was not a rip off Thankyou

By far the best restaurant I've been to. And I live in Northern Virginia. Great good, great service.

Outstanding meal at Aqua. Well presented and prepared. The service was awesome. You should not miss this restaurant.

Hands down the best food in town. Every other tuesday night they have a fantastic deal in wineorama night (4 glasses of wine for $12) in addition to having absolutely delicious food. The shrimp and grits is potentially the best I have ever had, while the duck wings were incredibly seasoned and so so so delicious. Any trip to beaufort without stopping at aqua is a wasted trip

Excellent food. It may be one of the best restaurants on the coast food wise. The service was really great too. Can't wait to return.

We had a great meal here! The inside is small and nicely decorated. Our service was attentive and professional but not stuffy. Great selection of house drinks which were tasty and beautiful. We had mussels, artichokes, fresh catch and crab cakes. Chocolate mouse for desert. Everything was delicious. Highly recommend this place.

Aqua is a hidden gem. This restaurant is attached to another restaurant and a small bar. My group was drinking at the bar and we met the manager Quentin. Quentin invited us to enjoy dinner at Aqua the following night and we made a reservation. Quentin had a great sell of the restaurant and he still under sold it. The food was superb. The service was fantastic. We had several appetizers and then the catch of the day which was red drum. We had duck wings, artichoke hearts, and blackened shrimp. Phenomenal. The red drum special was incredible. We also had a desert sampler that was incredible. Everyone at our table was speechless once we started trying the food. Quentin went out of the way to make sure we had a great experience. I come into the area once a year (most years) and I will be making a reservation to eat dinner here every time I am in town. Incredible experience and the best meal and dining experience I have ever had at a restaurant.

Sweet little locals upscale restaurant. Small and large plate options. Fresh local seafood and ingredients. Great girls night out setting. An outstanding bar and dessert list.

funny thing to say about a upscale restaurant but it's a great value. for the level of service, food, bar selection and atmosphere I had expected the bill to be higher. best dinner I've had in a long time.