AQUA Restaurant

If you’re looking for a European dinning experience this is a close competitor. As a European this was the first restaurant I tried in the outer banks that had a proper portion size(Not to big) and was seem to be high quality food not basked in cooking oil and butter. The food was fresh and didn’t leave that feeling of fat in ur stomach. The prices were high and we paid around 300$ for 4 people, but each dish was cooked excellently and you could tell a lot of thought went into it. Definitely would recommend

Very nice place. The food was good and generous portions. The service was great. It was a little loud inside and they could not accommodate combining 2 reservations into one table so we sat separately.

Excellent lunch experience! The food was absolutely delicious, and the service was top-notch. Bryan was our server, and he was friendly, attentive, and made sure everything was perfect throughout our meal. Highly recommend — we’ll definitely be coming back!

AQUA in Duck is seriously awesome! The views are just unreal – you're right on the water and it's so pretty. But it's not just the scenery, the food was amazing. Try the local fish. The people working there were super nice and took great care of us. Honestly, if you're in Duck, you have to check out AQUA. You won't be disappointed!

Very nice, except the part they told us not to touch the blinds. Food 7.5 Service 7.8 Drinks 7.9 Ambiance 7.1 Staff 7.2 Overall good experience Not much for kids selection Jb our server was kind.

Truly a beautiful place to have dinner. Reservations are needed to dine inside but there are also many outside tables in the deck available for walk ins (with a great view of the sound & sunset). The host always greets us warmly & professionally & is so proactive about finding us a table. The servers are friendly & informative & truly seem to love their jobs. The food is absolutely amazing. We had the tuna special - it was one of the most well prepared tuna dishes I have ever had. Highly recommend!

The food was great, very nice atmosphere with a waterfront view. JB the waiter was awesome! The crab and corn chowder is one of the best soups I've ever had in my life, and I'm a snobby cook!

The vibe was a bit loud and overstimulating, but the food and drinks made up for it. The crab dip was amazing, and both the Flu Shot martini and “Hooked on Quack” cocktail were so good. We got the filet for our main— it was super flavorful and cooked perfectly, just a little tough for a filet. Our server JR was awesome— attentive but not pushy. Overall, really solid experience!

We had such a wonderful experience at Aqua! We had a party of 10. The staff worked magic to get us seated together outside. The drinks and food was EXCELLENT and the service 5 stars from the moment we walked in. JR was our server and super accommodating and great sense of humor. Definitely will be back next year!

Perched where ocean breeze meets open pasture, Aqua brings a refined touch to rustic roots. Their menu flows with the rhythm of the tides and the turning of the soil--featuring fresh-harvested produce, ethically sourced seafood, and artful plating that lets nature's beauty shine. It's farm-to-table, but make it seaside elegance. My favorite starting point is the bar patio, where the water shimmers like it's in on a secret, and the breeze carries hints of sea salt. Glasses clink softly, laughter dances in the air, while a guitarist strums in the background--easy, unhurried, like summer itself decided to sit in for a set. The cocktail menu spans from citrus-kissed spritzes to moody, barrel-aged masterpieces, every drink tells a story and they are worthy, my favorite being the Old Fashioned. The French Cut Chicken Breast isn't your everyday bird--it's a culinary showpiece. The French cut keeps the drumette attached, lending elegance and flavor while showcasing expert butchery. Pan-seared to a golden crisp, the skin crackles with every bite, giving way to tender, succulent meat. The roasted garlic potato gnocchi in the sage velouté serves as the perfect backdrop for this delicious bird. After dinner linger a little longer--the finale is worth savoring and my pick of the menu comes in the form of a Snickerdoodle Bread Pudding. Imagine if your favorite snickerdoodle got a glow-up, took a buttery bath, and moved into a cozy bread pudding loft. That's this. Golden, gooey, cinnamon-kissed decadence with warm brown butter vibes and just enough crunch on the edges to make your fork do a little happy dance. Fresh plates, waterfront views, and ambiance smoother than your last date's playlist, enjoy! Cheers!!

Came here the other day for while I was in the area for a wedding. Service was normal, the restaurant itself is pretty. The lunch menu was kind of lacking, not many choices on food items. Food was good but nothing to write home about.

The wait staff was understanding when we arrived 20 minutes late due to awful traffic on Duck Road. We did have to sit outside, but it ended up working out nicely - we had a great view over the sound. Food wise, the Bangin' Shrimp and Corn and Crab soup were both very tasty starters, though the entrees (Red Snapper and Shrimp and Andouille pasta) were a bit more standard fare. Our drinks were also not quite as interesting as others we had at nearby restaurants on the trip. Overall, a tasty meal and very nice staff, but we probably wouldn't go back a second time on another trip.

Great food and impeccable service. It pricy but with good reason. The selection of wines is short but it met our needs.

Waterfront restaurant in Duck, and certainly one of the nicest restaurants in the area. Certainly decent views of the sound coast, and at times, even some wildlife. Parking can be a bit tough, but there's a small auxiliary lot directly across the street. Wine and cocktails at this place are pretty decent. Their wine list is quite good, and they have some wonderful selections available. Appetizer menu is also quite good. For us, we had the bangin' shrimp and the whipped goat cheese dip. The goat cheese was tremendous, and a huge portion to boot. The bangin' shrimp was also very good. I wouldn't say it was spicy at all, but the sauce was quite good, and the shrimp was perfectly cooked. the batter wasn't too heavy, and the result was a nice light crisp. I think it might be a rice flour batter. For dinner, we had the NY Strip and the saffron seafood pasta. The pasta was absolutely tremendous! Sometimes you get a seafood pasta with an almost fishy taste, but not this at all. The homemade pasta was delicious and the sauce fabulous. The steak was a bit of a different story. The sauce was pretty good, but despite ordering it medium, i received well done. Dinner took a bit of time and i was really hungry, so i didn't send it back, but honestly, for the price they charge, that's unacceptable. A well done steak is a travesty; tough, dry, and tasteless. I really do expect better from this place. Service at this place was quite good as well. Friendly staff throughout, and easy to work with for reserving an eight person table. The completely ruined steak not withstanding, this place was pretty great! It's expensive, but you get some pretty great food, and I have to assume they know how to make a proper steak and just had a moment. In fairness, this is more of a seafood restaurant, and i had considered the shrimp and grits, so perhaps i should've gone with that instead. Anyway, this place is certainly worth a shot.

First time and we were not disappointed! The fried duck wings are to die for and everything was wonderful. We shared gazpacho, poke, and the fish tacos. We ran into one of the servers and asked about the smoking of flavor in the gazpacho. She took my number and is sending us their secret ingredient!

This place has the best espresso martini in all of OBX, IMHO. Their bloody marys are also pretty solid. If you're craving seafood, their oysters on the half shell will also make you pretty happy. I mostly come to Aqua to grab a drink, sit outside and enjoy the view, which really can't be beat. They have a full bar with a robust drink selection plus plenty of beer and wine options. Service is usually pretty good, though there's one guy bartender here who's always in a bad mood, but he makes a good drink so you know, trade offs. They have live music here during the summer and a fire pit. The boardwalk outside leads to the shops and restaurants in Duck, so this is a great place to either start or end your night. The spa here is also top notch. If you have back pain a massage and a cocktail at Aqua is the remedy you need.

I am a big fan of the food here. It is also very celiac friendly with lots of GF gluten free options. I got the shrimp and grits and was a fan. The grits came on - a squash sauce maybe? - it was an u usual combination but it worked well together. The scallop ceviche was also good but was not really a soup. We came with a 12 person group and they were able to handle us easily. The staff was cool and took my allergy seriously. I liked the place. Two thumbs up for Aqua. Side note: I swear someone handed me a large print menu but no, that is how they look here. So to all the people who wear cheaters, you are welcome at Aqua. Ha ha.

just had to go, fish taco no flavor, fish over done, burnt fries, small portion overpriced

The atmosphere is very nice especially early evening watching the sunset. Great place for romantic date. Our waitress was fantastic. Very friendly, made sure our drinks were full and orders were correct. Our family has been going there over a decade during vacation. Couple of concerning points... dinner menu is somewhat limited. The lunch menu has more of a variety. We noticed this year the duck dish suffered from shrinkflation. additional choices for sides would be nice.. When you're reviewing the online menu, make sure you're looking at the lunch or the dinner menu. There is a difference.

One of my faves in OBX! The service, food, ambiance (live music with adirondack chairs - swoon!) are all great. My most recent visit I had the bangin shrimp and salmon. Both were excellent! They have great outdoor seating overlooking the water and live music, and afterwards, or even while I'm waiting for the food, I like to go downstairs and listen to the music. Also very kid friendly! Highly recommend.

The perfect fine dining experience in Duck, NC. Our waiter was prompt and kind and the food was outstanding. We chose Aqua to celebrate a 32nd birthday and were very happy that we did. To start, we had the goat cheese dip and shrimp. Both were fantastic. I ordered the French cut chicken, which was very juicy and flavorful. We made reservations well in advance and are very happy we did. Looking forward to coming back next year!

Great place, stellar service. Amazing food. The soup was phenomenal! Loved the ceviche! Only gripe I had was the restaurant allowing a large party to take up the entire bar area. There should be a maximum of 2-4 people per party to sit at the bar, not a large family of 9 with a young child.

We LOVE Aqua. This time we arrived an hour early (oops, I mixed up our reservation time). They were able to seat us 30 minutes early which was great! We waited outside by the live music and had a drink. The mixed drinks were delicious. The staff was attentive made sure our evening was delightful from start to finish. Filet was cooked perfectly.

We came here for Easter brunch! We each chose a lobster roll with different options. One chose a side salad and the others chose french fries. For dessert there was chocolate ganache and raspberry sorbet. We really enjoyed our lobster roll, because it is slightly different than the New England style you would find on Cape Cod, etc. The waitress was very attentive and the ambience was springy. They were walking around the Easter bunny and giving out Easter eggs! The girls loved it.

Seriously the most horrible restaurant get a new hostess. You just lost over a $1000 due to your incompetent employee. I have never seen anything quite like this. Stay away from this restaurant. We tried to sit with a large party of 12 and they couldn't put two tables together. #obx #northcarolina #visitnc #outerbanks #outerbanksnc #obxlife #outerbanksedit #nagshead #beach #nc #visitnc #kittyhawk #beachlife #obxvacation #obxlocal #impossibletraveler #usatravel #usaroadtrip #adventuresofMMROBX #adventuresofMMR #ducknc #staysaltyobx #obxeats #obxfoodie #obxhiddengems

Party of 8. Mixed reviews from the group. Service was very good. Our server was very attentive. My meal was good (Duck Breast), but a couple people said their meals were a little salty. Portions were a little on the small side. Price was on the high side, but in line with the other restaurants on the island. Pretty much a captive audience. Make reservations. View was excellent. Everyone enjoyed that.

Such a great dining experience. We found a fine variety of choices. The Bang Bang shrimp is a must. I had salmon that was prepared to perfection and my wife had a chicken breast that she loved. Server Paige was very attentive and demonstrated some of the best post pandemic service we have had. Great sound views with a reasonable level of crowd noise for a place of its size. Highly recommended when in the area around Duck.

Lovely dinner at Aqua. Two adults and a child had a lovely dinner. We started with the Banging Shrimp (this is a MUST!) and the calamari (which was good but if deciding between two apps, go with the Banging Shrimp!). For dinner we had Shrimp & Grits (yummy, small portion), Mediterranean Seafood Pasta (was ok, pasta cooked perfectly but the flavor seemed like it was missing something) and an order of chicken bites off of the kids menu (we fought over the fries! so delish!). Nice cocktail menu too. It was POURING thanks to the effects of Tropical Storm Debby so we didn't really get to enjoy much of a view although sitting waterfront is still delightful! Staff was lovely - very attentive.

Wonderful restaurant with great view of the sound, terrific food and excellent service. Started with crab dip and some calamari appetizers and a Mount Gay rum and tonic with a lime. Had the very tasty tilefish for my entree. Finished with some of the best key lime pie north of Miami. Though to get reservations for a party of 13 but very worthwhile!!!

Wonderful restaurant right on the water with a view of sunset. Waiter was informative and answered all our questions. Special was a Golden Tile fish which we had never heard of. Was told it was a light, white fish that feeds on shrimp and scallops! I highly recommend it as it is delicious. Salads were generous, bread was plentiful, and dessert (snickerdoofle bread pudding) was yummy! Highly recommended this restaurant!

We arrived at 5:30 on a Friday night. We were seated promptly at a table right beside a window with a nice view. We were greeted by our waiter right away and informed of the soups and specials for the evening. Our drink order was taken and the bartender did a great job as both were tasty and what I believe to be a good value ( not watered down ). We ordered both soups available and shared and they were to die for. So flavorful. We then ordered the fillet and also the pistachio salmon. Both dishes were incredibly delicious and the presentation was great. To end it up we shared a sorbet which was also good. The food as well as the service was 5 star for sure. Our waiter J R was very attentive and engaging in conversation. We never felt rushed or had to ask for anything. The manager also stopped by to check on us and to be sure everything tasted good. Great view as well. We will definitely be frequenting here from now on. Added to our favorites

This was my favorite restaurant in Duck. The dinner I had here was amazing. The pear martini was sweet and refreshing. The duck breast was delicious - it was moist and the flavors were great. The fish was also good. I liked seeing the view of the water and the sunset while eating. The waiter was helpful and I had a great experience here overall.

Amazing service. Incredible view and the food was so delicious! Nice serving sizes, including the appetizer. We had the sweet corn and crap soup and it was perfectly balanced, nice chunks of crab and great portion. Lunch was mahi tacos. Two huge tacos, stuffed full of fish and other yummy ingredients! The drinks were also very good. Highly suggest the El Capitan! Fresh, perfect and yum! We will be back!!

Make the reservation! So totally worth it. My gosh. We had the truffle French fries to start and we couldn't complain. Fiancé had pasta with bay scallops (didn't let me take a picture before he dug in, such a boy) and I had the crab cakes. Both of them were absolutely incredible - melted in your mouth, very nice, authentic flavors from each dish. Great service too. Beautiful view. Would highly recommend!!!

The fluid was absolutely delicious. My husband and I both had the Caesar salad to start. I had the chicken breast and he had the catch of the day. We ended with the flourless chocolate torte and the crème brûlée cheesecake. Outstanding! We sat at the bar and the service was excellent. The bartenders did not give us their name so I can't shout them out but we enjoyed chatting with them.

Went for lunch on a Saturday. Got the gingered pear martini- a bit sweet but tasty! For apps, we got the bangin shrimp and cone of fries with parm and truffle oil - delicious! For entrees grilled mahi fish tacos and the salmon poke bowl - both were a bit underwhelming especially for the price. Our server was very friendly. We sat next to the window with a nice view of the sound. I would return if in the area again.

Beautiful sunset view with acoustic duo in the bar, delicious Gingered Pear Martini, and our meals were fantastic. Such a cozy, relaxing atmosphere!

Finally a restaurant we actually had time to visit. And of course we sat outside at the hottest time on the hottest day in weeks. But it was all good. The views over the water were wonderful, my fish and chips were sublime, the shrimp was plump, and the fish tacos were excellent. The cocktails we had just added to the happy feelings (though, in all honesty, they weren't great). Would we return? Come'on...

Went on a perfect weather day and sat outside. Great choice. My wife ordered the catch of the day - scallops with a veggie medley that was anything but typical. Fresh fiddleheads, peashoots and Morrell mushrooms finished in a smoked hollandaise. WOW! I did the steak frites. The steak was perfect. I like more potato like frites. These were crispy tiny potato sticks. But all exceptionally tasty! Our server CJ gave great recommendations and helped me choose a really good Sauvignon blanc. We were there at sunset, so it was especially lovely to eat outside. We'll be back!

Situated on sweetest spot in the quiet town of Duck; what a gem Aqua is! If you are looking for quality food, excellent service, a restaurant overlooking the water & a place you can linger & dine at your leisure look no further. The restaurant is set up ever so lovely. So many seating areas & options. It's uber functional for whatever type of dinner you are having (a quiet evening with your partner or a gathering with your family, littles welcome ;) , or perhaps just stopping by for a small appetizer & drink to enjoy the vibe of OBX, this place has it all. Located on the water, with a the boardwalk to walk off dinner afterwards, indoor & outdoor seating; when appropriate (not too windy) as well as a fabulously chic outdoor seating area with a little beach near the fire pit with comfortable chairs & live music at times. It's upscale but not at all pretentious! Aqua is by far the best restaurant we've yet to dine at on the Outer Banks Island repeatedly. The hostess Shelly is so accommodating & sat us each time per our needs & request. What a truly lovely host with customer service you rarely see these days. We have always ordered the truffle fries with aioli & the signature sweet corn & crab soup. Impossible to not try & repeatedly order! Last night, with Brian as our well versed, knowledgeable 5 star server we enjoyed the crab cakes each served with a hush puppy. The crab cakes are not in the least "fried" with too much batter & not so raw you lose that stay together cake feel. The beet slaw on the side was a nice touch & elegantly presented on the plate. It's hard not to order one of everything... but that's why we'll be back! They also have a spa with affordable pricing & tailored services. What a unique concept. Highly recommend!

We decided we wanted to go somewhere upscale for our anniversary and Aqua did not disappoint. We sat outside, which I recommend if it's not too hot. It was cool seeing the fish and turtles right next to our table. We got the crab dip as an appetizer. It was really good, one of the best crab dips I've ever had. The portion was very generous but made for good leftovers the next day. I got the crab cakes for my main course and they were delicious. I loved the Israeli couscous it came with but wished it didn't have the spinach cooked in it, that was my only change for our whole meal. We ended the meal with Aqua's homemade sorbet. The Raspberry and Mango were both very good, the raspberry was a little tart. We'd definitely come back!

The food is good but the atmosphere is awesome. We were able to appreciate a lot of unique wildlife since we were seated right next to the water from crabs to fish to turtles. Complimentary bread, crab dip was good, and fresh caught tuna was enjoyable. They have numerous dessert options but their in-house made sorbet was enjoyable, mango for sweet and raspberry for tart.

Lovely sound side views abound at Aqua in Duck, NC. Sit outside for informal dining or inside for a more formal experience. Enjoy a drink at the bar, watch a sunset, sit by a fire pit. We dined inside and enjoyed drinks and a delicious meal, starting with the Flu Shot cocktail of citron vodka, orange liquor, lime, and blood orange juice. The sweet corn crab soup is exquisite. The strawberry arugula cashew goat cheese salad is refreshing. The shrimp and grits with andouille sausage is perfectly portioned, and the pistachio crusted salmon over lentils is creatively tasty. The wines, while on the higher price side ($12-16 a glass) are very good. While prices are are moderate, the food is good, expertly prepared and delicious. Most tables in the dining room have a view of the sound and stunning sunsets.

Food was good. Waterfront seating was nice. Portion size for the pasta was really small. It had approximately 9 noodles. I'm not a huge eater but I knew it wouldn't be enough.

We had an amazing dinner at Aqua and had a spectacular view of the sunset!!! We did not have reservations and had a party of 6 so we were unsure if we would get a table but we were able to snag one outside! We had the truffle fries, eggplant and crab dip as an appetizer among the table. The truffle fries and aioli were . For my entree I had the shrimp and grits which were so good. I also had a bite of my friends crab cake and it was very good also! We had a vegetarian at the table and she got the stuffed tomato and said it was great. The bar was a bit backed up but we were aware of that and our waiter took great care of us. I was a bit too enamored with the view and took photos of that instead of my food!

Another awesome experience at Aqua in Duck, NC. Terrific meal terrific service, terrific sunset. I had seafood pasta, she had corn and crab soup, followed by bang bang shrimp. All awesome meals. Great place!

I wish. Still good not as good as the first time that we went. I had the glazed salmon and a couple of drinks on draft.

Had a 7PM reservation but got there around 6:30 to have a drink at the bar and was seated instead. There was a window seat which we asked for but were declined. No one sat there during our meal. Our server was FANTASTIC! Entertaining, knowledgeable, & super friendly. The ambiance was nice with the windows and ability to see the sunset. We started with the whipped feta app and it was decent. Too salty and missing a little acidity. Got the steak, and will admit it was cooked a perfect medium. The accompaniments were a great addition. Flounder was the catch of the day and this dish was well executed. The fava beans, mushrooms, & remoulade were delicious. Dessert was the Bananas Foster Cheesecake & Key Lime Pie. The Bananas was again missing something. Maybe the flambé or a caramel drizzle. Key Lime just a little tart. Overall the experience was nice & id recommend trying Aqua.

Love Aqua! You need reservations unless you want to sit outside, which is very charming! It's first come, first serve for outside seating. JB was our server and he is awesome! As a local he shared some fun facts about the area. My daughter is Vegan and she loves the food. The drinks are equally delicious.

Service and water side view were fine. Food was rather bland in flavors. Prices were the highest in Duck. Other restaurants in the area surpassed Aqua for food quality and presentation while more reasonably priced.

This restaurant is outrageously overpriced for the quality of food and mediocre atmosphere/view it offers. $21 for a very small lunch Caesar salad with chicken (very thin, small portion), lettuce was brown, did not use real parm, a few stale croutons on top. Ordered their truffle fries and their specialty martini which promised hand stuffed blue cheese olives. The olives were by no means hand stuffed, they were straight out of a jar. Do not recommend going, would not go back. If you do, I hope it's on someone else's dime. Order the truffle fries, they were the only thing we had that was worth it.

We came on a busy day for lunch . Our waitress was very kind and attentive. The view was beautiful! The restaurant itself feels a bit cooperate in its decor . I feel maybe the mild colors of the accompanying spa carried too much into the dining area making it bland. The mahi was a bit over cooked on our taco , but the shrimps were crisp on the Bangin' shrimp taco. The sauce was great but swamped the entree too much.

I was visiting friends for a few nights (October 2020). One day my friend took me around the area. We stopped here for lunch - one of her favorite places. I can see why. Great menu with a lot of variety! Lovely views on the terrace. I had the shrimp tacos, which were excellent, along with a glass of wine. My friend ordered the poke bowl (I can't remember if it was the tuna or salmon), also a glass of wine. I wish I lived closer (I'm in Wilmington) to enjoy this place more often. Until the next time I visit my friends....

My family and I stopped in here for lunch on Saturday and all loved our food! My parents got the mahi and shrimp tacos, I got the tuna poke bowl (fresh and delicious) and my brother got the turkey sandwich, which he liked! I also ordered the truffle fries which came with this horseradish aioli type of sauce and those were amazing! The only thing was that the fries didn't come out until after all of our food came out, I'm guessing because the waitress forgot to put it in, but we would still come back!

Excellent! Sat outside watched sun set. Out table had, salmon, two orders of shrimp & Grits, and the special grilled tuna. All meals excellent.

This restaurant is outstanding. Aerin, our waitress, was superior. Cajun cream pasta, teriyaki bowl, and curry shrimp were . The appetizers-- bang band shrimp and crab dip -- exploded with flavor. We've eaten here each year when we come to Duck. We love it. Kudos to Aerin and the outstanding staff.

The descriptions of the lunch menu items sounded scrumptious, and we each ordered something different. All three of us were disappointed. Our waitress was great--cheerful and efficient! We ate on the deck, which was pleasant, as it looked over the water. It became crowded inside and out by the time we left, so we think it must be a locals' burger place. I saw a table of seniors eating burgers and fries that looked really good. That's what I'd order if returned.