AQUA Restaurant

We ate lunch at Aqua twice this week. Our servers were phenomenal, friendly and knowledgeable. Our first trip a gentleman took care of us and it kills me that I don't recall his name. The dude is a service industry hero. Edit: found the receipt, his name is Bryan. Today Kat took care of us and made our visit an absolutely exceptional experience thank you Kat. Cheers to Aqua for having such sensational people on their team Food: *Skip the duck wings, good but nothing extraordinary. *Soup of the day Mushroom Bisque available? GET IT! Top ten dish. *Soup of the day Red pepper/leek combo, also incredible. *Pineapple fried rice is a stand out. No one flavor is too forward, the dish is a wonderful balance of gastronomic harmony. It has a touch of heat to it but nothing overwhelming. Add some shrimp! * Cajun Pasta with shrimp. To many people Cajun implies spicy. Not so with this creamy dish. The flavors that make something Cajun are there with out heat. This was a subtle pallet pleaser that was a joy to devour. Spices combined in a harmony that make the whole greater than the sum of the parts. *Catch of the day pan seared white fish was executed to simplistic perfection. The all-star was the wild rice side with pearl onions, inca peppers and other deliciousness that is worth your time. *Ginger Snap Bread Pudding with a scoop of butter ice cream. The Mrs. said it tasted just like a ginger snap. I thought it was like a cinnamon roll. We both thought it was to die for! Warm, creamy, soft delight to end the meal. Aqua is def worth your time.

Highly recommend! Staff super friendly, food are delicious! The corn soup is a must try, duck wing is very crunchy absolutely love it 😆👍 Will definitely come here again, I wanna take my mom to this restaurant, I bet she will love this place

My sister and I had lunch here yesterday and the service was wonderful and food was good. She had fish and chips and I did the tuna poke bowl, the bowl was beautiful, colorful and delicious. Tuna so fresh. We started with the banging shrimp. I don’t have picture of sister’s meal.

We had a great experience at Aqua. There were 6 of us and two dogs. Service was amazing! Drinks were great, and so were the apps and main course meals. Views were beautiful. One of the best restaurants in Duck.

Beautiful and clean interior. Perfect for a nice formal dining romantic or family. Smoked pimento cheese pretzel appetizer was so good! Mable bourbon salmon was very good, cheesy grits was great!

We had a delicious meal at Aqua. If you are vacationing in the Outer Banks then this place is a must. I got the roast chicken which was delicious. The vegetarian entree was excellent as well. I loved the crab soup as well.

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.

Ordered their shrimp and grits. When it arrived the temp was barely above wam, the food and the dish itself. When the waiter asked "how is everything ". I replied that it was barely warm. He seemed to take offense and rather to offer to replace with a hotter dish he said " do you want me to warm it up". Really warm up shrimp and grits which would overcook the shrimp. After much debate he took the dish back "to warm it". As I waited,waited ,and waited he returned to the table to say "they were making me another but also added" the chef was surprised it was cold that when it was take out of the pan it was hot". I stated I'm sure it could have been. Perhaps mine was cooked and then it sat while the other dish of pasta was cooked as it was very hot for the other person at my table. His reply was "No they were cooked at the same time. My fresh HOT entree was brought to the table and dropped in front of me by someone other than our waiter. After he cleared the table, dessert was suggested but no one chose dessert. Without asking " is this all on one check?" He returned and place the bill on the table. Again we asked that there be 2 separate checks, he took the bill and as he was leaving he said"really two checks I have never been asked for separate checks in this restaurant". Once the checks were presented he stood there waiting for us to pay out bills. Rude

Great tuna steak . Delicious wine . Great view of the sound . Salads and warm bread was delicious as well

Great food, allows reservations, Huge! Great place to sit and view the sound while enjoying good food and drinks. Order the steak pita. Lunch menu has limited entrees, most menu items are handhelds.

Pre wedding family dinner and it was perfect from Start to finish ! Food and service above and beyond

Very reasonable wait time and the waiting area on the water makes time go by a lot faster. We were seated outside which was ideal given the weather but the septic system or something seemed to have an offputting smell. Some have complained about the small menu but I thought it was appropriately sized based on their expertise. Other restaurants bombard you with a massive menu like the newspaper with a million choices. I thought the food was pretty tasty and we left feeling not overly full but not still hungry. Compared to some other restaurants the pricing may be a little on the high side, but I get it. I would recommend hitting the Swellsa Duck Dive Bar after for drinks and live music.

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.

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!

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.

Food and drinks were delicious and service was very friendly. Portion for the shrimp pasta was a little small for my husband, so we were happy we got an appetizer. Beautiful view of the water. Would come back next time we're here!

Dinner was amazing from start to finish. Service is great.overall a must try in OBX. We had the salmon .. perfectly seasoned. Appetizer whipped goat cheese.. outstanding. Well crafted cocktails as well

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.

The bangin shrimp is great, and I would go just for that. The tile fish was described as lobster-like but turned out quite dry, so it may have been overcooked. The mahi mahi was tough and overcooked. Waitress was super friendly and helpful. We sat outside overlooking the water, which would have been lovely except that everything outside is covered with cobwebs and spiders. The area should be cleaned if people are being sat outside. I'd come back for the bangin shrimp.

Very good service, but felt rushed a bit. They called and changed our reservation by 15 min to a window table which was fine. Last year I had the best NY strip ever. My husband ordered it and it came in small pieces as if they were trying to sub it out with sirloin. It was tough and not very good. $48. The salmon was very good. My first glass of wine ( $20.) tasted old. The second was better. Nice atmosphere for the bar and casual food. Skip the formal dinner.

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!

Amazing food! Great service. A perfect table in a great setting for 8 of us overlooking a beautiful view of sunset over the Chesapeake Bay

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Service and view were excellent, food choices were not that great, food was ho hum! Even in Duck and Southern Shores, there are better choices.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!!

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.

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!!!

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!!

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.

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!

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.

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...

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

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!

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.

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!

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!

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....