Aquarelle NYC
Seafood restaurant · East Village ·

Aquarelle NYC

Seafood restaurant · East Village ·

Elegant seafood & cocktail lounge with global influences

Aquarelle NYC by null
Aquarelle NYC by null
Aquarelle NYC by null
Aquarelle NYC by null
Aquarelle NYC by null
Aquarelle NYC by null
Aquarelle NYC by null
Aquarelle NYC by null
Aquarelle NYC by null
Aquarelle NYC by null
Aquarelle NYC by null
Aquarelle NYC by null
Aquarelle NYC by null
Aquarelle NYC by null
Aquarelle NYC by null
Aquarelle NYC by null
Aquarelle NYC by null
Aquarelle NYC by null
Aquarelle NYC by null
Aquarelle NYC by null
Aquarelle NYC by null
Aquarelle NYC by null

Information

47 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009 Get directions

$50–100

Reserve a table
See Menu
Restroom
Gender neutral restroom
Free Wi-Fi
Brunch
Lunch

Information

Static Map

47 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009 Get directions

+1 212 777 4547
aquarellenyc.com
@aquarellenyc

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve a table

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Gender neutral restroom
•Free Wi-Fi
•Brunch
•Lunch
•Dinner
•Catering

Last updated

Dec 10, 2025

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@infatuation
132,805 Postcards · 3,235 Cities

NYC’s New Restaurant Openings - New York - The Infatuation

"In a cavernous space that looks like a submarine moonlighting as a nightclub, Aquarelle replaces Lamia’s Fish Market, a similar concept. They serve squid ink linguine with crab meat, a $74 surf-and-turf steak and lobster combo, and more glitzy seafood in the East Village." - will hartman, willa moore, molly fitzpatrick, sonal shah, bryan kim

https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/guides/new-nyc-restaurants-openings
Aquarelle
@eater
391,474 Postcards · 10,994 Cities

Biggest NYC Restaurant Openings in June 2025 | Eater NY

"A late-night seafood bar and cocktail lounge launched by 25-year hospitality veteran Marcus Andrew with partner Baris Koroglu, occupying the former Le Souk space and emphasizing an evening-focused shellfish and drink program." - Melissa McCart

https://ny.eater.com/restaurant-openings/399236/nyc-restaurant-openings-june-12-2025
Aquarelle
@infatuation
132,805 Postcards · 3,235 Cities

Aquarelle - Review - Alphabet City - New York - The Infatuation

"In a cavernous space that looks like a submarine moonlighting as a nightclub, Aquarelle replaces Lamia’s Fish Market, a similar concept. They serve squid ink linguine with crab meat, a $74 surf-and-turf steak and lobster combo, and more glitzy seafood in the East Village. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Will Hartman

https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/reviews/aquarelle
Aquarelle

Aminah I.

Google
This is a beautiful restaurant. As soon as you walk in you can’t help but say “this is nice”. The lighting, the decor and the touch of special, this restaurant creates the perfect atmosphere that is cozy, comfy and very welcoming. The service was pleasant and efficient. Things did take a while but ultimately everything was served. My friends and I truly had a great time. I wasn’t too crazy about the food but the desert and the mocktails were my favorite. We did celebrate a birthday as well so there were bubbles, sparklers, and a very cute celebration. Overall I think this place has a lot of potential and some very good things to offer. Im glad my friends and I were able to experience this.

Brendan M.

Google
Incredible service (from Walid and team!) and some of the best food I’ve had in New York City (and I’ve eaten at hundreds of restaurants). Make sure you save room for dessert and get the pistachio crème brûlée - it’s unique and absolutely mouthwatering if you’re into that flavor combo. I ordered the filet mignon, which was a huge portion and very fairly priced. I also started with the salmon tartare and the grilled octopus. The octopus was a standout and an automatic re-order the next time I’m back.

Stegramedia

Google
I’m absolutely OBSESSED with this place! The food is absolutely incredible, one of the seafood towers is a must!! The tuna tartare is so good. Drinks are all top notch and the service is impeccable. We even met the owner and he came and say with us at our table for a bit and told us some interesting stories of his life as a restaurateur in NYC!

Michelle S.

Google
I recently had the chance to dine at Aquarelle Restaurant, and it was such a memorable experience. From the moment I walked in, the ambiance set the tone—elegant yet inviting, with warm lighting and a refined atmosphere that felt perfect for both a special night out or a cozy dinner. The service was attentive without being overbearing, and every dish felt carefully thought out. The flavors were fresh, balanced, and beautifully plated—clearly made with both skill and creativity. What I loved most was how the menu managed to be refined while still comforting, leaving me satisfied but excited to come back and try more. Aquarelle truly feels like a hidden gem worth returning to again and again!

Noura P.

Google
Its a whole experience. This is a great spot for trying seafood. I would definitely suggest trying the oysters, the hamachi nobu and the dorado salt baked fish… The place is clean, the service is awesome, they have the best signature cocktails… 10/10

Wiktoria W.

Google
The food was tasty and beautifully presented. The restaurant is elegant and modern. The oysters, ceviche, pasta with lobster, and creme brûlée were truly delicious. We would definitely have swapped the mushrooms and pasta for something else in the dish with the scallops, but they were also delicious on their own.

Hamida Q.

Google
Overrated and disappointing. For the price, you simply don’t get your money’s worth here. We were a party of five and came to celebrate a deae friend’s birthday ( both of us seafood lovers) but the experience was frustrating from start to finish... * Service: Very slow. It took nearly 30 minutes for our mains to arrive. Later in the evening, around 10 p.m., the staff suddenly became impatient and started clearing our table without asking, they even took my friend’s lobster while we were still eating, they really didn't even ask if we want our plates be taken away. At the end they didn't ask if we need anything like desert. It wasn't nice at all. * Safety & Facilities: The bathroom lock is one of those cheap latches that dont secure properly. When I put force, the latch cut my finger. Not what you’d expect from a “high-end” resturant. I couldn’t prpperly type for a week afterward 😠 * Food & Portions: We ordered two of their signature salt-baked fish dishes. Fiest, it took forever to arrive, and when the waiter cracked open the salt, hot salt splashed on me. The portion was tiny (barely 4 oe 5 oz of fish from a whole branzinno) Most of it got stuck to the salt. The ceviche was served in a cocktail glass and was the smallest I’ve ever seen. Flavor-wise, it was fine, but nothing special. * Waste & Flavor: The salt-bake presentation looks fancy but is extremely wasteful as I said most of it was stuck to the salt. The fish itself was bland and under-seasoned — if you like spice or bold flavor, this isn’t the place for you. * When the chef asked about our experience, I mentioned the small portions. Instead of listening, he defensively compared prices with another restaurant. That was the final straw... we left disappointed and won’t be returning.

Maria Angelica Vergel V.

Google
The best vibes and service!! Nora and Ricky’s were amazing with the cocktails. Thank you Andres and Cristina for the hospitality and great service! Could not wait to try our drinks so they are almost empty on the pic!😂😂😂
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Dennis G.

Yelp
I celebrated my birthday at Aquarelle, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable dinners I've had in NYC. From the moment we walked in, my friends and I were treated like absolute royalty. The staff strikes the perfect balance of friendly and professional, and the bar was already buzzing with energy -- plus they have a surprisingly great happy hour for a place this polished. The seafood here really lives up to the hype. I started with raw clams (incredibly fresh), shared a flatbread with the table, and then went for the squid-ink pasta with crab meat, which was rich, briny, and expertly done. Dessert is also worth saving room for -- they take just as much care with the sweets as they do with the mains. The space itself is gorgeous -- easily one of the most immersive dining rooms in the East Village. The whole place feels like you've slipped "under the sea," with marine-inspired colors, candlelit corners, octopus murals, and these incredible barnacle-style mirrors. It's been described as "dining inside a luxe submarine," and honestly, that's spot-on. The ambiance manages to feel both transportive and warm, almost like a nod to old-New-York hospitality but with a modern coastal twist. Aquarelle was created by Marcus Andrew (of Le Souk and Lamia Fish Market) and Baris Koroglu (of The Lullaby and Paradise Club), and you can feel the blend of restaurant and nightlife DNA throughout. It's not just a seafood restaurant -- it's part cocktail lounge, part late-night hang, part celebratory dining room. The cocktail program leans botanical and coastal; I spotted drinks like a yuzu-thyme spritz and a lavender sea-salt martini that fit the scene perfectly. And with the kitchen open until midnight most nights, it's one of the rare spots where a great meal can effortlessly turn into a fun night out. All in all, an excellent experience -- delicious food, standout service, and a setting that feels like a little escape from the city. I'd absolutely come back, birthday or not.
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Darian B.

Yelp
Aquarelle might be better suited as a dinner or late-night spot, because brunch was a letdown. The menu is extremely limited, especially for seafood, and the food itself wasn't great. I tried to order the burger, the server told me, "I hate that," so I switched to something else. Despite that, the order still got mixed up, and the burger ended up going to someone else at the table who didn't even order it. Additionally the eggs were cold, and the lobster roll was burnt & the lobster in the lobster Mac was super hard...definitely over cooked. Service was chaotic, though not for lack of effort. The staff who were working genuinely tried their best, but the restaurant was severely understaffed. Our server was the only one on the floor because the bartender was late, which meant long waits even for water. When the bartender eventually arrived, he brought my friend an unsolicited birthday drink and then asked if we wanted shots - a nice gesture but unnecessary and a bit awkward. We were also told there was no cocktail menu because a private party the night before had "thrown up on them," which was... memorable. The server also mentioned there was no chef, which makes sense. Overall, the staff did what they could, but the experience just missed the mark.
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Talia D.

Yelp
We came to Aquarelle on a Wednesday evening and the place had a really nice crowd for midweek. The vibe is upscale Mediterranean seafood with a polished, stylish atmosphere that still feels relaxed. Service was attentive overall, water refilled, dishes cleared smoothly, and the table never felt ignored. The food had some strong highlights. The grilled octopus appetizer was tender and flavorful with a great char. The crab cakes were nicely seasoned and the creamed spinach was surprisingly one of the standout dishes of the night. My cocktails were very good and well-balanced, so the bar definitely knows what they're doing. There were a couple of misses, though. I ordered the lobster and specifically asked for it broiled instead of grilled. The server acknowledged the request and mentioned it would take longer, which was totally fine, but it came out boiled instead, which was disappointing. My partner ordered a simple gin and club soda and was brought something completely different without any explanation or check-in. The seafood pasta was just okay and could have benefited from more sauce and seasoning to bring out the flavors. Even with those hiccups, we still enjoyed our night. The ambiance is great and it's a good spot for a dinner that feels a little special without being too formal. I would return, but next time I'll make sure to double-confirm any requests or substitutions when ordering.

Mariah C.

Yelp
Your reply is nicely polished, but it doesn't match what actually happened. You're saying you can't read minds, but we told three different staff members that it was my sister's birthday. The hostess heard it. The man in the brown suit heard it he couldn't even get her simple name right ( Mac ), and we had to write it down. The waiter with the nose ring and bowl haircut also heard it when he took our order right before disappearing for the rest of the night. So pretending you weren't informed is just not honest. As for comparing you to Lamia's that comment didn't come out of nowhere. The experience was slow, unorganized, and dismissive. A former restaurant being better isn't an insult it's context. A guest noticing a difference doesn't mean they're being unfair. It means your service didn't measure up. And the busboy absolutely said we had to wait because the server was "taking care of other tables." That wasn't imagined or exaggerated. That came straight from your own staff. If you want to improve, great. But rewriting what happened isn't the way. We know what we experienced, and none of what I mentioned was based on appearance or misunderstanding. It was based on your team not doing their jobs and then acting like the issue was somehow on us. Aquarelle might be a new restaurant, but basic service isn't a new concept.
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Jon H.

Yelp
Here's a concise, honest review for Aquarelle in NYC: Aquarelle - Stylish Vibes with Strong Cocktails Aquarelle brings the energy with a sleek, well-designed space and a lively, clubby atmosphere. The cocktails were a highlight--well-crafted and reasonably priced for NYC, which is always a win. We tried the hand-cut French fries and were pleasantly surprised--crispy, well-seasoned, and satisfying. It's not exactly a quiet date spot, though; the music is loud and the vibe leans more nightlife than intimate dinner. That said, it's a solid place to hang out with friends, grab a few drinks, and enjoy the scene--just don't expect deep conversation without leaning in.
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Melena P.

Yelp
Delicious! The bronzino and clams linguine were cheffed to perfection. These are my favorite dishes personally and it did not disappoint here.
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Frank A.

Yelp
All they need is a Pastaio, a sommelier and a pastry chef and they might have the makings of a real restaurant. Sorry to be harsh, but despite the hype, Aquarelle is sadly lacking. It is actually just a glorified bar, except that the cocktails are just ok. The raw seafood and salads are very good, but the rest of their food is tasteless or worse. On a Friday evening in the middle of the summer they were out of three quarters of the (handful) of white wines on their very mediocre wine list. They only had barely passable Pinot Grigio and Sancerre. The service was fine with the staff simply apologizing about everything. Could be a terrific spot, but they need to get serious about what they are doing.
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Molly T.

Yelp
3.5 stars. I nearly went with four to give Aquarelle the benefit of the doubt because it still is new, but I give a lot of four-star ratings because I do my research and go to a lot of impressive places and my experience at Aquarelle was not at the level of that at spots I've previously given four stars. Perhaps it will become more efficient with time, but at the moment, Aquarelle is somewhat disorganized and would benefit from a comprehensive edit. The food and drinks are mostly solid and the prices are generally fair. I do believe that improvement is possible if they stay open for long enough to showcase some refinements (I say this because the space is absolutely massive and I truly cannot imagine how much it costs for Aquarelle to stay afloat -- no water pun intended). Made a reservation for four at 8:30pm on a Saturday night. As I mentioned, the space is absolutely massive. My first thought upon walking in was that the decor/overall aesthetic of Aquarelle is such that the restaurant feels much better suited for midtown as opposed to the East Village/Alphabet City. Nothing understated or minimalist about it: if there is an opportunity to reference all things marine life, Aquarelle has seized it. Giant mermaid statues, over the top raw bar design, a bar backdrop that resembles a submarine (The Ship did it first), projections of fish being cast across the back wall of the second floor -- it's all there. Now, typically when a place is this gimmicky, I begin to worry that more effort has been put into the space than the food. Luckily, most of the food was quite good, and if I was rating the experience on food alone, I probably would have gone with four stars. The main reason for the three-star rating was the service. For starters, we did not get water until an hour into our meal, and we did not get our first round of drink for 45 minutes after ordering them, which I suppose would be understandable if the restaurant was packed, but it wasn't. Additionally, our server was at times unprofessional in the way that he communicated and when we were trying to figure out how to ensure that we were not ordering too much food, he said nothing is too much and didn't give us guidance. He also kept referring to "dorade" as "dorado". Another gripe was that for sides priced at $12, the portions were laughably small. Think the size of a bowl you'd see bar nuts served in. Okay, so now we'll get to the positives of the experience. They were able to locate bleu cheese olives for our dirty martinis which was much appreciated. The martinis themselves were delicious, but I can't speak to the rest of the cocktails. Food-wise, we ordered a nice sampling of the menu, trying quite a few cold dishes and a few warmer ones. Most were solid with a couple that were a bit underwhelming. Eats, below: Hamachi Nobu Crudo: B Straightforward and unmemorable, but nothing wrong with it. And I'm happy to have tried it because I will always go for hamachi crudo when it's an option. Octopus Carpaccio: A Our favorite dish of the night, great flavors and well executed. Also fun to order something you see less often on menus. Tuna Tartare: B+ Solid preparation, nothing that exciting or creative but checked all the necessary boxes. That said, there were oddly very few chips served on the side. Either don't serve with chips or provide enough -- unless you want to consume this in three or four heaping bites, you may need to ask for more chips. Seafood Ceviche: A Probably my favorite dish of the night, a mix of hamachi and shrimp. That said, like the tartare, there were not enough chips. Unlike tuna tartare, I am more than happy to eat ceviche directly from my spoon, so I minded less in this case. Aquarelle Caesar: B The components were there but because of the way it was served, some of the lettuce was bone dry while some had the right amount. More of a matter of execution than anything else, because the dressing was tasty and the lettuce was fresh. Salt-Baked Snapper: A- It comes out aflame and portioned for each person at the table, which is a cute gimmick. The serving process was a bit inefficient but the fish itself was delicious and served with a great sauce, though we were not told what exactly it was. Branzino Grilled w/ Lemon & Capers: B- Another reviewer said this as well but this was relatively bland. I think it was one of the only dishes that did not get fully consumed by the end of the night. We ordered the grilled veggies, truffle fries, and mushrooms as sides. None of them were all that memorable, and as I mentioned, the portions were laughably tiny.
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Leah T.

Yelp
OMG THIS PLACE WAS SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!! The service was actually amazing (shoutout brian!!!!!) and the food DELISH!!!! I am still thinking about that feta tomato salad bc WOOF
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Josh W.

Yelp
Aquarelle needs to be added to every New Yorker's "must visit" list immediately! This hot new East Village Seafood spot absolutely blew me away with top of the line quality across their entire menu - AND without that crazy New York City pricing. Everything I had was incredible but you cannot miss the surf and turf, the tuna tartare, or the squid ink linguine with crab!! With a live DJ, a beautiful seafood counter, and incredible service, this place gets an undisputed 10/10 in atmosphere. You definitely won't regret making a reservation here for your next date night or group dinner!
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J D.

Yelp
DO NOT COME HERE! ESPECIALLY POC!!! We ate here last night for my gf's birthday and were seated at 10:30pm. Food was meh. The ceviche was a pitiful joke and the lobster pasta came out lukewarm. The vibe was festive (people celebrating) so we asked for dessert and were told the kitchen was closed. Ay, maybe the waiter should have said something to us before. Oh, well! Next thing you know they sit a white couple next to us and they order filet mignon and dessert! We were super offended. I mean, you sat them right next to us and offered them the full menu? What is one left to think? I fully regretted my overpriced ($220) meal. I politely complain to the owner but he says oh its the waiter's fault. The whole tone shifts and we alllll get into a yelling argument with the whole restaurant watching us. The owner yelling out: "he makes up his own rules!" And the waiter upset with the owner. Owner kept saying to us: "you should have asked me, not him!" A circus of incompetence? A sad little display of miscommunication? Also, Aquarelle, please don't respond to this complaint w some politesse bs. Like i said when we walked out - never again! Don't come here.
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Katie C.

Yelp
The food is great, fresh, cocktails on point. Our server was super friendly and attentive, and the restaurant itself is quite beautiful, but the ever present bongo player and violinist constantly walking around were a bit much. Maybe some people enjoy that? Not really our cup of tea. Maybe I'd go back for a musician-free evening but otherwise would skip.
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Isaac C.

Yelp
Pretty solid seafood spot! The food is great -- whole fish branzino, raw bar, etc. What really makes this place stand out is the ambiance and the service -- the bartender, Axel, excels at not just mixology, but also in creating a fun and hospitable vibe! A great spot for date night, going out with friends, and even as a neighborhood bar. Would recommend !
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Arielle C.

Yelp
Really sorry to say this but our experience was awful. When we ordered, the server waved us off what we wanted and told us to get a tartar because it was their specialty. The tartar came so oily and flavorless it wasn't worth eating. The branzino had a ton of bones in it even though it was butterflied which made eating it impossible, and the "creamed spinach" was literally raw spinach leaves with cream poured over it. The $17 jardin vert cocktail was not at all balanced and way overpriced. Just a bad experience. EDIT: After I gave Aquarelle 1 star, they invited me and my dining companion to come back with a $150 credit. Below is the new review. Coming back to Aquarelle was interesting. We ordered six things and two of them were actually quite good. Here is a breakdown. 1. Crabcakes: They were okay, not great. The aioli was really overpowering the the crab had no texture. 2. Hamachi Ceviche: Excellent. No notes. Perfectly citrussy, the fish was cured perfectly, and it was so fresh. 3. Grilled Calamari: I was really looking forward to this and unfortunately it was just...not great? It felt really burned, not grilled. The char tasted really bitter. 4. Seafood flatbread: This was fine? There wasnt really any finesse, but it was fine. 5. Grilled whole lobster: Really well done. Great butter sauce. Fries could have been substantially better done, but whatever, when you order the lobster you're not in it for the fries. 6. Linguine with clams: Fine? The pasta was good, the clams weren't really. Did they remember that they had given us a $150 credit? No. Did they ask us to change our reviews once they saw proof of the exchange? Yes, they did. So I write this so you all have full transparency. Overarching comments: The waitstaff needs to be better trained overall. It's a new restaurant, so of course I give them grace, but it's not Really polite for a server or bus boy to ask "all this food is for one table???" loudly in the middle of the dining room. I think the overall problem with Aquarelle is that they're trying too hard to be an influencer haunt (if you couldn't tell by decor and dishes, the plaque outside reads: "Influencers, DM to collaborate") and not hard enough at putting out good, fresh food. Would I go back? No. Should you? Sure - just go in with your eyes open about what you're getting. Try the lobster and the ceviches.
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P T.

Yelp
my friend recommanded this place they have axolotly amazing ambiance and food was on point I want come back because of service
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Lupe C.

Yelp
We had Caesar salad, crab cake, tuna tartar, and hamachi all appetizers were excellent and the service provided was great. The decor is stunning
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Christian C.

Yelp
Love this neighborhood spot with amazing bartenders, food and service I will bring all my friends here
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Katie C.

Yelp
The new IT place for Mediterranean lovers like myself . Decent portions, definitely paying for the ambiance and spirit of the place. Downstairs area as a club !
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Frank C.

Yelp
Dined there before a concert over at Mercury lounge. Very authentic Greek taverna setting with impeccable service and the freshest of seafood.
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Kim D.

Yelp
I'm really excited about Aquarelle new seafood spot in NYC! The East Village is where I want to move next, so I'm thrilled for a new adventure. They have incredible squid ink linguine and shaved Brussels sprouts that I've never tried anywhere else. I'm totally in love with it!
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J D.

Yelp
Awful. We ordered the surf and turf, and a poorly butchered filet minion was sent to us so improperly cooked that it was inedible. Bottom line: If you can't cook a steak, you shouldn't be open. The kitchen said they would send us a new one, but less than five mins later, they sent us back what was clearly the same steak, which looked like it was microwaved and had the same cut marks that we made before we sent it back. The waiter was so lacking in training that he referred to the bernaise sauce that the steak was doused in, as "gravy." The seafood risotto was also abysmal--it was extremely dry and undercooked, nowhere near what a properly cooked, creamy risotto should be. To boot, we asked for a wine list, and the server said the restaurant was "too new" to have one yet and had not printed a wine list, which was odd since we were sitting in front of dozens of wine bottles. When I asked what kinds of wine they had by the glass, he said they had the "usual kinds of wine." This was honestly THE WORST dining experience of my 40+ years living in NYC. On top of that, the restaurant decor is beyond kitsch, and themed like "Pirates of the Caribbean"-so very tacky. It's as if someone transplanted a restaurant from an airport mall and dropped it in the LES. I've had better experiences in those places than I had here--this place needs help. TERRIBLE OVERALL!
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P M.

Yelp
If I can give this restaurant negative stars I would I was there for a group dinner and they had a fixed preset menu and they couldn't get their shit together. Half the table ordered their food got their appetizers entrées and the other side of the table hadn't even ordered their food I left an hour and 10 minutes into the reservation without eating literally stood up and walked out. Shitty shitty shitty place horrible customer service. The manager has no idea the weight stuff have no idea. What kind of cheese is in the seafood risotto. I could not give any negative stars and if I could, I would give it every negative stars in the world this place does not deserve to exist.
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Kelli S.

Yelp
Just ate here for an event hosted by Parlor. Frozen tartare, watery watermelon salad, and over salted scallops with orzo at a price point that did not match the quality. It took me about an hour to get the check and when I did I was overcharged. The only interesting thing about this place is the nautical theme.
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Ezequiel D.

Yelp
Mara and the team at Aquarelle were incredible! She made sure every detail of the Jez Invasion Aftermath Party was handled perfectly, and I didn't have to worry about a thing. Guests were raving about the food--it was delicious and beautifully presented. Hosting my Gratitude Brunch here turned out to be the best choice, and I'm so thankful for the warm service and smooth experience. I'll definitely be back for future events! Oh, and Ricky the bartender rocked!!!

Lauren L.

Yelp
Do not come here if you are gluten free. No one at the restaurant from the servers to the chef understood what gluten free was and despite me explaining what gluten was (they kept confusing dairy and gluten) and confirming 4 times I have a gluten allergy, I was still served gluten with my meal (orzo that was not included on the menu description with the dish I ordered). It is really unacceptable to not take allergies seriously and hope this restaurant quickly learns from this mistake and trains their employees on top allergens.

Isabelle D.

Yelp
I am thrilled to have my show at aquarela! Can't wait for a fabulous show for NYfW. they had the best drinks
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Conner H.

Yelp
I usually don't make reviews, but my friend and I had the worst possible experience here. We were seated for 30 minutes and not a single person came to check on us, ask if we wanted drinks. We weren't even offered water. After waiting for 30 minutes without being checked on once, we just left because I am not going to ask a restaurant to take my money. Save your dollars and don't come here
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Ethan B.

Yelp
The service was very clean and professional. The food came out at the perfect pace and was absolutely delicious. Seafood was super fresh!
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Ashley G.

Yelp
We went here and instantly felt transported to a nautical steampunk fever dream that was destined to be unforgettable. We just weren't sure which way it would go. The fish was clearly fresh given the lack of a fishy smell so at least we knew we knew that. The staff was eager but poorly trained. One woman with an amazing back tattoo was clearly the exception. She was helpful and clearly had experience. The other staff told us that they leave the bones in the fish for added flavor, would make a big show out of pouring water that I had clearly just finished from the bottle and really over explained basic things. Ok... not great sign there but how much can they mess up prawns, creamed spinach and branzino? The spinach was very small for $14 and was really poorly seasoned with cream plopped on after a brief sauté. The prawns were so overcooked they were bone dry and so over flavored I couldn't taste that yummy prawn flavor. Even a cajon style cook would have told this cook to hold back on the seasoning. These were not the butterflied prawns cooked in butter and garlic that was described to me. A bar with a menu would have done better with frozen prawns. We had fun but won't be returning... also not $. This is a $$ to $$$ restaurant. Look this place could turn their fever dream around if they scale back the decor (saw some trapped souls in the portholes), got a chef with some experience... any experience... and trained their staff ...but it is a lot to do. EDIT: after my initial review the restaurant reached out to my friend and offered us a credit to try them again and update our reviews. I have to admit, I was skeptical but the place was fantastic for people watching and the fish smelled fresh so we went for it. We ordered 6 plates and I will admit they were much better. The wait staff is friendly but it feels like someone with a little experience trained them, unfortunately it didn't come off as fine dining service even for a new place. Lots of reaching over food, asking if all the dishes were for us and they made me quite uncertain if they would be food safe with my allergies (seemed to forget and be slightly dismissive). However the food was allergen free (yay) and the ceviche and lobster were wonderful. I liked the seafood flatbread, however the crab cakes and calamari were fine but not worth the calories. My friend said the clam linguini was okay but nothing special. At the end, if you want a fun place to people watch, take photos and get a good ceviche or lobster, this would be a good spot to try. Definitely order the ceviche or lobster if you go.
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Anon G.

Yelp
Everything was so amazing! The food is extremely fresh, the staff is so happy and positive, the ambiance is out of this world, the service was 10/10. Absolutely recommend to everyone. Date night spot to try for sure, no doubt about it.

Sarah M.

Yelp
If I were starving on a desert island, I'd eat sand before eating here again. Let me start with the positives: the place is gorgeous, and the staff? Absolute angels. Our waiter was a gem! Thank you so much for being accommodating and incredibly professional. But then... the food came. First course: octopus and something that looked like a whale carcass -- and tasted like it had washed ashore the night before. Salad: possibly assembled by a toddler on Ambien. Cold shrimp (unseasoned, unbothered) laid sadly atop a pile of whole, untouched romaine hearts still damp from their plastic bag. The "dressing" smelled and tasted like motor oil. By the time the entrees were supposed to arrive, we made an executive decision: no, thank you. Except the risotto. Big mistake. I wouldn't serve this risotto to a bird. It was so undercooked we nearly broke a tooth trying to peck at it. Each grain had the structural integrity of aquarium gravel. It's rare to feel so spiritually let down by a carbohydrate. Verdict: Beautiful place, lovely people... hauntingly terrible food. Come for the ambiance, stay for the therapy you'll need after the risotto. (This review was written by my mom! Posting on her behalf.)

Žan-Klod L.

Yelp
A beautiful hidden Gem in the east village my favourite place to come to, I love it here service is great ambience exquisite and the food is top tier! Worth checking out!

Sasha A.

Yelp
Beautiful interior--so thoughtfully designed and aesthetic. The fish was incredibly fresh. I especially loved the salmon tartare and scallop crudo. The salt-baked fish is brought out tableside and set on fire, which made for such a cool presentation!

B K.

Yelp
Been here several times. Food is ok but the drinks and vibes at the bar are what makes this place special. Axel is a cocktail guru and one of my fav bartenders in the neighborhood!

Lenore K.

Yelp
A beautifully decorated new space with lovely ambiance. The service was initially warm and gracious. Then the waiter disappeared for at least 15 minutes, then returned without more water and finallymentioned they didn't have the liquorhe previously told us they had. The food was good, but not incredible. We got salmon tartar and hamachi service. The acqamellon salad had olives and was disappointing. The side of mushrooms was nice. It's only their first month, so they're probably hammering out their rhythm. I wish them success, though it doesn't seem like the upscale venue vibe fits the neighborhood, unless they really pull it together and it becomes a destination.

Jonah B.

Yelp
I wanted to love this place. I love seafood and this restaurant looked amazing. I live down the street and saw them building the space out for months and waited for them to open. I'm going to give them some credit because every restaurant needs time to figure out their pace, but I was a little disappointed on my first visit. I was one of 4 tables in the restaurant and the food took literally over 1 hour to come out. Table next to me came in 25 minutes after my girlfriend and I and got their food before us. The waiter took almost 20 minutes to get us our glasses of wine. To his credit once he realized the food was taking a long time he refilled out glasses for free. I thought the food was fine, but was a little underwhelmed. The tuna tartare was pretty average and the Caesar salad was honestly not good. It was just big heads of lettuce (not chopped) drizzled with dressing. Chef trying to be overly fancy. The oysters were also not great, i love good oysters and these were small, not shucked great, and it seemed like they dumped the brine out? I'd give the food a 7/10. Overall, I think this place is bringing a different vibe than I was expecting in the neighborhood. Its going for an upscale / fancy, Tao kind of vibe. Seems like they want it to be a "scene". It just feels a little out of place in the neighborhood. On top of this, they are plastering all of their social media, yelp, google reviews, resy etc, with obviously fake AI generated reviews. I really don't like that. The place does not have 300+ 5 star reviews after being opened less than a month when it doesn't even *exist* on Beli yet. All the reviews are cut and paste AI generated in the same structure. That comes off as super tacky. I will try it again in a few months and adjust my score hoping they figure out a few things.

B J.

Yelp
Omg. Nothing disappointed. Ceviche, shrimp cocktail, watermelon salad, squid ink pasta so so delish. Nisa our server was beyond helpful and sweet. Nothing could have been better.

Juliana S.

Yelp
Everything was so yummy! Loved the ambience and the service was great, funny people and restaurant with a heart. We had the flat breads & the pasta. So good

Lisa W.

Yelp
Had a really enjoyable evening with delicious food and even better vibe. The owner had great recommendations and stopped by just enough to make us feel truly welcome (even though we last saw cool a couple of decades ago). Fav starts were hamachi crudo, watermelon salad, shrimp kofta. Also enjoyed the tuna tartare and tomato feta app. Tried Dorado and branzino salt baked. Not sure where yelpers who didn't like these ate- ours were excellent (though filleters (people who fillet?) could use a little practice. ) Squid ink linguini with crab was reportedly great (I'm gluten allergic so didn't try). Had recommended cocktails (gin cucumber something and a slightly tropical one) and wine recommended by the owner- all were perfect choices for us. Desserts were fine but could use more thought- on the other hand I doubt the dozens of model types pouring in beginning at 10 are there for dessert- that was fun too- place was getting busy with a young late night crowd when we left. At table flambéing of the fish and violin were great old schooly touches - though the violin v bar music is a touch confusing. We'll definitely be back. Thanks for a great evening!