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    Aqua

    3.8 (190 reviews)
    PriceyJapanese, Italian, Bars
    Open 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

    Order Aqua Takeout or Delivery

    Aqua Photos

    AQUA ATMOSPHERE

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    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate

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    Recommended Reviews - Aqua

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    Danielle A.

    Absolutely loved Aqua! Went here for a girls nights and ambiance was absolutely beautiful. We had a super attentive waitress that made our entire experience great. I ordered the fried calamari and cacio pepe. The cacio pepe had such a fun presentation! I'll definitely be coming back to try some of the items on the Japanese menu.

    Valentina V.

    I honestly wish my first experience here was not on Valentine's Day , this review is so over due but I'm going to comment bc I know and see the potential of the food on the menu and I know I go back I will have a better dining experience , I personally don't like going out on Valentine's Day especially when they have pre existing dining menu for a day but my s/o really wanted to surprise me since I spoke about wanting to go here , the restaurant is absolutely magical and beautiful and the service was ehhh but I do also understand it was Valentine's Day and how busy it was how we for the price a lot of things that happened were unacceptable . I must have asked several time to my waitress for a new utensil she passed by and kept asking the tables next to me if everything was alright and if she can help them but I had asked twice if I could please have a new fork bc mine had fallen on the floor and she just simply Forgot till I asked someone else and he grabbed in not even one foot away from me -.- ..... I let it go because again hey it's V day there is probably a lot going on especially behind the scenes , the presentstion of the food was exquisite but the food was horrible aside from the tartar meh options which are obvious they are and will be served cold and raw the raviolo was absolutely gross it was cold like if it sat for an hour and was tasteless the only thing I honestly enjoyed was the fried artichoke and I wish I could have just ate that , I didn't eat much but I made due with my time and appreciated being out and able to get a table like I said I wish my first experience wasn't that day but it was I would like to go back to see if I can have a better experience w service and food but I do not recommend any holiday please do not do it I wanted more on the aqua Roma side but the menu for both aqua Roma. And aqua Kyoto was combined so I had no choice w the food options

    Shamario P.

    I completely played myself coming here. Kinda ruined my night for valentines. If you have money to blow just because you're bored, I'd recommend here. I should've know the portion sizes were gonna be smaller than canned food for $35+ each. But what made it worse was with my allergy to eggs, my options were very limited and the chefs were no longer able to make noodles that I was able to eat, forcing me to order something $20 more expensive. Dont get me wrong, the space looked amazing visually and our server was cool but the best part of my experience was the soju and appetizer. The appetizer came with more food than the entree. We literally made a joke saying what if they come out with a single beef rib for $50 and thats exactly what happened. The rib tasted like regular meatloaf. Definitely would not come back.

    Lychee martini
    Ojuolape M.

    I think this restaurant is beautiful, and that's just about it. I wish I had a better food experience here. I don't mind paying for good food, but the food here was not it. The blandness of the dishes was disappointing. I came here for a friend's birthday expecting a great meal, but it turned out to be below average. The waiter was great, but I came here for the food.

    Gnocchi
    Elissa D.

    Super sexy spot perfect for a date night, girls night out or a big celebration. Portions are average and plated beautifully. Service was a bit slow when we went but it's not a place where you want to be in and out of. On saturdays they have a DJ too. Perfect clubby dinner without the noise being unbearable

    Amanda W.

    Went to aqua again with a group of friends and did not disappoint ! I love the flavors and blends of Japanese and Italian in this restaurant. One person in our group did not care too much for Japanese food, which is why the Italian menu was perfect. So I ordered a blend of both worlds ! Only thing to note is that if you make a reservation at Aqua Kyoto there is No Italian menu!! I did not know this. But the host was able to change our reservation to the Roma side which I was happy about ! Will absolutely be back!

    12' Margherita
    Tara B.

    What can I say about this restaurant? The ambience was amazing. Very romantic date night friendly. The service was immaculate. My server Jasmine P shout out to her she was so attentive along with all the other staff. The food was amazing. I have a shellfish allergy so they were very careful and attentive to that which I appreciate will definitely be going back soon.

    Crispy chicken kaarage & Negroni for $20!
    Tien N.

    Great happy hour spot- ambience is so inviting with a posh bar, fun atmosphere, beautiful rope feature and cool lighting. Coat check was available, such a nice touch. Happy hour combo for $20 includes any cocktail + featured food on the bar menu. Negroni and Spicy Tuna Maki Roll for $20? Sign me up! Cocktails and food came out quickly and tasted delicious. My coworkers also tried the combo with crispy chicken kaarage and the calamari. Great deal if sharing too! Definitely recommend Aqua. Hopefully can drop by for dinner next time.

    Amy W.

    gorgeous interior for japanese-italian food! I unfortunately did not takeaway a strong sense of fusion between these two cuisines -- but I thought the Japanese food was delicious! I especially enjoyed the fresh sushi and tempura -- and they had a white fish that was actually the best i've ever had (even better than nobu, IMO). service was fast. it was a very large space, including a private area on the second floor for events. it was pretty empty when I went for lunch, though.

    lobster pizza
    Michelle O.

    Chic flatiron spot. Good for happy hour, girls night out, group gathering etc. Staff very friendly and attentive. My drink pretty tasty love anything with passionfruit Had the lobster pizza not bad. Had a slight bitter taste in the crust. Main reason for my trip the oxtail malfadina. Yummy and enjoyable If area stop in and check out.

    Fried shrimp
    Justin V.

    Partner and I decided to dine here for the first time since we live nearby. The ambiance & esthetic of the venue was very beautiful and classy. However, the servers and hosts were the complete opposite. We asked our server for recommendations and he physically was irritated the entire time. He was rude and unhelpful; he had no taste or class. Food and Service was a match; Service was dry and uninterested, Food was bland and low quality. We will most likely never return.

    Michelle T.

    Celebrated a friends birthday here and we had an amazing experience! Aqua is HUGE and stunning! The decor and ambiance in here is beautiful! I love the really big bar and its decor. We had amazing service from Sophiia Ivanna D. She really went above and beyond to ensure we had a great evening. We wanted to do the "KYOTO TO ROMA SIGNATURE" which is a prefixed menu for $98 per person, but it's served by every two people and it was only 5 of us. Once she explained that we said it was okay and would just go a la carte, but she was adamant she would speak to the owner or manager to see if they would make an exception to accommodate our odd number group, and she was successful. The food and drinks were great! They have some really nice cocktails. I don't think we had a bad drink, though they weren't very strong. The food all came out hot and fresh. They were sure to stagger each course/serving so it wouldn't be sitting and we had time to enjoy and savor each dish., especially because we ordered extra items from the a la carte menu. The only dish from the KYOTO TO ROMA SIGNATURE menu that we didn't like was the Jalapeño miso marinated char-grilled baby chicken. It was very bland and lacked flavor, also the chicken could've been cooked a little more.

    Julie D.

    First proper meal during my 2 week stay. I was walking around with no particular destination looking for 2 things: 1 a tattoo spot and somewhere to eat before getting a tattoo. I was right across the street at the very moment before I hit hangry vibes. I looked across and saw their giant front door so I decided to mosey over. It was a vibe in there. Bless their ac for blasting at full setting. It was hotter than hell outside. I was told the bar was open so I took an empty spot that overlooks the main dining area. One of the bartenders came over to take my drink and food order. He came back a couple minutes later to confirm my drink and get my food order again since he forgot what I had asked for. There were 3 other couples dining at the bar area, but we had way more than enough space separating us that we didn't have to make small talk. My drinks (2) were super refreshing. I started off with the spritz and ended with the red flag. The salt in the second drink was such a nice touch. The spicy tuna was great. And it was included in the happy hour menu. As was the arancini that came first.

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    Tensai

    Tensai

    4.3
    (59 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    I had stopped by this little hole in the wall a handful of times before stopping in several months…read moreago during a cold winter day. The place was pretty quiet, and the staff was friendly. To drink, I had a Hot Organic Super Matcha Tea for 4.95. It was alright tea, and I wish teas were included in the price point, as otherwise, this place feels pretty traditional. In terms of food, I only ordered from the seasonal menu, so I'm not sure how the rest of the dishes are, but from what I had, I would go back for a light traditional meal. My appetizer was the Dashimaki Tamago/だし巻まき卵たま, or sweet savory omelet with daikon for $6.98. This came with three pieces along with a little dollop of grated radish. The pieces had a light sweetness to them along with a bit of savoriness. They were juicy and a bit bouncy while maintaining some softness. This was standard and good. My main dish was the $19.98 Beef Tan Tan Udon, or ground sirloin beef, spicy broth, baby bok choy, kikurage mushroom, scallions, and sesame seeds. While I have preferred udon from spots like Raku, the udon had a mild chew to it, and they were still good. The broth had a mix of sweetness and spiciness with a nice depth of flavor. The vegetables inside tasted fresh, and the meat added some richness. This was good as well. I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to go here, but the food was good. If you're in the area and looking for no frills Japanese dining in a more comfortable atmosphere at pretty decent Midtown East prices, I would recommend this place.

    I recently tried Tensai for dinner during the weekday and enjoyed a nice authentic Japanese udon…read more The restaurant is nestled in Midtown East NY and has several two-seater tables, but only one or two larger tables that can seat a party of 4. Very cozy restaurant and the staff were attentive and friendly. Luckily their service is very fast so my family and I didn't have to wait more than 10 minutes for a table in the back. I really enjoyed their niku udon. The broth was flavorful but not too salty. The menu offered a variety of options, all reasonably priced between $10-20, ensuring great value for the quality provided. I would come back to Tensai for some comforting Japanese udon noodles!

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    Tensai
    Karaage
    Karaage
    Spicy Cucumber $8.98 (Persian cucumber with chili oil, garlic chips and chili thread)

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    Spicy Cucumber $8.98 (Persian cucumber with chili oil, garlic chips and chili thread)
    Sakagura

    Sakagura

    4.2
    (1.9k reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$$$

    This is one of the best izakaya restaurants in Manhattan, and it keeps bringing me back time after…read moretime. The moment you walk in, you're instantly transported to Japan. The décor features light natural wood and bamboo, creating a warm, authentic atmosphere, with an impressive collection of sake lining the wall. The food is outstanding. We started with the seasonal soft-shell crab, which was incredibly fresh and fried to perfection. The daily sashimi special was exceptionally fresh, and the salad was light and refreshing. The must-order Wagyu beef, served on a hot stone, simply melted in our mouths and was unforgettable. Every dish was beautifully prepared, and I enjoyed every single bite. The impeccable service was the icing on the cake. The staff was attentive throughout our meal, making sure we had everything we needed without ever being intrusive. I absolutely loved the entire dining experience and can't wait to come back again!

    We had a really delicious dinner at Sakagura. Some of the real highlights were:…read more- the cucumber salad - the eggplant, which was absolutely to die for - the black cod The Otoro sashimi was also really good. Definitely melt-in-your-mouth quality. The hot udon soup was fine but nothing too special. The hamachi was very good but be aware that it is the hamachi shoulder on the bone, not hamachi sashimi. I tried a sake that is made from red rice, which was really delicious, and my wife had a sauvignon blanc, which was also really good. This is a fun place to try a bunch of Japanese small plates in a nice setting where the tables are not too crowded and the noise level is very reasonable.

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    Lunch Time. Happy Friday!
    Lunch Time. Happy Friday!
    Hot "Inaniwa" Udon
    Hot "Inaniwa" Udon
    Agedashi Tofu

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    Agedashi Tofu
    Izakaya Futago

    Izakaya Futago

    4.3
    (15 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    Food: Average Service: Hurried…read more Ambiance: too dim The price of green tea at $8 each! I don't think this restaurant deserves a standing at this location which offers many authentic Japanese restaurant choices.

    Visited Izakaya Futago on a weekday evening with a friend after a nearby event. It's pretty far…read moreeast (between 2nd and 3rd off Lexington), so it is easy to miss if you are not specifically looking for it. We walked in around 7pm and there were plenty of tables available, but we decided to sit in the separate bar room near the entrance. That space was more intimate, with a couple of larger high-top tables, a small bar (about 4-5 seats), and additional seating along the wall, and there was also a TV. They have a good happy hour with both drink and food options. We both ordered margaritas, which needed a slight adjustment as they were made too sour, and I also tried some sake, which was a good selection. For food, I ordered the fried chicken, which was very good, crispy, flavorful, and a generous portion, served with tartar sauce ($20). We also shared edamame and a couple of yakitori skewers: the shiitake mushrooms ($6) and pork belly ($8). The mushrooms were quite bland and I did not finish them, but the pork belly looked great and my friend enjoyed it. Overall, this is a good Midtown East spot for happy hour or a casual lunch and I would return.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Age Dashi Tofu and marinated quail eggs
    Age Dashi Tofu and marinated quail eggs
    Sushi Spoons

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    Sushi Spoons
    Sozai

    Sozai

    4.3
    (169 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    On our very first day in New York, we had some time before taking the Statue of Liberty cruise…read more We originally had another restaurant in mind, but the timing did not work out, so we searched on Google and found Sozai Japanese Restaurant, which was supposed to be close to our hotel. Google said it was a 10-minute walk. But honestly... was that 10 minutes measured by someone running? It was an extremely hot day in New York, and my family and I were walking there, sweating like we were on a small survival mission. It felt more like 20 minutes or more. By the time we arrived, we were hot, tired, and very hungry. But the moment we opened the door, everything changed. The manager welcomed us with such a bright and warm smile. We told him we did not have a reservation, and he kindly said it was okay and seated us right away. That alone made us feel so much better. As soon as we sat down, we ordered cold beer and highballs. After walking in that heat, that first sip felt like pure happiness. It was exactly what we needed. My sister, my mom, and I each ordered different kinds of donburi, and my daughter ordered tonkatsu. When the food came out, I almost fainted -- in the best way possible. The rice was absolutely amazing. It was perfectly sticky, nutty, soft, and full of flavor. I know this may sound dramatic, but every grain of rice felt like it was dancing gently in my mouth. That was the moment I thought, "This is what good rice should taste like." A good donburi is not only about the toppings. The rice has to be right, and here, it was perfect. The sashimi was incredibly fresh. The texture, the flavor, the quality -- everything was excellent. Every bite made me think, "This place really knows what they are doing." My daughter's tonkatsu was also wonderful. She is a very picky eater, but she kept saying how soft, juicy, and delicious it was, especially with the sauce. When a picky child finishes everything quietly, that is the most honest review you can get. In the end, all four of us completely finished our bowls. Not a little bit. Completely. Clean. Empty. Happy. We told the manager how much we enjoyed the food, and our server was also very kind and explained everything so nicely. The food was excellent, but the warm service made the experience even more memorable. At first, we came here simply because the timing was awkward and it was near our hotel. But by the time we left, we knew we had found a place we would want to visit again. The long, hot walk was absolutely worth it. Sozai Japanese Restaurant gave our family a delicious and happy memory on our first day in New York. If I visit New York again, I will definitely come back.

    Sozai is one of our favorite Japanese restaurants in Manhattan. The food is always fresh,…read moreflavorful, and beautifully prepared, and the drinks are just as good. The service is fast and friendly, making it a great spot for lunch or dinner. It does get a bit loud during peak hours, but that's because it's such a popular place. If you're looking for delicious Japanese food in Manhattan, Sozai is definitely worth a visit!

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    Bar area
    Bar area
    Sake Clam Miso
    Sake Clam Miso
    Black sesame ice cream and red bean

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    Black sesame ice cream and red bean
    Yezo Thai Isankaya

    Yezo Thai Isankaya

    4.8
    (166 reviews)
    1.5 mi

    Never even knew this place existed. As soon as we walked in, to my surprise, we were greeted with…read morecute decor, cozy atmosphere, and even live jazz band. For appetizer, We went adventurous and got the monkfish liver salad - first thought the portion is very small. But to my shock, the sauce is so delicious-- strong, vinegar-y, and spicy - my favorite flavors. Monkfish liver is fishy but very good. I ended up drinking the sauce Entrees: Braised rib massaman, as everyone recommends - best massaman I've ever had so far. Roti is crispy, perfect to go with the curry. seasonal mango branzino - fillets come off of the spine. surprisingly delicious! A little but not too sweet and also savory; again, strong flavor but it works. Better than I expected. E-san hotpot - light in consistency but flavorful dashi. Soup is very nice. Pad thai with salmon - only OK. Service was helpful too: constantly filling our waters, timely clearing dishes, even cooking the hotpot for us. Excellent thai restaurant. Will be back for sure.

    The food quality is OK, but the dining space is quite compact. As for service, it's seemingly…read moretypical of New York's local hospitality standard--yet I found the staff unwelcoming and off-putting. As a tourist traveling with my young child, my kid was severely jet-lagged and briefly closed his eyes to rest mid-meal. Unexpectedly, a server approached to tell us sleeping was not permitted inside the restaurant. I was confused by this remark, though I chose not to engage in any debate or explanation; as a Japanese visitor, I preferred to avoid confrontation. Another point of contention: the restaurant automatically adds a 20% service surcharge to every check, regardless of the quality of service received. This may simply be standard practice for dining establishments in New York, yet I personally cannot accept or agree with this policy.

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    Decorations
    Decorations
    Pad mee yazo (Pat Thai)
    Pad mee yazo (Pat Thai)
    Pat Thai Yezo

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    Pat Thai Yezo

    Aqua - japanese - Updated July 2026

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