Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Aqua Restaurant

    4.0 (521 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:30 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Services - Aqua Restaurant

    Venue rental

    Aqua Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    AQUA RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Live music

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Aqua Restaurant

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Daily Fish Special
    Jared W.

    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.

    Duck wings that were amazing!
    Kassie W.

    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!

    Creamy Warm Crab Dip and AQUA s Bangin Shrimp
    Wael D.

    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.

    Prime views
    Danielle P.

    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.

    Creamy Warm Crab Dip
    Allen A.

    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.

    Mediterranean Seafood Pasta
    Chris L.

    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.

    Southern Gentleman

    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!

    Wild Caught Scottish Salmon
    Neha A.

    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.

    Dirty Duck Martini , AQUA s Signature Sweet Corn and Crab Soup, Ceviche
    Brittany W.

    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.

    Tuna Special
    Jeff W.

    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.

    Indoor water view

    See all

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Angela W.
    0
    826
    5133

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ted G.
    5000
    629
    2468

    1 year ago

    Helpful 12
    Thanks 1
    Love this 13
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Paul K.
    105
    54
    18

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lisa K.
    1
    104
    2

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mimi N.
    1
    134
    7

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

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

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jeff W.
    211
    673
    2779

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of M S.
    0
    9
    0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

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

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    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

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Art C.
    308
    2818
    1928

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Drew B.
    4
    226
    567

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    Page 1 of 14

    Ask the Community - Aqua Restaurant

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Seafood 502 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    NC Coast Grill & Bar - Steamed mussels

    NC Coast Grill & Bar

    4.1(463 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    What a great place. It is bright and airy. They do have outdoor seating and even though it was 55…read moredegrees with a 25 mph wind, there were people eating on the deck. Our waiter, Carlos, is great. Smiling, friendly and polite and makes great recommendations. My husband had the fish and chips (salt and vinegar). I had the gumbo and a side of sweet potato fries. So really good. My husband also had the Screwball expresso martini. Wowza!

    NC coast has a great view of the sound. We were seated quickly upon arrival and discussed dietary…read morerestrictions (pork) with the waiter. He was initially warm and as we ordered, asked that he let us know if we inadvertently selected a dish containing pork. The dishes arrived with astonishing speed. The Caesar salad had some unidentified fried object on it and when I asked the waiter, he let me know it was pork rinds. He did not acknowledge that it was an error and flippantly suggested I remove them. I asked for a plate to put them on. The waiter's demeanor turned cold after this (what I considered innocuous) exchange. Regarding the dishes, everything was beautifully presented and arrived hot and fresh at our table. I would not recommend the fried cauliflower as it was very bland with some chili sauce splashed over top. The scallops were very well prepared however. NC Coast is a nice spot for a special meal, especially with the view. Just hope the service is more consistent with other guests.

    Photos
    NC Coast Grill & Bar - Sitting outside

    Sitting outside

    NC Coast Grill & Bar - Delicious  tuna appetizer

    Delicious tuna appetizer

    NC Coast Grill & Bar - Patio view

    See all

    Patio view

    Aqua Restaurant - seafood - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...