Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Aquavit

    4.2 (988 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndScandinavian
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Aquavit Photos

    Business Info

    AQUAVIT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Upscale
    Quiet
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Aquavit

    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

    Jennifer N.

    One of my childhood friends was in town so naturally he wanted to check out a Michelin restaurant since our hometown doesn't really have many. We did the chef's tasting menu and from the first bite, it was SO good. Everything had such creative flavor profiles and unique combinations. The cocktails were also really good, we're not usually a fan of mescal but they had a mescal cocktail that was out of this world! Probably the best mescal cocktail we ever had. Highly recommend getting that. My friend at one point ordered the Dirty Monk and it was hard for us to drink cause it was so strong. We could tell it was good for what it was so if you enjoy martinis, that is your drink. Service was very attentive and not try too hard like how some fancy establishments can be sometimes. Overall, it is definitely worth two michelin stars and would recommend to anyone who wants to feel transported back to Scandinavia. They also gave us a little gift at the end which I didn't expect!

    Hisa V.

    One of my favorite restaurant in NUC for years! Great service, doesn't go wrong. Birds near desert is a legend .

    King salmon
    Ashley C.

    The first two-star Michelin star restaurant I ever went to. The service and presentation of the food definitely stood out. As well as the alcohol list they had on iPads. But the food didn't impress me aside from dessert. The environment and some of the food felt sterile too. I made a reservation for lunch a day before because I wanted to try the tasting menu. The restaurant was surprisingly empty and all the people inside were seated far away from each other. The cost was surprisingly reasonable. None of the entrees impressed me other than the Béchamel sauce with fish. No fancy restaurant worth its salt would screw up a classic mother sauce like Béchamel sauce though. The bird's nest dessert was so impressive that it deserves its own paragraph on this review: It was worth the extra twenty dollars. The princess cake was mediocre and my SO ended up enjoying my bird's nest dessert more instead.

    Michael C.

    Service was good and staff were nice. Kind of a weird vibe when you walk into the dining room, feels like people (staff included) were just staring at me when I was being seated. The food was overall just okay--didn't live up to what I expected coming into the meal. Nothing stood out as memorable for me. Courses felt on the more bland side, and the bread course definitely completely missed the mark. Really wish this one left a better impression on me.

    Lucy D.

    We arrived for lunch and the restaurant was quiet with a good flow of people. I enjoyed the open kitchen, letting you get a glimpse of the chefs hard at work. We opted for the 3 course prix fixe menu to sample more variety, which may be only available during lunch (?) Butternut squash soup - exactly what you'd expect, creamy and subtle Matches herring - a bite including everything savory herring, creamy potato and rye crisp is heavenly Swedish meatball - tender meatballs with a good bouncy texture, the creamy puree goes well with the slightly acidic lingonberry sauce and pickled cucumber Wagyu short rib - a miss for us, short rib had a tough exterior and a tad bit stringy interior. We were expecting tender and melt in your mouth bites. These cubes definitely give you a good chew. Arctic Birds nest - Very artistic presentation, bites of rich goat cheese parfait mixed with tart berries, I loved the experience Princess cake - fluffy cake paired with marzipan and raspberry jam, delicately sweet, a good end to the meal Overall a great experience, attentive service, would come back again to try their tasting menu

    Aram L.

    Wanted to try somewhere nice to spend our anniversary and the holidays so grabbed a weekend dinner reservation right at open. We were greeted on entry for coat check and led to our table. The service was great and as you'd expect from a fine dining experience. All the folks that helped us at our table were prompt, friendly, and present without being overbearing. We don't often have Scandinavian cuisine so the food itself was a pleasant surprise. Delicious all around with great flavors across the board. Even the desserts were very nice. Beautiful restaurant that had subtly holiday spirited accents for the season and intimate lighting. Great experience overall and definitely worth dining at.

    Foie gras
    Tiffany L.

    Food was amazing! Unintentionally came for their valentines day menu so I think I didnt get to try a lot of their regular Scandinavian dishes, so I definitely want to come back to try that. But everything I tried was delicious. I will say the layout of the space could be improved as a 2 star

    Broth
    Emily K.

    The best restaurant I've ever been to hands down!! The atmosphere and service is amazing. I loved how you could see everything going on in the kitchen. Every single course was fantastic and so unique. The attention to detail was phenomenal. My absolute favorite course was the birds nest. I have never tasted anything like it. The "snow" was so neat. I will dream about this restaurant for the rest of my life.

    Sorbet

    I did the Chef Tasting Menu. All the courses were great but the stand out is definitely the dessert. The Artic Bird's nest is the best fine dining dessert in NYC. Every protein was perfectly cooked. I'm not a fan of elk but the elk tartare was delightful and not gamey. Service was good but had slip ups. They forgot remove the cup before the amuse. Highly recommended restaurant for those new to Scandinavian fine dining.

    Lobster
    Holly C.

    This is more of a 4.5 star review and it is for their bar seating since it was a last minute dinner plan. We've dined at their main dining room previously and throughly enjoyed it and was thrilled to find out they also offer a la carte service in their bar area. We came on a Sunday night at 7pm and the bar area was quiet; we were seating right away. Their menu was still expansive and offers many choices for you to choose from. My husband and I decided to each order a 3 course meal of different dishes so we can share and the following are what we ordered and my thoughts on each dish: CHILEAN SEA BASS CROQUETTES: comes with 5 little bite size croquettes, perfectly fried and crispy without being too oily. It was piping hot when it came out and there were a good amount of sea bass chunks inside. The citrus onion aioli helped bring out the freshness of the fish and also balanced out the greasiness. CHILLED CORN SOUP: creamy yet refreshing. A very strong con flavor with corn puree with an added texture. It was paired with a danish which was warm, buttery and flaky. It's the perfect soup for a hot summer day. SHRIMP SKAGEN: this was something we ate a lot while we were in Copenhagen and I'm so glad this one is just as good. The shrimps were fresh and sweet, refreshing and citrusy and paired well with their brioche, which was buttery and crunchy. SOFT SHELL CRAB: unfortunately, this was my least favorite dish for the night. it was crispy but I found it a little too oily. The sauerkraut wasn't sour enough for me to balance out the grease. I would skip this dish next time. ATLANTIC COD: this dish is not the most aesthetically pleasing to the eye but it was very aromatic when it was brought out to our table. The fish itself was extremely moist, tender and flaky; something that's difficult to achieve with cod. The greens gave it some crunch and the yuzu broth was flavorful and refreshing. This was one of our favorite dish. LOBSTER: presented beautifully. The lobster itself was succulent and buttery. The bisque was rich, smooth and creamy without being too heavy. This is also a very solid dish. RHUBARB MILLE FEUILLE: refreshing built with various ingredients offering different texture within a bite. The Mille feuille was crunchy and buttery uniquely paired with a rhubarb gelato which provided a subtle hint of sweetness. We enjoyed this dessert very much. STRAWBERRY PROFITEROLE: I loved the combination of this dish. The profiterole was light and airy, filled with strawberry sorbet which was refreshing and sweet. It was also topped with oolong tea cream and candied ginger which balanced out the sweetness of the other ingredients. When you eat everything together, it was the perfect harmony of flavor and texture. I would come back for this dessert. Overall, this was a solid meal. Our server was very friendly and attentive price is also very reasonable. This is a great option if you want to go out for a nice meal but don't have the time to sit through their tasting menu.

    Sam E.

    At the risk of sounding pretentious: this is a great starter to your fine dining journey! The staff is super accommodating and friendly. I had the distinct pleasure of being the rare few customers who did not show up on in the reservations system despite having a confirmation email and the staff was flummoxed, but also nice in handling the error. I did the three course prix fixe and it was surprisingly enough food to keep me filled for hours. To start there was a roll with an onion forward butter. The Matjes Herring was briny and salty. The Ora King Salmon was so tender! Yet yielded a crispy skin. And the veggies surrounding it gave it a nice, fresh component. I ordered a fig and cardamom aquavit to accompany my lunch and...boy oh boy I can see how the Icelanders survive the winter. The aquavit leaves such a warmth in your chest after every sip. Would recommend if you're looking for a unique drink. To be honest; I was a little disappointed with the flavoring of both dishes. And maybe it's my high expectations but, I wanted more complex flavors. Something to wow me. Both dishes gave off primarily salt, dill and butter. Which are not bad! But I craved more. The absolute favorite moment of my day was the artic birds nest dessert. Not only is it absolutely gorgeous but it hits every single dessert flavor note you can dream of: creamy, crispy, sweet, tart, floral and chocolately. This dish has it all and it all compliments each other perfectly. If every dish were as complex as that dessert, I would've been a happy camper! With a drink, dessert, and tip, my lunch ran about $130, which was not bad for Michelin rated fine dining. Overall, I think if you want to test the fine dining waters, give Aquavit a try! But if you've been to any other fine dining experiences in the city, aquavit may lack!

    Danyang Z.

    Bird nest dessert and the langostine course were the standouts. Overall pretty solid!

    Darya S.

    We've been to Aquavit 3 years in a row for our wedding anniversary celebration, and we look forward to going back forever! We love it here so much. The level of consistency cannot be beat. The service is fantastic. Each bite makes you roll your eyes to the back of your head and scream "oh my goodness," because you think it's the best bite of food you have ever had, and then you have another one and it just keeps getting better. I love how unique it is relative to everything else you can find in the city, in terms of the type of cuisine it is and the way they fuse each ingredient together. I love the little goodie bag they give you with the fancy finishing smoked salt and the meal's menu. I love how carefully crafted each dish is. It is overall an absolutely beautiful experience and if you are looking for something different and upscale to celebrate a special occasion, I highly recommend Aquavit.

    See all

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kyle A.
    8
    113
    1373

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 3
    Photo of Samuel C.
    2
    27
    125

    15 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Darya S.
    1448
    3362
    3249

    5 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    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 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joe D.
    1045
    985
    1790

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bunny L.
    0
    152
    38

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M O.
    3
    47
    2

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Adam B.
    319
    550
    2419

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    The finest Scandinavian food I have ever had. Incredible service and atmosphere. A beautiful space.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of K M.
    1
    327
    836

    8 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Ann T.
    23
    18
    20

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 25

    Aquavit Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Aquavit

    They have non alcoholic beer and wine options or non alc cocktails that aren't too sweet as I have a guest in my party that can't drink alcohol and as we get into Dry January looking to moderate myself?

    They offer a few non-alc cocktails on the menu but I can't speak for the flavor/sweetness level since I didn't try them.

    Hi Does anyone know if Aquavit has reopened? Their homepage is not active, and it is not possible to make reservations online

    No they are gut renovating the place, still under heavy construction

    View All 3 Questions

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Scandinavian 4,944 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Smør - CORN FRITTERS

    Smør

    4.5(252 reviews)
    2.3 miEast Village, Alphabet City
    $$

    I posted this review on February 28, 2026, but it somehow got deleted…read more "This is a cute place. It's rather inconspicuous. No flashy signs or neon lighting; the name of the restaurant is simply painted on the side of the building, but hidden a bit by the umbrellas and outdoor seating. The vibe inside is chill. Tonight's playlist included Sza, Clairo, and Kali Uchis. Everyone in the restaurant appeared to be in their 20s and 30s. There was one waiter who also served as the host and bartender. Additional staff was preparing food in the back. The interior of Smør is small. It's like a café. There were three booths for four people each, three small metal tables for two people each, and the bar could seat four people on stools. We had a reservation for 6:30 pm. Several people came by and inquired about eating inside, but all that was left was exterior seating. I ordered the Danish hot dog. The remoulade was light and tasty, the onions were crunchy, and the pickles were fresh, but not sour. The hot dog had a great snap and the bread tasted homemade. Wonderful textures going on with this. I'd get it again. My husband got the Swedish meatballs. He said it was exactly what he wanted it to be. A great dish for a winter evening. The pancakes are amazing. Swimming in butter and topped with whipped cream and lingonberry sauce. The best thing I've tasted this month. If you come to Smør, get the pancakes; they were the best thing I've eaten this month."

    We weren't able to get a reservation but went ahead and stopped by Smor on a Sunday afternoon. Not…read moresurprisingly there was a wait which ended up being a half hour for a table. Smor is probably the smallest restaurant that I have been to and they try to make the most out of the space (there are tables outside which help provide much needed additional capacity weather permitting). Had the Hangover Sandwich (meat was a little dry but the sandwich was good overall) with a side of excellent Salt & Pepper Fries and the Pancakes (very good) with a side of Smoked Salmon.

    Photos
    Smør - Interior of Smor

    Interior of Smor

    Smør - DANISH HOT DOG

    DANISH HOT DOG

    Smør - WHITEFISH TOSTADA

    See all

    WHITEFISH TOSTADA

    Nordic Preserves Fish and Wildlife Company

    Nordic Preserves Fish and Wildlife Company

    4.6(38 reviews)
    3.0 miLower East Side
    $$

    We came here for something else and accidentally stumbled upon Nordic Preserves Fish & Wildlife…read moreCompany. Looking at their displays, they had an amazing selection of salmon, herring, cod, pickled beets, tomatoes and more. We decided to try their "Lock, Stock+Barrel" sample of 4 different salmon w/ condiments, pickles, raspberries and crackers. You can get a choice of 3-5. Our choices were their Artisanal smoked, Pastrami Cured smoked, Togarashi smoked, and Norwegian smoked. The condiments were a mustard and dill sauce. The salmon was melt in your mouth good! So good, you didn't need the sauces. We did taste both and liked the mustard. Didn't use much of it though. The winner was the Norwegian smoked for both of us and for me, the Togarashi and Pastrami Cured were tied at 2nd. The two people behind the counter were great! Very helpful and made our experience sitting at the counter a fun time! I will be coming here anytime I crave smoked salmon!

    My friend and I were walking around the Essex Market before a nearby dinner. We saw Nordic…read morePreserves and noticed that they brilliantly had a perfect snack sized gravlax cup. Couldn't pass that up! Their shop was immaculate and had an awesome selection. The gentleman working in the shop was friendly and professional. The gravlax cup was delicious, fresh fish, crème fraiche, and an excellent bread crisp. Perfect way to get a taste of Nordic Preserves. Would certainly return!

    Photos
    Nordic Preserves Fish and Wildlife Company - Nordic food stand

    Nordic food stand

    Nordic Preserves Fish and Wildlife Company
    Nordic Preserves Fish and Wildlife Company - Interior

    See all

    Interior

    Aska - Langoustine

    Aska

    4.5(196 reviews)
    3.4 miWilliamsburg - South Side
    $$$$

    We don't dine out often, so when we do, it really means something. Dinner at Aska was exactly the…read morekind of extraordinary experience we hope for when we choose to treat ourselves. My husband and I have been feeling a bit of Europe withdrawal lately, and Aska absolutely hit the spot. The ambiance, the precision, and the thoughtful pacing all brought us right back to the kind of refined dining experiences we've missed. The tasting menu was comprehensive and beautifully curated. Each course felt intentional and distinctive, yet the progression never felt overwhelming. While the meal wasn't rushed, it also didn't drag on endlessly -- the pacing struck that perfect balance, allowing us to savor each dish without fatigue. From start to finish, it was an incredible evening and a reminder of why special-occasion dining can be so memorable.

    4.25 stars. This is assuredly a high end experience that appeared to incorporate numerous…read moreinfluences outside of Aska's Nordic focus. You'll enjoy the minimalistic chic decor, the open kitchen, the excellent service, and of course the food. Let's talk about that last part since you're going to spend a pretty penny if you go here. Like all tasting menus, there will be some variance although certainly there are some dishes that often are the "star" of the proverbial show. I'm not going to mention everything, but here is what stood out: Sea Oak: This is the first item we received, and it kind of looks like a colorful edible twig. There were purple and yellow hues and true to its name it tasted like a fresh dip in the sea. Apparently, they use algae and blue mussels to make this dish. It's fun and creative and a great start to your meal. Caviar: This one looked like a dark cupcake with the base made from kingfish and eel while the top was absolutely overflowing in what was clearly a super high end caviar (certainly memorable at least to me). This was a stunning visual with extraordinary taste. Claw: This dish looks nothing like a claw. Instead, rounded wheels resembling lotus root are flavored with rose and berry. Gently stuffed inside you will find langoustine claw meat. This had really strong Indian flavors and was highly enjoyable. Custard: This was like the Nordic version of chawanmushi except this savory custard was dollops of trout roe, seaweed, and exhibits a strong seafood broth flavor. Hake: This was the best preparation I've ever had of the fish. The sauce is somewhat indescribable to me, and yet what really stood out is the absolute perfect texture of the fish. The restaurant is fairly well know for their hake and it's easy to see why. Quail and Venison: Both of these dishes were well prepared meats that actually served as perfect boats for the incredible mushrooms accompanying both meats. After eating this dish, I could see why Aska is confident enough to boast a full vegetarian tasting menu. Those mushrooms were among the best items of this entire meal. Pear: I really hope they keep this on because this light pear dish accented with cardamom and copious amounts of butter was an absolute delight. Again, the dish exhibited relatively strong Indian flavors and may have been my favorite dish of the entire evening. Why not five stars? At this price point, I would expect every dish to hit and there were a couple that just didn't for me (not too many but a couple). It was probably a bit too seafood heavy for me and I think I prefer omakase if I'm going that route. I will say that the tasting menu, the service, and atmosphere are all wonderful and a worthy overall experience. I'm definitely glad I was able to visit.

    Photos
    Aska
    Aska - Langoustine - Grilled tail of langoustine from Norway with red gooseberry and a sauce of its caramelized shell

    Langoustine - Grilled tail of langoustine from Norway with red gooseberry and a sauce of its caramelized shell

    Aska - Milk & Whey - Caramelized whey and milk sorbet with grass-fed cream and meadowsweet cordial

    See all

    Milk & Whey - Caramelized whey and milk sorbet with grass-fed cream and meadowsweet cordial

    Fabrique Artisan Bakery - Bun Cardamom

    Fabrique Artisan Bakery

    4.4(359 reviews)
    2.2 miMeatpacking District, West Village
    $

    First cardamom! Didn't know what to expect but it somehow exceeded my expectations. The bun was…read moreairy yet with a nice bite, perfectly sweet & sticky, and gone in 60 seconds. The best little midday pick me up in the city. Staff was a delight. Inside it's warm & cozy, and I could imagine adding a hot cup of coffee to my order only would've elevated my quick stay.

    Ok guys here's my eclectic opinion on this spot…read more It's a small quaint spot, but a nice vibe to sit in the back & chill or meetup w/ friends. It's also a very busy spot. Note: Order boxes of these delicious buns & cakes for Office events, House parties, Bridal Showers, Birthdays , Home on weekends drinking tea or coffee etc. I ordered (4) buns. Two Cardamoms very moist & tasty with a hint of bergamot. I may be wrong but the taste is very exotic w/ out loads of sugar like most bakeries. I'm diabetic so that's important to me. The other (2) were the Brown sugar & Walnut, again very tasty & the cinnamon bun. All yummy but we all have our preferences. So, if you haven't been yet you need to patronage this spot you won't regret it. Plus, constant patrons coming & waiting on line to place orders. Awesome! says a lot. I'm never impressed with the size of a place, but the influx of foot traffic & cleanliness. Friendly staff! I've visited Malmo, Sweden & it's nice to know when I have guest visiting I can buy good pastries from here to impress w/ out the sugar rush. I recommend this spot, it's trendy.

    Photos
    Fabrique Artisan Bakery
    Fabrique Artisan Bakery - Custard Bread w. Small Cappuccino

    Custard Bread w. Small Cappuccino

    Fabrique Artisan Bakery - Mocha (~$6)

    See all

    Mocha (~$6)

    Aquavit - scandinavian - Updated May 2026

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