Since 2008, we have applauded our outstanding staff for their commitment to providing an exceptional culinary experience in our casual setting you're sure to be comfortable relaxing in. Gorgeous sunsets, live music, and good times make AQUA the place where delicious food and beautiful memories happen year-round on the Outer Banks.
Our lunch menu has a selection of soups, salads, sandwiches, seafood, and more. At dinner, Chef creates exquisite specialty dishes using local-caught fish and seafood, locally farmed ingredients, and all-natural meats. Carefully chosen innovative wine, craft beer, and specialty cocktails perfectly complement Chef's savory creations.
Our lunch menu has a selection of soups, salads, sandwiches, seafood, and more. At dinner, Chef creates exquisite specialty dishes using local-caught fish and seafood, locally farmed ingredients, and all-natural meats. Carefully chosen innovative wine, craft beer, and specialty cocktails perfectly complement Chef's savory creations.
Services
Arugula, watercress, shaved fennel, sliced strawberries, toasted sunflower seeds, goat cheese. Tossed in a mulberry vinaigrette. A great alternative to hummus, using roasted eggplant and seasoned with sumac spice. Topped with olive oil, Aleppo pepper flakes, and sea salt and served with fresh watermelon radish chips.
Our signature flourless chocolate torte with chocolate covered pretzels, salted caramel, caramel corn, and creme anglaise. Topped with a toasted Meyer lemon meringue and served with a mint anglaise and dusted with a strawberry powder. A dome of peanut butter semifreddo with graham cracker crust, banana chips, and a Concord grape gel.
AQUA Restaurant is the perfect venue for your special occasion. Our diverse waterfront location and design offers a magnificent view and amenities that appeal to a party of 15 to 100. AQUA Spa is the perfect complement to your wedding day. Our waterfront spa offers a wide variety of relaxing pampering and beautifying bridal services designed to add to your Outer Banks Wedding memories.
Reviews (20)
Art C.
Dec 27, 2021
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Finally a restaurant we actually had time to visit. And of course we sat outside at the hottest time on the hottest day in weeks. But it was all good.
The views over the water were wonderful, my fish and chips were sublime, the shrimp was plump, and the fish tacos were excellent. The cocktails we had just added to the happy feelings (though, in all honesty, they weren't great).
Would we return? Come'on...
The views over the water were wonderful, my fish and chips were sublime, the shrimp was plump, and the fish tacos were excellent. The cocktails we had just added to the happy feelings (though, in all honesty, they weren't great).
Would we return? Come'on...
Louise Shelton-Clark
Dec 24, 2021
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Danielle P.
Dec 20, 2021
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This place was delicious! The shrimp and grits was an enjoyable dish. Plus, the salmon was very tasty and even though the quinoa & pea combo was weird sounding at first, it actually wasn't that bad. Although, one out of the three of us that got the salmon ended up having what we think was food poisoning later that night. The sorbet and ice cream were also very good!! And Paige, our server, was very nice and had an amazing memory of the menu and the dishes!
Jeanne Hamilton
Dec 15, 2021
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Keenan T.
Dec 05, 2021
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Aqua is a laid-back, relaxing waterfront restaurant with a spa upstairs. My parents and I came in looking for lunch after a tasting at the nearby Sanctuary Vineyards. Our server was Aerin. She was great. The hostess was busy and was not very friendly to us. My mother wasn't impressed by her. The food was another story. We got Mahi fish tacos and a mushroom swiss burger to share among the three of us. The portions were perfect. I want to thank Aerin for her excellent service.
Lindsay Newton
Nov 23, 2021
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Coming in the off season can sometimes be a miss for a restaurant, but this place was wonderful. Our server CJ was so nice and helpful. I got the fish of the day (tuna, freshly caught), how can you pass that up?! I also got a side of the maple cheddar grits, and my friend got the shrimp and grits. FANTASTIC. Tuna was perfectly cooked and amazing. We also got a couple of dessert martinis and we were grateful that the bartender did not skimp on ingredients.
Ted G.
Oct 10, 2021
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Walking into this contemporary restaurant felt like walking into a spa. The waterfront patio seating was ideal for the temperature and comes with one of the most unique menus I have seen in in quite a while.
Although we were only interested in a light lunch, which basically consisted of Caesar salads, we will be returning to try the truffle mac and cheese, that sounds absolutely amazing! Of course after the salads arrived, I was glad we didn't order anything else, those salads were much larger than I anticipated.
One thing we did not take advantage of but will next time were the large
Although we were only interested in a light lunch, which basically consisted of Caesar salads, we will be returning to try the truffle mac and cheese, that sounds absolutely amazing! Of course after the salads arrived, I was glad we didn't order anything else, those salads were much larger than I anticipated.
One thing we did not take advantage of but will next time were the large
Steve W.
Sep 25, 2021
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My wife and I were traveling through Duck and wanted a Bloody Mary while overlooking the water. Being not from this area, we struggled with finding waterfront restaurants. With the help of Yelp, we landed upon Aqua. It's a nice contemporary space with ample outdoor dining. It was perfect!
We called an audible and decided to eat lunch in addition to the Bloody Mary.
Erin was our server. She was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive...the key traits of a great server.
We got that Bloody Mary. It was crafted perfectly. We started with the bang bang shrimp. Lightly battered and fried, topped
We called an audible and decided to eat lunch in addition to the Bloody Mary.
Erin was our server. She was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive...the key traits of a great server.
We got that Bloody Mary. It was crafted perfectly. We started with the bang bang shrimp. Lightly battered and fried, topped
Cathie Bales
Sep 22, 2021
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A lovely high end restaurant in Duck with awesome sunset views on the sound. Reservations for 3 were impossible to get on a Saturday evening when we visited. There is limited outside seating, but it proved to be a little too hot about an hour before sunset.
We did enjoy drinks and an appetizer in the air conditioned bar. The restaurant was only half full with empty tables for 2 or large parties of six. Seating options should be reviewed to accommodate more parties
There was seating outside and live music. The sunset views are worth the trip to Duck. However most of the shops along the boardwalk
We did enjoy drinks and an appetizer in the air conditioned bar. The restaurant was only half full with empty tables for 2 or large parties of six. Seating options should be reviewed to accommodate more parties
There was seating outside and live music. The sunset views are worth the trip to Duck. However most of the shops along the boardwalk
James Peters
Sep 04, 2021
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Great location with views overlooking the sound. My wife had the lobster fettuccine and I enjoyed a seared tuna over veggies. Both were delicious. Worth the visit for the seaside atmosphere! Parking lot is small. This restaurant starts the Duck boardwalk which is great for a before or after dinner stroll.
David W.
Aug 28, 2021
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Restaurant was amazing. We are outside on the patio and there were fans to create a breeze and keep it as cool as possible which was nice.
The food was great, awesome crab and corn soup and some great crab dip to start. Every dish got rave reviews- Salmon, lobster Fettuccini, Filet, and Tuna.
The waiter was extremely attentive and friendly. This may be the best restaurant in Duck, NC
The food was great, awesome crab and corn soup and some great crab dip to start. Every dish got rave reviews- Salmon, lobster Fettuccini, Filet, and Tuna.
The waiter was extremely attentive and friendly. This may be the best restaurant in Duck, NC
Kris Thomas
Aug 18, 2021
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Cassandra P.
Jul 22, 2021
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Food was good! Admittedly I didn't have a reservation but they were able to get me in and told me upfront they needed the table by 715. I was appreciative that they accommodated me and my three year old. Bread was delicious. I ordered the tile fish and it was good! A bit earthy with the wild rice but all in all good. She ordered the kids buttered noodles which I was a bit apprehensive for $13 but they were an awesome noodle perfectly cooked and she gobbled it up (considering she only eats marinara on pasta!). They added a side of tomatoes for her and it was perfect. Service was prompt and
Christopher R.
Jul 16, 2021
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16 Jul 2021.
Enjoyed a delightful lunch at the Aqua, outdoor seating. The waiter was attentive and delightful with her customers.
Drinks: I had one alcoholic drink called the Frenchman. The taste was pleasant and it had strong enough alcohol. For me it felt a bit weak but I was informed I have a high tolerance.
Food:
Crab dip: You can taste the crab in the dip but it was not as strong as it should be. The cheese layer on top was not needed. The base felt like it was missing something to really bring the dip to a win. Overall it was better then average.
Banging shrimp: battered and season
Enjoyed a delightful lunch at the Aqua, outdoor seating. The waiter was attentive and delightful with her customers.
Drinks: I had one alcoholic drink called the Frenchman. The taste was pleasant and it had strong enough alcohol. For me it felt a bit weak but I was informed I have a high tolerance.
Food:
Crab dip: You can taste the crab in the dip but it was not as strong as it should be. The cheese layer on top was not needed. The base felt like it was missing something to really bring the dip to a win. Overall it was better then average.
Banging shrimp: battered and season
Christine Cohen
Jul 01, 2021
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Josh Willits
Jun 17, 2021
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Excellent dining experience in Duck. If you don't have reservations, show up early. By 5:45 it was a 2+ hour wait. Food and atmosphere was great. We had drinks and apps - charcuterie plate and bang bang shrimp, which was fantastic. For dinner we had crab cakes and the fresh caught tuna special and we were all very pleased. Highly recommend.
Daniela H.
May 17, 2021
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Outstanding view of the sea and sunset. Great customer service. Nice ambiance and decor.
The food is good, well thought, modern, and nicely garnished.
We loved their fries, what a piece of art! We devoured them along with their yummy hummus, funny presentation but that was secondary as it tasted really good.
I had the lobster fettuccine and it was a mess. I appreciated that the pasta was homemade but I got thick lumps of pasta on my plate, like if the cook had some trouble with it during the cooking process and couldn't keep the fettuccine separated from one another. So I ended up with
The food is good, well thought, modern, and nicely garnished.
We loved their fries, what a piece of art! We devoured them along with their yummy hummus, funny presentation but that was secondary as it tasted really good.
I had the lobster fettuccine and it was a mess. I appreciated that the pasta was homemade but I got thick lumps of pasta on my plate, like if the cook had some trouble with it during the cooking process and couldn't keep the fettuccine separated from one another. So I ended up with
Monica P.
Jan 28, 2021
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I was visiting friends for a few nights (October 2020). One day my friend took me around the area. We stopped here for lunch - one of her favorite places. I can see why.
Great menu with a lot of variety! Lovely views on the terrace.
I had the shrimp tacos, which were excellent, along with a glass of wine. My friend ordered the poke bowl (I can't remember if it was the tuna or salmon), also a glass of wine.
I wish I lived closer (I'm in Wilmington) to enjoy this place more often. Until the next time I visit my friends....
Great menu with a lot of variety! Lovely views on the terrace.
I had the shrimp tacos, which were excellent, along with a glass of wine. My friend ordered the poke bowl (I can't remember if it was the tuna or salmon), also a glass of wine.
I wish I lived closer (I'm in Wilmington) to enjoy this place more often. Until the next time I visit my friends....
Jack Miller
Jan 08, 2021
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Cody Eagle
Jul 14, 2020
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The staff were great and friendly plus this restaurant was simple and easy to find. Plus having it right on the water means that you get the nice breeze from the sound. Plus you can get some awesome sunset shots from outside the place. If your looking for good food and good service definitely give this place a try you can’t go wrong here.
