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Aqua Restaurant, Beaufort, NC

Aqua Restaurant

4.8
4.8
2804 Reviews
$30 and under
Contemporary American

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 1 time today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
**Only in Beaufort, NC** Executive Chef Jon McGregor’s menu is created to bring you the freshest seasonal items available presented with a creative touch. Aqua’s small plates offer you an exciting array of tastes in
"just right” portions, ideal for passing around the table or enjoying two or three as a full meal. Aqua’s Big Plates feature the freshest local seafood and premier meats, as well as local produce. Aqua prides itself on offering fresh, local products and supporting our local fisherman and farmers.

Enjoy our upscale bar offerings, including specialty cocktails and expansive wine list.

Enjoy your experience in our Dining Room or on our comfortable, breezy screened-in porch. Please take care to select the dining area of your choice when making reservations.

We can’t wait to serve you soon. Cheers for now!

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Fusion / Eclectic, Seafood
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu 17:30–20:30 Fri, Sat 17:30–21:00
  • Phone number
    (252) 728-7777
  • Website
    http://www.aquaexperience.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Jon McGregor
  • Location
    114 Middle Lane, Beaufort, NC 28516
  • Area
    Beaufort / Morehead City
  • Parking details
    Private Parking
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

We welcome you to experience Aqua, where we believe dining out should be both memorable and fun. Executive Chef Jon McGregor and Chef de Cuisine Hannah Minter are proud to use local seafood, meats and produce wherever possible, including: Blue Ocean Seafood, Bogue Sound Seafood, Merrell Farms, and Harlowe Custom Micro Greens. Our wine and martini lists are created with the same focus on the unexpected. Tonight, dine with a curious spirit and experience Aqua!

tapas

  • french toastUSD 9.00

    Grand Marnier-vanilla bean battered, house cured bacon, chai maple syrup

    • tuna poke*USD 9.00

      marinated fresh local tuna

      • egg rollUSD 8.00

        pulled pork, kimchi, gochujang

        • boursin and chevreUSD 9.00

          housemade boursin cheese, chevre croquettes, toasted lavosh, citrus-fig preserves

          small plates

          • local catch

            designed daily by our chef, market price

            • grilled petite filet*USD 28.00

              CAB Beef tenderloin, veal demi glace, truffle dusted gratin potatoes

              • seared crab cakeUSD 26.00

                lump crabmeat, citrus chili aioli, sauteed spinach, leeks, mushrooms, stewed lentils

                • ravioliUSD 27.00

                  boursin filled house made pasta, colossal lump crab panned in butter, lobster cream

                  • shrimp & grits provencalUSD 26.00

                    roasted tomatoes, citrus beurre blanc, house cured bacon, creamy grits

                    • seared local tuna*USD 26.00

                      rare curry seared local tuna, soba noodle salad, traditional accompaniments

                      • stuffed trumpet mushroomUSD 20.00

                        truffle duxelles, chevre, celeriac-cauliflower puree, crispy kale

                        big plate

                        • sea and shoreUSD 46.00

                          CAB beef petite filet, veal demi glace, smoked gouda mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables. choice of local catch

                          • seared crab cakeUSD 45.00

                            • grilled shrimpUSD 38.00

                              • two large sea scallopsUSD 46.00

                                • noodle bowlUSD 43.00

                                  sauteed shrimp, rare curry seared local tuna, two large sea scallops, coconut chili broth

                                  • beef bourguignonUSD 41.00

                                    slow braised boneless beef short rib, confit fingerlings, pearl onions, parisian carrots, roasted tomatoes

                                    salads

                                    • saffron poached pearUSD 13.00

                                      arugula, chevre, whiskey-vanilla bean walnuts, fig vinaigrette

                                      • kaleUSD 13.00

                                        kale, napa cabbage, mint, carrot, fennel, peanuts, miso-fennel vinaigrette

                                        sweet endings

                                        • aqua’s signature crème brûléeUSD 14.00

                                          huge Madagascar vanilla bean crème brûlée

                                          • chocolate mousseUSD 11.00

                                            our pastry chef’s creation of the week

                                            • bananas fosterUSD 12.00

                                              bananas, caramel, brown butter cake, vanilla bean ice cream

                                              • baklavaUSD 10.00

                                                toasted nuts, crisp phyllo, caramel, tonka diplomat cream

                                                • dessert samplerUSD 28.00

                                                  choose a sample of three of the above house made confections

                                                  add to any dish

                                                  • CAB petite filetUSD 25.00

                                                    • crab cakeUSD 23.00

                                                      • local catch (market)

                                                        • grilled shrimpUSD 13.00

                                                          • two large sea scallopsUSD 23.00

                                                            Last updated: 18 January 2025

                                                            What 2,804 people are saying

                                                            Overall ratings and reviews

                                                            Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                                                            4.8
                                                            4.8 based on recent ratings
                                                            • 4.8Food
                                                            • 4.8Service
                                                            • 4.7Ambience
                                                            • 4.6Value

                                                            Noise • Moderate

                                                            Loved For

                                                            • Coastal North Carolina

                                                              Innovative

                                                            Review summary

                                                            AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                            Aqua Restaurant in Beaufort is a standout dining spot with "outstanding food," "exceptional service," and a "relaxing atmosphere." Guests rave about the "amazing crème brûlée," "heavenly petite filet," and "creative craft cocktails." The attentive staff, including noted hosts like Quinton and servers like Ayesha, enhance the dining experience, making it a "favorite go-to" for many.

                                                            2,804 Reviews

                                                            1. Brenda

                                                              Wilmington

                                                              24 reviews

                                                              5.0

                                                              24 reviews

                                                              Dined 2 days ago

                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                              2. Food 5
                                                              3. Service 5
                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                              Excellent food and service. We tried a new item being offered, the beef bourguignon. It was rich, tender, and wonderful.

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                                                            2. Jeff

                                                              Wilmington

                                                              6 reviews

                                                              5.0

                                                              6 reviews

                                                              Dined 3 days ago

                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                              2. Food 5
                                                              3. Service 5
                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                              Had a date night with my beautiful wife! We enjoyed the tuna, cheese plate, pear salad, and of course… the big plates with tender steak. I chose the crab cake with mine and my wife had the grilled shrimp. We ended our delicious dinner with the creme brûlée! We live in Beaufort and always enjoy our Aqua dates!

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                                                            3. Michael

                                                              VIP

                                                              Raleigh

                                                              1 review

                                                              5.0

                                                              1 review

                                                              Dined 4 days ago

                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                              2. Food 5
                                                              3. Service 5
                                                              4. Ambience 4
                                                              We had the grouper special and it was delicious! And the serving size was just right!

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                                                            4. jessamine

                                                              Wilmington

                                                              20 reviews

                                                              5.0

                                                              20 reviews

                                                              Dined 6 days ago

                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                              2. Food 5
                                                              3. Service 5
                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                              Aqua is ALWAYS consistently delicious, with great service and most friendly staff and service. This is the best of Beaufort, for sure.

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                                                            5. Cathy

                                                              Naples

                                                              15 reviews

                                                              4.0

                                                              15 reviews

                                                              Dined on 12 January 2025

                                                              1. Overall 4
                                                              2. Food 4
                                                              3. Service 4
                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                              Although Aqua has always been one of our favorite restaurants in the area, we left feeling let down. We had been looking forward to some of the dishes we previewed on Aqua's website. Unfortunately, the majority of them were not offered on the restaurant's current, somewhat limited, menu. (Our server laughed it off and simply said the website menu was "out of date"). That said, my grouper (the seafood special) was good, although consistent with the 'small plate' offering, it is quite a small portion. The pork egg roll tapa was overcooked and a bit tough. The Seafood Noodle Bowl was truly disappointing. Small portions of scallops, shrimp, and tuna are served swimming in broth - making the dish more like a big bowl of soup than a 'noodle bowl'. Hardly worth the $41 price. Serving it with chopsticks will remain a mystery. Overall, Aqua's former excellence has been replaced by dishes that don't quite live up to their reputation and seem overpriced. In short, there are many excellent restaurants to choose from in Beaufort. It will be a while before we return to Aqua.

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                                                            6. Lynda

                                                              Charleston

                                                              20 reviews

                                                              5.0

                                                              20 reviews

                                                              Dined on 11 January 2025

                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                              2. Food 5
                                                              3. Service 5
                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                              We LOVED our experience tonight! Husband had the Banana Bread Old Fashioned and I had The Rendezvous. Both were great! Catch of fresh grouper was scrumptious. Service from Susan was efficient and perky. Will be back!

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                                                            7. Matthew

                                                              Raleigh

                                                              1 review

                                                              5.0

                                                              1 review

                                                              Dined on 1 January 2025

                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                              2. Food 5
                                                              3. Service 5
                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                              Wow! This was our first time to Aqua and it did not disappoint. It is now our favorite restaurant in the area. The food was outstanding (pear salad, egg roll, French toast, crab cakes and steak…..ALL 10 out of 10), service was great and it has a very nice atmosphere. My husband had one of their specialty drinks, which was very good. With much regret, we did skip what looked to be amazing desserts and will get next visit. We can’t wait to go back!

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                                                            8. Victoria

                                                              VIP

                                                              Orlando

                                                              1 review

                                                              5.0

                                                              1 review

                                                              Dined on 1 January 2025

                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                              2. Food 5
                                                              3. Service 5
                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                              Wonderful! Our server Ayesha was incredible, and the tapas were outstanding!

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                                                            9. Porter

                                                              Raleigh

                                                              2 reviews

                                                              4.0

                                                              2 reviews

                                                              Dined on 28 December 2024

                                                              1. Overall 4
                                                              2. Food 4
                                                              3. Service 4
                                                              4. Ambience 4
                                                              They have amazing crème brûlée and the waiters were very  friendly. Definitely coming back ❤️ 💧

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                                                            10. Jeannette

                                                              Raleigh

                                                              11 reviews

                                                              5.0

                                                              11 reviews

                                                              Dined on 27 December 2024

                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                              2. Food 5
                                                              3. Service 5
                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                              The petite filet was heavenly. Service was excellent. Good value for the price. Have eaten at three other restaurants in the area for the same price point this week and the food at Aqua is hands down the best.

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                                                            FAQs

                                                            Aqua Restaurant offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (252) 728-7777.

                                                            Aqua Restaurant is rated 4.8 stars by 2804 OpenTable diners.

                                                            Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                                                            Make a booking

                                                            2 people
                                                            7:00 pm
                                                            Booked 1 time today

                                                            Order delivery or takeout

                                                            Google Map for Aqua Restaurant

                                                            114 Middle Lane, Beaufort, NC 28516

                                                            Additional information

                                                            • Area
                                                              Beaufort / Morehead City
                                                            • Hours of Operation
                                                              Dinner Tue–Thu 17:30–20:30 Fri, Sat 17:30–21:00
                                                            • Price
                                                              $30 and under
                                                            • Cuisines
                                                              Contemporary American, Fusion / Eclectic, Seafood
                                                            • Dining style
                                                              Casual Dining
                                                            • Dress code
                                                              Casual Dress
                                                            • Parking details
                                                              Private Parking
                                                            • Payment Options
                                                              AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                            • Executive Chef
                                                              Jon McGregor
                                                            • Additional
                                                              Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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