Aqua Restaurant
If you're ever in Beaufort, NC, and craving a delightful dining experience, Aqua Restaurant should be at the top of your list. Nestled at 114 Middle Ln, Aqua offers a relaxed yet trendy vibe that makes it perfect for a casual night out or a special gathering with friends and family. The restaurant's ambiance strikes a balance between moderate noise levels and a welcoming atmosphere, with both indoor and outdoor seating options to suit any preference.
Aqua is known for its diverse menu, offering dishes that cater to a variety of tastes. If you're a seafood lover, you can’t go wrong with the Cast Iron Seared Crab Cake – perfectly cooked with a crispy outer layer and tender inside. Another must-try is the Seared Tuna, a dish that will transport your taste buds with its fresh, delicate flavors. For those who enjoy a great steak, the Grilled Petite Filet is a standout choice, offering the right balance of tenderness and seasoning. The Caprese Salad provides a light, refreshing start to your meal, while the Poached Pear Flambé offers a sweet, elegant finish that's sure to impress.
The restaurant's layout is well-suited for groups, making it a great spot for celebrations or casual get-togethers. Aqua Restaurant combines a modern setting with delicious dishes and a warm, inviting atmosphere, making it a favorite in Beaufort. Whether you're sitting outside on a beautiful day or enjoying the trendy indoor space, you'll feel right at home.
Reviews
Aqua is a fine dining experience in Beaufort. The dishes are visually appealing and very tasty. Service was excellent. A great selection of desserts. The inside ambiance is understated classy.
Beyond excellent service and delicious food! Every single dish we had from tapas to big dishes were just so flavorful and delicious. And the service was just wonderful. I wish I remember her name but she was so sweet, knowledgeable and attentive. Highly recommend this place if you're in Beaufort. Try the shrimp and grits or catch of the day (grouper today). They do not disappoint.
A phenomenal eating experience in beautiful downtown Beaufort! Aqua is an artfully decorated, top quality, small plates kind of experience just one street off the main drag in the center of town. At first, you might be questioning where you're going, but sure enough you'll find Aqua tucked away next to the "Backstreet Pub" on Middle Lane. Reservations are definitely recommended, as this is not an especially large place, and the word has for sure gotten out about the incredible food you'll find here. To be up front, it's not an inexpensive place to go. But, and for those who know me that know I don't say this lightly, everything here (with rare exception) was worth it. The food is phenomenal. Everything from a simple salad, to the various small plates and mains, nothing was a let down on pure flavor or presentation. Even the complimentary Focaccia bread was something we couldn't get enough of, served with high quality olive oil and balsamic. Cocktails were also exquisite, and those that ordered them were treated to a feast of the tongue and eyes. I wanted to do the 47 Ronin, but sadly, they were out of one key ingredient! As far as small plates, we got a nice collection spread around the table. Multiple caprese salads because each couple wanted their own, a seasonal classic that didn't disappoint. Amazing hummus with chips that was also a great value, and artichoke hearts that were lightly panko fried. While that final item was delicious, it felt like a terrible value for two artichoke hearts, four would have been more appropriate. For mains, I had the shrimp and grits provencal, and this was an absolutely perfect decision. First, the grits themselves were perfectly rich and creamy, the kind of grits that if this were a person's first grit experience, they are sure to love them. I could have put back a bowl three times this size, but I felt the portion was quite good. The shrimp were large, plump, and cooked just right with a nice seasoning level. The tomato basil relish, citrus cream sauce, and bacon bits provided balance and little flavor bombs throughout. I don't think I'll be able to visit again without ordering this. My wife had the sea and shore, mainly for the shore part which was a CAB filet with a demi glaze that was spot on. For the sea part, she handed over to me her filet of red snapper, not a full filet mind you, but regardless, again, cooked to perfection. The gouda mashed potatoes that served as a bed for this delight were almost as good as my grits. The seasonal veggies were an excellent compliment. We used the bread to mop the entire plate, just like with the grits. We passed on dessert, already quite full and satisfied with the meal, plus we all had a taste for ice cream to be procured later. I would absolutely return to Aqua for future meals, and recommend it to anyone looking for a date night spot, special occasion, or just any reason to have an excellent eating experience.
Absolutely adorable retro looking restaurant. The food was amazing and the wine was a very generous pour, very generous!!! As for our waiter we had to have someone track him down twice but it was very busy. I would go back for sure. We both had the surf and turf dish and we split the Creme Brule
A fantastic dining experience. We loved the tapas and small plates. Service from the call for our reservation, arrival, and food and wine service was excellent and well informed. The food is expertly prepared and delicious. We shared a tuna tapas dish, the kale salad, seared tuna, and Cast Iron Seared Crab Cake. While every dish was fantastic, the Crab Cake was exceptional. We had hoped to have the local catch, which sounded wonderful, but they were out of the dish. Their large wine list and thoughtful advice resulted in a wine that was exactly what we wanted. This dinner stands above all our meals in Beaufort. Reservations are highly recommended.