Aqua Restaurant and Spa - Duck, NC

Name: Aqua Restaurant and Spa - Duck, NC
Address: 1174 Duck Rd, Duck, NC, United States, 27949
Telephone: (252) 261-9700
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.8

4.8

1267 Reviews

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Top Tags:

Due to limited capacity for indoor dining, please contact us for reservations.
Outdoor seating is available on a first come basis.

The most beautiful waterfront restaurant in Duck on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, offering fresh regional cuisine in a casual yet elegant setting. Now in our 13th season, we applaud our outstanding staff for their commitment to providing an exceptional experience for every AQUA guest.

Our Chef creates exquisite specialty dishes using locally caught fish and seafood, locally farmed seasonal ingredients, and all-natural meats. Carefully chosen innovative wine, craft beer, and cocktail lists perfectly complement Chef’s savory creations. Our desserts are made in house from the freshest ingredients, so it’s okay to try all of them!

Gorgeous sunsets, live music, and good times with friends and family make AQUA the place where delicious food and beautiful memories happen.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 30, 2023

7:00 PM

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Seafood
Hours of operation
Lunch Wed–Sun 11:00 am–2:00 pm Bar Mon, Tue 4:00 pm–8:30 pm Wed–Sun 11:00 am–8:30 pm Dinner Daily 4:30 pm–8:30 pm
Phone number
(252) 261-9700
Website
http://aquarestaurantobx.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Cory Bryant
Private party facilities
Overlooking the Currituck Sound, with an amazing view. Sunsets light up the sky every evening. Waterfront decks and bar provide an unforgettable event on the water, in the quaint village of Duck on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Typically, private events are not available April thru October. Please contact for prospective availability.
Private party contact
Event Coordinator: (252) 261-9700

Location
1174 Duck Rd, Duck, NC 27949
Neighborhood
Duck
Cross street
Route 12 North
Parking details
Parking in front of restaurant and across the street. Overflow allowed at Scarborough Faire Shops.
Entertainment
Live music on our waterfront deck in season performed by local artists in a variety of styles.Select weekends during the off season we bring live music into the bar.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,267 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

4.6Food
4.8Service
4.8Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Coastal North Carolina
Good for groups
Coastal North Carolina
Hot spot
Coastal North Carolina
Great for fine wines
Coastal North Carolina
Great for scenic views
Coastal North Carolina
Lively
Coastal North Carolina
Contemporary American

1,267 Reviews

H
Hopkinslax
Greater Boston
57 reviews
vip
5.0
57 reviews
Dined on July 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is our one must visit restaurant on the outer banks Always great food and wonderful service. Seafood is fresh and presentation is beautiful. Busy but comfortable atmosphere conducive to table conversation. Don’t miss this place.
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L
Laur285
New York Area
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on June 25, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience3
The hush puppies were insanely overdone and they claimed that is how they are cooked
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PS
PauletteS
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our fish was prepared perfectly, tile fish was the special that day. Everyone enjoyed the meal. Servings were small for some of our guests. Not quite as filling. Would have liked to know so we could have ordered appetizers. For them.
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R
Rnpemp
Richmond
24 reviews
vip
4.0
24 reviews
Dined on June 9, 2023
overall4food3service5ambience4
Our family ate here while on vacay & overall it was s good meal. I ordered the Tito Frresco to drink which was great and the crabcake was decent, it was slightly dried out. I would give this place a soild 8/10. We would probably return.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 7, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Great hospitality, very professional, consistent food
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P
Paladin
New York Area
157 reviews
vip
4.0
157 reviews
Dined on June 2, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Totally a very good experience. Food , service, consistent nice atmosphere. Valerie an excellent server. All good.
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PE
PatriciaE
Richmond
85 reviews
vip
5.0
85 reviews
Dined on May 31, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our server Aerin was awesome! Very friendly, had us well taken care of. The Flu shots were amazing, as always, our favorite drink. We had the bang bang shrimp tacos and the turkey panini sandwich, both delicious. These are the reasons we keep coming back to Aqua, great food and service! As always, looking forward to next time!!
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D
Dawn
Washington DC
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on May 25, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Tops on everything
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p
pamkoko
Los Angeles
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on May 25, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Aqua is our go-to restaurant to always have a great meal with a lovely sound side view. We love to see Lucy hard at work behind the bar and our waiter was great despite the amount of people he had to serve that night . I believe his name was Bryan. We will go back next week! The Kokomoor's
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d
dms11
Washington DC
126 reviews
vip
5.0
126 reviews
Dined on May 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Our party of seven had seven different dishes and every one of them was great...as were the desserts, especially the peanut butter pie and chocolate torte. And our server made excellent recommendations as well. One of the best restaurants in OBX for sure.
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LB
LoriB
Greater Boston
14 reviews
vip
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on May 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This was by far our best dining experience in Duck N C. The decor & atmosphere were well done. The food was exquisite. The service was spot on . Outstsnding.
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JR
JohnR
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
This was an outstanding meal. All three courses exquisite.
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L
Lynn
Charlotte
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our service was awesome and the food was even better! We sat near a window and had a nice view of the sound without too much sunlight. My husband and I highly recommend Aqua and will be back on our next visit to OBX!
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OT
OTFan
New York Area
28 reviews
5.0
28 reviews
Dined on May 18, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
A very good dining experience with attentive service.
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DB
DonnieB
Wilmington
26 reviews
vip
5.0
26 reviews
Dined on May 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Spicy shrimp appetizer was great. The tuna special was outstanding. Great service.
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LP
LarryP
Greensboro
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on May 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Calamari appetizer was very good. Bigeye tuna entree with sea scallops was excellent. Service was friendly and prompt.
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MS
MichaelS
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food, service, and ambience was very good. Prices are climbing!
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G
Gherk
Philadelphia
40 reviews
vip
5.0
40 reviews
Dined on May 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our server Brian is awesome , the food and drinks were top notch , great place
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LE
LizE
Richmond
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 10, 2023
overall2food4service2ambience3
This was our favorite restaurant when we came to Duck but unfortunately I won’t be back. They ended happy hour (“Covid”is over now) and they told us when we sat down that we had to order everything all at once bc that was what the chef needed to make his life easier. There was hardly anyone in restaurant on a Wednesday and it was not during summer tourist season (May). We ended up just ordering appetizers and a drink and left since we couldn’t enjoy apps first bc we had to order all at once. Not the classy restaurant I remember from the good old days. Look, I get restaurants are having a hard time but so are people and when on vacation we still want to have a nice time when we spend the little money we have left from this recession. Sad, but this is where all good restaurants seem to be headed in this new America.
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CS
CandiceS
Richmond
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 5, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Valerie was amazing as she helped us celebrate our wedding anniversary. Her service was perfectly timed with each visit and the food was excellent. Judy,manager, stopped by to greet and welcome us as it was our first visit. Wonderful experience, we'll be back the next time we're in Duck!
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DG
DarrylG
Washington DC
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on May 4, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had great service, food and outdoor views! We will be back!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
7 reviews
vip
3.0
7 reviews
Dined on May 3, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience2
Service was rushed. The appetizers came in 5 minutes. Entrees were at the table as we put forks down from appetizers. Portions were small when compared to other local restaurants in the same $$$ range. Dishes were tasty but not exceptional. Overall a disappointing experience. We passed on dessert.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Denver
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 3, 2023
overall5food5service3ambience5
Great place. Service was slow (mostly at the beginning we waited fifteen minutes just to get originally greeted and drink orders) but we kind of noticed things can be a slower pace here so might have been that.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Raleigh
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 28, 2023
overall4food5service4ambience2
The food is outstanding, but it was so loud we couldn't hear each other talk.
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VB
VickiB
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Dinner was awesome and our server Brian was excellent. He was very knowledgeable of the menu and made great recommendations! We were so happy when they seated us at a window- we would have had a great sunset view but it was cloudy :( My husband tried Duck for the first time and I had the Filet- both were delicious. Our cocktails were excellent and the Peanut Butter pie was SO GOOD!
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A
Annf
Washington DC
11 reviews
4.0
11 reviews
Dined on April 27, 2023
overall4food3service4ambience4
Nice atmosphere and live music was lovely- service good. Apps , drinks and salads on point- entrees not as good. Overcooked dry chicken and gummy gnocchi. Seafood pasta was better. I would stick to the seafood entrees next time.
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G
Ginny
Richmond
8 reviews
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on April 23, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Great view and good food as always! Highly recommend this restaurant.
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SB
StephanieB
Richmond
21 reviews
vip
3.0
21 reviews
Dined on April 22, 2023
overall3food3service4ambience2
My sister and I ate here last night. This is a mixed review. I've here several times and always enjoyed my experience. We started with the Street Corn Calamari, which was awesome and the smokey sauce drizzled over it really made the dish. We both had the Shrimp & Grits. Admittedly, it was the Chef's own take on a classic southern dish, that really missed the mark for me. I would not order it again. The shrimp were cooked separate. The shitsito pepper drizzled overpowered everything -- I couldn't tell if the grits had cheese or not. We were seated by a couple large groups, so it made it difficult to hear ourselves talk. I know that is outside the restaurants control, but it did take away from the experience. All that said, I will happily go back!
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A
Apex
Orlando
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on April 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
A great atmosphere and the truffle fries are the best I have ever had!!
Is this helpful?
TD
TomD
Washington DC
35 reviews
vip
5.0
35 reviews
Dined on April 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Aqua is our favorite restaurant in the OBX. Brian, our server, was outstanding. He attended to all of our needs without being over bearing. The Puppy Drum fish special was one of the best meals I have eaten. Excellently prepared and very tasty. If you haven’t done so, you must try Aqua. You won’t be disappointed. And the sunset is the best.
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LC
LCsabresfan
New York Area
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on April 13, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience4
Food was wonderful and service was good. Very nice view. Would definitely dine here again!
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BM
BillM
New York Area
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on April 8, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Food and service were exceptional. Would definitely go back
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KS
KeithS
New York Area
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on April 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Terrific spot, with a great staff and food. Great views of the water too.
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C
Cevcpa
Baja California Sur
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on March 31, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Salads were awesome. Had Caesar and Arugla salads. Service was superb
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KG
KathieG
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 29, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Do not skip going to Aqua when in Duck. We started with the savory soups..red pepper and crab and corn chowder. Both were delicious. Our entrees were superb. Don’t miss the salmon and the tuna. To finish we enjoyed the raspberry sorbet. Our server JB was very attentive and gave excellent recommendations.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Kansas City
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on March 29, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
We have always wanted to try aqua and we’re not disappointed. The food and drinks were delicious and the service divine!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
5 reviews
1.0
5 reviews
Dined on March 23, 2023
overall1food3service3ambience1
68th birthday! Even noted that in reservation. Got there early and got shoved in a corner to stare at a wall. I asked for better table and was snottily refused. Then one lady later says it’s a great table. Right. I’m paying same price for crappy table with views of walls as people with sunset views. I’ve traveled a lot, been places all over globe. This was totally shoddy treatment ruining my birthday dinner! No thanks!!! Really crappy management as far as I’m concerned. Did anyone look at the reservations or can’t they read?
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WE
WEJjr
Washington DC
33 reviews
vip
5.0
33 reviews
Dined on March 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Visiting a friend nearby….enjoyed our brunch , service and server, Aerin!! Fabulous!
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CL
CliffordL
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Outstanding restaurant. Friendly staff, delicious food and such a great view. Will definitely come back!
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GD
GaryD
Wilmington
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Everything was very good. The exception was one group that was quite loud, especially with some laughs.
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers

FAQs

Aqua Restaurant and Spa - Duck, NC is rated 4.8 stars by 1267 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 30, 2023

7:00 PM

Google Map for Aqua Restaurant and Spa - Duck, NC

1174 Duck Rd, Duck, NC 27949

Additional information

Cross street
Route 12 North
Neighborhood
Duck
Hours of operation
Lunch Wed–Sun 11:00 am–2:00 pm Bar Mon, Tue 4:00 pm–8:30 pm Wed–Sun 11:00 am–8:30 pm Dinner Daily 4:30 pm–8:30 pm
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Seafood
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Parking in front of restaurant and across the street. Overflow allowed at Scarborough Faire Shops.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Cory Bryant
Entertainment
Live music on our waterfront deck in season performed by local artists in a variety of styles.Select weekends during the off season we bring live music into the bar.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://aquarestaurantobx.com/
Phone number
(252) 261-9700
Private party facilities
Overlooking the Currituck Sound, with an amazing view. Sunsets light up the sky every evening. Waterfront decks and bar provide an unforgettable event on the water, in the quaint village of Duck on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Typically, private events are not available April thru October. Please contact for prospective availability.
Private party contact
Event Coordinator: (252) 261-9700

Aqua Restaurant and Spa - Duck, NC

Make a reservation

Additional information

Menu

What 1,267 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing

FAQs

How is Aqua Restaurant and Spa - Duck, NC restaurant rated?

Is Aqua Restaurant and Spa - Duck, NC currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information