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Aquavit

Scandinavian Restaurant and Café$$$$

Midtown East, New York

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Aquavit

8.5^/10

332

ratings

Ranked #2 for a prix fixe menu in Midtown East
The folks at The Corcoran Group and The New York Times like this place. Would you agree?
"fantastic as was the Swedish meatball & gravlax."(5 Tips)
"Their prix fixe lunch menu is great!!!"(10 Tips)
"... perfect, a truly "Michelin star" experience."(4 Tips)
"Swedish meatballs with lots of aquavit"(3 Tips)

103 Tips and reviews

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Lori LuoAugust 11, 2014
One of the best dining experiences in NYC, Aquavit's Chef's Tasting Menu will take you on an unbelievable journey with dishes such as the Beet Gravlax, the Winter Dashi, and Arctic Bird's Nest.
Upvoted Mar 8
Isa SierraAugust 13, 2017
Not exaggerating when I say that this is one of the best meals I've had in NY. Ever. Try the chefs special menu. These 11 courses are an incredible journey through their seasonal dishes. Great wine.
Chad HornerFebruary 4, 2017
one of the best dining experiences you can find in New York. i would recommend the chef's tasting, over the seasonal menu, if you only plan on doing this once
Denis SosnovtsevOctober 25, 2020
Great. Highlights were the shaved freeze dried foie gras (pic) and the bird's nest dessert. And I'm not usually a huge fan of either. Lowlight was the Tame Impala playlist on repeat the entire night.
Andrei KryssovDecember 6, 2018
Horseradish (housemade) and Caraway (imported) from Denmark were fantastic Aquavits. Get a flight and top it off with the lingonberry.
naveenFebruary 4, 2018
Been here 5+ times
update: they still remember me! make sure to chat up Joey at the bar. to drink, start with two of my favorite aquavits: cucumber and mango chili. the venison & truffles and the duck are amazing.
refinery29August 3, 2014
Try the Arctic Bird's Nest: The star of this dish is a goat cheese parfait that's shaped like an egg and includes a "yolk" made of sea-buckthorn, golden-hued berries from a Scandinavian shrub. Read more
Bokyung ParkFebruary 20
Aquavit originally means a Scandinavian distilled liquor, usually as an aperitif. The bread was so good I ended up ordering twice. Given the delicacy of the food, it deserves a Michelin two-star.
The Food SlutsAugust 20, 2012
Awesome, precisely prepared, exquisitely plated Scandinavian food. We loved the Nordic seafood with butter-poached lobster, seared diver scallops and Montauk squid ($40). Read more
Renaud #February 2, 2020
We enjoyed the 3-course meal priced at $115 with bread, and pre-dessert. Service was excellent. Pictured below: cod 🐟 with brussels sprouts, leeks, dulse seaweed
refinery29August 3, 2014
Try the summer tasting menu with beverage pairings. Cardamom-infused Aquavit Manhattans, foie gras, gravlax and an assortment of modern takes on Scandinavian cuisine. Read more
AmateurConciergeSeptember 30, 2015
Beautiful space, very accommodating staff, but the food (at least in private dining) was not up to Michelin 2 star standards. Salad decent, halibut uninspiring, aquavit more gimmicky than exciting
Jean MarieNovember 15, 2014
Everything at this two Michelin place was delicious. It's a Scandinavian restaurant and the food was served with a smoky aroma that tasted exquisite. Try the Aquavits as well. Those are a much try.
Michael TiffanyAugust 25, 2017
The food is good, but I've always had an exceptionally great time at the bar. House-infused aquavit is great straight up or mixed into brilliantly balanced cocktails.
P-LO LouisMarch 29, 2013
Been here 10+ times
Joey Joey Joey-he's an amazing bartender. He knows my special (Spiced Mango Margarita) but tonight he's going to make me try something different he created (Cucumber The Vibrant) :-)
Staff PicksOctober 17, 2014
Go to this Scandinavian restaurant for lunch and get the shrimp toast and the Swedish meatballs with lots of aquavit, of course. Read more
Idem YalinMarch 28, 2015
while all variety is at its best in NYC, Aquavit is the Scandinavian of them, a good reproduction of the original food
Untapped CitiesAugust 18, 2017
Aquavit (actually a type of wine native to Scandinavia) offers an extensive menu including dishes like Shrimp Skagen, Scandinavian Bouillabaisse, and Smoked Trout. Read more
n gSeptember 12, 2012
Absolutely phenomenal private dining experience with impeccable service. Steak tartare was the best I've had; rye was fantastic as was the Swedish meatball & gravlax. Fav dessert: vanil panna cotta!!
Katurah ToppsMay 29, 2014
The herring app and the meatball entrees are meh, good at best. But the lamb tartar app- AMAZING! -> will FOR SURE have it again. Friends had/MUST try AGAIN the gravlax app and scallops main.
MelissaAugust 7, 2017
Lunch-only vegetarian version filled with mushroom duxelles, pan-fried and anointed with chanterelles, lingonberries, and brown-butter foam.
The Corcoran GroupApril 21, 2011
A beautifully designed restaurant with impeccable service. Check out their daily bar specials – we like the Oysters & Champagne or the Sliders & Beer.
Gavin LewisMarch 29, 2016
This place is a bomb! Everything was simply perfect. From the food to the ambiance, it just superb! Highly recommend.
Andres ZirlingerMay 14, 2017
Incredible experience. Some bites are strange for the American palate but interesting to taste nonetheless. Great for special occasion
Sune KaaeOctober 30, 2010
Go Sunday for the buffet. On Saturdays, get the Herring Sampler, Swedish meatballs, Smoerrebroed (gravlax, shrimp skagen, salmon). Be sure to get egg with Kalles Kaviar on the side. Drink Danish Mary!
Amy RobertsonMay 22, 2015
Come hungry! The tasting menu is a delightful as it is filling.
Brandon PerlmanApril 21, 2019
“Those morels were dope. I haven’t felt this way about a tasting small plate dish in a long time. And I can’t believe this wine...”-Jen
Seth GordonDecember 5, 2010
Great meal at Aquavit last night... Red Deer Carpaccio absolutely sublime. But that said, for 1/2 the price I'd just as soon go to Vandaag for dinner. Value/Price Ratio not quite worth it.
Village VoiceNovember 21, 2013
You must try the Swedish rendition of glögg which is brewed with figs, cardamom, and bourbon.
ChloeDecember 6, 2023
Very good food and memorable shrimp with dill. Walked in.
Diego RufoApril 5, 2011
Aquavit has two areas: a more affordable cafe at the entrance and a much more expensive dining area. Do not hesitate to eating at the cafe: the experience it is pure Aquavit and you will save money. Read more
The New York TimesJuly 21, 2010
You’re not here for fusion food, pal. Get the herring plate, a Carling and a shot of aquavit. Some sweetbreads to follow, a piece of char. Skohl!
Mimi PlangeJune 4, 2010
The Chef's tasting menu is to die for!!! But gents you do need a jacket but if you don't have a jacket and they like you enough they might find 1 that fits you perfectly in the restaurant'closets.
Steven LubmanJanuary 27, 2014
A brilliant restaurant, everything about it was absolutely perfect, a truly "Michelin star" experience.
John ClineAugust 1, 2020
The kanelbullar is a lovely treat, and the cinnamon baked into the dough is quite delicious!
Evelyn KimMarch 26, 2014
Chefs tasting with the wine pairings. Absolutely amazing. And try the mango chili pepper aquavit
sjNovember 24, 2011
Must go for the Chef's tasting menu. So amazing!!! Had both the vegetarian and regular tasting menus and they're equally amazing.
Michelin Travel & LifestyleDecember 2, 2013
Seafood and rabbit dishes stand out, as does the house-infused aquavit. Come in December for their holiday smörgåsbord. – Green Guide Editor
Curtis ShoungDecember 25, 2014
Xmas = julsbord. $95 pp but really great food. Heavy on the fish. Recommend!
DelonAugust 19, 2014
Had a great 7 course dinner here. It just had a little too much poached egg on the last 3 courses.
David HolmerDecember 29, 2009
Go to the Cafe. Try the salmon. It sounds "standard", but is so high a level you will think you've never had it before. Also order the Arctic Circle for desert (off-menu from the main dining room).
Wilson ZhouNovember 25, 2017
Twenty-seven years after it opened, Hakan Swahn's Manhattan establishment still kicks ass, with a new chef, Emma Bengtsson, who turns out to be a serious gastronomic force to be reckoned with. ★★★
JessicaDecember 6, 2014
Their prix fixe lunch menu is great!!!
Charlie WärendhSeptember 14, 2013
Say "Tack" to your wait staff (i.e., the Swedish way to say "Thank You")... They're a great crew!
P-LO LouisAugust 8, 2012
Been here 10+ times
Let me tell you this right now this place is a #must go.. Make sure you request for #JoeyMesina he's #awesome
Albert YuenAugust 10, 2011
Been here 50+ times
If you order the fries @ the bar, ask for mayo instead of/in addition to ketchup. It's homemade and has a smooth yet not too creamy texture with a slight tartness that really perks up the fries.
Noreen HWJuly 1, 2023
Nice ambiance, very thoughtful service. There is a dress code though they seemed flexible.
Leona HenryMarch 29, 2011
This place is a true gem. The salmon festival buffet is to die for, they have awesome salmon and herring dishes
EricJanuary 27, 2017
Highly recommend. Great experience. Staff was great!
Roxanne Mosavar-rahmaniSeptember 7, 2014
Perfectly balanced tasting menu. Sensorially satisfied 🙌

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Aquavit

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