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High-end Scandinavian tasting and fixed-price menus served in a minimalist Nordic setting.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 65 E 55th St, New York, NY 10022
Phone: (212) 307-7311
Website: http://www.aquavit.org/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: exploretock.comtripleseat.com
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Related Web Results
Aquavit
Aquavit is New York’s premier Nordic restaurant located in the heart of Manhattan.
Aquavit – New York – a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant
No detail goes unnoticed at this contemporary Swedish beauty, sporting a sleek bar and open kitchen with Chef Emma Bengtsson at the helm.
AQUAVIT NYC (@aquavitnyc) · New York, NY – Instagram
Seasonal Nordic Cuisine in Midtown Manhattan. Awarded Two Stars by the 2025 Michelin Guide NYC. Photo by AQUAVIT NYC in Aquavit NYC.
Reviews
Gabrielle
Aquavit is pure class. Its status is shown in the details- as most amazing things are. I dined here for lunch and participated in their three course meal option. The value of my meal greatly exceeded the price I paid- which is rare in this day and age. I started with the scallops which where incredibly fresh and rich. I then ordered the Ora King Salmon which was perfectly cooked, although I should have went with my gut to try the Swedish meatballs. The trout roe on the salmon was a perfect addition though, and didn’t feel too ‘fishy’. Now… onto the star of my meal, The Artic Bird’s nest. Iconic and one of the best desserts I’d ever had. It was balanced, fresh yet indulgent and decadent. I will definitely be back to try the full tasting menu!
… moreAC Slater
Wonderful lunch at Aquavit. Did a 5-course tasting which is such a great deal for the city for what you get. Everything was good to exceptional with the wagyu sup, birds nest (obvious) and Chilean sea bass winning out for me. Other secondary components/dishes like the creamy elk opener, Swedish caviar, and Iberico rillettes were awesome bites or compliments to the primary dishes. The pairing was very complimentary and service was excellent. Highly recommended
… moreJaySan Avante
Aquavit is an excellent 2 star rated Michelin restaurant! We ordered the 7 course Chefs tasters menu. Everything that came out of that kitchen was excellent. The service was very good. The ambiance was equally very good. I must say, in all my life- i’ve never had a more fun time eating the Chefs special dessert. The Birds Nest! This dessert is absolutely one of the best deserts i’ve ever eaten.
… moreKathy D
Beautiful dining experience from start to finish. We chose to eat in the bar room because we wanted to choose our items rather than have a tasting menu. We started with the breads which included a traditional sourdough and a danish rye. Both delicious but the danish bread was the star and worth ordering the bread to try. The tartare was very good, a small portion but tasty. We ate at the bar and the bartender was great, he provided very welcomed recommendations and descriptions of the food. We also shared the shrimp skagen pancake. I will ruin the description but it was like a light crepe filled with shrimp in a creamy sauce. I am not doing it justice but it should be a must try. We then split the meatballs and KROPPKAKOR. Both were delicious but the kroppkakor was the star. A light dumpling like potato filled with mushroom and surrounded by crispy mushrooms and accoutrements. Again not doing this justice but it was delicious. We ended with chestnut cake and the tasting menu dessert that has apparently been on the menu since opening. Both delicious, beautiful presented and complex in flavor. All the food was great and the portions are small which allows you to try many things. You also need to try some of their Aquavit selections. I was unfamiliar with this alcohol but it is Nordic and they have several selections including some of their own. Our bartender was very helpful in explaining these and helping us choose. Overall a beautiful restaurant with interesting food. Completely recommend.
… moreCarrie
Aquavit is a two Michelin star Nordic restaurant for 2025, and in terms of food quality it’s easily one of the best value fine dining spots in New York.
Published on Main, which was once ranked number one in Canada with one Michelin star, shares some similar DNA with its Nordic based fusion approach, but there is still a noticeable gap when compared to Aquavit.
We chose the five course tasting menu but not the chef’s menu with seven courses. I was a bit worried about portion size at first, but in the end two adults were completely full. A big part of that credit goes to the excellent rye bread and house butter. Unlike the rye bread most people are used to, Aquavit’s version is neither hard nor sour. The nuts baked inside even add a subtle sweetness, which makes it quite distinctive.
Overall, all five courses were solid. That said, to be honest, the last three courses the fish, the meat, and the dessert were less impressive than the first two courses: the appetizers and the shrimp. Those first dishes were close to perfect, delivering delicate flavours with remarkable depth and freshness, and showcasing Nordic culinary character at its best.
Among the later courses, the fig jam stood out. Paired with the meat, it really elevated the overall flavour. The pork itself, however, was a bit too soft for my taste. Even with crispy elements added for texture, it wasn’t my personal favourite. The seabass dish had slightly too much turnip, and combined with the fish’s naturally mild and soft texture, the vegetables ended up overpowering the dish.
Dessert was the weakest part of the menu. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t memorable either. Since it was a birthday dinner, the restaurant kindly offered a small fresh cream cake with jam and sponge cake wrapped in fondant. It was a nice gesture and added emotional value, but the flavour itself was nothing special.
Service was solid overall. The staff were warm, friendly, and professional. If there’s one small complaint, it would be that sweeping under tables while guests are still dining slightly disrupts the atmosphere.
As we were leaving, we were given two bottles of smoked sea salt, a thoughtful and distinctive gift that will probably come in handy for a cold platter on Christmas Eve.
I might come back around the New Year to try the seven course chef’s menu. Hopefully it brings a few more surprises.
… morePublished on Main, which was once ranked number one in Canada with one Michelin star, shares some similar DNA with its Nordic based fusion approach, but there is still a noticeable gap when compared to Aquavit.
We chose the five course tasting menu but not the chef’s menu with seven courses. I was a bit worried about portion size at first, but in the end two adults were completely full. A big part of that credit goes to the excellent rye bread and house butter. Unlike the rye bread most people are used to, Aquavit’s version is neither hard nor sour. The nuts baked inside even add a subtle sweetness, which makes it quite distinctive.
Overall, all five courses were solid. That said, to be honest, the last three courses the fish, the meat, and the dessert were less impressive than the first two courses: the appetizers and the shrimp. Those first dishes were close to perfect, delivering delicate flavours with remarkable depth and freshness, and showcasing Nordic culinary character at its best.
Among the later courses, the fig jam stood out. Paired with the meat, it really elevated the overall flavour. The pork itself, however, was a bit too soft for my taste. Even with crispy elements added for texture, it wasn’t my personal favourite. The seabass dish had slightly too much turnip, and combined with the fish’s naturally mild and soft texture, the vegetables ended up overpowering the dish.
Dessert was the weakest part of the menu. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t memorable either. Since it was a birthday dinner, the restaurant kindly offered a small fresh cream cake with jam and sponge cake wrapped in fondant. It was a nice gesture and added emotional value, but the flavour itself was nothing special.
Service was solid overall. The staff were warm, friendly, and professional. If there’s one small complaint, it would be that sweeping under tables while guests are still dining slightly disrupts the atmosphere.
As we were leaving, we were given two bottles of smoked sea salt, a thoughtful and distinctive gift that will probably come in handy for a cold platter on Christmas Eve.
I might come back around the New Year to try the seven course chef’s menu. Hopefully it brings a few more surprises.
Mott U D’Potyou
First time here.
The broth is poured over the croutons which are multigrain with cheese Superb.
A rare treat, wild King. A crunch in the skin. The cooking was magnificent in appearance and taste.
And pear dessert was my treat after walking from Penn Station!
I believe they have 2 Michelin stars. Very much reminds of Le Bernardin
I looks forward to my next visit!
… moreThe broth is poured over the croutons which are multigrain with cheese Superb.
A rare treat, wild King. A crunch in the skin. The cooking was magnificent in appearance and taste.
And pear dessert was my treat after walking from Penn Station!
I believe they have 2 Michelin stars. Very much reminds of Le Bernardin
I looks forward to my next visit!
jymer1102
I absolutely loved this place. The food was incredible, thoughtfully prepared, and full of flavor, and the service was easily a 100/10. Every staff member was attentive without being overbearing, and the pacing of the meal was perfect. I honestly don’t see why anyone would say anything negative about this restaurant—everything from start to finish was top-tier. Totally lived up to the hype and the Michelin star.
… moreK K
came here solo on my birthday. it was my first time at a 2 star place, and omg was it impeccable! the food was mindblowing, the service was so thoughtful especially for my birthday and the ambiance was very nice. the smoked sea salt free gift is the gift that keeps on giving.
… moreIan Pilgreen
Aquavit was my first 2 Michelin Star dining experience. Having had the privilege of dining at a handful of 1 Star restaurants before for lunch and dinner (like Le Pavillon, one of Daniel Boulud’s restaurants in NY), I wanted to see what, if any, discernible difference there was between the two.
The thing I truly appreciate about Aquavit is its lack of pretentiousness and inviting model. I snagged a day-of 5:30pm reservation for 1 person in the bar area (a la carte menu only) at a gorgeous 2 Michelin Star fine dining restaurant and spent *under $100* for a 3-course meal WITH an aquavit flight. Incredible! They even take walk-ins at the bar if you’re feeling the itch for excellent Scandinavian cuisine one night.
As soon as I walked in, I was greeted and my coat was checked by the woman at the front of house. To my surprise, she guided me to a booth table in the bar room (I was assuming I’d just be relegated to a high chair at the bar, but those are just for walk-ins).
My waiter quickly introduced himself, and there was a brief awkward moment when he put a second menu down and asked if I’d like to wait for my guest. I made a reservation for one and was dining alone, so I had to tell him it was just myself Not a huge deal at all, but a more sensitive guest might not have appreciated the assumption.
He then asked for my water preference (still and sparkling are both complimentary) and a second waiter quickly filled my glass from behind once I indicated my preference. I ordered the Nordic Breads (sourdough & Danish rye), a flight of 3 aquavits (Fig & Cardamom, Bränneri, and Høvding) and the Swedish Meatballs.
The surprise stars of these was the Danish rye and the Fig and Høvding aquavits. The rye was arguably the best bread I’ve ever had (and I’m not a lover of hard seeded loafs), and the complex depth of flavor present in the drinks was a pleasure to experience.
The meatballs were nothing to sniff at, though. They certainly will go down as the best meatballs I’ve ever had, and the dish as a whole was beautifully balanced. The meatballs’ texture was perfect, the pommes puree was luscious, the lingonberry provided a bright sweetness, and the house-made shaved cucumber pickles added a much-needed crunch and acidity.
After much deliberation and a recommendation from my waiter, I opted for the Apple Vacherin dessert as my final course. When it came out, it was accompanied by a small birthday Princess Cake, as I was having this dinner as a birthday celebration. It was a very cute moment, as the diners next to me, seeing I was alone at the table with my small birthday cake, all wished me a happy birthday
Both desserts were excellent, but the Apple Vacherin was truly sublime. Each element gave way to a depth of flavor I wasn’t expecting. The apples were tart and crisp which contrasted beautifully with the light vanilla creme fraiche. It was followed on the palate by the crunch of the tarragon-infused meringue, and the toasted sunflower seeds at the bottom laid dormant in your mouth until the very end when they gave a gorgeous kettle corn note to round out the meal.
Truly excellent experience from start to finish. I look forward to coming back in the dining room and trying out the tasting menu, especially the famous bird’s nest dish which was not present on the a la carte menu.
… moreThe thing I truly appreciate about Aquavit is its lack of pretentiousness and inviting model. I snagged a day-of 5:30pm reservation for 1 person in the bar area (a la carte menu only) at a gorgeous 2 Michelin Star fine dining restaurant and spent *under $100* for a 3-course meal WITH an aquavit flight. Incredible! They even take walk-ins at the bar if you’re feeling the itch for excellent Scandinavian cuisine one night.
As soon as I walked in, I was greeted and my coat was checked by the woman at the front of house. To my surprise, she guided me to a booth table in the bar room (I was assuming I’d just be relegated to a high chair at the bar, but those are just for walk-ins).
My waiter quickly introduced himself, and there was a brief awkward moment when he put a second menu down and asked if I’d like to wait for my guest. I made a reservation for one and was dining alone, so I had to tell him it was just myself Not a huge deal at all, but a more sensitive guest might not have appreciated the assumption.
He then asked for my water preference (still and sparkling are both complimentary) and a second waiter quickly filled my glass from behind once I indicated my preference. I ordered the Nordic Breads (sourdough & Danish rye), a flight of 3 aquavits (Fig & Cardamom, Bränneri, and Høvding) and the Swedish Meatballs.
The surprise stars of these was the Danish rye and the Fig and Høvding aquavits. The rye was arguably the best bread I’ve ever had (and I’m not a lover of hard seeded loafs), and the complex depth of flavor present in the drinks was a pleasure to experience.
The meatballs were nothing to sniff at, though. They certainly will go down as the best meatballs I’ve ever had, and the dish as a whole was beautifully balanced. The meatballs’ texture was perfect, the pommes puree was luscious, the lingonberry provided a bright sweetness, and the house-made shaved cucumber pickles added a much-needed crunch and acidity.
After much deliberation and a recommendation from my waiter, I opted for the Apple Vacherin dessert as my final course. When it came out, it was accompanied by a small birthday Princess Cake, as I was having this dinner as a birthday celebration. It was a very cute moment, as the diners next to me, seeing I was alone at the table with my small birthday cake, all wished me a happy birthday
Both desserts were excellent, but the Apple Vacherin was truly sublime. Each element gave way to a depth of flavor I wasn’t expecting. The apples were tart and crisp which contrasted beautifully with the light vanilla creme fraiche. It was followed on the palate by the crunch of the tarragon-infused meringue, and the toasted sunflower seeds at the bottom laid dormant in your mouth until the very end when they gave a gorgeous kettle corn note to round out the meal.
Truly excellent experience from start to finish. I look forward to coming back in the dining room and trying out the tasting menu, especially the famous bird’s nest dish which was not present on the a la carte menu.
sean levine
Not 2 Michelin star worthy. 7 courses and wine came to $1,250 with tip. Everyone underdressed, table next to us were 2 young adults in sweaters. 7 courses is also very little, I’ve spent less at other Michelin restaurants for 15-20+ courses. I for sure wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone, it truly underwhelmed me in all respects. Should be 1 star Michelin and come with a warning: overpriced, not many courses.
… more