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Aquavit
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Aquavit
8.9
Aquavit is a two-Michelin-star Nordic restaurant delivering precise, seasonal tasting menus in a sleek, quietly luxurious dining room. Chef Emma Bengtsson’s cooking leans on Scandinavian classics like gravlax and Swedish meatballs, reworked with modern technique and elegant plating for serious special-occasion dining.
Must-Try Dishes:
Toast Skagen with shrimp and trout roe on brioche, Swedish meatballs with pommes purée, cucumbers and lingonberries, Chef’s tasting menu seasonal fish course (often North Sea cod or Arctic char)
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 9.2
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Polished, modern Nordic tasting menus with two Michelin stars.
Who should go: Serious diners celebrating milestones or impressing clients.
When to visit: Weeknight dinner or long, unhurried lunch.
What to order: Tasting menu, Toast Skagen, Swedish meatballs at the bar.
Insider tip: Book lunch for a slightly softer price point and easier reservations.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet; rely on nearby garages along 55th/56th Street. Street parking is scarce after 5pm.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jackets common but not required; polished attire fits the room.
Noise level: Low to moderate — intimate enough for serious conversation without raising your voice.
Weekend wait: Effectively no walk-in availability; book ahead or expect to be turned away.
Weekday lunch: Reservations still recommended, but walk-ins may be seated if arriving early.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong accommodation — the kitchen can prepare a full vegetarian tasting with advance notice.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with pre-arrangement, but expect a significantly pared-down menu.
Gluten-free options: Yes — most dishes can be adapted and the kitchen is experienced with gluten-free diners.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the quiet, refined room and highly polished service make it ideal for an impressive, conversation-friendly first date, especially if you want something elevated and controlled.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Rarely — dinner books out. Your best chance is weekday lunch or a bar seat, but availability varies and isn’t guaranteed.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly — the format is long, formal, and tasting-menu focused. Best for older teens who enjoy fine dining; no dedicated children’s menu.
Best For
Better for: Meticulous Nordic techniques, polished service, and serene luxury without the theatrics common in other Michelin tasting rooms.
Skip if: You prefer casual dining, à la carte flexibility, or quicker meals — or if you want bold, non-Nordic flavors.
Aquavit
9.2
Two-Michelin-star Aquavit refines Nordic cooking into precise, elegant plates, from gravlax and herring to Arctic char and intricate desserts. The dining room and bar draw a polished Midtown crowd for tasting menus, business lunches, and celebratory dinners built around chef Emma Bengtsson’s focused Scandinavian flavors.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gravlax with hovmästar sauce, Arctic Char, Princess Cake
Scores:
Value: 7.5
Service: 9.3
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.6
Atmosphere: 9.4
Cultural Relevance: 9.2
What makes it special: Destination-level Nordic tasting menus with rare precision and depth.
Who should go: Serious diners, expense-account clients, special-occasion couples.
When to visit: Weeknight dinner for full tasting menu and calmer room.
What to order: Chef’s tasting menu, gravlax starter, Arctic char, Princess Cake.
Insider tip: Book the bar for a la carte Nordic classics with slightly softer spend.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet. Street parking is limited in Midtown East; expect garages nearby ($25–$45 depending on time).
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jackets not required, but polished attire fits the room.
Noise level: Low to moderate — conversation-friendly even during peak dinner service.
Weekend wait: Typically no availability without a reservation; bar seats sometimes open with a short wait.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait with reservation; walk-ins occasionally accommodated at the bar.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — the kitchen can build a vegetarian tasting upon request with advance notice.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with advance coordination, but options are more constrained.
Gluten-free options: Strong support — many Nordic dishes are naturally GF, and the team adjusts tasting menus reliably.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the composed pacing, quiet room, and refined dishes create an intimate setting, especially if you want to impress without overwhelming formality.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Rare at dinner; bar seating offers the best walk-in shot. For the dining room, plan ahead, especially for tasting menus.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children — the experience is structured, quiet, and multi-course. Teens interested in fine dining will fare better.
Best For
Better for: Precision Nordic tasting menus, polished service, and a serene Midtown setting that excels at business meals and special occasions.
Skip if: You prefer louder, casual, or highly customizable dining — or want a quicker, à la carte-focused format.
Aquavit
8.8
Two-Michelin-starred Aquavit delivers precise, modern Nordic tasting menus built around seafood, seasonal produce, and Scandinavian pantry staples. Diners come for gravlax, pristine seafood, and thoughtful desserts served in a sleek Midtown East dining room that works equally well for power lunches and destination dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gravlax with mustard-dill sauce, Norwegian king crab with fennel and roe, Seared duck breast with lingonberries
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: A benchmark Nordic tasting menu with Michelin-level precision and restraint.
Who should go: Nordic tasting-menu fans and Michelin-focused fine-dining regulars
When to visit: Weeknight dinners for calmer room and focused service
What to order: Chef’s tasting menu, gravlax, and the bread and butter course
Insider tip: Book the dining room at lunch for a shorter, better-value tasting.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in Midtown East; expect metered spots to be scarce during business hours. Nearby paid garages on 55th and 54th Streets typically run $25–$45.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning polished; jackets not required, but elevated attire fits the room. Dark denim is acceptable if styled neatly.
Noise level: Low to moderate — tables can comfortably hold business or date-level conversation.
Weekend wait: Effectively no walk-in availability; tasting menu requires reservations and walk-ins are rarely accommodated.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait with a reservation; walk-ins occasionally accepted but not guaranteed.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Available with advance notice; the kitchen can prepare a composed vegetarian tasting menu with Nordic produce.
Vegan options: Limited — a vegan progression is possible only with prior coordination and may be more restrictive.
Gluten-free options: Strong accommodation — many courses naturally avoid gluten, and substitutions are routinely offered.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the calm dining room, polished pacing, and refined dishes create an elegant but not overly formal setting for a first date, especially for someone who appreciates fine dining.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Unlikely for dinner; Aquavit’s tasting menu format means most seats are pre-booked. Lunch has the best chance for same-day availability, but calling ahead is advised.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly — the multi-course format and quiet, formal environment suit adults. Older teens who enjoy tasting menus may be comfortable; young children may not.
Best For
Better for: Top-tier Nordic precision, seafood-forward tasting menus, and a serene Midtown East setting ideal for business dining and special-occasion meals.
Skip if: You prefer à la carte flexibility, louder energy, or warmer, more casual hospitality; or you’re looking for a shorter, budget-friendly meal without advance planning.
Aquavit
9.0
Two-MICHELIN-star Aquavit turns Nordic flavors into precise, modern business-lunch tasting menus in a serene Park Avenue Tower dining room. Power players come for composed plates like hay-smoked gravlax and meticulously paced service that still works within a Midtown workday.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hay-Smoked Gravlax, Caviar and Potato, Arctic Bird’s Nest Dessert
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 9.2
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9.5
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Benchmark Nordic fine dining with a business-friendly lunch format.
Who should go: Executive lunches, client deals, and serious wine people
When to visit: Weekday lunch seatings for quieter, focused conversations
What to order: Lunch tasting, hay-smoked gravlax, Arctic Bird’s Nest dessert
Insider tip: Bar area offers a la carte plates with less time commitment.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Garage parking is the norm in Midtown East; multiple paid garages sit within a 1–2 block radius. Street parking is scarce during business hours.
Dress code: Business casual to polished professional. Jackets not required, but sharp attire aligns with the room’s clientele.
Noise level: Low–moderate. Designed for clear conversation; tables are well-spaced and the dining room stays composed even at peak lunch.
Weekend wait: Aquavit’s primary draw is weekday lunch; dinner is calmer but still reservation-driven. Without a reservation expect limited walk-in availability.
Weekday lunch: No real wait with a reservation; walk-ins are uncommon and rarely accommodated during peak corporate hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—Nordic-inspired vegetarian substitutions are typically available with advance notice.
Vegan options: Limited—accommodations are possible but often require pre-arrangement; tasting menu may need modification.
Gluten-free options: Yes—many dishes are naturally gluten-lean, and the kitchen handles gluten-free requests routinely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you’re aiming for a refined, quiet setting with polished service. It’s elegant rather than playful, ideal for someone who appreciates fine dining precision.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Unlikely, especially at lunch. The bar occasionally has space for a la carte dining, but the main room is usually booked by business reservations.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly. The format, pacing, and clientele skew adult; older teens comfortable with tasting menus may fit, but younger children may feel out of place.
Best For
Better for: Structured, high-precision Nordic tasting menus that respect a business-lunch timeline while maintaining two-star technique.
Skip if: You want a casual, fast meal; prefer warmth over minimalism; or need a restaurant with flexible walk-in capacity.