BACK
GO TO PASSPORT

Passport to

New York

Want to SAVE, EMAIL, and PRINT your picks? Sign up for a Purple Passport account to get started.

    Stay Connected!

    New York

    AQUAVIT

    pick
    aquavit
    View Full Screen
    23897
    Aquavit
    Restaurant
    7
    Formal

    Aquavit

    65 E. 55th St., nr. Madison Ave. (Midtown East)

    New York, NY

    (1) 212-307-7311 | www.aquavit.org

    Did you like this? Share it:
    • CUISINE

      Scandinavian
    • HOURS

      Dining room: Mon.-Fri.: 12:00pm-10:30pm, Sat.: 5:30pm-10:30pm, Sun.: 12:00pm-10:30pm; Bistro: Mon.-Sat.: 12:00pm-10:30pm, Sun.: 5:30pm-10:30pm
    • BEST FOR

      Lunch; dinner
    • RESERVATIONS

      Necessary for dining room; recommended for bistro
    • BAR

      Yes
    • YEAR OPENED

      1987 (relocated in 2005)
    • PRICE (APPETIZERS; ENTRÉES; FOUR-COURSE PRIX FIXE DINNER)

      USD 11-15; USD 21-29; USD 89
    • NOISE

      Quiet/Medium
    • FAMOUS PLATES

      Nordic smorgasbord; gravlax; glassblower herring
    • DRINKS AND WINE

      Aquavit (Scandinavian spirit); cocktails; wine
    • # OF SEATS

      120
    • OUTDOOR DINING?

      No
    • PRIVATE ROOM AVAILABLE?

      Yes
    • SUBWAY

      5th Ave.-53rd St. (E, M); Lexington Ave.-53rd St. (E, M); 51st St. (6)
    Aquavit-122311DA-TPP-1

    VIBE

    This stylish Scandinavian restaurant boasts a sleek, modernist interior that jibes with its updates on traditional cuisine. The front of the restaurant is the more informal bistro (perfect for a drink and quick bite) while the simple yet elegant dining room in the back hosts refined crowds savoring the delectable Nordic cuisine. Co-owner and chef Marcus Samuelsson brings Nordic cuisine to life with his elegant preparations and presentations.

    CROWD

    Lots of business types and ladies who lunch.

    WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

    A sheath dress with heels and subtle yet tasteful jewelry.

    GO HERE WITH

    Coworkers; a date; family

    WHY WE LIKE IT

    The creative, modern take on traditional cuisine, bringing unexpected sophistication to herring and Swedish meatballs, the creative drinks at the bar, and the hip bistro in front.

    WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

    Not much.

    GOOD TO KNOW

    The hours for the bistro and restaurant itself are different, so check the website to make sure that the locale you prefer is open and serving when you intend to dine. Each menu option comes with a wine suggestion, which is helpful for those who are less familiar with Nordic cuisine. The dining room serves a prix-fixe menu only.

    CLOSEST COMPS

    Lever House (New York); Providence (Los Angeles)


    Click here for our full-form mobile travel guide, The Purple Passport to New York City.

    BEEN HERE? SEND US YOUR REVIEW

    All information within this website was checked for accuracy at the time of publication. But since the world moves quickly, things may have changed. Pardon us for any errors as we strive to give you the most up-to-the-minute details!