Since this article was written, there is a new chef and a minor change in ownership at Aqua Grill. This will certainly change the menu and the food. I have left the article for reference, but a new visit and a new review is in the offing.
Aqua is a popular outdoor watering hole smack in the middle of it all on Baltimore Avenue. But there's a hidden surprise tucked into the back: A restaurant! This year the owners moved away from the original entree menu that was in effect when I first wrote about Aqua, so I have removed the original review. We do have plans to return to see what they've done with the food.
The new menu offers a selection of 9 small plates/apps, 11 sandwiches including the original Aqua Blue burger, 7 salads (including a chicken oriental salad that looks interesting) and 6 entree items. One of their most popular items from previous years, the slider trio, is gone. But it looks like some of the new things might make up for the loss.
In-season, Aqua Grill caters primarily (but not exclusively) to boys who like boys and girls who like girls — and those who love them. Show up at Aqua in your best beach togs for a fun time al fresco to see, be seen, and even maybe make a new friend (or two). Friday and Saturday nights at the peak of the season are always packed, and unless you get there early, you might stand in line for a half-hour or so. But you're on crowded and cruisy Baltimore Ave. in Rehoboth Beach on a weekend night. You will still have fun.
The huge outdoor deck/bar is at 57 Baltimore Avenue, on the north side near the intersection with Second Street by the water tower. It's directly across the street from Hobos restaurant. Aqua Grill is open 7 days in-season, with a popular brunch on Sundays. Dinner 7 nights in season, of course. (302) 226-9001 (L. (see previous), D., Bar). Price range: Moderate +.
See the Cheap Eats/Specials list for exact hours and food/drink specials for 2014. A new review is in the works. In the meantime,
Although better known as a local drinkery, we go to Aqua for a brunch. The food is excellent and being outside perfect! Understand they will be open on weekends in October this year so give them a try!
I had dinner last night at Aqua. The menu contain some nice choices in addition to a nice selections of specials for Italian night. I ordered the chicken cordon bleu with a mixed green salad as a side. Service was congenial, but very slow. The first snafu occurred when the salad arrived after the entree. The chicken cordon bleu that two of us at the tabled ordered was beyond over-cooked rendering it tough and dried out. It was inedible and returned by both of us. The owner then came to the table to solicit our comments and proceeded to say that the chicken cordon bleu was perfectly deep-fried. Deep-fried??? Aqua remains a favorite summer spot, but I will no longer dine there.
I have dined at Aqua 3 times this season and only have one thing to say? What happened? The menu has been chopped, the food is directly out of a can and there are no dinners on the menu besides burgers! I have enjoyed many meals at Aqua in the past and only hope they get their act together this season before it is too late! The foodie should revisit and update this review.
I agree with the reviews above. Aqua is primarily a bar, so I wasn’t expecting much in terms of a dining experience. But, I (we) were pleasantly surprised with very good food, and have been back several times. Service is usually good, but sometimes a bit slow. The ambiance is on the noisy side, but HEY, it’s Aqua. You didn’t really think you were in a library, did you?