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Aqua Boil

4.4 (872 reviews)
Closed 12:00 pm - 2:45 PM, 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM

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AQUA BOIL ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Hipster
Casual
Trendy

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Recommended Reviews - Aqua Boil

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Seafood boil
Pamela F.

Food was delicious, we had the seafood boil with Cajun mix seasoning and it was well flavored! The seafood was also fresh! Sean was an amazing waiter and was very attentive! The place has a lot of seating and was very clean!

Molly A.

If you know me, you know, I absolutely love a good seafood boil. So when my husband surprised me with an itinerary to New York City, and it had a seafood boil on it, you can imagine how excited I was. I waited most of the day to have a full meal as I knew how much we would eat in the evening. He made a reservation, which was very helpful because the restaurant itself was bustling and busy. We were seated right away and provided the utensils to succeed when our food came. We decided on 3 pounds of seafood - crab, mussels, & shrimp. We ordered the Cajun seasoning in a more mild fashion because my husband doesn't like a ton of spice. As we waited for our food, I took in the effects of the restaurant and how busy it was getting. It was decorating very nautical & the energy was a highlight. We received our food and it was hot! The seafood itself was fresh. The potatoes were well cooked. And the server continued to check on us throughout the meal to ensure that we were happy. When we received the bill, the price was typical for what it should be and even more positively surprising in New York City. If you are in New York and looking for a seafood boil, do not skip this place!

Snow Crab Legs, Shrimp, Mussels
Amy C.

Wow - the seafood boil here is SO good! My partner and I devoured 3 lbs of seafood, and it came out quick and piping hot. We ordered the shrimp and snow crab combo with Cajun seasoning and added an extra pound of mussels. The shrimp were incredibly plump and meaty - the star of the meal. The snow crab legs were a great size, and they give you scissors to help crack through the shells. The mussels were on the smaller side and didn't taste very fresh - I'd skip next time. We added broccoli (to feel a little healthy) and a side of white rice. I'd skip the rice, but the broccoli was a pleasant surprise! Even though it's cooked in the boil, it wasn't soggy - still had a nice crunch and served as the perfect vehicle for soaking up all that sauce! I was initially skeptical because some reviews mentioned there not being enough sauce. As a true sauce lover, I can confidently say there was plenty - enough to coat all the seafood and potatoes and fully satisfy my sauce needs. Will absolutely be back for the shrimp and snow crab combo. Highly recommend!

Mussels + Crawfish + Corn + Andouille Sausage
Amy C.

Went for lunch: We had a reservation but it was empty when we went on a Friday at noon. I got mild cajun style with crawfish and corn, it was great! Sauce was slightly tangy however I do wish there was more to cover all the seafood. My bf got a lychee margarita and they have happy hour M-F 12-6 $9 drinks. Lychee margarita was nice and strong, and came with a lychee. Definitely decent! They give a generous amount of potatoes which come with the seafood (sides such as corn or sausage are an added cost) which I loved! The andouille sausage was good, more on the thinner side rather than a thick cut sausage. Service was great, very attentive and we had our shell bucket emptied rather quickly once it was full. At lunch the music is not too loud, I was still able to hold conversation and hear my bf. Overall, a decent seafood boil spot, lunch is pretty empty but I'm sure this place is busy for dinner!

Yum!
Reva R.

Delicious!! I look forward to going back to AQUA BOIL, on Ninth Avenue, between 50th and 51st Streets. I enjoyed a SEAFOOD BOIL OF one pound of Snow Crab Legs ($38), (Aug 2025) which comes with potatoes. I chose the "CAJUN MIX SAUCE", and I wanted it mild. You can select how spicy you would like it. So, the menu guides you in 3 steps to order your chosen seafood boil. You may add other sides to your boil, too. Your seafood boil is brought to your table in a clear plastic bag. Your sauce is mixed in with your selected seafood boil. You are provided with A BIB, plastic gloves, a scissors, and other utensils you will need to enjoy your seafood. I did ask for a "picker"--the thing to pick the seafood out of a small space. And a plastic lined beautiful bucket, --reminded me of a champagne bucket-- is brought to your table and this is where you put the seafood shells. The shocker for me, and my friend, was that you are not given a plate LOL, no plates. I was not used to that. But, it helps the environment because you are not using water to clean the plates, and, I am guessing that perhaps it may also help to keep restaurant costs down, so that would be good too. Your seafood boil bag acts as your plate. There is a white paper tablecloth on your table. Our seafood tasted fresh and delicious!! My friend enjoyed her pound of shrimp (head off). She had the Cajun Mix Sauce in a medium spice level. She enjoyed it. Our service was nice and friendly. The restaurant is light and airy. The natural light comes in. There is a clean, unisex bathroom. AQUA BOIL has a nice menu, including lobster rolls, soups, Mac 'n cheese, and fabulous looking huge boils, with a beautiful variety of seafoods, including lobster. A table near us had the huge seafood combo boil, and it looked FANTASTIC!!! See my photos. Next time, I'll take more photos of my seafood boil...Because this time I was very hungry, and could not wait to get started with my snow crab legs, and once those gloves are on, I am not taking them off during my DELICIOUS meal. LOL I do not answer my phone when I'm involved with a seafood boil !! And, you won't want to either! The gloves stay on!! LOL. You can put all phones away!! Enjoy your meal. Savor the meal. :) I'm sure I uttered 'THIS IS SO GOOD' during my meal. :). I look forward to my next visit. I can tell you, I was thinking about, and craving, that yummy seafood boil, that yummy Cajun Mix SAUCE for days after. I look forward to going back to AQUA BOIL. Very soon!! (I might go today!! For real)

Lobster Boil and Combo of Crab and Shrimp Boil
Simran K.

The tables were very tightly packed which is not really ideal for this kind of food - where you need to go all in with your hands. And to add to the inconvenience, a two-person table was also very small for two servings of boil, a drink and the dump bucket. Not sure how you'd manage with more food on a small surface like this. Service however, was good. Coming to the food: - Whole Lobster boil with the medium-spice Cajun-mix Sauce (3/5) - good flavors but could have been spicier than what was described to me, and the lobster was cooked well for the most part - occasionally encountered overdone sections. The lobster as a whole however didn't seem to have been cleaned well as I could see gunk inside it which thorough cleaning would have solved. - Crab Legs and Shrimp Combo with the same seasoning/sauce (3/5) - the shrimp was plump and cooked well, but again, not thoroughly cleaned... The price of this combo was also $20 more than advertised on their website so be warned. Overall just an okay experience. Had the seafood been cleaned better and the table been more spacious, it could have been a much better experience. Both of us came out with slight digestive issues, nothing serious, at the end of the meal, so something was questionable about the quality of the food.

Carol S.

The food is good, the service is fast, but ambiance is hectic. They blast electronic music so loudly that you can't hear yourself think, nonetheless hear yourself eating. The turnaround is fast so you don't have to wait long. I'm impressed by how quickly they can churn out food, but it's minimal cleaning because you wear gloves, everything is served on disposable ware (gloves, paper plate, bib, table paper covering, etc.). The crawfish were small, but it's because it wasn't particularly crawfish season. The 1lb crawfish + 1lb shrimp combo is enough for two people ($40). It comes with potatoes, but you have to add corn or other items on the side.

Amy L.

We came on a Saturday afternoon and were seated pretty quickly, which was a great start! We ordered the Mad Ocean combo (5 lbs of seafood) and added garlic bread plus broccoli in the boil. The broccoli soaked up all that sauce and was honestly so good. We upgraded to include lobster (+$20), but in hindsight, it might not have been the best choice since splitting one lobster between five people doesn't get you very far, and lobsters don't have a ton of meat to begin with :( The sauce was very buttery with a solid Cajun flavor. It didn't totally "wow" me, but the overall experience was super fun, everyone digging in with their hands, sharing food, and just enjoying the moment together. Plus, holding up 5 lbs of seafood made for some pretty goofy pictures :))

Happy Mother's Day!
Quin S.

Social media food influencers brought me here and IMO this place is overhyped. Setting: Nautical-themed decor with café seating and a small bar. The atmosphere had a rushed energy, with music playing in the background. Staff: The staff was kind but seemed rushed and a bit nervous. No one checked in with me while I was dining, which felt impersonal. Food: I got a crab leg boil. The portion size was underwhelming. They had to clarify for me that "two claws" didn't actually mean two full claws. It ended up being one full claw with five legs and a second with only three to four legs--odd and a bit disappointing. Shrinkflation, maybe? The potato was overcooked, and the garlic sauce had a heavy, chalky dairy taste that I didn't like. Drink: My lemon drop was basic. I've had better. Online, the plates looked overflowing and generously portioned--definitely influencer treatment. What I got felt average, even mediocre by comparison. I came, I saw.

Me
Keittisha W.

Ok, Now this Aqua Boil was sooooo good. The food fresh and Tom our host had the drinks on and poppin. The service was great and ambiance was a very nice cool setting. I do recommend Aqua Boil. Come and try if for yourelf

Letia C.

Let's start with the fact they offer happy hour 7 days a week! $9 martinis, margaritas, wine, etc. We ordered seafood boil, and catfish basket. The food is really good! The time we went, the place was pretty empty and the service was quick.

Lychee Martini
Leah B.

My family and I visited this restaurant over the weekend, and everything was absolutely delicious! My daughters dad recommended it since he is a regular, and I can confidently say this place did not disappoint. The service was exceptional--thank you, Perry and Bell; they were the sweetest! The vibe was relaxed, and they played a great playlist. For an appetizer, I ordered the crab cake, which was fantastic! My daughter had a 3-pound seafood boil and ordered garlic noodles, which were incredibly tasty. The boom boom shrimp had a nice kick and was really good. My husband and I were craving catfish, so we ordered the catfish sliders, and they were amazing! The catfish was perfectly seasoned and crispy. Oh, and they have happy hour every day--yes, every day! I'm definitely going back because the food was delicious, and the service was outstanding!

Anel M.

The food is best thing about this place but what won me over was its friendly customer service, Perry, is the best and sweetest person. The ambiance is great, with nice music and it isn't too loud. I definitely recommend to every friend I have.

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2 months ago

Nice vibe, good, quick service. Food was excellent. Service charge was included for party of 4 - just an FYI. Would come here again.

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9 months ago

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24 days ago

Delicious! Great flavor and super juicy shrimp - their corn, sausage, and potatoes are great add ons

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Aqua Boil Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Aqua Boil

I can't have dairy or gluten, so I eat a lot of seafood! Does anyone know if Aqua Boil automatically includes butter in everything (because of course butter is delicious...but I sadly can't have it)?

All of their boiled seafood contains butter. But their fried stuff no. But the Po'Boys I'm not sure if they put butter on the buns or not. But you should be fine with their fried menu or soups

Does this restaurant offer 1/2 lb options for the seafood boil combos?

I wish; I eat by myself some times. If u want to share, let me know. Boilery 24/9 has 1/2 size orders; I just never know when open

Is this place reservation only or do they accept walk ins?

When I ate at the restaurant, I was a walkin. I hope that answers your question.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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Crab House NYC

Crab House NYC

4.4
(1.4k reviews)
1.0 mi
$$$$

I think this is the only seafood restaurant I've ever been to that has a bidet, which definitely…read moregets bonus points. That said, I didn't come here for the bathroom. I came here to throw down on some seafood and that's exactly what we did. I found out about this place because one of my favorite TikTok foodies posted that she came here when she was visiting from Chicago. It was also my friend's birthday so we figured we'd check it out. If you come with a group of 4 or more, including the birthday person, they eat for free, which is a pretty nice perk. This place lived up to every bit of the hype. We did the $125 option which includes lobster. If you have people in your group who are on the fence about spending the extra money, just remind them it's only about $35 more and that's basically the cost of one lobster anywhere else. Here you're getting unlimited lobster. The food literally just kept coming. At one point we were running out of room on the table. One thing I really appreciated was that the staff noticed and started putting multiple items on the same plates instead of bringing everything out separately. It sounds small but it actually helped a lot and showed they were paying attention. The drinks weren't super strong but they definitely weren't weak either. If you love seafood, come hungry and bring a group. The vibes were great, the service was on point, and we left absolutely stuffed.

I had a great experience here. There are so many food options to choose from, including lobster,…read moreshrimp, all kinds of crab legs, and even blue crabs. It's honestly a seafood lover's dream. I highly recommend coming with a large group so you can try a bit of everything. They also offer an option to pay an extra $45 to take your leftovers home, which is absolutely worth it. I ended up with so much food that my fridge is still full. The service was impeccable from start to finish. The staff was attentive, friendly, and made the whole experience even better. I would definitely come back and highly recommend this place to others.

Photos
First dining room when you walk in, more space down the stairs farther in
First dining room when you walk in, more space down the stairs farther in
Cajun butter shrimp
Cajun butter shrimp
Salt & Pepper Fried Lobsters

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Salt & Pepper Fried Lobsters
Cap't Loui

Cap't Loui

4.5
(101 reviews)
1.1 mi

Been here multiple times now and each time I leave filled and fulfilled! My favorite item to get in…read morethe boil is the crab legs - they're always fresh! The desserts are delicious too. The beignet really bring me back to when I visited New Orleans.

We came here for my friend's birthday dinner and of course I was excited, I love seafood! I'd…read morechecked the menu to contemplate choices (I hate inconveniencing others). The staff was professional and efficient with all functionsof service. We were seat once everyone had arrived and were given menus. Everything was good until she asked if we had allergies..... pork. She flips my menu over and stated I could only order the fried foods. They cook everything together, sausage seafood etc, in her words, cross-contamination. I was crushed! Im so glad my friends were distracted. Lost on what to get, I asked for a recommendation and went with the wing basket, while the rest of the table did the 3lb boil with a calamari basket. The boils comes out very fast, fry baskets about 10min longer. The food was fresh, hot, but lightly seasoned (the wings). I requested ranch for the wings, they didnt have any. There was a spicy mayo to dip but it wasnt my cup of tea. As long as the birthday girl had fun, thats all that counts. Im grateful the server asked about allergies. Saved me a trip to the emergency room.

Photos
Seating inside, looks like there is also a second floor
Seating inside, looks like there is also a second floor
Lobster Roll
Lobster Roll
Cap't Loui

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Lobster Place

Lobster Place

4.2
(1.6k reviews)
1.7 mi
$$

I finally brought my nephew here so he could try their 2 lb. steamed lobster, and it was just as…read moredelicious as I remembered. I've been coming here for years, and the quality of the food continues to keep me coming back. During this visit, I ran into a recurring issue with my lobster. It was carrying a large amount of roe, which I was actually happy about because I enjoy it and didn't want any of it to go to waste. However, the roe deep inside wasn't fully cooked during the initial steaming process. I had to go back and forth with Ash and the kitchen staff several times, but they remained patient, attentive, and committed to making sure everything was cooked properly. Ash, one of the managers, provided excellent customer service throughout the experience. While I was waiting, he kindly offered me a complimentary cup of New England clam chowder, which was absolutely delicious and very much appreciated since I was starving. Before leaving, I also ordered two more 2 lb. steamed lobsters to go. I explained my concern, and the staff made sure they were thoroughly cooked before packaging them. Both were perfectly prepared and absolutely delicious. I truly appreciate the team's dedication to customer satisfaction and their willingness to make things right. Their excellent service, combined with consistently great seafood, is why I've remained a loyal customer for years. I highly recommend this place and will definitely be back. Thank you!

I have nothing bad to say about this lobster roll. It's fresh and delectable…read more We didn't have to wait too long for our order either. The place is very busy inside Chelsea Market.

Photos
A fun and relaxed raw bar atmosphere.
A fun and relaxed raw bar atmosphere.
The raw bar spread.
The raw bar spread.
Great craft beer selection.

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Great craft beer selection.

Aqua Boil - seafood - Updated July 2026

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