We ate dinner here with two others couples last night for the first time. We had reservations for the 8:30 seating. The space is pretty small so reservations fill up pretty quick. We had a few cheeses to start and had the chef choose those....they were all delicious. I had the Dover sole which was really good. Much better than my fish dish the night prior at another restaurant (see review). Everyone had wine by the glass as we have different preferences. The waitress / bartender asked what type of wine you typically prefer, offered to bring you a taste of what she would recommend, and nailed it on the first time for everyone. We shared one of the chocolate hazelnut desserts for the table and it was a perfect few bites to wrap up a really good meal. read more

We have wanted to try this restaurant for a while, and after reading the great reviews, we decided to celebrate my husband's special birthday. My husband is a world famous athlete and former Olympian, of Sicilian decent, and I am Belgian, having been raised in my family's hotel\restaurant in Brussels. We have traveled the world and dined in top rated restaurants. -- Last evening was one of the worst experience. We were greeted at the door by a young women, who could not find out reservation. The atmosphere was non existent, no music,flowers or candle light,no warmth! Wanted to start with a martini, our waitress had no idea what gin was available..and after a rather long wait she offered only four choices. Before our drinks arrived, after a rather long wait again, because the only qualified server who was also have the bartender,was busy with 4 other tables...,our waitress wanted to know if we were ready to order, before our cocktails. Now to the food: we both ordered the same special: pasta and shrimp. One the plate was about 1\3 cup of disgusting black pasta, resembling algae, topped with 3 shrimp, three shrimp heads, trying to make the fish fuller and a handful of cherry tomatoes. My husband ate his 3 shrimp and sent his dish back. The chef\owner never acknowledged us. We are well known in the restaurant scene in the city, frequenting excellent restaurants and always greeted with warmth by owners and staff. Not the case at Aqua&Vino! read more

We were so excited to dine here after we received a recommendation from a couple (highly-trusted) people! All in all, the food was good - it tasted good and seemed to be pretty fresh. However, it didn't blow us away and it was very pricey when compared to other very good Charlotte-area Italian restaurants. For example, the (average-sized) caprese salad was $35 and certainly nothing special. The atmosphere was nice but the staff weren't especially friendly or helpful. Likely won't go out of our way to dine here. read more

food was pretty good but we saw a cocktoach and were completely grossed out. when we left there were also a cockroaches outsode and just like nah. wouldnt come back. food wasnt good enough to look past the cockroaches read more

The food is 5 star, but service and experience not so much. Like a previous review it was like they were doing us a favor by allowing us to eat at their restaurant. Not the experience I'm looking for when spending close to $200 for 2. They did not explain anything on the menu and if you asked it was like you were some low life who has never been to a nice restaurant. I would not go back even though the food was great. Plenty of places where they appreciate your company and money!! read more

Excellent food, but very disappointing experience and demotivated service. Waiters not interested to clearly outline the offer for restaurant week. They were only focusing to explain what the standard offer was to make more money. The chef does not deserve that, but at the end the customer experience counts... Again, great restaurant, but unfortunately demotivated service overshadows great cuisine... read more

Small restaurant with big Italian flavors! Book a reservation here to celebrate a special occasion and enjoy a great dining experience in Charlotte. You won't be rushed as it appears the restaurant books 2 services a night per table, for example 6:30/8:30. I appreciate this pacing as there's nothing than feeling rushed when your paying for premium food/experience. The food is excellent due to high quality ingredients and attention to detail in its preparation/plating. Happy to have a restaurant like Aqua e Vino here in Charlotte. read more

This is my go-to place in Charlotte. Having moved from Santa Monica, Ca., it's been fairly difficult to find a place that both sells menu and atmosphere. Come book a reservation. read more

Authenticity at it's best. The service matches the quality of their food. By far the best Italian in Charlotte. read more

I was blown away with the food at this quaint and cozy restaurant. Seating is limited so get reservations early. The chef has a prep table in the middle where he prepares all the appetizers with fresh and authentic Italian ingredients. We had the caprese salad and figs with prosciutto which were both amazing. I forgot to mention the breads! There were several varieties, but the best was similar to a bite sized puff pastry. The entrees and desserts were delicious. We will definitely eat here again. read more

We came to the restaurant for our anniversary. Unfortunately the food and experience were just ok. The waiter was not very accommodating to my dairy allergy and it seemed like I had to explain why I really needed to make sure things were not cooked with butter (the chef ended up being accommodating but I wasn't sure if the mashed potatoes were dairy free). My husband's pork chop was overdone and my veal was good , but nothing to write home about. The best part was the appetizer, which was delicious. We had high hopes for this place but it unfortunately fell short. read more

Best place we could've picked for restaurant week! Awesome food and service! Everything was so fresh and if you've been to Italy, you can tell the chef cares to incorporate true Italian flavor into the food read more

Wish I could give this place 10 stars! Best experience of my life !!! Excellent experience from beginning to end ! I am from Italy, so I was looking for something truly authentic! This is sometimes hard to find . We made a reservation for 5pm on the same day, i recommend doing this as it is a very small and intimate space, you want to call ahead. Once we arrived we were warmly welcomed by The hostess and accommodated by Franco. The place was clean and smelled divine. Italian tunes were playing in the background and Franco spoke fluent Italian as well as the owner/chef! The chef came out to greet is personally, by this time we were the only people in the restaurant. He brought out his meats and cheese tray and started the most beautiful charcuterie I've ever experienced, he cut everything to perfection and in perfect proportions! Meanwhile Franco delivered our freshly baked bread basket composed of a mix of focaccia bread, Grissini and home bread! Just delicious ! Then another small bread basket my husband and I were fighting over this. Then he asked us what we wanted and I asked him to surprise us! Did he ever!! He came out with a triple treat of pasta, risotto and kale pasta plates. They were all delicious, each with its own carefully crafted flavor I cannot tell you a favorite as they were all magnificent. I will just upload my pictures as this is so hard to express but pictures are a different story We also had the best coconut cake dessert, one of 3 he served us. Just magnificent. To top it off we got to meet the chefs wife who was absolutely delightful! This was he lost intimate lovely dinner I have ever experienced and my hubby and I were in awe at the family atmosphere, I felt as if I was back home in Milano! I'm a happy girl read more

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Second time I've been there. Once again the food was excellent. The space is small just 8 tables, two seatings. You will enjoy. read more

This is an amazing restaurant with great attention to detail. The quality of the food is top shelf along with the service. A must for special occasions. Its It's a small restaurant so plan ahead. read more

We loved the old place, Il Nido, but this is a fantastic transition. The place is small so reservation is a must. They are new so still working out some kinks. We split 3 things. Beet salad, the cheese ravioli and the lamb chops. All 3 were amazing. The big negative I had here was the service. It took FOREVER. I think they have a small staff and a small kitchen, however you would also think with a small number of tables you would have a lot of attention. Not the case. So if you do go, plan on at least a 2 hour dinner. The food is amazing, just be prepared to wait. read more

A small boutique setting with exceptional service. I'd never even heard of this place until very recently as the only rely on word of mouth and their 5 star reviews. I was very pleasantly surprised by the food and service. I will definitely return. read more

My husband and I dined here yesterday evening as our pre-Christmas celebration date night. We had the most wonderful experience! The food was absolutely delicious. We split every course, which I would highly recommend, to taste more of their menu selections. The appetizer special was burrata with prosciutto and it was truly the best I've ever had. The cheese was so fresh, paired with prosciutto that had the perfect amount of saltiness. It was also served with homemade bread. We also had the octopus appetizer and it was fantastic. For our main entrees we tried the gnocchi and the special, which was spaghetti with a cream sauce and topped with white truffle. Both were equally amazing. Our server, Marco, could not have been more friendly and helpful! He recommended delicious wine and provided excellent service the entire evening. The atmosphere was so cute and cozy, perfect for an intimate date night. We thoroughly enjoyed our entire evening at Aqua e Vino and I would absolutely return! read more

I liked the quaint setting of Aqua e Vino in Strawberry Hill. The chef sent us donuts as a filler because the kitchen was a bit behind. Nice touch. The donuts were more savory than sweet, but good. The wine list @ Aqua e Vino is extensive (hence the namesake?) and I ordered a glass or two of red. We shared the Octopus as an appetizer and, for my main meal, I ordered the Salmon w/ butternut squash. My food was well cooked and presented well. I consider Aqua e Vino a "pretty food" restaurant with relatively small portions, hearty prices, and a smallish menu. It feels like a special night out restaurant and you could see and taste the chef's talents. I didn't 'love' the hard bread personally (which is probably an authentic Italian restaurant bread choice) but I don't need the extra bread anyway. :) Great place for a special night or date. Make a reservation! read more

Best Italian restaurant I've tried in Charlotte. The chef is amazing (and a nice guy). He came out to the dining room, walked around to each table and spoke to everyone. Everything was wonderful. I woke up the next day craving another plate of the Tajarin pasta. read more

We went here for our 3 year anniversary and it was spectacular. The wine is top quality, the appetizers fresh and the pasta we ordered was superb. You can tell it was authentic. read more

What a great evening. Such a pretty, quiet, romantic spot. The menu changes daily. The food is incredible, and the service perfect. The timing between courses could not have been better. We were able to talk and enjoy our wine without feeling rushed. We split the octopus, the linguine with clams and the filet which had fresh tomatoes and a soft, delicate cheese....perfect. read more

BEST AUTHENTIC CUISINE IN CHARLOTTE Enjoy this restaurant for dinner with friends, family or a romantic dinner for two. You will be amazed by the Chef's pairings. We also hosted my daughter's college graduation, the restaurant opened just for us on a Saturday and treated us like royalty. They never disappoint. Make reservations read more

It's simple. Gabriel is one of the top chefs in Charlotte or Milan or NYC. While looking forward to his post pandemic re-opening, his take-out is fantastic. George read more

Absolutely LOVE this restaurant and the folks there! (Owner, staff, etc) Probably moved up to my favorite Charlotte area restaurant! Food and service both are exceptional and the atmosphere is so relaxing! One of the few small quaint spots left in our area where you can relax enjoy great food and wine AND actually "visit" and have conversation aka hear each other! You will not be disappointed BUT be sure to make your reservation ahead of time! Can't wait until my next "date" night for more yummy food and wine!!!!! 5 stars for sure!!! read more

We ordered takeout for my birthday and IT WAS AWESOME!! since this whole Covid deal, we have done a lot of takeout to support local restaurants and have been underwhelmed in some instances but understand the toll it takes - HOWEVER !! Aqua e Vino made up with great care a delicious dinner for us! Fantastic Pork, Orechetti, Lasagna and salad!! Great work folks !! Please suppor these guys for a yummy dinner read more

Absolutely wonderful!!! Everything here seems carefully chosen and carefully prepared. You always feel like you are at the chef's table.

The food was perfect, but pricy. Very intimate. The waiters were very tentative. The place is very small, like 6 tables, so we didn't get to just sit and visit due to reservation coming after us. But overall good experience and would be up for returning. You will need a reservation. read more

WOW. Best Italian food I've had outside of Italy. Authentic, satisfying, artistic, and delicious. The delicate hand of a well-trained culinary artist takes each guest on a journey. It was exceptional. Bring friends, bring family, this is a restaurant that has heart and soul and we are lucky to have it! read more

Okay, I tried to call, but I received a recorded message. So I'm reviewing you now. If I could give less than a star I would. First, remove the porcini mushroom appetizer immediately. Chain restaurants have better fried mushrooms. The dish is an insult at $15.00. The most annoying by far was our server. He was condescending and had a complete lack of knowledge of the menu. I don't know what happened. We went to the same restaurant last year for our anniversary and returned because of the great food and service. Once again, Charlotte and this establishment has failed to impress. At $150 for two people, never again. I called today and spoke with the owner/chef. The reason I didn't ask to speak to someone last night is simple. I didn't want a scene in a small restaurant. When I spoke to the owner his reply was, "Well if you didn't like the food, why didn't you ask to speak to me?" Not, I apologize for your experience, I would like to comp your meal. Instead I got a lecture about how I was in the wrong and clearly had no taste, because he sells a lot of those greasy mushrooms. By the way, the waiter never once asked how our meal was. So they you have it. read more

Amazing! Before going, I had only ever heard good things from coworkers. Boy were they right! The food was outstanding and the service was impeccable. I will absolutely recommend this place and I'll definitely go back. read more

We have celebrated a family event here and were absolutely blown away with the exquisite dishes suggested and prepared by Chef Gabriele, outstanding service and sophisticated but still casual pleasant atmosphere. We enjoyed arugula and ricotta gnocchi a lot and the rabbit roll with broccoli rabe was so juicy and tender. For dessert we had Napoleon and it was phenomenal! Made in house by the Chef himself! We will definitely come back again and again! Thank you Aqua e Vino! read more

AQUA e VINO - Napoleon with whipped cream and berry sauce! Mouthwatering! - Italian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Best Italian restaurant in Charlotte. Gabrielle has the perfection of an amazing chef who knows the best combination of his always fresh food offerings. Outstanding! read more

Awesome meal. Ingredients fresh, food delicious, cocktails and wine list vast, and homemade dessert divine!

My wife and I were running some errands and decided to grab a bite to eat.... Since the Pandemic we've been eating out more than usual supporting our local restaurants. We heard some good things about Aqua e Vino so decided to check it out. The food was exceptional, on par with the better restaurants in NYC.. The waitress we had and the waiter she had assisting her were horrendous. They were obnoxious and condescending to say the least. I unintentionally insulted the waitress by questioning why she wanted me to taste the bottle of wine we ordered. (we had a glass and decided to get the same wine with dinner). At that point she passed us off to the only other waiter there who seemed to be her assistant. Once he took our order, he actually had the NERVE to correct my pronunciation of some of the selections I made in a very condescending way. My wife and I are married for more than 36 years... I have never seen her so upset. Upset to the point of saying she never wants to go back. I never write reviews but this experience and how we were treated I felt it necessary. To feel like we were judged by the way we were underdressed or our New York accent is terrible. We are fortunate enough to have dined in some of the best restaurants in NY and Charlotte. Aqua e Vino has left me with such a bad taste I would never go back. Try Kindred, Stagioni's or Bardo...... Their waitstaff is stellar.... Real professionals. read more

Didn't measure up. Based on all the positive reviews it's possible our experience was atypical but we didn't enjoy our food. A roasted chicken dish was 2 small wheel-like slices of dry chicken wrapping an undistinguished stuffing. Very small portion. Prosciutto appetizer was cut on the thick side, so it was tough and chewy. My wife's soup came cold. Service was friendly but it didn't compensate for the mediocre food. read more

This place takes me back to being in Europe. It is a very quaint and romantic place. We started with the prosciutto and two choice cheese plate. It was amazing, the prosciutto was hand carved right in front of us and the cheese was served with fig, honey and I believe an apricot marmalade. We were both so happy with our selection but sad that we were getting full. Instead of skipping dinner, we opted to split a plate of gnocchi. I can only say it was gnocchi love. The wine selections were also fabulous and we opted for a bottle of Italian. The atmosphere, food and attentive staff made this evening such a wonderful evening. We definitely will be back to try more of the amazing food & wine, plus take in the atmosphere of this quaint place. read more

I've been meaning to do a for review for months now.We've been several times. I can't say enough.Between ourselves and friends I think we've had everything on the menu! All the Primi are out of this world my favorite is the gnocchi no matter how it's served I also love the chicken"my nonna style".You might want to start with Dessert so as not to miss out.Best in the city and all made in house.The service is always on point and friendly.It's so nice to see people enjoying their work.I could go on and on about Chef Grigo his staff the food the wine.Make sure to make a reservation or call a head! read more

We recently went here for dinner because we saw that it got great reviews on Yelp and trip advisor, however, I beg to differ. We had dinner reservations for 5, we showed up a little early and it was about 32 degrees outside and they absolutely did not open their doors until 5pm sharp. They unlocked the front door but did not open the doors for us, so we let ourselves in. The waitstaff is all male, they are extremely sarcastic and rude. One of the waiters knocked my mothers purse off her chair and did not apologize. Our waiter was very rude and sarcastic probably shouldn't be in the restaurant business. The way menu is set up they want you to order an anti pasta, primi then second, or three meals essentially. Each meal ranges from $25-$35, so If you order the way they suggest you're looking at $80-$100 a person. The portion sizes are "European" or what we would consider kid size portions. A side salad cost $13 and it was 5 little pieces of lettuce it was a joke. They were all out of Pinot noir and most beers? I ordered the Roasted Eggplant Ravioli which was $22, the food took 45 minutes to come out and there was a measly 5 ravioli on my plate (what a joke)! If you want my honest opinion, save your money and go to a less expensive restaurant with bigger portion sizes, this place was ridiculous! read more

We had an excellent dinner. The chef spent time with us describing his dishes and just talking with us. It felt like a nice dinner with friends. They offer indoor and outdoor seating. Our food was very tasty. read more