Reviews

Celebrating my beautiful mom today was such a gift. ❤️ We spent the evening at Aquí in Old Town Cottonwood, and from the atmosphere to the last bite of dessert, everything was exceptional. Every dish was vibrantly crafted and bursting with fresh, bold flavors. My absolute favorite was the corn tamale —topped with creamy cheese, toasted pumpkin seeds, and the most beautiful presentation. It was unique, comforting, and absolutely delicious. The ceviche was fresh, the steak and shrimp were cooked perfectly, the cocktails were refreshing, and they even surprised my mom with the sweetest birthday flan to end the evening. If you’re looking for a place to celebrate someone special or simply enjoy an unforgettable meal in the Verde Valley, I highly recommend Aquí.

Community Cafe

Everything was absolutely phenomenal.

Sarah Wishnewsky

What a great “experience” to have dinner here. Hard to believe this high end restaurant is tucked away in Cottonwood. A very unique menu. If you enjoy food with a European twist…and want your taste buds to do a dance, this is your place. The staff and Erick were fantastic. The owner Eden stopped by the table to describe how they prepared their dishes. A must visit. Put your seat belt on tight and prepare for a foodie adventure.

Jay Shotwell

The moment I walked in I was already in love,. Great vibes, nice decorations, and very excellent service. I am 10 years old and this is the best food I’ve ever had. Once you see the space and then you taste the food Your mind will be blown. The food is excellent! . Im not a big dessert person and even if you aren’t either you should absolutely try her desserts. It’s the best .Eden is the best chef ever!

Sally Young

A friend and I had heard wonderful things about Aqui so we decided to give it a try for lunch. We were blown away! The staff was friendly and courteous and the dining room atmosphere inviting. The patio dining area was filled with spectacular floral arrangements.The menu offerings were varied and tempting. Our meals were served promptly, presented beautifully, and filled with a multitude of amazing flavors. We will most definitely be back for dinner so we can sample their extensive adult beverage selection!

Dottie Talkington

Exceptional food, beverages, and service. Very quality food.

Brick Wall

Aqui is a thoughtfully decorated, comfortable upscale place where the food is excellent and the service very good. And the desserts are truly special with fresh berries and cream plentiful!

Stephanie Williams

First time dining here. The service was friendly and overall great. The star of the day was the surf & turf (8oz filet mignon) w/ a fresh corn tamale. My picture doesn’t do how mouth watering delicious it was! My hat off to the chef that created this masterpiece.

Marvin H

We tried Aqui tonight. Green lipped muscles in a spicy broth for an appetizer. Chocolate chili pot de crème for desert. Mike had the halibut with green mole a grilled carrot slaw. I had blackened salmon. Jalapeño risotto avocado, crema and grilled corn. Just excellent. Every bite. Natalia was such a great server I wondered where they recruited her but then we saw Annabelle from Shorebirds. (She was our server for 5 Valentine’s Days there) . Great job Aqui.

Sally McCarley

Half rack of lamb was great! Served with my favorite vegetable, asparagus!

Joanne S

A two-night stay in Cottonwood yielded the best dining experience of our week-long vacation. What a wonderful way to end the trip. We were surprised to learn that Aqui has only been open a few weeks, because you certainly could not tell from the flawless nature of the entire experience. This hidden gem was exceptional from start to finish. We live in Tucson, and frankly, there is no restaurant there that even comes close to matching what we experienced at Aqui. The gazpacho was the best I have ever had. My dining companion had the snow crab salad and was absolutely blown away by how good it was. For our entrées, we had the pork tenderloin and the half-rack of lamb. Both were prepared perfectly and presented like works of art. We also had the pleasure of meeting the owner and telling her personally how impressed we were. Now, if only she would open a restaurant in Tucson! As a side note, we were so impressed that we decided to try Aqui’s sister restaurant in Cottonwood, EDEN, the following night — and we were equally impressed. Bravo to the owner for creating two truly wonderful restaurants in Cottonwood. It should also be noted that every staff member we encountered at both restaurants was friendly, efficient, and clearly proud to be part of the team. An outstanding experience all around.

Greg Milward

Aqui is a newer, un-pretentious restaurant in Old Town Cottonwood that is well worth making a visit to. The owner has been in the business for many years and knows how to create a culinary experience

Mark Zyga

Sat at the bar where Lorynn & Eli provided great service and recommendations. Tried the huevos rancheros salad which was novel and tasty. The shrimp ceviche was very good, although very spicy! Enjoyed the wine by the glass as well as selected tequila shots. Will definitely return.

Josh Violette

The kind of place I immediately think, when my friends/family that enjoy great cuisine come to AZ, I need to bring them here. I text my sister in NY after being there 15 mins and my husband text our friends in NJ. Ambiance is excellent, drinks are so original and delicious, and flavors on everything are so on point. Service is both warm and upscale, which can be a tough balance. Thrilled to have this new addition in town. The mussels are ridiculous. Piece of advice, order the extra bread or you may end up drinking the sauce right out of the bowl

jennifer molloy

We decided on Aqui to celebrate a friends birthday, and we were not disappointed. Food was delicious and well portioned. Atmosphere felt inviting, our waitress Rachael was attentive and fun. Will visit again in the fall when we return.

Judy James

A MUST for any serious foodies who also love a warm and inviting atmosphere. We were treated like family by both our server Molly and the owner Eden. We’re still thinking about the amazing cocktails, the bang bang shrimp tacos, the ribeye special with prawns and a corn tamale, and especially the olive oil lemon cake with berry compote. Yum

Shelley Bontrager

Beautiful restaurant with a fresh ingredient menu. We had an awesome server, Amber, who was very knowledgeable on the food/drinks, but also had recommendations for fun activities while in town (thank you♥️). The tacos with homemade tortillas were THE BEST!

Crazy TG

Me and my lady went here, with no expectations, since it's fairly new in Cottonwood. We started with the shrimp ceviche, and oh man we were impressed with how delicious it was, our lunch was also amazing. I finished my plate. Definitely a good addition to Old Town!

Richard Molina

You can tell the people here are passionate about what they do which always makes everything better. Our server Anabelle was amazing! Food was out of this world—fresh, filling, and didn’t leave me feeling like I ate a big meal out. Menu was uniquely inspired so there’s something for everyone here. The vibes of the restaurant were so neat as well—will definitely come back next time I’m in cottonwood!!

elyse mundorff

I'm honestly blown away. Chef Eden has created a great welcoming environment. It feels like the people working there want you to be there and not rush you out!!! The food was actually worth the money, which is a rare in the restaurant industry. I also noticed that Chef Eden was running around and bussing tables, making sure everyone was satisfied with their dishes and generally boosting the moral of her staff and her customers. Did I mention the food was meticulously crafted and perfectly executed ? I'm not sure of another restaurant in the area that has this much attention to detail and fine execution of their menu. I will bring all my friends and family here when they come through.

minyan Zhu

Had my first meal at Aqui yesterday, the Cottonwood Cob Salad was so fresh and flavorful!! My friends had tacos and the tortillas are made to order, amazing flavor and texture!! The environment is delightful, not loud!! Kudos to Molly our Dining Attendant (I like that better than Server!) she did a lovely job of discussing the menu and her service had a calm easy flow! Add this new treat to your list! Indoor and Outdoor eating too!

Tom Coultas

There's a new restaurant in Cottonwood, AZ called Aqui, which I rate as a 5 star restaurant, owned by Eden who personally works it with her staff. Her chefs produce one of the best meals I've enjoyed in a long time. I had Salmon, my daughter had Halibut and her husband had Pork - all were yummy, creative, beautifully prepared and served. The blackened Salmon was served on a delicious sweet corn and Jalapeno Risotto with fresh citrus salsa, avocado, cilantro crema, queso fresco and chili lime pepitas. It was not hot, but just a touch of jalapeno heat and the best salmon I've ever had. I highly rate this restaurant as a must experience if you're headed to Clarkdale, AZ.

Camille Pfeifer

Everything we had here was an amazing explosion of elevated flavors!! The Halibut was probably one of the best things I've ever tasted!! This place is mind blowingly good! I'm so grateful for this addition in our little town. Absolutely a 5 star dining experience! Foodie heaven!!!

Holly Pfeifer

Awesome creative food! Attentive service! Can't wait to come back!

Dawn Koss

Innovative menu and drinks. Absolutely recommend. Dinner at the bar is comfortable, too.

Linda Ohlsen

Wow!! I knew dinner was going to be great since we dine at Eden all the time, but I was blown away by the drinks and food at Aqui! The Verde Vita cocktail was so layered in flavor and complex, it felt very upscale. My tacos were phenomenal! I'm big on presentation and they delivered! The plate was full of color and vibrancy and everything just felt so fresh. You can tell that so much love went into the food and that they really want you to have a great experience dining with them. I can't wait to go back!

Jennifer Garcia

Sensational food. Best I've had in Old Town, if not Cottonwood as a whole. We all got something different and each dish was unique and delicious. Staff was very attentive and friendly!

Cooper Reid

Wow. Aquí has easily set the standard for upscale dining in Cottonwood. We were blown away by how incredibly fresh everything was. The pistachio-crusted halibut and crab salad are flawless, and the salmon is officially legendary according to my friend. The bar team is also doing unbelievable work; the Tequila Girls cocktail is an absolute must! A major highlight of our night was when the Chef came out to visit with us. It was such an honor meeting someone so talented who pours so much passion into the food. If you want an unforgettable, high-quality meal, this is the spot.

Tina Jordan

Went at an early dinner rush so ate at the bar and had a wonderful experience. The interior space is intimate but bright and there is a larger outside seating area. Menu, coctails and food, has some unique and tasty items.

Jim Adamson

Amazing! Everything. Host super sweet. Erick our Server was very attentive and knowledgeable. Food was the BEST tasting meal we’ve had in a while in our small community. Stevie the server assistant was quick with our water and plates. Molly didn’t serve us but was friendly touching our tables. HIGHLY RECOMMEND and will be coming back.

Jacqueline Gonzales

Very nice place. Casey the server and Eric the manager were super friendly and accommodating! The Sonoran steak melt and ceviche were incredible!! Highly recommend a visit!

Heiner Zacher

Great cocktails and tacos!

Candace

The food and service were both phenominal. Whomever is cooking at Aqui is a culinary genius. The only thing I would say that was kind of off (but im not holding it to them since they literally just opened) was the waitress seemed a little bit lost when it came to drink choices, but she was so friendly and kind we didnt even notice much! If you are in Cottonwood, check this place out!

Tyler Brimer

Beautiful restaurant. Great food ,excellent service, I can't wait to go back!

Marco Saverino

Eden has done it again. The Mexican whiskey cocktail was superb, the crispy duck was tender and flavorful, the carne asada tacos super fresh and the olive oil cake with whipped cream and fruits.. how do you even come up with this? Our server Molly was great! Would recommend both Eden and Aqui, now literally the 2 best restaurants in Cottonwood, we needed this quality!

Kevin ten Cate

If anywhere near Cottonwood, Arizona you must stop by. The food is excellent, service superb and decor inviting. I highly recommend the duck confit ', tacos, and shrimp ceviche. The Mezcal selection is the best in all of Yavapai County.

James Fulop

Eric, The General Manager is passionate about service and Eden per usual has created the perfect menu. This is a 5 STAR restaurant for a 2 star price point. Everyone should dine here as often as possible. The cocktails are also extremely delicious.

Gwen G. Fulop

Wife and I went opening day. Eden did a great job redoing the old Colt grill. Very welcoming. Molly our server was very friendly and attentive. We had the beef torta sandwich. Excellent! This is defiantly an upgrade to the other restaurants in old town! We wouldn’t expect anything less from Eden! Well done!

Paul Stanley

This is the greatest steak I have ever enjoyed and I've had more than my share. The Oaxacan old fashioned that they concocted was epic! The ambiance is relaxing, fun, and energetic. I always sit at the bar, Eli and Eric are incredible, engaging and entertaining, Eli's cats are also adorable! I have loved entertaining that Eden produces, and this is the best thing to ever come to Cottonwood outside of the wine!

Derek Oster

The food was great. The service was great. I travel extensively throughout the year. So, I dine at a lot of places. This brand new Cottonwood restaurant deserves top honors. Honestly, if it was in a place like NYC or DC you'd likely be on a reservation wait list before dining here. Congrats to the owners and staff. Wishing you great success.

Clements30305

We've been waiting for the opening for quite some time, so we were super excited to hear they were up and running. Every aspect of this lovely place exceeded any and all of our expectations, and our most excellent server, Anabel, was so amazing. She should be called an expert tour guide of delicacies and gourmet experience. My husband enjoyed the very well prepared duck confit that was cooked and seasoned to perfection. I ordered the cob salad, and every bite had a wonderful medley of flavors. Even the NonAlcoholic "Giggle Water" beverage was thoughtfully created and mixed to perfection. Of course, the night would not have been complete without a taste of dessert. The pot de cream was a wonderfully spiced mix of chocolate decadence, and the olive oil cake was topped with an amazing array of berries and caramelized pecans. Would give this place more than 5 stars if we could.

Super TeacherStudent

We had a wonderful experience. The tacos were delicious and fresh. The homemade corn tortillas made them even better. We also ordered an agua fresca, which was very refreshing. Finished with the cheesecake for desert. Also very good. We really liked the livley atmosphere and friendly staff. Glad to have another great restaurant in our little town!

Priscilla Minjarez

I had the tacos and I was not disappointed! The homemade tortillas make the dish truly amazing drinks were on point! Overall a great experience.

Keri Quevedo

Excellent service and dinning at Aqui! My husband had the tacos with hand made corn tortillas and he said it was absolutely delicious! The service was perfect and the food arrived in a timely manner. The atmosphere is relaxed, inviting and clean, we will definitely be back!

Amanda Navarro

Worth the drive from Sedona. The craftsmanship is unmatched and every dish feels intentional. Quite easily the best chef in Northern Arizona. If you're looking for the best restaurant in Cottonwood, a true hidden gem, chef-driven menu, and an elevated dining experience, Be Aqui is it.

Katherine Young

This is a much needed addition to Old Town Cottonwood! The ingredients are treated with such love and care, everything tonight was exquisite!

Michelle Carroll

A lovely experience as soon as we walked in the door. From the hostess Reevyn to the server Annabelle, and the food Will go again and bring more friends!

Becca Daltroff

Opening day and the staff seemed very comfortable. We had the lamb, the halibut, and the ceviche for an appetizer. All were excellent. The halibut was outstanding. I would (and will) order it over and over. The only thing I don’t love is the 4 tops are all high tops. Just a personal preference. I wish there were comfortable booths. The patio will be nice for 4 people seating, weather permitting and with full umbrella coverage. We will be back frequently.

KdotAz

Fantastic!

Shadrach Miller

So glad to have a new restaurant in Old Town. So many fantastic options on the menu. I went for the Cauliflower steak and it was amazingly delicious. I will be back soon to try more of the offerings.

Jeff Anderson

We visited Aqui today for lunch with high hopes, and I'm happy to say, we were not disappointed! I really love what they've done to transform the space; atmosphere was warm and inviting - great music and overall vibe. Service was superb - hostess, P.J., is always a delight (we know her from Eden), and Anabel was our server; she did an exceptional job covering all points of service and making us feel immediately at home. We shared the Be Aqui salad, then ordered the duck entree and pork tacos; everything was delicious. A few other highlights - Chocolate Pot de Creme & the Giggle Water mocktail - both to die for. Can't wait to go back again soon; so thrilled it's such a short drive from our house!

Candice Schutter