Avanu on Flagler
- 392 Flagler Avenue New Smyrna Beach
- New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169
(386) 444-3880
We had heard mixed reviews about Avanu on Flagler, but that is pretty common with restaurants when they first open, so we decided to give it a shot. I’m so glad that we did, Avanu was a fantastic experience. If you are looking for restaurants in New Smyrna Beach, I highly recommend that you visit Avanu. Any “growing pains” they might have had are not present now. It is a great addition to an already impressive dining scene in New Smyrna Beach.
The restaurant itself is located right on Flagler Avenue, so you are located in the midst of a lot of great bars, restaurants and shopping. Avanu has a few spaces, a downstairs dining room decorated in an attractive modern Polynesian (think tiki bar) style. Then they also have an upstairs outdoor bar that is large and affords great views of the surrounding area. When we visited they had live music playing as well, which only added to the fun ambiance.
It was a beautiful afternoon when we visited so we opted to sit upstairs to take in the sun and views. Our server was Jenna, who provided prompt and caring service during our visit. She was awesome. We initially stopped by for cocktails and oysters, but stayed for dinner as well after seeing the menu. The menu is expansive and definitely shows an Asian and seafood influence.
My wife enjoyed the fishbowl cocktail while I sampled some of the local Florida brews. The oysters were fresh and delicious. We stopped at one dozen so that we’d have room for more food later. Based on someone else’s review, we also tried the Poke as an appetizer, which was also fresh and tasty. The restaurant was very busy but we never felt rushed by our server and appreciated just being able to relax and take our time.
For main courses, my wife had the grilled grouper and I had the miso cod. Her grouper came with an excellent risotto and grilled green beans that balanced the dish out perfectly. My miso cod was cooked perfectly. We can’t wait to return because there are several more dishes we are eager to try.
In short, Avanu on Flagler is an excellent addition to the New Smyrna Beach dining community. It is no surprise that the restaurant is constantly busy. The food is excellent, the ambiance on point and from our experience has a great staff. If you are looking for restaurants in New Smyrna Beach, give Avanu on Flagler a try. You won’t be disappointed!
