The BOX on the Water

Name: The BOX on the Water
Address: Ettalong Foreshore The Esplanade, Ettalong Beach, AU-NSW, Australia, 2257
Telephone: (02) 4339 3369
Price range: $41 to $100
Rating: 4.5

4.5

1849 Reviews

$41 to $100

Modern Australian

Ettalong Foreshore, The Esplanade, Ettalong Beach, AU-NSW 2257

Make a reservation

2 people

Apr 26, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 17 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Great for scenic views
Good for special occasions
Neighborhood gem

The BOX on the Water is situated in prime position on both the Ettalong foreshore and beach. Its absolute waterfront location has panoramic views out across Broken Bay to its namesake, Box Head, and over to Sydney's northern beaches.

Architecturally designed with a stylish, modern aesthetic, The BOX on the Water restaurant, bar and beach kiosk is just an hour and a half drive from central Sydney or twenty five minutes on the passenger ferry from Palm Beach.

Both the restaurant and kiosk offer fresh, modern Australian cuisine and friendly, efficient service. Experience stylish, casual, 'fun dining' with arguably the best outlook on the Coast!

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$41 to $100
Cuisines
Modern Australian, Seafood
Hours of operation
Kiosk Daily 7:00 am–4:00 pm Brunch Wed, Sun 8:00 am–12:00 pm Lunch Daily 11:45 am–3:00 pm Sunset sips Fri–Sun 3:00 pm–5:30 pm Dinner Thu–Sat 5:30 pm–8:30 pm Sun 5:00 pm–7:00 pm
Phone number
(02) 4339 3369
Website
http://theboxonthewater.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual

Location
Ettalong Foreshore, The Esplanade, Ettalong Beach, AU-NSW 2257
Neighborhood
Ettalong Beach
Parking details
There is free parking bays along the foreshore next to The BOX and plenty of street parking very close.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

35 Sydney Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

Experiences

Hot & Cold Seafood Feast (Minimum. 2 people)
A$89.00 per person
Multiple dates available
Enjoy our hot & cold seafood feast Kids menu available for children under 12 years old for $15pp. Please see our website for the menu
The Box Grazing Feast (min. 2 people)
A$89.00 per person
Multiple dates available
Push the boat out and experience our four course summer grazing feast, curated by owners Monique & Natasha. Our grazing feast showcases everything we love to eat this season, and includes an optional wine pairing to complement each course. Full menu available via our website.
Mother's Day Tea by the Sea
A$25.00 - A$99.00 per person
Prepaid
Multiple dates available
Indulge in a new era of high tea, where tradition meets modern, coastal charm. $99p.p. prepayment is required for all High Tea bookings and includes a glass of our house sparkling or non-alcoholic options. On the day, sit back and explore our extensive tea list from Emerald Tea Traders while you savour our chefs' handpicked selection of sweet & savoury delights. Something for the little ones? Treat them to our Prince & Princess Tea by the Sea ($25 per child) Unfortunately we cannot accomodate Gluten Free, Dairy Free or Nut Free dietaries.

Oyster bar (minimum 3)A$6.50
- Natural with lemon - Cucumber & jalapeño granita - Salmon roe, chives, soy & ginger dressing
Just prawnsA$26.00
Fresh unpeeled, BOX seafood sauce
CevicheA$24.00
Local white fish, passionfruit, lime, chilli, avocado purée, kumara chips
Seafood teaserA$28.00
Natural oysters, fresh prawns, white anchovies, ceviche & kumara chips, BOX seafood sauce
Grilled sardinesA$22.00
Peperoncini, lemon oil, focaccia
Duck liver pâtéA$21.00
Port jelly, house pickles, focaccia
Octopus terrineA$24.00
Crispy potato, kale chips, macadamia crumbs, chilli
XO musselsA$23.00
XO sauce, focaccia
Tempura zucchini flowersA$24.00
Pumpkin & pine nut filling, beetroot tartare, herb oil
Crispy pork belly bitesA$23.00
Salted dulce de leche, aji amarillo
BurrataA$24.00
Roasted eggplant, pomegranate & walnut relish
XO musselsA$39.00
XO sauce, focaccia
Market fish
Specially prepared local seafood
Baby barramundi for two to shareA$65.00
Whole fried baby barramundi, sautéed greens, ginger & soy dressing
Grilled king prawnsA$44.00
Three to a serve, Pernod & chilli butter, fennel & herb salad, chunky croutons
THE BOX pale ale fish & chipsA$32.00
Baby leaf salad, BOX tartare sauce
Roasted cauliflowerA$32.00
Beetroot hummus, Zhug yoghurt, seeded crisps
Confit duck saladA$42.00
Roasted sweet potato, baby spinach, orange, maple pecans, goats cheese, bourbon dressing
Bavette steakA$49.00
300g, medium rare, chimichurri, roasted corn ribs, watercress salad

For two or more to share

THE BOX hot & cold seafood feastA$89.00
Cold course: Natural oysters, fresh prawns, white anchovies, ceviche & kumara chips, BOX seafood sauce Hot course: Grilled market fish, XO mussels & focaccia, sardines, grilled king prawns, chips, salad, BOX tartare sauce

Sides

ChipsA$12.00
Rosemary salt, roast garlic aioli
Waldorf saladA$12.00
Celery, apple, walnuts, iceberg lettuce, buttermilk ranch dressing
Grilled broccoliniA$12.00
Almond tarator, chilli & anchovy oil
Truffled smashed chatsA$12.00
Shaved parmesan, aioli

Dessert

Dark chocolate mousseA$16.00
Candied ginger, white chocolate soil
PavlovaA$16.00
Chantilly cream, berries, lemon sorbet
Pineapple cakeA$16.00
Coconut & lime sorbet, passionfruit coulis
Lemon possetA$16.00
Pistachio ice cream, house-made limoncello, tuille
Sorbet of the dayA$16.00
Ask your waiter for today's flavour
Cheese plateA$24.00
Local & imported artisan cheeses, fruit & nut rolada, lavosh
AffogatoA$21.00
THE BOX Coffee, Frangelico, vanilla bean ice cream

What 1,849 people are saying

The BOX on the Water reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.6Service
4.6Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

New South Wales
Great for scenic views
New South Wales
Modern Australian
Central Coast
Best Overall
Central Coast
Best Food
Central Coast
Best Service
Central Coast
Best Ambiance
Central Coast
Best Value
Central Coast
Kid-friendly
Central Coast
Good for groups
Central Coast
Healthy
Central Coast
Neighborhood gem
Central Coast
Good for special occasions
Central Coast
Vegetarian-friendly
Central Coast
Lively
Central Coast
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The BOX on the Water offers a stunning waterfront setting with "superb food" and "exceptional service." Guests appreciate its consistently "great location and outlook," making it a perfect spot for celebrations. The seafood options are particularly praised, and while some find it pricey, many highlight the "amazing experience" and "attentive staff."

1,849 Reviews

A
Anni
New York City5 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Lovely food and service would totally recommend for dinner.
Is this helpful?
N
Nikki
Denver8 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great experience. The food and service were fantastic. The dishes were interesting without being too tricked up. Fresh and sublime flavours. Attentive and friendly staff. We’ll definitely be back!
Is this helpful?
A
Alison
New South Wales1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Had a lovely dinner with friends at the Box. Quality of the food was excellent and the setting was perfect
Is this helpful?
M
Morna
New South Wales2 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Superb position, wonderful food, great place to have a get together.
Is this helpful?
N
Natalie
New South Wales5 reviews
3.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Nice restaurant in a great spot but service was slow and food was average. For the price we paid I wasn't overly impressed.
Is this helpful?
L
Lisa
New South Wales1 review
2.0
Dined on April 12, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 4
Wasn’t great. Took an hour to get oysters. Was out with my demented Father for his birthday. We did get a Como drink but I won’t be rushing back
Is this helpful?
B
Brian
New South Wales1 review
4.0
Dined on April 12, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The food and service were excellent. The tables outside with dogs is where I considered a health hazard. We witnessed customers with the dogs sitting on chairs, sitting on their laps, feeding them from the table & dogs with their heads on the table. Dogs barking was annoying. When the customers left with their dogs, the tables only got a quick wipe over, and nothing was done to the chairs at all. Don't get me wrong, I love dogs, but I do not think they should be allowed at a restaurant.
Is this helpful?
K
Kevin
New South Wales2 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 7, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We celebrated our wedding anniversary and were extremely happy with all aspects of our meal at The BOX on the Water. The food was superb and the service was great. We'll definitely be going back.
Is this helpful?
J
Jo
New South Wales1 review
5.0
Dined on April 5, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a absolutely wonderful dining experience at The Box on the Water. We will definitely be back and recommend this restaurant to every.
Is this helpful?
J
Julie
New South Wales1 review
5.0
Dined on April 4, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a lovely lunch. The service & food was lovely. Was an enjoyable experience. We were entertaining family members from the Netherlands & we had a nice time. Thank you
Is this helpful?

FAQs

The BOX on the Water is rated 4.5 stars by 1849 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Apr 26, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 17 times today

Experiences are available.

Ettalong Foreshore, The Esplanade, Ettalong Beach, AU-NSW 2257

Additional information

Neighborhood
Ettalong Beach
Hours of operation
Kiosk Daily 7:00 am–4:00 pm Brunch Wed, Sun 8:00 am–12:00 pm Lunch Daily 11:45 am–3:00 pm Sunset sips Fri–Sun 3:00 pm–5:30 pm Dinner Thu–Sat 5:30 pm–8:30 pm Sun 5:00 pm–7:00 pm
Price
$41 to $100
Cuisines
Modern Australian, Seafood
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
There is free parking bays along the foreshore next to The BOX and plenty of street parking very close.
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://theboxonthewater.com/
Phone number
(02) 4339 3369

Featured in

35 Sydney Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

The BOX on the Water

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

35 Sydney Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

Hot & Cold Seafood Feast (Minimum. 2 people)

The Box Grazing Feast (min. 2 people)

Mother's Day Tea by the Sea

While you are deciding

The BOX olivesA$6.50

Tamari almondsA$6.50

House-baked focacciaA$6.50

À la carte - Small

Oyster bar (minimum 3)A$6.50

Just prawnsA$26.00

CevicheA$24.00

Seafood teaserA$28.00

Grilled sardinesA$22.00

Duck liver pâtéA$21.00

Octopus terrineA$24.00

XO musselsA$23.00

Tempura zucchini flowersA$24.00

Crispy pork belly bitesA$23.00

BurrataA$24.00

XO musselsA$39.00

Market fish

Baby barramundi for two to shareA$65.00

Grilled king prawnsA$44.00

THE BOX pale ale fish & chipsA$32.00

Roasted cauliflowerA$32.00

Confit duck saladA$42.00

Bavette steakA$49.00

For two or more to share

THE BOX hot & cold seafood feastA$89.00

Sides

ChipsA$12.00

Waldorf saladA$12.00

Grilled broccoliniA$12.00

Truffled smashed chatsA$12.00

Dessert

Dark chocolate mousseA$16.00

PavlovaA$16.00

Pineapple cakeA$16.00

Lemon possetA$16.00

Sorbet of the dayA$16.00

Cheese plateA$24.00

AffogatoA$21.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is The BOX on the Water restaurant rated?

Is The BOX on the Water currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information

Featured in

35 Sydney Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day