BOX-E – Bristol’s Intimate Modern British Gem in a Shipping Container

4.8 (340)

A tiny 14-seat restaurant in Bristol’s Wapping Wharf shipping containers, serving inventive Modern British tasting menus and seasonal dishes in an intimate, industrial-chic setting.

Tucked inside a pair of converted shipping containers at Bristol’s Wapping Wharf, BOX-E is a tiny 14-seat restaurant serving inventive, seasonal Modern British cuisine. Chef Elliott Lidstone crafts a regularly changing menu, including a celebrated seven-course unwritten tasting menu, in a relaxed, industrial-chic setting with open kitchen views and a small kitchen counter for an even more immersive experience. It’s a destination for food lovers seeking quality, intimacy, and value by the harbour.

A brief summary to BOX-E

Unit 10 Cargo 1, Bristol, BS1 6WP, GB
Click to display
Mid ranged
Mixed
Mobile reception: 5 out of 5

Wednesday 5:30 pm-8:15 pm
Thursday 12 pm-2:15 pm
Friday 12 pm-2:15 pm
Saturday 12 pm-2:15 pm

Local tips

Book well in advance – with only 14 seats, tables fill up quickly, especially for the tasting menu.
Request the seven-course unwritten tasting menu when booking if you want the full BOX-E experience.
Mention any dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free) at the time of booking so the kitchen can plan accordingly.
Arrive a little early to enjoy a drink at one of the nearby Cargo bars and soak up the lively harbour-side atmosphere.

Do you manage this location?

Take control to get all the benefits, like improved information, better appearance, and stronger visibility across AI-powered discovery. Learn more

Activate your presence

Other nearby places you may find interesting

Root

Root: Innovative Vegetable-Centric Dining in Bristol’s Waterfront

Gambas

Gambas Tapas Bar, Bristol

Harbour & Browns

Harbour & Browns – Modern Fusion Dining at Bristol’s Wapping Wharf

Getting There

On foot from Bristol city centre

From central Bristol, it’s about a 15–20 minute walk along the harbourside to Wapping Wharf. Follow the waterfront past the M Shed and Arnolfini galleries, then head towards the Cargo development at Gaol Ferry Steps. The route is flat and well-lit, with clear signage to the harbour area.
By bus from Bristol Temple Meads

Take a city bus from Temple Meads station towards the city centre or Clifton, and get off near the Floating Harbour or Castle Park. From there, it’s a 10–15 minute walk along the waterfront to Wapping Wharf. The journey takes around 20–30 minutes depending on the route and traffic.
By train and local transport

From Bristol Temple Meads, take a short bus or taxi ride to the Floating Harbour area, then walk along the waterfront to Wapping Wharf. Alternatively, from Bristol Parkway, take a train into Temple Meads and connect to local buses or taxis for the final leg to the harbour.
By car with parking

Drive to the city centre and use one of the large multi-storey car parks near the Floating Harbour (such as NCP or Q-Park). From there, it’s a 10–15 minute walk along the waterfront to Wapping Wharf. Street parking is limited and often metered; allow extra time to find a space, especially in the evenings.

For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you

Restrooms
Drink Options
Drinking Water
Food Options
Seating Areas
Sheltered Areas
Trash Bins

Discover more about BOX-E

A Tiny Container, Big Flavours

Nestled in the vibrant Cargo development at Bristol’s Wapping Wharf, BOX-E occupies a pair of repurposed shipping containers, transformed into a compact, 14-seat restaurant that feels more like a private dinner party than a formal dining room. The space is deliberately simple: exposed metal, glass, and blonde plywood create an industrial-chic backdrop that puts the food firmly in the spotlight. Chef Elliott Lidstone, formerly of The Empress in Hackney and The Ortolan, runs this intimate venture with his wife Tessa, turning a modest container into one of Bristol’s most talked-about culinary destinations.

Seasonal Modern British on a Plate

The menu at BOX-E is proudly seasonal and Modern British, changing regularly to showcase the best of what’s available. Diners can choose from an à la carte selection of refined bistro-style dishes or opt for the signature seven-course unwritten tasting menu, a highlight that has earned the restaurant a Michelin Bib Gourmand for good quality, good value cooking. Each course is a study in balance and technique, often featuring ingredients like scallop, trout, hake, and a famously rich panna cotta. The kitchen is highly accommodating, offering thoughtful vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free adaptations on request.

An Intimate, Open-Kitchen Experience

With just 14 seats, BOX-E offers an unusually personal dining experience. The open kitchen layout means you’re close to the action, watching the chef and team work with quiet intensity. For an even more immersive evening, there’s a four-seat kitchen counter where guests can enjoy a bespoke tasting menu while interacting directly with the kitchen. Service is warm and attentive, matching the restaurant’s unpretentious, convivial atmosphere – ideal for a special occasion or a memorable meal with friends.

Wine, Weather and the Wapping Wharf Vibe

A carefully curated, seasonal wine list – often featuring small, biodynamic producers – complements the food beautifully, and a wine flight is available to pair with the tasting menu. The restaurant also has a covered, heated outdoor terrace, making it a comfortable choice even on cooler Bristol evenings. BOX-E is part of the Cargo development, a collection of independent shops, bars and restaurants housed in shipping containers, giving it a lively, creative harbour-side energy while remaining a calm, focused dining destination in its own right.