Sounds hard to believe, but the busy tourist destination still has a village in which you can wander the winding arcades, sip on wines of Italy and Spain, and dine on hand-made gnocchi.

Where else would you be offered a shot of grappa over a chat with a chef who has just spent eight hours hand crafting balls of pasta?

Ettalong is heaven to anyone wanting an escape without the long drive. Food, wines, craft beers, sun and sand, its all at your fingertips.

The Mantra is the perfect place to set up camp right opposite the beach in the town centre. Choose from hinterland, pool, or ocean views or opt for a room that opens straight out onto the resort style pool.

If you want true, authentic Italian cuisine, take a walk down the trendy little alley ways until you come across Gusto Italian Bistro.

This is not your normal Italian ristorante - a sleek and vibrant colour scheme makes for a cheery entrance as guests enjoy a cheeky cocktail, imported wine or beer at the bar - before an intimate dinner at small tables in front of a crackling fireplace in cooler months.

Whether dining from an ever-evolving menu or partaking in the cicchetti tapas buffet, expect dishes such as sautéed mussels in white wine broth, chilli and paprika croutons; while pasta lovers can twirl a fork around fresh housemade black tagliatelle with prawns and lime.

Food is not a necessity in this northern Italian eatery - it's an art form, and a symbol of how Italian people celebrate life through their love affair with food.

It's contagious. One visit isn't enough.

If you're looking for a hearty breakfast with a view then look no further than The Box on the Water.

It's located on the newly redeveloped foreshore in Ettalong Beach and its absolute waterfront location has panoramic views out across Broken Bay to its namesake, Box Head, and over to Sydney's northern beaches.

If your weekend wouldn't be complete without indulging in your favourite beverage, then the Central Coast Scenic Sips is for you. It's an artisan beverage trail that Central Coast visitors can follow in a day or over a weekend getaway.

The trail is made up of a craft brewery, a fruit winery and a boutique distillery which are conveniently located within six minutes drive of each other.

The concept has come to fruition collaboratively between Six Strings Brewing and Donnie's Eats, Firescreek Winery, Bar Botanica and Distillery Botanica, to promote the thriving beverage industry on the Central Coast.

With every style and flavour of beer you can imagine, you could sit here all day.