Raid your cellar, because we've put together some of the best BYO restaurants in your state. From Italian in Perth and home made Lebanese food in Sydney to Melbourne's French bistro institution and top-tier local produce down south, these restaurants let you bring in your top drops. With a range of corkage options, from nil to $50, here's where to take that special bottle on your next night out.
Melbourne BYO
France-Soir
There's no article on Melbourne's BYO restaurant scene that doesn't include France-Soir.While we can't BYO at the South Yarra institution as frequently as we used to, it's still an option for lunch. And who doesn't love a long lunch that involves steak, frites and Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon? Also, a friendly reminder that if you miss BYO, France-Soir's wine list is one of Melbourne's best, with more than 4500 bottles to select from.
I've said this before, but don't pay the bill before ordering the crème brûlée.
BYO is available for lunch only, from Saturday to Thursday with no corkage.
11 Toorak Road, South Yarra
france-soir.com.au | @france_soir_restaurant
Sydney BYO
Emma's Snack Bar
Emma's Snack Bar in Enmore in Sydney serves up home-style family dining, and outrageously good Lebanese food.Dine à la carte, or if you're up to the mezze challenge the DIY banquets are $63 per person, but don't expect any space on the table. BYO is $5 per person, and available even if you elect to do the banquet.
If you forget to BYO, you'll be offered wine by the glass, carafe or bottle, but don't expect vintages or varietals, you're looking at crisp and zesty or light and spicy.
Must-try dishes include the homous, baba ganouge, the kibbe, moorish chicken, and the kanefe.
'Just good fresh Lebanese food' – the team at Emma's are absolutely right.
BYO is available from 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday, for $5 per person.
59 Liberty Street, Enmore
emmassnackbar.com.au | @emmassnackbar
Perth BYO
NOLITA
Claremont's Nolita brings authentic Italian to the 'burbs, paying homage to the the back streets of places like Bologna, Piedmont and Puglia. The restaurant was taken over by Lyndon Waples, of Il Lido and Canteen Pizza fame, in 2022.Guests can BYO on Monday and Tuesday nights, so head into your cellar and dust off something to match the squid ink linguine, or the lamb ragu that could bring even my nonna to tears.
Now, let's talk corkage, at Nolita it's a pay-as-you-please situation, where you decide how much. Just remember to be generous, no one wants to live in a world without BYO restaurants.
BYO is available every Monday and Tuesday.
16 Bay View Terrace, Claremont
nolita.com.au | @nolitaclaremont
Tasmania BYO
Templo
Templo is a tiny, 25-seat restaurant in the back streets of Hobart. Local produce and small producers are the heroes at Templo, along with an outstanding minimal-intervention wine list. The chef's menu changes each week; dinner is a six-course menu, while lunch is four courses.Templo is open Wednesday to Monday for dinner at 6pm or 8.15pm. Lunch runs from Thursday to Monday from 12pm to 1.30pm.
BYO is available. Corkage is $30 per bottle.
98 Patrick Street, Hobart
templo.com.au | @templohobart
Brisbane BYO
Sichuan Bang Bang
In Brisbane's Kenmore you'll find traditional flavours from the Sichuan Province in China's southwest at Sichuan Bang Bang.It's hard to settle on a top pick from the menu, especially when it comes to the house-rolled dumplings, but do not sleep on the prawn and pork wontons drenched in Sichuan peppercorn and chilli oil, they're a must.
So pull out that Clare Valley riesling or Yarra Valley pinot noir, corkage is $8 per bottle.
BYO is available each day from 5pm (except Tuesdays).
8 Wongabel Street, Kenmore
sichuanbangbang.com.au | @sichuanbangbang
Adelaide BYO
Erato Teppanyaki
At Erato Teppanyaki in Adelaide's CBD the setting is palatial, complete with marble and golf motifs. Dine on assorted sushi and sashimi, along with signature dishes like Sturia Oscietra caviar, smoked pig jowl, the potsticker gyoza, and the Japanese A-5 kuroge wagyu.BYO is available for $50 per bottle (750ml only).
21 King William Street, Adelaide
eratoteppanyaki.com.au | @erato_teppanyaki
Top image credit: Kimberley Low/Wine Australia.
