Melbourne is the food capital of Australia, home to a plethora of great restaurants, many of which offer BYO.
Whether you're interested in a Greek feast, are a fan of steak and frites (paired with...cabernet? Shiraz?), looking for a fine dining experience, or love nothing more than the classic pizza and sangiovese combo – the options are endless.
Here are five of Melbourne's best BYO restaurants.
Jim's Greek Tavern
Jim's Greek Tavern is perhaps Melbourne's most famed Greek restaurant (and it was also Melbourne's first Greek tavern).There's no menu, but the staff will guide you through the options. Indulge in pan-fried saganaki, homemade dips with warm bread and a range of meats and seafood, before finishing the evening with the dessert plate (think baklava, milk custard pudding and baklava cigars).
Simplicity is the secret at Jim's, and aside from the food, BYO is the major drawcard – just be prepared to enjoy your wine in a tumbler.
BYO is available seven days a week with no corkage fee.
32 Johnston Street, Collingwood
France-Soir
South Yarra's France-Soir is a Melbourne institution, serving French bistro food since 1986. The chefs are busy preparing oysters, and steak tartare, along with perfectly primed grillades (and frites) and magret de canard (with sautéed potatoes). Please don't leave without trying the crème brûlée.While you can BYO at France-Soir, the wine list is unparalleled. There's over 30 wines by the glass and more than 4500 bottles to choose from – France-Soir is a wine destination.
BYO is available for lunch only, from Saturday to Thursday with no corkage. BYO is not available for Friday lunch, evening sittings, public holidays, Valentine's Day or Mother's Day.
11 Toorak Road, South Yarra
france-soir.com.au | @france_soir_restaurant
Scopri
Carlton's Scopri, under the guidance of chef Salvatore Caccioppoli, is inspired by the Piemonte region in Italy, and its menu is a celebration of rich Italian flavours.Try the tagliatelle ragu d'anatra (homemade tagliatelle pasta with duck ragu), the agnolotti del llin (agnolotti filled with roasted rabbit, pork and veal finished in butter and sage), and the 'secondi' section of the menu offers King George whiting with Sicilian crumb, kid goat cooked on the bone, and chargrilled spatchcock.
The wine list is impressive, with a section dedicated to barolo and barbaresco from Piemonte.
BYO is available for lunch and dinner service from Tuesday to Saturday. Corkage is $25 per bottle.
191 Nicholson Street, Carlton
scopri.com.au | @scopri_carlton
Fratellino
Fratellino’s South Yarra pizzeria has been serving traditional woodfired pizza since 2007.This haunt is warm, casual and charming, and packed every night of the week. There are 24 pizzas on the menu, along with 15 pastas and a smattering of mains.
BYO (wine only) is available seven days a week. Corkage is $8 per bottle.
415 Malvern Road, South Yarra
fratellino.com.au | @fratellino_pizzeria
Sosta Cucina
North Melbourne's Sosta Cucina offers a middle ground between modern and traditional Italian food. The à la carte menu is brimming with antipasti favourites like San Daniele prosciutto, fritto misto, and caprese salad.When it comes to pasta, you can't go past the hand-cut pappardelle with slow-cooked lamb ragu, the fresh spaghettini al granchio with Queenland spanner crab, or the handmade gnocchi. There are a range of Italian desserts on the menu, from tiramisu and housemade cannoli to semifreddo and bombolini (cinnamon sugared donuts filled with vanilla pastry cream).
BYO is only available for tables of eight or fewer, and is not available on Friday and Saturday evenings. Corkage is $30 per bottle.
12 Errol Street, North Melbourne
sosta.com.au | @sostacucina
Top image credit: Wine Australia.
Image credits: Instagram.
Related article: Best BYO Restaurants in Brisbane
