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The best BYO restaurants in Sydney (and what to bring)
BYO restaurants are a great way to save on eating out. Here’s our roundup of the best BYO eateries in Sydney, plus what to grab from Liquorland on your way.
The beauty of the BYO restaurant is undeniable. An eatery that promises to satisfy your personal taste for a particular drink, purely because you’ve picked it yourself. Not only is this a win for your wallet, but it also guarantees a memorable meal. If you’re eating out in Sydney, choose your BYO destination from our list below, then drop into your local Liquorland on your way to dinner to choose your own adventure.
Bar Reggio, Darlinghurst
A Darlinghurst Italian institution is the family-run Bar Reggio (@barreggio). It’s a favourite for couples looking for a quick bite or larger groups with something to celebrate. Come for heaped plates of antipasti, pastas, pizzas and more. Packed nightly since 1992, it’s a winner – and BYO on wine, beer and spirits is just $2.50 per person.
Nearest Liquorland: Kings Cross, 0.9km
What to bring: An Italian drink pairs perfectly with an Italian feast, so grab a bottle of Sensi Prosecco for the evening. This Northern Italian bubbles has crisp apple and pear flavours, so it partners particularly well with cheese and seafood-based dishes.
Chinese Noodle Restaurant, Sydney
Your search for delicious dumplings will lead you to Chinatown in Sydney’s CBD. It’s here that a handful of celebrated dumpling houses lie, including Chinese Noodle Restaurant. Given the name, it’s no surprise that it’s not just dumplings you need to order – there’s a solid lineup of soup and stir-fried noodles alongside the copious baskets of steamed dumplings and other Northern Chinese favourites like shallot pancake and cumin lamb.
Nearest Liquorland: Sydney World Square Express, 1.3km
What to bring: When it comes to Chinese cuisine and wine, all advice points to going light. A crisp, cool white like The Trip Sauvignon Blanc, with crunchy and zesty with hints of kiwifruit, lemongrass, and freshly cut hay will complement those rich, bold flavours on the table.
Two Chaps, Marrickville
BYO has made its way into the heart of the inner west too – namely Two Chaps (@twochapscafe), a largely veg-focused cafe and bakery that opens up for the evening on weekends and will charge you $10 per bottle to bring your own. It has a cult following for morning croissants and warm loaves of sourdough, and come evening, the dinner set menus are big on pasta, with starters, and pasta-based mains, plus a dessert to finish.
Nearest Liquorland: Marrickville Rd, 1km
What to bring: Chardonnay is considered an old friend of pasta, partnering well with buttery and creamy sauces (not to mention cheese). Sip Beyond the Wilderness Chardonnay, a lush Tassie drop boasting pristine acidity and hints of ripe stone fruit, and toasted almonds.
Sáng by Mabasa, Surry Hills
Not only is Sáng by Mabasa (@sangbymabasa) BYO, but this Surry Hills Korean joint is considered one of the best eateries in the Harbour City for modern Korean dining. Picture a regularly changing menu of Korean favourites, from bibimbap to sweet & spicy, glazed crispy deep-fried chicken, and an evergreen BYO policy (wine only at $10 per bottle).
Nearest Liquorland: Sydney World Square Express, 1.8km
What to bring: Earthworks rosé is a wine that promises not to overpower the complex flavours of your meal. It’s a delicate drop that pairs well with the sweeter notes of Korean food, with elements of strawberries and cream, and a touch of pink grapefruit.
Vacanza, Surry Hills
Pizza lovers flock to the temple of dough and molten cheese that is Vacanza Pizzeria (@vacanzapizzeria). With two Sydney locations – Surry Hills and Bronte – if the traditional southern Italian sourdough pizzas don’t tempt you (but boy they will!), the $12 per bottle BYO offering will. A great choice for groups and casual celebrations.
Nearest Liquorland: Sydney World Square Express, 1.8km
What to bring: Pizza and red wine are the perfect partners in crime. The easy drinking Earthworks Cabernet Sauvignon is game, set, match for both red and white based pizzas. Think low oak but big plum and blueberry notes, with a touch of spice to pair with tomato, cured meats and herbs.
Macleay Street Bistro, Potts Point
With a focus on classic French dining, it’s no surprise that Macleay Street Bistro (@macleaystbistro) in inner-city Potts Point has been a firm favourite among Sydneysiders for so long. The traditional bistro boasts plenty of dishes to satisfy the cravings of local francophiles – think French onion soup and creme brulée. Corkage is $14 per bottle Monday to Saturday, with no charge for Sunday lunch or dinner.
Nearest Liquorland: Kings Cross, 0.8km
What to bring: Classic French dishes demand a suitably timeless wine in the glass. Try Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Shiraz, which is aged in Scotch barrels for extra oomph. Its fruit cake and chocolate notes are a particularly good match to a steak, so order the steak frites and bon appétit!
Chiosco, Mosman
Inspired by Italy’s traditional trattorias, Chiosco (@chioscobyormeggio) is a casual outpost from Sydney dining institution Ormeggio. It’s Italian that forms the shared menu at this Mosman location, rich in Sardinian classics like vongole and bottarga fregola, slow-cooked veal, and southern style calamari. BYO is $15 per bottle.
Nearest Liquorland: Neutral Bay Big Bear, 5.5km
What to bring: Considering Chiosco is designed with groups in mind, it seems only right to crack open a crowd-pleasing bottle of rosé to transport you to the sunkissed Sardinian coastline. The Ned Rosé is summer in a bottle, a blend of Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir grapes that’s well-suited to the seafood-heavy menu.
Spice I Am, Surry Hills
The fiery flavours of Thailand are on the menu at Spice I Am (@spiceiam), another of Sydney’s most popular BYO restaurants. Think curries and classics rich with tamarind, banana flower and finger limes, all impressively grown on the restaurant’s own farm.
Nearest Liquorland: Sydney World Square Express, 0.6km
What to bring: Something crisp (yet complex) that promises to help cleanse and reset the palate from the spiciness of your meal. Prosecco and Thai? Yes it’s a thing! Give Brilla Prosecco a whirl, a lively sparkling with peach and green apple tones.
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