More than just a way to save a few pennies, London's BYOB restaurants offer some incredible eats alongside their cheap corkage fees. We've rounded up our favourite spots across the city, from critically acclaimed Kurdish food in Camberwell to Camden dining rooms serving up the best in Caribbean and South American fare. Read on to find out all our top picks for eateries in London you can bring your own tipples to right here.
Hawksmoor Bar Wood Wharf
Don't let the swish settings and opulent steaks deceive you, Hawksmoor Bar Wood Wharf and other Hawksmoor venues are some of the best BYOB restaurants in London. Head to any of their city haunts on a Monday where, alongside a delicious menu of meaty cuts and fresh seafood, they offer corkage for just £5.
Hawksmoor promises £5 corkage every Monday across all its venues.
Gaucho
From Richmond to Piccadilly and Tower Bridge, all of Gaucho's stunning restaurants are primed and ready with a bring your own bottle policy on Mondays. Corkage is totally free too, which is applicable to one bottle of wine or Champagne per two guests, so you can save all your spare cash for those Argentinian steaks, bowls of ceviche and indulgent desserts.
These venues are pretty darn gorgeous too.
28°-50° Marylebone
The bustling 28°-50° Marylebone is a plush restaurant which celebrates a love of wine and modern European cuisine. For limited periods, or by prior arrangement, the space offers a BYOB policy limited to one 75cl bottle with a £25 - £30 corkage fee (up to 6 people). What's more, you can enjoy live jazz as you sip your favourite vino and tuck into pan-fried cod or slow cooked beef short rib.
Pair your favourite wines with indulgent Mediterranean eats at this gorgeous venue.
Engel and Jang
A stunning spot within The Royal Exchange, Engel and Jang is a great place to enjoy affordable drinks in gorgeous surrounds. Every single Monday, they offer a BYOB deal with £15 corkage, which you can enjoy alongside one of their Korean-Japanese dishes or a traditional afternoon tea. Plus, they serve their own wines at a reduced price on Mondays too.
Sip affordable wines aplenty at this iconic restaurant.
The Laundry
With no corkage fee on Tuesdays, you can bring your own booze to your heart's content at The Laundry without having to pay a charge. This all-day bistro and wine bar in Brixton is a local favourite from Melanie Brown - also the brains behind nearby Specialist Cellars. Nab the likes of bavette steak and lamb tomahawk, washed down with your drinks from home. Tuesday not convenient? There's a £25 charge for BYOB booze on other days.
A neighbourhood favourite for free corkage in Brixton.
Mangal I
As far as BYOB restaurants in East London go, Mangal 1 is up there with the best. The Turkish spot is home to incredible kebabs and has been serving them up to diners since 1991. Tuck into tasty eats from the charcoal grill and bring your own tipples along with no corkage fee for an affordable meal out.
An absolute East London Turkish treat.
Kaosarn
With three popular BYOB restaurants across South London, Kaosarn is the place to go for sensational Thai plates. Mosey over to their haunts in Brixton Village, Clapham and Tooting for impressive portions of noodles, curries and other regional delicacies. We'd recommend pitching up on a warm evening with cold beers or a chilled bottle of white.
Kaosarn has multiple venues across South London.
Guanabana
Specialising in cuisines from across South America and the Caribbean, Guanabana is a favourite for birthdays and get-togethers in North London. Grab your alcoholic drink of choice and get over there for the chance to chow down on delicious brunch plates, burgers and signature dishes with low corkage fees throughout the week.
This Camden destination is also halal.
Pappa Ciccia
After BYOB with pizza in London? Pappa Ciccia are the Italian restaurants across Fulham and Putney that will sort you out with plenty of slices or other delicacies from the country, all while you make use of that handy £5.95 corkage fee. Think gluten-free bases if you need, alongside all your favourite traditional toppings.
Italian food with cheap corkage - what a winner.
Viet Soho
On the hunt for the best BYOB restaurant in Soho? Look no further than this charming Vietnamese spot. Located on Greek Street, Viet Soho promises warming bowls of pho, thick udon noodle stir-fries and authentic street snacks. Corkage here is cheap as well, at just £10 for a bottle of wine.
Viet Soho is popular for BYOB in Central London.
Paolina Thai
Already a King's Cross staple if you're in need of an affordable meal (most dishes start at under a tenner - what a bargain), Paolina Thai take it one step further by throwing in some bring your own action too. Corkage is cheap, so you can tuck into noodles, curries and more on a real budget.
For BYOB in King's Cross, there's no better place than here.
Tayyabs
One of the most iconic BYOB Indian restaurants in London, Tayyabs offers a delicious selection of homemade punjabi dishes and zero corkage fees. Having stood in Whitechapel since 1972, this family-owned eatery is helping you get your fill of smoky kebabs, moreish dhal and their signature lamb chops every night of the week.
Whitechapel location Tayyabs is one of the most popular BYO spots.
Dumplings & Baos
A hidden gem on the London BYOB restaurant scene, Dumplings & Baos is the Taiwanese dining destination you need to hit for your next date night. This diddy Clapham hotspot is letting you tuck into baskets of siumai, xiao long bao and har gow, stuffed with everything from lobster and braised duck to charcoal teriyaki chicken and lamb curry masala.
A favourite among DMNers, Dumplings & Bao is the booking you need in your life.
Little Georgia
Sat just shy of Haggerston Park and with another location in Islington, Little Georgia is the fun London eatery inviting you to feast on unique plates of food, washed down with whatever you fancied from the corner shop. Tuck into authentic Georgian eats, including the venue's signature khachapuri, khinkali and lobiani with the added bonus of just a £5 corkage charge for bills under £25 per person.
This East London venue offers a £5 corkage fee.
Andu Cafe
Those after BYOB in Dalston will love Andu Cafe, the ideal place for vegan Ethiopian delicacies washed down by your favourite drinks from home. There's no corkage fee and you'll feed two for £20 as well, with the likes of lentils, stews and more across hearty sharing platters. What are you waiting for?
Spice up your BYOB outing with this restaurant.
The Coal Shed
The Coal Shed prides itself on its simple menu of fresh local produce cooked over open flame. Think pork chops, sea bream, spiced chicken, steaks and slow cooked short rib, served with a selection of seasonal greens and sides.
While its drinks list is equally impressive, it makes it just as easy to enjoy your favourite tipple with your meal too. On BYOB Mondays, you can bring in whatever bottle of wine you like for just £5 corkage.
Succulent cuts of meat and seasonal veg are the order of the day at The Coal Shed.
Looking for more budget-friendly nights out? Check out our round-up of affordable London restaurants here and sign up to our newsletter to be the first to read the latest.
