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 BYOB restaurants in London right here.
The Lowback Bar By Hawksmoor
Don't let the swish settings and opulent steaks deceive you, The Lowback Bar 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, Gaucho have a range of stunning restaurants 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 Oxford Circus
The bustling 28-50 Oxford Circus is a plush restaurant which celebrates a love of wine and modern European cuisine. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, they're offering free corkage for up to six bottles of wine per table. What's more, you can enjoy live jazz on these nights as you sip your favourite vino and tuck into seared tuna, pumpkin tortelloni or slow-roasted lamb shoulder.
Pair your favourite wines with indulgent Mediterranean eats at this gorgeous venue.
The Gatehouse
Right near the North-East corner of Hampstead Heath, you'll find The Gatehouse - a Highgate pub that's every bit as beaut as the picturesque village setting. On Mondays, they've got a free corkage offer when you dine on their classic British grub between 12 and 9pm (excluding bank holidays). That's your post-weekend meal sorted then.
Stunning scenes accompany free corkage here.
Nandine
Acclaimed Kurdish spot Nandine is a must if you're looking for one of the best restaurants for BYOB in South London. Their Peckham locations front a small corkage charge alongside some astonishingly affordable plates. Grab the gang, a few bottles of fizz and treat yourself to a DIY bottomless brunch at this charming spot.
One of the London's best kept secrets is this BYOB Kurdish restaurant.
Kaosarn
With three popular BYOB restaurants scattered across South-West 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.
This Thai place has venues across South London.
Guanabana
Specialising in cuisines from across South America and the Caribbean, Camden BYOB restaurant, Guanabana, is a favourite for birthdays and get-togethers in North London. Grab your 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 £4.50 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 remarkably cheap as well, at just £4 for a bottle of wine and £1 for beers.
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 completely free, 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 BYO restaurants, Tayyabs offers a delicious selection of homemade punjabi dishes and affordable 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.
Song Que Cafe
Head down Kingsland Road and you'll find one of the best BYOB restaurants in Shoreditch. Recognisable by its bright green walls, Song Que Cafe specialises in sensational Vietnamese cuisine, including bun, pho and pho xao. A perfect location for group meals on a budget, this family-run venue promises a warm welcome and delicious, fresh food.
Lovers of Vietnamese cooking should be making a beeline for Song Que Cafe.
Dumplings & Baos
A hidden gem on the London BYOB restaurant scene, Dumplings & Bao 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, Little Georgia is the fun East 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 no corkage charge.
This East London venue offers corkage free of charge.
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 under £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.
Sonya
Sonya is an all-day Aegean bistro that serves tantalising dishes inspired by the Greek and Turkish coastlines. Every single week they offer £5 BYO Tuesdays - allowing you to bring your own bottle of wine or bubbles when you dine with them from 5pm onwards. So if you're after dreamy Mediterranean eats on a budget, this Fulham restaurant is the place for you.
Get stuck into a steak with your favourite wine to hand.
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.
