The Best BYO Restaurants in Sydney for Your Next Group Dinner
Our edit of the best BYO restaurants in Sydney will make you the hero at your next group dinner!
Welcome to our guide to the best BYO restaurants in Sydney! Whether you're looking to save some money on drinks or bring your favourite bottle of wine to enjoy with your meal, these restaurants have got you covered. From cosy Italian joints to trendy Asian fusion spots, there's a BYO option for every palate and occasion. We've scoured the city to find the top spots that not only allow you to bring your own drinks, but also serve up delicious cuisine.
So, grab that special bottle you've been saving and get ready for a memorable dining experience at one of Sydney's best BYO restaurants.
Lil Sis
Chippendale's understated gem, Lil Sis, embraces a Parisian 'cave à vins' vibe, catering to diverse wine tastes from old to new world, natural, biodynamic, and traditional. There's no fuss, just a straightforward drink list and welcoming staff. Our pro tip is to buy a bottle of wine from Lil Sis' bottle shop and take it upstairs to their bar along with some of their delicious snacks if you're feeling a little peckish. You can also take your vino next door to The Abercrombie and Casa Rosa for a corkage fee of $30 per bottle. Best part is that they're open till very, very late.
Sitchu Tip: Corkage is free on Sundays when you buy a bottle of wine from the Lil Sis bottle shop!
100 Broadway, Chippendale
Lou Lou
Loulou Bistro, Boulangerie & Traiteur, nestled in Lavender Bay, offers a triple treat, capturing European deli vibes and the cosmopolitan essence of New York bistros. The bistro boasts classic French fare, while the boulangerie excels in bread, charcuterie, and wines. On BYO Tuesdays & Wednesdays for $35 per bottle, guests can bring their treasured wines to complement the traditional French dishes. Imagine a vintage Chardonnay accentuating grilled spatchcock or a premium Bordeaux elevating a 600g bone-in Wagyu sirloin. Loulou's BYO option during both lunch and dinner makes for a personalised dining experience, marrying exquisite French cuisine with your chosen drop, making it a standout among Sydney's BYO restaurants.
61 Lavender Street, Milsons Point
Porcine
Sydney's Porcine bistro beautifully merges French finesse with premium Aussie ingredients and service. Chef Nicholas Hill and the team reimagine pork delicacies, from smoked hams to bouchon classics. But what is exciting is you can be your own sommelier and pair these delights with your fave vinos. Porcine now offers a BYO wine-only policy at $35 per bottle and $50 for a magnum. In case you don't want to lug your own bottle to the restaurant, P&V Wine and Liquor Merchants—located just downstairs Porcine—is a convenient spot to buy, plus it is replete with great drops you'll love.
268 Oxford Street Paddington, Sydney
Bar Reggio
Bar Reggio exudes a charmingly worn-in Italian feel, and that's exactly why we love it. The welcoming, rustic atmosphere draws in a diverse crowd—locals, families, office groups—united in their love for hearty, traditional Italian food that feels like home. The BYO option adds to the laid-back vibe, making every visit a relaxed, memorable Italian feast. For just $3.50 corkage, it's the perfect spot for a budget-friendly, wine-infused get-together with friends, featuring a delectable lineup of pasta, pizza, and Pinot Noir. With generous portions and authentic recipes handed down through generations, what's not to love with this BYO Sydney restaurant?
135 Crown Street, Darlinghurst
Joe’s Table
Joe’s Table is one of the true delights of the Sydney dining scene. Joe’s Table is a pint-sized shop where all the dishes are conceived, cooked and served by one man, Joe himself! Our favourite South Asian eatery in Sydney, everyone who steps through the front door of Joe’s becomes an instant convert. Our personal favourites include the rich and delicious Hanoi-style spring rolls, strong pan-fried garlic chive dumplings and the sweet the honey lemon chicken. Plus, they’re BYO so bring that bottle of wine you’ve been hoarding and get ready to enjoy an absolute feast.
1/28 Kings Lane, Sydney
Cairo Takeaway
In Enmore, this Egyptian eatery offers fresh, authentic, tricked-out takeaway. Cairo Takeaway serves taameyya, an Egyptian-style falafel that uses fava beans instead of chickpeas. Made to order, it’s crunchy and golden on the outside, and crumbly and bright green on the inside, just as it is in owner Hesham El Masry’s hometown of Cairo. BYO is available for wine only.
81 Enmore Road, Newtown
Emma’s Snack Bar
The Inner West has a special place in its heart reserved for Emma’s Snack Bar. A regular pit stop for locals, food lovers flock from near and far to sample Emma's authentic Lebanese street food and moreish share plates. Note to self: Emma’s fills up quick on the weekends, so bring your bottle ($5 corkage per person) along with you early to guarantee a spot.
59 Liberty Street, Enmore
Garfish
For some seriously good seafood north side of the bridge, head straight to Garfish. Fresh fish is served just the way you want it – grilled, spiced or woodfired, in two distinct locations. Overlooking Manly Cove, Garfish has a woodfired oven and a cocktail and wine bar, SuGarfish. And up the hill from the harbour, Garfish Crows Nest soaks up the curbside café culture of Crows Nest. Both restaurants are BYO bottled wine only ($8 corkage per person) on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Manly and Crows Nest
Now that you have read through our list of the best BYO restaurants in Sydney, it is time to explore the rest of the dining scene. Whether you're after authentic Italian pasta or Asian fusion, there's a restaurant in Sydney that caters to your taste buds.