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.
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, 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 Oxford Circus
The bustling 28-50 Oxford Circus 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 per couple with a £20 corkage fee. What's more, you can enjoy live jazz on these nights as you sip your favourite vino and tuck into roasted cod, spinach and ricotta tortelloni or pan-fried pollock.
Pair your favourite wines with indulgent Mediterranean eats at this gorgeous venue.
Sonya
Sonya is an all-day Aegean bistro that serves tantalising dishes inspired by the Greek and Turkish coastlines. Every single week they offer BYOW and Thirsty Thursdays - allowing you to bring your own bottle of wine or bubbles when you dine with them for a £5 corkage fee. 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.
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 confit duck, washed down with your drinks from home.
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 remarkably cheap as well, at just £5 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 only £3, 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.
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.
