Save In The City: The Best BYOB Restaurants In The Capital
Whether it’s the last week before pay day, you’re trying to cut back when it comes to socialising or you just don’t want to spend ridiculous amounts of money on overpriced drinks in a restaurant, BYOB venues are just the ticket. We’ve found 10 of the best bring your own restaurants in London so you can fill your boots without breaking the bank:
1 – The Bonnington Cafe, Vauxhall
This cosy, quiet little vegetarian/vegan haven is nestled in Bonnington Square away from the hustle and bustle of Vauxhall and is probably the cheapest place in the area to grab some home-cooked comfort food served with a smile. The cook and menu changes daily but there’s a strong emphasis on healthy vegan and vegetarian food and the price is always fixed with just a 50p corkage fee so a 3 course meal working out at a under a tenner you can definitely splash out on a posh supermarket wine!
Bring: A nice, crisp white wine or a chilled cider (or two)
2 – Kaosarn, Clapham & Brixton
Authentic, fragrant and downright delicious Thai food is served up at Kaosarn with speedy service to boot. You can sit outside and people watch on a warm day which adds to the experience and with both branches being conveniently located next to supermarkets you can stock up on booze, indulge in the spicy offerings and imagine you’re revving up for a full moon party.
Bring: A few bottles of Asahi beer or prosecco, if you’re feeling fancy
3 – Apollo Banana Leaf, Tooting
Hailed as the best south Indian restaurant in London, Apollo Banana Leaf has ammassed a legion of loyal customers as it’s cheap, delicious food keeps people coming back for more. The decor puts you in your grandma’s living room and it probably hasn’t been decorated since time began but that all adds to the appeal! Let the staff pick a dish for you based on your spice preferences and venture way out of your comfort zone, we promise you won’t look back.
Bring: Tiger beer
4 – Hawksmoor, Air Street, Guildhall, Seven Dials, Spitalfields & Knightsbridge
Everyone knows Hawksmoor for being THE place to go for mouthwatering slabs of meat served with the most incredible sides (lobster mac & cheese, anyone?) but with such luxury comes a price tag and to ease this a bit they’ve introduced Monday Wine Club where you can bring a bottle for a mere £5 corkage. The staff are amazing, the loos are a work of art and the food is so good you’ll soon be a wine club regular.
Bring: A bottle of champagne, naturally
5 – Guanabana, Camden
The pumping latino vibe of Guanabana can’t be beaten and along with the finger lickin’ jerk chicken, sticky ribs and other meaty delicacies this is the one place where you’re actively encouraged to play with your food, just don’t wear white! Always busy with a trendy crowd, don’t be surprised if your table neighbours are locals who make recommendations, this place is one of the most popular eateries in Camden with the cool kids..
Bring: Tequila and good vibes
6 – Lahore Kebab House, Streatham
It’s not hard to spot this spicy little gem on the bustling high street, every South Londoner worth their salt knows the best place to go for kebab rolls is Lahore. The decor is laid back cool with plates dished out like a school canteen but it’s not sophistication you come here for, it’s the cheap and delicious curries, kebabs and laid back vibe that keeps the place alive. Vegetarians and vegans will also be extremely satisfied with the tantalising menu that all sounds too good to be true.
Bring: Raki beer, and plenty of it
7 – Rosa’s Thai Cafe, Fulham
This relaxed, cosy cafe has all the makings of the perfect place to line your stomach for a night out. On Monday’s they have their BYOB night with no corkage fee so you can wash down your delicious pad Thai with a glass of wine. The menu is amazingly authentic and very reasonable for the quality of the food, the tom yum soup and chicken pad thai are firm favourites in our circles!
Bring: Ginger beer and rum for something a little different to wash down all the lemongrass tinged spices
8 – Fez Mangal, Ladbroke Grove
Serving up the best of Turkish Cuisine in West London, Fez Mangal does kebabs properly, and by that we mean you don’t have to be steaming drunk to actually enjoy one! Made fresh in front of you using authentic Turkish ingredients you’ll be transported straight to Istanbul with every bite of char grilled chicken dripping with homemade chilli sauce. They also do the best salads we’ve ever eaten and you’ll come away with change from a fiver.
Bring: A fruity Turkish red
9 – Maloko, Camberwell
Camberwell is making a huge dent in the foodie scene and this delightful little veggie cafe is perfect for those who want to indulge without damaging their waistline, or their wallet. A varied menu and cute, open kitchen draws in the crowds and the BYOB policy is the icing on the cake. Your gluten-free friends are in for a treat a they’re well catered for here and the informal, kitsch decor makes it a lovely place to watch the world go beer.
Bring: A few bottles of organic cider
10 – The Breakfast Club, Soho
With queues around the corner most days it’s not hard to see why The Breakfast Club is so popular with its delicious crepes, full English breakfasts and bacon pancakes this is the ultimate hangout or you and your mates to dissect last night’s shenanigans over brunch. The BYOB policy at this branch means you’ll never go thirsty, after all, what is brunch without a few bubbles?
Bring: Prosecco or vodka and tomato juice for a killer bloody mary
