Going out for dinner is one of the best ways to spend a night, but let’s be honest – not many of us can afford to do it constantly.
That’s why it helps to have a handy collection of BYO restaurants in your back pocket, so when the desire to dine out is high but the bank balance is low, you can pick a place from your list and still have a great night.
So grab a bottle of wine, a dinner partner and make way for the city - here are some of the best BYO spots in Perth.
Billy Lee’s, Northbridge
This no-fuss Chinese restaurant is the perfect spot for a cheap and cheerful evening, with its affordable menu, BYO policy and casual outdoor tables amongst festive red lanterns. Corkage is $1.50 per person, so gather your pals and a nice drink to pair with your dinner - riesling tends to go well with Chinese flavours.
Bonsai Restaurant, Northbridge
Bonsai is a contemporary Japanese restaurant and lounge specialising in izakaya - casual, share-style food and drinks. They have cold shares, like sushi, sashimi and beef and tuna tataki; as well as hot shares, including dishes like teriyaki wagyu, tempura fish and agedashi tofu. They’re BYO wine on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, with a corkage fee of $3.50 per person.
Old Lane Street Eats, Northbridge
If you need a cheap and cheerful evening, Old Lane has got you covered. Not only is this place BYO beer and wine, their menu items start at a mere $5. The thai chicken larb on lettuce, papaya salad and pork belly vermicelli go perfectly with an icy cold beer or crisp SSB on a warm Perth evening.
Caffe Italia, East Perth
Towards the eastern end of Hay Street is Caffe Italia, a family-run restaurant that’s been dishing up southern Italian fare for 20 years. The team in the kitchen honour traditional Italian home cooking, creating dishes with rich, hearty flavours using only fresh seasonal produce. As if you needed more reason to go, they are BYO every night of the week, with a bottle shop conveniently just across the road.
Francoforte Spaghetti Bar, Northbridge
Tucked away down an alleyway off William Street, this place serves up interesting spaghetti creations like kangaroo bolognese, suid in vino and kale pesto. They’ve recently extended their space, with an alfresco area that welcomes BYO, so you can grab yourself a beautiful bottle of cabernet sauvignon to pair with their delicious pasta.
Royal India, West Perth
This Hay Street restaurant has been serving traditional Indian fare for more than 30 years, and specialise in Tandoori and their famous goat curry. They’re BYO Sunday to Thursday with $10 corkage. Further along William Street is Gangemi’s Fine Wines, so swing past for a rose or light-bodied red to pair with your dinner.
Uncle Billy’s, Northbridge
Uncle Billy’s is a no-brainer if you’re after a tasty and affordable evening, and with more than 400 menu items, you’ll be spoiled for choice. It’s BYO so swing past the nearby Lake Street Liquor for your beverages, and enjoy.
Short Order Burger Co, Perth CBD
Short Order is an American diner-inspired burger joint perfect for an after-work bite. These aren’t your average burgers though - the team have done their research and cook with only the best WA produce. In addition to giving you the best burger experience of your life, they’re also BYO, so pop into Vintage Cellars a few hundred metres away, grab some beers and enjoy.
K-Town Restaurant, Northbridge
K-Town specialises in Korean BBQ, where you cook your own meat and vegetables over a charcoal BBQ in the centre of your table. Korean BBQ food tastes smoky and intense, so when selecting your BYO drinks, choose something light that won’t overpower all those delicious flavours.
Bistro Bellavista, East Perth
Bellavista has received a fair bit of accolade for its authentic Italian fare, including three Gold Plate Awards for their wood-fired pizzas. But don’t let the slew of awards intimidate you - the staff here are so friendly, you’ll feel like you’re stepping into a family dinner rather than an award-winning restaurant. The fact they’re BYO is the cherry on top of the cannoli.