Our guide to restaurants where you can BYO alcohol
While many of us love going out for dinner and having a few wines with friends, the cost can rack up pretty quickly.
Restaurants that allow you to bring your own wine (and other alcohol) can be an affordable solution – simply round up your mates and grab a bottle of wine on the cheaper side. Keep reading for our guide to BYO restaurants in Newcastle.
Bar Solè
Bar Solè has a buzzing atmosphere, and will have you lingering into the night over a few drinks and pizzas, soundtracked by live music. The best part? Bar Solè is BYO ($5 corkage per person), so you can choose a vino to suit your budget before devouring your pizza.
Where: 173 Maitland Rd, Tighes Hill
Benjamas Thai by Chin
This Darby Street Thai restaurant has been around for as long as we can remember, and with new owner Chin taking over in 2019, Benjamas Thai by Chin is still delivering on flavour. You can BYO (wine bottles only) for just $9 per bottle.
Where: 1/100 Darby St, Cooks Hill
Bocados
While Bocados has a fabulous range of Spanish drinks (think vermouth, sangria, and cava), the tapas spot on King Street also offers BYO wine only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for $20 corkage per bottle. It's perfect for if you have a special bottle at home that you'd love to enjoy with your Spanish food.
Where: 25 King St, Newcastle
DiRoma
DiRoma has been a local favourite for authentic Roman pizza and pasta since its inception in 2017. They will be re-introducing casual dine-in options in the coming weeks (as of 10/7/2025). No bookings, no service, just simple takeaway boxes, free disposable cutlery, and no corkage fee.
Where: 144 Glebe Rd, Merewether
The Etna on Darby
No frills Italian restaurant The Etna on Darby offers BYO wine with no corkage fee, which can make the drinks portion of your evening very cheap indeed. However, it's important to note that the restaurant doesn't offer tap water, so if you want to quench your thirst with some H20, you'll have to buy a bottle.
Where: 98 Darby St, Cooks Hill
The Grain Thai
When you're keen to enjoy a Thai feast dine-in instead of takeaway, The Grain Thai is the place to go. The spacious restaurant is great for a relaxed dinner, with a comprehensive menu plus heaps of cocktails and beer. You can also BYO (wine only) for $6 corkage per bottle.
Where: 12 Beaumont St, Hamilton
Kings XI Indian Restaurant
The cosy interiors at Kings XI Indian Restaurant provide the perfect space to experience some of Newcastle's best Indian cuisine. The extensive menu covers flavours from a variety of regions of India and corkage is only $2 per person for BYO wine!
Where: 100 Beaumont St, Hamilton
Kitami Japanese Restaurant & Grocery
A staple of Japanese cuisine in Newcastle for more than 30 years, Kitami is a hole-in-the-wall spot in Carrington offering BYO wine. Try its extensive range of ramen, udon, gyoza, donburi, curries, and tempura, or stock up on a range of Japanese groceries like soy sauce, miso, and traditional sweets and snacks while you're there.
Where: 53 Young St, Carrington
Limoo – The House of Persian Cuisine
The menu at Limoo is loaded with authentic Iranian dishes that highlight Iran's cultural hero – rice. Treating their restaurant as if it's their home and diners as their guests, Limoo is a delight to experience, especially when BYO wine is only $4 corkage per person.
Where: 74 Beaumont St, Hamilton
Menya Makoto
After working in Japanese restaurants for years, Yuki Doi finally decided to open her own in 2022. The result is Menya Makoto, an authentic Japanese joint full of family recipes that will have you coming back time and time again. Try the spicy tonkotsu ramen for an extra kick of chilli, and wash it down with your BYO wine ($5 corkage per person).
Where: Ground Floor, 301 Hunter St, Newcastle
Mrs Jones Oyster Bar
If you're after a casual seafood feed, Mrs Jones Oyster Bar is the place to go. The star of the show is oysters, with eight flavours available, but this Carrington spot also does a cracking fish burger and a loaded prawn roll. It's also conveniently next to a bottle shop, so you can pick up some wine or beer to enjoy with your seafood with no corkage fee!
Where: 91 Young St, Carrington
Muchos Mexican
The Junction's go-to Mexican spot, Muchos Mexican has been serving Mexican lovers since way back. Known for its cheap dishes and no frills menu, Muchos Mexican offers BYO wine ($3 corkage per person) for when you're in the mood for a glass with your tacos.
Where: 50 Glebe Rd, The Junction
Sesame’s on the Lake
Sesames on the Lake serves up a modern Asian fusion menu, including dishes from all over South East Asia, like Cambodian yellow curry, seafood hot pot, twice-cooked duck, and Vietnamese peanut satay. Pair your feast with BYO wine for $4 corkage per person.
Where: 63 Maude St, Belmont
The businesses featured within this article have not paid to be featured, the content has been curated by the HUNTERhunter editorial team. We only promote businesses we love and think our readers will love too!
Did we miss somewhere? Email us!
