With its wonderful array of restaurants, Edinburgh truly offers something for every taste. For those who are choosy about their wines, or simply wish to keep down the cost of dining out by bringing their own bottle, there are a number of establishments that offer a BYOB option. Here we’ve listed a few of our favourites…
A Room in the Town/ A Room in the West End/ A Room in Leith
Awash in cheerful colours, warm wood, and quirky murals, these casual, laid-back eateries feature classy bistro dishes with a Scottish twist, prepared from fresh, local produce. Although the Rooms in the West End and in Leith are associated with the cosy Teuchters Bar and Teuchters Landing, there’s also a BYOW option at each restaurant, with a corkage fee of £3 for wine and £4 for bubbly.
Town – 18 Howe Street, Edinburgh EH3 6TG, 0131 225 8204
West End – 26 William Street, Edinburgh EH3 7NH, 0131 226 1036
Leith – 1c Dock Place, Edinburgh EH6 6LU, 0131 554 7427
www.aroomin.co.uk
Chop Chop Chinese Restaurants
Chop Chop has developed a solid reputation for its fresh, authentic northern Chinese cuisine and is particularly renowned for its delicious dumplings. Its two bright, airy restaurant locations (in Haymarket and Leith) offer a BYOB policy particularly favourable to large groups: £5 per bottle for the first 3 bottles, £15 for 4 bottles, then £3 a bottle for 5 or more.
248 Morrison Street, Edinburgh EH3 8DT, 0131 221 1155
76 Commercial Street, Commercial Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6LX, 0131 553 1818
www.chop-chop.co.uk
Hanam’s Restaurant
This warm, welcoming Middle Eastern restaurant specialises in Kurdish and Persian dishes, all prepared using authentic, high-quality ingredients to capture the subtle flavours of this cuisine. There’s an extensive dry bar with an intriguing array of non-alcoholic wines and beers, or you easily BYOB, as there’s no corkage fee.
3 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2PW, 0131 225 1329
www.hanams.com
Howies Restaurants
Howies’ four Edinburgh locations (at Bruntsfield, Victoria Street, Waterloo Place and the West End) each offer a completely different setting and ambiance, as well as distinct menus developed individually by each restaurant’s chef. The unifying theme is well-executed Scottish dishes built around local produce, and all locations have a BYOB option for a £3 corkage fee.
10-14 Victoria Street, Edinburgh EH1 2HG, 0131 225 1721
208 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh EH10 4DH, 0131 221 1777
29 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh EH1 3BQ, 0131 556 5766
1a Alva Street, Edinburgh EH2 4PH, 0131 225 5553
www.howies.uk.com
Khushi’s Diner
Khushi’s is a bit of an Edinburgh institution, and this buzzing, casual Indian eatery is popular for its tasty, good value food, laid-back atmosphere, and friendly staff. Although the restaurant doesn’t serve alcohol, it seems to have a particular appeal for groups of diners, aided in part by its BYOB policy and free corkage.
32b West Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9DD, 0131 667 4871
New York Steam Packet
Tucked away off Rose Street, this American-style diner offers a set menu of basic, hearty pub grub. The eatery prides itself on being inexpensive, and caters mostly to parties and large groups. Their BYOB policy helps with this aim – corkage is only £1 per wine bottle and 50p per beer or other small bottle.
31 Rose Street North Lane, Edinburgh EH2 2NP, 0131 220 4825
www.newyorksteampacket.co.uk
Pho Vietnam House Restaurant
This tiny, family-run establishment is at the moment Edinburgh’s only Vietnamese restaurant. With a small but delectable selection of traditional Vietnamese dishes, the menu offers cuisine that is exceptionally light, fresh and healthy. There’s no alcohol on the menu, but with only a £1.50 corkage charge, it’s quite appealing to bring your own.
3 Grove Street, Edinburgh EH3 8AF, 0131
www.vietnamhousescotland.com
Stac Polly St. Mary’s Street Bistro
The smallest of Stac Polly’s three Edinburgh locations offers intimate, relaxed bistro dining just off the Royal Mile. Like its sister restaurants, the mood is decidedly Scottish, with fresh local produce exquisitely prepared and presented and a pretty, modern Scottish décor. You can BYOB from Monday to Thursday; corkage is £5.
38 St. Mary’s Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SX, 0131 557 5754
www.stacpolly.com/index.php/st-marys-st
Please note that BYOB arrangements are subject to change. Please ring the restaurant first to confirm.
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