Top 5 BYOB Restaurants in Edinburgh
Whether you want to treat yourself to a meal out but are on a tight budget, or if you’re just a bit picky with your drinks, BYOB is the best way to wine and dine. For a small corkage or recycling fee you can have your drink of choice beside you as you enjoy a delicious meal. Here are some of the best BYOB restaurants in bonny Edinburgh.
By Sian Brett | Updated Apr 2 2019
The New York Steam Packet
Offering great value set menus as well as a BYOB policy, The New York Steam Packet is the all-American diner that’s perfect for when you want to impress but can’t splash the cash. 3 course set menus at the weekend cost £16 and there’s only a £1 corkage fee. The restaurant welcomes big groups, and are up for helping you host events of any kind. Booking a table is definitely recommended - if they don’t have any bookings of a weekday evening, chances are they won’t be open. Sittings on Friday and Saturday nights of 2 hours long, so you know you can make your partying plans afterwards.
Image Credit: The List
The New York Steam Packet is located at 31 Rose St N Ln, EH2 2NP.
Laila’s Bistro
For a warm and welcoming meal that won’t break the bank, make sure you check out Laila’s Bistro. Open from 12-10pm every day, they’ve got Mediterranean mains, sandwiches and bistro classics, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. It’s a perfect choice for date night, with sharing mezze platters to accompany the bottles you bring. There’s no corkage charge if you BYOB, and also a selection of alcohol free beers, ciders and cocktails if you’d rather not partake in the boozing. If you do BYOB, Laila’s has introduced a 25p bottle recycle fee in an attempt to look after the environment. Ethical and tasty!
Image Credit: Laila's Bistro
Laila’s Bistro is located at 63 Cockburn Street, EH1 1BS.
El Cartel Mexicana
For authentic Mexican food served on rustic tables accompanied by cacti of every shape and size, El Cartel Mexicana is one to be enjoyed with friends. Although they operate a BYOB policy, it has to be purchased from The Bon Vivant’s Companion across the road. There’s a £5 corkage fee, and if you run out of what you’ve brought with you, the restaurant also offers over 80 types of tequilas and a whole host of exciting cocktails, to help soothe the Mexican spice from their taco’s and antojito’s. The team behind El Cartel have recently bought another branch on Teviot Place, so keep an eye out for what will surely be another excellent Mexican treat.
Image Credit: El Cartel Mexicana via instagram
El Cartel Mexicana is at 64 Thistle Street, EH2 1EN.
Kampong Ah Lee Malaysian Restaurant
You can bring your own booze or buy in at this family run Malaysian restaurant, which dedicates itself to offering Edinburgh the best possible Malaysian food. The restaurant itself may not look the fanciest, but that’s because the main focus is making sure that the food is tasty, authentic and fresh. Owned by Mr Lee, ‘Kampong Ah Lee’ means ‘Lee’s Village’ - and it’s a village he’s sharing with the city of Edinburgh. The restaurant combines eastern and western food to bring the best of both worlds together in this simple but pleasing eatery. Takeaway is also available, and there’s £1 corkage for beer and £3 for wine.
Image Credit: Kampong Ah Lee Restaurant
Kampong Ah Lee is at 28 Clerk Street, EH8 9HX.
Pie Not? Bistro
Simple food (and puns) done well, Pie Not? offers a wide selection of artisanal pies as well as salads and soups for those who aren’t pie-inclined. For those who are, once you’ve selected your pie of choice, you can pick 1 side for free, and then add other sides for a small charge. A £3 corkage fee applies to any booze you want to bring in and enjoy with your pie. With all of the ingredients carefully sourced, and the flour in the pastry locally grown and milled, Chef Stephen Lindsay takes great pride and care over his pastry, and has been rewarded with plenty of British Pie Awards as a result - you can’t argue with that.
Image Credit: Pie Not?
Pie Not? Bistro is located at 135 Comiston Road, EH10 6AQ.