Auckland has no shortage of restaurants, but we recommend hitting up one of the city’s coveted BYO spots for a great night out with friends. From mouth-watering Japanese to an award-winning Greek-Italian bistro, what’s better than a delicious meal out paired with your favourite bottle of wine? Be sure to check the corkage fee beforehand, enjoy dressing up, and most importantly, enjoy the foodie experience.
1. El Greco, Campbells Bay
This Greek-Italian restaurant is located on the North Shore and has the perfect recipe for a memorable night out. The menu caters to all tastes — pizza, pasta, gyros and meze platters are just some of the dishes on offer, and the warm and welcoming environment will make you feel like you’re really dining in the Mediterranean.
Even better, El Greco was recently named Auckland’s best BYO restaurant for 2022 as part of a competition run by Leftfield Wines and Facebook food forum Lazy Susan, thanks to its delicious menu, inviting atmosphere and excellent service. What more could you want in a BYO restaurant?
2. Nishiki, Freemans Bay
A favourite among locals and a must-visit for out-of-towners, Nishiki is the place to gather your friends and family together. Indulge in their traditional Japanese food, from classic karaage chicken to the freshest sashimi and perfectly-seasoned tofu. Plus, with Covid-19 still in the air, you can order via tablet from the comfort of your table — also handy when you want to order more, because who can say no to another dish of edamame?
The drinks menu is as extensive as the food, but if Japanese beers or sake aren’t your thing, don’t forget to BYO your favourite wine.
3. Big Fish Eatery, Penrose
An excellent place for large groups of people, this Asian fusion restaurant has all the ingredients needed for a dinner you won’t forget. Take your pick from all the usual suspects like dumplings, bao buns and noodles, and make sure you dabble in the more interesting dishes like cornflake covered fried chicken. But don’t worry if your group is a little fussy — there’s something for everyone with heaps of different meat and vegetable options. Another finalist in the 2022 Auckland’s best BYO awards, trust us on this one.
4. Tasca, Mt Eden
In Spanish, Tasca means ‘an unpretentious, local, backstreet bar or eatery’, and this restaurant is exactly that. Tasca’s menu is ideal for those who love sharing, with a multitude of mouthwatering tapas to choose from, including patatas bravas (potato chunks), albondigas (meatballs) and atun sesamo (seared tuna). If you’re someone who prefers to have a meal to yourself, you’re still spoilt for choice, with pizzas, pork belly, and lamb just some of the delectable main meal options.
If you’re after some ambience, you’ll love (BYO) wining and dining the night away in this Spanish restaurant’s courtyard and olive garden. Take yourself on a foodie tour of Spain at Tasca.
In the mood to plan your next BYO outing? Check out the other finalists in Auckland’s best BYO awards for 2022 by Leftfield Wines and Lazy Susan, including Bali Nights (Grey Lynn), Bunga Raya Restaurant (New Lynn), Canton Café (Kingsland), Faro (Auckland CBD), Golden Jade (Epsom), Satya (Grey Lynn), Sri Pinang (Kārangahape Road), Tianze Dumpling House (Sandringham) and Try it Out Restaurant (Ōtāhuhu).
