THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO BYOB RESTAURANTS IN LONDON
Verified corkage policies, free corkage nights, bottle limits, and the best BYOB restaurants across London (checked January 2026).
BYOB means "bring your own bottle". Corkage is the fee some restaurants charge to open it.
Corkage policies change. We check and refresh this guide quarterly, but restaurants can update fees, bottle limits, and deal terms at short notice. Always confirm when booking (and again on the day if you are bringing something valuable).
London's bring-your-own scene proves remarkably democratic - spanning humble cafes to fine dining establishments, each with its own approach to corkage and service. Whether you're dusting off a treasured bottle from the cellar or seeking to elevate a casual dinner with something special, this guide navigates the essentials of BYOB dining across the capital. From sensible etiquette to venue recommendations, consider this your companion for making the most of London's wine-friendly establishments (whilst avoiding putting any noses out of joint).
QUICK SHORTLIST
Best free BYOB: Tayyabs (Whitechapel) - free corkage, all week, no limits
Best Monday deal: Hawksmoor (all sites) - £5 per bottle, any size
Best for special bottles: Chez Bruce (Wandsworth) - free corkage Sunday evenings, Michelin-starred
Best cheap eat: Kaosarn (Brixton/Clapham/Tooting) - free corkage, Thai street food prices
Best for groups: Mangal 1 (Dalston) - free corkage, cash only, kebabs worth the trek
AT A GLANCE
FREE CORKAGE ALL WEEK
- Tayyabs (Whitechapel) - Punjabi - Free, unlimited - Book: Yes
- Mangal 1 (Dalston) - Turkish - Free, confirm ahead - Book: Recommended
- Kaosarn (Brixton, Clapham, Tooting) - Thai - Free, glasses provided - Book: Recommended
- Yada's (Peckham) - Kurdish - Free, confirm ahead - Book: No
- Roti King (Euston) - Malaysian - Free, confirm ahead - Book: No (queues)
- Marie's Cafe (Waterloo) - Thai - Free, confirm ahead - Book: No
- Fez Mangal (Ladbroke Grove) - Turkish - Free, confirm ahead - Book: No
LOW CORKAGE (£5-10)
- Little Georgia (Hackney) - Georgian - Around £5/bottle - Book: Recommended
- Halepi (Paddington) - Greek - Around £5/bottle - Book: Recommended
- Xi'an Impression (Highbury) - Chinese - £5.50/bottle - Book: Yes
- Anima e Cuore (Kentish Town) - Italian - Around £5/bottle - Book: Yes
- Viet Soho (Soho) - Vietnamese - Around £10/bottle - Book: Recommended
- Paolina Thai (King's Cross) - Thai - Low corkage per person - Book: No
DEAL DAYS
- Hawksmoor (Multiple) - Steakhouse - £5/bottle Mondays (any size); ~£25 other days - Book: Yes
- Gaucho (Multiple) - Argentinian - Free Mondays (1 bottle per 2 guests, à la carte only) - Book: Yes
- The Laundry (Brixton) - British - Free Tuesdays; £25 other days - Book: Yes
- Chez Bruce (Wandsworth) - French - Free Sunday evenings; £50 other days - Book: Yes
HIGHER CORKAGE
- Noble Rot Soho (Soho) - Modern British - £25/bottle - Book: Yes
- Dorian (Notting Hill) - British - £100/bottle (max 1; must also buy from list) - Book: Yes
HOW WE CHECK
Each entry was checked in January 2026 via the restaurant's own website where possible, otherwise by direct enquiry or reputable recent coverage. Corkage policies change frequently. If you find an error, let us know by emailing advice@ourglass.wine so we can keep others up to date. We update this guide quarterly.
We've prioritised places where BYOB is genuinely welcomed, policies are clear, and the food is worth bringing a good bottle to.
BY AREA
CENTRAL LONDON
- Viet Soho (Soho) - Around £10/bottle
- Noble Rot Soho (Soho) - £25/bottle
- Roti King (Euston) - Free (confirm ahead)
- Paolina Thai Café (King's Cross) - Low corkage per person
NORTH LONDON
- Xi'an Impression (Highbury) - £5.50/bottle
- Anima e Cuore (Kentish Town) - Around £5/bottle
EAST LONDON
- Tayyabs (Whitechapel) - Free, unlimited
- Mangal 1 (Dalston) - Free (confirm ahead)
- Little Georgia (Hackney) - Around £5/bottle
WEST LONDON
- Halepi (Paddington) - Around £5/bottle
- Fez Mangal (Ladbroke Grove) - Free (confirm ahead)
- Dorian (Notting Hill) - £100/bottle
SOUTH LONDON
- Kaosarn (Brixton, Clapham, Tooting) - Free, glasses provided
- The Laundry (Brixton) - Free Tuesdays; £25 other days
- Yada's (Peckham) - Free (confirm ahead)
- Marie's Cafe (Waterloo) - Free (confirm ahead)
- Chez Bruce (Wandsworth) - Free Sunday evenings; £50 other days
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
- Hawksmoor - £5/bottle Mondays (any size); other days confirm
- Gaucho - Free Mondays (1 bottle per 2 guests, à la carte only)
WHICH LONDON RESTAURANTS HAVE FREE CORKAGE ALL WEEK?
Tayyabs
Whitechapel, E1 1JU
Why go: The most famous BYOB in London. The lamb chops are transcendent. The service is brusque. The queue is inevitable.
BYOB policy: Free corkage, no limits, all week. BYOB is actively welcomed here.
How to book: Essential. Book online or by phone.
What to bring: Off-dry aromatic whites work best. Riesling Kabinett. Gewürztraminer if you're feeling bold. Or just bring lager and lean into it.
Mangal 1
Dalston, E8 2DJ
Why go: Running since 1991, still serving some of the best kebabs in East London. The sweetbreads are exceptional. The lamb chops pink and smoky. Tattoos welcome.
BYOB policy: No corkage (BYOB). Confirm ahead. Cash only.
How to book: Recommended for weekends. Walk-ins possible midweek.
What to bring: A mid-weight red with some earthiness. Côtes du Rhône. Montepulciano. Or Turkish wine if you can find it.
Kaosarn
Brixton Village, Clapham Junction, Tooting
Why go: Authentic Thai at prices that feel like a mistake. The massaman is properly rich. The papaya salad properly brutal.
BYOB policy: BYOB across all three London restaurants. No corkage fee. Glasses provided.
How to book: Recommended. Can be busy. Cash only at Brixton.
What to bring: Aromatic whites. Riesling. Grüner Veltliner. Chenin Blanc with a bit of residual sugar. Nothing oaky. Nothing tannic.
Yada's
Peckham, SE15
Why go: Hidden down an alley opposite Peckham Rye station. Family-run Kurdish spot. The falafel is light and herby. The shawarma is properly good. The portions are absurd.
BYOB policy: BYOB appears to be free. Confirm when booking or before you arrive.
How to book: Walk-ins usually fine.
What to bring: Something easy. Rosé. A Lebanese red if you want to stay regional.
Roti King
Euston, NW1 2SD
Why go: Malaysian institution known for flaky roti canai and rich curry. The queues are legendary and justified.
BYOB policy: No corkage (BYOB). Confirm ahead.
How to book: No bookings. Expect queues.
What to bring: Something that handles spice and richness. Off-dry Riesling. Gewürztraminer. Or beer.
Fez Mangal
Ladbroke Grove, W10 5PR
Why go: No-frills Turkish grill with excellent mezze and kebabs. Features strong lighting.
BYOB policy: No corkage (BYOB). Confirm ahead.
How to book: Walk-ins usually fine.
What to bring: Medium reds. Turkish wine if you can find it. Nothing too serious.
Marie's Cafe
Waterloo, SE1 8SW
Why go: Greasy spoon by day, Thai cafe by night. Proper neighbourhood spot.
BYOB policy: No corkage (BYOB). Confirm ahead.
How to book: Walk-ins usually fine. Good for late-night dining.
What to bring: Something that works with Thai heat. Riesling. Grüner.
WHICH LONDON RESTAURANTS HAVE ALLOW BYOB ON MONDAYS?
Hawksmoor
All London locations
Why go: The best Monday deal in London. £5 corkage per bottle, any size.
BYOB policy: £5 per bottle on Mondays (BYO Wine Club), any size bottle. Other days, corkage applies - confirm when booking.
How to book: Essential. Mention BYOB when booking.
What to bring: This is where you bring the serious stuff. The Bordeaux you've been cellaring. The Barolo that needs beef. The aged Rioja you forgot you had.
Gaucho
All London locations
Why go: Monday free corkage on one bottle per two guests. Less flexible than Hawksmoor but still worth knowing.
BYOB policy: Complimentary corkage on Mondays (12pm to close). One bottle of wine or Champagne per two guests when dining from the à la carte menu only. Cannot be used with other offers. Pre-booking advised.
How to book: Essential. Specify BYOB when booking.
What to bring: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, aged Rioja, or proper Bordeaux. Champagne works too, and is explicitly included.
WHICH LONDON RESTAURANTS HAVE ALLOW BYOB ON TUESDAYS?
The Laundry
Brixton, SW9 8PL
Why go: Melanie Brown's neighbourhood bistro, connected to wine shop Specialist Cellars. The food is comfort-leaning British with enough finesse to deserve good wine.
BYOB policy: Free corkage Tuesdays. £25/bottle other days.
How to book: Recommended. Advise BYOB when booking.
What to bring: The Specialist Cellars connection is useful. You could buy a bottle next door and drink it at dinner.
WHICH LONDON RESTAURANTS HAVE ALLOW BYOB ON SUNDAYS?
Chez Bruce
Wandsworth Common, SW17 7EG
Why go: One Michelin star. The cheese board is famous. The cooking is unfussy French-Mediterranean done at a level most neighbourhood restaurants can only dream about.
BYOB policy: Free corkage on Sunday evenings (1x 75cl bottle per head, max 4 bottles per table). Otherwise, corkage is £50 per 75cl bottle, same limits. Please tell them when booking.
How to book: Essential. Notify when booking.
What to bring: This is an occasion restaurant. A bottle of proper Burgundy you've been waiting to open.
PAID CORKAGE WORTH PAYING
Little Georgia
Hackney, E8 1EJ
Why go: Cozy Georgian restaurant with authentic home cooking. Khachapuri, khinkali, and natural wines if you want to order from the list.
BYOB policy: Corkage is typically around £5 per bottle. Confirm when booking.
How to book: Recommended for weekends.
What to bring: Georgian wine if you can find it. Otherwise, something with character - orange wines work well.
Halepi
Paddington, W2 4QH
Why go: Family-run Greek taverna serving generous portions since 1969. A proper London classic.
BYOB policy: Corkage is typically around £5 per bottle. Confirm when booking.
How to book: Recommended for groups.
What to bring: Greek wine. Assyrtiko for whites, Xinomavro for reds. Or something Mediterranean.
Anima e Cuore
Kentish Town, NW1 8PB
Why go: Twenty-two seats. No printed menu. The dishes are chalked on a board passed between tables. The pasta changes daily and is consistently among the best in North London.
BYOB policy: Corkage is typically around £5 per bottle. Confirm when booking. Cash only.
How to book: Essential. Small space.
What to bring: Italian wine. Nebbiolo if you're celebrating. Sangiovese if you're not. Verdicchio if it's hot.
Xi'an Impression
Highbury, N7 7BW
Why go: Tiny Xi'an Chinese near the Emirates. Hand-pulled noodles. Fiery everything. NB: Spurs fans - handle with care.
BYOB policy: £5.50/bottle (wine); £1.70/bottle (beer).
How to book: Recommended. Small space.
What to bring: Off-dry whites. The chilli needs something to push against.
Paolina Thai Café
King's Cross, WC1X 9BZ
Why go: Greasy spoon by day, Thai restaurant by night. Cabbies and locals. Authentic cooking.
BYOB policy: Low corkage, typically charged per person (confirm the current rate when you arrive).
How to book: Walk-ins usually fine.
What to bring: Something that works with Thai heat. Riesling. Grüner.
Viet Soho
Soho, W1D 4DH
Why go: Casual Vietnamese with excellent pho and summer rolls in a vibrant Soho setting.
BYOB policy: Corkage is typically around £10 per bottle. Confirm when booking.
How to book: Recommended.
What to bring: Something light and aromatic. Grüner Veltliner. Riesling. Nothing heavy.
Noble Rot Soho
Soho, W1D 4RB
Why go: Wine-focused modern British dining in the historic Gay Hussar site. The list is exceptional, but they'll let you bring your own.
BYOB policy: £25 corkage per bottle.
How to book: Essential. Notify when booking.
What to bring: Something special. This is a room that knows wine, so bring something you're proud of.
High-End Corkage
Dorian
Notting Hill, W11 2AT
Why go: The restaurant that made corkage a news story in 2024. The food is excellent. The policy is designed for collectors bringing four-figure bottles who would rather pay £100 corkage than £400 markup.
BYOB policy: £100/bottle. Max 1 bottle. Must also buy a bottle of similar value from their list.
How to book: Essential. Pre-arrange BYOB.
What to bring: If you're paying £100 corkage, you know what you're bringing.
A Note On Singburi
The original Singburi in Leytonstone was a BYOB legend. Free corkage. Phone-only bookings. Thai food that Time Out named restaurant of the year in 2021.
In November 2024, the restaurant announced a "sabbatical" that became permanent. Singburi 2.0 opened in Shoreditch (Montacute Yards) in June 2025 - same chef-patron, different proposition: proper drinks list, corkage charges, bookable online. If you see guides listing "Singburi Leytonstone - Free BYOB", they haven't been updated.
WHY BRING YOUR OWN?
Often it's because an establishment offers a limited wine selection or none at all. Perhaps you've been cellaring something special - a birth year bottle or anniversary vintage - or simply have a treasured bottle awaiting the right moment.
Whatever your motivation, the goal remains constant: to drink something more compelling than the list might offer.
But let's be clear about what BYOB is and isn't.
It isn't about saving money. Or rather, it can be, but only if you're doing it properly. The maths rarely work if you're dashing into the offie for something "drinkable" on the way. You're paying corkage to drink wine you don't particularly want, chosen in thirty seconds under strip lighting. That's not saving money. That's paying for a worse experience with extra steps.
The actual point of BYOB is drinking your wine. The bottle you've been waiting for an excuse to open. The thing you found on holiday. The producer you've followed for years who doesn't appear on any London wine list. The 2015 you bought a case of and have been gradually working through.
That's when BYOB makes sense. When you're not choosing between your bottle and their list. When you're bringing something no restaurant could offer you.
If you don't have bottles like that yet, BYOB is just a cheaper way to drink wine you're ambivalent about. Which is fine. No judgement. But the real pleasure is elsewhere.
Do All Restaurants Permit It?
Most neighbourhood spots welcome it for corkage fees of £10-30, without strict limitations.
Finer establishments might decline altogether, though many permit it with certain constraints - bottle limits and fees up to £75. These tend to be venues with proper cellars and dedicated wine teams, which seems rather fair.
Some restaurants don't sell alcohol at all; you bring your own. Others have full licences but offer corkage as a courtesy or commercial strategy. Either way, the venue sets its own rules and can refuse BYOB at their discretion.
Policies vary wildly. Some charge nothing. Some charge £100. Most sit between £10 and £35.
The only rule that matters: ring ahead. Policies change. Staff change. The website might be out of date. If you're bringing something valuable, confirm the day before. If you're bringing something irreplaceable, confirm twice.
THE PRINCIPLES
What To Bring
For groups, consider what might prove most memorable. Someone should always bring decent Champagne - when all else fails, it remedies whatever the evening presents. Northern Rhône Syrah rarely disappoints for its all-road ability.
Beyond that, bring something that matches where you're going. The full pairing logic is below, but the principle is simple: don't fight the food.
What To Avoid
Poor wine, frankly. Avoid anything heavily manipulated or mass-produced.
The world teems with proper, affordable bottles made by small growers deserving support. Most places won't permit wines they stock themselves - but why would you bring something already available? Coals to Newcastle and all that.
This isn't about saving money but enhancing experience. Better to select from a decent list than bring mediocre wine.
Ring Ahead
Sensible etiquette demands alerting places beforehand, particularly upmarket ones. They'll confirm their policy and bottle limits. If visiting somewhere without wine service, consider bringing proper glassware and a corkscrew - but confirm this is welcome first. Most venues will provide an ice bucket if asked politely.
Bottle Limits
Two per person marks the sensible maximum. With six guests and ten bottles, consider ordering something from the list as well. For couples, perhaps start with cocktails or finish with digestifs. The aim isn't to take advantage but to complement the experience.
Respect The Corkage
Restaurants operate on slender margins. Allowing outside wine isn't ideal business practice. Moreover, proper service requires time and expertise - time a sommelier could spend selling from their own cellar rather than attending to your bottles.
The places in this guide that still offer free or cheap corkage are doing you a favour. Treat them accordingly.
Handling Your Bottles
At casual spots, bring them to table and inform staff of your intent before anything else. At fine dining places, give them to the maitre d', who should be expecting them from your advance call.
Whites should be cold. If yours isn't, ask if they can chill it. Reds should be cellar temperature, not room temperature. London rooms are too warm for red wine.
Share With Staff
When bringing wine to high-end places handling your service, expect them to taste. If offering more than the customary taste, request an extra glass and pour for them - it's awkward to expect sommeliers to serve themselves, regardless of intentions. Special bottles create learning opportunities for staff who mightn't otherwise encounter them.
Mind Your Manners
Thank those providing service and tip generously - 20-25% when corkage proves reasonable. If they waive fees while providing full service, adjust gratuity accordingly or offer additional appreciation directly. Consider tipping on what comparable bottles might cost from their list.
CUISINE AND WINE PAIRINGS
The short version for BYOB specifically, followed by broader pairing guidance.
By Restaurant Type
Punjabi / Pakistani (Tayyabs, etc): Off-dry Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Grüner Veltliner. The spice wants sweetness and acidity. Tannins make everything worse.
Turkish (Mangal 1, Fez Mangal, etc): Medium reds. Nothing too extracted. Côtes du Rhône, Montepulciano, Turkish wines. Something with a bit of earth that can stand up to smoke and char.
Thai (Kaosarn, Paolina, Marie's Cafe, etc): Aromatic whites. Riesling. Chenin Blanc. Grüner. The citrus works; the oak doesn't.
Kurdish / Middle Eastern (Yada's, etc): Flexible. Rosé works. Lebanese reds work. Easy-drinking whites work. Nothing too serious.
Malaysian (Roti King, etc): Off-dry whites handle the richness and spice. Gewürztraminer. Riesling Kabinett. Or just beer.
Vietnamese (Viet Soho, etc): Light aromatics. Grüner Veltliner. Riesling. Nothing heavy or oaky.
Greek (Halepi, etc): Greek wines work best. Assyrtiko for whites, Xinomavro for reds. Or anything Mediterranean.
Georgian (Little Georgia, etc): Georgian wine if you can find it. Orange wines work well with the cuisine's earthy, herby flavours.
Steakhouse (Hawksmoor, Gaucho, etc): This is why you have good Bordeaux. Or Barolo. Or that Napa Cab you've been saving. Fat and tannin. Don't overthink it.
Italian (Anima e Cuore, etc): Match the region if you can. Nebbiolo with Piedmontese cooking. Sangiovese with Tuscan. If in doubt, Sangiovese works with most Italian food because most Italian food evolved alongside it.
French (Chez Bruce, The Laundry, etc): Burgundy with Burgundian cooking. Rhône with southern stuff. Though honestly, at Chez Bruce on a Sunday, bring whatever you've been waiting for an excuse to open.
Modern British (Noble Rot Soho, etc): English Sparkling Wine and Loire Cabernet Franc. Or bring something you're proud of - these rooms know wine.
Broader Cuisine Pairings
Modern British
Go-to: English Sparkling Wine and Loire Cabernet Franc. Traditional dishes shine alongside domestic fizz, while Loire reds provide the proper backbone for heartier fare. The mineral precision of both complements everything from refined fish to robust roasts.
South Asian
Go-to: Alsace Gewürztraminer or Northern Rhône Syrah. From mild kormas to fierce vindaloos, these wines offer enough fruit ripeness to tame heat while matching aromatic complexity. Their spice profiles complement rather than compete.
Mediterranean
Go-to: Greek Assyrtiko and Agiorgitiko. Whether it's proper mezze or chargrilled octopus, nothing suits better than Greece's indigenous varieties. Their shared herbal notes and bright acidity create perfect harmony.
East Asian
Go-to: Austrian Grüner Veltliner and Burgundian Pinot Noir. From sashimi to dim sum, these wines offer the versatility needed for complex Asian flavours. Their lighter body and savoury elements complement rather than overwhelm.
Spanish Tapas
Go-to: Godello and Jumilla Monastrell. Proper tapas demands wines of equal character. These Spanish natives handle everything from jamón to gambas with aplomb, offering freshness and proper Mediterranean warmth.
Bistro Classics
Go-to: Côtes de Gascogne Blanc and Gaillac Rouge. Skip the obvious Burgundies. These southwestern French gems offer sophisticated pleasure at café prices, perfect for everything from coq au vin to steak frites.
Seafood
Go-to: Chablis and Provence Rosé. From oysters to grilled fish, these wines offer the mineral backbone and delicate touch needed for proper maritime fare. Their saline qualities enhance rather than mask oceanic flavours.
Pizza & Pasta
Go-to: Piedmont Barbera and Tuscan Sangiovese. The ultimate "what grows together" pairing. Barbera handles fresh herbs brilliantly, while Sangiovese's red fruit and acidity make it pizza's perfect partner.
Need pairing tips before your BYOB dinner? Start with our flavour wheel.
WHAT IS THE NORMAL CORKAGE FEE IN LONDON?
Most London restaurants charge between £15 and £25 per bottle. Deal nights (like Hawksmoor Mondays) can be as low as £5. Fine dining typically runs £35-75, with outliers like Dorian at £100. Restaurants where BYOB is actively welcomed - Tayyabs, Mangal 1, Yada's, Roti King - charge nothing.
FAQ
Is BYOB legal in London?
Generally yes. UK licensing law covers the sale and supply of alcohol, not consumption. Many venues allow BYOB, but they set the rules and can refuse. Always ring ahead.
What's a normal corkage fee?
£15-25 for most places. £5 on deal nights. £50+ at fine dining. Free at restaurants where BYOB is actively welcomed.
How many bottles can I bring?
One per person is standard. Two per person marks the sensible maximum. Some places cap it. Hawksmoor on Mondays is notably flexible.
Can I bring beer or spirits?
At places where BYOB is actively welcomed (Tayyabs, Mangal 1, Roti King), yes. At licensed restaurants offering corkage, usually wine only.
Can I bring a magnum or larger format?
At most places, yes. Hawksmoor Mondays welcomes any size bottle. Always confirm for fine dining.
Can I bring my own wine glasses?
At BYOBs with basic glassware, yes. At licensed restaurants, generally no. If you're bringing something that genuinely deserves good glass, call ahead and ask.
Do BYOB restaurants provide ice buckets?
Most do if you ask. Some may not have proper ones. If you're bringing white or sparkling and it matters, confirm when booking.
What if they break my cork?
Their problem. Good restaurants have backup openers and will apologise. If the wine is actually ruined, they should make it right.
Should I decant?
If they have decanters and the wine needs it, ask. Some places are set up for this; some aren't. You can also open young wines an hour before arrival.
Do I need to book specifying BYOB?
For free-corkage spots, usually not. For paid corkage at fine dining, always. Chez Bruce and similar want advance notice. Some places will refuse on the night if you didn't pre-arrange.
What if the restaurant doesn't have proper glasses?
Some BYOBs have basic glassware. It's fine. You're not there for the stemware. If you're bringing something that genuinely deserves good glass, bring your own.
Is it weird to bring expensive wine to a cheap restaurant?
No. It's actually the move. Great bottle, unpretentious room, no corkage, food that doesn't try to compete. That's a perfect evening.
What's the point if I don't have bottles worth bringing?
Honest answer? Limited. The corner shop dash is a false economy. BYOB makes sense when you have something you actually want to drink. If you don't yet, that's a solvable problem.
KEEP READING
- How To Choose Wine From A Restaurant List - for when BYOB isn't an option
- A Guide To Matching Cuisines And Wine - the full pairing logic
- London's Best Wine Bars And Restaurants - where to drink when someone else is choosing
- How To Develop Your Wine Palate - if you want to know why you like what you like
- The Wine Price Sweet Spot - Rory Sutherland on value, pricing, and what "worth it" actually means
- Is A Wine Subscription Worth It? - the honest answer
Last updated January 2026. Corkage policies change. Always verify before booking. If you spot an error, tell us at advice@ourglass.wine.