Where To Plan Your Next BYO

New on the scene, Chu Thai is providing Ponsonby visitors with some of the best sit-down Thai meals around. With more than just the Thai classics, experience new dishes, as well as their additional vegan menu to cater to the whole table. Enjoy your meal inside or out, with a bottle of your favourite wine.

If you’re looking for a BYO spot with great food and a cool vibe, book your next shindig at Po Brothers! Conveniently located on Ponsonby Road, the Thai eatery serves classic and delicious dishes like fresh spring rolls with sesame sauce and stir-fried peanut chicken, in a trendy and attentive environment.

An age-old classic for a Friday night BYO, Canton Cafe on New North Road has worked hard to earn their top placing spot in the hearts of BYO-goers everywhere. An extraordinarily cheap corkage (in comparison to Auckland’s exorbitant prices) paired with a healthy helping of to-die-for Chinese food is a winning combo!

The go-to spot to eat your weight in dumplings and noodles before hitting the town. With their latest renovations opening up and brightening the restaurant, New Flavour on Dominion Road is constantly buzzing with enthusiastic diners. Go for the conveniently close liquor store, and stay for the mouth-watering food.

Looking for a banquet, Joy Bong on K Road has you covered. For the ultimate BYO experience, grab a white or red and make a reservation at the infamous Thai restaurant. Between spring rolls, curry puffs, tom yum, satay, Thai green curry, and banana fritters for dessert, get your dose of authentic Thai while enjoying some great wine at Joy Bong.

Satya is always a winner, with multiple handy locations (Sandringham, Mount Eden, and Ponsonby) and next-level South Indian food. Flavoursome traditional street-food, friendly service, and a fully licensed BYO make for an authentically delicious experience.

Wanting to join in on the fun but keep it suburban? Spices Thai in Ormiston is your guy. The east Auckland restaurant has been around since 1999, with an upstairs venue room if you’re looking for a bit of privacy. And of course the food is as good as it gets, from the Tom Zabb soup, Panang curry, money bags, and Thai BBQ Chicken, everything is traditional and packed with flavour.

A BYO tapas bar is just what we’ve been needing in our lives, and as everyone knows tapas were made to be shared, which makes Tasca in Mount Eden the ideal location for a glass of wine (or two) and social mingle. The outdoor courtyard carries a European charm, as the traditional tapas dishes transport you straight to the Spanish countryside.

Nothing quite beats a Korean BBQ, especially paired with a bottle of your favourite wine. Faro on Lorne Street lets you take control of the cooking with your own BBQ set-up at the table with options like beef short-rib, sliced ox tongue, and honeycomb pork belly. Or if you think your cooking skills aren’t quite up to the challenge, let Faro show you how it’s done.

Parnell Rise’s La Porchetta is your BYO on a budget! The cheap and cheerful Italian diner has all your favourite cheesy classics in pizza and pasta form, as well as vegan options to cater for everyone, as well as a decadent dessert menu and close proximity to some of the best carry-on spots in town. What more could you ask for?

Operating since 1987, Sharaku has the art of Japanese food down to a tee. Know you’re in good hands with Japanese chef Mr Oizumi, who prides himself on providing the freshest sushi made to order. Plus, being only a stone’s throw away from Auckland’s Queen Street, you’ll definitely be set for a big night.

There’s no better match than pasta and wine. And there is no other Italian BYO more iconic than Pane & Vino, Ponsonby’s infamous brick eatery. Fill yourself up on creamy pasta dishes, crispy authentic pizzas, and deep-fried croquettes before hitting Ponsonby-town.