If mark-up on booze at your favorite restaurants has you down, or if you’re tired of the all-too-familiar beer offerings on every menu you see, the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex has plenty of BYOB restaurants to explore. Beyond the appeal of pairing a meal with your exact beverage of choice, dining at a BYOB restaurant can be easy on the pocketbook. And with the city’s top BYOB restaurants showcasing cuisines that span the continents, Dallasites have ample opportunity to crack open a six-pack of their favorite imported beer or bottle of boutique to pair.
Whether you’re craving a fiery Thai curry or a Greek feast with all the trimmings, consider this guide of Dallas restaurants for when you want to bring your own booze.
Sevan G&G Café
Named after Armenia’s beloved alpine lake, Sevan is an intimate Mediterranean restaurant that has been delighting Dallas diners for two decades. For day-drinkers looking to share a bottle of bubbles, Sevan’s brunch is offered six days a week and features Greek omelets with feta and strong Turkish coffee. At night, a bottle of Syrah will tease out the flavor from the grilled rack of lamb, and a good Sancerre will pair beautifully with the spanakopita. As an added bonus, Sevan does not have a corkage fee if you order an entree. 2221 Greenville Ave., Dallas
Platia Greek Kouzina
This long-standing Greek restaurant in Frisco draws a solid crowd of regulars who can’t resist the homemade hummus, lamb souvlaki, and moist, flaky baklava. Dark wood and exposed brick give the space a rustic feel, while the Greek art and décor, including a carving of the ancient Greeks, transports diners to the Mediterranean. Platia charges a reasonable $3.95 corkage fee per bottle, which keeps the wine flowing. 2995 Preston Rd., #1590, Frisco, platiagreek.com
Saigon Block
While this Vietnamese restaurant in Richardson has plenty of pho and vermicelli on offer, its specialty is ca nuong, whole baked catfish with crispy skin, topped with aromatics like green onions and fried shallots. Available in medium ($65), large ($70), and extra-large ($75), the dish is suitable for sharing, with diners invited to use the meat to assemble lettuce-wraps. Pick up a cold six-pack of Vietnamese lager Bia Saigon on your way in. The corking fee for a sixer is $5. 2150 E. Arapaho Rd. Ste. 200, Richardson, saigon-block.com
Covino’s Pasta & Pizza
With its checkered tablecloths and cozy ambiance, this decades-old strip mall gem is a go-to for red-sauce Italian comfort plates. Find heaping plates of mussels marinara ($22), eggplant rollatini ($23), and manicotti ($20), plus New York-style pizza and calzones. Hit Covino’s with a group of friends and dine family-style for a well-rounded experience. What is Italian food without Italian wine? Bring along a couple of bottles of Chianti and Sangiovese. 3265 Independence Pkwy., Plano, covinos.com
Bangkok Inn
Thai food lovers rejoice — this family-owned eatery in Lakewood, best known for its swoon-worthy pad Thai, is reasonably priced and has a BYOB policy. Along with crowdpleasers like chicken satay ($8) and shrimp fried rice ($12), find interesting dishes like garlic and white pepper pork ($12), spicy shrimp with Thai eggplant ($13), and sweet rice with egg custard ($6). 6033 Oram St., Dallas, bangkokinndallas.com
Alondra’s Cuisine
A fun alternative to the norm, Alondra’s showcases a combination of Mexican and Italian flavors under the same roof. Here you can truly choose your own culinary adventure. Start with shrimp ceviche ($14) or a margherita flatbread ($11), and then move on to beef lasagna ($19) or chicken enchiladas ($16). The menu has a dedicated section of meatless dishes with just as much range. Alondra’s doesn’t charge a corking fee, so bring some Mexican beer or Italian wine, or both. 1202 Northwest Hwy., Garland, alondrascuisinetx.com
