Auckland's Best BYO Spots

Attending a BYO in Auckland could be considered a rite of passage. BYO's seem to be reserved for a stage in young adult life when you detest clubbing and are not quite able to fork out for a degustation where you can order glasses of wine without looking at the price. BYO's are a fantastic idea, they accommodate big groups, you can drink your favourite (tolerable) cheap wine while eating tasty food. We have ranked our favourite BYO restaurants according to categories so you can choose which spot suits your groups preferences for your next Friday night shindig.

Cheapest Corkage: Canton Café

Location: 477 New North Rd, Kingsland

Nestled in Kingsland's bustling row of restaurants and shops is Canton Cafe, a BYO staple and for good reason. It's chaotic, you can barely carry a conversation over the noise on a Friday night and the staff pretty much push you out as soon you've finished your meal. But the generous portions and succulent meat dishes, packed with savoury Cantonese flavour are unbeatable. You can't pass up the sizzling beef, lemon chicken, stir-fried egg noodles and garlic prawns. One of the reasons why we love this place for big groups is that corkage is only $2 per person, that isn't easy to come by with most BYO restaurants. Pro tips: always bring cash and pay as a group, the food is meant for sharing so order for the table not for yourself and catch the train or bus in because parking is a 'mare. You'll know it's time to go when the cut fruit appears on your table.

Best Vibe: Nishiki

Location: 100 Wellington St, Freemans Bay

Nishiki is one of the hidden gems in the BYO sphere. The location is a bit obscure, sitting in a small group of shops in Freeman's Bay between Howe Street and Franklin Road. The food is delicious and really decently priced, with everything from yakitori to fresh seafood, they even create seasonal menus alongside their permanent one. Nishiki is what we would consider the best environment for a BYO, the seating arrangement and venue is ideal for big groups and privacy, you could spend hours here. If you've had a dinner here, you'll know what we mean when we say it just has a good buzz about it, as most authentic Japanese restaurants have. Corkage for Nishiki is right in the middle in terms of what you'd expect to pay, costing $7 per bottle.

Best Food: Pane E Vino

Location: 20 Williamson Ave, Grey Lynn

The name practically invites you for a wine filled night out, pasta and wine go hand in hand and this is what Pane E Vino does best. The restaurants website looks like it hasn't been updated since 1998 but it's the food and the restaurant itself that counts. They also quote Sophia Loren on their website, 'it is not a table without bread and wine', which we wholeheartedly agree with. You're a bit spoiled for choice here when it comes to the menu, so picking which dish to order will be no easy feat. Start with calamari to share and for a main and all of their authentic Italian pasta dishes are to die for. We recommend this spot for a birthday celebration with friends, the atmosphere is really nice and cozy. If the price of corkage is a deal breaker when it comes to BYO choice then you might pass this place up, it will be $9 per bottle you bring.

Best Service: Sri Pingang

Location: 356 Karangahape Rd, CBD

This eatery is largely regarded as the best BYO restaurant in Auckland. Malaysian food is served up by cheery and accommodating staff who will make your experience a stand out. Just looking at the photo of the savoury pancake is enough to sell us on this place. The restaurant is small so this spot is best for an intimate gathering, ideally four people. The vibe here feels like a home, and the food is hearty. We have to admit, the corkage is cheaper here than the aforementioned Canton Cafe, it's $1 per head for wine and beer (a plus!), but the service deserves the main shout out. John Campbell has been seen dining here so if he approves, we approve.

Best Overall: POKPOK Thai Restaurant

Location: 261 Karangahape Rd, CBD

POKPOk serves up modern Thai food inspired by authentic street vendors in Thailand and has won several Metro food awards since opening in 2014. K' Road is the home of this small eatery, which makes it an ideal location for meeting a group after work in the CBD and for catching transport to and from. The gold kumara curry puffs, coconut poach salmon and braised beef brisket with green curry sauce are all knockouts. The menu here is small and constantly evolving, which means you might return and find a whole new array of fantastic options. We picked POKPOK as our best overall because it is bound to please everyone and ticks all the BYO boxes. The place feels intimate, which is what you want when attending a BYO with a group of friends who you want to catch up with and has a small corkage fee of $3 per person. Book this hotspot for your next wine-filled outing, you won't regret it.