Let’s face it, by the time you’ve ordered all those bottles of wine for the table, even a moderately priced restaurant can deliver an eye-popping bill by the end of the night.
Sometimes you’re just better off going the BYO route, and picking up your booze beforehand at retail prices. The best part? More cash for dessert. From north to south, here are ten of the best casual BYO restaurants on the Gold Coast.
Osha Kitchen and Bar
Hope Island
When a restaurant calls themselves the ‘best food in Hope Island’, they’re gonna want to have the chops to back it up. And Osha Kitchen and Bar BYO restaurant definitely does.
It’s Asian fusion with a twist—their honey chicken is a crispy whole breast, tempered with salty soy; the sizzling beef plate utilises famously marbled Wagyu; and their melt-in-the-mouth pork ribs with caramelised sauce is delivered with a savoury hit of cumin and a dash of lime to liven the palate. These chefs seriously know what they’re about, so be sure to carefully peruse the bottle shop shelves for a wine that matches the bold flavours on offer at this Northern gem.
Gino’s Trattoria
Runaway Bay
Gino and Lina Alaimo have been serving up traditional Italian fare across the Gold Coast for 41 years, bringing a loyal fanbase to their Runaway Bay location for the last 17. Peeps from all over the Gold Coast have no problem making the trip to dine on Gino’s light-as-air cannelloni with their famous house-made sugo, which could pair easily with your fave white or even a cheeky Italian red, BYO-ed from the BWS next door.
Their traditional tortellini en brodo won’t break the bank at just $8.50, (leaving you more to spend on vino), and one of the most popular calamari dishes comes with a surprising yet delectable sauce of teriyaki, brandy and cream, sure to wake up the taste buds. And of course there is an impressive range of traditional pasta and mains to tempt you.
Yoki Thai
Runaway Bay
Runaway Bay seems to be the BYO restaurant hub of the Gold Coast, with Yoki Thai cementing its place as a local favourite for a cheeky Friday night treat, bottle of plonk in hand.
Simple done well is the name of the game here, with all the expected Thai flavour combinations and sauces like basil, cashew, peanut, curries and ginger served with your choice of protein or vegetable. Malay and Indonesian cuisines get look-ins with spicy sambals and a must-try Gado Gado, too. BYO wine and taste buds. You won’t be disappointed.
Milan on Main
Main Beach
The warm and cosy Milan on Main is a top-tier dining experience for a laidback evening or intimate dinner with loved ones. The chefs prepare traditional Italian fare with the greatest love and care, with owners David and Violet keen to bring communities together through shared dining experiences.
Traditional Neapolitan pizza is what it’s all about here, with that unmistakable chew to the dough that lets you know it’s the real deal. Hot tip: If you’re grabbing a main such as grass fed beef fillet or the chicken with prosciutto, anchovies, mozzarella and sage, you can’t go past the truffle mash as a side. BYO your favourite bottle of vino, and you’re all set.
The Indian Place
Surfers Paradise
It takes a certain amount of confidence to name yourself THE Indian Place. And in this case, it’s well earned. From entrees of crispy onion bhajees and veggie samosas to mains of butter chicken and lamb rogan josh, you’ll find all the trusty usuals on the menu.
But you can also get a little contemporary with dishes like the spiced orange Shahi duck and mushroom kashmiri. You can even splurge on a tandoori lobster at market price if you’re feeling a bit luxe. Just be sure to BYO a bottle of the fanciest wine to match.
Zipang
Currumbin
This highly-rated Japanese restaurant in Currumbin features a mouth-watering miso eggplant dish and a melting medium-rare sesame salmon dish that make it hard to choose anywhere else on the southern end for quality Japanese.
But Zipang’s menu doesn’t stop there. Tofu and beans, karaage chicken, rib fillet rice bowls, pork belly with scallops, a rustic casual dining experience and $4 corkage for your BYO bottle of plonk means that multiple visits are in order.
Baba Joon Persian Grill
Surfers Paradise
Baba Joon slings food for the soul. The fire-kissed menu features traditional Persian dishes that will leave you feeling like you’ve just been invited into a family home for an abundant feast. Better yet, it’s BYO, just like home, so you can enjoy a glass or two of your beverage of choice with your meal.
The generous grill platters feature a range of meats and come with fluffy saffron rice and salads, while the spiced lentil soup or eggplant dip with flatbreads are our top picks for starters, if you’re feeling super hungry. Think: fall-off-the-bone meats, healthy ancient grains and legumes, colourful veg, fresh bread and perfectly mixed spice flavours, and you’ve got a good idea of the Baba Joon BYO experience.
Chiangmai Thai
Broadbeach & Surfers Paradise
These popular Broadbeach and Surfers BYO restaurants have made a name for themselves over the years with locals who are after fresh, authentic, reasonably priced Thai food. So, basically everyone. Michael and Nopporn started out in 1993 when they opened the first Chiangmai Thai BYO restaurant in Nobbys.
As the restaurant garnered a loyal following, they decided to relocate to Broadbeach, and opened the second restaurant in Surfers not long after. Slinging all the beloved Thai cuisine staples cooked to absolute perfection, these humble eateries don’t need any fanfare, as word of mouth keeps them packed to the rafters.
Cha Cha Japanese Restaurant
Broadbeach
This long-standing Broadbeach BYO restaurant dishes up a large menu of tasty, no-frills Japanese fare with a fast turnaround, and at prices that won’t break the bank. Featuring a huge array of entrées, proteins, vegetables, noodles, rice dishes and a dedicated ramen menu, Cha Cha diners are spoiled for choice when it comes to their dining experience.
And with BYO corkage only $1 per person, you can nip to the nearby Vintage Cellars and level up your dining experience with accompanying beverages, too. Added benefit: Cha Cha has some of the friendliest service on the Gold Coast.
Taboon
Robina
It’s all about rockin’ Moroccan at this colourful Middle Eastern eatery in Robina. Taboon’s classic stone oven (called a taboon, funnily enough), churns out a range of darkly spiced meats and fresh hot breads, served up with a range of herb-filled grain salads and zingy sauces packed with punchy flavours like olives, preserved lemon and paprika.
It’s a true feast for the senses at Taboon. You can order from their own booze menu or BYO and enjoy your most treasured tipple alongside your mezze, skewers and tagines. A perennial favourite.