Where to Have a Dinner with Mates in Brisbane Without Dropping Too Much Cash
Say goodbye to bill shock and hello to these affordable BYO spots.
Where to Have a Dinner with Mates in Brisbane Without Dropping Too Much Cash
Say goodbye to bill shock and hello to these affordable BYO spots.
If you're fond of eating out, having a drink with dinner and not splashing around all your cash in the process, then you're probably fond of the words 'bring your own'. When it comes to gathering the gang to share a meal and still feel good about your bank balance afterwards, this simple phrase ranks among the best there are. Pair it with an affordable eatery, too, and you're dining out in style while still keeping your pennies in check.
Whether you feel like pizza, pasta, an Asian feast or a nice fish 'n' chips spread, we're directing you toward spots that you and your mates should head to for your next dinner catch-up.
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If you’re hankering for pan-Asian street food such as Peking pancakes, Korean fried cauliflower, red curry and Golden Gaytime bao, make Monday night your night to feast at Chop Chop Chang’s. That’s the night that the West End favourite allows BYO wine to pair with all of the above dishes — or whatever else takes your fancy. And there’s plenty to take your fancy. If the green curry chicken dumplings don’t, then the spicy roast pork belly or lemongrass and kaffir lime creme brûlée will. You don’t need to book either, so keep it in mind next time you make dinner plans at the last minute.
Pick up a bottle of Colpasso Fiano.
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If you’re having trouble choosing which Thai restaurant to head to, look at the dessert menu. Camp Hill’s Mons Ban Sabai does a hefty range of mains — including six types of curry, both pad thai and pad see ew, and an impressive sweet and sour fish among its wok-cooked dishes — but banana and Nutella spring rolls are certain to tempt most tastebuds. Of course, if you’re keeping things simple by bringing your own vino (it allows BYO wine on Mondays and Tuesdays for $5 per person), you could also take the same approach by ordering a banquet. You’ll need at least four people, but the $39.90 version will nab you three types of entree and five mains to share.
Pick up a bottle of La Planchelière Cabernet d’Anjou Rosé.
Image: Hennessytrill
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Calling all gnocchi fiends. Who doesn’t love these pillows of potato, especially when they’re slathered with Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers’ bolognese, wild truffle and mushroom, or creamy lobster and barramundi sauce? You can BYO here any day of the week, too. Also, you can choose from the growing chain’s original pasta palace on Given Terrace in Paddington or its recent addition on Little Stanley Street in South Bank. Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers also does tasty truffle-salted chips as a side, in case you and your pals want some more potato, as well as the ol’ Italian favourite that is cannoli for dessert.
Pick up a six-pack of Slipstream Brewing Co Magic Mile XPA.
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Oxford Street’s resident Italian joint, Sugo Mi, is always busy. And if you’ve tasted its pizza and pasta, you’ll know why. Grab a couple of pizzas to share — perhaps the Anatra with confit duck, mozzarella, caramelised pear, parmesan and rocket, or the Vedura with smoked sauce, grilled capsicum, black olive, smoked eggplant and basil — or choose between several types of gnocchi, spaghetti, linguini and ravioli. Make sure you drop by on a Tuesday night, though, because that’s the Bulimba restaurant’s BYO wine night. Even better: all corkage costs are donated to a worthy organisation of Sugo Mi’s choice.
Pick up a bottle of Marlborough Sounds Pinot Gris.
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While the Balfour Kitchen serves up Vietnamese-inspired cuisine every night of the week, this is another place you’ll want to head to on a Monday. BYO wine, then work your way through the Bao & Bowls menu. For $49 per person, the feast will begin with build-your-own bao, with pulled pork, tamari mushrooms, fried prawns, taramind dressing and spices. Then, you’ll progress to a rice bowl topped with your choice of twice-cooked beef, tofu curry or the weekly special, before ending the night with condensed milk and cinnamon ice cream with chocolate crunch pearls. Given that the Balfour Kitchen is attached to the Spicers Balfour Hotel in New Farm, it’s also a tad fancier than your usual BYO joint — and great for marking a special occasion.
Pick up a bottle of Azulejo Albariño.
