BYO Lunch Spots to Hit with Your Colleagues When the Boss Isn't Paying
Celebrate making it through another week with your team — and an excellent bottle of wine or beer — at these wallet-friendly eateries.
BYO Lunch Spots to Hit with Your Colleagues When the Boss Isn't Paying
Celebrate making it through another week with your team — and an excellent bottle of wine or beer — at these wallet-friendly eateries.
One of the greatest workplace perks is when the boss takes everyone out for a bougie lunch after a long week of pushing around pens and paper. But if they're not around — or they are but their company card is staying firmly in their wallet — bringing your own drinks is one way to enjoy a delicious meal with your teammates on a budget. We've scoured Brisbane to find eateries that deliver these three must-haves — affordable, BYO and good for groups — in neat little packages. Here are the lunch spots where you can arrive with a bottle or stubby in hand, build camaraderie and actually leave with change.
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For one of the original Vietnamese feasts in Brisbane, head to appropriately named restaurant The Vietnamese. Owned and operated by the Le family, this local favourite was founded in West End before moving to its current premises in Fortitude Valley in 1985 to accommodate the crowds — and it’s barely changed since. But the dated decor only adds to its charm as you squeeze in beside other groups of diners ready and waiting for a steaming bowl of pho or crispy fried egg noodles to enjoy with beer or wine you brought along. For groups of four or more, The Vietnamese has four banquet menu options available which range from $27–33 per person. Plus, many ingredients come fresh from the Le family farm, too, so you and the crew are guaranteed a tasty feed.
Need inspiration? Pick up a six-pack of Balter XPA.
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Thai Wi Rat is one of Brisbane’s most popular cheap eats, thanks to a couple of tricks that help it stand out from the rest. Co-owner Wichuan Tonelli hails from Thailand’s Kalasin Province near the Laos border, making her a culinary expert on both nation’s vibrant flavours. Thai Wi Rat gives its namesake cuisine top billing, but it also offers visitors the chance to experience less well-known dishes from Laos — something that’s a rarity around Fortitude Valley. On the menu, there’s the full range of noodle soups and stir-fried dishes you’d expect, but also be sure to give the pork larb ($13.90) a try — a so-called ‘meat salad’ that’s unofficially considered Laos’ national dish. Most dishes hit under the $20 mark, and the restaurant accepts BYO wine.
Pick up a bottle of Wild Lands White Field Blend.
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American barbecue is only as good as its pitmaster. Fortunately, Twelve Boar founder Rick Palesh has plenty of experience in that regard, spending years producing smoky meats for friends in both Australia and Canada. Twelve Boar launched in 2015 and has seen Palesh’s range of slow-cooked dishes proven to be a massive hit. Everything is prepared in-house overnight, with the brisket undergoing an intense 12-hour smoking session that ensures it’s basically falling apart by lunchtime. A midday session at Twelve Boar will leave you stuffed until it’s clocking off time with a selection of pork ribs, buffalo wings and beef brisket burgers on offer. Twelve Boar allows BYO wine, so chip in for a bottle to enjoy with your barbecue feast.
Pick up a bottle of 19 Crimes Hard Chardonnay.
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When choosing a Greek restaurant (or, frankly, any restaurant) to visit, the crowd it pulls can be the deciding factor. So you know you’re getting the real deal at Lefkas Taverna, which still manages to pack out daily after three generations of operation. While the longstanding West End spot has had some facelifts in its time, the home-style Greek cuisine that comes out of the kitchen has remained much the same since the day it opened. When you find something that works, right? Start with a selection of traditional dips with pita, triple cheese croquettes and grilled haloumi. Next, move on to bigger plates of souvla, gyros and beef stew, which is braised for five hours with red wine and white onions. With low prices, BYO available (between Tuesday–Thursday), big portion sizes and a lively atmosphere, this spot is perfect for big group celebrations.
Pick up a bottle of Azulejo Albariño.
Image: Hennessytrill
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Sydney-born Italian Street Kitchen has been lighting up Newstead’s dining scene for the last few years. The bright and airy restaurant features a fit-out that combines glass, colourful wall murals and al fresco seating making for a lively and intimate atmosphere. But what really matters is the food. Fortunately, it’s a tasty affair. There’s a wide selection of antipasto — think bolognese arancini, whipped ricotta with flatbread and mac ‘n’ cheese — plus slow-cooked meats, salads, pastas and pizzas. The latter come flying out of the oven in rapid time, and you’ll also be happy to know that both the pasta and pizza dough are made on-site. When lunch is all said and done, just try to hold back from gesturing a chef’s kiss. Oh, and don’t forget to buy a bottle of wine to take along with you.
Pick up a bottle of Zonin Ventiterre Soave.
