Edinburgh BYOB Restaurants

A regular recommendation from us whenever someone asks where they can take a good bottle in Edinburgh. The menu covers everything from fragrant curries to smoky tandoor dishes, making it one of those rare places where almost any style of wine can find a friend on the table.

Chilled light reds, again Alsace, Weisse beers, lager. Depends on what you're ordering really!

Dumplings and Szechuan food are always near the top of the list when we're deciding where to eat. Five Dumplings never disappoints, with bold flavours and plenty to choose from, but it's the Mapo Tofu that keeps us coming back. It's found its way onto more receipts than we'd care to admit.  and wild beers.

Alsace is your friend, Pinot Gris, funkier ciders and wild beers.

Hearty Georgian food just off Leith Walk. Khachapuri, Kharcho and Khinkali are all fantastic, but the Lobio is a particular staff favourite. Black beans, pickles, cheese and egg. What's not to like?

We've tried plenty of bottles here but keep coming back to Burgundy Pinot Noir or a lighter style of Nebbiolo. Both have enough freshness to lift the rich, comforting dishes without getting in the way of all those savoury flavours.

One of Edinburgh's most exciting BYOB restaurants and a place we've found ourselves returning to time and time again. The menu changes regularly, but the focus remains on bold, vibrant flavours and thoughtful vegetarian cooking that never feels like an afterthought.

The dishes often combine spice, freshness and plenty of texture, making it a brilliant place to experiment with different bottles.

We'd usually lean towards aromatic whites such as Riesling or Chenin Blanc, though lighter reds with plenty of freshness can work surprisingly well too. Wheat beer and softer hazy beers also work very well!

South Indian food just minutes from the shore. The standout for us was the traditional dosa, which makes for a perfect lunch. The menu is impressively varied too, and we've barely scratched the surface of everything on offer. 

To take along here can be anything from a couple of Tegerneers, Moscato, a chilled light red or anything from Alsace.

A real hidden gem just off Leith Walk, serving traditional Persian food that's packed with flavour and perfect for sharing. The menu is full of fragrant rice dishes, grilled meats, fresh herbs and warming spices, with plenty of options whether you're after a quick dinner or a feast with friends.

Reach for something with plenty of freshness and perfume, such as Pinot Noir, lighter styles of Syrah or even an aromatic white.

Tucked away on Nicolson Square, Beirut has been serving charcoal-grilled meats, mezze and generous sharing platters since 2010, making it the sort of place that's perfect for settling in with friends and a good bottle. The food is built around fresh herbs, smoky grilled flavours and plenty of dishes designed to be passed around the table.

Our first choice would usually be Xinomavro. The variety's savoury character, bright acidity and herbal notes feel right at home alongside grilled lamb, smoky aubergine and all the freshness that makes Lebanese food so enjoyable. If we're bringing white, Assyrtiko is hard to beat.

One of Edinburgh's hidden gems for northern Chinese food and a place we find ourselves recommending regularly. As the name suggests, dumplings are the main attraction, but there's plenty more to explore across the menu, from hand-pulled Biangbiang and cold dishes to hearty plates designed for sharing.

Pinot Noir or Gamay, though aromatic whites work brilliantly with some of the more delicate fillings. If the table is ordering broadly, a chilled bottle of Riesling is often the safest bet and rarely lasts long.

One of Edinburgh's longest-standing BYOB institutions and a place that's earned a loyal following over the years. The menu is packed with comforting Tibetan dishes, from steaming momos and hearty noodle soups to rich curries and warming stews. It's the sort of place that feels equally suited to a quick lunch or a leisurely evening spent sharing dishes with friends.

Lighter Nebbiolo's, light and chilled reds, Chenin and Gewrtz! Lager, witbier and perry.

Tiny, unassuming and consistently excellent, Kim's Mini Meals has built a loyal following for good reason. The menu focuses on comforting Korean dishes packed with flavour, from bubbling stews and crispy pancakes to some of the best bibimbap and fried chicken in the city.

Note that booking is not available, just show up!

Dry Riesling is a classic choice, while lighter reds such as Pinot Noir or Gamay work beautifully with many of the savoury, spice-led dishes.

A proper neighbourhood favourite and one of our go-to recommendations for anyone looking for comforting Chinese food in Edinburgh. The menu covers all the essentials, from handmade dumplings and noodle dishes to hearty broths and stir-fries, with generous portions and plenty of flavour throughout.

A lightly chilled Frappato works brilliantly with pork dumplings, bringing plenty of juicy fruit without overwhelming the food. Orange wine can be surprisingly good with some of the richer, more savoury dishes, while a dry Fino Sherry alongside a table full of dumplings is one of those pairings that sounds strange until you try it.

A favourite of ours whenever the craving for handmade dumplings strikes. Tucked away on Home Street, the menu focuses on northern Chinese cooking, with an impressive selection of handmade dumplings alongside noodles, barbecue dishes and plenty of options designed for sharing.

We'd happily take a bottle of Austrian Blaufränkisch, whose bright fruit and savoury edge work brilliantly with pork and chive dumplings. If the table is ordering broadly, a bottle of dry or off-dry Chenin Blanc is hard to beat, with enough texture to stand up to richer dishes while keeping everything feeling fresh.

One of Edinburgh's best-known BYOB spots and for good reason. Inspired by the roadside stalls and railway station canteens of India, Tuk Tuk specialises in small plates built for sharing, making it dangerously easy to keep ordering long after you've promised yourself "just a couple of dishes". The menu jumps from chaat and samosas to curries, biryanis and tandoor dishes, all packed with bold, punchy flavours

This is a restaurant that rewards a bit of bravery when choosing a bottle. A lightly chilled Lambrusco works brilliantly with spicy fried snacks and smoky tandoori dishes, while dry Chenin Blanc has enough texture and freshness to cope with everything from chaat to rich curries.