Going out to eat can be a pricey affair, so we've rounded up five of the best spots where you can bring your own bottle.
Often when you're out for tea, the most expensive thing on the bill is of course...the alcohol.
A bottle of wine can easily cost around thirty quid a pop, and let's not even get started on cocktails.
So as we enter into a very expensive couple of months, we've rounded up five spots in Leeds where you can bring your own bottle to sip on whilst you feast.
Gaucho
21-22 Park Row
Images: The Manc Eats
Who would've thought that one of Leeds' best steakhouses would allow you to bring your own booze in? Yes, Gaucho on Park Row know that Monday isn't the busiest day for diners so are pulling in the punters by letting you bring in your bottle - with free corkage as well.
So grab your favourite bottle of red which will no doubt go perfectly with their delicious cuts of steak, and it'll taste even better too knowing you haven't paid top dollar for it.
Shokupan
27 Wellington Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This family-run Japanese sando cafe is one of Leeds’ best hidden gems, which we visit time and time again. Serving up Katsu sandos during the day to workers and hungry punters, in the evening they sell a selection of mouthwatering small plates which you can enjoy with your own booze.
The Karate Chicken is most definitely a must order, alongside the Curry Dip Sando. Shokupan serve their evening menu exclusively on Thursday and Friday evenings from 4:30 – 8:30pm, and they operate a walk-in only policy.
Jino's Thai Cafe
38 North Lane, Headingley
Image: Jino's Thai Cafe
Jino's Thai Cafe is a great spot if you fancy some warming, aromatic curries and tasty sharing platters. And it makes it even better that you can bring your own bottle.
All you have to do is spend £15 per person to BYOB but trust us, that won't be a problem as you'll most definitely want to order everything on their delicious menu.
Kuala Lumpur Cafe
2-4 Bennett Road, Headingley
Image: Kuala Lumpur Cafe
If you're after some delicious Malaysian food, then this is the place to be. With free corkage and 10% student discount, this is a great option if you're after a cheap eat. Think Chicken Satay, Rendang Curry, Coconut Rice and so much more delicious delights to get your tastebuds tingling.
Blue Tiger
16 Ganners Hill, Bramley
Images: Blue Tiger
Blue Tiger in Bramley serve up some of the best value for money Indian and Bangladeshi food that you can get your hands on, and it's one of the only BYOB spots in the area.
Expect your classic starts like samosas and lamb chops alongside all the curry house classics like jalfrezis and fiery naga chillies.
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
The Swine That Dines announces the official opening date of its brand new restaurant
Clementine Hall
Much-loved Leeds Bistro The Swine Bistro, formerly known as The Swine That Dines, has moved to a bigger space in Headingley.
Although it’s gone through a few name changes over the years since launching as The Greedy Pig cafe in 2012, this independent spot has long been a firm favourite for Leeds locals for some time now.
Run by chef couple Jo and Stu Myers, they’ve been operating out of North Street where it’s all about cooking seasonal produce simply and with an added ‘little bit of sunshine’.
But now Swine Bistro has moved up over to Headingley, taking up a unit previously occupied by Jam hairdressers on Otley Road.
Image: Supplied
And the time has finally come for them to open their doors, as they announce their first service will take place on Friday 4 April with bookings open from today, Thursday 20 March.
The Myers will be welcoming head chef Kirsty Cheetham, who won Observer Food Monthly’s Best Sunday Lunch award in 2018 and 2022 when she ran The Queen o’t owd Thatch in South Milford, Leeds.
The expanded space in the restaurant has allowed the team to curate a bigger wine list which will include natural wines from Wayward Wines and Latitude Wines as well as local beers from Ilkley Brewery and Horsforth Brewery.
Image: Supplied
The team remains passionate about locally sourced ingredients and has partnered with a variety of Yorkshire suppliers including R&J Yorkshire for its fresh meat, Tarbetts fishmonger, cheese from George & Joseph cheesemongers and beans from micro roaster, Chipp Coffee Co.
Jo Myers, co-owner of the Swine Bistro said: “It’s taken a huge amount of time and effort to realise our dream to revamp what was previously a hairdresser into a fully functioning kitchen and restaurant. It’s been a wild ride but we’re excited, and slightly nervous, to finally open our doors.
“We love the vibe in Headingley and the time out has allowed us to have fun with our menu as well as take part in lots of essential taste testing of ingredients and drinks from our brilliant local suppliers. We can’t wait to welcome guests into our new restaurant!”
Clementine Hall -
8th November 2023 
