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BYOB Dining in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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BYOB in Philadelphia - An Overview of Philly BYOB Restaurant Dining and Etiquette

Many of the top restaurants in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania are BYOBs - shorthand for "Bring Your Own Bottle." The popularity of bring-your-own restaurants in Philadelphia is due to many factors, including the arcane liquor laws in place in the state of Pennsylvania. These laws make it difficult - and expensive - for many restaurants to operate with a liquor license.

But laws aren't the only reason why BYOB dining is so popular in the city. By bringing your own wine, beer, or even spirits to a restaurant, diners can focus solely on the culinary talents of the head chef, and often save money as well. While the cost of dining at a BYOB restaurant in Philly is often similar to what you would pay at a non-BYOB, you don't have to pay the high restaurant markup on alcohol, which can definitely save you money. If you are a vinophile with a large collection of special bottles at home, you can choose the right one (or two, or more) to bring with you to savor with your meal.

If you are unfamiliar with BYOB scene in Philadelphia, read on to learn more about restaurants offering BYOB dining, etiquette when bringing your own wine, and wine-related products you might wish to purchase to enhance your BYOB experience.

Image: who doesn't enjoy a good bottle of wine at dinner time? Photo by the author, sockii

Have You Dined BYOB in Philly Before?

Dessert at Bistro La Baia BYOB

Photo: A delicious dessert at Bistro La Baia BYOB in Philadelphia

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How To Enjoy Philly BYOBs

Etiquette for Bring Your Own Restaurants

Many visitors to the city of Philadelphia are confused by the particulars of BYOB dining in the city. Questions of BYOB etiquette I've heard asked include:

* Is there a "corkage fee" charged when you BYOB?

* Is it okay to bring a bottle of wine to any Philly restaurant without a liquor license, or only certain ones?

* Can I bring liquor of other types besides wine?

* Can I bring home unfinished bottles at the end of the night?

* What about bringing a bottle to a non-BYOB?

The answers to these and other questions can be found in my extensive FAQ on BYOB dining in Philadelphia. I recommend reading it, especially if you are a visitor to the city and perhaps only familiar with bring your own restaurants elsewhere.

Photo: supafine at morguefile.

A Few Quick Tips on BYOB Etiquette in Philadelphia

Important Etiquette to Know

To summarize the important points in the previously linked article:
  • 1Ask before you bring your own bottle of wine to a restaurant with a liquor license. They may not allow it at all, or they likely will charge a corkage fee whereas BYOBs typically will not.
  • 2You generally can bring spirits and beer to BYOBs, not just wine. Indeed, some Mexican BYOBs offer fruit juice mixers for BYO tequila or rum, and vodka is perfect to bring to Russian BYOBs in the Northeast.
  • 3Unfinished bottles can be brought home at the end of the meal, as long as they are properly sealed.
  • 4Table turnover is important at many BYOB restaurants, so do not plan to linger excessively after a meal. Serving you endless refills of coffee is not going to cover their overhead.
  • 5Quite a few BYOBs are cash only and do not accept reservations (or only do so on the weekends), so plan accordingly.

Some of My Favorite Philly BYOB Restautants

My Philadelphia Restaurant Reviews

There are so many BYOB restaurants in Philadelphia it can be hard to know where to begin when trying to decide where to make a reservation. While some of the restaurants listed below are not the "hottest" or "trendiest" in the city, they are ones I personally can recommend strongly. Read my detailed reviews of each via the links below.
Bistro La Baia
Located just south of Rittenhouse Square, La Baia has been a long favorite in the neighborhood, serving up generous portions of homey Italian food at very reasonable prices.
Novita Bistro
For a change from the Italian food that dominates the BYOB scene in Philadelphia, try Novita Bistro which focuses instead on Mediterranean and Moroccan cuisine.
Roberto Cafe
Quaint, tiny and affordable. Roberto Cafe on South Street is like a trip to a traditional trattoria in Italy. The atmosphere is cozy and romantic and the food very authentic.
Salento
Located on Walnut Street in Center City, this outstanding Italian restaurant features both traditional and innovative dishes and wonderful, personal service.
Scannicchio's
This South Philly Italian BYOB features traditional Italian-American favorites in a classic, old-fashioned atmosphere.
Cochon
For hearty French food, Cochon in Queens Village is a wonderful choice.

List of Popular BYOBs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Where to go in Philly to enjoy BYOB dining

Melograno Restaurant in Philadelphia

Photo: Melograno BYOB in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by the author, sockii.

Besides the restaurants I've reviewed above, here is just a brief list of some of the more popular BYOB restaurants in Philadelphia today. Click the link to go to their websites and find out more information or make a reservation!

Afghan BYOBs

  • Kabul - explore traditional Afghan food in this quiet, Old City restaurant


American/International BYOBs
  • Audrey Claire - Rittenhouse Square favorite, casual atmosphere and Mediterranean-influenced cuisine
  • Bistro 7 - hot spot in Old City with mid-week tasting menu specials
  • Blackfish - it's worth a trip to Conshohoken to try Chef Chip Roman's cuisine
  • Cafe Estelle - casual Old City spot for breakfast, brunch, flatbreads and sandwiches
  • Fond - contemporary American in the heart of South Philly
  • Matyson - creative cuisine near Rittenhouse Square, featuring weekly tasting menus
  • Pumpkin - tiny South Street West restaurant featuring seasonal cuisine and fish specialties


Caribbean BYOBs
  • Jamacan Jerk Hut - bring some Carib beer to enjoy with delicious Jamaican specialties on South Street


Chinese BYOBs


French BYOBs
  • Bibou - highly regarded French BYOB on South Street


Greek BYOBs
  • Dmitri's - Queen's Village favorite serving traditional Greek specialties
  • Effies Greek Restaurant - a long standing Philly favorite on Pine Street
  • Kanella - Greek Cypriot cuisine, regarded by some as one of the best restaurants in the city


Italian BYOBs
  • L'Angolo - sister-restaurant to Salento, reviewed above
  • August - offering a twist on classic Italian along 13th Street
  • Branzino - Rittenhouse area Italian BYOB with lovely Northern Italian specialties
  • Casta Diva - Opera-themed BYOB off Rittenhouse Square
  • Da Vinci - a South Philly favorite
  • La Fontana Della Citta - traditional Italian food in a Rittenhouse Square location
  • Giorgio On Pine - rustric trattoria on Pine Street
  • Melograno - very popular Italian BYOB near Rittenhouse Square
  • Mercato - On Spruce Street just east of Broad - fabulous rustic Italian food
  • Porcini - longstanding Rittenhouse Square favorite featuring authentic, traditional Italian food
  • Radiccio Cafe - popular Old City Italian BYOB
  • Tacconeli's Pizzeria - a true Philadelphia experience, arguably the best pizza in the city
  • Tre Scalini - a South Philly favorite for many years


Japanese BYOBs
  • Doma - contemporary Japanese and sushi on Callowhill Street
  • Zento - Old City contemporary Japanese restaurant


Mexican BYOBs
  • Lolita - 13th Street favorite serving creative Mexican cuisine


Portuguese BYOBs
  • Koo Zee Doo - super-hot BYOB serving up generous and delicious portions of Portuguese favorites


Thai BYOBs
  • Erawan Thai - longtime favorite in West Center City, offering traditional Thai Cuisine
  • Sawatdee Thai Restaurant - new and popular Thai restaurant on South Street
  • Tamarind - South Street restaurant with an emphasis on healthy dining


Turkish BYOBs

Philly BYOB Restaurants Slideshow

Some of the tempting dishes you can sample at Philadelphia's Best BYOBs

Sizzling Bi Bim Bap at Giwa Korean Restaurant

Sizzling Bi Bim Bap at Giwa Korean Restaurant

Sizzling Bi Bim Bap at Giwa Korean Restaurant
Grilled Calamari at Bistro La Baia
Pan Fried Artichokes at Salento
Ice Cream Sandwich at Scannicchio's
Braised Pork Belly at Cochon
Fried Oysters at Cochon
Blood Orange Sorbet at Salento
Banchan at Miran Korean Restaurant
Hiramasa with Spicy Yuzu Glaze at Blackfish
Veal Sweetbreads at Blackfish

Useful Links Related to Philly BYOBs

Other "foodie" websites, blogs, and informative pages for diners.

For further useful information on BYOB dining in Philadelphia, check out these links.
Fine Wine & Good Spirits
This is the official website for the PA Wine & Spirits shops. Locate stores in Philadelphia and see what wines are available. A good place to check so you know where to grab a bottle at the last minute.
Philadelphia Restaurants | OpenTable
You can make your reservations for many Philadelphia BYOBs through OpenTable.
Top 5 Italian BYOB Restaurants Near Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia
More information on some of the best BYOBs in this sophisticated, popular Philly neighborhood.
Philadelphia - Chowhound
The Philadelphia board of the Chowhound website features lots of great reviews and more information on Philly's hot dining destinations, BYOB and otherwise.
Interactive BYOB Restaurant Map
Here's a cool map that will help you locate BYOB restaurants throughout the Philadelphia region!

Latest News on Philadelphia BYOBs

Current Headlines about Philly BYOB Restaurants

Moorestown restaurant denounces liquor restriction
PREIT said Philadelphia chef Marc Vetri had expressed interest in opening a restaurant at the mall if liquor could be served. Since then, PREIT has said other restaurant contracts are in the works. "It's financially important for that shopping center ...
Michael Klein: Husband-and-wife duo offer homey, fresh fare
Owner-chefs Andrew and Kristin Wood of Russet, an American BYOB on Spruce Street, at the former site of Ernesto's 1521 Cafe. Locally sourced ingredients and a daily menu are the watchwords behind the homey Russet (1521 Spruce St., 215-546-1521, ...
Residents' Opinions Split in BYOB Debate
By John Arthur For some residents, the proposal to allow "Bring Your Own Bottle" (BYOB) for restaurants in Ocean City represents a departure from Ocean City's image as a family resort. For others, the proposal is merely a way to boost business for ...
The bells take their toll
But even as the economy sagged and big names closed in recent years, Philadelphia's irrepressible restaurant scene has managed a most astounding trick: a fresh class of elite talents has emerged, redefining the character of ambitious local dining, ...
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BYOB or Non-BYOB?

Which is your preference, in Philly or elsewhere?

Not everyone is a fan of BYOB dining. There are many reasons to enjoy a restaurant which offers full bar service and/or a unique wine list, by the glass or by the bottle. Do you have a strong preference either way on the issue? Do you love/hate BYOB, or not particularly care one way or another?

Which do you prefer: BYOB restaurants or those offering wine and spirit service?

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BYOB restaurants

sockii says:

In general, I definitely prefer BYOBs because I hate the extreme mark-up on wine at many restaurants, and hate paying $25-30 for a mediocre bottle of wine when I can buy a great one for that price myself. However, there are times when it's nice to dine non-BYOB, like when a restaurant offers a tasting selection of wines paired with each course of the meal. If I'm going to pay for wine service, I want to get something special from the experience.

Posted December 05, 2011

Restaurants with alcohol service

 

Before you BYOB...

...you might want to consider purchasing one of the cool accessories listed below.

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For the Casual Vinophile and BYOB Enthusiast

Cuisinart CWC-800 8-Bottle Private Reserve Wine Cellar, Stainless Finish

Cuisinart CWC-800 8-Bottle Private Reserve Wine Cellar, Stainless Finish

Amazon Price: $149.99 (as of 02/23/2012)Buy Now
List Price: $299.00

Say you live in a small Philly apartment and don't have room for a big wine cellar - or maybe you're not THAT much of a wine enthusiast. Still, if you like enjoying good wine at the right temperature, either in your home or at a BYOB, this compact wine refrigerator is a great kitchen appliance to have. Set the temperature control at cooler settings for white wines, or higher to preserve your best reds at an even temperature. Since it will save you room in your regular fridge, you can always have a bottle (or two) ready to go before hitting the town for a night out.

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Wine Guides for the BYOB Enthusiast

Learn more about great wines with these useful titles!

If you're going to become an avid BYOB diner, you might want to learn more about wine and pairing through one of these useful titles. Some are pocket-sized, great for bringing with you to the liquor store when you go shopping.
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Comments Welcome on Philly BYOBs

Please let me know if this page has been useful to you

I hope you've enjoyed my little tour of the Philadelphia bring-your-own restaurant scene. Do you have a favorite BYOB in Philly? Leave a comment here...and I'll be sure to check it out the next time I'm in the city!

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sockii

I'm a self-proclaimed Jane of All Trades who has written for numerous sites on-line including the Yahoo!Contributor Network, Demand Studios and Suite101.... more »

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