Restaurant wine lists in Dublin seem to be getting better every month, and there are now plenty of options for drinking exceptionally well around town - Piglet, Forest & Marcy, Etto and Fish Shop to name a few. But sometimes you're feeling a bit broke, want to eat ethnic food with a bottle of something decent or want to break out an extra special bottle that you just couldn't afford (or wouldn't pay for) on a restaurant wine list. That's where BYO comes in very handy. A long overused how-to-drink-great-wine cheat in the wine trade, it's something a lot of regular diners don't think about, but should. These 12 restaurants all have free or very low corkage and most importantly, good food
1. 3 Leaves
3 Leaves in Blackrock Market started as a stall, before moving into one of the market shacks, and was very quickly being talked about as some of the best Indian food in Dublin, despite being its simple surroundings. Chef Santosh Thomas and his wife Millie have been positively drowning in praise from the critics for the past few months for their take on Indian street food, and as they don't currently have an alcohol licence it's free to BYOB (dinner time only).
2. Pho Viet
Some of the best Vietnamese food in the city with excellent savoury pancakes, Pho (noodle soup) and Bun (rice vermicelli with a combination of meat, spring rolls, fresh vegetables and herbs). Corkage is €5 on wine and €1 on beer.
3. Ku Raudo
One of the better sushi places in the city, particularly when it comes to the special rolls, like the Dragon with katsu prawns, avocado, capellin roe (masago), eel & mayo sauce, or the Spider Special with deep-fried soft-shell crab, lettuce, capellin roe and Japanese mayo. Corkage is free. Read our Ku-Raudo once over here.
4. Shouk
Delicious, Middle Eastern, purse-friendly food in Drumcondra that's predominantly vegetable based (but don't panic, they do have meat). Pittas, falafel, mezze and flavour-packed salads are always on the menu as well as rotating specials, and corkage is €4 per bottle.
5. Musashi
Musashi now has 5 locations across Dublin, and the quality doesn't seem to have been affected, with sushi aficionados frequently mentioning it as one of Dublin's top spots. A hot tip is to go mid-afternoon when they've sold out of lunchtime stock and are making it fresh. Corkage is €6 per bottle and only available in the Capel Street and Parnell Street branches.
6. M & L Chinese
One of the few places in Dublin to get authentic Sichuan food, the dumplings and fried green beans with chilli have caused many addictions to be formed over the years (raises hand). Corkage is €5 but go easy on the chilli oil if you're taking something nice. Read our M & L once over here.
7. Eatokyo
Sushi, gyoza, katsu curry and noodle dishes are all on the menu at Eatokyo on Wellington Quay,
although a couple of critics in recent months have recommended veering towards the hot dishes over the sushi. Corkage is €8.
8. Rotana Café
Casual Lebanese restaurant in Portobello serving charcoal-grilled kebabs, falafel sandwiches and mezze platters at very good prices. Corkage is free when you have two courses.
9. Café Azteca
Mexican food with a few Irish influences near Christ Church Cathedral, run by Mexican Hugo Camacho Romero. For the real deal try the Tacos al Pastor or the tamales filled with meat or cheese and poblano peppers. Corkage is €5.
10. Michie Sushi
When it comes to sushi in Dublin, Michie is easily the grandaddy of them all, and has been serving picture perfect temaki and futomaki to the residents of Ranelagh and beyond for more than 15 years. They also do hot dishes, but the sushi is the star. Corkage is free.
11. Pho Ta
Delicious, flavour-filled Vietnamese food in Temple Bar with the friendliest staff. Try the unusual looking (but amazing tasting) steamed rice paper rolls with prawn (above), the cold beef salad or the crispy fried rice noodles with chicken or prawn. Corkage is €5.
12. Keshk Café
Casual, no-frills Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food in Ballsbridge, with all meat cooked on a charcoal grill and the lamb moussaka coming highly recommended. Corkage is free.
