Guide to the best BYO restaurants in Canberra

Mar 13, 2023

I love having non-alcoholic drinks with friends at a good meeting place. So when I found out that the name Canberra comes from a local Aboriginal word for meeting place, I couldn’t wait to create this list of the best BYO restaurants in Canberra for you to enjoy your non-alcoholic wine, non-alcoholic beer or non-alcoholic spirits with some great company. Here are my top picks and what alcohol-free drinks I would bring for a delicious night out in Canberra. I can’t wait to hear which ones you enjoyed the most!
Reaching out for a slice of pizza with non-alcoholic cocktails on the side

Thai Chiang Rai Kingston

A favourite among locals, Thai Chiang Rai was named after a region in Northern Thailand and consistently offers authentic and unique dishes. It’s easy to see why it has won so many awards for Thai cooking in the ACT.

Eat 

The Beancurd Chu Chi Curry with Stem Vegetables is one of my absolute favourites. This is a thick red Thai curry dish that is rich and savoury, and the medley of stem vegetables goes perfectly well over a bed of steamy rice.

Drink 

A crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc works well to contrast a thick curry and the 1920 Wines Non-Alcoholic Sauvignon Blanc definitely hits the spot. It has all the classic characteristics you would expect from a traditional Sauvignon Blanc with the refreshing undertones of a tropical fruit salad. Pairing this non-alcoholic white wine with your food won’t leave you feeling heavy and full. In fact, you might end up pouring yourself a second glass.

Good to know

Corkage is available for wine only at $5.90 a bottle.

Location 

48 Giles St, Kingston ACT 2604.

Banana Leaf Thai Restaurant

At Banana Leaf, they have one goal in mind — to provide proper wholesome Thai food using premium quality, locally sourced ingredients. My kind of place!

Eat 

Their menu offers a selection of classic Thai dishes along with a sprinkling of some of their own creations. I recommend the Drunken Noodle which is made with rice noodles, chilli, garlic, basil and greens.

Drink 

With most spicy meals, a refreshing ready-to-drink drink is exactly what you need to cool yourself down. When it comes to the best non-alcoholic RTD drinks, I have you covered. Start your night off with a Ms Sans Cosmopolitan and end the meal with a Ms Sans Espresso Martini. You can find a wide range of these amazing non-alcoholic RTD drinks in our Ms Sans range.

If you’re unsure which cocktail to choose, I’ve created a guide to Ms Sans’ pre-mixed non-alcoholic cocktails to make it easy for you.

Good to know

Corkage is $20 per bottle.

Location 

2 Akuna St, Canberra ACT 2601.

Kevin's Place

Head chef and owner, Kevin Chen has over 25 years of experience in the industry and it shows through his food. Kevin has worked for Canberra’s finest Asian restaurants before opening his own joint and takes great pride in ensuring customers are left satisfied. They specialise in Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai food.

Eat 

There is a great selection on the menu but I’ve always enjoyed a good vegetable and beancurd laksa. The menu is vast which is great because every time you return you can try something new.

Drink 

When it comes to Asian cuisine, it’s generally a great idea to pair it with something light and refreshing, which is why I highly recommend the Two Hoots Rosé. This is one of the best non-alcoholic wines to go with meals that have a little spice!

Good to know

It’s a good idea to book a few days ahead — especially on weekends. There is no corkage fee.

Location 

9/118-126 Hardwick Cres, Holt ACT 2615.

Courgette

If you’re looking for sophistication and a memorable night out, Courgette is the place for you. This fine-dining restaurant serves French-inspired Australian cuisine that will make you feel like you’ve just enjoyed a night in Paris.

Eat 

There is a 3-course a la carte menu and a 5-course degustation dinner to choose from for lunch and dinner and every dish has been carefully curated to complement each other. I personally can’t go past their Roasted King Brown Mushroom, Buffalo Mozzarella, Sweet Potato Smash and Chickpeas & Balsamic Red Peppers dishes.

Drink 

A fancy restaurant calls for a fancy drink and I highly recommend choosing a non-alcoholic red wine. Bring a bottle of Next Destination 2018 Barossa Valley Shiraz to enjoy with your meal. With its delicious notes of dark chocolate, ripe berries and new French oak, it is the perfect complement to your meal.

Love this non-alcoholic red wine? Try any one of the bottles from Next Destination Wines. They add sophistication to any event.

Good to know

BYO is allowed for groups under 6 pax and corkage is $35 per bottled wine only.

Location 

54 Marcus Clarke St, Canberra ACT 2601.

Kitchen Garden at Rodney’s

The Kitchen Garden at Rodney’s has become a popular meeting place for business meetings, mothers’ groups, family get-togethers and meetups between friends. It’s a place for everyone and the perfect spot to enjoy a long and lazy lunch.

Eat 

A long lazy lunch calls for something brunch worthy and there’s nothing that says brunch like some good avo on toast. Try the sauteed mushrooms on toasted sourdough with vegan cheese, rocket and a generous serving of sliced avo.

Drink 

Meaty mushrooms go well with beer. And when it comes to non-alcoholic beer, why not try the Heaps Normal Half Day Hazy or Hawkesbury Prohibition Lager? Not only will these non-alcoholic beers hit the spot, but you can also enjoy them all afternoon long without risking a dusty morning after.

Good to know

It’s best to book via their website to guarantee a table although they do always keep some tables available for walk-ins each day. They are open seven days a week from 9am to 4pm. Corkage is $12 per bottle.

Location 

24a Beltana Rd, Pialligo ACT 2609.

Pizza Gusto

This cute and quirky shop in the heart of Braddon is full of gusto. Pizza Gusto believes that anyone who wants to go for a pizza (or life) with gusto is their kind of customer. And when a restaurant claims to serve the best pizza in Canberra, you know they mean business.

Eat 

My personal favourite is the Vegetariana pizza — it’s made with a tomato base, mozzarella and seasonal veggies such as capsicum, zucchini, pumpkin and red onion. I’m craving a slice just thinking about it!

Drink 

Bring a bit of Italian flair to your dinner with a Sans Bar Spritzing in Venice RTD. This Italian-inspired non-alcoholic drink is not only delicious but also convenient. To serve, simply pour over ice and enjoy.

Good to know

There is no corkage fee, so bring as many non-alcoholic bottles or RTDs as you like.

Location 

23 Lonsdale St, Braddon ACT 2612.

Local Press Cafe

At Local Press Café, they are passionate about the health of the planet and they have gone to great lengths to do their part. They have reduced their use of plastics, redirect their waste from landfill to be recycled, reused or composted, and offer vegetarian options in their menu.

Eat 

While you can’t go wrong with any of the delicious, healthy options they have on the menu, my pick is always the LP Veggie Bowl. It comes with broccolini, carrots in za’atar pesto, mixed grains and herbs, sesame-crusted avo, pickled cabbage, macadamia and miso puree over a bed of wild rice pilaf.

Drink 

A good non-alcoholic red wine pairs well with Middle Eastern-inspired dishes so bring a bottle of the Two Hoots Cabernet Sauvignon to enjoy with your meal and you won’t be disappointed.

Good to know

Corkage is only $8.25 and if you have any food allergies please speak to one of the staff members as you arrive.

Location 

35 Eastlake Parade, Kingston ACT 2604.

I hope you’ve found this guide to Canberra BYO restaurants helpful. If you’re wondering where to buy non-alcoholic wine, then you’ve come to the right place – you can find the best non-alcoholic wines here at Sans Drinks. Not only are non-alcoholic drinks tasty and full of health benefits, but they also leave you feeling fantastic the next day so you can explore more great meeting places!

Make sure you’re also subscribed to my newsletter to be the first to know about special offers and promotions. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and tag me when you find your next favourite dish and non-alcoholic drink!

Visiting Sydney or Melbourne next? I’ve got BYO restaurant guides for that too.

Get 15% off your first order and a chance to win $500. Join my newsletter for exclusive weekly discounts and offers.

JOIN NOW