BYO restaurants! You read right.
The price of alcohol in Singapore is a perennial problem that we love to whine – or should we say wine (ha!) – about. And while there are plenty of restos in Singers who have crackin’ sommeliers and a plentiful bounty of top notch vino, it’s easy for low key nights to rack up an eye-watering bill thanks to the addition of a bottle, or two, of Barolo. But here’s a little secret for you; we’ve found great restaurants around the Red Dot where you can BYOB with zero corkage fee. Pick a bottle from your stash or give top wine delivery app, BottlesXO, a poke (if you haven’t downloaded it yet you need to get on it; top wine delivered anywhere in Singapore within 30-minutes is a game-changer!) and hotfoot it to these top spots forfab foodand free BYOB.
Burlamacco
This intimate Italian joint is one of our favourite places to go for fresh authentic Tuscan food. The menu consists of classic dishes like the Pan Roasted Buffalo Mozzarella Wrapped in Parma Ham, and the Pappardelle with Pork Ragout Marinated 7 Days in Red Wine. Although they have a huge wine cellar, you can also bring your own bottles for just $30 per bottle, or head here on Sundays or Tuesdays when corkage is free.
Burlamacco, 77 Amoy Street, Singapore 069896, p. +65 6220 176, Open Mon – Fri: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 6pm – 10:30pm, Sat: 6pm – 10:30pm
Gattopardo Ristorante Di Mare
For great Italian seafood, you can’t go wrong with Gattopardo on Tras Street. This two-storey shophouse can seat up to 80, and it boasts a lively vibe and a vibrant menu of Sicilian style dishes like the Char-grilled Calamari and the Salt Baked Mediterranean Sea Bass. On Mondays and Tuesdays, you can bring your own wine free of charge.
Gattopardo Ristorante Di Mare, 34/36 Tras Street, Singapore 079026, Tel: +65 6338 5498, Open Mon – Fri: 12:30pm – 2:30pm and 6:30pm – 10:30 pm and Sat 6:30pm – 10:30pm
Gunther’s
Named after the amiable Belgian chef-owner who draws on his experience gained from working at some of Europe’s most acclaimed restaurants, Gunther’s is all about simple, elegant dishes with dashes of French flair. The wine list is pretty extensive (and no doubt helped it earn its Michelin star), but Gunther believes in giving the people what they want, so every Monday and Tuesday he offers free corkage on one bottle for every two people who dine at the restaurant.
Gunther’s, 36 Purvis Street #01-03, Singapore 188613. p. +65 6338 8955. Open Mon – Fri 12pm – 2pm, Mon – Sat 6:30pm – 10pm
La Braceria
Tucked away in a cozy spot in Bukit Timah, La Braceria offers a nice ambiance and fresh fare like pizzas and pastas made with locally sourced ingredients. The pastas really are the stars here with standout dishes like the ravioli with fresh burrata, and the fettuccine with porcini mushroom and wagyu beef. From Tuesday to Thursday corkage is free for one bottle per table.
La Braceria’s website,5 Greendale Avenue, Singapore 289501, Tel: +65 6465 5918, Hours: Tues – Sun: 12pm – 2:30pm, 6pm – 11pm
It’s hard to find a spot that does authentic Singaporean food better than New Ubin Seafood; these guys have been serving up kampong-style seafood, comforting cze char dishes, and innovative creations since it first opened on Pulau Ubin in 1986. In fact, it recently earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its mix of classic and contemporary dishes and laid-back vibes. Bring your own bottles whenever you like, as they have an easy-going no corkage fee policy.
New Ubin Seafood, 63 Hillview Avenue Level 6, Singapore 669569. p. +65 6466 9558. Open daily 11am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 10pm.
OTTO
Singapore has tons of great Italian spots, but Michelin-starred OTTO is right up there with the best of ‘em for its sophisticated setting and insanely good antipasti, seafood, and homemade pastas enhanced with primo ingredients like sea urchin, truffles, and Dutch milk-fed veal. On Monday through Wednesday they offer free corkage for your first two bottles.
OTTO, 32 Maxwell Road #01-03, Singapore 069115. p. +65 6227 6819. Open Mon – Fri 12pm – 2:30pm, 6:30pm – 10:30pm, Sat 6:30pm – 10:30pm
Sushi fans in Singapore rave about Tatsuya and for good reason. Helmed by chef Ronnie Chia (two-timeWorld Gourmet SummitAsian ethnic chef of the year), the team here use only the freshest products flown in from Japan to create incredible sushi, sashimi, and donburi bowls bursting with flavour. Definitely go for the daily-changing omakase menu and feel free to bring in your own wine, there’s free corkage for one bottle every day of the week.
Tatsuya, 22 Scotts Road, Goodwood Park Hotel, Singapore 228221. p. +65 6737 7411. Open daily 12pm – 3pm, 6:30pm – 11pm
Wah Lok
If it’s a decadent dim sum spread you’re after, award-winning Wah Lok offers elevated Cantonese classics that showcase premium seasonal ingredients. We’re fans of the steamed crab meat and egg white dumplings, chilled foie gras with abalone, and the mee pok with Boston lobster and ginger. It also offers free corkage on up to four bottles of wine, which adds to the over-the-top dim sum brunch experience.
Wah Lok,76 Bras Basah Road, Carlton Hotel Singapore Level 2, Singapore 189558. p. +65 6338 8333. Open daily Mon – Sat 11:30am – 2:30pm, 6:30pm – 10:30pm, Sundays & PH 11am – 2:30pm, 6:30 – 10:30pm.
Wild Rocket
Chef Willin Low is a household name among the foodie set in Singapore and abroad (he is, after all, the out-of-the-box thinker who coined the term ‘Mod Sin’ cuisine). Wild Rocket is his baby and the spot where he first started putting out his unique creations inspired by traditional Singaporean dishes with innovative twists. Every Wednesday he offers free corkage, so grab a bottle and enjoy what is sure to be a memorable meal in Wild Rocket’s lovely hillside setting.
Wild Rocket, 10A Upper Wilkie Road, Singapore 228119. p. +65 6339 9448. Open from Tues – Sat 12pm – 3pm, Mon – Sat: 6:30pm – 10:30pm
Zafferano
Perched high above the city on the 43rd level of the Ocean Financial Centre, Zafferano is a scenic spot to indulge in excellent Italian cuisine and a bottle of grape juice. Every Saturday it does away with the corkage fees, although a few rules do apply: free corkage is good for just one bottle of wine per couple (no spirits!), and it doesn’t apply for special events or on the evening of public holidays. Play by the rules, people!
Zafferano, 10 Collyer Quay, Ocean Financial Centre Level 43, Singapore 049315. p. +65 6509 1488. Open Mon – Fri 11:30am – 3pm, Mon – Wed 5:30pm – 11:45pm, Thurs – Sat 5:30pm – 1am
