There’s a particular joy in carrying your preferred bottle of wine to a restaurant and having it paired with delectable cuisines. The BYO (Bring Your Own) restaurant scene in Richmond offers just that. This article outlines some of our top picks.
Roast Duck Inn
- Located at 29-31 Carrington Road, Box Hill 3128, the Roast Duck Inn is an iconic spot easily identified by the tantalizing display of golden ducks in its window;
- The restaurant’s signature offering is its whole duck, served with a delectable plum sauce, a dish refined over the years by skilled Cantonese chefs boasting over thirty years of culinary experience;
- Patrons can also opt for half-duck servings or explore other delicious options such as crispy-skin roast pork and soy sauce chicken.
Dine-in guests are welcomed with a complimentary duck bone soup, served by the amiable team donned in red polo shirts, against a backdrop of daily specials handwritten on the walls. Roast Duck Inn facilitates two dinner services at 6 pm and 8 pm and offers a BYO option for its guests.
The Recreation
- Situated at 162-170 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North 3068, The Recreation was born out of a partnership between two Australians, Steven Nelson and Joe Durrant, and a Scot, Mark Protheroe;
- Their journey began years prior, with Nelson and Durrant’s collaboration in Scotland and Durrant and Protheroe’s connection at Grossi Florentino, highlighted by Protheroe’s reputation as a celebrated sommelier and Durrant’s role as the restaurant manager.
Embracing a straightforward approach, The Recreation combines the charm of a local bistro with an extensive bottle shop, allowing for a BYO with a $20 corkage fee. The selection includes an impressive range of Australian, French, and Spanish wines. The culinary offerings, inspired by Nelson’s experiences at Bistro Gitan and Jacques Reymond, feature French influences like Gruyere fondue sauce with sautéed spätzle and charred broccoli, alongside dishes with a broader Mediterranean touch, such as smoked and crispy eggplant and wood-grilled calamari, complemented by South American flavors like Spanish mackerel ceviche and flatiron steak with chimichurri.
Housed in a building dating back to the 1870s, previously the Recreation Hotel and Charlie’s Restaurant, the venue maintains its historical charm with the original exterior and exposed brick interiors, incorporating tables and chairs from its predecessors, now refurbished. The space is further enhanced by two large murals from street artist Shaun Lu, adding a contemporary touch to the North Fitzroy location.
Ling Nan
- Situated at 207 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Ling Nan nearly closed its doors for good in November 2020, yet after a year-long hiatus, co-owner Sherri Mong heralded its return;
- This beloved Chinatown mainstay transitioned from its original Little Bourke location to a fresh, white-walled venue on Lonsdale Street, retaining its cherished menu, chef, and many familiar faces from its staff.
Ling Nan remains a straightforward eatery, a fact readily apparent from its laminated menus and paper-covered tables to its straightforward service style. Yet, the cuisine consistently delights, serving up favorites until 2 am on weekdays. Highlights include the hearty XO pippies in a flavorful sauce, crispy Chinese doughnuts, shredded duck pancakes, prawn toast, and chicken ribs.
Inquiring about recommendations may lead staff to silently gesture towards the live tanks, filled with seafood like abalone, Queensland mud crab, prawns, and lobsters. The restaurant also welcomes guests to bring their own wine.
Sosta Ristorante
- Located at 12 Errol Street, North Melbourne, Sosta Ristorante (formerly known as Sosta Cucina) elevates the dining scene under the guidance of Tuscan-born co-owner and chef Alessandro Tintori, formerly of Il Bacaro;
- The restaurant presents refined regional Italian dishes with a twist, integrating native Australian ingredients, complemented by a curated selection of Italian wines and attentive service.
The menu, which changes with the seasons and features produce from Ramarro Farm and Spurrell Foraging, reinterprets traditional Italian tastes with contemporary flair. Diners might find an entrée of kangaroo carpaccio, a crispy golden half-duck with native citrus, or a squid ink spaghetti enriched with bone marrow and topped with Fraser Island spanner crab. Desserts, such as a chocolate tart with house-mulled cherries and sour cream, continue the theme of homemade excellence, including pasta and pistachio ice cream.
Sosta Ristorante crafts an ambiance that appeals to a wide audience, from romantic lighting and wooden decor that enchants dates to a menu and wine list that will excite Italian cuisine aficionados and groups looking for a celebratory evening.
I Love Pho
- Located at 264 Victoria Street, Richmond 3121, navigating the plethora of Vietnamese dining options on bustling Victoria Street in search of the ultimate pho can be a challenging endeavor;
- Amidst a sea of eateries, I Love Pho stands out as a reliable destination for this beloved Vietnamese noodle soup, serving up comforting bowls to satisfied customers day and night;
- Simplicity reigns supreme at this unpretentious spot, where the focus is squarely on delivering authentic pho characterized by aromatic broth, tender meat, and smooth noodles. This winning formula has not only kept diners returning but also enabled the expansion with a branch across the street and I Love Pho Express in the CBD.
The menu offers a selection of soups – chicken, beef, or vegetarian – along with various spring rolls. The beef pho, a fan favorite, features super-fresh rice noodles and thinly sliced beef in a star anise-infused broth, garnished with onions, coriander, Vietnamese mint, bean sprouts, and lemon. Guests are invited to add fresh chili to taste, and the crispy prawn spring rolls make for an ideal side dish.
Big Boy BBQ
- At 764 Glenhuntly Road, Caulfield South 3162, Big Boy BBQ’s founder, Lance Rosen, brings his passion for authentic American barbeque to Melbourne, inspired by his culinary explorations across the US;
- Training with some of the best pitmasters in New York and Kansas City, Rosen introduced the city to its first taste of American BBQ with Big Boy BBQ in Caulfield South, featuring a genuine Texas Smoker.
Now operating only two days a week, Big Boy BBQ’s Friday menu highlights include its signature Angus brisket, slow-cooked for 14 hours, served either plain with sides like vinegar slaw and crunchy fries or in a burger such as the popular Zee Man, filled with smoked scamorza and crispy onion strings, topped with house-made hot sauce.
Sundays transform the venue into Southern Grace Diner, where Rosen showcases his culinary skills with a made-from-scratch menu that changes weekly. Favorites include the meat-and-three option, allowing diners to select a protein paired with sides like mac’n’cheese or Tex-Mex beans. The ambiance of the diner, complete with cow print decals, booth seating, and American flags, perfectly complements the Southern-inspired fare.
Laksa King
- Nestled at 6-12 Pin-Oak Crescent, Flemington, Laksa King holds a special place in the hearts of Melburnians, especially when the chilly winds of winter beckon;
- With a history spanning over 15 years, this establishment has become synonymous with the comforting embrace of laksa, alongside other cherished Malaysian dishes like nasi lemak and Hainanese chicken rice.
Transitioning to its current Pin Oak Crescent location, Laksa King’s interior was thoughtfully crafted with assistance from Hue Studio and local MNE architects, featuring communal timber tables, pendants that softly illuminate the space, and industrial accents of exposed brick and steel, creating an inviting atmosphere that blends local charm with the vibrancy of Southeast Asian dining.
At the heart of its menu is a diverse selection of laksa, from the rich, coconut-milk-infused curry laksa, available also with seafood or fish head, to the tangy and fishy Assam Laksa. The menu showcases the restaurant’s skill in bringing hawker-style classics to life, with standout dishes like sticky pork belly in a star anise-infused sauce, char kway teow embodying the spirit of Asian street food, and sambal kang kong, all demonstrating the menu’s breadth and depth. With most rice and noodle dishes priced under $15, Laksa King is a testament to great food at great value.
Mamak
- Located at 366 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Mamak adds a theatrical flair to dining with its captivating roti-making demonstrations, where the dough is expertly stretched to nearly transparent thinness;
- This spectacle is part of the allure that draws people to Mamak, beyond the simple setting of wooden tables and granite floors, to experience the flaky, buttery delights of its Malaysian roti, bursting with authentic Southeast Asian flavors.
Patrons of all walks of life, from families enjoying roti dipped in kari sayur lentil curry, to young couples sharing ayam goreng fried chicken, and business groups indulging in nasi lemak, find something to love here. The satay, with skewers of flame-grilled beef or chicken served by the half or full dozen alongside a spicy-sweet peanut sauce, is a crowd favorite.
What started as a side venture for founders Julian Lee, Alan Au, and Clement Lee, has flourished into a growing culinary empire, extending its reach from three locations in Sydney (Chinatown, Chatswood, and Parramatta), another in Brisbane, to this beloved spot in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD.
Conclusion
Richmond offers an array of BYO restaurants, each with its unique charm. Whether you’re looking for an intimate dining experience or a bustling eatery, you’ll find a spot that suits your needs. Take your time to explore these options and enjoy Richmond’s vibrant BYO restaurant scene.
Richmond hosts a diversity of BYO restaurants, catering to a range of culinary preferences. From traditional, delectable dishes like the roast duck at Roast Duck Inn to the modern interpretations of Italian cuisine at Sosta Ristorante, there is something for every palate. Whether you’re a fan of Vietnamese pho or American barbecued meats, Richmond offers an array of food exploration opportunities. Remember to always check the BYO policies of these eateries and enjoy the freedom of pairing your favorite drink with a wide variety of mouth-watering dishes. Explore and appreciate the vibrant BYO restaurant scene in Richmond.