Foodie News

Wine with friends: The 10 best restaurants to BYOB

Frankly, as long as you keep that wine coming, you can leave the flowers athome.
HD Photos
Pizaro's Pizza
Photo via Pizaro's Pizza/Facebook
Lola
Ruggles Green
La Vista

Let's take a moment to toast sommeliers, who can pick the perfect bottle to match a dish or from a one-word description. Of course, sometimes you just want to bring your favorite bottle and not spend an arm and a leg on the wine list mark-up.

Whether you're breaking into something coveted from your wine cellar or just rocking some two-buck chuck, here are the 10 best restaurants that will let you bring in your own bottle.

1. Pizaro's Pizza

The newest Neapolitan pizza place on Memorial Drive not only makes great pies, they also offer BYOB with no corking fee.

2. Lucio's BYOB & Grill

Long overshadowed by its more famous neighbor, Gravitas, Lucio's is a bit more refined than most restaurants with open-bottle policies. Corking fee: $5.

3. Jonathan's The Rub

Arguably the best restaurant in Hedwig Village, Jonathan's is famous for winning the Houston Press burger bracket last year. Corking fee: $7.

4. Banana Leaf

The restaurant that introduced Houston to Malaysian cuisine also lets customers bring in vino for no charge.

5. Ruggles Green

This green restaurant has a short list of organic and biodynamic wines, or you can bring your own favorite. Corking fee: $5.

6. Lola

The upscale Heights diner doesn't charge customers who want to have a little pinot with their pasta.

7. La Vista

A brunch favorite by the Galleria, La Vista's pizza and pasta pairs perfectly with wine, whether it's theirs or yours. Corking fee: $6.

8. Hula Mama's

You don't have to be a little tipsy to love a tiki-themed restaurant that offers pig-roast buffets and a Polynesian dance show, but it sure doesn't hurt. Luckily the corking is free.

9. Cafe Pita +

The TV-famous Bosnian restaurant just celebrated its 10th anniversary with a bigger and better space, but there's still no corking fee to bring in your own wine.

10. Just Dinner

If you liked the cozy atmosphere of the Just August Project, check out the restaurant's refined Italian-American menu. Corking fee: $8.

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From morocco to Memorial

Growing Houston Mediterranean restaurant picks Memorial for 3rd location

Courtesy of Zoa Eateries

A rendering previews the Memorial location of Zoa Eateries.

A casual, Houston-based Mediterranean restaurant is coming to Memorial. Zoa Eateries will open a new location this summer at 9807 Katy Fwy.

Opened in 2020 as Zoa Moroccan Kitchen, chef-owner Youssef Nafaa has rebranded the concept. Along with the new name, the fast casual restaurant will roll out a new menu with simplified sandwich offerings, more grab-and-go options, and new breakfast items.

Nafaa, the owner of concepts such as Mia Bella Trattoria, Coco Crepes & Coffee, and Mi Luna Tapas Restaurant & Bar, is working with his sons Zack, Omar, and Adam — the brand’s namesakes — on the restaurant. It currently has locations in Greenway Plaza and near the intersection of Shepherd Dr. and Washington Ave.

"Memorial means a lot to our family,” Adam Nafaa said in a statement. “I grew up in the area and attended Spring Branch ISD schools, including Memorial High School. Bringing it to the neighborhood I grew up in feels personal. I remember hanging out at Southwells after school, which, for those who know that location, was an institution, excited to be entering a market that influenced the formative years of my own growth.”

While the menu is being refreshed, it still revolves around build-your-own bowls and sandwiches made with braised beef tagine, roasted lamb meshwi, and beef kefta. Sandwiches are served on house made bread. Bowls can be enhanced with 20 toppings and nine sauces, including red and green harissa.

The restaurant itself is approximately 1,800 square feet and will offer indoor seating for 42 along with an outdoor patio. It will be open daily from 8 am until 10 pm.

news-you-can-eat openings