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The Best BYOB Restaurants in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the second-largest city in the United States, giving most people reason enough to visit. There’s no lack of things to do on this sprawling west coast hub.

a bottle of wine at a byob spot in Los Angeles

Take a dip in the Pacific waters, peruse the Fashion District, stroll Santa Monica Pier, or scout out celebrities in Hollywood.

There’s literally no end to the fun here in this city! But the real fun starts when it’s time to go out to eat at a restaurant. 

The city also has some of the country’s best dining and nightlife experiences. Unfortunately, this makes outings a little pricey.

Save money without sacrificing fun by opting for trendy spots that allow guests to bring their own booze! 


Fritto Misto

620 Santa Monica Blvd A, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone: 310-458-2829
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Run by Founder Robert Kerr, Fritto Misto is an Italian eatery in Downtown Santa Monica off 7th Street.

Kerr’s childhood took place in 60s Napa—a time you knew your neighbors and were greeted by name when entering a diner. 

Kerr opened Fritto Misto to create an environment LA lacks, making it a treasure amidst high-end Santa Monica restaurants. 

Kerr’s mentality has established Fritto Misto as one of the best BYOB restaurants in LA. The restaurant also provides filling servings at a much lower price than other Italian diners. My go-to is the jumbo ravioli and homemade tiramisu!


Masa Echo Park Bakery & Cafe

1800 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 9002
Phone: 213-989-1558
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Masa of Echo Park is a cozy pizzeria situated on the southeast block of Glendale and Sunset Boulevards.

The neighborhood treasure is a friendly joint for locals and tourists to indulge in some of the best pizza Los Angeles has to offer while cracking open cold ones straight from their cooler! 

Run by Chicagoans, the family-owned restaurant specializes in Chicago deep-dish pizza, but they also serve some impressive pasta, paninis, sweets, and more! 

In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with their traditional pizza, but you can also build your own.

Finish off your entree with a dessert made straight from the heart. I always grab a Mom’s Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie to go. 


Colori Kitchen

429 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Phone: 213-622-5950
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Colori Kitchen is a mom-and-pop Italian restaurant located in the Downtown Historic District on 8th Street. The eatery is small but has a prominent blue and red sign that’s hard to miss. 

Chef Luigi Barducci Contessi and his wife Paola man the modest but impressive diner. Luigi grew up in Verona, Italy, where his mother taught him to cook. At just thirteen years old, he enrolled in culinary school and has been cooking ever since. 

His vast experience and talent are apparent in each dish he serves. The capellini puttanesca pasta is full of flavor and satisfyingly filling. 

Colori Kitchen also serves delicious desserts that keep me coming back. The flan is the reason I recommend them!

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This BYOB treasure also has weekly specials you can find on their Instagram account. Consider making a reservation before heading to Colori as the small space gets very busy.


Pinches Tacos

Multiple locations
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Pinches Tacos has five locations throughout Los Angeles, including West Hollywood and Culver City. While each one serves the same delicious tacos, each shop has a unique vibe to it, meant to match the neighborhood it serves.

I always suggest people try a different location their second time around because you will want more! 

The Anaya family owns the taco shop and pride themselves on using only the highest-quality ingredients. You’ll be pleased to know they handpick vegetables from their garden. 

The menu contains a wide variety of meats to choose from, but my favorite is al pastor. The taqueria doesn’t serve alcohol but encourages bringing your own. What better way to end your visit than with spiked agua frescas?


Cha Cha Chicken

16912 Parthenia St, Northridge, CA 91343
Phone: 818-672-2130
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Cha Cha Chicken is a Caribbean restaurant on the southeast corner of Parthenia Street and Balboa Boulevard. Colors that are exciting as the cuisine’s aroma enliven the storefront, making it difficult to miss. 

Cha Cha Chicken serves diverse Caribbean flavors, ranging from Jamaican to Latin. Yet another one of Los Angeles’s family-run restaurants, this lively eatery has successfully served the city since 1996.

During your visit, try the jerk chicken or coconut fried chicken. Both are flavorful and worthy of recommendation!

The BYOB restaurant also offers non-alcoholic drinks you’ll crave for days. Ordering an imported Jamaican soda or homemade agua fresca should be a requirement! 


Providence

5955 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Phone: 323-460-4170
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Providence is a two-Michelin star restaurant located along Melrose Avenue between Rossmore and Highland Avenues. 

The upscale seafood restaurant focuses closely on sustainable and fresh ingredients and only serves wild-caught fish almost entirely from American waters.

The acclaimed Chef Michael Cimarusti heads up the impressive seafood kitchen. In my opinion, his farm-raised sustainable caviar is his greatest creation. 

Whether you’re a caviar fanatic or new to the delectable, Providence is the place to try it! Move onto the beef wagyu for a dish that melts in your mouth and end with tasty house-made Hawaiian chocolate.

Providence also offers wine pairing, but we always opt for the BYOB option as it is just as enjoyable at a much more affordable price. 


Malibu Seafood

25653 CA-1, Malibu, CA 90265
Phone: 310-456-3430
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Malibu Seafood Cafe sits along the Pacific Coast Highway, overlooking Corral Beach. The perfect getaway from the busy city, Malibu Seafood serves fresh, high-quality meals caught by commercial fishermen. Each serving is filling but one you can’t help but keep eating. 

The clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl is a must on windy days. In addition to the soup, share a seafood combination with some friends—deep-fried fish, shrimp, scallops, squid, and perfectly seasoned steak fries. 

All this while enjoying the cheap beer you picked up from the liquor store? Malibu Seafood is one of the best BYOB restaurants in Los Angeles. 

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Bottega Louie

700 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: 213-802-1470
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Seek a brunch spot recommendation from a local, and I can guarantee they’ll point you toward Grand Avenue and 7th Street.

This quaint but luxurious restaurant is perfect if you’re looking for that big city feel. It’s also diverse enough for dates, girls’ days, and families. 

In addition to pointing you toward Bottega Louie, an LA native will probably advise you to order the mushroom portobello fries as well. 

These fries alone warrant a visit to Los Angeles. The restaurant is also a gourmet market and cafe with an extensive selection of pastries, the most popular of which is their sweet macaroons. Be sure to bring along your favorite bottle to wash all the food down!


Flore Vegan

2943 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Phone: 323-953-0611
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Flore Vegan is a plant-based restaurant off Sunset and Silver Lake Boulevards. The eatery has cozy indoor seating or trendy outdoor tables for when it’s sunny and 75. A friendly and helpful staff complements the laid-back environment! 

The dishes make healthy eating easy. Menu items range from “chicken and waffles” to pizza. The vegan breakfast burrito came highly recommended and was more than satisfactory with a perfectly seasoned tofu scramble.

House-made fresh juice is my favorite thing about Flore Vegan. Be sure to try their flojito! 


Hillstone

202 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone: 310-576-7558
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Hillstone is an upscale American eatery located off Wilshire Boulevard and 2nd Street. The affluent feeling restaurant is ideal for intimate dining with a partner or friend. 

If you’re planning on bringing a larger group than two, be sure to reserve a table ahead of time. Hillstone is well-known for its excellent customer service and savory American cuisine. 

You can’t go wrong with a fresh California burger or a perfectly prepared USDA prime filet. Hillstone also serves classic cocktails, cold beer, and a wide selection of wines, but why not bring your own when they allow it? If you’re looking to dine in a luxurious Los Angeles restaurant but still save, Hillstone is an excellent BYOB option. 


Water Grill

544 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Phone: 213-891-0900
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Water Grill is an elegant seafood restaurant in Downtown Los Angeles off Grand Avenue and 6th Street. The eatery’s slow pace offers a peaceful escape from the bustling city. 

In addition to a unique ambiance, the local treasure also has an expert staff, quick service, and of course, savory seafood! 

The spiny lobster came highly recommended and was delicious! Most regulars also recommend the clam chowder—a simple soup made extravagant.

Water Grill has an extensive wine, liquor, and beer menu. But why limit yourself? After all, this is one of the most upscale BYOB restaurants in Los Angeles!


Pitfire Artisan Pizza

Multiple locations
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With multiple locations throughout Los Angeles (including Pasadena and North Hollywood), Pitfire Artisan Pizza is a frequent recommendation amongst locals.

Upbeat staff that radiates positivity runs the laid-back joint. The restaurant is ideal for friends and families alike. The food is even better than the people!

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Each pizza contains homemade dough and fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients. Pitfire’s creative menu items are my favorite. 

I opt for the Honey Bear pie each time I visit—a pizza complete with sausage, honey, bee pollen, and Calabrian chile.

The restaurant has fair prices, even for alcohol. If you prefer to bring your own, enjoy free corking! 


Escuela Taqueria

7450 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: 323-932-6178
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Escuela Taqueria is a modest but adored Mexican restaurant along Beverly Boulevard on Vista Street. The cozy spot is the perfect place to head toward after a liquor store pit stop and tiring day. It’s also ideal for your pickiest friends as their taco selection is unmatched. 

In addition to traditional taco meats, they also have unique options like wagyu, lobster, and langostino tail. There are also burrito and nacho options. 

Regardless of what you order, it’ll become your new favorite comfort food. I’ll also admit that their refreshing agua frescas pair well with liquor if that’s your MO. 


Max Karaoke Studio

333 S Alameda St #216, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone: 310-421-2550
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Max Karaoke Studio is one of Downtown Los Angeles’s best-kept secrets. This lively joint is in Little Tokyo off Alameda and 3rd Street. Upon arrival, you’ll be placed in a private room so you can unapologetically sing your heart out. 

The studio has a wide range of songs in multiple languages. Visit any day between 1 and 8 p.m. At just five to six dollars per hour, per person, reserving a private room is nearly half the price during this time. 

Grab your closest friends, pack a cooler full of beer, and make the voyage to Max Karaoke Studio. You won’t regret it!  


A Food Affair

1515 S Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035
Phone: 310-557-9795
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A Food Affair is a French restaurant south of Pico Boulevard on Robertson Boulevard. The husband-wife duo, Christian and Babette Royère, run the Los Angeles treasure. 

Both Christian and Babbette reign from South France, bringing the region’s unique culture and cuisine to California.

Christian learned from some of the best chefs in France and worked at well-acclaimed restaurants in LA before opening A Food Affair.  

The moment you enter the doors, you’ll feel as if you’ve found one of France’s best holes in the wall. However, the restaurant’s charming environment is not nearly as impressive as its food.

While visiting, do not skip Mom’s Beef Bourguignon. Bring along your favorite wine to pair with the entree. 


Osteria Mamma

5732 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Phone: 323-284-7060
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Osteria Mamma is an authentic Italian eatery off Melrose Avenue and Larchmont Boulevard. “Mama” Loredana opened the trattoria in 2010 to bring the tastes of her home, Veneto Italy, to Southern California. Loredana has since passed, but her family does her recipes so much justice! 

Pasta dishes like Bigolo Al Nero and Tagliatelle Al Pomodoro fill the menu. There are also daily specials, meat options, pizza, and of course, a vast selection of sweets.

The tiramisu is rightfully popular. Certified sommelier Fillipo Cortivio has also built an acclaimed wine selection. However, you can also bring wine, and Tuesday is the free corking night! 


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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Quora, Google Guide and Facebook.