Brian Nagele
There’s no doubt that Center City has some of the most amazing restaurants seeing as it’s in the heart of Philadelphia. However, dinner and drinks can add up pretty quickly and end up being quite expensive. With BYOB restaurants, however, you can save a bit of money on alcohol and still enjoy a drink or two. We’ve put together a list of our top picks for BYOB restaurants to try near Center City.
With casual spots, higher-end ones, and some in between, there’s a BYOB in this town for every occasion. While most of the stops are Italian food, they all have their own creative touches that make each restaurant special. Keep reading to learn a bit about each BYOB!
Mercato BYOB
1216 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 985-2962
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Looking for Italian food with a twist? Check out Mercato BYOB in Center City, Philadelphia. This local restaurant serves Italian-American cuisine and offers a new take on the classics. With a menu that changes seasonally, there’s plenty of new dishes to try each time you visit.
With plenty of dishes to choose from, Mercato is the perfect spot for everyone. We recommend the ricotta gnocchi, pyramid pasta, fontina stuffed meatballs, or clam toast. Be sure to grab a cannoli for dessert and bring some wine!
Melograno
2012 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 875-8116
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With a chef originally from Rome, this local restaurant is guaranteed to have some of the most authentic food. Melograno is a BYOB spot serving traditional Italian cuisine. With an open-concept kitchen, you can even watch your food be made.
Melograno’s menu is filled with amazing dishes, so if you can’t decide on just one, be sure to try the mortazza, cotoletta, tartufate, or amatriciana. Don’t forget a bottle of your favorite wine or champagne!
Giorgio On Pine
1328 Pine St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 545-6265
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Trying to find a spot that has gluten-free options? We recommend Giorgio on Pine. This Italian BYOB serves authentic cuisine and even has an entirely gluten-free menu. Locals love the casual yet welcoming atmosphere and attentive service at this spot.
Giorgio on Pine serves a menu with plenty of appetizers, pastas, and entrees to choose from. Try out the bucatini, ravioli, grilled salmon, or veal with prosciutto. Make sure you bring you favorite drink to go with your meal!
Entree BYOB
1608 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Phone: (215) 790-0330
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Looking for a spot with American cuisine? Look no further than Entree BYOB. With seasonal dishes and the use of locally-sourced ingredients, you’ll have plenty of delicious and fresh flavors to try here.
Entree BYOB serves a menu with a wide array of flavors, so there’s a bit of something for everyone here. We recommend the sweet potato alfredo, wild shrimp, ribeye, or prosciutto-wrapped dates. You can also try a three-course meal for only $40-50 per person!
Bistro La Baia BYOB
1700 Lombard St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Phone: (267) 687-1561
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Hoping to dine at a more casual spot tonight? Swing by Bistro La Baia BYOB. This Italian restaurant is all about cooking comfort food. With outdoor seating, this is also a great spot for nice weather.
With a wide range of options, including gluten-free, you really can’t go wrong at Bistro La Baia BYOB. Be sure to try the penne la baia, lobster ravioli, capellini pescatore, or fettuccine short rib ragu. Don’t forget to grab some dessert on your way out!
La Viola Bistro
253 S 16th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: (215) 735-8630
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Looking for a spot that’s great for the whole family? Head over to La Viola Bistro. This local restaurant has a very family-friendly atmosphere and serves delicious Italian cuisine. With a four-course meal for $35 per person, you won’t be breaking the bank here.
Choose from lunch and dinner at La Viola Bistro to find your new favorite dish. Try out the pasta capo di mare, funghi trentino, orecchiette alla viola, or ribeye steak. Make sure you BYOB to complete your meal!
Bocconcini
1334 Pine St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 545-2482
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Sister restaurant of Giorgio on Pine, Bocconcini is another popular BYOB in Center City. This local restaurant is an intimate spot for some dinner housed in a cozy building. With house-made pasta and a BYOB policy, it can’t get much better than this.
Just like its sister restaurant, Bocconcini has a wide variety of dishes on their menu with numerous gluten-free options. We recommend the bianco pizza, four cheese and spinach lasagna, truffle mushroom ravioli, or black and blue salad!
Porcini
2048 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 751-1175
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In service for 25 years, Porcini is another Italian BYOB you have to try. With so many years of service, there’s no doubt this food will be delicious. Porcini uses imported ingredients and makes their pasta in-house, so you definitely won’t want to miss this spot.
Serving a tasty menu with plenty of diverse dishes, everyone will love Porcini. Be sure to try the rigatoni bolognese, cannelloni, or pollo parmesan. Don’t forget to bring some wine and grab a pastry to-go!
Ambrosia Ristorante BYOB
231 S 24th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 703-2010
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Another spot that is a bit more casual is Ambrosia Ristorante BYOB. Much like many of the other spots on our list, this local restaurant serves Italian cuisine. With homemade pasta and seasonal ingredients, you’re going to love the food here.
Ambrosia’s menu is a bit shorter than those of other restaurants, but it’s just as delicious. Try out the crispy gnocchi, risotto, short rib, or moulard duck. Make sure to grab some dessert and BYOB!
Pumpkin BYOB
1713 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Phone: (215) 545-4448
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Completing our list is Pumpkin BYOB. This spot serves New American cuisine and focuses on seasonal ingredients, so there’s always something new to try. Locals love the atmosphere here as well as the attentive service.
Pumpkin BYOB offers a three-course meal for $45 and a two-course meal for $30, with your choice of dishes. The menu changes weekly, so be sure to check their website regularly. Be sure to bring your favorite wine, champagne, or a beer!
So where will your next night out be? Center City seems to be jam-packed with BYOB restaurants, and these ones in particular are perfect for amazing food and the option to drink your favorite wine.
Looking for more places to eat brunch in Center City? We recommend you visit these amazing brunch spots in the area. We’re sure you’ll a new favorite in the list.
Which BYOB will you go to first? Let us know! Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you tell us about it and we’ll check it out!
