Yaya Mas Greek Kuzina · Lincoln Park, Chicago

BYOB Greek Restaurant in Lincoln Park

No Corkage Fee — No Bottle Limit — Bring Any Drink You Like

Yaya Mas is Lincoln Park’s top-rated fully BYOB Greek restaurant. We have no liquor license, charge zero corkage fee, and place no limit on how many bottles you bring. Walk in with your wine, beer, or spirits — we provide the glasses and the food.

If you have been looking for a BYOB restaurant in Lincoln Park, stop looking. Yaya Mas Greek Kuzina at 1755 N Sheffield Ave is one of Chicago’s best-loved bring-your-own-bottle restaurants — a fully BYOB establishment where you are not just permitted to bring your own drinks, you are actively encouraged to. No liquor license. No corkage fee. No bottle limit. Come as you are and bring what you love.

We opened Yaya Mas to share the food and hospitality of the Greek table with Chicago — and in Greece, the table is always set with a bottle. At a Greek family dinner, nobody asks permission to bring wine. Nobody pays a fee to open it. That is the spirit we bring to every table at Yaya Mas, and it is exactly why being BYOB is not a compromise here. It is the right way to eat this food.

Corkage Fee

Always free

No Limit

Bottles Per Table

Bring as many as you like

4.7

Google Rating

1,000+ reviews

Any

Wine, Beer, Spirits

No restrictions

Why BYOB + Greek Food Is the Perfect Pairing

Greek cuisine is one of the great food traditions of the world, and it has always been inseparable from wine. From the ancient symposia of Athens to the tavernas of Santorini and the family tables of Thessaloniki, food and drink at a Greek meal are never separate. They arrive together, they are chosen together, and they make each other better.

The structure of a Greek meal is also uniquely suited to BYOB dining. Our menu is built around mezze — shared small plates that arrive in waves, creating a relaxed, long-table experience rather than a fixed three-course format. That kind of meal calls for a bottle (or two) that you actually want to drink, chosen by you, at the price you want to pay.

Here is the math that nobody talks about but everyone feels: a bottle of wine that costs $18 at a wine shop will often appear on a restaurant’s wine list at $55–$70. That markup funds the liquor license, the storage, the sommelier, and the margin. At Yaya Mas, that markup does not exist. Bring a $20 bottle of Assyrtiko from a Greek wine shop — one of the great white wines of Europe — and spend the $40 you saved on an extra round of mezze, a dessert spread of baklava and loukoumades, or a freddo espresso for the table. The money goes into the meal, not the margin.

The Best Drinks to Bring to Yaya Mas

Not sure what to pair with Greek food? Here are our recommendations, organized by what you are likely to order:

Greek Food & Drink Pairings

What You’re Eating	What to Bring
Mezze spread (tzatziki, hummus, pita, olives)	Crisp white wine — Assyrtiko, Pinot Grigio, or Albarino. Rosé also works beautifully.
Gyros & souvlaki	Light-to-medium red — Pinot Noir, Greek Xinomavro, or a cold lager/pilsner
Moussaka	Bold red — Agiorgitiko, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon
Spanakopita & Greek pies	Dry white or off-dry Riesling — complements the feta and pastry perfectly
Greek salad	Anything cold and acidic — Sauvignon Blanc, light rosé, or sparkling water with lemon
Baklava & desserts	Dessert wine, prosecco, or Greek Muscat
Everything	Greek rosé (Xinomavro or Agiorgitiko rosé) — the all-purpose companion to the entire menu

You will find Greek wines at Binny’s on Marcey Street, Whole Foods Lincoln Park, and independent wine shops throughout the neighborhood. If you are not sure what to grab, a bottle of Greek rosé is a safe, delicious choice for almost everything on our menu.

How BYOB Works at Yaya Mas

If you have never dined at a BYOB restaurant before, the experience is straightforward and genuinely enjoyable. Here is exactly what to expect:

Stop at your wine shop or grocery store first Pick up whatever you want to drink. Wine, beer, a six-pack, a bottle of spirits, canned cocktails — all are welcome. No restrictions on type, quantity, or price point.

Walk in with your bottles No need to hide them or check them. Just carry them in. Our staff will take them from you at the table.

We set up your glasses We provide appropriate glassware — wine glasses, pint glasses, whatever works for what you brought. We also provide ice for anything that needs chilling.

We open it for you If you brought a bottle with a cork, we will open it. If you need a bottle opener for beer, we have one. Just ask.

Enjoy your meal Order food, drink what you brought, take your time. There is no rush and no corkage fee when you order a second bottle. This is the Greek way of eating — slow, generous, and unhurried.

BYOB in Chicago — Why Lincoln Park Is the Best Neighborhood for It

Chicago has a strong BYOB dining culture, and Lincoln Park is one of the best neighborhoods for it. The area is dense with independent wine shops, well-stocked grocery stores, and bottle shops within walking distance of Sheffield Ave. Whether you are coming from the Armitage Brown Line stop, driving from DePaul, or walking from North Pond or the zoo, you pass at least two or three places to pick up a great bottle on the way.

Among all the BYOB restaurants in Chicago, Yaya Mas stands out for one reason beyond the food: we are genuinely, fully BYOB. No soft BYOB where you can only bring wine. No $10 corkage fee that adds up for a table of four. No limit of one bottle per person. The policy is simple and complete — bring what you want, as much as you want, pay nothing extra. That is what no corkage fee actually means.

BYOB on Our Outdoor Patio

Our BYOB policy extends fully to our outdoor patio, which is open from spring through fall. On a warm Chicago evening, there is genuinely nothing better than sitting outside in Lincoln Park with a cold glass of wine and a spread of Greek food. The patio is one of the best outdoor dining spots in the neighborhood, and the full BYOB policy makes it even better. See our patio dining page for seasonal hours and availability.

BYOB for Groups & Private Events

Yaya Mas is an excellent choice for group BYOB dining. Our menu scales naturally for large groups — the mezze format means you can order 6, 8, or 12 dishes for the table without anyone feeling left out, and the BYOB policy makes group dining significantly more affordable. Bring two or three bottles for your party and split the cost. No per-person drink minimums. No service charges on alcohol. Just food and your drinks.

For larger groups or semi-private events, reach out via our catering and events page. We can accommodate groups and work with you on a menu that suits the occasion.

Find Us in Lincoln Park

We are located at 1755 N Sheffield Ave, Lincoln Park, Chicago IL 60614, steps from the Armitage Brown Line stop. Open daily from 9:30AM. View our full Greek menu or order online for delivery and pickup. Rated 4.7 stars on Google from over 1,000 reviews.

View Full Menu
See Our Patio

Frequently Asked Questions About BYOB at Yaya Mas

Is Yaya Mas BYOB?

Yes, Yaya Mas is a fully BYOB restaurant in Lincoln Park. We have no liquor license, which means you are welcome to bring your own wine, beer, cocktails, spirits, or any beverage you like. There is no corkage fee and no bottle limit.

Does Yaya Mas charge a corkage fee?

No. There is absolutely no corkage fee at Yaya Mas. Bring your own bottle and enjoy it with your meal at no extra charge. We provide the glassware and ice.

What can I bring to a BYOB restaurant?

At Yaya Mas you can bring wine, beer, champagne, canned cocktails, spirits, hard seltzer — whatever you would like to drink. We provide appropriate glasses and ice. There are no restrictions on type or quantity.

Why is Yaya Mas BYOB?

We operate without a liquor license, which means we are fully BYOB. This keeps your costs down significantly — no restaurant markup on drinks, which at most restaurants runs 3–4x the retail price. Bring a great bottle, spend the savings on more food, and enjoy the meal the way it is meant to be enjoyed.

Is there a bottle limit at Yaya Mas?

No, there is no limit on the number of bottles you can bring. Bring what you need for your group and enjoy. Whether it is one bottle for two people or several bottles for a large table, all are welcome.

Does BYOB apply to the patio too?

Absolutely. You can bring your own drinks to enjoy on our outdoor patio as well. Our BYOB policy applies throughout the entire restaurant — indoor dining room and outdoor patio included. The patio is open seasonally from spring through fall.

What are the best BYOB restaurants in Lincoln Park Chicago?

Yaya Mas Greek Kuzina is consistently rated one of the best BYOB restaurants in Lincoln Park. We offer authentic Greek cuisine, no corkage fee, no bottle limit, and a welcoming atmosphere ideal for date nights, group dinners, and family meals. We are rated 4.7 stars on Google from over 1,000 reviews.

Can I bring my own wine to a Greek restaurant in Chicago?

At Yaya Mas, yes — and we encourage it. We are one of the very few Greek restaurants in Chicago that is fully BYOB with no corkage fee. Greek food and wine are a natural pairing, and we provide the glassware to make it right.

Where can I buy wine before coming to Yaya Mas?

Several great wine shops are within easy reach of Yaya Mas in Lincoln Park, including Binny’s on Marcey Street and various Whole Foods and Mariano’s locations. For Greek wines specifically, ask staff at any Binny’s location for Assyrtiko, Xinomavro, or Greek rosé.

Is Yaya Mas good for a BYOB date night in Lincoln Park?

Yes — Yaya Mas is one of the most popular date night restaurants in Lincoln Park, and the BYOB format makes a date night genuinely affordable without sacrificing quality. Bring a nice bottle of wine, share a mezze spread, and take your time. The atmosphere is warm and unhurried.

Is Yaya Mas BYOB for birthday dinners and special occasions?

Yes — Yaya Mas is a wonderful choice for birthday dinners, anniversary celebrations, and special occasions. The BYOB policy means you can bring champagne, a favorite bottle of wine, or whatever makes the evening feel right. There are no corkage fees and no limits. Our mezze-style menu is naturally suited to celebrations — order a spread, take your time, and toast however you like.