We are a BYOB restaurant in Richmond, which means we see a lot of bottles every night — and we have learned what works and what does not. The short answer: forget heavy red wines and forget bone-dry whites. Curry wants a little sweetness, low tannin and bright fruit.
Here is the pairing logic that our front-of-house team gives every BYOB table.
Three rules that get pairing right 90% of the time
- Match heat with a touch of sweetness — off-dry whites and rosés tame chilli
- Avoid high tannin — big oaky reds turn metallic against curry spices
- Pick low to medium alcohol — high ABV magnifies chilli burn
Pairings by dish
Specific bottles we keep recommending across Richmond's BYOB tables.
- Korma, butter chicken, tikka masala → off-dry riesling, gewürztraminer or viognier
- Rogan josh, dopiaza, bhuna → grenache, pinot noir or a light chianti
- Madras, jalfrezi, vindaloo → German riesling kabinett or a chilled Beaujolais
- Tandoori chicken, lamb chops → rosé, dry riesling or pinot noir
- Saag paneer, dal, vegetable curries → sauvignon blanc, chenin blanc or grüner veltliner
Beer, lassi and non-alcoholic options
Wine is not the only answer — and these often work better.
- Mango lassi is the world's best vindaloo neutraliser
- Wheat beer or kingfisher matches almost any curry without overthinking
- Salted lime soda cleans the palate between rich dishes
- Non-alcoholic riesling and sparkling tea now work as cleanly as the alcoholic versions
How BYOB works at Jaflong Tandoori
We charge zero corkage. Bring any wine, beer or sparkling. We provide chilled glasses, wine and beer glasses, an ice bucket and a corkscrew at no charge. Spirits are not part of BYOB at a halal restaurant.
Frequently asked questions
What wine pairs with chicken tikka masala?
An off-dry riesling or gewürztraminer is our top pick. Both have enough residual sugar to balance the creamy tomato sauce and just enough acidity to cut through the richness.
Can I drink red wine with curry?
Yes, but choose low-tannin, fruit-forward reds — pinot noir, grenache, gamay or a light chianti work beautifully with rogan josh, bhuna and dopiaza. Avoid oaky cabernet sauvignon or syrah with hot curries.
What is the best wine for a vindaloo?
A German kabinett riesling. The off-dry style and low alcohol calm the chilli heat without overwhelming the dish.
Do you charge corkage at Jaflong Tandoori?
No. BYOB is free at our Richmond restaurant — there is no corkage and no service charge.