Six ways to get cheaper meals out amid high living costs
Discover six practical ways to save money when dining out, from booking off-peak tables and using discount apps to loyalty perks, reported by BBC Business.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- More than a third of Brits have cut back on restaurants due to high living costs.
- Booking off-peak dining slots can save diners up to 50% on their food bills.
- Supermarket loyalty points and surplus food apps help lower expenses.
Eating out has become a heavy financial burden as the cost of living remains stubbornly high, with YouGov's latest Dining Out report showing that more than a third of people in the UK have scaled back on restaurant visits.
Restaurateurs explain that soaring costs for food, energy, wages, and taxes have forced them to raise their prices, prompting top chefs to campaign for government assistance. In response, many eateries are rolling out incentives to entice customers back through their doors. Here are six practical ways to save money on your next meal out.
1. Sign up for restaurant loyalty schemes
Many restaurants offer point systems, freebies, discounts, and birthday rewards to encourage repeat visits. Well-known examples include the Pizza Express Club, where regular diners advance through bronze, silver, and gold tiers to unlock perks ranging from free dough balls to complimentary hot and soft drinks. Nando's employs a chilli-based loyalty system, while paid schemes like Tastecard offer annual fee-based discounts across hundreds of dine-in and takeaway venues.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
2. Opt for off-peak and earlier or later sittings
Eateries frequently look to fill tables outside standard lunch and dinner rushes, rewarding customers with cheaper bills for choosing earlier or later time slots. Apps such as First Table operate across 21 UK cities alongside Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia, giving diners 50% off food when booking a participating venue's first or last slot in exchange for a small booking fee. EatClub provides walk-ins with up to 50% off their entire bills at thousands of locations through app-redeemed offers.
"Earlier dining appeals because it tends to be quieter and calmer, people drink less and it allows them to get home sooner."
Choosing off-peak dining times is not only a smart budgeting tactic for consumers, but it also reflects how businesses and customers alike are adapting their habits to navigate economic pressures by optimizing operating hours and labor management.
3. Take advantage of kids-eat-free holiday deals
During school holidays, numerous venues attract families by offering free or £1 kids' meals when accompanied by paying adults. These deals span major chains like TGI Fridays, supermarket cafes including Morrisons and Asda, and even garden centres such as Dobbies, with some promotions running throughout the entire year.
4. Watch out for soft launches and new openings
New restaurants frequently roll out discounts to encourage customers to try their menus and spread word-of-mouth buzz. Shokofeh Hejazi notes that some establishments extend their pre-launch periods to build anticipation, while others make soft-launch pricing permanent for slower days like Mondays.
5. Put supermarket loyalty points toward meals
Weekly grocery shopping points accumulate over time and can be converted into dining vouchers. For example, every 50p earned in Tesco Clubcard points can be exchanged for £1.50 in vouchers to spend at participating Prezzo Italian restaurants.
6. Save with surplus food apps
Surplus food applications like Too Good To Go or Olio let users purchase quality food items at a fraction of the original price, preventing waste while leaving extra cash in your pocket for planned restaurant outings.
Source: BBC Business
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