If you love to eat out, knowing how to eat for less is very handy. Here are some simple chanages you can make to ensure you still get to eat out but without the high cost.
Here are my ten top tips on how to eat out for less:
- Drink tap water when you are out and do ask for a jug to be placed on the table. Soft drinks can hugely hike up a bill. If you don’t specify tap water you will get bottled water which is also expensive.
- Before you come out have a piece of fruit this will stave off hunger pangs so you wont be tempted to order a huge amount just because you are hungry. Have a good lunch before you go out in the evening.
- If you must have starters consider sharing one. They often spoil meals if you have to much anyway.
Photo Credit: Seattle Munciple Archives
- When it comes to main meals remember a pizza and salad can easily be shared too. In Indian restaurants I often order a couple of side dishes rather than an expensive main.
- Have pudding and a good coffee back at home. Perhaps a nice tub of ice cream or a creamy cake could be back waiting for you. This is a far cheaper option than buying in a restaurant. Puddings for 4 can come to about £20.
- Call the restaurant you fancy eating out and see when they have any discounts on, is it cheaper before 7 or Monday to Thursday? Perhaps it has happy hour on drinks after 8? Ring them up and don’t be afraid to ask. it could make a big difference to your bill.
- Consider a bring your own wine restaurant but do find out what they charge for corkage and if it is per bottle.
- Encourage someone to be the designated driver (take this in turns) and find out about fee car parking nearby the restaurant by calling and asking.If everyone fancies a drink find out about bus times or arrange for a lovely partner to pick you all up.
- Ask around frineds for recommnedation of great value restaurants, somewhere off the beaten track and unfancy may still do amazing food.
- Try and get a free baby sitter ask family or close friends and be sure to return the favour in some way (baking a cake mowing the lawn for them or a reciprocal baby sit. I always think living out the tea things, explaining the remote control and making sure the kids are asleep really endear you to a babysitter. A few choccy biscuits wouldn’t go amiss either.
- P.S I do have one extra tip. My granny used to say she would always wear a tight skirt to a resturant and then she couldnt overeat or her buttons would be in danger of popping off. She as a card my granny! Do you have any top tips for eating out on a budget?
Good luck – hope this advice helps you eat out for less!
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I’m so guilty of eating out too often.
This is a really really great post – full of brilliant tips.
I make sure I’m signed up to newsletters/facebook/twitter of all the chain restaurants and check out any offers or coupons before I go. You can get discount codes direct to your phone too for some places – handy if you forget to check beforehand, but make sure you check the terms and inform your waiter before ordering. x
Thank you Liz!
Great post! It’s easy to save a few quid here and there without trying hard. And you don’t feel deprived because you’re still eating out.
I second signing up to newsletters for vouchers. One of the best I reckon is Money Saving Expert – here: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/cheap-restaurant-deals.
(I never eat out without a voucher!) x
Thanks for you comment the thrifty mum!
Share a starter? OMG you kidding? I love food hahahaha
Using Tesco clubcard vouchers is a good way to treat yourself..you can spend half as much if you swap them for vouchers for Ask, Pizza Express etc
A lot of the chain restaurants have offers like 2 for1 especially if you avoid fridays and the weekend
This is great, some good advice here!
Fabulous tips
We tend to only go to the local restaurants on buffet night, then you know beforehand exactly how much it will cost….and you can eat as much as you like!
Great tips….especially the tight skirt one granny
x
great tips. Dont get conned into buying special children s meals either. Often 1 adult meal is cheaper than 2 children and can be shared.
Thank you for the very helpful tips!!
ive started to use groupon for some good deals
I always try to eat out late afternoon mid week with the kids as some restaurants have special mid week rates
Clever!
Well I’m glad to say that I already do a few of the things you have mentioned. So we must be on the same wavelength and that’ll be why I like your thinking so much!