1. make a list of your favourite restaurants
Make a list of restaurants in your area that offer Kids Eat Free nights, and notate what day that is. When making the choice about where to go, consult the list first. I keep mine in my Household Binder in the kitchen. Make a note of your favourite restaurants if they have any other regular offers on, like set lunch menus.
Make a list of restaurants that offer Early Bird Specials, and keep that in your binder, making sure to notate time restrictions. We can often meet just after work to catch the specials!
2. become a fan of your favourite restaurant & sign up to their newsletters
Become a fan of your favourite places on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter, to get access to additional exclusive coupons, discounts, specials, and promotions.
Sign up for rewards programs and emails from places you like. You’ll be surprised how many offers will start pouring through your inbox. Restaurants are really good about sending out Kids Eat Free and Free Starters or Dessert coupons, practically weekly, so it could be much cheaper to visit when you have your coupons off with you and you want to take the whole family.
3. Swap dinner for lunch
Most people prefer to have their main meal in the evening, after work. Restaurants know, that they don’t need to worry about their evening trade, but they also know that at lunch time their restaurant can be pretty empty. That is why most restaurants (and pubs) will have a set menus or lunch menus, with a much smaller selection of food dishes, but a very good fixed price. These offers are available mainly Monday to Friday and usually, finish before the be big evening rush or when the lunch time finishes (around 2.30pm).
If you can eat out at lunch time instead of evening and you’d be pleasantly surprised how much you can save. This is also a great way to try out pricey restaurants, which would normally be out of your price range.
4. swap a restaurant for a pub
Long are the days when pubs were just places to pop in for a drink after work. A lot of pubs these days focus not just on drinks but on food too. After 2007 (the smoke ban in UK) lot of pubs choose to add food to their offerings, as they suddenly needed to offer their punters something more than just drinks. A lot of pubs have now become brilliant at serving good honest food, where you can expect a good portion, unpretentious serving and great prices. Check your local pub next time when you are thinking of going out to eat and you might well be surprised at what you find!
5. swap alcohol for water
I’m not advising you to be totally stingy when you going out, but since a large glass of wine can cost as much as a good pudding or a starter, I know which one I’d prefer! Ask for tap water, which should be free with your meal and keep your money in your pocket.
ANN*H says
I always try to use coupons from the paper or magazines. Some places offer free kids meals, senior citizen discount and free birthday items too. thanks for the nice list some I wasnt aware of.
KD says
I hadn’t thought of twitter or facebook for coupons, but will have to check that out.
nenasinclair says
These are great tips! Another thing is to subscribe to sites such as Groupon and to purchase an Entertainment Book, they have great restaurant coupons and the books often go on sale for half price or even less!
Sylvia Ortiz says
Thanks for these cost saving tips. My twin sister and I plan on spending our next birthday getting free food and desserts.
jamie braun says
ive just started looking online for restaurant coupons… saved $10 the last time we went out!
Michelle Tucker says
Another tip that I learned from my grandfather. He ALWAYS only orders water. I know if you’ve got a family of 5, that can save 7-10 dollars on regular drinks. It’s a nice way to go out and still be frugal.
desitheblonde says
we have alot of place send me free diiner for my bd or desert
Sarah p says
Fantastic ideas! 🙂 I just recently subscribed to a couple of newsletters for restaurants that we enjoy as a family, and every once in awhile they send coupons, so that helps us out sometimes. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Megan Parsons says
Thanks for the great ideas! These will come in handy for sure!
Sarah Hayes says
Ive found that keeping up with which resturants have specials and when has been very helpful. thats the easiest one for me to keep up with but all of these are great!
Maddie k. says
Great tips. I do try to check the net before going out for coupons. I also subscribe to some of our favorite resturants. We don’t dine out too often, but when we do I like to make sure that we can get whatever we want without having to pay a lot of money.
Kristen Bobbitt says
Great tips. Now, how to get the toddler to behave in the restaurant…
Nicole Sender says
I look for restaurants that offer a longer lunch offering and have an early dinner. Your hints are very helpful!
Pamela Halligan says
I have signed up for emails from my favorite restaurants. I often get a free appetizer or dessert for my birthday.
LAMusing says
I’ve saved quite a bit by joining the Facebook or email “clubs” for restaurant chains. Also save by looking in local paper for specials at local eateries.
Lauren H says
I try and use the “2 for $$$” options. And I usually have food left over.
sheila musselman askins says
thank you for the tips! i hate to pay full price when eating out lol..we eat out one night a week and we plan it into our menu for that week…so we decide ahead where it will be and i always look for coupons or deals for that particular place ahead of time!
Richard Hicks says
all very good tips. We often get coupons in the mail that are very good too.
amy v says
great tips! i try to use coupons but if not, then eating out for lunch is always cheaper than dinner!
katklaw777 says
I like to have dunch or linner at around 2pm. You can usually still order from the lunch menu and the prices are cheaper than the dinner prices.
Alicia Keen says
i only dine out with giftcards
jennifer dansberger says
we use coupons and giftcards a lot. 5 kids makes it impossible to go out otherwise!
RitaM says
The Sunday papers usually have coupons for restaurants we like so we take advantage of those whenever possible.
nenasinclair says
All great ways to save and also, if you buy an Entertainment Book, you can get some really great deals there for restaurants!
sandy vanhoey says
I try to keep an eye for any restaurants or coupons we might use such as just printed the Burger King BOGO offer. Have to save when we can
Sara Zielinski says
Look for coupons before dining out.
Richard Hicks says
we hardly ever go out but when we do we have a coupon in hand!
brich22 at earthlink dot net
angie lilly says
my family saves when eating out by using coupons! we use restaurant.com, groupon, faveroo, and any other coupons we can get!
Kathy Pease says
when we dine out we use coupons.we really like buffets you get your moneys worth 🙂
Cynthia C says
I always order water instead of a drink when dining out. It really adds up because they charge a lot for them.
Gianna says
We use pizza coupons for a local place.
Jessica Snow says
We usually use coupons or gift cards. Sometimes we share meals, it really depends where we go.
Stephanie Hirsch says
When we dine out, my husband and I share a meal, and we have our kids share a meal as well. Then if anyone is still hungry, we all have room for dessert, we also only order water to save on drinks.
Alicia Keen says
we ONLY go out if we have a coupon or giftcard
Sandy VanHoey says
We don’t dine out often but we will order pizzas, etc at home. we will use our coupons or watch for their specials. It is also great to give and receive gift cards for your favorite eating places. We have done that so others can enjoy a great meal.
lisalubrown says
We save by not dining out.
~ Lisa Brown
Shannon G. says
We also make sure to have some left to take home. With portions being so much more than you need to eat at one setting, we usually get at least two meals from one plate and sometimes three meals. Sometimes we eat all of one side dish and leave the second side for the left overs or halve both sides for left over. Of course you can always ask for more bread/rolls to go!
LaProfesoraFrida says
Awesome ideas! Thanks for sharing these suggestions!
We just don’t eat out a lot. Maybe once a month we’ll have dinner somewhere, but then maybe once a week we’ll sit and have coffee somewhere– gives us the feeling of “eating out,” but much less expensive than a while meal! 😀
nenasinclair says
I get email from several daily deal sites, such as Groupon, and they always have great restaurant deals. Plus, i check online for restaurant coupons and the Entertainment Book is also a great money saver! Signing up for email from restaurants is a good way to save, too!