Sometimes, even the most frugal of folks just don’t feel like cooking dinner. Don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to save money eating out, so you can enjoy restaurant meals for the best value possible.
Eating out and ordering takeout can be a healthy part of your money routine – as long as it’s enjoyed in moderation. Whether you’re celebrating a special day, or just want to eat some food you didn’t make, it’s OK to spend money on food!
But, going overboard and frequenting restaurants can suck up your entire paycheck if you’re not spending mindfully.
If you’re a total foodie, these tips will help stretch your restaurant budget further…
1. Take advantage of specials
One of the best ways to save money on eating out is to hunt for specials, promotions, or use coupons. You can find these at both chain and local restaurants.
Lunch specials offer some of the best restaurant values out there. They generally come with a decent sized portion, and can be around half the price of the same entree at dinnertime.
One of my favorite frugal hacks is to grab a lunch special and to save it for later if I’m going to be having a busy evening. You can enjoy takeout for dinner, but at a much better price!
Specials are a great way to try out new restaurants without having to take the risk of being stuck with a hefty bill if the meal isn’t to your liking.
Happy hours also offer great value if you can make the timing work. Restaurants and bars might offer half priced drinks, appetizers, and other special deals. Eating between 4pm and 6pm truly can save you a bundle.
Whenever I meet friends out for drinks, we always check to see which of our local places have happy hour specials that evening. Frugal friends will always find a good deal! 🤣
Some restaurants even have weekly rotating specials that can end up being a great deal.
For example, a local favorite of mine offers $1 Taco Tuesdays where you can get tacos for a dollar each if you sit at their bar.
Call your favorite local restaurants and ask what they offer, and then you can plan your meals out around your favorite specials.
2. Skip the drinks
When you’re out to eat, those drink purchases can really add up. Sometimes drinks can cost more than the meal!
Plus, the upcharge on alcohol at restaurants is insane! Cocktails can cost between $14-17, while a simple glass of wine can tack on $10-20 to your tab, making an already pricy meal into a total money suck.
Instead of ordering drinks at a restaurant, stick to water. It’s better for you, and it won’t increase the cost of your bill.
If you want to eat with a buzz on, you can always enjoy a glass at home before going out (just don’t drink and drive!). Also, invite friends or family back to your place to enjoy cheaper drinks at home.
3. Snack before you go out
My boyfriend tells me that when I go out to eat, my eyes are always bigger than my stomach. If I go to the restaurant starving, I’ll undoubtedly end up ordering the entire menu, and then barely make a dent in it.
Sometimes it’s fine and I can take all that leftover food to go. But many dishes I’ve ordered won’t reheat without getting soggy and gross, and I have to live with the fact that I’ve essentially just thrown my money in the trash!
That’s why these days I’ve resolved to eat a tiny snack before I go out. It stops me from showing up to the restaurant in ravenous mode.
While of course it’s okay to go to the restaurant hungry, eating a granola bar or a handful of almonds about an hour before I go seems to be the magic trick to getting me to not overspend!
4. Look for family bundles & deals
I’ll never forget the day my family mourned the loss of the Chilli’s 2 for $20 deal… 😪
Family bundles can be a great way to save money on takeout and eating out at restaurants. Plenty of restaurants offer family deals for either dining in or taking out that often consist of tons of food for a relatively low price per serving.
For example, Olive Garden, PF Changs and Panera all have family bundle deals running right now that can allow you to take home a ton of food for less.
You can also try eating out at family style restaurants which offer larger portion sizes meant for sharing. Instead of buying separate entrees, you can often save money by ordering 2-3 dishes to share for the table.
5. Sign up for restaurant rewards
If you frequent a few of the same restaurants, jump on their mailing list and join their rewards programs.
When you eat out often at the same restaurants, you’ll earn points for each visit. Those points can then be redeemed for rewards or money off of your bill.
And best of all, make sure you enter your birthday when you sign up for these programs. You’ll likely get free treats on your big day!
6. Kids eat free deals
If you have little ones at home you’re definitely going to benefit from “kids eat free” deals when you go out to restaurants.
This can be a huge savings for families, especially if you have multiple kids. Even at less fancy restaurants, kids meals can set you back around $8-10 per meal. However, some restaurants will give you a free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult entree on certain days.
For example, kids eat free every day at IHOP from 4pm-10pm. At Ruby Tuesday, kids eat free every Tuesday (shocker), and SmashBurger offers free kids meals on Wednesdays!
7. Order off the kids menu
Speaking of kids meals, there’s no shame in ordering one for yourself! As long as the restaurant allows it.
If you love chicken tenders, grilled cheese and other fun comfort food options (I mean, who doesn’t), then this money saving hack could be a good fit for you!
Sometimes, kids’ meals can be less than half the price of an adult entree. And the portions are often more appropriate for a single meal.
While you may not be able to order off the kids menu everywhere, in my experience most restaurants won’t have a problem with it – especially if you’re just grabbing takeout!
8. Share meals
One of my favorite ways to save money while eating out is to split a meal with a friend or family member.
Restaurant meals often can come with more than enough food to satisfy two people. Splitting meals means you both get to enjoy the social aspect of dining out, but for half the price.
Plus, if you tell the waiter that you’ll be sharing the meal, sometimes the kitchen will even do the work to divide it up between two plates.
And if no one wants to share with you, fear not. You can still turn that single dish into two meals.
Just split it into two portions and take half home in a to-go box. The price per meal will drop significantly, and you’ll get to enjoy that delicious food twice!
9. Look at the menu ahead of time
Have you ever shown up to a restaurant and been completely blindsided by some heinous prices!? Don’t let yourself get caught off guard.
Instead, look at the menu ahead of time. Choose meals that suit your budget!
You can avoid accidentally eating at restaurants that are too expensive or being forced to pay more than you originally planned.
Pro tip: If the prices aren’t listed on the menu, it’s usually a sign that you’ll be paying a pretty penny to eat there.
10. Skip desserts and sides
Another tip to save money at restaurants is to not be tempted by the extras, like desserts and sides.
In most cases, a single entree should be enough to make sure you’re full. If you want to eat dessert at the restaurant, you’ll be paying top dollar.
Now, I’m not encouraging you to skip dessert. In fact, I myself need a little sweet treat every night after dinner. But that doesn’t mean you should shell out $10 for a single slice of average chocolate cake!
Instead, treat yourself to a nice dessert at home. For around $20 or less, you can pick up an entire cake and give everyone their own slice.
And don’t get me started on those chocolate lava cakes you’ll find at restaurants. You can pick up a 2 pack of frozen lava cakes in the freezer section of your grocery store for $6, and they taste amazing.
11. Go out for breakfast
Some of the cheapest and most fun meals I have enjoyed have been between the hours of 9am-11am! There’s just something about downing an entire pot of coffee between two friends and talking for hours over a massive stack of pancakes that hits different…
Breakfast is typically the cheapest meal you can get out. And in my opinion, it’s the best meal!
Whether or not you’re a morning person, it’s hard to beat a plate of eggs, home fries, toast and a coffee for under $12.
12. Take advantage of discounts
What do veterans, students, and seniors all have in common? They get killer discounts on nearly everything!
If you fall into one of these categories, chances are that some of your favorite restaurants offer you a discount and you don’t even know it.
So next time you’re dining out, be sure to ask about any discounts you may be eligible for. Just remember to bring a valid ID!
Pro tip: If you don’t qualify for a discount, try asking for one anyway! They might say no, but they might say YES.
13. Use a rewards credit card
Rewards credit cards can be a great tool to use to earn points or miles for your everyday spending. Those points can then be redeemed for things like free travel, cash back, or statement credits.
Even better, some credit cards will offer you extra points or miles for specific spending categories.
Many of our favorite credit cards offer great restaurant perks, like getting 3x points for every dollar spent out. This translates to 3% off your entire bill.
Cautionary note: Using credit cards is only worth it if you can follow the golden rules of credit. ALWAYS pay your cards off in full and on time every single month, and avoid overspending.
Don’t forget to tip!
While tipping culture has been confusing over the past few years to say the least, one aspect of tipping does not fall into a gray area. Always tip 15-20% of your bill at restaurants.
We know you want to save money eating out, so it might be tempting to short change the wait staff. But that’s heartbreaking for the servers and staff who are working hard to keep you happy and fed.
If you truly can’t afford that extra few dollars tip, you should order less food out or eat at home.
The Bottom Line:
The best way to save money eating out is to avoid restaurants completely! But that’s probably not a reality these days, so you have to get crafty and plan ahead before going out. Hitting happy hours, ordering kids meals and sharing plates will drastically lower your restaurant bills. So will skipping the drinks and expensive add ons like dessert!
Eating out doesn’t always have to be a splurge. You’ve gotta find that balance that works within your budget. The goal is to enjoy restaurants and celebrate with your friends, while also hitting your personal saving and investing goals.
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