Want to eat out without breaking the bank? It only takes a little digging to find out how to spend less, says Claire Muffett-Reece
“The first trick when it comes to eating out for less is to look online to see what deals are on offer”
“You should also take advantage that you’re actually at uni, with plenty of discounts available to students”
“Midweek tends to be cheaper, as restaurants are more likely to get more customers through their door over the weekend”
“Not fussed about what time you eat? Enjoy an early bird special, usually offered in late afternoon”
Facts/stats
The average student spends £48 a month on takeaways and eating out (Save the Student)
UK consumers are expected to spend 7% less on restaurants compared to last year (Restaurant Dive)
35% of 18–30-year-olds choose more affordable options when in restaurants (Food Manufacture)
Budgeting: it’s the one word most students are tired of hearing – and that’s before you have to work out how much you’ve got to spend. Even though you’re studying there’s always never-ending bills to pay, which doesn’t leave a lot left when it comes to eating out. But it doesn’t have to mean staying at home all the time – you can still enjoy a meal in a pub or restaurant, so long as you get savvy and look into ways to save while enjoying a treat. Want more good news? We’ve done the homework for you so you really can eat out for less.
DEAL OR NO DEAL
The first trick when it comes to eating out for less is to look online to see what deals are on offer. More often than not plenty of high street chains regularly run promotions, especially when they tend to be less busy, such as the summer when many families go abroad. Social media’s also your friend here, with eateries offering further discounts you might not have seen online. Fancy going all out but can’t afford eye-watering prices? Check out a restaurant’s website and see if they’ve a Prix Fixe deal, where dishes you’d normally be unable to afford are a lot less in price. What’s in it for them? Less food waste due to a limited menu as well as the kitchen speeding up your dining experience for additional place settings. What’s in it for you? A cheaper meal of course!
USE IT OR LOSE IT
You should also take advantage that you’re actually at uni, with plenty of discounts available to students. For a start there’s student discount cards that offers a ton of deals and discounts – not only for eating out but also pretty much every other area you can think of. It’s also worth noting that many pubs and restaurants in the town or city where you study are keen to get you through their door, and will shout out about it with print and online marketing material. Just make sure they’re not lulling you into a false sense of security. While that deal they’re running might offer you two dishes for a bargain price, you might then walk through the door to find the drinks are expensive or there are other T&Cs you might not have seen, such as only being offered at set times of the day. And have you ever considered the amount of followers you have on social media? If you’ve a lot you can eat out at a huge discount (or often for free) if you post an eye-catching reel, share it to your story and collab with them, too.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
Now let’s talk about the day and time you choose to eat out, as this also has an impact on how much it’ll cost. Midweek tends to be cheaper, as restaurants are more likely to get more customers through their door over the weekend. Not fussed about what time you eat? Enjoy an early bird special, usually offered in late afternoon. Theatre nearby? Again, they’re likely to have a pre-theatre deal close by; usually limited in choice but with more bargains to be had. Then there’s the date involved, as a few days before payday restaurants tend to see a slump in customers due to them waiting for that money to hit their account. It’s even well worth heading out to eat a little before a restaurant closes. Some are more than happy to feed you at a discount to avoid waste, especially if it’s fresh food with a short expiry date.
YOU BOOZE, YOU LOSE
How else can you eat out for less? Think of the alcohol you drink while there. Restaurants and pubs are clever when it comes to marketing tactics, pouring premium brands when there are cheaper alternatives available, as well as upselling you by seeing if you’d like to make it a double. Ever walked into a bar for a glass of wine without seeing the drinks menu and asked if you want the Chilean or New Zealand? Most of us say we don’t mind, so of course they’re going to pour the most expensive. It’s also the case when asking for water: unless you stipulate tap (which restaurants that serve alcohol in are obliged to serve for free) they’ll bring you a bottle of still or sparkling. You should also figure out what works best value of money; wine to share with a friend may well work out more than a bottle. Finally, look for a BYOB (bring your own booze) restaurant, or ring the place you want to eat at first to see what their policy is. Some charge nothing, some charge corkage, while some will say it’s dependant on the type of alcohol you bring along.
PORTION CONTROL
Another easy way to cut down on spending is to consider how much you actually eat. Watch out for staff who may try to upsell you, or menus which highlight a larger dish than standard. Look at it this way: do you really need a large fish and chips when a medium portion will easily fill you up? Alternatively, look at the menu and see if it’s kinder on your finances if you order a few smaller dishes – especially if you’re there with friends. You’ll eat slower due to chatting away, which makes you fuller without even realising. Why? It takes about 20 minutes for the brain to register fullness after you start your meal. Drink a large glass of water before you head out, too: your body may think you’re really hungry when it could be telling you you’re thirsty. Finally, if possible eat something light before you head out: a few crackers or even a yoghurt means you won’t arrive thinking you’re hungrier than you really are.
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
There are plenty of other ways to eat out for less, this time considering what options you have available. Fancy a bit of part-time work, even if it’s just a few hours a week? Not only will you see your bank balance go up but it’s worth bearing in mind that after your shift, or even during your break, you’ll most likely be able to order a dish for no charge. If, however you don’t fancy working while studying you could instead spend your free time being a mystery shopper. Companies such as larger pub and restaurant chains want to know how well their business is doing, including customer service, food quality, cleanliness and more. As a general rule you pay for your meal, write up your experience then send it back, before your bill’s reimbursed
OUR SURVEY SAYS
Still looking for ways to enjoy a meal out for less? Email your local paper and ask if they’re interested in you writing reviews for a fee, which you can then use to spend to eat out. Alternatively, speak to someone in charge of your university’s website to see if they want you to write a review for free. Just like a mystery shopper, restaurants and pubs close to where you study find this marketing tactic equally as appealing and again should offer you the meal for free. Not something you like the idea of? Sign up to newsletters offered on the websites of restaurants you want to eat at. You’ll receive up-to-date information on discounts being run, as well as usually getting an email on your birthday giving you the option of a free dish, drink or good discount. It really is that simple!
Box-out
5 apps for meals out
Money Saving Expert (iOS, Android, free)
Enjoy on-the-go access to guides, news and blogs to save money and get deals to cut your food costs and more.
Square Meal (iOS, Android, free)
Find restaurants and offers nearby, filtering by price, cuisine and reviews. You even collect rewards points every time you book through the app.
Tastecard (iOS, Android, free)
Enjoy thousands of lower prices at restaurants up and down the country such as 2-4-1 offers plus discounted prices for many big-name chains.
The Fork (iOS, Android, free)
This booking platform brings you unique and affordable culinary experiences – just key in your location to know where to head.
Uni Food (iOS, Android, free)
This is your one-stop-shop for eats on campus, ordering meals at uni as well as unlocking exclusive deals and offers.
