7 ways you can eat out without blowing the budget

Many of us have had to cut back on our spending to cope with higher mortgage repayments or rent and the rising cost of living. Having a meal at a restaurant, however, appears to be one expense many Aussies don’t want to sacrifice. Canstar’s latest Consumer Pulse Report found that when faced with higher living costs and still trying to put aside money to achieve their savings goals, 24% of Aussies were reluctant to give up dining out. This was tied in third position with gifts and behind travel (26%) and celebrating milestones (25%).

Given the 2024 Hospitality Insights and Dining Dynamics Report estimates the average Aussie eats out around 38 times a year (which works out to be approximately three times a month) the costs can certainly add up.

The good news is that there are a number of ways you can eat out without blowing the budget. Here are seven to consider.

1. Pay ahead of time

You can often get good deals by paying ahead. Group buying sites such as Groupon and Scoopon offer deals with discounts of up to 50% not unusual. You simply pick a deal that you like, pay for it and the site then gives you a voucher that you can redeem.

Terms and conditions vary depending on the offer and the site that you’re on so it pays to read the fine print. Pay particular attention to the days and times you can use the deal, the expiry date as well as cancellation conditions. It’s also a good idea to research the actual merchant to make sure they’re reputable and look out for a sound refund policy and buyer protection to help ensure peace of mind.

To give you an idea of the types of offers, at the time of writing on Groupon you could get a three-course Italian dinner with pasta and cocktail on arrival for two people at La Bella Trattoria and Bar in the Sydney CBD for $69.88. The total value is normally $149, representing a potential saving of 53%.

2. Eat at certain times

They say “the early bird gets the dinner deal” at firsttable.com.au. Here restaurants list the time their “first table” of breakfast, lunch or dinner is available. You pay $10 to book a table and you’ll get 50% off the food bill for two, three or four diners. Drinks aren’t included in the 50% so you’ll have to pay full price for those. And a word of warning –  be sure to come on time because if you are more than 15 minutes late the deal is off. It’s also worth noting that some restaurants may have certain items that are unavailable for the First Table offer. Look out for these under special conditions when you’re making your booking. Hint: If you’re keen to try out First Table it’s worth googling for a promo discount code to only pay $5 for your first booking rather than $10.

3. Get up-and-coming chefs to cook for you

There are a number of training restaurants, many of which are associated with TAFEs, that can be found all around Australia. They give trainee chefs the opportunity to gain real-life experience and the advantage for you is that the prices are very affordable. Prices differ but you can expect to pay around $40 to $50 for a three-course meal – some even throw in a glass of wine. Google training restaurants in your area to see what you can find.

4. Look for last-minute deals

The EatClub app lets restaurants post targeted offers “when they have spare tables to fill or want extra demand for their kitchen”. Often these are last-minute offers so the app is ideal if you’re about to walk out the door but still unsure about where you want to eat. Through the app, restaurants can fill their empty tables and you can eat out and potentially save as much as 50% – and that includes drinks. You just need to redeem the offer through the app and use your digital EatClub Card at the restaurant to pay.

5. Check out pre-theatre dinner offers

It’s worth looking out for restaurants that offer pre-theatre dining. You may be able to score a two- or three-course meal for a great price. You need to be prepared to go early and there won’t be time to linger – the idea is that you’re served quickly so that you can make the show – but pre-theatre deals can be a good way to nab an affordable meal at a nice restaurant.

6. Keep an eye open for specials

The Happiest Hour website and app can help you find food and drink specials near you. You can search by location, time or type of special – for example burgers or tacos.

7. Say it’s your birthday

Many restaurants and fast food chains will give you a free or discounted meal for your birthday. Generally, you have to sign up for the store’s loyalty program to secure this offer. A voucher is usually sent to you via email in the lead-up to your birthday but it varies between providers. As a taste of what’s on offer, you could get a $15 voucher from Nando’s.

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