1. Chat

Is Eating out Too Expensive?

Other

so Pizza Express, along with the likes of Byron and Jamie's Italian, have reported to be struggling on the high street. And tbh I have not stepped foot in one of those restaurants in a while

Is it far too expensive to eat out these days?

hspexy
over a year ago
What do you think of this?+20 points
Advertisement
SuzJ

We used to do a lot of groupon deals though we haven't for a while. The deals were always good but you'd spend as much again on drinks if they weren't included. We don;t eat out much but when we do it's generally at one of the Hungry Horse chains - two meals for £8 or the like. Nice enough but very much you get what you pay for.

Like
Reply1
hspexy

yes, there do seem to be quite a lot of places that offer similar deals, but again, they charge separately for drinks, which I imagine helps them cover any shortfalls

Like
Reply
SuzJ

hspexy I guess it'd depend how frugal you wanted to be - it'd be possible to go out just with the voucher and order tap water but we feel guilty about that personally - especially as we're not usually returning customers.

Like
Reply1
hspexy

SuzJ I know what you mean. In the grand scheme of things, I may consider the drink order as an addition to their tips/service charge, as it is not much really. But then sometimes you see the prices of the drinks, and you know you are being ripped off

Like
Reply
Yahya

Not if you plan and book ahead, always deals to be had when you go out, highly competitve

Like
Reply1
Johnny

Yes, eating out is far too expensive in the UK.

Here’s some ideas to reduce your dining out bill (without resorting to discounts, vouchers, cheap chain restaurants, and all that stuff)

1. Look up the menu online in advance and study carefully what things cost. What’s cheap? Sometimes it’s the appetisers, sometimes it’s the deserts, and often – surprisingly - it’s the side dishes. A little bit of planning about what you are, and are not, going to eat or drink, can save you ££.

2. Eat something at home just before you go out (like an apple). This’ll help you skip the appetiser!

3. Always ask for tap water (in addition to a paid drink, if you must). Bottled water is a total waste of money.

4. Skip the expensive alcohol, or look out for deals with a free glass of wine included, or

restaurants where you can BYOB (bring your own bottle) without paying a corkage charge. Always ask about the BYOB policy & corkage charge when you book (even if you're not intending to do it this time) – the answer may pleasantly surprise you

5. If you’re a couple, instead of ordering two small entrees – share a large one between you

6. Eat the free bread if it’s offered, and ask for more. If they bring a bread basket take two rolls not one, the bread basket may not come back! If you're a light eater still take two rolls, and give the second one to you know who. (Don't refuse free food!)

7. Side dishes are often cheap, adding two or three side dishes to your shared entrée can work out much better value than buying two separate entrees

8. In a decent restaurant the cheese board can sometimes be much better value than desert, and well worth skipping the appetiser for.

9. Have your coffees at home

10. Ask the restaurant to pack up any left overs for you and take then home for dinner tomorrow. You've paid for them.

Like
Reply1
hspexy

great list of tips and advice - will definitely help people save some money when dining on a night out. Thanks

Like
Reply1
cherylmmason62

It all depends on where you go obviously. Ego restaurants offer on a Tuesday a £5.00 steak night. Ive found that to be a good deal.

Like
Reply1
hspexy

I have never come across ego restaurants before - I must look them up! thanks

Like
Reply
HannahSunderlan

I have to be honest if I know I’m going out for a meal I’ll always look for a deal first! Unless it’s a birthday or another occasion where the restaurant hasn’t already been picked by someone else. I think it’s such a competitive market especially things like Byron burgers, they’re kind of expensive when you consider that’s it’s just a burger? Theres so many different burger places around!

Like
Reply1
hspexy

I agree, and they are all trying to lure people in with offers, but sometimes not so successfully. I know GBK have been trying to tempt me with emails about how I can get burgers and sides for only £5.95, but the price is only during weekdays, and between 12pm-5pm,which are times I would not be visiting. And knowing that they are not busy at weekends or evenings in general, you'd think they would extend the offers

Like
Reply1
HannahSunderlan

hspexy I get those emails too and the hours are always so inconvenient for someone who does a 9-5. Weekend offers would definitely appeal to me more because that’s my time to relax after working all week x

Like
Reply1
ACR

It can be, but there is a lot of choice to suit most budgets. There are lots of offers around as well to help bring costs down.

Like
Reply1
One of the UK's largest deal hunting communities

Join for free to get genuine deals, money saving advice and help from our friendly community

Tom Church
Co-Founder &
Chief Bargain Hunter
Tom Church, Co-Founder
Want deals & discounts automatically?
+100 bonus points!
Latest Deals Browser Extension
Latest Deals Mobile App
  • Download our app
  • 1,000+ new deals every day
  • Earn free Amazon vouchers
  • Daily deal alerts - never miss the best offers!
  • Download the Latest Deals iOS AppDownload the Latest Deals Android App
Latest Deals
Disclaimer

The content on Latest Deals is a combination of information submitted by members of the public and the Latest Deals team. Whilst we make every effort to try and ensure genuine, accurate content we cannot guarantee it. Please always carry out your own due diligence and double check the details of an offer on the retailer's own website.

How this site works
  • To cover the site's running costs, Latest Deals uses affiliate links.
  • If you click on a link to an external website and make a purchase, Latest Deals may earn a commission.
  • We allow deals to be shared on Latest Deals irrelevant of whether or not they generate us money. Our #1 concern is helping you save money.
  • If you have any questions about how the site works, drop us a message. We're always happy to help.
Copyright © 2024 Latest Deals Limited
Registered in England and Wales. Company number 10286141. 124 City Road, London, England, EC1V 2NX