Dining out on a budget

When dining out on a budget, you should first determine a specific amount you're comfortable spending. This will give you a clear guideline to follow and help you make informed decisions about where and what to eat. Having a budget will prevent you from overspending and allow you to enjoy meals without financial stress.

If you’re unsure of how to set a budget, browse menus online of high-street restaurants to figure out the kind of pricing for the specific dishes you may pick.

One of our top tips on how to save money on restaurants is to keep an eye out for special offers, coupons, and discounts. Many restaurants have happy hour deals, lunch specials, or promotions on specific days of the week. Take advantage of these opportunities to save money. Some restaurants may even have loyalty programs or reward cards that offer discounts, so consider signing up for those. 

With a tastecard subscription, you can gain access to a whole load of discounts and savings in thousands of eateries across the entirety of the UK. Enjoy plenty of  2 for 1 meals or 25% off the total bill , as well as tons of other deals on cinema ticket discounts, up to 50% off pizza deliveries and so much more.

While they are appealing, high-end restaurants can be quite expensive. There are plenty of dining out on a budget friendly options available that can give you just as good and memorable an experience. Consider food trucks, cafes, diners, or small local eateries, as they often offer delicious food at much lower prices. These types of establishments can provide unique dining experiences while being more friendly to your finances compared to high-end establishments, and even well-known brands.

Another tip for how to save money while eating out is to pay attention to additional costs that can add up quickly. You could skip starters and desserts, as they are often priced higher compared to main dishes. But if you're using your tastecard to dine at a 2 for 1 restaurant, go ahead and treat yourself!

If you fancy a coffee at any point, with a tastecard membership you’re in luck! When you join tastecard, you’re automatically entered into the UK’s largest coffee club and are entitled to 25% off barista-made drinks at Caffè Nero and a whole range of independent coffee shops and cafés. So whether you’re thirsty for a coffee or fancy treating yourself to an ice-cold fruity frappé, you can rely on tastecard to get you those savings.