13 Easy Ways To Save Money On Dining (2024)

It’s so nice to be able to go out to restaurants again, but with prices being what they are, a lot of us are looking for ways to save money wherever we can. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the occasional restaurant meal, especially because there are a number of ways to save money on dining.

Finding ways to make dining out affordable is a practice I am all too familiar with. With four hungry kids to feed back they were younger, we didn’t do a lot of dining out, but on the rare occasions we did, I was always conscious of making sure we got the most bang for our buck as possible.

Between my own experience and some additional research, I came up with the following list of 13 tips for saving money when dining out. Dining out on occasion helps support local restaurants, and with the help of these tips, it’s easier to do so without breaking the bank.

13 Easy Ways To Save Money On Dining

1. Eat Lunch Instead Of Dinner

On average, lunch menus are 25 percent cheaper than dinner menus, with the main difference being portion size. If you have the flexibility to dine out for lunch rather than dinner, it can be a simple way to save money (not to mention cut out a few calories!)

2. Ask AboutSpecials

Many restaurants offer daily or weekly specials that their customers can take advantage of. If you don’t see a specials board or menu before it’s time to order, ask your waiter if they have any specials today. They’re usually a good deal, and it never hurts to ask!

3. Skip The Drinks

Alcoholic beverages are some of the most highly marked up items on any restaurant menu. Skipping the drinks or bringing your own bottle of wine with you can save you a lot of money on your meal overall, even if you do have to pay a modest corkage fee for the wine.

4. Don’t Judge A Restaurant By Its Storefront

Thanks to social media and review sites, it’s never been easier to find cheap eats that are every bit as delicious as the meals at a sit-down restaurant. Food joints in hole-in-the-wall locations, strip malls, and food trucks have a lot less overhead than traditional restaurants, making it easier for them to offer attractive low prices that you can benefit from.

5. Choose Foods You Don’t Eat At Home

When you’re on a budget, dining out often feels like a special occasion, so why not treat it like one? Not only could you easily make a burger, chicken, or pasta at home, but they’re often marked up more than other dishes as restaurants. Dishes that star seafood, beef, or pork may cost a few dollars more, but you get more value for your money.

6. Save Some For Later

Especially at restaurants that are notorious for serving large portions, consider sharing or taking home leftovers. You can split a meal with someone in your dining party, or eat your fill and have the rest of it boxed up. Just make sure to order dishes that will keep well and make good leftovers (which excludes pretty much any salad, unfortunately!)

7. Use Social Media

Follow the Instagram profiles, Facebook pages, and Twitter feeds of your favorite restaurants and eateries. Many restaurants use their social media channels to spread the word about secret or exclusive deals and special events. And when you’re headed out to one of those restaurants, be sure to check their social media pages before you leave — just in case!

8. Take Advantage Of Discounts

Grouponoften has great deals for restaurants, and it’s a great way to save money while trying places you haven’t gone before. Entertainment is another online option that offers hundreds of 2-for-1 and 50% off coupons for restaurants, though you do need to be a member to take advantage of them.

And finally, don’t forget about credit cards — many cards offer cash back on restaurant purchases. Check out Nerd Wallet to find out which credit cards are best for earning rewards or cash back on dining.

9. Double Check Your Bill

When you’re getting ready to pay at a restaurant, examine the bill closely. Some restaurants add an automatic gratuity to checks for larger parties while others charge an automatic gratuity to everyone. If you see gratuity added to your check, make sure to find out what their policy is, and if it was added by mistake, kindly point it out to your server.

10. Earn Rewards

With services likeNeighboorhood Nosh, you can earn 10% cash back every time you dine out, and it’s free to sign up.Search on their websiteto find participating local restaurants, and remember to pay with the card linked to your account. Take a survey about the experience within 30 days to earn the cash back, and when your balance reaches $20, Neighboorhood Nosh will send you an American Express gift card. It may take a few minutes of effort, but in the end it’s free money!

11. Research Before You Go

Look at restaurant menus online before going out so you can decide in advance what will fit within your budget. Taking a few minutes to plan ahead is an easy way to avoid accidentally overspending.

12. Have A Dining Budget

It is okay to spend money on things you love to do, and who doesn’t love eating? (Especially when someone else is doing the cooking and washing the dishes!) But if you’re trying to cut costs or stick to a budget, you need to know how much money you can afford to put toward dining in order to avoid overdoing it. If you need a hand establishing a dining budget, consider trying the envelope budgeting method — it’s simple and it works!

13. Redefine “Dining Out”

In addition to someone else doing the cooking and cleaning, another thing we love about dining out is the ambiance and change of scenery. And these can easily be found outside of sit-down restaurants!You can save quite a bit by replacing a few of your restaurant outings with picnics in the park — pick up some gourmet sandwiches or fancy cheeses and crackers, and you’ll have an enjoyable meal (along with a great view if you pick your picnic spot wisely!)

Don’t forget to tip your servers for good service with all the money you save! :-)

What are your besttips for saving money on dining?