News & Trending Money News

14 Ways To Save Money Eating out (Without Looking Cheap)

Intentional choices while dining out can help you trim the final bill.

brunch bar restaurant
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

The cost of dining out seems to be getting more expensive. Although rising costs are pushing the tab for many restaurantgoers, there are some ways to stretch your restaurant budget without looking cheap.

Here are some options to help make your dining experience more affordable.

Earn $200 cash rewards bonus with this incredible card

There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card(Rates and fees) has no annual fee and you can earn $200 after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

The Active Cash Card puts cash back into your wallet. Cardholders can earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases — easy! That's one of the best cash rewards options available.

This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable). Which is great for someone who wants a break from high interest rates, while still earning rewards.

The best part? There's no annual fee.

Click here to apply now.

Opt for lunch

annanahabed/Adobe Food orders on the kitchen table in the restaurant.

When you choose to eat lunch instead of dinner at a restaurant, you might be surprised by more affordable price points for popular menu items.

If you can squeeze a lunchtime date into your schedule, your wallet might thank you.

Look for coupons

cherryandbees/Adobe friends dinning at fancy restaurant

Many restaurants offer coupons to loyal customers and new customers. Consider setting up an email address just for coupons to help you keep track of deals without cluttering your main inbox.

Depending on where you go, you can order directly through an app, so no one will know you’ve used a coupon.

Go out for just dessert

alfa27/Adobe plate of dessert in a restaurant

If you want a night out without the price tag, consider going out only for desserts. In general, this will lead to a much smaller bill because you’ll already have eaten your main meal at home.

Stop overpaying when you shop online

Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.

Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.

Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!1

Get Capital One Shopping now

Take some of your meal home

panya99/Adobe restaurant table with leftover meals besides water

Restaurant meals are often oversized. If you can take around half of your meal home, it’s a double win. Not only will you get two meals out of one dinner, but you’ll also save your waistline.

Go on a Tuesday

Jacob Lund/Adobe friends chilling out at a restaurant

Many restaurants are slow on Tuesdays, which leads to special deals. If you want a cheaper meal, seek out the deals around town. You’ll likely find a wide selection of meal deals on Tuesday nights.

Find ‘kids eat free’ nights

tashechka/Adobe toddler excited about burger at restaurant

Some restaurants offer free meals to children on certain nights of the week. Of course, the goal is to get parents to pay full price for a meal. But when you factor in free food for your kid, the savings might make it a better deal.

Jump to the main course

chika_milan/Adobe friends having dinner at restaurant

Appetizers can be tempting. But if possible, stick with the main entrees and skip the appetizer section to avoid a ballooning bill.

Sometimes, restaurants offer free apps, like bread or chips and salsa. Ask if the offered option is free before accepting.

Only go for appetizers

Katrin Kovac/Adobe happy senior couple at mexican restaurant

On the flip side, only eating appetizers is one option for a cheap night out. Instead of jumping to the main course, pick a few appetizers to split.

This might work best if you eat a snack before going out. You’ll still get to enjoy quality time out without sticker shock at the end of the night.

Skip the fancy wine

AYAimages/Adobe friends having dinner at outdoor restaurant

If you opt for a glass of wine with dinner, consider skipping the fanciest bottle on the menu. In many cases, a more affordable wine will still taste delicious.

Earn money online by taking surveys

$55,000 might sound crazy … but with a company called Survey Junkie, it’s possible to get your share of it every day by taking their surveys in your extra time.

Follow these simple steps to start earning:

  1. Sign up for an account with Survey Junkie here.
  2. Take surveys.
  3. Repeat daily and get paid for sharing your opinion!

P.S.: You can cash out with as little as $5 through PayPal or bank transfer, or transfer to gift cards from a number of stores.

Get your share of $55,000 daily by signing up here

Seek out happy hour

Marcos/Adobe woman eating mexican tacos at restaurant

Happy hour isn’t strictly for alcohol. Restaurants often offer half-priced appetizers as part of their happy hour deals. Heading out early for dinner could help you save big on your night on the town.

Pay attention to the specials

Syda Productions/Adobe happy friends enjoying at lunch

Many restaurants offer specials to keep the menu exciting. Sometimes, the specials are more affordable than the meals listed on the main menu. Paying attention to the specials can help you find a better meal with a lower price tag.

Ask about refills

Drobot Dean/Adobe beautiful girls sitting at table talking to each other while drinking soda

Although many restaurants offer free refills, that’s not always the case. I learned this lesson the hard way when paying the bill at my local Mexican restaurant.

I thought refills were free, but my two glasses of tea ended up costing me $7. If free refills aren’t mentioned on the menu, ask your server about the refill policy before agreeing to another glass.

Sign up for birthday deals

Drobot Dean/Adobe cheerful woman celebrating birthday in restaurant

If you want to eat on the cheap during your birthday month, sign up for different birthday clubs at your favorite restaurants. The coupons could make your celebrations especially affordable.

Opt for a more affordable restaurant

None

Different restaurants have different price points. If possible, head to a more affordable restaurant. Once there, the menu will be more in line with your budget.

Bottom line

asean studio/Adobe couple eating lunch in a rooftop restaurant

Going out to eat can be a real treat. But it pays to be intentional about your choices if you want to keep your spending in check while dining out.

You can also save money by paying for dinner with one of the best cash back credit cards, which will put more cash in your wallet later.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details