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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
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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Author Details

Sarah Sharkey

Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys diving into the details to help readers make more informed decisions. She covers mortgages, insurance, money management, travel, and more.