How can you eat out for less without feeling you missed out?
The simplest way to eat out for less is to change when and how you order, not whether you go. Pick a set menu or a lunch special, choose off peak hours, check the price of drinks and extras, and use a deal only when its terms fit your plans.
This guide shows how to eat out for less step by step. You will see what a set menu is, how to test if it saves money, which times are usually cheaper, and which deals deserve your attention. We also cover the hidden costs that most savings tips skip. And we say plainly when none of this will help.
Searching for this usually means one of two things. You want a quick list of tactics, or you want to know which tactic gives the biggest saving. We cover both. All numbers below are examples only. They are round figures to show the maths, not real prices. Use any currency you like.
Here is the core idea. A restaurant bill has four parts: food, drinks, extras and tips or fees. Most guides only attack the food. The biggest savings often hide in the other three.
What is a set menu and is it really cheaper?
A set menu is a fixed price meal with a limited choice. It might be two or three courses, or a main and a drink. The restaurant picks the dishes. You pick from a short list. Names differ around the world. You may see prix fixe, fixed menu, menu of the day, lunch combo, teishoku, thali or business lunch. The idea is the same.
Set menus can save money because the kitchen plans ahead. Fewer dishes mean less waste and faster service. The restaurant can pass some of that benefit to you. But a set menu is not always a bargain. You need to check it.
A quick worked example (numbers are illustrative only).
- Set menu: starter, main and dessert for 30 units.
- If you ordered the same three dishes from the regular menu: starter 9, main 22, dessert 8. Total 39.
- Saving: 9 units, or about 23 percent.
Now change the case. Say you would never order dessert. Your real comparison is starter plus main, which is 31 units. The set menu at 30 saves almost nothing, and you buy a dessert you did not want. In that case the set menu is not a deal for you.
What to check before you choose a set menu:
- Would you actually order every course on the regular menu?
- Does the set menu include the dishes you like, or only the cheaper ones?
- Are there supplements, such as an extra charge for a steak or fish option?
- Is a drink included? If so, is it one you would buy?
- Is the portion size the same as the regular menu?
- Is it served all day, or only at set hours?
A good rule: compare the set menu with the exact items you would order, not with a full three course meal you would never eat.
When is the cheapest time to eat out?
Off peak times are usually the cheapest. Restaurants have empty tables at certain hours. They fill them with lower prices, special menus or extra perks. The pattern is similar in many countries, though local habits differ.
Common off peak windows:
- Weekday lunch. Many places offer a lunch menu that is cheaper than dinner for similar food.
- Early evening. Some restaurants run an early bird menu before the main dinner rush. Early might mean 5 pm in one country and 7 pm in another. Look at local dining hours.
- Late evening. A few places discount near closing. This is less common and less reliable.
- Midweek. Monday to Wednesday is often quieter than Friday and Saturday.
- Happy hour. Cheaper drinks and snacks in the late afternoon.
- Shoulder season. In tourist areas, the months between busy and quiet seasons can bring lower prices or more offers.
Lunch is often the best single move. The same restaurant may serve a main course at lunch for noticeably less than at dinner. Example: a dinner main at 24 units might appear as a 15 unit lunch special with a drink. The room is the same. The cook is the same. You eat at a different hour.
How to find the real off peak hours:
- Open the restaurant's own website or its map listing. Look for the menu page and any "lunch" or "early" label.
- Check the hours printed next to each menu. Some deals end at a fixed time, and orders must be placed before it.
- Look at the "popular times" chart if the listing has one. Pick the quiet bars.
- Call or message if the details are unclear. A short question can save a wasted trip.
Off peak also helps in ways that are not about price. You wait less. Service can be more relaxed. You may get a better table. Those are real benefits even when the saving is small.
Which restaurant deals and coupons are worth using?
Not every deal saves money. A deal helps only if you would have gone there anyway, or if it moves you to a place you like at a lower cost. A deal that pushes you to spend more is not a saving.
Common types of restaurant deal:
- Percentage off the bill. Easy to understand. Check if it applies to food only, or also to drinks.
- Two for one mains. Good for pairs. Useless if you eat alone.
- Set price vouchers. You pay in advance for a fixed meal. Check the expiry date and the restaurant's rules.
- Loyalty schemes. You earn points or stamps. Worth it only if you already visit often.
- App offers. Some chains give discounts for ordering or paying in their app.
- Kids eat free or family deals. Check the limits on age, number of children and days.
- Student, senior or local resident discounts. Often need proof. Ask before you order.
- Birthday offers. Usually need sign up in advance and a valid ID.
What to check in the terms:
- Minimum spend. A 20 percent discount that needs a 60 unit spend may push you to order more than you planned.
- Excluded days. Many offers do not apply on weekends, holidays or special dates.
- Excluded items. Drinks, set menus and special dishes are often left out.
- Stacking. Most places do not let you combine two offers.
- Booking rules. Some deals need a reservation or a code at the time of booking.
- Expiry. Check the last date to use it, and whether you must book before it or eat before it.
A worked example (illustrative only). A voucher costs 20 units and gives 40 units of food. That looks like half price. But the terms say minimum spend 40 and no drinks included. If you would normally spend 35 on food, you are now ordering 5 extra units. And if you add two drinks at 5 each, you pay 10 on top. You pay 30 in total for a meal that would have cost 45. That is still a saving, but it is smaller than the headline suggests.
Buy vouchers only for places you already like. Use them soon. Unused vouchers are money wasted.
A note on our own listings. On 2026-11-06 we had no restaurant offer to feature in this guide. The only item in our food category was Home Delivered Cold-Pressed Dog Food from Nextrition Pet (US), which is pet food and not a dining deal. These details may have changed since then. Always check the current terms on the store's page.
How do you cut the cost of drinks, sides and extras?
Drinks are often where the bill grows. In many restaurants, drinks carry a higher markup than food. A few small choices can cut the total more than a cheaper main course.
- Ask for tap water. In many countries it is free and safe. In others it is not, so use local judgement. Bottled water can add a lot over a few meals.
- Skip the second round. One drink with the meal, then finish with tap water.
- Use happy hour for drinks. Order your drinks early, then switch to water for dinner.
- Share a side or a dessert. Portions are often large. Two people can share one.
- Order one starter for the table and a main each. Or two starters and no main, if portions are big.
- Look at the price of "free" extras. Bread, olives or chips at the table may be charged. Ask if it is unclear.
- Watch the refills. Some places offer free refills on soft drinks. Others charge for each glass.
A worked example (illustrative only). Two people each order a main at 15, a soft drink at 4 and a dessert at 7. Total: 52. Instead, they order the same mains, ask for tap water, and share one dessert. Total: 37. That is a 15 unit saving, or about 29 percent, with no change in where they eat.
What hidden costs can cancel out your savings?
This is the part most tips lists skip. A cheap menu price is not the final price. Check these before you sit down.
- Service charge. Some places add a fixed percentage to the bill. In others it is optional. Look at the menu and the receipt.
- Cover charge. A fee per person for sitting at the table. Common in some regions. It is usually shown on the menu.
- Tipping norms. Tipping varies widely by country. In some places it is expected and a large share of staff income. In others it is small or not needed. Learn the local custom and do not just copy home habits. Cutting staff pay is not a fair way to save.
- Card fees. A few places add a surcharge for card payments. Check the sign at the counter.
- Delivery and platform fees. If you order in, delivery fees, service fees and higher menu prices on apps can add a lot. Collecting the order yourself may cost less.
- Taxes. Some countries show prices with tax included. Others add it at the end. Do not compare two menus without knowing which they use.
- Travel cost. A cheaper restaurant across town may cost more once you add the fare or parking.
- Booking deposits. Some places take a deposit that you lose if you cancel late.
A quick check you can do in a minute. Before you order, ask yourself: what is the full price per person, with drinks, service and tax? Add that up on paper. Then compare. A 25 unit set menu with a 10 percent service charge and a 4 unit drink is about 31.50. A 28 unit set menu with no service charge and free water is 28. The second is cheaper, even though its headline price is higher.
What are the most common mistakes when trying to save?
- Choosing the deal, not the meal. You end up at a place you do not like, only for the discount.
- Ordering extra to meet a minimum spend. That wipes out the benefit.
- Comparing the wrong things. A set menu is only a saving if you would order those courses anyway.
- Forgetting the terms. Arriving with a voucher that is not valid that day.
- Buying vouchers you do not use. Expired credit is lost money.
- Skipping the booking rules. Some off peak menus need a reservation, or are not offered to walk ins at busy times.
- Under tipping where tips are expected. It is unfair and can lead to poor service or awkward moments.
- Treating every discount as a bargain. A high menu price with 30 percent off may still cost more than a fair price with no discount.
A useful habit is to compare final cost per person, not the size of the discount. A discount is only a percentage. What leaves your wallet is the total.
When does this advice not apply?
These tactics work well in many places, but not everywhere. Be honest with yourself about the limits.
- Special occasions. If you want a celebration dinner on a Saturday night, off peak hours will not help. Accept the cost or choose a simpler place.
- Places with no set menu or lunch deal. Some restaurants keep one price all day. Cheaper options may not exist.
- Cultures with low menu prices already. In regions where a local meal is already cheap, savings tactics may add little. A simple local place may beat any voucher.
- Dietary needs. Allergies and strict diets limit choice. A set menu may not suit you. Do not risk your health to save money.
- Tourist zones. Prices near major sights are often higher, and deals may be weaker. Walk a few streets away and check local reviews.
- Small independent places. They may not run formal deals. Be polite. Asking is fine, but do not expect a discount.
- If cooking at home is cheaper. For some meals, it simply is. Eating out is partly about the experience, and that has a price.
Saving money should not mean a poor meal. If the cheaper choice leaves you unhappy, it was not a saving.
A simple plan: how to eat out for less this week
Use this checklist. It takes about ten minutes.
- Decide your budget per person. Include drinks, service and tax.
- Choose the time. Try a weekday lunch or an early evening slot first.
- Look up two or three places. Read the menu page, not only the deal banner.
- Find any set menu or lunch special. Compare it with the items you would really order.
- Read the terms of any voucher or offer. Check minimum spend, excluded days and expiry.
- Check the extras. Service charge, cover charge, card fee and the price of water.
- Book if needed. Confirm the time and any deposit.
- Order with the plan. Tap water, one shared side, and no extras you do not want.
- Check the bill. Make sure the offer was applied and no charge is wrong.
Do this a few times and it becomes a habit. Over a month, the savings can be large, especially if you eat out often. You do not need to give up eating out. You just need to look at the full price before you go.
A short note on how we work. DealPortal may earn a commission when you use a link on our site, and this does not change the advice above.
FAQ: Eating out for less
What is the cheapest way to eat out?
Usually it is a weekday lunch special or a set menu in a simple local restaurant, with tap water instead of bottled drinks. Cheap does not always mean good value, so check the full price and the portion size. The best option is the one that gives you a meal you enjoy for a total you planned.
Are set menus cheaper than ordering from the regular menu?
Often, but not always. A set menu saves money only when you would order every course on the regular menu. Compare it with your real order, and check for supplements and drink charges.
What time of day is cheapest to eat at a restaurant?
Lunch and early evening are the most common cheap times. Midweek is often cheaper than weekends. Hours vary by country and by restaurant, so read the menu hours on the restaurant's own page.
Are restaurant vouchers and coupons worth it?
They can be, if you would visit the place anyway and the terms suit you. Check minimum spend, excluded days, excluded items and the expiry date. If the voucher makes you spend more than planned, the saving may disappear.
How can I save money on drinks when eating out?
Ask for tap water where it is safe and common. Use happy hour for the first drink. Limit yourself to one drink with the meal. Drinks often cost more than their food equivalent, so small changes add up quickly.
Is it rude to ask for a cheaper option or a discount?
Asking politely if there is a lunch menu or a set menu is normal. Asking for a discount on the regular price is less common and depends on the place and the country. Do not haggle in restaurants where prices are fixed.
Does tipping make eating out much more expensive?
It depends on where you are. In some countries tips are a large part of the bill and staff rely on them. In others they are small or not expected. Learn the local custom and include it in your budget, and do not skip it to save money where it is the norm.
