20+ Savvy Ways to Save Money at Restaurants

Dining out is rarely your most cost-effective option if you compare ordering four restaurant meals to preparing four meals at home. But being frugal doesn’t have to mean giving up restaurant dining completely.

If you love to eat out, there are plenty of ways to save money at restaurants. In fact, there are many ways to make restaurant eating even more cost-effective than cooking at home.

How to Save Money at Restaurants

Some of these tips may not apply to you. And some of them, you may already have figured out for yourself. Remember: If you’re eating out for enjoyment, don’t follow any savings tip that’s going to make you enjoy it less.

Otherwise, what’s the point? Just follow the cost-saving tips that sound agreeable to you. Note: we’ve saved the very best tip for last!

Always Bring Leftovers Home

Bag up the leftovers unless you’re absolutely sure you won’t eat them. You can often get 2-3 meals out of a single restaurant trip because the portions are big enough for multiple meals, or at least a meal and a snack.

That’s a great savings right there, and that’s why restaurant eating can actually be more cost-effective than cooking at home.

Go For Lunch Menus

If you can eat while the lunch menu is still on (especially on weekdays), you’ll often get excellent bargains designed to lure in business people. Sometimes they have smaller portions of the same meals they serve at dinner.

Other times they have entirely different and more affordable offerings. It can be a great way to explore new restaurants too!

Choose Restaurants with Daily Specials

In addition to lunch menus, many restaurants offer daily specials that aren’t always listed on the regular menu. These specials can provide good value for money because they often feature ingredients that are in season or dishes the chef wants to promote.

Call ahead or check the restaurant’s website or social media pages to see if they have any special deals on the day you plan to visit.

Switch to Water with Lemon

Beverages and alcohol are where restaurants make their highest profit. Drink free water and you’ll be saving at least a few dollars per person per meal.

If you don’t want to do that, you could try reducing the number of cocktails, beers or wine glasses you have when you eat out. If you drink soft drinks and don’t want to stop, just forget this tip.

Bring Your Own Bottle

Not every restaurant allows this, but some let you bring your own wine bottles. In most cases, you’ll save a lot doing this.

If the restaurant charges such high corkage fees that it makes bringing your own bottle just as expensive as buying by the glass, then consider ordering a bottle for the table rather than one glass at a time.

Again, that will save you compared to everyone buying by the glass.

Go for Smaller Portions or Kids’ Meals

If you’re dining in, most restaurants don’t let adults eat from the kids’ menu. But if you’re ordering to do or delivery, you can order what you want.

Sometimes the kids meals are smaller versions of some of the adult meals, and this can be a great way to save money. Some places also offer half-portions on certain menu items, which can be a good way to save money without wasting food.

Use Apps and Websites for Deals

There are many apps and websites designed to help you save money when dining out. Apps like Groupon, Yelp Deals, and OpenTable often have discount offers, coupons, or cash-back rewards for restaurants in your area.

Signing up for these services is usually free, and you can find some great discounts if you’re willing to look.

Frequent Diner/Rewards cards

Some restaurants offer cards that track your spending and give you freebies. Watch out: some of them give you an expiration on the points you collect to encourage you to come in more often so you’ll get your freebie.

That’s a false economy: the best way to save money at restaurants is not to go more often than you really enjoy.

Share Meals with Friends or Family

Sharing meals can be a smart way to cut costs. Many dishes at restaurants are large enough to share between two people, especially pasta dishes, pizzas, or larger entrees.

This not only saves money but can also help reduce food waste. Just make sure that sharing doesn’t take away from your enjoyment of the meal.

Some restaurants don’t allow you to share at the table. Others will cheerfully bring you an extra plate. When you order to go or delivery, you can do whatever you like!

Order To Go

When you order to go, you can skip the overpriced beverages and drink something at home. While you should tip the hostess or bartender who packages the to go food, it doesn’t have to be 20% like it is with table service. 

Skip Dessert

Dessert is a high profit items that isn’t as cost-effective as the main entrees. For example, you could buy a whole cheesecake (6-8 servings) from the Cheesecake Factory and enjoy it at home for the cost of 3-4 servings at the restaurant. 

Or you could get one at the grocery store for even less. Or make your own cheesecake for even less than that, if you don’t count the time it takes you.

If you really want dessert – believe me, I get it – see if you can split one to save some money. The portions are often ridiculously big for one person anyway.

Avoid Peak Dining Hours

Dining during off-peak hours can sometimes lead to discounts or special offers. Some restaurants have early bird specials or happy hour menus before the main dinner rush. These deals often include reduced prices on food and drinks.

Plus, eating earlier or later than usual might mean faster service and a quieter environment.

Order Appetizers to Share

If you can agree on what to eat, order appetizers from which everyone will grab individual servings. Note that at most mid-price restaurants, appetizers are a fantastic value (twice as much food as the meals for a couple of dollars less), but at others, they’re a waste (almost the price of a meal, and maybe half the food).

But even then, if they’re all the table eats, they’re almost certain to be a bargain compared to individual meals.

Order an Appetizer Instead of a Meal

Along the same lines as the previous tip, you can order an appetizer for yourself rather than a meal, no matter what the rest of the table does.

There are lots of restaurant appetizers that make good meals: a nachos plate, a basket of chicken fingers and fries, a veggie plate, etc. In many cases, they’ll be at least a couple of dollars less than a meal, but just as filling and enjoyable.

Take Advantage of Birthday or Anniversary Offers

Many restaurants offer special deals or freebies if you visit on your birthday or anniversary. This might include a free dessert, appetizer, or even a discount on your meal.

Sign up for restaurant newsletters or loyalty programs to get notifications about these perks.

Limit Your Visits to Restaurants You Really Love

To get the most value from dining out, focus on restaurants where you truly enjoy the food and experience. It’s better to spend a little more occasionally at places you really like than to eat out frequently just because it’s convenient.

This way, each restaurant visit feels special and worth the cost.

Consider Buffet or All-You-Can-Eat Options

Buffets and all-you-can-eat spots can be cost-effective if you’re really hungry or dining with a group. These places usually offer a wide variety of foods at one fixed price. 

Use Gift Cards at a Discount

Sometimes restaurants offer gift cards at a discount, or have buy one get one free deals. Websites like Raise.com or CardCash sometimes sell gift cards for less than their face value.

Just make sure the gift card is valid for the restaurant you want to visit and check for any expiration dates or restrictions.

Fill Up on Free Bread or Chips

Many restaurants serve free bread, chips, or other small snacks when you sit down. No, don’t go to a restaurant and order water and expect to dine on the free bread or chips.

You need to order something, but these freebies can allow you to order a smaller entrée or skip an appetizer altogether.

Explore Food Trucks and Pop-Up Eateries

Food trucks and pop-up eateries often serve tasty meals at lower prices than traditional restaurants. These options can give you a chance to try new foods without breaking the bank. They’re especially popular in urban areas and at events like farmers markets.

Don’t Skimp on Tips

While it might be tempting to tip less when trying to save money, remember that servers rely heavily on tips for their income. In about half of US states, servers only have to be paid $2.13 per hour by the restaurant, and many aren’t paid anymore than that. No one can live on that, obviously.

If you want to skip the tips, avoid restaurants with table service. Choose the ones where you get your own food at the counter and take care of yourself. Although if a server comes over to refill drinks or something, I’d still leave a dollar or two on the table.