How to Eat Out for Less (Without Giving It Up)

Eating out is one of life’s real pleasures, and it doesn’t have to go. But restaurant prices have been rising faster than grocery prices for a while, so a little strategy goes a long way.

Skip delivery when you can

Delivery is the most expensive way to eat restaurant food. Between menu markups on apps, delivery fees, service fees and a tip, a $25 order can easily cost $35 or more. Ordering directly from the restaurant for pickup usually avoids most of those extra charges.

If you use delivery often, compare the cost of a delivery membership against how many orders you actually place each month.

Eat at the right time

• Lunch menus: Many restaurants serve similar dishes at lunch for less.
• Happy hour: Discounted appetizers can make a full meal.
• Early-bird and weekday specials: Common at family restaurants.
• Kids-eat-free nights: Worth looking up for your local spots.

Use rewards you already have

• Sign up for your favorite restaurants’ loyalty programs; many give a free item on your birthday or after a certain number of visits.
• Check whether a credit card you already pay in full has a dining category with extra cash back.
• Gift cards bought at a discount from warehouse clubs can be a small win for places you visit regularly.

Order smarter

• Drinks are where restaurants make money. Water instead of soda or cocktails can save several dollars per person.
• Share an appetizer or dessert instead of ordering one each.
• Portions are often big enough for two meals. Take half home for lunch.
• Check the bill. Mistakes happen, and some restaurants now add service fees you should know about before tipping on top.

Set a dining budget

Decide what you want to spend on restaurants each month and track it separately, either with a dedicated debit card or a spending category in your banking app. When it’s gone, it’s gone until next month. That makes each meal out feel like a treat instead of a habit.

Make home more fun. Recreate a favorite takeout dish once a week. A homemade “fake-out” night costs a fraction of delivery and can become a family tradition.

The bottom line

You don’t need to give up restaurants. Pick up instead of delivering, aim for lunch and specials, watch the drinks and fees, and give eating out its own budget.