Cheaper Ways To Eat Out

As a student, I'm always trying to look for cheaper ways to eat out if it's a special occasion, as our loans don't stretch that far at all after buying books, food and drink! Last night, we went out for one of my friend's birthdays and when deciding where to go, the main factor we took into consideration was where we could use discount vouchers. It seems like such a simple solution to dining out for less money, yet if you ask most people whether they actually use vouchers, the answer will be no. The interesting thing is that, nowadays, obtaining the discounts is even easier before! There are voucher apps for smartphones such as 'Vouchercodes' and 'Vouchercloud' meaning that you can browse them on the go and decide where you want to go at short notice. In the restaurant, you simply click 'Get Voucher' and instantly a percentage of your food bill just disappears! 

Calzon'Pizza Salsiccia

So, as there was a discount at Zizzi's (Sun-Fri), thirteen of us headed to the Italian restaurant for 25% off our food bill. Since I had been there quite recently, I knew what I wanted straight away and ordered the 'Calzon'Pizza Salsiccia' which was a yummy half pizza, half calzone with hot n'Duja sausage and mascarpone on the pizza, with Cotto ham, pesto and rocket in the calzone. It retailed at £10.95 but I ended up paying £8.50 for it, which for me seems like an extremely reasonable price for a meal of this quality and quantity. It was huge, tasted absolutely delicious and was worth every single penny. The pizza side was fairly spicy, and was made more rich by the sausage, but complimented the cheese and the rocket which went really well together. The little pocket had a similar dough and finish to that of a garlic pizza bread, which then lead into soft and salty ham, basil pesto and mozzarella. These flavours and textures were softer and more mild than those of pizza side, but contrasted them perfectly. 

Using vouchers isn't the only way to save money when eating out though. Here are a number of other tips that I would give to anyone thinking of saving money when going to a restaurant:

1. Order tap water. Any place with a license to serve food and drink is obliged to serve tap water to anyone who may want it.
2. Eat on weekdays or Sundays. Most vouchers for discounts and 2 for 1s are on weekdays and Sundays only, and normally it's easier to get a table on these days as well.
3. Have a snack first. If you have a snack before you go then you won't need a starter.
4. Buy dessert from a shop. If you feel like you fancy a sweet treat after your meal, it's normally cheaper to buy dessert from a shop and have it when you get home. That way, you allow yourself a little break and save money! 
5. Be a mystery diner. Sign up to a mystery shopper website where they pay you to eat at a restaurant. You have to rate their service and facilities but you definitely will get at 50% off your meal!
6. Don't feel like you have to tip. If the service isn't great, don't tip! However bad you may feel...

I have tried all of these ways of saving money except being a mystery diner, but my mum has tried and she says it's definitely worth it! Don't feel embarrassed about using vouchers, or ordering tap water. If the restaurants didn't want people to use vouchers then they wouldn't offer them! Hopefully you can take these tips out with you the next time you eat and enjoy your favourite meals for less.