Who needs restaurants anyway! Cheaper alternatives to eating out

Are you cutting back on eating out? If so, you’re not alone. New YouGov data shows 38% of people are visiting restaurants and other places to eat less often than a year ago.

Why are people cutting back?

The main reason is money. The survey found:

• 63% say dining out is more expensive now than it was a year ago
• 62% say the rising cost of living is the main reason they eat out less
• 48% are trying to save
• 29% see dining out as a luxury
• 26% are cooking more at home
• 16% say it’s part of a lifestyle change
• 11% have less time or fewer social opportunities
• 9% say there are fewer tempting restaurant deals

How people save money when they do eat out

• 59% choose cheaper restaurants
• 52% order fewer items
• 46% skip dessert
• 43% use discounts or coupons
• 27% order soft drinks instead of alcohol

Cheap and fun alternatives to dining out

If you’ve cut back because of rising costs, don’t worry, as you can still enjoy great food, good company and a relaxing night in without the restaurant bill.

Have a themed home night

From ‘Taco Tuesday’ to ‘Sushi Saturday’, themed nights are a fun, low-cost way to make dinner exciting.

To keep costs down:

• buy store brands, they’re often just as good
• stock up on staples like tortillas, pasta and rice, as they’ll come in handy for future themed nights
• plan around what you already have:
• if you’ve got pasta, why not make it ‘Italian night’?
• or, if you’ve got lots of eggs, try a ‘breakfast for dinner’ night!

Host community meals

Start a tradition with friends or neighbours. Everyone brings one dish and you take turns hosting.

You’ll all get a full meal, great company and shared costs.

Try a cooking challenge evening

Set a budget, say £10, and see who can make the best meal. Make it a family competition, or invite friends to join in. It’s cheap, creative and guaranteed to get everyone eating and laughing!  

DIY takeaways

When you’re craving your usual takeaway, make it yourself. Whether it’s pizza, Chinese, Indian or a chippy, recreate your favourite takeaway at home with low-cost ingredients. Keep it simple and shop smart by looking for yellow sticker discounts to keep the costs down.

Fakeway pizza nights

The kids will love this one. Grab some pizza bases or flatbreads, spread tomato paste, sprinkle cheese, and add whatever toppings you’ve got, ham, peppers, mushrooms, anything goes.

Let everyone make their own, it’s fun and budget-friendly.

Set the scene

If you’re staying in for a ‘special’ meal, make it feel like an event.

• dim the lights
• light a few candles
• play some soft background music

And just like that, you’ve got all the atmosphere of a restaurant, without the bill.