Restaurant Deals for Family & Date Nights: Where To Get Good Value if you Go Early or Late
- Family
Parents Only
By Hayley Dean, ellaslist
Need a night off from cooking but sick and tired of the usual local take away joints? Or perhaps you’re planning a date night that’s heavy on the love and light on the wallet? If so, then here’s a couple tips to help you find a great place to eat at a great price.
Kids Eat Free
Check out our recent article on places around Sydney where kids can eat for free here.
Our current favourites from the list include the Summer Hill Hotel, Ettamogah Hotel and the Horse & Jockey Hotel.
First Table
This is a relatively new website for a simple yet brilliant idea. Book the first table of the night, and you’ll get 50% off the food bill for 2 or 4 people. This is a great option when dining with kids because the first table is usually around 5 or 6pm. There are literally hundreds of restaurants to choose from right across Sydney. Most have an end time they will need you to leave by, which is fine, especially with kids. The concept is certainly a win win for both customer and restaurant who struggle to fill tables in the beginning of the night. Signup to receive the weekly newsletter and stay up to date with new restaurants signing up to be a part of the First table phenomenon.
Dimmi
Yes, this is a booking site, but it often has “flash sales”. Set up an account and select “yes send me news tips and deals” and then every Tuesday, offers are emailed to you via their weekly newsletter. Offers may include 50% off your food bill at select restaurants. A nice one for date night or going out with another couple as there are no vouchers or coupons required – the restaurant will be informed off your discount via your Dimmi booking so no need for red faces.
Frugal Feeds
A website containing hundreds of discount vouchers, deals, menus and coupons for various fast food joints and restaurants. This does seem to be very focused on the likes of KFC, Hungry Jacks and pizza joints but it still may come in handy for that lazy Sunday night with the kids.
Groupon
With not just a food focus, this popular website will also help you save money on travel, fashion and flares. From an eating perspective, Groupon claims you can save up to 70% off restaurants in Sydney. Remember that old saying “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”? Perhaps just bare that in mind when booking a deal. The restaurants still need to make money to survive so it’s unlikely to serve you the same plate off the menu that full price paying customers receive. In our experience, Groupon is most effective when your expectations are lowered, and you focus on the company you’re with instead.
You may also like to check out Scoopon and Cudo who both work off the same premise.
The Happiest Hour
Sign up to their newsletter and stay up to date with nearby hotels and pubs update their happy hours! Don’t worry, this also includes meals deals from 4000+ venues, not just drink discounts although some days, the liquid meal is all one craves. Visit the website to see what local pubs have on offer, what days and how much for. You can even search by food types when those cravings just won’t quit it.
City Hotels
And finally, many hotels around the CBD area offer cheap dinner deals/rates when you eat between certain times, often earlier in the night. The Swiss Hotel, for example, offers a two-course meal including a glass of wine for only $49 per person when you eat between 5:30pm and 7:30pm Monday to Saturday. If you are heading into the city for a show or meeting up after work, it’s worth checking the hotel websites to see what’s on offer.
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