Best Restaurant Deals in the UK: 2-for-1 Meals, Vouchers & Happy Hours
Best Restaurant Deals in the UK: Eating out in the UK doesn’t have to be expensive. Whether you’re looking for 2-for-1 meal deals, vouchers that slash your bill, happy hour drink specials, or weekly restaurant offers, there’s a wealth of ways to enjoy great food — without breaking the bank. From big chains to independent eateries, savvy diners can unlock savings with a mix of memberships, apps, loyalty programmes, and seasonal events.
Our passionate foodies at UKDealsFinder.com have created this ultimate, in-depth guide to help you navigate the very best restaurant deals across the UK. Inside, we cover everything you need to know — from where to find the most rewarding offers and how different deals actually work, to expert insider tips that help you maximise savings, dine out more often, and enjoy incredible meals without stretching your budget.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why Use Restaurant Deals?
- 2-for-1 Meal Offers
- Restaurant Voucher Sites & Deals Platforms
- Discount Cards & Membership Schemes
- Happy Hours & Drink Deals
- Loyalty Apps & Restaurant Rewards
- Seasonal and City-Wide Dining Events
- Tips for Getting the Best Value
- Case Studies & Example Deals
- FAQs
- Final Thoughts
1. Introduction
Dining out is one of life’s great pleasures — but in 2026 it’s more important than ever to be smart with spending. Fortunately, the UK has a booming ecosystem of restaurant discounts that can make eating out affordable again. From 2-for-1 meal deals to restaurant vouchers, happy hours, and special seasonal promotions, there’s something for every budget.
This guide will walk you through all the most effective ways to save money while eating well — whether you enjoy pub classics, international cuisine, fine dining, or casual brunches.
2. Why Use Restaurant Deals?
Before we jump into specific deals, it’s worth understanding why these offers are so widespread:
- Restaurants want business during slower hours — especially midweek and early evenings.
- Competitive market — restaurants and pubs nationwide run promotions to attract new customers.
- Apps and platforms make deals easier to find — which means diners can benefit more than ever.
- Loyal customers are valuable — so chains often reward repeat business with ongoing offers.
Using deals strategically can cut hundreds of pounds off your annual dining bill — whether you eat out weekly or just occasionally.
3. 2-for-1 Meal Offers
What Are 2-for-1 Deals?
A 2-for-1 meal deal means you pay for one main dish and get another free or heavily discounted. These offers can significantly reduce the per-person cost of eating out.
Where to Find 2-for-1 Offers
Tastecard Partners
One of the most popular ways to access 2-for-1 deals is through a discount card like Tastecard, which offers 2-for-1 meals or 50% off food at thousands of restaurants across the UK — from high-street chains to independents.
With Tastecard, you can often save around £23 per meal on average.
Tastecard partner restaurants include:
- Prezzo
- Zizzi
- Frankie & Benny’s
- PizzaExpress
- Bella Italia
And many more favourites.
Pub & Chain Offers
Brands like Hungry Horse frequently promote meal deals where two mains are offered at a bundled price during weekdays.
Special carrier deals from loyalty sites or club apps sometimes let you access 2-for-1 plates at participating venues throughout the week.
Tips for Using 2-for-1 Offers
- Always mention the deal when booking — some restaurants require prior notice.
- Deals often apply Sunday to Thursday and may be limited at weekends.
- Check whether drinks are included — many focus on food only.
4. Restaurant Voucher Sites & Deals Platforms
If you prefer flexible dining — from casual lunches to special dinners — vouchers are an excellent way to save.
Wowcher & LivingSocial
Sites like Wowcher (one of the UK’s largest deal platforms) list restaurant vouchers, meal deals, and themed dining experiences at reduced prices.
You can find:
- Dining vouchers for two
- Seasonal offers
- Discounts on tasting menus
- Special occasion dining deals
These can be ideal for date nights, gifting, or trying a new restaurant without paying full price.
Bownty Restaurant Deals
Platforms like Bownty focus on listing updated, location-based restaurant offers, with vouchers often representing large percentage savings vs regular pricing.
Other Voucher Aggregators
Other online deal hubs and community forums often list restaurant deals contributed by diners, such as community sites or Reddit threads where users share promotions in their city.
5. Discount Cards & Membership Schemes
Discount cards reward frequent diners with repeat savings.
Tastecard
As mentioned earlier, Tastecard is one of the most widely used membership cards in the UK for restaurant savings. Membership gives you access to:
- 2-for-1 meals
- 50% off food deals
- 25% off food & drinks at some venues
- Offers across thousands of venues nationwide
Membership often includes free trials or promotional rates, so it’s worth checking for deals before signing up.
Boundless & Perks Programmes
Some affinity programmes — like Boundless — include free Tastecard access or bundled dining benefits as part of their perks.
Other Discount Cards
Various city or regional dining cards (e.g., independent restaurant cards) may offer similar savings, particularly in cities with vibrant food scenes.
6. Happy Hours & Drink Deals
Restaurant deals aren’t just about food — happy hour specials can save you a tonne on drinks.
Happy Hour Basics
Happy hours usually occur during late afternoons and early evenings — often weekdays — and offer reduced prices on:
- Cocktails
- Beer & wine
- Soft drinks
Some restaurants and bars extend these deals or run all-day happy hours.
Example: 2-for-1 Cocktails at Las Iguanas
Certain venues, like Las Iguanas, run 2-for-1 cocktail deals during selected times throughout the week — giving diners two drinks for the price of one during happy hour periods.
Tips for Happy Hour Savings
- Arrive early — many happy hours run 4pm–7pm.
- Check venue websites or apps for exact times.
- Happy hours can also include food specials.
7. Loyalty Apps & Restaurant Rewards
Many restaurant chains and food brands offer loyalty apps that reward repeat customers with free food, exclusive deals and discounts.
Popular Loyalty Programmes
- Nando’s — Collect Chilli Points to redeem free meals.
- PizzaExpress — App deals often include 25% off your bill.
- Greggs — Free hot drink after a number of purchases.
- Costa & Starbucks — Reward points for free drinks.
- KFC — App vouchers for meal bundles.
Most apps send out weekly or monthly offers, birthday rewards, and exclusive in-app vouchers, so it pays to sign up.
8. Seasonal and City-Wide Dining Events
Restaurant Week Events
Cities like Leicester host annual Restaurant Weeks where dozens of restaurants offer deals — from discounted mains and special set menus to family-friendly offers.
Similar events pop up in other cities and typically:
- Run for limited periods
- Include many local restaurants
- Allow diners to enjoy meals from just a few pounds up
Valentine’s & Holiday Specials
Special occasions often bring promotions like multi-course meals for two at set prices, such as pub chains offering Valentine’s meal deals.
9. Tips for Getting the Best Value
Maximise your savings with these practical tips:
1. Eat Off-Peak
Many restaurants offer cheaper set menus or silent discounts during lunch or early dinner hours.
2. Sign Up for Newsletters
Restaurants often send exclusive vouchers and promo codes to their email lists — including birthday rewards.
3. Use Your Supermarket Loyalty Points
Tesco Clubcard points can be converted to dining vouchers at partner restaurants.
4. Check City Deal Boards
Local city deal sites often list restaurants with valid vouchers and offers.
5. Combine Offers
Sometimes you can stack offers — e.g., a credit card dining rebate with a voucher.
10. Case Studies & Example Deals
Here are examples of real or typical deals diners report saving with:
• Tastecard Savings
Members report major savings at popular chains where 2-for-1 offers or 50% discounts often make group meals affordable.
• Three+ Mobile Rewards
Mobile network apps like Three+ offer specials — such as gourmet burgers for £12 for two at Bill’s restaurants.
• Community Discount Platforms
Reddit users often share deals via TheFork app with 50% off bookings and referral bonuses.
• Leicester Restaurant Week
Local city dining events provide massive savings over a fortnight, with menus from £5 and other kid-friendly deals.
11. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Do 2-for-1 deals apply to drinks?
Mostly no — they’re usually food only, though some pubs include drinks specials during happy hours.
Q2. Can I stack deals?
Sometimes yes — e.g., membership discount + app voucher + credit card offer — but check terms first.
Q3. Are deals available on weekends?
Weekday evenings are most common; weekends may be excluded or limited.
12. Final Thoughts
With the cost of living increasing, eating out in the UK doesn’t have to be a treat you dread budgeting for. By using 2-for-1 offers, restaurant voucher platforms, loyalty apps, happy hours, and city dining events, savvy diners can cut significant costs.
Start by exploring membership deals like Tastecard and voucher platforms like Wowcher. Combine these with loyalty app promotions and off-peak dining to make every meal count — both on flavour and value.
Start saving today:
- Join a restaurant discount card or app
- Bookmark daily deal sites
- Sign up for newsletters from your favourite venues
- Time your meals wisely (lunch/early dinner)
With these tools, great food and great deals go hand in hand!
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