How to save money on eating out with children this summer

3 min Read Published: 15 Jul 2022

How to save money on eating out with children this summer

A number of restaurants and shops are advertising free meals for kids and discounted children's food this summer as parents continue to struggle with the rise in the cost of living. In this article, we round up some of the top places where your children can eat for free or at a lower cost this summer holiday. In addition, if you're stuck for ideas on where to take your kids on days out, you may want to read our article that shares '10 ways to save money entertaining your kids this summer'.

Where can kids eat for free this summer?

M&S

Children can eat for free at M&S when you spend £5 or more in the M&S Café. The free children's meal includes a main and a drink for breakfast or a main, snack and drink for lunch. Children can eat free until 12th August 2022. Find out more here.

Tesco

Kids can eat free at Tesco cafes with any purchase this summer. Parents can spend as little as 60p to claim a free kids’ meal worth up to £3.25. The offer is valid for Clubcard holders only and runs from 25th July until 26th August at over 300 Tesco Cafés. Find out more about the Tesco deal here.

Hungry Horse

Children get a free breakfast between 8am-12pm with a full paying adult every day throughout the summer holidays with Hungry Horse. Click for more information on the Hungry Horse free breakfast deal.

Beefeater & Brewers Fayre

Two children aged 15 and under eat free with a full paying adult when ordering breakfast at a Beefeater. The adult's breakfast is unlimited and is priced at £9.50. Find out more and search for your local Beefeater or Brewers Fayre.

Morrisons

1 child under 16 eats free with 1 adult's main meal (min of £4.99). The children's meal includes a piece of fruit and orange juice, apple juice or water. Click to find out our more on the Morrisons under16s eat free offer.

Pausa Cafe - Dunelm

From 27th June children eat free in any Pausa cafe in Dunelm stores. For every £4 spent in the Pausa cafe, you can get a mini main, 2 snacks and a drink for your child. Find out more and your local Dunelm store here.

Dobbies

Children eat for free at Dobbies cafe with an adult having a main meal. Children can choose to eat from the kid's lunch menu or the pick 'n' mix meal and the offer includes a drink. The offer is available daily from 12 noon. Click to find out more about the Dobbies kids eat free offer.

Heathrow airport

If you're off on holiday this summer children can eat for free at Heathrow airport between 23rd July and 4th September 2022. The offer applies when an adult chooses an item from the main menu. Exactly what restaurants are taking part varies on the terminal you are flying from but some of the restaurants taking part are Giraffe, Gordon Ramsay Plane Food, YO! sushi and Leon amongst others. For the full list click here.

The Real Greek

Kids under 12 eat free all day on Sundays with any adult that spends £10 in one of The Real Greek's restaurants. The offer includes a meal from the kids menu, a drink and ice cream or sorbet. More information on the offer can be found here.

Shrimp & Grill (formerly Bubba Gump Shrimp company)

Children under 10 eat free with a full paying adult between 12pm-5pm every day. The kids eat free offer does however exclude soft drinks and only 2 free kids meals are available per family. To find out more about the offer or book a table click here.

Angus Steakhouse

Children under 10 can eat free every day throughout the summer holidays between 12pm-5pm. Children have to be with an adult paying full price for a main meal. Find out more about the Angus steakhouse offer.

Yo! Sushi

This summer break, up to 3 children per table can eat free at Yo! sushi. The offer is valid Monday - Thursdays between 3pm-5:30pm until 29th September 2022. Children must be under the age of 10 and must order from the kids menu. Children must be with a paying adult who has to spend a minimum of £10. Click here for more information on the deal with Yo! Sushi.

Where can kids eat for £1 this summer?

Asda

Children under 16 can eat for £1 this summer from the Asda cafe children's menu. There is a maximum of 1 meal per child per day and the offer is valid throughout summer from 25/07/2022 – 02/09/2022 in England and Wales and 23rd June 2022 until 4th September 2022 in Scotland & Northern Ireland.

You can also get a free Ella's baby food pouch free with any purchase for children under 18 months. Find out more about the Asda summer deal here.

Bella Italia

Children aged 11 and under can eat for £1 with a full paying adult between 4pm-6pm every Monday - Thursday in the summer holidays. The offer is valid in England, Scotland and Wales but you need to check with your local restaurant for confirmation. This offer is only valid on meals eaten inside the restaurant. Click for further information on the Bella Italia deal.

IKEA

All children eat from 95p or £1.50 at Ikea between 11th July and 3rd September 2022. Children can order anything from the children's menu for 95p or a combination meal - that consists of a hot meal, jelly, fruit and a soft drink - costs just £1.50. Click for more information on the IKEA kids meal deal.