As the summer holidays are in full swing, many families are looking for ways to reduce their expenses without sacrificing their enjoyment of the sunny season. Bottomless restaurant deals can be an effective way to save money if used wisely, according to one expert.
Amelia Murray, a financial guru at Be Clever With Your Cash, spoke to Reach about when bottomless deals are worth it and, crucially, what savers should be cautious of.
She particularly pointed out certain booking methods that could leave you short-changed before you even get there.
She advised: “Shopping around for online deals may be a great way to cut booking costs but be careful where you look. Discount sites can sometimes be more expensive than buying direct from the restaurant.”
The expert recommended Timeout for “really good discounts” on food in general as well as bottomless deals, but also suggested people sign up for newsletters from their favourite restaurants to be notified of any special offers.
If you’ve found a genuinely good bottomless deal, Amelia also shared three clever tips on how to get the most value for your money. The first tip is to avoid peak times, even if the price is the same throughout the day.
She revealed: “Bottomless drinks and food at restaurants are usually served to you by staff. And if they’re busy, you’re going to be served less – even if you’re sitting in a visible spot. Google the restaurant and it may show you the most and least popular times to go on the right-hand side of the page.”
However, this doesn’t quite work the same way with deals on unlimited or all-you-can-eat buffets. Unsurprisingly, it also works differently for happy hours, which Amelia offered a separate tip for especially when it comes to alcohol.
The expert advised: “Be realistic about how much you can actually eat or drink in a 90-minute time limit and whether the price of bottomless is actually worth it, based on your appetite. While bottomless food can be a great deal, bottomless alcoholic drinks can be particularly tricky.”
“Sometimes, the ‘bottomless’ drinks offer only includes certain types of drinks so it is worth checking out what is involved in the package before facing any disappointment at the bar. Some venues that offer bottomless deals also have other offers, such as happy hour drinks. I’ve found examples where you can beat the price of bottomless and still have four drinks (two for the price of one) and a meal, without the rush.”
Amelia finally highlighted the importance of scrutinising the fine print before diving into any promotional offers, especially as seemingly generous ‘all-you-can-eat’, ‘bottomless’ or ‘happy hour’ deals may come with certain restrictions and exceptions. She cautioned: “Make sure you know the bottomless rules before you go to ensure you get the best value for your money.”
“Some restaurants that offer bottomless food will not serve you additional dishes until most of your plates are clear – so you could be held up if your friends are slow eaters. You may also only be offered limited food and drink options, which not everyone in your party may like. Some bars and restaurants offer upgrades for an extra fee, which gives you more choice. However, this may only be available if everyone in your group does it.”
