Shoppers spot way to get up to 44% off restaurant meals in school holidays

The summer holidays have officially begun and, with the cost of living still biting, UK families are on the hunt for wallet-friendly ways to dine out. Savvy shoppers are increasingly heading to deal sites like Wowcher and Virgin Experience Days to enjoy restaurant meals for a fraction of the usual price - with discounts of up to 44% off.

One of the popular destinations to dine is with a Harvester deal, where a range of family meal bundles are available to book now for a limited time. For £45, families can enjoy three courses for two adults and one child, down from the original price of £79.93, that's a saving of nearly £35.

For slightly larger families, a two adult, two children package is also available, with two courses for £45 (38% off) or three courses for £50 (42% off). All offers are valid Sunday to Friday until September 15, making them perfect for squeezing in a treat before school resumes.

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Hundreds of shoppers have snapped up the Harvester deal since it went live and reviewers have given it 4.5 stars out of 5 with diners praising the value for money.

One shopper said: "Top value for money, friendly staff. Our third visit and will return."

A second added: "We had a very nice experience at our local Harvester. We were greeted by a pleasant member of staff and shown to our table. The food we had was nice and everyone who we dealt with on the night were very attentive. It was good value for money getting the Wowcher."

One three star reviewer did warn it was important to check what you could get with the deal as some items were excluded, saying: "The menu was wide and included steak but the menu we received was a reduced affair with the emphasis on chicken and no steak. The sundae for pudding was good though, as was the help-yourself salad. I would go to the restaurant again but I shan't use the voucher."

Harvester isn’t the only brand getting in on the action. Wowcher is also offering discounts at TGI Fridays, where diners can enjoy two courses and cocktails for £34.99, down from £8499, ideal for parents wanting a treat with a bit more flair.

Meanwhile, Italian fans can opt for Frankie & Benny’s two-course dining deal for three people, offering hearty favourites for £30. If a traditional roast is more the fancy, Toby Carvery is also part of the Wowcher family-dining deals, with two courses for two adults and two children for £32.99.

For a more casual bite, Virgin Experience Days is offering a charming fish and chip feast with wine or beer for two at £36.

Booking in advance is recommended, as many deals are location-specific and limited in quantity. Whether you're planning a family meal, a budget-friendly date night, or just want to make the most of the summer without splurging, they are a good way to cut costs over the summer.

Brands like Wowcher, Groupon, Virgin Experience Days and Buyagift are also good options to save money on days out up all over the UK, ranging from high energy trips to amusement parks through to more genteel family friendly afternoon teas and even things like hotel stays, although it's important to check terms and conditions to make sure you can use the deal when you want to.