How to Save £20 on Restaurant Bills with a Little-Known App
Dining out at restaurants is a cherished way to celebrate special occasions or unwind after a long week, but with the ongoing cost of living crisis, it can strain budgets. Fortunately, a little-known app called First Table provides a simple solution to enjoy delicious meals while saving significant money.
What Is the First Table App?
First Table is a restaurant discovery platform that offers diners a 50% discount on their food bill for the first table at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This promotion is available at participating restaurants across the United Kingdom, making it an accessible option for those looking to cut costs without sacrificing quality.
How Does It Work?
Users download the app and browse participating restaurants in their area, such as Liverpool, where availability is listed for up to 14 days in advance. Diners select a restaurant, choose a date and time, and reserve a First Table for a fee ranging from £4 to £8. This reservation grants a 50% discount on the food bill for groups of two, three, or four people, including children of all ages.
- The discount applies only to food, with drinks charged at full price.
- Meals must be consumed on-site; takeaway options are not permitted.
- Bookings are limited to groups of two to four diners.
Real-Life Savings Example
Liverpool Echo writer Hannah Rees tested the app at The Real Greek in Liverpool ONE, paying a £6 reservation fee. She and her partner dined at 5 PM, with staff informing them that only sharing platters, the dip trio, and the £24 all-day menu were excluded from the discount.
Their order included warm flatbread (£3.95), lamb meatballs (£9), pasitsio (£10.75), grilled sea bream (£13.50), chips (£4.50), two Diet Cokes (£7.10), and sparkling water (£2.75). Without the discount, the total would have been approximately £52.
After applying the 50% food discount, Hannah's bill dropped to £33.77, including service charge, saving her nearly £20. She praised the food quality and noted that the app encouraged trying new restaurants.
App Features and Benefits
The First Table app allows users to filter restaurants by cuisine type, dietary requirements, features, and price range. It also includes a "good for" option, enabling selections based on suitability for kids or business meetings. This user-friendly design helps diners find ideal spots quickly.
Hannah Rees concluded that she would use the app again for affordable weekday evenings out, highlighting its value in making dining more accessible during tough economic times.
