People eating in a restaurant
People can get money off their food in August with Eat Out To Help Out (Picture: Rex Shutterstock)

Eat Out To Help Out has been packing diners in over the past few weeks – as people take advantage of the Government-backed scheme to get them eating in cafes and restaurants following the coronavirus lockdown.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the scheme during his mini-Budget in July – and you’ve still got a few days left in August to take part, but you’d better hurry as the scheme isn’t being extended beyond then.

So just how does Eat Out To Help Out work, and how can you get money off your meals?

Here’s what you need to know…

How can you find your nearest Eat Out To Help Out restaurant and how does the scheme work?

The scheme offers customers 50% off the cost of a meal – up to a maximum of £10 – off per head when eating out at a participating venue from Mondays-Wednesdays in August,

In effect that means a family of four can save up to £40 on a meal out in a participating venue.

Mr Sunak explained last month: ‘Meals eaten at any participating business will be 50% off up to a maximum discount of £10 per head for everyone, including children. We can all eat out to help out.’

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Anywhere that serves food can take part – including restaurants, cafes pubs and bars where applicable as well as work and school canteens and food halls.

There is no limit on the number of times diners can take advantage of the scheme – but it will only apply to adults and childrens’ meals and non-alcoholic drinks.

Find out what restaurants are taking part near you on gov.uk.

Do you need a voucher to take part in Eat Out To Help Out?

People eating in a restaurant
The scheme covers food and non-alcoholic drinks (Picture: PA)

You don’t need a voucher to take part in the scheme, as the discount will automatically be applied when you eat at a participating venues.

Many big chains, including Harvester, Nando’s, Frankie and Benny’s, Dishoom, Pizza Hut, Starbucks , Toby Carvery, Hard Rock Cafe, Pizza Express and Wagamama are taking part in the scheme, along with other independent restaurants and cafes.

The scheme applies only to meals eaten in however – and does not include takeaways or delivery.

Which eateries are taking part?

  • Ask Italian
  • Bill’s
  • Burger King
  • Byron
  • Caffe Nero
  • Costa Coffee
  • Five Guys
  • Franco Manca
  • Fullers
  • Gourmet Burger Kitchen
  • Greene King
  • Honest Burgers
  • KFC
  • McDonald’s
  • Nando’s
  • Patisserie Valerie
  • Pizza Express
  • Pizza Hut
  • Pret A Manger
  • Prezzo
  • Starbucks
  • Turtle Bay
  • Wagamama
  • Wetherspoon
  • YO! Sushi
  • Zizzi

More than 72,000 eateries have signed up to the scheme, according to Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

The public can find out which of their local establishments are taking part by using a postcode checker here.

MORE : Is Wetherspoon’s taking part in Eat Out To Help Out and what are the menu prices?

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