ways to eat well in a cost-of-living crisis

The current economic climate is reducing everyone's disposable income and making life extremely challenging for independent food and drink businesses. Want to support them while also saving cash? We've found 20 ways to do both

Make The Most Of Set Menus

Many high‑end South West restaurants offer fantastic‑value set menus on weekdays. One such venue is Salumi Bar & Eatery in Plymouth, which has introduced a monthly prix fixe menu (Monday to Friday) where diners surrender choice but don't have to compromise on quality.

‘We're keen to offer something that gives our customers a reason to dine out, despite the current economic climate. There are some real showstopper dishes on a menu that's full of nostalgia and comfort,’ says Salumi chef owner Dave Jenkins. 2

Buy Direct

Cutting out the middleman saves money. Most small‑scale producers, from farmers to winemakers and coffee roasters, have webshops through which customers can buy goods direct.

Look for free‑delivery offers as additional postage costs can eat up any product savings. To hit the minimum spend for free delivery, consider buddying up with a friend and combining your orders.

Redefine The Long Weekend

Fridays and Saturdays are the most expensive nights for South West hotel stays. However, Sunday nights are often much cheaper than Fridays so shifting your weekend along a day can result in a significant saving. 4

Refer A Friend

The food and drink subscription services that took off in the lockdowns have become part of the everyday landscape and many run refer‑a‑friend schemes where both parties benefit.

Check out Riverford Organic (£15 credit per person), The Dorset Meat Company (10 per cent off next order per person), The Spicery (£5 credit for original customer, 10 per cent off orders over £20 for the friend) and Field & Flower (25 per cent off for original customer, 20 per cent off for the friend).

‘Where else would you find lunch at a Michelin-starred restaurant for £29.50? ’