Why You Pay More for Dinner (and How to Save)
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Why You Pay More for Dinner (and How to Save)

Ever realise your fav pasta more ex at 7pm than lunchtime ah? You not imagining one – restaurant at night more ex cos of many reasons. But hor, got ways to eat same food, save more also.

Got demand lah, got cost, got ambience. But the shiok part? You can still enjoy same nice makan without burning wallet. Just need to know when and how to book.

This article will tell you why dinner price more jialat, how restaurant use timing to adjust price, and best – how you can save like a pro.

How You Can Dine Smarter and Save

Wanna eat out but not overspend? Can one. With some tips, you makan same dish, same place, maybe half price.

Book off-peak hours, use app like Eatigo, look out for weekday promo – all these can help you save. Same food, lower bill. Why not?

The Truth Behind Restaurant Pricing

1. Demand and Supply – Why Peak Hours Cost More

 7pm dinner time? Wah, everybody wanna eat. Seats limited, people many – sure price go up lor. Same like airline and hotel, peak time always more ex.

2. Operational Costs – Nights More Expensive to Run

 Night time? Restaurant need more staff, lights, aircon, music – all add cost. That nice ambience not free one leh.

3. Dining Habits – People Spend More at Night

 Dinner time people relax, celebrate, order more – appetiser, drink, dessert, all come. Bill also grow lor.

4. Perception Value – Dinner Feel More Premium

At night more romantic mah – got candles, music, nice plating. Even same food, people willing to pay more just cos feel shiok.

How Restaurants Use Time-Based Pricing

Now many restaurants use time-based pricing, or what they call dynamic pricing. Dinner time ex, off-peak got discount. Like hotel/air ticket same idea.

Lunch got set meal cheaper. Dinner menu more atas, got wine, got courses. But food same kitchen, just timing different.

Lunch Specials vs Dinner Menu

Lunch Specials:

  • Cheaper, attract office crowd
  • Usually set meal: main + soup/drink
  • Faster prep
  • Example: NT$180 for curry rice + tea

Dinner Menu:

  • À la carte, more premium dishes
  • Bigger portion, more fancy
  • Got starters, dessert, wine
  • Example: Truffle risotto, steak, seafood

Same place, but price difference big lor.

Price Differences – Real Examples

Italian Bistro

  • Lunch: Spaghetti Carbonara + salad + drink – $220
  • Dinner: Carbonara (no drink, salad extra) – $320

Steakhouse

  • Lunch: 6 oz steak + mash + soup – $399
  • Dinner: 8 oz steak – $680

Japanese Curry

  • Lunch: Katsu curry + miso – $180
  • Dinner: À la carte Katsu curry – $250

Sushi Place

  • Lunch bento (6 sushi + roll + miso + salad) – $350
  • Dinner same sushi order – $520+

Book earlier, use Eatigo – can save 20–50% easy.

Why Paying Less Doesn’t Mean Getting Less

Off-peak eat not cheapo – just smart. Same kitchen, same chef, same food. Restaurant give deal not cos food lousy – is strategy to fill seats.

Platforms like Eatigo help reduce food waste, make use of staff, keep place busy. You save $, they save cost. Win-win lah.

Same Kitchen, Same Food Quality

Price drop doesn’t mean food drop. You eat at 2pm or 7pm, same chef cook. Ingredients all same. No downgrade.

Just timing change. So don’t worry – taste still top notch.

Deals Are Strategic, Not a Downgrade

Discount no mean low-class. It means smart timing.

Restaurant want fill empty table. You come early, they happy, you save. Everybody win. Not leftover food ok – just better deal.

How Restaurants Benefit from Off-Peak Diners

You think only you win? Restaurant also win:

  • ✅ Less food waste
  • ✅ Staff got things to do
  • ✅ Empty tables become money
  • ✅ More revenue without more cost 

Eatigo help them run smoother, you get cheaper makan. Good deal right?

How You Can Save on the Same Meals

Tip #1: Book during off-peak hours – like 2:30pm, 5pm
Tip #2: Use app like Eatigo – up to 50% off
Tip #3: Go on weekdays – less crowd, more promo
Tip #4: Be flexible – change makan time, save big

 

Final Thoughts – Be Smart, Not Cheap

Eat earlier not paiseh, it’s smart. Less queue, quieter, cheaper. Same food. Why pay more?

Smart people don’t eat less – they eat smart. So be clever –

Download Eatigo and enjoy instant savings lah!

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