How to Get Free and/or Cheaper Meals in Sydney

If you live in Sydney long enough, you will be exposed with a lot of promotional materials to try to bring you to try (and eventually buy) their products and services. Whilst it might feel like spam, there are actually some good finds if you close enough.

This article brings you a list of places where you can get free meals in this expensive city, and how to obtain them. This article will be frequently updated, so you might want to bookmark this blog so you won't miss out!

Without further ado, here are some to get you started:

1. EatClub

Category: Free, $, $$
Credit card required: No
Advanced Payment required: No

This app is the first app you should look into. Available on App Store and Google Play, this app allows you to reserve your seats (or takeaway spots) at plenty of cafes and restaurants and get generous discounts for your entire bill, including drinks.

Also, if you sign up to their email newsletter, you can get more discounts by entering promo codes mentioned on the emails -- some up to 60%. This could really bring some extra cash in your pocket, whilst still enjoying Sydney the way you are supposed to.

Best of all, there is no credit card details required, and no advance payment is needed either.

Recently, they have introduced a referral program which gives new members a free meal at select restaurants just for signing up. Just download the "EatClub" app on your smartphone, go to "Add a Referral Code" and enter code DA60A. You will then be prompted to select your free meal, which you can then redeem in a space of one week.

Then, once you have signed up, you can also refer your friends with your promo code and you will earn another free meal once they have redeemed their free meal. At the moment, you can earn unlimited meals with this app, so the possibility is pretty much endless.

Make sure you follow the instructions to redeem, such as telling the staff when you arrive that you have a free meal to redeem and/or you have a reservation with EatClub.

2. DIMMI

Category: $, $$
Credit card required: No
Advanced Payment required: No

Dimmi is another platform that allows you to access select restaurants at a discount. Sadly, the discounts are only for food bills and not for drinks. Also, some of the restaurants offers are only for specific set menu, so please check the terms and conditions carefully when you book.

If you book and review the restaurants you've booked enough times (currently 5), you will be earning enough points that equate to $20 to be spent at select restaurants (including some restaurants where you can maximise your $20 without having to pay a lot more extra).

There is no credit card details required, and no advance payment is needed either.

You can access their offers on https://www.dimmi.com.au/ or download their Dimmi app on App Store or Google Play.

Make sure you follow the instructions to redeem, such as telling the staff when you arrive that you have a reservation with EatClub.

3. Delivery

Category: $, $$
Credit card required: Yes
Advanced Payment required: Yes

If you are tired from exploring the city and just want to have a night in, then you can use some online food-ordering app (or websites).

The ones that are currently available are:

UberEats

UberEats don't have minimum spend, but delivery fee is usually $5.

Foodora

Foodora have minimum spend (usually $25) but some comes with free delivery. Furthermore, you can get $10 off your first order if you sign up using this link: https://bnc.lt/YR5e/53aFTFqH8M

Deliveroo

Deliveroo sometimes have $10 dishes with free delivery. And you can get $10 off your first order if you sign-up using this link: https://roo.it/indraa0471 (make sure the credit has been applied to your order, or go to Account Credit > Add Code and add indraa0471)

4. Lentil As Anything

Category: $
Credit card required: No
Advanced Payment required: No

Started in Melbourne, this restaurant allows you to enjoy vegan meals and donate money as you wish. This place is a charity organisation and is operated by volunteers.

If you are struggling to pay for food, then this might be for you. Please consider donating, even if it seems little. If you have extra money, please consider donating more so that this place can continue to run and support people who are in need of this service. It is all for a good cause.

https://lentilasanything.com/sydney/

5. Woolworths, Coles, and IGA

Category: $
Credit card required: No
Advanced Payment required: No

If you are a fan or cooking (or if you just want a quick ready-to-eat meal), then supermarkets are for you.

This option is widely known by locals, but it might not be so obvious for visitors. All of these major supermarkets have weekly specials that can significantly slash your grocery bills, and all of their catalogues are available online.

https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/catalogue
https://www.coles.com.au/catalogues-and-specials/view-all-available-catalogues
https://www.iga.com.au/catalogue/

Furthermore, some of their CBD stores (particularly Woolworths Metro) regularly have bakery items and freshly prepared foods (like salad or even ready-to-serve meals) marked at seriously discounted prices since they are nearing their best-before dates.

Also, if you happen to stay longer in Sydney (or in Australia, for this matter), you might consider purchasing Woolworths gift cards at a discount (usually 5%). Link for this to come.

Questions or suggestions?
If you have any questions or suggestions regarding this article, please leave a comment below.