While the “Eat Out to Help Out” restaurant discount scheme has seen huge uptake, the 50 percent off voucher on food and non-alcoholic drinks — capped at £10 per head, and funded by the government — runs out at the end of August.
Hospitality trade body boss Kate Nicholls yesterday called on the government to extend the scheme for a moth, telling BBC Breakfast that the scheme had boosted confidence and boosted business. Last week, after it was revealed over 35 million meals had been served in two weeks, Nicholls said the initiative had been “hugely beneficial.”
But, before the government does or doesn’t announce its extension, a growing number of London restaurants are extending the scheme on their own dime, offering either a straight continuation of the Monday – Wednesday deal or their own spin. Here’s a running list of who’s doing it, and what the deals are.
Where: 1 Vyner Street, E2 9DG
What: One of lockdown’s major success stories, chef Mitshel Ibrahim’s canalside trattoria will offer £10 off the restaurant’s new four-course set menu throughout September on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
Where: 177B Blackstock Road, Highbury East N5 2LL
What: Another one of lockdown’s major success stories is christening a newly decluttered menu with a 25 percent off deal, available every Wednesday through September.
Where: 21 Chapel Market, Angel N1 9EZ
What: Offering a 50 percent discount on all food seven days a week throughout September to celebrate the Punjabi restaurant’s 10 year anniversary.
Where: Various locations.
What: A straight extension of the scheme through September at one of the city’s top Spanish restaurant groups.
Where: 49 Columbia Road, Hackney E2 7RG
What: Ed and Josie Wilson’s charming Mediterranean bistro will offer a straight extension of the scheme through September.
Where: 12a Berkeley Square, Mayfair W1J 6BS
What: £10 per person off food and non-alcoholic drinks for lunch or dinner when ordering from the à la carte or tasting menu every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until 30 September at Mayfair’s original Indian fine dining restaurant.
Where: Various locations.
What: If diners quote “comemos” when booking, pioneering tapas chain Brindisa will apply the same discount as August, Monday — Thursday.
Where: 32 London Bridge Street, London Bridge SE1 9SG
What: A straight extension of the scheme through September, with a £30 minimum spend at the Shard’s suite of luxe-scene-to-be-seen restaurants.
Where: 437 Hackney Road, Hackney E2 8PP
What: Hackney’s hip hotel restaurant will offer straight extension of the scheme through the month of September.
Where: Arch 25, Old Union Yard Arches, 229 Union Street SE1 0LR
What: A straight extension of the scheme through September at the Tel Aviv-inspired bar and restaurant.
Where: 8 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 2LS
What: Sicilian-inspired hotspot on Charlotte Street in Fitzrovia will offer a large portion of handmade pasta on the specials board for just £10, Monday — Wednesday, throughout September.
Where: 4-5 London Road, SE1 6JZ
What: A straight extension of the scheme through September at the Elephant and Castle restaurant that harnesses the variousness of cuisines in Latin America.
What: The group behind Gymkhana, Trishna, Brigadiers, Lyle’s, ASAP Pizza, BAO et al. has already extended the parameters of the August scheme across its restaurant portfolio. It is understood that a further extension of discounts for September will be announced in the coming days.