Introduction
Dining out with kids these days is a treat—and often an expensive one. What if you could cut that cost in half, simply by using an app? Enter EatClub—an Australian-founded, last-minute dining app co‑founded by Marco Pierre White, now serving over 2 million customers with more than 3,000 restaurants and bars participating nationwide. Using smart dynamic pricing, it helps empty tables fill up and offers diners serious savings—up to 50% off the total bill, including drinks .
In this EatClub review, I’ll take you through exactly how EatClub works, what EatClub Pay brings to the table, what plans and fees (if any) are involved, and whether it’s a smart choice for families in 2025. I’ll also share how using it felt in real life—so you can decide whether it’s worth downloading for your next family dinner.
What Is EatClub and How Does It Work?
EatClub is a mobile app (iOS and Android) that displays nearby restaurants and bars offering last-minute deals on spare tables—think early bird, late dining, or peak-time discounts of up to 50% off your total bill, including drinks.
Here’s the simple process:
- Open the app and browse offers available nearby.
- Redeem an exclusive dine-in or takeaway deal to activate the EatClub digital card.
- Tap to pay when you finish—no need to mention anything to staff—the discount applies automatically.
Since launching in 2017, EatClub has filled hundreds of thousands of otherwise empty seats across cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Perth, and Canberra.
EatClub Pay: Your Super-Easy Digital Dining Card
One of EatClub’s standout features is EatClub Pay—a virtual, prepaid Mastercard you add to your Apple Wallet, Google Pay, or other digital wallets .
How it works:
- After claiming an offer, you set up EatClub Pay in your digital wallet—it takes roughly a minute .
- At the restaurant or for takeaway, just tap the card like any other digital payment method.
- The discount is automatically deducted. Staff don’t need to know—you appear like a regular customer .
This seamless experience removes awkwardness and preserves the dignity of using a deal—great for families and socially conscious diners alike.
Back in the days before COVID-19, I remember using EatClub and having to mention we booked using the app, however often this led to inferior customer service where waiters treated you differently, which greatly affected the dining experience.
Having the EatClub Pay Digital card is an absolute game changer allowing you to dine with confidence that you won’t be treated as a sub-class citizen!
EatClub Premium Membership: Cost, Renewal, and Benefits
EatClub is free to download, but if you want more control and planning ability, there’s an optional Premium Membership.
Pricing (2025)
- Monthly Plan: $7.99 per month
- Yearly Plan: $59.99 per year (billed annually, renews each year)
Pro Tip: The yearly plan works out to about $5/month, making it the best value if you plan to use EatClub regularly as a family.
Premium Benefits
With Premium, you unlock planning features that aren’t available to free users:
- Book 7 days in advance (instead of just last-minute).
- Access the best offers before they run out.
- Plan ahead for weekends—perfect for family outings.
- Get reminders for upcoming deals you’ve saved.
Renewal and Cancellation
- Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled.
- If you cancel, you keep full access to Premium perks until your billing cycle ends.
- You can reactivate any time if you change your mind.
For families, the Premium plan is especially handy. Unlike free users who rely on spontaneous offers, Premium lets parents lock in savings early, making it easier to plan and coordinate around nap times, kids’ activities, or weekend plans.
Why Restaurants Use EatClub: Dynamic Pricing in Action
EatClub isn’t just for diners—it’s a powerful tool for restaurants. Using AI-driven dynamic pricing, venues target off-peak times to fill tables and boost overall revenue.
- Restaurants can send time-limited deals to maintain steady traffic across the week.
- At places like Cheeky’s in Sydney, this strategy led to filling an extra 200 seats in a month—often exceeding $100 average spend per customer—even at discounted rates.
- Many diners still order premium items, treats, or drinks, so venues don’t feel they’re losing out—just optimizing for steady demand.
This dynamic pricing model benefits both sides: restaurants keep their kitchens busy, and families eat out for less.
EatClub FAQs Families Should Know
What if there’s a tech glitch?
EatClub offers an “Offer back” guarantee, meaning if there’s a fault redeeming your offer via the digital card, you’re protected.
Do you have to alert staff?
Nope. EatClub deals are walk-in—you don’t need to mention anything. The discount happens automatically when you tap to pay.
Can you stack with other deals?
You can’t use EatClub offers with in-house specials, happy hour, or other promotions—only one deal applies.
Does it work on all devices?
Yes. EatClub Pay can be added to multiple smart devices (phones, smartwatches, etc.). Just follow the prompts in-app.
Pros and Cons for Families
Pros
- Up to 50% off the total bill, including drinks.
- Free to use, with optional Premium upgrade ($7.99 per month) to book 7-days in advance and access early offers.
- Seamless digital payment—EatClub Pay ensures discreet, hassle-free redemption.
- Broad coverage across major Australian cities.
- Encourages exploring new kid-friendly dining venues at lower risk.
- Premium allows advance bookings, a big plus for parents.
Cons
- Deals depend on real-time availability—may not suit rigid schedules.
- Limited options in regional or outer suburbs.
- No stacking with other discounts or promotions.
- Without Premium, the experience is very last-minute—less ideal for structured family routines. (Recommend upgrading to premium for Families)
Our Family’s Real-Life Experience
Within the very first week of trialling EatClub, we saved $51 across just two family meals—spending a total of $160 but paying only $109. That’s a saving of almost one-third of our dining bill, simply by opening the app before heading out.
Case Study 1: Via Napoli (Sydney)
Without EatClub:
- Margherita Pizza – $24
- Gamberi Pizza – $30
- Pappardelle Bolognese Ragu Pasta – $36
- Extra Pasta (Spaghetti Marechiaro) – $38
- Total: $128
With EatClub (35% off):
- Same order as above
- Final Bill: $87.16
Result: We indulged in an extra pasta dish—normally outside our budget—while still saving over $40.
Case Study 2: Prego Charcoal Chicken
Without EatClub:
- 1 Whole Charcoal Chicken – $20.50
- 1 Large Chips – $11
- Total: $31.50
With EatClub (36% off):
- Same order
- Final Bill: $21.16
Result: A filling, family dinner for three at the price of fast food.
Savings Snapshot
Annual ROI Example
- Typical weekly family dining spend: $100
- Average discount: 35%
- Weekly savings: $35
- Yearly savings (x52 weeks): $1,820
EatClub Premium (Annual): $59.99
ROI: $1,820 – $59.99 = $1,760+ saved
That’s like getting nearly 18 free family dinners a year!
Bonus Example – Birthday Dinner
With Premium, we recently booked a birthday dinner 7 days in advance at a Lebanese restaurant we’d been eyeing. The discount? 41% off.
What could have been a $200+ bill turned into an affordable celebration—without sacrificing food, atmosphere, or fun.
And the tech side? Honestly seamless. Setting up EatClub Pay took less than a minute—just like adding any other card to Apple Wallet. At checkout, tapping our phone to see the discount instantly apply was a godsend.
The only catch? Popular deals go fast. Twice we missed out because we didn’t act quickly enough. That’s when Premium proved its worth, letting us book in advance so we weren’t left scrambling. For parents, that peace of mind is priceless.
EatClub vs Groupon vs First Table – Which Is Best for Families?
EatClub
- Free (with optional Premium upgrade).
- Last-minute flexibility, or advance booking with Premium.
- Automatic, discreet discounts via EatClub Pay.
Groupon
- Pre-purchased vouchers, often with set menus or restrictions.
- Good for planning ahead, but less flexible once booked.
First Table
- $10–$12 booking fee per reservation.
- 50% off food only (drinks not included).
- Works well if your family eats early.
Verdict:
- EatClub wins on flexibility and simplicity, especially with Premium for planning ahead.
- Groupon and First Table still have their place for structured bookings or early-bird families.
Is EatClub Worth It for Families in 2025?
Yes—especially if you’re flexible. For families who are happy to adjust plans slightly, EatClub can save you hundreds across the year.
If your family enjoys spontaneous outings or exploring new restaurants, this app is gold. If you prefer long-term planning or fixed dining times, Premium makes it practical for families too.
Think of EatClub as a dynamic savings tool in your broader family budget strategy—like loyalty apps, supermarket promotions, or cashback apps.
Conclusion – Should Your Family Try EatClub?
If you’re looking for a way to stretch your food budget without sacrificing family meals out, EatClub is one of your best bets in 2025. With automatic, discreet discounts via EatClub Pay, the option of Premium membership for early booking, and savings up to 50%, it’s a powerful tool for Aussie families.
My advice? Start with the free version. Try it for a few weeks, then upgrade to Premium if you find yourself wanting to plan weekend outings in advance.
For us, EatClub has been a game-changer—turning “we can’t afford it tonight” into “why don’t we treat ourselves?” more often than we expected. And that’s a win every parent can appreciate.
More Ways to Save Money Dining and Shopping
If you found this EatClub review helpful, you might also enjoy my other family money-saving guides:
