The school gates have closed, the sun is (mostly) shining, and the six-week summer holiday has officially begun! While it’s a time for fun, family, and making memories, it can also put a serious strain on the wallet. The constant refrain of “I’m hungry!” can quickly add up, turning a simple lunch out into a major expense.
But what if we told you that you could feed your little ones for as little as a pound, or even for free? This summer, an incredible number of UK restaurants, pubs, and supermarket cafés are offering fantastic meal deals to help families cope with the cost of living. We’ve compiled the ultimate, most comprehensive guide for Summer 2025, including national chains and some local gems right here in Wales. Forget spending hours searching – your definitive guide to budget-friendly family dining is right here.
Your Supermarket Lifesavers: Combine Your Shop with a Super-Cheap Lunch!
Turn your weekly grocery run into a treat. These supermarket cafés are offering some of the best value deals you’ll find anywhere, with some requiring no adult spend at all!
Asda Cafés
- The Deal: Kids can eat for just £1 every single day.
- The Terms: This is the hero of all deals! There is absolutely no minimum adult spend required. The offer is valid for children aged 16 and under.
- What’s on the Menu?: Choose from hot meals like penne pasta with meatballs or fish fingers with chips and peas, or a cold pick-and-mix box. The deal also includes a piece of fruit and a drink.
- Our Top Tip: This is arguably the best-value deal in the UK. Since you don’t need to buy an adult meal, it’s perfect for a quick, cheap, and easy lunch for the kids while you’re out and about.
- Find Out More: Check for full details on the official Asda website.
Tesco Cafés
- The Deal: Kids eat FREE with any adult purchase.
- The Terms: The deal is unlocked with any purchase in the café by an adult. This can be as little as a cup of tea or a slice of cake, making it incredibly flexible. This offer typically runs during school holidays, so check dates.
- What’s on the Menu?: The kids’ menu features favourites like sausages, mash and gravy, chicken goujons, and a ‘pick-a-pack’ lunch box option which includes a sandwich, drink, fruit, and two snacks.
- Our Top Tip: You don’t need to buy a full adult meal. A coffee for you means a free lunch for your little one!
- Find Out More: Pop into your local Tesco with a café to see the latest offers.
Sainsbury’s Cafés
- The Deal: Kids can enjoy a hot main meal or a lunch bag for just £1.
- The Terms: This offer requires the purchase of an adult hot main meal costing £5.20 or more. It’s available every day from 11:30 am until the café closes.
- What’s on the Menu?: The kids’ hot menu includes options like fish fingers, chicken nuggets, and sausages. The lunch bag comes with a sandwich, crisps, a piece of fruit, a biscuit, and a drink.
- Our Top Tip: This deal is best utilised when you’re planning to have a proper sit-down meal yourself. The value is in the quality and variety of the food on offer.
- Find Out More: Find your nearest Sainsbury’s Café online.
Morrisons Cafés
- The Deal: Spend £4.99 in the café and get one kid’s meal completely FREE.
- The Terms: The offer is available all day, every day for any child under 16. The adult spend of £4.99 is the only requirement to unlock the free meal.
- What’s on the Menu?: Morrisons offers a great range, including a full kid-sized cooked breakfast and classics like bangers and mash. The meal includes a piece of fruit and a drink.
- Find Out More: Explore the full menu and offers on the Morrisons website.
Pub Grub for Peanuts: Family-Friendly Pubs Offering Amazing Deals
Sometimes only a proper pub lunch will do. These family-friendly chains are making it affordable to treat everyone.
Hungry Horse
- The Deal: Kids eat for £1 on Mondays.
- The Terms: You can get up to two kids’ meals for £1 each with every full-paying adult. It’s the perfect way to start the week.
- What’s on the Menu?: They have a great selection of “small plates” for £1 and “large plates” for £1.50, including tacos, pizza, and chicken wings.
- Our Top Tip: Mondays can be busy, so consider booking a table in advance to avoid disappointment.
- Find Out More: Find your local Hungry Horse and view the menu here.
Brewers Fayre
- The Deal: Up to two kids can eat a freshly prepared 3-course meal for just £4.99 each. Even better, kids get a FREE breakfast with every adult breakfast purchased.
- The Terms: The breakfast offer is a standout deal. One paying adult ordering the All-You-Can-Eat breakfast for £9.99 can feed up to two children for free.
- What’s on the Menu?: The evening menu includes starters, mains like fish and chips or pasta, and a dessert. The breakfast is a full buffet, so the kids can fill their boots!
- Our Top Tip: The breakfast deal is one of the best around for families. For under a tenner, a family of three can enjoy a full cooked breakfast.
- Find Out More: Check out the Brewers Fayre kids’ offers on their website.
Toby Carvery
- The Deal: Kids can eat for just £1 on weekdays.
- The Terms: The offer is available Monday to Friday when you purchase an adult main meal. You’ll need to download the Toby Carvery app to get the voucher.
- What’s on the Menu?: Your little one can enjoy a mini version of the famous Toby Carvery roast, complete with their choice of meat, potatoes, and all the veg they can manage.
- Find Out More: Get the Toby Carvery app for the latest deals.
Restaurant Treats That Won’t Break the Bank
Fancy something a little different? These popular restaurant chains have got you covered.
Bella Italia
- The Deal: Kids can tuck into a three-course meal and a drink for only £1.
- The Terms: This offer is valid from 4-6 pm, Monday to Thursday, with the purchase of any adult main meal.
- What’s on the Menu?: The kids’ menu is fantastic, with pasta dishes, pizzas, and yummy desserts like gelato.
- Our Top Tip: The early evening timing makes this a perfect post-day-out dinner before heading home.
- Find Out More: Book your table and check the details at the Bella Italia website.
Bill’s Restaurant
- The Deal: Up to two kids can eat FREE all day.
- The Terms: This fantastic offer runs all day from Monday to Friday, as long as one adult orders any main dish.
- What’s on the Menu?: The kids’ menu is delicious, featuring buttermilk pancakes, macaroni cheese, and fish fingers and chips.
- Find Out More: See the full menu and book a table at Bill’s.
A Special Shout-Out for Wales: Local Deals in Llanelli & Beyond!
While the big national chains are great, let’s not forget the local heroes right on our doorstep here in Wales. Always be sure to check the social media pages of your favourite local pubs and cafés in Llanelli, Carmarthen, and Swansea, as many run their own independent offers. Keep an eye out for signs in windows!
- The Beefeater, Llanelli: While part of a national chain, it’s a local favourite. They often run a “two kids eat free breakfast” deal with one paying adult, similar to their sister brand, Brewers Fayre. Check the Beefeater offers page for the latest.
- Local Community Cafés: Look for community-run projects and church hall cafes. They often provide heavily subsidised or free meals during the holidays with no questions asked. A quick search on local Facebook community groups can reveal these hidden gems.
Your Questions Answered (FAQ)
Q: What age are ‘kids’ usually considered for these deals? A: It varies, but most deals apply to children aged 16 and under. Some, particularly for smaller meal portions, might be for under 10s or 12s. Always check the T&Cs.
Q: Are these deals available on weekends? A: Many offers, particularly in restaurants and pubs, are weekday-only to encourage business during quieter times. Supermarket deals (like Asda’s) are often available seven days a week.
Q: Do I need to book? A: For pubs and restaurants, booking is highly recommended, especially during the peak summer holiday period. For supermarket cafés, you can just walk in.
Q: How can I be sure the deal is on before I go? A: Always, always check the restaurant’s app or website on the day you plan to visit. Offers can be withdrawn or changed at short notice.
