We've all been there — it's 7pm, you're tired, the fridge looks uninspiring, and Uber Eats is one tap away. A £15 takeaway doesn't feel like a big deal. But those £15 orders have a way of multiplying. Two takeaways a week? That's £1,560 a year. Add a Friday night Deliveroo and a weekend brunch order? You could be looking at well over £2,500. This post breaks down the real numbers behind UK takeaway spending, shows you where the money actually goes, and offers practical alternatives that don't mean eating sad sandwiches every night. If you're trying to [save money each month](/blog/start-saving-with-sym), your takeaway habit is probably the single easiest place to start.
The Numbers Don't Lie
According to recent UK spending data, the average household spends between £100 and £150 per month on takeaways and food delivery. That's £1,200 to £1,800 per year — and that's the average, including people who rarely order. For regular users of Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat, the real figure is often much higher. Here's a breakdown of what typical takeaway orders actually cost in 2026:
- •Indian takeaway for two: £25–£35 (curry, rice, naan, sides, delivery fee)
- •Chinese takeaway for two: £20–£30
- •Pizza delivery (Domino's/Papa Johns): £18–£28 for two pizzas with a side
- •Uber Eats burger and chips: £12–£18 per person (plus £2–£4 delivery fee and service charge)
- •Friday night fish and chips: £10–£15 per person
- •Weekend brunch delivery: £12–£20 per person
The Hidden Costs You're Not Counting
The menu price is just the start. Delivery apps have layered in multiple fees that inflate the real cost far beyond what you'd pay if you picked up in person. Delivery fees typically add £1.50–£4.99 per order. Service fees add another 5–15% of the order total. Many items are priced 15–30% higher on delivery apps compared to ordering directly from the restaurant. And then there's the tipping — a perfectly reasonable thing to do, but it adds £1–£3 per order. When you stack all of this up, a meal that costs £20 in the restaurant might cost £28–£32 through an app. Over a year of twice-weekly orders, those hidden fees alone could add up to £500–£800. That's a holiday. That's a new phone. That's three months of your [emergency fund](/blog/emergency-fund-uk-guide).
What You Could Cook Instead
The cost comparison between takeaways and home cooking is genuinely staggering when you lay it out side by side:
- •A chicken stir-fry for two costs about £3.50 in ingredients. The equivalent from a Chinese takeaway: £22+.
- •Spaghetti bolognese for four: £4–£5 total. From Deliveroo: £30+.
- •Homemade pizza with shop-bought dough and toppings: £3–£4. Delivery pizza: £18+.
- •A batch of chicken fajitas for the week: £8–£10 total. Five individual Uber Eats lunches: £60+.
- •Slow cooker chilli (6 portions): £6–£8. Six individual takeaway portions: £50+.
Meal Prep: The Takeaway Killer
Meal prepping doesn't have to mean eating the same thing five days in a row from identical plastic containers. Modern meal prep is about batch-cooking components that you can mix and match throughout the week. Spend 1–2 hours on Sunday prepping, and you'll have quick meals ready for the entire week. Cook a big batch of rice or pasta, prep two different proteins (grilled chicken and cooked mince work well), roast a tray of mixed vegetables, and make a simple sauce or two. Throughout the week, you just assemble and reheat — 5 minutes, not 45. The key to sticking with it is variety. Monday might be chicken and rice with teriyaki sauce. Tuesday is mince with pasta and tomato sauce. Wednesday is chicken wraps with the roasted veg. Same ingredients, completely different meals. Invest in decent reusable containers (a one-time cost of £15–£25) and you're set.
The Compromise: Smarter Takeaway Habits
Going cold turkey on takeaways isn't realistic for most people — and it doesn't have to be all or nothing. Here's how to keep enjoying the occasional treat without destroying your budget:
- •Set a monthly takeaway budget and track it. Use the [SYM app](/) to create a specific 'takeaway fund' and stick to it.
- •Limit delivery apps to once a week maximum. Treat it as a genuine treat, not a default.
- •Order collection instead of delivery — you'll skip the delivery fee, service charge, and inflated app prices. Many restaurants offer 10–20% off for collection.
- •Use loyalty schemes and discount codes. Deliveroo Plus (£3.49/month) removes delivery fees if you order regularly. Check TopCashback and Vouchercodes before ordering.
- •Cook 'fakeaway' versions of your favourites at home. A homemade katsu curry or burger night scratches the same itch for a fraction of the price.
- •Never order when hungry. Decide earlier in the day whether tonight is a takeaway night. Impulse orders are the most expensive ones.
What to Do With the Savings
Here's the most important part: redirect the money you save. If you cut your takeaway spend from £150/month to £50/month, that's £1,200 per year freed up. Set up a standing order on the same day you'd normally order — transfer the money you would have spent into a savings account instead. In one year, that's enough for a holiday fund, a solid start on an [emergency fund](/blog/emergency-fund-uk-guide), or a meaningful contribution to a house deposit. Use the [SYM app](/) to set a goal and watch the savings stack up. Seeing the real number grow is far more satisfying than a lukewarm pizza that arrived 20 minutes late. The point isn't to never enjoy a takeaway again — it's to make sure the ones you do order are a conscious choice, not a mindless habit that's costing you thousands.
#takeaways#meal prep#food spending#budgeting#saving money
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