Do you want to learn how to get paid to eat at restaurants?
Getting paid to eat at restaurants might sound like a dream job, but it’s actually something some people are doing right now. And, I have personally been paid to eat at restaurants many times as a mystery diner!
Whether you’re looking for a way to make extra money, get reimbursed for meals to make them free, or find a way to make a full-time income in the food world, there are several ways to earn money by eating.
From mystery shopping to blogging about food to eating contests, this can be a fun and tasty way to earn some extra income.
Best Ways To Get Paid To Eat at Restaurants
Here are real ways to get paid to eat at restaurants.
Recommended reading: 17 Best Ways To Get Paid To Shop
1. Become a mystery diner
Mystery shopping is one of the most popular ways to get paid to eat out.
As a restaurant mystery shopper, you’ll be asked to visit a restaurant, order specific items, and then report on your experience. You will most likely be asked to pay for the meal upfront (so that no one at the restaurant knows you are a mystery shopper), but you’ll usually be reimbursed and sometimes even paid a small fee on top of that.
I’ve done a lot of mystery shopping in the past, and it can be an easy way to try out new places while getting a free or discounted meal. I have received several $100 meals for free by mystery shopping, and it was always an enjoyable and easy time. You’ll just want to be sure that you follow all the instructions carefully. If they ask you to arrive at a certain time, interact with staff in a specific way, or order from a certain section of the menu, do exactly that. Also, don’t forget the receipt because you will be asked to take a picture of it and turn it in as proof that you went.
The best mystery shopping companies include BestMark (this is who I used for most of my mystery dining jobs) and Intouch Insight.
The biggest tip I have for finding mystery dining gigs is to avoid any company that asks you to pay to sign up – mystery shopping should never cost you money to start.
Recommended reading: Want To Make An Extra $100 A Month? Learn How To Become A Mystery Shopper
2. Get paid to review restaurants
If you love writing and dining out, becoming a restaurant reviewer might be a great job for you.
Restaurant reviewers visit different places (like cafes, diners, nice restaurants, food trucks, and everywhere in between), try the food, and write about their experiences. While it can take time to build credibility, some people eventually get paid for their reviews or receive free meals in exchange for coverage.
You can start by reviewing local restaurants on your own, and you can also pitch your work to local newspapers, food magazines, or travel websites.
You’ll want to keep your reviews honest, descriptive, and helpful, as well as get good at taking high-quality pictures of the food you eat at restaurants.
3. Use cash back and dining rewards apps
If you’re already dining out, you might as well earn some cash back while doing it.
Cash back and reward apps can help you earn money on everyday purchases, including restaurant meals. Now, this won’t make every meal you eat at a restaurant free, but it can help you get some cash back.
Here are some of my favorite options:
- Fetch Rewards: Take a picture of your restaurant receipt and earn points toward gift cards.
- Upside: Offers cash back for dining, gas, and groceries. Check the app to activate the offer before you pay.
You can also use rewards credit cards that give you extra points for dining out. For example, some credit cards will give you 3 or 4 times the points at restaurants. If you’re strategic about it, you can double up by using a rewards credit card and a cash back app at the same time too.
4. Start a food blog
If you love to eat, try new restaurants or share food photos. Starting a food blog might be a great fit for you.
I started this blog, Making Sense of Cents, over 10 years ago, and while I don’t run a food blog, I can tell you that blogging can absolutely be turned into a full-time income.
With a food blog, you can:
- Write reviews of local restaurants.
- Share roundups of your favorite places to eat.
- Post recipes inspired by meals you’ve tried.
- Create helpful lists like “Best Brunch Spots in [Your City].”
Eventually, you can monetize your food blog through affiliate links, sponsored posts, ad revenue, and even your own products (like a digital cookbook or meal planner).
To get started:
- Choose a blog name and domain (something easy to remember and related to food).
- Use a platform like WordPress.
- Pick a clean design with lots of room for photos.
- Start writing and sharing consistently (I recommend at least one blog post each week).
And most importantly, focus on creating helpful content. People love honest reviews and recommendations. If you build trust with your readers, brands and restaurants may start reaching out to pay you to feature their food.
Recommended reading:
- How I Make $110,000 A Year As A Food Blogger
- How To Become a Food Blog Photographer And Earn Over $50,000 Each Year
5. Join taste panels and focus groups
If you want to get paid to try food without starting a blog or downloading an app, taste panels and focus groups are another great option.
Companies and research groups sometimes run paid studies to gather feedback on food products. You might get invited to taste-test a new menu item, sample packaged goods, or even participate in a video interview.
You can find these opportunities through places like:
- User Interviews
- Local universities
- Local marketing firms near you
Sometimes you’ll be asked to go in person, but there are virtual taste panels too. The pay can range from $25 to $200 depending on the time commitment. This isn’t consistent work, but it can be a fun and interesting way to make extra money.
6. Create food content on social media
If you’re on TikTok, YouTube, Twitch, or Instagram, you’ve probably seen people who get paid to eat on camera.
Food content is super popular and comes in all forms: mukbangs (live streaming while you eat for viewers around the world), travel vlogs, restaurant reviews, “what I eat in a day,” and more.
If you’re comfortable filming yourself eating or sharing food recommendations, you can build a following and start earning money through:
- YouTube ads
- Brand sponsorships
- Affiliate links
- Paid reviews or partnerships
- Donations
You can start by picking a platform and a theme for your content. For example, maybe you focus on affordable eats in your city, vegan food, or fast-food taste tests.
7. Participate in food challenges
Competitive eating might not be for everyone, but you may be able to get free food from it or even turn it into a business!
Some restaurants host eating contests with prizes like cash, free meals, or gift cards. These might be “eat a giant burger in 20 minutes” or “finish this super spicy ramen” challenges.
There are even competitive eaters who make money through sponsorships, live events, and YouTube channels.
I’ve watched some of these YouTubers myself for fun many times. Two of my favorites are Katina Eats Kilos and Randy Santel. They travel, take on eating challenges all over the world (I love how they showcase cuisines from all over!), and earn a living.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about how to get paid to eat at restaurants.
How do you get paid for eating at restaurants?
You can become a mystery shopper, write food reviews, join taste-testing studies, or even start a blog or YouTube channel about food.
Is there a job where you get paid to eat?
Yes! Mystery diners, food critics, social media creators, and even competitive eaters all earn money for eating. Some make side money, while others have turned it into full-time careers.
How can I eat if I have no money?
If you have no money, you still have some options to eat food. Mystery shopping or participating in taste tests can help you get free meals. I also recommend posting a thread in a local Facebook group and simply asking for free food options (such as a food pantry) to see what is available near you – there is no shame in asking.
What are ways to get paid to eat food on camera?
You can start a YouTube channel, TikTok, or Instagram account and film yourself reviewing restaurants or trying different meals. And, once you grow your audience, you can earn money through ads, sponsorships, and more.
How To Get Paid To Eat at Restaurants – Summary
I hope you enjoyed my article on the best ways to get paid to eat at restaurants.
Getting paid to eat at restaurants is not only possible but also something some people are already doing. Whether you want to mystery shop, start a blog, or post videos online, there are tons of creative and fun ways to turn your love of food into extra income.
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a full-time gig, some extra cash, or just a way to enjoy more meals for free – there’s something here for everyone.
Have you ever been paid to eat?
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