M&S Gastropub Dine In Deal Offers Affordable Luxury Amid Cost of Living Crisis
As the cost of living crisis continues to strain household budgets, dining out has become an unaffordable luxury for many families across the UK. In response, supermarket dine-in deals have seen a significant surge in popularity, with one standout offer capturing widespread attention: Marks & Spencer's Gastropub Dine In. This deal features restaurant-quality dishes developed in collaboration with renowned celebrity chef Tom Kerridge, providing a gourmet experience at a fraction of the cost of eating out.
Affordable Pricing and Quality Offerings
Priced at just £15 for two people, which breaks down to £7.50 per person, the Gastropub Dine In deal allows shoppers to select a main course, a side dish, and either a starter or a dessert from the exclusive Gastropub range. While this price point is higher than a typical home-cooked meal, the exceptional quality and variety of options have impressed many customers. The range includes a diverse selection of dishes, with several new additions launched this autumn as part of Kerridge's ongoing partnership with M&S, ensuring fresh and seasonal choices.
Customer Reviews and Standout Dishes
Emma Gill from the Express recently sampled the Gastropub range and highlighted the lamb hotpot pie and the steak and kidney suet crust pie as particularly noteworthy options. However, her firm favourites were the beer-battered Scottish haddock and triple-cooked chips. She praised the fish and chips dish for its generous presentation, describing the flaky haddock encased in a light, crisp ale batter and the chunky chips cooked in beef fat. According to Emma, while portion sizes can vary slightly and the minted pea purée might be on the lighter side, the overall quality rivals that of many traditional pub meals, making it an excellent value for money.
Dessert Options and Award Recognition
Desserts are also included in the deal, with choices such as a classic vanilla cheesecake, Tom Kerridge's treacle slice, and a molten cookie dough. Emma described the molten cookie dough as having an oozing centre made with sea salt and malt, featuring pockets of dark and white Belgian chocolate, which proved especially popular when paired with ice cream at home. In keeping with its long-standing reputation for quality food, Marks & Spencer was crowned the winner of the Best Meal Deal award in the 2026 Good Housekeeping Food Awards. Shoppers praised the supermarket's wide range of options, from family-friendly pizzas and stir-fries to hearty pub-style dishes, while Tesco was named the runner-up for the same award.
Historical Context and Chef Involvement
The Gastropub range has been a part of M&S for over two decades, and the retailer believes that Tom Kerridge's involvement has revitalised its appeal. Speaking at the launch of his new dishes last year, Kerridge expressed his excitement about refreshing the Gastropub offerings. He stated, "I'm excited to refresh some of my Gastropub dishes at M&S with two flavour-packed mains and two autumnal starters. My cauliflower cheese soup with cheddar biscuits is a warming bowl of comfort while my lamb hotpot pie is the closest to home cooked you can find, thanks to quality ingredients from M&S. And what's even better is that these are available in the Gastropub Dine In deal."
Availability and Convenience
The M&S Gastropub Dine In range is readily available in stores nationwide and can also be ordered online through Ocado, offering a convenient restaurant-style alternative for those looking to enjoy a special meal at home without the hefty restaurant price tag. This accessibility makes it an ideal solution for households seeking to balance quality dining with budget constraints during these challenging economic times.
