Dining out as a family is one of our favorite ways to create memories. From casual dinners at neighborhood restaurants to special occasions at upscale spots, food has always been central to our family lifestyle. But as parents know, dining out can add up quickly—especially in Los Angeles.
That’s why discovering the InKind app felt like finding a hidden gem. It’s not just another dining rewards program or coupon platform. InKind works differently, giving you exclusive credits at restaurants you already want to visit, while making every dining experience feel a little smarter and a lot more rewarding.
We’ve been using InKind during our family dining adventures and want to share our complete experience:
- How the InKind app works.
- Where you can use it.
- The savings you can expect.
- Family-friendly benefits and tips.
- Pros and cons of using InKind.
- Comparisons to other dining apps.
- Our verdict: Is it worth it for families?
What Is the InKind App?
InKind is a dining app that helps you prepay for restaurant credit at a discount. Instead of earning points slowly like with traditional reward programs, you get instant value when you load credits into the app.
- Model: Buy dining credit through the app, then spend it like cash at participating restaurants.
- Savings: You often get bonus credits—for example, buy $100 and get $120 to spend.
- Exclusivity: Works with carefully selected restaurants, not fast-food chains.
- Convenience: No coupons to carry—just pay directly with the app.
💡 Think of it as an exclusive dining club that saves you money every time you go out.
First Impressions: Downloading & Setting Up
Getting started was easy:
- Download the app from the App Store.
- Create a profile with basic info and payment method.
- Explore local restaurants by searching in the app.
- Load credits—we started with $100 and received a $20 bonus.
- Book or dine-in and pay through the app when the meal ended.
The user interface felt sleek, intuitive, and built with diners in mind.
Where You Can Use InKind
One of the app’s biggest perks is its curated restaurant list.
- Upscale Dining: Steakhouses, sushi spots, and wine bars.
- Casual Favorites: Local brunch cafés and family-friendly restaurants.
- Specialty Spots: Bakeries, dessert shops, and gelato cafés.
- City Availability: Expanding quickly—LA, New York, Austin, Miami, and more.
💡 Family Note: In Brentwood alone, we spotted several family-friendly restaurants we already dine at regularly—making InKind super practical.
Our Family’s Experience Using InKind
We tested the app at a few of our favorite local restaurants:
Dinner Out in Brentwood
We used InKind at an Italian restaurant. Our family of four ordered pizza, pasta, and dessert. The bill was $140—but since we prepaid $100 for $120 in credit, we saved $20 instantly.
Date Night in Santa Monica
Just the two of us this time. Cocktails, oysters, and entrées at a beachfront spot. We used credits again, no awkward “coupon moment”—just smooth payment through the app.
Afternoon Coffee & Dessert with Kids
Stopped at a gelato shop in the 90049 using leftover credits. Kids loved it, and we didn’t feel guilty about the splurge.
👉 Verdict: Seamless, classy, and family-friendly.
Menu Highlights & Dining Wins with InKind
Because InKind partners with restaurants we’d already choose, we enjoyed exploring menus guilt-free.
- Parents’ Picks: Wine pairings, sushi, and seasonal entrées.
- Kids’ Picks: Pizza, pasta, gelato.
- Family Splurge: Ordering dessert without hesitation, knowing savings offset the bill.
How InKind Saves Money
Traditional dining rewards make you wait to earn points. InKind gives immediate savings.
- Buy $100 → Get $120.
- Buy $250 → Get $300.
- Buy $500 → Get $600.
👉 That’s up to 20% savings instantly, which adds up fast for families who dine out weekly.
Pros & Cons of the InKind App
Pros
- Instant savings—no waiting to redeem.
- Wide variety of partner restaurants.
- Seamless app interface.
- Classy—no coupon awkwardness.
- Great for families who dine out often.
Cons
- Limited to partner restaurants (not universal).
- Must prepay to maximize savings.
- Availability varies by city.
Family-Friendly Benefits
- No Stress with Kids: Paying quickly through the app is easier than waiting for checks.
- Encourages Exploring: Kids get to try new restaurants without parents stressing about cost.
- Splurge Smartly: Desserts, appetizers, or mocktails feel easier to say yes to.
- Parent Perks: Bonus credits make date nights guilt-free.
💡 For our daughters, it turned dining out into an adventure—they loved being part of choosing “our InKind place.”
Pricing & Value: Is It Worth It?
- Casual Family Outing ($100): Save $20 instantly.
- Date Night Splurge ($200): Save $40.
- Weekly Dining Habit: Could save hundreds per year.
👉 Verdict: For families who eat out often, InKind more than pays for itself.
Comparison: InKind vs. Other Dining Apps
- Groupon: Discounts but often clunky; feels “cheap.”
- OpenTable Points: Good for bookings, but savings are slow.
- Amex Dining Credits: Limited to certain cards.
- InKind: Classy, instant, and flexible.
Insider Tips for Parents Using InKind
- Load higher credit tiers for bigger bonus savings.
- Check restaurant maps in advance before family outings.
- Use credits for desserts or extras—kids love the splurge.
- Combine with reservations for seamless date nights.
- Track balance in app—credits don’t expire quickly.
What Other Users Say
- “I saved $100 in the first month of using InKind.”
- “Great way to explore new restaurants in my city.”
- “Family-friendly and no embarrassment like coupons.”
- “Wish more restaurants joined faster.”
FAQs
Is the InKind app free?
Yes—downloading and browsing is free.
How do you save money?
By prepaying—you get bonus credits instantly.
Do credits expire?
Generally no, but check terms for details.
Is it available everywhere?
Currently in major U.S. cities—growing quickly.
Can families use one account?
Yes—easy to share credits for group dining.
Final Verdict: Dining Smarter, Saving Smarter
Our family’s experience with the InKind app proved that dining out doesn’t have to mean overspending. The model of instant credit and exclusive partner restaurants makes it stand out from traditional dining deals.
For parents, it means stress-free payment and guilt-free splurges. For kids, it means more desserts and fun meals. For families overall, it turns ordinary dinners into exclusive, smart, and memorable experiences.
👉 Our verdict: InKind is one of the smartest ways to save while dining out—especially for families who love food as much as we do.
