Too Good To Go Review: Is the Magic Bag App Worth It in the UK?
Food waste is a massive problem. Globally, around 2.5 billion tonnes of food is wasted every year, and in the UK households alone throw away around 6.4 million tonnes annually. That’s food we’ve paid for, energy used to produce it, and money straight into the bin.
That’s where Too Good To Go comes in. The app connects users with local shops, cafés and supermarkets selling surplus food at heavily reduced prices. These surprise bundles are called Magic Bags, and they’ve become incredibly popular.
I’ve tested the app multiple times, across different chains, to see if the savings are real — or if it’s just cheap food with a green label slapped on it.
Too Good To Go review
A brilliant way to cut your food bill and reduce waste — as long as you’re flexible. Supermarket Magic Bags tend to deliver the best value, while cafés and bakeries are more hit-and-miss. If you hate surprises (or have allergies), it can be a frustrating app.
Pros
- Incredible value for money (often 70% off)
- Massive variety of partners from Aldi to Starbucks
- Genuinely reduces food waste (and guilt)
Cons
- Collection times can be late or inconvenient
- Contents are a total surprise (not ideal for allergies)
- Popular bags can sell out in seconds
Download the app free and check what Magic Bags are available near you.
Reviewed by Household Money SavingHow Does Too Good To Go Work?
The app itself is free to download. Once you’ve created an account and added payment details (Apple Pay and Google Pay both work), you’ll see nearby stores offering Magic Bags.
Each listing shows:
- Store name and location
- Price of the Magic Bag
- Estimated retail value
- Collection time (usually late afternoon or evening)
You reserve a bag, pay in advance, then collect it during the stated window. At collection, you show the QR code in the app, swipe to confirm, and that’s it.
Be warned: Magic Bags sell out fast. Some stores only release a handful per day and they’re strictly first-come, first-served. If you see one you want, hesitate and it’ll be gone.
Also worth reading
Why not check out these other apps that give free and discounted food?
What’s in a Magic Bag?
So, let’s take a look at what kind of items you can expect to find in a Magic Bag and how much of a discount you really receive.
Greggs Magic Bag
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8/5
Best for unbeatable value bakery food
If someone asked me which Too Good To Go Magic Bag is most likely to impress in the UK, Greggs would be right at the top of the list.
I’ve picked up Greggs Magic Bags a few times now, and they’ve been consistently generous. You usually get a good mix of hot food, pastries and snacks — and almost always more than the app promises.
In my case, I paid £2.95 for a bag that was claimed to be worth £8.95, but when I added it up properly it came to around £14.70. That’s not unusual with Greggs.
Most of the food was still perfectly fine the next day. Sausage rolls and pasties reheat well, and anything you don’t eat straight away can be frozen without issue.
If you’re flexible and don’t mind a surprise, this is one of the safest Magic Bags to start with.
What’s good about Greggs
✅ Very strong value for money
✅ Good mix of savoury and sweet items
✅ Easy to reheat or freeze
✅ Consistently generous compared to the minimum value
What’s not
❌ Bags sell out extremely fast
❌ Collection times can be awkward
❌ Contents vary by branch
Also worth reading
Find out some handy tips when shopping for food on a budget.
Morrisons Magic Bag
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6/5
Best for variety and overall value
If you’re looking for the most food for your money, supermarket Magic Bags like Morrisons are hard to beat.
I paid £3.09 for a bag claimed to be worth £10, but when I added everything up it came to around £19.35. That’s an excellent return, even allowing for the odd item you might not use.
Most of the food was dated for the day of collection, but nearly everything was still usable over the next day or two. Some items were perfect for freezing, which helps stretch the value even further.
Not every Morrisons bag will be this good, but when they hit, they really hit.
What’s good about Morrisons
✅ Huge value compared to price paid
✅ Wide mix of food types
✅ Good option for families
✅ Easy to freeze a lot of items
What’s not
❌ Occasional wasted items
❌ Quality can vary by store
❌ Needs quick sorting when you get home
Costa Magic Bag
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4/5
Best for quick lunches and cake lovers
Costa Magic Bags are one of the more reliable café options on the app.
I paid £3 for a bag with a claimed value of £10, but the actual contents came to around £14.85. Toasties and cake made up most of the bag, which worked well for lunch the next day.
The food was dated for the day of collection, but both toasties were absolutely fine reheated, and the cakes easily lasted another day or two.
It’s not the cheapest Magic Bag out there, but it’s dependable and easy to use.
What’s good about Costa
✅ Good value for café food
✅ Toasties reheat well
✅ Cakes usually last another day
✅ Easy, quick collections
What’s not
❌ Limited variety
❌ Not ideal for families
❌ Mostly short-life items
Starbucks Magic Bag
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.2/5
Best for sweet treats and baked goods
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, Starbucks Magic Bags are usually a safe bet.
I’ve picked up a couple of Starbucks bags and they tend to lean heavily towards muffins, pastries and the occasional savoury item. You won’t usually get a full meal, but you will get plenty of cake.
I paid £5 for a bag with a claimed value of £15, and this one landed pretty much bang on that figure. Muffins were still fresh the next day, and nothing felt close to being past it.
It’s not the best Magic Bag for value compared to supermarkets, but it’s a nice treat — especially if you’d normally pay full price for Starbucks bakery items.
What’s good about Starbucks
✅ Decent value for branded food
✅ Muffins and pastries keep well
✅ Easy, quick collections
✅ Consistent experience
What’s not
❌ Mostly sweet items
❌ Less filling than supermarket bags
❌ Value usually closer to the minimum
Budgens Magic Bag
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.3/5
Best for fresh food and freezer-friendly items
Budgens Magic Bags don’t always look flashy, but they’re often very practical.
I paid £4 for a bag with a claimed value of £12, and based on in-store pricing I’d estimate the contents were worth £15 or more. Meat, fruit and branded items made up most of the bag.
Everything was dated for the day of collection, but the meat went straight into the freezer and the fruit was in good condition. This is the kind of bag that quietly saves you money over the week.
Budgens bags won’t always be exciting, but they’re usually sensible.
What’s good about Budgens
✅ Good mix of fresh food
✅ Meat can be frozen straight away
✅ Often includes branded items
✅ Solid everyday value
What’s not
❌ Prices harder to verify
❌ Not always exciting contents
❌ Varies a lot by location
What companies use Too Good To Go?
You’ll find a good number of local stores listed on the app. But other major companies do include:
- Greggs
- Starbucks
- Costa
- Morrisons
- Co-op
- Londis
- Toby Carvery
- BP
- Cinnabon
- Sbarro
Availability varies by location, and some stores are far more generous than others.
Tips for Getting the Best Magic Bags
If you want the best experience (and avoid disappointment):
- Check the app at release times – many stores drop bags at the same time every day
- Supermarkets usually offer the best value and variety
- Freeze meat and bread immediately if needed
- Don’t use it if you’re picky — you won’t get a refund for “not liking” items
- Read store reviews before reserving
- Bring a sturdy bag — some collections are heavier than expected
Can You Get Too Good To Go Delivered?
Yes, but it’s a different product.
Some brands now offer delivery boxes, typically from manufacturers like Coca-Cola, McVitie’s or Jacobs. These usually cost £20–£40, plus postage of around £2, and contain large quantities rather than a single Magic Bag.
They’re still good value, but this isn’t a cheap lunch solution — it’s more of a bulk deal.
Is Too Good To Go Worth It?
Short answer: yes, if you’re flexible.
If you expect a hand-picked meal, you’ll be disappointed. If you’re happy to adapt and use what you get, the savings can be excellent — especially with supermarket bags.
You save money, reduce waste, and often end up with far more food than expected. Some bags are average, some are brilliant, and a few will miss the mark. That’s the trade-off.
Click the button below to download the app for free.
FAQs
Do you ever know what’s in a Magic Bag?
No. The only information you’ll receive is how much the food is valued. Although, I have found that you often get more than what’s promised.
What happens if I miss the collection time?
You can cancel up to two hours before collection. After that, you still pay — and the food goes to waste.
Is the food safe to eat?
Yes. Food is sold before it becomes unsafe. Many items are dated for the same day, so you need to use or freeze them quickly.
Is Too Good To Go worth it for families?
Yes, especially supermarket bags. They often contain enough food to cover multiple meals.
Why do some bags sell out instantly?
Stores may only list a few bags per day. Popular locations can sell out in seconds.
