Dubai is undoubtedly a culinary heaven, but selecting the best food delivery app in Dubai can often become overwhelming, leaving foodies famished and lost.
Don’t Worry!
We have curated a list of the 12 best food delivery apps in Dubai to help foodies navigate the maze of food delivery service providers in the Emirates.
Before we delve into the details of exploring the best food ordering apps in Dubai, UAE, here are some interesting stats about this rapidly growing segment.
UAE Food Delivery Apps Market Statistics
According to a report published by Statista, revenue in the UAE’s food delivery apps market is forecasted to grow by a CAGR of 5.59% by the end of 2029, reaching a staggering figure of $67.12 Million.
The average revenue per user is forecasted to jump to $13.23 from $12.74 for the online grocery delivery sector. While for the food delivery apps in Dubai this rate is predicted to reach $9.38 from $8.64 by the end of 2029.
The pandemic is a key factor behind the sector’s remarkable growth. A change in consumer preferences has also transformed this segment into a thriving marketplace for both local and international brands. This, in turn, has attracted international brands like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Zomato to the market, posing a serious challenge for the local food delivery apps in Dubai like Talabat.
Top 12 Food Delivery Apps in Dubai, UAE
Whether you are longing for a healthy meal like a Ceaser’s Salad or entice your tastebuds with a scrumptious meal of Chicken Quesadilla, this list of the top food delivery apps in Dubai, UAE is the ultimate savior to satisfy your rumbling belly.
Talabat
Launched in 2004 by a group of entrepreneurs in Kuwait. Talabat has amassed over 10 million downloads making it one of the fastest growing Arab origin food delivery apps in Dubai, UAE. The food ordering app does not just offer a vast selection of food items from nearby restaurants. But features like GEM that allow you to find the best deals from restaurants near you make it a go-to choice for residents of Dubai.
Another key feature that makes Talabat the best food delivery app in UAE is its pre-order function. Customers can simply pre-order food items using this function and get them delivered at a specific time. Additionally, Talabat also offers delivery of non-food items. Users can use the app to order groceries, flowers, pet supplies, coffee, skin-care items, etc.
Careem (UberEats)
Uber Eats, the leading global food ordering and delivery platform worth $12.1 billion, decided to exit the UAE in 2020. However, the platform announced that it will continue to operate in the UAE marketing via its wholly-owned subsidiary, Careem. Uber Eats acquired Careem for AED 11.3 billion in 2019, making it the second biggest food delivery app in Dubai. Careem connects you to over 7,000 restaurants across the Emirates. You can order everything from juicy Arabic grills to global fast-food favorites through the Careem app.
The Careem app gives you the following perks:
- Order-history tracking lets you reorder your favorite foods quickly.
- Real-time tracking of your food orders.
- Amazing discount offers and exclusive deals.
- Economical delivery charges, with a minimum delivery fee of just 7 AED.
- Guest check-out
- Ability to search your desired food based on your favorite ingredients.
Careem has become a strong contender in the UAE food delivery apps scene. In 2023, the platform delivered more than 1.4 million meals across the Emirates and KSA, easily making it one of the top food delivery apps in Dubai, UAE, and KSA. Additionally, Features such as “Dirham for Delays” make it the preferred choice for people looking for instant delivery. Moreover, the platform also has monthly subscription programs which offer special executive discounts and free delivery options to customers.
NoonFood Partner
With over 10 million downloads, NoonFood Partner is also ranked amongst the leading food ordering apps in Dubai, UAE. A key feature due to which the platform soared to unparalleled success is its “Good Morning Mode.” The feature allows you to order food, specifically breakfast items, from 05:00 AM to 09:00 AM, with minimal communication. All you need to do is place your order via the app; the NoonFood team will send a confirmation message, and the food will be delivered to you in less than 30 minutes. Noon does this to save from awkward early morning interactions.
Apart from the silent delivery option, Noon Food offers a transparent fee structure and easy payment methods. There are no hidden or additional charges, which makes it one of the best and preferred food delivery apps in Dubai.
Deliveroo
Launched in 2015 in the UAE, the online food delivery platform has rapidly expanded its operations in the UAE. It currently operates in Sharjah, Ajman, Dubai, Al-Ain, and Abu Dhabi. The platform has collaborated with over 140, 000 restaurants in the region enabling it to offer diverse range of gourmet delights like Pickl or sweet treats from Magnolia Bakery in less than 30 minutes.
Deliveroo is not just about fancy desserts. They offer a good variety of economical options too. Whether you are in the mood for curry and biryani, classic club sandwiches, or BBQ, Deliveroo will deliver. It lets you explore a range of selected restaurants. Plus, it is known to be a wallet-friendly option, with a minimum delivery charge of AED 7. Thus, the platform’s diverse range of food options and minimal delivery charges make it one of the preferred food delivery apps in the UAE.
Zomato
Zomato is not strictly a food delivery app in Dubai, but it still plays a crucial role in the city’s food scene. Zomato picked Dubai as its first international foray in 2012 and became an instant hit, capturing 20% of the share of food ordering apps in Dubai. Zomato excels at restaurant research. It provides comprehensive information (menus, photos, rates, reviews and ratings). You can search and filter results based on cuisine, location, budget, and dietary needs and limitations.
Due to its remarkable performance, Zomato was acquired by Delivery Hero through its wholly-owned subsidiary in the UAE, Talabat, for $172 Million. This acquisition further strengthened Talabat’s reach within the region, adding more than 1.2 million orders and boosting revenues by $2 million, making it the leading food delivery app in Dubai with a market share of 76%.
Eateasy
EatEasy stands out in UAE’s food delivery apps scene due to its hybrid approach. This user-friendly app, available in both Arabic and English, delivers both gourmet food and everyday grocery items right at your doorstep.
What’s more, EatEasy connects you with over 9000 restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, pharmacies and even flower shops & nurseries. You can find what you need, earn in-app rewards and pay your way (cash, card or COD) with ease. Eateasy is an all-in-one food delivery app in Dubai.
Cari
Cari, with over 100, 000 downloads, is a relatively new player in the UAE food delivery apps sphere, but it promises to be a game-changer. This app was already operating in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The novelty of Cari is based on three features:
- Delivery within 30 minutes, no matter what!
- Promise of dine-in prices
- No hidden charges
- Zero commission from the restaurants
This unique model is attractive to customers as well as restaurants. With Nando’s, Jollibee and Sushi Nation already on board, Cari is going to be a major contender and possesses the potential to become one of the leading food delivery apps in Dubai, UAE.
Smiles
With more than 1 million downloads, Smiles has emerged as one of the fastest-growing food delivery apps in Dubai. Factors that make Smiles a sure-shot option for foodies in Dubai are:
- Amazing deals, offers, and discounts
- Buy 1 get 1 free offer from more than 3000 restaurants, theme parks, and cafes
- Cash back guarantee
- 50% off on movie tickets
Moreover, classic favorites like McDonald’s and Jollibee, with other options like Papa Murphy’s, are on board. Smiles app frequently features buy-one-get-one deals too. Smiles app is not limited to Etisalat subscribers; anyone can benefit from the amazing offers and deals here.
Carriage
Focused on speed, selection and transparency Carriage is the next notorious app that makes it to our list of best food delivery apps in Dubai. Bringing a wide range of delicious eatables from 200 restaurants to your table, Carriage also boasts an impressive average delivery time of under 40 minutes. It even gives you a real-time GPS order-tracking facility, every minute of the way.
From burgers to pizzas and local favorites, Carriage is a great choice for stress-free meals.
Eat Clean
Eat Clean is another food delivery app in Dubai that has gained remarkable popularity in a short period of time. Unlike other food delivery apps in UAE, Eat Clean does not just offer food delivery, but it allows you to create “Meal Plans.” You can simply create your meal plan in advance for either 3 or 4 weeks. However, you can change the items daily based on your personal preference. Thereby making it the perfect choice for diet-conscious people who are looking for healthy and nutritious munching options.
Meal Plan currently operates in:
- Dubai
- Sharjah
- Abu Dhabi
- Al Ain
- Ras Al Khaimah
Munch: ON
Another app that has made it to our list of the best food delivery apps in Dubai is Munch: ON. The app is known for its reasonable food options and amazing discounts, making it the preferred choice for busy professionals who are always on the go. Moreover, there are various features that make Munch: ON the frequent go-to option for Emiratis; some of these include:
- Wide variety of palatable cuisines
- Weekly suggestions and amazing discounts on sign-up
- Schedule a delivery option
- Instant and on-time delivery
- Subscription-based program
Munch On carves its niche by keeping the busy professionals fueled and focused. The platform was recently acquired by Careem, another major player in the UAE food delivery app market. According to the deal Munch: ON will halt its operations in the region, and the platforms will be rebuilt on Careem App, but it will continue to offer subscription based low-cost meals to users throughout the UAE.
MyEatPal
Labeled as UAE’s first Match Maker App but for food, MyEatpal has emerged as one of the fastest-growing food delivery apps in Dubai, with more than 10 million downloads. A key feature that makes MyEatPal the go-to choice for vegans, vegetarians, and pescatarians is the advanced dish filtering option. This feature allows user to filter down their search queries based on dietary needs, avoidances, macronutrients, and calorie count. Moreover, the app also allows to filter down searches based on their ovo-vegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, and paleo-pescatarian preferences. The app also makes food recommendations based on your dietary preferences.
Final Words
Dubai’s vibrant food scene is mirrored by its food delivery apps. From budget-friendly to health-focused, there is a food delivery app for everyone. This shows the remarkable growth potential that this sector has, which, according to Statista, is predicted to reach a staggering figure of $87.92 million by the end of 2029.
This has not just attracted major foreign players like Uber and Deliveroo to the Emirates, but local players like Talabat are also making huge strides. Thus, businesses, specifically startups, can enter the sector to generate remarkable ROI immediately. But building a mobile app is not a piece of cake, it requires time, market, and extensive technical knowledge. This is where a reliable and trustworthy mobile app development company in Dubai can come in handy. They cannot just help in building your food delivery app in Dubai, but they can also guide you by communicating the best business and marketing practices to ensure that your app ranks on top in the App Store and garners substantial returns.
FAQs
- Which are the most popular food delivery apps in Dubai, UAE?
Although there are various food delivery apps in Dubai, UAE. However, the top 5 food order apps in Dubai, based on popularity, number of downloads, and revenues are:
- Talabat
- Careem
- NoonFood
- Deliveroo
- Zomato
- Is Uber Eats operating in Dubai?
Uber Eats is no longer operating in Dubai, as the brand closed its operations in 2020. However, Uber recently acquired Careem for AED 11.3 billion, connecting over 7,000 restaurants across the Emirates.