15 Most Popular Food Delivery Apps In Dubai

In Dubai, food delivery apps have become an integral part of everyday life, offering unmatched convenience and saving time for busy individuals from investing too much time in the kitchen.

The ease of scrolling through an app, choosing your favorite dish, and having it delivered right to your doorstep without spending hours feels truly awesome.

As Dubai’s food culture grows, so does the demand for these apps, with more people turning to them for quick, hassle-free, and tasty meals. According to a report from Statista, The online food delivery market in the United Arab Emirates is expected to generate $1,122 million in revenue by 2024. Over the next few years (2024-2029), the market is predicted to grow at an annual rate of 3.78%, reaching around $1,351 million by 2029.

Dubai has an app for every craving. Of course, you might have some applications that you use more often. However, many other applications may amaze you by showing fantastic deals and hidden food places.

Let’s spice things up! Here are 15 meal delivery apps in Dubai that are sure to tickle your taste buds and keep things fresh.

15 Popular Food Delivery Apps Used In Dubai, UAE

This article will help you choose the top food delivery apps in Dubai, clearly comparing their pros, cons, delivery fees, and user experience.

Here is a quick rundown of the best food delivery apps in Dubai, which we will be discussing in this blog post

App	Restaurant Variety	Delivery Fees	User Experience
Talabat	Over 10,000 restaurants, offering both local and international cuisines.	Starts at AED 5; frequent promotions are available.	Easy ordering with real-time tracking and secure payments.
Careem	7,000+ F&B outlets, from small local eateries to international chains.	Varies by location; unlimited free delivery with subscription.	Seamless integration with Careem Super App, live updates, and ingredient-based search.
Deliveroo	Curated list of top-rated restaurants, including local favorites and international brands.	Delivery fees from AED 7 onwards.	Fast delivery (30-60 minutes) with an intuitive app interface.
Noon Food	Popular restaurants, fast food chains, and local eateries.	50% off and free delivery for first-time users.	Integrated with Noon shopping app for seamless ordering and savings.
EatEasy	Over 9,000 restaurants with English and Arabic language support.	Varies by restaurant and location; 50% off for first orders.	Bilingual app with easy navigation and frequent promotions.
Carriage	200+ restaurants with a wide variety of options.	Variable fees depending on order value.	Fast delivery within 40 minutes with real-time GPS tracking.
InstaShop	Offers both groceries and hot meals from well-known restaurants.	Free delivery promotions available.	User-friendly app catering to daily essentials and meals in one platform.
Locale	High-quality, locally-owned restaurants focusing on fresh ingredients.	Fees may vary based on restaurant and location.	Socially responsible app supporting local businesses with a focus on quality.
MyEatPal	Health-conscious meal options filtered by diet plans and nutritional needs.	Delivery fees depend on the restaurant.	Detailed meal customization with a user-friendly interface for health-focused users.
Smiles	Multiple popular restaurants with exclusive deals for Etisalat users.	Earn and use Smiles points for discounts.	Rewarding system with regular buy-one-get-one offers.
Cari	Well-known restaurants like Nando’s and Sushi Nation.	No commission, dine-in menu prices.	Fast delivery (within 30 minutes) with a user-friendly interface.
MUNCH:ON	Partnered with top restaurants offering discounted meals through subscriptions.	Best discounts available for subscribers.	Simple, clear menu and fast order processing with subscription-based savings.
Clean Eat Me	Health-focused restaurants offering nutritious meals.	Higher fees due to focus on quality ingredients.	Easy meal selection for diet-conscious users with a focus on health.
GrubHub	Offers an extensive range of dining options from local eateries to popular chains, ensuring something for everyone.	Generally affordable with frequent promotions.	Intuitive search and ordering process, with flexible payment options
Caviar	Partners with top-tier restaurants to deliver premium, exclusive meals, offering a more refined selection for food enthusiasts.	Higher fees are expected given the premium nature of the service	Sleek and intuitive design, with advanced tracking features.

1. Talabat: Top Food Delivery Service in the UAE

Talabat leads the food delivery market of the UAE, offering more than 10,000 restaurant options from local cuisine to international. Talabat and Zomato are known to be the leading food delivery applications in Dubai, but Zomato is no longer available as a food delivery app in Dubai. For users who may be wondering why the Zomato app has shut down, the reason is that Zomato sold off its UAE operations to Talabat in 2019.—Talabat has now taken over, ensuring a smooth and enhanced food delivery experience.

Why You Will Love It

• A great variety of food choices is combined into one app and personalized to your cravings.
• Your ordering is easy and smooth, with order tracking and secure online payments.
• Customer-oriented for complete satisfaction after every single order.
• Save on your favorite meals with Regular Promos & Discounts, and Deals.

Concerns

• Delivery Fees: Starting from AED 5, the fees add up, especially for small orders.
• Limited Delivery: Not all restaurants may deliver to your area, which often limits choices.

2. Careem: From Ride-Hailing to Food Delivery

UberEats has joined forces with Careem’s food delivery service after it acquired the company in a $3.1 billion (Dh11. 3 billion) deal in 2019. Careem has expanded from its simple ride-hailing service into food delivery, boasting upwards of 7,000 F&B outlets across the UAE. Careem allows seamless migration from ride-hailing to food delivery. Careem can be trusted for ordering your food requirements as it is quite hassle-free.

Features You Will Love

• Careem has been exposed to a great variety of restaurants, all the way from small local eateries to large international chains.
• Minute-by-minute updates by users of their order status.
• Ability to search for dishes and restaurants by ingredient.
• You can also get unlimited free food delivery with Careem.

Concern

Delivery coverage may vary by location.

3. Deliveroo: Quality Restaurants at Your Doorstep

Deliveroo has been transforming the way people eat and shop across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah. Innovative Deliveroo ensures a great dining experience among the best restaurants for the eateries, especially foodies who enjoy nice food with speedy service.

What You Will Love About Deliveroo

• Food from top-rated, more local favorites to international brands.
• Known for its efficient logistics and user-friendly interface.
• A fast delivery time frame of around 30-60 minutes maximum, ensuring the freshness of the food.
• Ordering food is such a breeze with its app, because of how simple and intuitive it’s built.

Things to Consider

• From AED 7 onwards, adding to the overall price, especially on smaller orders.
• Not all restaurants reach every area, so choices depend on your location.

 

4. Noon Food: Save Time and Money

Noon Food is a food delivery application in Dubai that helps foodies relish their cuisines more comfortably and economically. This is ideal for those who already know the Noon app and want convenience and savings for their ordered food.

Features You Will Love

• Get food delivered right from the Noon application, alongside your shopping needs.
• Avail 50% off and free delivery on the first order, making it really good for new users.
• Choose from a long list of popular restaurants, fast food chains, and local eateries.
• Seamless ordering process, integrated into Noon’s already existing user interface.
• The commission rate is attractive and fair.

Considerations

• Limited restaurant selection when developing compared to other apps.
• The delivery time can vary upon the location and restaurant availability.

5. EatEasy: Huge Choice and Multilingual Support

EatEasy is the ideal food delivery app across the UAE. It has user-friendly options in both English and Arabic languages. This meal delivery app in Dubai will fit any kind of user who wants to order different types of food with ease, especially those who want an Arabic or bilingual app experience in the UAE.

Why You Will Like It

• A food delivery service app in Dubai that provides a broader selection of cuisines with over 9,000 restaurants.
• The application is in English and Arabic; therefore, it targets a bigger group.
• Easy to operate and order your favorite dishes.
• A new user will get a chance to get 50% off the first orders by using the code EASY50.

Things to Note

• Additional delivery charges may vary depending on the restaurant and location.
• Order customization, even with a user-friendly app, could be very minimal.

6. Carriage: Fast Delivery and Extensive Options

Among the leading food delivery services in the Middle East, Carriage boasts of its speed and variety. Carriage is meant for speedier delivery and wider restaurant choice, thus making it one of your go-to places to order quick, convenient meals in the UAE.

Features You Will Love

• Assurance of delivery within 40 minutes, which is one of the fastest options available.
• Over 200 restaurants with a great variety of food.
• You can track your order with GPS in real-time and know exactly when it will arrive.
• The app is really easy to use, with options, and the ordering process is pretty straightforward.

Considerations

• The delivery fees and other charges are variable in nature and might be captured a little differently under your order value.
• Limitation in a delivery area.

7. InstaShop: Groceries and Hot Meals to Your Door

InstaShop is most known for grocery delivery, but it also provides hot meals from various restaurants, making it quite versatile to meet all of your needs. InstaShop is ideal for users who want to combine grocery shopping with meal delivery in a single app, both in an easy and varied way.

Features You Like

• It offers both grocery deliveries and hot meal options, thus acting like an app that caters to all your daily essential needs in one platform.
• Most times, there are promotions that include free delivery, which will help save money on orders.
• From the famous restaurants of WokBoyz, Yo! Sushi, and Russo’s Pizzeria, there is a great variety.
• The application is pretty user-friendly through which groceries or meals can easily be ordered.

Cons

• Not all restaurants are available in every area.
• The app is focused more on groceries, which may hamper the types of dining choices.

8. Locale: Quality Food with a Community Focus

Locale is one of those unique food delivery applications based in Dubai that focuses highly on community, good wages, and quality food from a curated selection of restaurants. This food delivery app in Dubai would be ideal for anyone seeking quality food, supporting the locals, and who wants a seamless ordering experience.

Features You Will Like

• Limited but high-quality options of restaurants are offered like Freedom Pizza and Wildflower Poke.
• Delivers from restaurants known for quality ingredients and preparation, thereby assuring the best dining experience.
• It is designed in a user-friendly fashion that has been made easy to use and place orders with great focus on user experience.

Considerations

• Fewer restaurants could mean limited options on the app compared to other food delivery services in Dubai, which might disappoint some users.
• The emphasis on quality may mean that some meals are more expensive compared to other food delivery services.

9. MyEatPal: Your Personal Health-Conscious Meal Planner

MyEatPal is among the food delivery applications for health-conscious users in Dubai, guiding you through sticking to your diet goals right to perfection. This is perfect for those people who are committed to healthy living and at the same time looking for a hassle-free way of getting meals that meet their health benchmarks.

Features You Will Love

• MyEatPal filters meals by diet plan, calorie, and macronutrient intake to keep you on track with your health goals.
• Very detailed meal customization down to the last ingredient you can get a meal that just fits into your nutritional needs.
• A friendly interface makes it quite easy to find healthy meal options from restaurants in your vicinity.
• Helps find recipes that suit your specific diet and puts a personal touch in the meals.

Considerations

• If you are looking for indulgent or even non-diet food ideas, options in this app are limited.
• Ideal for users who will be strict with their diet plans; thus, the working market could be pretty niched.

10. Smiles: Rewarding Your Dining Experience

Smiles by Etisalat is a rewards application where, aside from offering food delivery services, the gained points can be used as a discount on one’s order. This food delivery application Dubai is ideal for Etisalat users who want to save as much money as possible through food deliveries by utilizing their points for better deals.

Features You Like

• Earn and use Smiles points on your food orders to make the meal rewarding.
• Multiple options for popular restaurants like McDonald’s and Papa Murphy’s, including lots of buy-one-get-one deals.
• The offers and promotions constantly keep updating to save money on favorite meals. Easy to operate
• Overall good navigation and ease of interface with regards to placing orders and tracking rewards.

Concerns

• You ought to have earned adequate points on Smiles, which could necessitate heavy utilization of Etisalat services.
• Best suited for those using Etisalat services because others may find the use less fruitful.

11. Cari: Fast and Affordable Food Delivery

Cari is an online food delivery app booming in Dubai, promising quick delivery with no commission and at reasonable prices. Cari is ideal for those in search of an affordable and fast delivery service option in Dubai, adding great value thanks to its commission-free model.

What You Will Like In Cari

• Cari ensures delivery within 30 minutes so that the food is hot and fresh when it reaches your hands.
• Avail the privilege of paying as per the dine-in menu prices without any extra commission, therefore you can your meal at an affordable price.
• It boasts well-known restaurants such as Nando’s and Sushi Nation, among others, hence serving varied tastes.
• The application is built to be user-friendly, right from navigation ease to quick order processing.

Cons

• Cari’s delivery coverage area is expanding very fast, but might still be smaller than some other established platforms.
• While it’s growing, the selection is still not as big as some competition.

12. MUNCH:ON – Subscription Meal Savings

It is Dubai’s first food delivery subscription that saves you so much on every meal, especially ordered from top restaurants. MUNCH:ON food delivery in Dubai has the ideal setting for frequent eaters who would wish to have meal discounts without necessarily compromising quality, with sizable discounts through its subscription model.

Useful Features

• It promises cheaper meals on a subscription. Using it often makes economic sense too.
• Top-ranked restaurants are made partners with Munch: On to provide quality meals.
• The application is user-friendly, the menu is clear, and placing an order is fast and convenient.
• Munch: On comes with various subscription models, ranging from individual to business applications.

Considerations

• The best discounts are only available for subscribers. People who want to use it infrequently may not like it.
• Still scaling, so the service may not yet reach all areas or restaurants.

13. Clean Eat Me – Wholesome and Nutritious Meal Deliveries

Clean Eat Me is among the food delivery applications in Dubai that accommodate the needs of health-conscious users through its healthy, nutritious meal deliveries. It is ideal for fitness-conscious folks who believe the way to good health and nutrition begins with good food and an easy way to access healthy meals for healthy living.

Features

• Specializes in delivering balanced, nutritious meals that cater to various diets.
• It partners with restaurants that use fresh, high-quality ingredients to ensure a meal that helps toward living a healthy life.
• The application is user-friendly, and you will find it much easier to select meals fit for your health aspirations.
• Enhances the possibility of setting individual orders with regard to changes in diet, where sticking to a particular nutrition plan can be made easy.

Considerations

• The focus on quality and healthy ingredients will make it more pricey than most regular food delivery apps.
• Being as healthy as it is, this application won’t provide a vast array of cuisines but will stay more inclined toward meals for people with special diet needs.

14. Grubhub: Affordable and Widespread Food Delivery

Grubhub stands out as a leading food delivery app with an extensive reach, operating in over 1,100 cities globally, including Dubai. This food delivery app in Dubai is known for providing a wide range of dining options at competitive prices, making it a popular choice for users looking for affordability without compromising on variety.

Why You Will Love It

• Connects you to a vast array of cafes, restaurants, and local eateries, offering something for everyone.
• The app’s sophisticated search feature makes it easy to find exactly what you’re craving, whether it’s from a well-known chain or a local favorite.
• Accepts various forms of payment, including PayPal and Android Pay, adding to its convenience.
• Grubhub offers low subscription fees and regular promotions, making it one of the most affordable food delivery options available.

Considerations

• Delivery fees can vary depending on the restaurant and location, which may affect the overall cost of your order.
• While widely available, the local restaurant selection may vary depending on your specific location.

15. Caviar: Premium Dining Delivered At Your Door-Step

 

Caviar is a premium food delivery app in Dubai, known for partnering with top-tier restaurants to provide an exclusive, high-quality dining experience. It’s the go-to app for foodies looking for the best of the best, with a focus on delivering exceptional meals from renowned local eateries.

Why You Will Love It

• Offers food from some of the best local restaurants, ensuring a premium dining experience with every order.
• Features real-time GPS tracking of orders and detailed delivery ETAs, providing a transparent and reliable service.
• The app’s sleek design and easy-to-use interface make it simple to browse, order, and track your meals.

Considerations

• The focus on quality and exclusivity means that meals may come at a higher price point compared to other delivery apps.
• The app’s emphasis on high-end restaurants may limit the variety of more casual dining options available.

Why Consider Investing in a Food Delivery App in Dubai?

Dubai is a prime location for food delivery apps due to its vibrant food culture and strong tourism industry. The demand for online food delivery services in Dubai is on the rise, with the market expected to grow by US$1,122.00m by 2024.

Additionally, the average revenue per user (ARPU) in this sector is projected to increase by 10.7%, highlighting the growing appetite for convenient food delivery options.

The Dubai government is also actively encouraging the adoption of technology to improve customer experiences and foster the growth of the food industry. With various initiatives in place to support and incentivize tech startups, now is a great time for entrepreneurs to invest in the food delivery app market in Dubai.

What Pain Points You Can Address When Developing A Food Delivery App In Dubai

Building a food delivery app doesn’t just mean jumping into one of today’s hottest markets. It’s about crafting an experience that solves real pain points for users and differentiates your business from the competition. Understanding how users interact with mobile app frameworks can help you create a smoother experience, addressing common pain points like long delivery times and complicated UI.

Here are some of the very common user pain points in food delivery apps that you should consider while building your app:

Lack of Personalization

Users like personalized recommendations of dishes according to their history or preferences regarding food ordering.

Long Delivery Times

Users often get frustrated with delayed deliveries, especially during peak hours. Optimizing routing algorithms, increasing driver fleet during busy times, and offering real-time tracking can help mitigate this issue.

High Delivery Fees

High delivery charges can deter customers, particularly for small orders. Introducing subscription models with reduced fees or eliminating minimum order requirements can make your app more attractive.

Inconsistent Food Quality

Maintaining food quality during delivery is a common concern. Implementing strict quality control measures, proper packaging solutions, and real-time feedback systems can help ensure consistent food quality.

Poor Customer Support

Users may feel dissatisfied if their issues aren’t resolved quickly. Investing in responsive customer support and easy-to-use help features within the app can improve user satisfaction.

Limited Restaurant Choices

Users prefer a wide range of restaurant options. Expanding partnerships with diverse restaurants and offering exclusive deals can make your app more appealing.

Inaccurate GPS and Navigation Issues

Delivery drivers may struggle with finding the correct locations, leading to delays. Investing in accurate GPS technology and providing drivers with better training on navigation tools can reduce these issues.

Complicated User Interface

A complex app interface can frustrate users. Prioritize a user-friendly design with easy navigation, clear menus, and a simple checkout process to enhance the overall user experience.

Payment Issues

Problems with payment processing can lead to abandoned carts. Ensuring a smooth, secure, and diverse range of payment options can reduce this pain point.

Lack of Order Customization

Users may want to customize their orders, such as adding or removing ingredients. Providing a flexible order customization feature can increase customer satisfaction.

Inconsistent Delivery Areas

Some users may find that their area isn’t covered by delivery services. Expanding your delivery zones or offering alternative delivery options can help address this.

For more app development ideas, go through our guide on mobile app ideas

What Is The Development Cost For Food Delivery Apps?

The cost to develop a food delivery app in Dubai typically ranges from AED 70,000 to AED 400,000+. Keep in mind, the final cost will depend on the specific requirements and complexity of your app.

If you’re curious about the overall app development cost in Dubai, you can find a detailed breakdown to help guide your budget planning.

Here is a quick glimpse of how much the app development will cost you.

App Complexity	Development Time	Cost Range (AED)
Low Complexity Apps	2-4 months	AED 70,000 – AED 150,000
Medium Complexity Apps	4-8 months	AED 150,000 – AED 250,000
High Complexity Apps	8 months – 1+ year	AED 250,000 – AED 400,000+

Why Choose BitsWits for Your Food Delivery App Development?

Opting for BitsWits to develop your food delivery or any other mobile app development in Dubai offers a range of unique advantages. With a proven track record in creating top-tier mobile applications, BitsWits ensures that your app meets the highest standards of quality, scalability, and client-specific needs.

Our team of expert developers and designers is dedicated to integrating both essential and advanced features into your app, ensuring it stands out in the competitive market. From initial concept to final deployment, and ongoing support, BitsWits delivers a comprehensive service that ensures your app’s success every step of the way.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the UAE’s food delivery market is thriving, offering a wide range of apps to suit different tastes and preferences. Whether you’re a consumer looking for convenience or a business owner planning to launch your own app, it’s important to understand what makes each platform unique.

For business owners, the growing demand presents a great opportunity. By focusing on the right framework, user-friendly design, efficient service, and competitive pricing, you can create an app that not only satisfies customers but also helps your business grow.

As you plan your app, keep in mind the factors that can affect development costs, like the complexity of features and the need for strong security. Working with an experienced development team will help you build a reliable and successful app.

By putting the needs of your customers first and staying adaptable, you can develop a food delivery app that stands out and achieves long-term success.

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