Food delivery services have revolutionized how we access our favorite meals. With just a few taps on our smartphones, we can have pizza, sushi, or a dish from that new restaurant downtown delivered straight to our door. This convenience has made food delivery services incredibly popular, especially in recent years. But with so many options available, figuring out What Is The Best Food Delivery Service can be a challenge. This guide explores the top contenders in the food delivery market, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to help you make the best choice for your needs.
Top Food Delivery Services to Try
1. Grubhub
Alt text: Grubhub app interface showing various restaurant options for food delivery.
Best for: Overall reach and variety.
Grubhub is a leading name in food delivery, partnering with a vast network of restaurants, including both local gems and national chains. This extensive reach allows users to satisfy nearly any food craving on demand.
- Availability: Operates in 4,000 U.S. cities and London, UK.
- Fees: Vary by restaurant.
- Minimum Order: Varies by restaurant.
- Subscription: GrubHub+ for $9.99/month offers free delivery.
Pros:
- Extensive reach across numerous cities.
- Partners with a wide variety of restaurants.
- Supports multiple payment methods.
Cons:
- Some restaurants impose delivery fees.
With Grubhub, users can easily search for restaurants by cuisine or location, place orders, and track deliveries within the app. The app also allows for takeout orders and provides access to exclusive deals. A delivery instruction box lets you specify your preferred drop-off location, including options for no-contact delivery. Subscribing to Grubhub+ provides the added benefit of free delivery, making it a cost-effective choice for frequent users.
2. DoorDash
Alt text: A DoorDash delivery driver on a bicycle in a city street, delivering food.
Best for: Recommendations and fast delivery.
DoorDash boasts a significant presence in 4,000 cities across the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Known for its user-friendly interface and helpful recommendation engine, DoorDash makes it easy to discover new restaurants and order your favorite meals.
- Availability: 4,000 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.
- Fees: Vary by restaurant.
- Minimum Order: None.
- Subscription: DashPass for $9.99/month reduces service fees.
Pros:
- Excellent recommendation engine for discovering new restaurants.
- Serves a wide array of local eateries and national chains.
- DashPass subscription reduces service fees.
Cons:
- Reach is not as extensive as Grubhub.
- Delivery fees can vary.
DoorDash’s “Yum Score” rates food quality and restaurant efficiency, helping users make informed choices. The app also supports alcohol delivery in areas where local laws permit. The DashPass subscription offers savings on delivery fees, making it a valuable option for regular users.
3. Seamless
Alt text: A Seamless branded delivery bag with various food containers inside, ready for delivery.
Best for: New York City residents.
Seamless, another service under the Grubhub umbrella, offers a similar experience with a wide variety of restaurants and cuisines. It’s a mirror image of Grubhub, providing full-menu options and the possibility of contact-free delivery.
- Availability: 4,000 U.S. cities and London, UK.
- Fees: Vary by restaurant.
- Minimum Order: Varies by restaurant.
- Subscription: Seamless+ for $9.99/month for cost savings on delivery.
Pros:
- Extensive reach.
- Delivers from both local restaurants and national chains.
- Supports multiple methods of payment.
Cons:
- Service from some restaurants includes delivery fees.
Customers can browse by food or location and arrange for delivery at work or home, or opt for pickup. While Seamless operates in numerous U.S. cities, it shines in New York City, where it partners with a diverse range of restaurants.
4. Uber Eats
Alt text: An Uber Eats delivery person on a scooter navigating through a busy city street.
Best for: Uber users and global reach.
Uber Eats extends Uber’s on-demand service to food delivery, allowing users to easily find and order from their favorite restaurants.
- Availability: 500-plus cities in 24 countries.
- Fees: 15% of order subtotal.
- Minimum Order: $2 to $3 fee for orders less than $10 to $15.
- Subscription: Eats Pass for $9.99/month offers free delivery.
Pros:
- Integrated with Uber in some cities.
- Real-time delivery tracking.
- Supports cashless payment.
Cons:
- 15% service fee.
Users can track orders in real time and pay with a credit card or Uber credits. Tipping and delivery instructions can be managed within the app. Uber Eats boasts a global presence, making it a reliable option in major cities worldwide. The Eats Pass subscription provides free delivery and an additional 5% discount on orders over $15.
5. Instacart
Alt text: An Instacart shopper pushing a shopping cart full of groceries inside a grocery store.
Best for: Grocery delivery.
Instacart specializes in delivering groceries, household goods, and alcohol from a wide range of retailers.
- Availability: 5,500 cities in the U.S. and Canada.
- Fees: Starting at $3.99 with a minimum order of $10.
- Minimum Order: $10.
- Subscription: Instacart Express for $9.99/month offers faster deliveries.
Pros:
- Serves an extensive list of grocery stores.
- Instacart Express membership provides faster deliveries.
Cons:
- Service fees can add up.
- It can be difficult to get time slots.
If your menu requires groceries, Instacart is a great option. It has partnerships with more than 20,000 retailers across North America, and you can even get ready-to-eat meals delivered. The Instacart Express membership offers faster deliveries, while a drop-off feature minimizes contact with the delivery person.
6. Caviar
Alt text: A Caviar delivery driver standing outside a restaurant, holding a Caviar branded delivery bag.
Best for: Local restaurants.
Caviar, acquired by DoorDash in 2019, focuses on delivering from local restaurants in 28 cities and regions across the U.S.
- Availability: 28 U.S. cities and regions.
- Fees: $1.99 to $8.99.
- Minimum Order: Varies by restaurant.
- Subscription: None.
Pros:
- Focuses on local restaurants.
- Real-time GPS tracking.
Cons:
- Reach isn’t as extensive as other services.
It offers real-time GPS tracking and the option to pick up your food to save on fees. Caviar emphasizes diverse restaurants and allows you to leave instructions for no-contact delivery.
7. Postmates
Alt text: A Postmates delivery driver on a moped with a Postmates bag, making a delivery.
Best for: 24/7 deliveries.
Postmates, now owned by Uber, provides 24/7 delivery options, allowing you to order almost anything from local stores to your doorstep.
- Availability: 4,200 U.S. cities.
- Fees: Varies by restaurant and subject to surge pricing.
- Minimum Order: Varies by restaurant; $1.99 on small cart orders.
- Subscription: Postmates Unlimited for $9.99/month.
Pros:
- 24/7 deliveries, depending on restaurant hours.
- Extensive reach.
- Deliveries extend beyond food.
Cons:
- Surge pricing can increase costs.
You can order food, groceries, clothing, or even cellphone chargers. The Postmates Unlimited service removes surge pricing and delivery charges for orders over $15.
8. ChowNow
Alt text: A smartphone displaying the ChowNow app interface, showcasing local restaurant options.
Best for: Supporting local restaurants.
ChowNow primarily focuses on allowing you to place orders for pickup at local restaurants, with delivery available in select locations.
- Availability: 18 U.S. cities and regions.
- Fees: Varies by restaurant.
- Minimum Order: Varies by restaurant.
- Subscription: None.
Pros:
- No hidden fees.
- Focuses on local restaurants.
Cons:
- Delivery limited to select cities.
- Not as extensive as other services.
ChowNow promises commission-free ordering, ensuring your final bill isn’t loaded with unexpected fees. This app is ideal for supporting local eateries.
9. Delivery.com
Alt text: An exterior view of a building with a Delivery.com sign, indicating delivery services available.
Best for: All-purpose deliveries.
Delivery.com offers a broad range of delivery options, including food, laundry, dry cleaning, groceries, and alcohol.
- Availability: 100-plus U.S. cities.
- Fees: Varies by location.
- Minimum Order: Varies by location.
- Subscription: Delivery Points reward program for free.
Pros:
- Delivers laundry, groceries, and alcohol in addition to food.
- Extensive reach.
Cons:
- Some restaurants add delivery fees.
It also features a group ordering option for splitting orders with neighbors and roommates.
10. GoPuff
Alt text: A GoPuff delivery driver handing a bag of goods to a customer at their doorstep.
Best for: Snacks and essentials.
GoPuff takes a unique approach to food delivery, offering snacks, ice cream, alcohol, over-the-counter medicine, and cleaning supplies.
- Availability: 170-plus areas.
- Fees: $1.95 per delivery.
- Minimum Order: None.
- Subscription: Fam membership for $5.95/month.
Pros:
- Deliveries include cleaning supplies and medicine in addition to food.
- Flat delivery fee.
Cons:
- Food deliveries lean more towards snacks than full meals.
It operates as a mobile convenience store, delivering exactly what you need day or night. The Fam membership provides free delivery, saving you money if you use GoPuff frequently.
Choosing the Best Food Delivery Service for You
When determining what is the best food delivery service for your needs, consider the following:
- Reach: How extensive is the service in your area?
- Restaurant Selection: Does it offer food from your favorite restaurants?
- Fees: Are there extra fees, and are they transparent?
- Membership Programs: Does the service offer a monthly membership that can save you money?
- Delivery Needs: Do you need groceries, snacks, or full meals?
Grubhub, DoorDash, and Uber Eats specialize in meals from restaurants. Postmates, Delivery.com, and GoPuff handle other types of food delivery, while Instacart focuses on grocery stores. By weighing these factors, you can select the food delivery service that best fits your lifestyle and culinary preferences. With the information provided, answering the question of what is the best food delivery service becomes a personalized and informed decision.
