Dubai is a melting pot of cultures, cuisines, and culinary adventures. Whether you’re a tourist soaking up the city’s iconic skyline or an expat settling into your new home, knowing how to order food in Dubai is essential. Food delivery here is more than just a convenience; it’s a way of life. With countless options ranging from humble shawarma stalls to Michelin-starred restaurants, ordering food in Dubai is easy and remarkably efficient. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to order food in Dubai with clear, step-by-step instructions and useful statistics so you’ll always know how to satisfy your cravings in this vibrant, fast-paced city.
Know Your Delivery Options
Understanding how to order food in Dubai can enhance your culinary experience while you explore this beautiful city.
To successfully order food in Dubai, familiarize yourself with the following delivery options.
Dubai’s food delivery ecosystem is vast. Let’s quantify the landscape first:
- Delivery apps dominate 80% of food orders in urban Dubai (according to local insights).
- 20% of orders are still made via direct restaurant calls or walk-ins.
Top Delivery Apps in Dubai (by Popularity)
Make sure to explore different methods on how to order food in Dubai for the best experience.
| App Name | Estimated Market Share (%) | Key Features |
| Talabat | ~55% | Wide range, grocery delivery, user-friendly UI |
| Deliveroo | ~25% | Fast delivery, upscale restaurants |
| Careem Food | ~12% | Linked to the Careem ride app, loyalty points |
| Zomato (Delivery) | ~8% | Reviews, dine-in options too |
Most expats and locals have at least two delivery apps installed for variety and better deals.
What You’ll Need to Order Food
Before you open an app or call, make sure you have:
- A UAE mobile number (Required by 100% of platforms for verification and delivery updates)
- A valid address (Use building name, apartment number, and location pin via Google Maps — 90% of apps use map integration)
- A payment method (90% of users prefer card/Apple Pay/Google Pay, but 10% still choose cash-on-delivery)
Tip: Dubai is precise about addresses. The more exact, the faster your food arrives. A 2022 survey showed orders with a pinned location arrived 25% faster than those with just text directions.
How to Order via App (95% of users follow this pattern)
Let’s break this into simple quantitative steps based on common user behavior:
- Install the App: Takes 2–3 minutes
- Register your details: Takes 2–5 minutes
(Phone number, email, delivery address) - Browse or Search for Food: 5–10 minutes
(80% of users spend <10 minutes deciding, especially during peak lunch/dinner hours) - Place your order
(Average time from adding to checkout = 2 minutes) - Choose Payment
(70% card, 20% Apple/Google Pay, 10% cash-on-delivery) - Track your order in real-time
(Average delivery time = 25–40 minutes, depending on distance/time of day)
These steps will guide you on how to order food in Dubai seamlessly.
Pro Tip: Deliveroo and Talabat offer “Scheduled Orders” — perfect if you want food at a specific time (e.g., lunch break or party). Around 18% of users utilize this feature.
Dining Preferences & Tips (Culturally Relevant)
Dubai is international but it still values etiquette:
- Tipping is optional but appreciated. 5–10 AED (~$1.50–3 USD) is considered generous by 70% of delivery drivers.
- During Ramadan, food deliveries continue as usual, but public eating is restricted during daylight hours. Expect 5–10 minutes additional delay around iftar (sunset breaking of fast).
- Dietary needs?
- 50% of menus mention halal certification
- Vegan/vegetarian options are available in 60%+ of restaurants
- Use search filters like “Gluten-free” or “Vegan” (available in 4 out of 5 apps)
How Much Does Delivery Cost?
Here’s an average delivery fee comparison in Dubai (2025 estimates):
| Delivery Distance | Avg. Cost (AED) | Notes |
| <3 km | Free – 5 AED | Most restaurants within close radius |
| 3–8 km | 7 – 12 AED | Normal for city-wide deliveries |
| >8 km | 15 – 20 AED | Long-distance, expect longer delivery |
Service charges (5–7%) may apply on some apps. 90% of promotions waive delivery fees during special campaigns (weekends, public holidays, or app anniversaries).
Can You Still Call to Order?
For a pleasant experience, remember these tips on how to order food in Dubai.
Yes, about 20% of restaurants still take direct phone orders, especially:
- Small shawarma or karak tea stalls
- Local cafeterias
- Fine-dining restaurants (for bespoke or large catering)
Pro tip: Use Google Maps or Zomato to get the phone number of the restaurant.
Food Subscription and Meal Plans (Emerging Trend)
For ex-pats or health-focused folks, meal plan subscriptions are growing fast (market growth of 15% YoY since 2022). Here’s a quick comparison:
| Service Name | Avg. Price/Month (AED) | Key Feature |
| Kcal Extra | ~1,500 AED | Health-focused, calorie-controlled |
| Right Bite | ~1,200 AED | Balanced meals, customizable plans |
| Meal Prep UAE | ~1,000 AED | Affordable, gym-focused plans |
These services save time and ensure consistent, healthy meals over 30% of busy expats use them regularly.
Vegan and vegetarian options are also available for those who know how to order food in Dubai.
Conclusion
Ordering food in Dubai is fast, reliable, and wonderfully diverse. With more than 13,000 restaurants available across various platforms and an average of 2.5 food delivery orders per household each week, it’s clear that dining in without lifting a pot has become an integral part of life in this vibrant city.
Pro tip: Always double-check your delivery location pin before placing an order, and don’t forget to hunt for promo codes. Dubai’s delivery apps regularly offer 30–40% discount campaigns, making it easy to enjoy your favorite meals while saving a few dirhams!
When considering the cost of your meal, keep in mind how to order food in Dubai can influence your budget. Don’t forget that knowing how to order food in Dubai can also include calling restaurants directly for your favorites. After learning how to order food in Dubai, explore these resources for the best delivery experiences.
