Quick Facts
- Dubai residents with busy lifestyles
- Expats seeking convenient meal options
- Frequent food delivery users looking to save on fees
- Talabat is the market leader with the largest restaurant selection and guest checkout option
- Careem Plus subscription (AED 19/month) offers unlimited free delivery on orders over AED 30
- Zomato no longer delivers in UAE - use only for restaurant discovery and reviews
- Subscription models are now essential to avoid high delivery fees
For frequent orderers in Dubai, Careem Plus or Deliveroo Plus subscriptions are the smartest way to save on delivery fees, while Talabat remains the go-to for maximum restaurant variety.
Dubai operates at a speed that often leaves zero time for cooking. Whether you are stuck in Sheikh Zayed Road traffic or wrapping up a late meeting in DIFC, the city’s food delivery ecosystem is your lifeline. But here is the reality check for late 2025: the market has consolidated. Some apps have vanished, others have merged, and subscription models are now the only smart way to avoid bleeding money on delivery fees.
We have tested the platforms, analyzed the new fee structures, and filtered out the noise. If you are planning a weekend party or just need a quick lunch at your desk, these are the only food delivery apps in Dubai you need to know about.
The Heavyweights: Best Online Food Delivery Apps in Dubai
Whether you crave Italian, Indian, or a quick burger, the landscape has shifted from simple delivery to full service lifestyle apps. The winners in 2026 are the ones offering loyalty programs and reliability.
TALABAT
Talabat isn’t just a popular option; it is essentially the operating system for hunger in the UAE. As of December 2025, it remains the market leader, boasting the largest fleet and the widest selection of restaurants.
The Practitioner’s View:
- Massive Variety: From hole in-the wall cafeterias to high-end dining, if it exists in Dubai, it’s on Talabat.
- Guest Checkout: Hate creating accounts? Talabat still allows a “Guest Checkout” feature, letting you order quickly without the admin headache.
- Payment Flexibility: They support Apple Pay, Credit Cards, and yes, Cash on Delivery (COD) is still an option for many restaurants.
- Zomato Integration: If you used to order on Zomato, you are now ordering on Talabat. The platforms have fully integrated their delivery logistics.
Insider Tip: If you are looking for more than just food, check out our guide to Best Flower Delivery in the UAE, as many of these apps now handle gifting too.
CAREEM FOOD
Careem has evolved from a ride hailing app into a “Super App.” If you live and work in Dubai, this might be the most economical choice due to their subscription model.
Why We Recommend It:
- Careem Plus: For AED 19 per month, you get unlimited free delivery on food orders over AED 30. If you order more than three times a month, this subscription pays for itself immediately.
- Real-Time Tracking: The interface is slick, leveraging their GPS technology from the taxi side of the business.
- Variable Fees: Without the subscription, expect variable delivery fees based on distance plus a small service fee.
EATEASY
EatEasy is the quiet achiever in the UAE market. It functions as a hybrid between a grocery store and a restaurant aggregator, making it perfect for multitasking.
- Broad Coverage: It is not just for Dubai; it covers all seven emirates, including Sharjah and Ajman, with over 1,000 active partners.
- Loyalty Points: You earn cashback points on every order which can be redeemed for gift cards.
- Tech Compatibility: Works seamlessly across iOS, Android, and desktop browsers.
ZOMATO (Discovery Only)
STOP: Read this before you download.
In the past, Zomato was a go-to for delivery. As of late 2025, Zomato does NOT deliver food in the UAE. The delivery service was discontinued and absorbed by Talabat back in 2022.
Use Zomato strictly for:
- Checking restaurant menus and photos.
- Reading honest reviews from the community.
- Using “Zomato Pay” for discounts when dining out physically.
DELIVEROO
Deliveroo positions itself as the premium choice. If you are looking for consistency, high-quality rider hygiene, and access to exclusive trendy restaurants, this is your app.
- The Cost of Convenience: Delivery fees vary by location (typically up to AED 7). However, they introduced Deliveroo Plus. The Silver plan (AED 19/month) gives you free delivery on orders over AED 60.
- Tracking: Best in-class rider tracking. You see exactly where your driver is, down to the street corner.
- Groceries: They have aggressively expanded into grocery delivery, competing directly with apps like Dubai’s organic stores.
EAT CLEAN ME
If you are tired of fast food and want to commit to a lifestyle change, Eat Clean Me is the solution.
This isn’t about ordering a one off pizza; it’s about meal plans. Whether you are vegan, keto, or looking for high protein options, they connect you with meal plan providers across Dubai. It simplifies the process of calorie counting by letting you book weeks of food in advance.
MUNCH:ON (Now Part of Careem)
Looking for the MUNCH:ON app? You won’t find it. It was acquired by Careem and its technology has been fully integrated into the Careem Super App.
The famous “low-cost corporate lunch” model that Munch pioneered is now available within the Careem Food interface. You can still access affordable daily meals, but you need to do it through the Careem app, often leveraging the Careem Plus subscription for maximum savings.
Security Note: Whenever you try a new app, ensure you are using legitimate platforms. Check our guide on verifying if a shop is legit to stay safe online.
