Life Hack: Best food delivery Apps in Dubai & More
When I first moved to Dubai, delivery apps didn’t even exist! Now we can’t imagine our lives without them.
If you’ve just moved to Dubai, here’s the good news, Dubai is genuinely one of the best cities in the world for food delivery. Like, crazily good!
Whether you need a full family dinner sorted in under 1 hour or you’ve run out of milk and can’t face going outside, there’s an app for that.
From restaurant meals and groceries to pharmacy items and more, everything really is available to be delivered right here in Dubai. Here’s my honest guide to the best food delivery apps in Dubai, including what I actually use and why.
1. Talabat
Talabat is the OG of Dubai delivery, one of the oldest and most trusted platforms in the UAE. It’s still a staple in most households here, if there’s one app everyone in Dubai has on their phone, it’s this one.
More than just a food delivery app, Talabat works as a full multi-category platform, covering everything from restaurant meals and groceries to flowers and medicine. It’s the app I reach for when I just need things sorted fast.
As a mixed British & Saudi family, mandi and traditional Emirati dishes are definitely some of my favourite go to family meals from Talabat.
Why I Love It:
- Massive restaurant selection – from your favourite fast food fix to finer dining
- Also delivers groceries, pharmacy items, flowers, and more all inside one app
- Super user-friendly with real-time tracking (great for impatient kids asking “is it here yet?”)
- Frequent promotions when ordering from select restaurants
Perfect For: Families who want to streamline meals, grocery runs, and last-minute errands all in one place.
2. Deliveroo
Deliveroo is my go-to when I want to feel like I’m having a proper restaurant meal at home. It’s aimed more as a premium restaurant delivery app in Dubai, and while the gap between Deliveroo and Talabat has definitely narrowed over the years, Deliveroo still has a wider range of mid-range to higher-range restaurants.
The viral Fix chocolate with their pistachio kunafa chocolate bar, nicknamed named ‘Dubai Chocolate’, launched on Deliveroo and was exclusively on it for a long time. It’s now moved apps.
Deliveroo seems to be a bit slower with delivery times compared to the other apps, not sure why but if there’s a delay you do get cash back, so it can be a positive for saving money haha!
And if you’re ever in the mood to actually head out instead, I’ve also put together a guide to the best family-friendly restaurants in Dubai — well worth a browse!
Why I Love It:
- Exclusive partnerships with premium, local, and independent restaurants you won’t always find elsewhere
- Sleek, user-friendly tracking, you always know exactly where your order is
- Group ordering* option, which is a lifesaver for family meals or office lunches
- Great for when you want something a little special without leaving the house
*Group ordering allows you send a link to other family members, colleagues or friends, so they can easily select what they want to order themselves. Amazing for those with teenagers or even just getting your partner’s order without having to ask them every option or side they want.
Perfect For: Families who prioritise variety and quality restaurant food with fast, reliable delivery.
3. Careem Food
If your family is already using Careem for rides (and let’s be honest, if you live in Dubai you probably are), then Careem Food is such a natural next step. It’s part of the Careem super app, which means one login, one app, and everything just connects – rides, food, groceries, payments. It’s that “I just want less apps on my phone” solution.
And if you’re a Dubai chocolate fan, the viral Fix Chocolate with pistachio kunafa filling is now available on Careem, so that’s another reason to have it downloaded!
Why I Love It:
- Everything lives in one app, book a ride, order dinner, sort errands, done
- Built-in Careem rewards and points, for cash off other purchases
- Careem plus earning cash back from taking taxis along with free delivery from selected restaurants
- Home to Fix Chocolate — the viral Dubai pistachio kunafa chocolate 🍫
Perfect For: Families already using Careem for transport who want to simplify their digital life and get more out of one single app.
4. Noon Food
If you’re a regular Noon shopper (and who in Dubai isn’t?), then Noon Food is worth exploring. It’s part of the same Noon ecosystem you already know and trust, and it’s been expanding quickly across Dubai’s food delivery scene.
Why I Love It:
- Wide selection of cuisines and eateries something for every mood and every family member
- Frequent discounts and value meals, great for keeping the food budget in check
- Has ‘Noon Minutes’ for express items delivered in less than 15 minutes
- Easy to bundle with your regular Noon shopping
If you’re trying to keep things on the lighter side, I’ve also rounded up the best healthy food options in Dubai — great inspiration for when you want to eat well without the guilt.
Perfect For: Budget-conscious families who want diverse, affordable food delivery without compromising on variety.
5 – Instashop
OK so InstaShop isn’t strictly a food delivery app but hear me out, because it absolutely deserves a spot on this list. It’s the one I reach for when I need to do a convenient grocery shop but also want to throw in dinner from a local restaurant or bakery at the same time.
They originally started as a local grocery delivery app but have since expanded to offer more options!
Why I Love It:
- Delivers from local supermarkets, bakeries, butchers, and restaurants — all in one order
- You can bundle meal delivery + household essentials in one go (fewer delivery fees, less hassle)
- Fast delivery times with the option to schedule in advance
- Really helpful for those “we need dinner AND we’re out of everything” moments
- Great selection of independent and artisan suppliers you won’t find on other apps
Perfect For: Families who want a one-stop shop for both food and groceries, saving time, trips, and delivery fees.
6. Keeta
Keeta is the newer kid on the block in Dubai’s delivery scene, but don’t let that put you off — it’s quickly becoming a firm favourite in our house. What sets Keeta apart is how genuinely good the offers are, and for families ordering bigger meals, those savings really add up. I’ve also noticed the delivery tends to be faster than most other apps, which when you’ve got hungry kids waiting is absolutely everything.
Why I Love It:
- Some of the best money-off coupons and deals of any delivery app in Dubai right now
- Great for larger family orders — the discounts make a real difference when you’re ordering for a crowd
- Noticeably faster delivery in my experience — less waiting, more eating
- Still growing its restaurant selection, but the quality is already impressive
- Worth downloading just for the intro offers alone — seriously good value
Perfect For: Families who want to make the most of their delivery budget — especially on bigger orders where the coupons and deals really come into their own.
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