Delivery Services in Dubai: Food, Groceries, and Packages

From gourmet dinners from Michelin-starred restaurants to groceries delivered in just 15 minutes—here’s how you can turn your smartphone into a personal concierge in Dubai.

The main enemy of tourists in Dubai during the summer is not just the heat, but also the loss of time. Precious vacation hours that could be spent by the pool or in the cool air of a shopping mall risk being wasted on searching for a café or running to the supermarket. This is where delivery technology steps in to give you that time back. In a city where the summer heat sets the rules and the pace of life is incredibly fast, delivery is not just a service—it’s a true superpower built into the city’s operating system. For tourists, it offers a unique opportunity to enjoy Dubai’s gastronomic diversity without leaving the comfort of your hotel room, or to take care of everyday tasks with just a few clicks. This guide will serve as your navigator through the world of Dubai’s delivery apps. We’ll break down the top players in the market, compare their strengths, and provide practical tips to make your trip even more carefree and delicious.

A gastronomic kaleidoscope in your smartphone: Food delivery

Dubai is a melting pot of cultures and flavors. Delivery services open the door to this diversity—ranging from authentic street food to creations by world-renowned chefs. Let’s take a look at who can help you organize the perfect dinner.

Market titans: the leading aggregator apps

On the local delivery Olympus, several key players reign supreme, offering an extensive selection of restaurants to suit every taste and budget.

Talabat

This is a digital mega-mall for food. Talabat boasts the widest coverage in the city, featuring thousands of establishments—from fast-food giants like McDonald's to premium restaurants. Talabat’s main strength lies in its scale and constant exclusive discounts and promotions, which allow you to save significantly. In addition, the service is tightly integrated with its own grocery delivery service, Talabat Mart, making it a true Swiss Army knife for everyday use: order dinner or grab some milk for breakfast.

Deliveroo

Deliveroo is the choice of foodies and expats. This service is often associated with a higher-end segment of restaurants, trendy cafés, and establishments that prioritize quality. The company places particular emphasis on the speed and perfection of delivery, ensuring that orders arrive neatly packaged and right on time. Deliveroo is also renowned for its exclusive partnerships with popular chains and restaurants that you won’t find on other platforms, and it offers its own ultra-fast grocery delivery service, Deliveroo Hop.

Careem

Careem operates in a different arena. It’s not just a food delivery app—it’s a full-fledged “control panel” for your life in Dubai. Ordering food here is just one of many features, alongside hailing a taxi, renting a scooter, and a dozen other services. The main advantage of Careem lies in its unified ecosystem: you can order dinner and then pay for your taxi ride using accumulated points—all within a single app. This makes it the perfect choice for those who value convenience and integrated solutions.

For foodies and connoisseurs: niche services

For those seeking something special—from healthy eating to haute cuisine—Dubai offers specialized solutions as well.

Healthy eating services (EatEasy, EatWell)

Taking a vacation doesn’t mean you have to abandon your habits (or your doctor’s recommendations). If terms like “keto,” “gluten-free,” or “vegan” aren’t just buzzwords to you, specialized platforms such as EatEasy can serve as your personal dietitian in your pocket. These platforms bring together restaurants that specialize in fitness-focused menus, allowing you not only to order a single meal but also to subscribe to balanced meal plans for several days ahead.

Premium delivery services (Chatfood)

Some high-end restaurants prefer not to work with large aggregators in order to maintain full control over quality. Platforms like Chatfood enable you to place orders directly from such establishments. This gives you the chance to enjoy a Michelin-star-level dinner right on your hotel room’s balcony overlooking the night-time skyline of Dubai—without the need for a formal dress code or booking a table months in advance.

A supermarket at your doorstep: ordering food and goods

Have you rented an apartment with a kitchen, or do you simply want to stock up on drinks and snacks for relaxing by the pool? In Dubai, you don’t have to waste time running errands to the shops—everything you need will be delivered straight to your door.

Instant delivery when you need it “yesterday”

You know the situation: you’ve got five minutes before heading to the pool, and you realize you left your sunscreen at home? Or you suddenly crave a cold Coke in the middle of the night? For moments like these, Dubai has q-commerce (quick commerce), taken to the extreme. Services like Talabat Mart, Careem Quik, and Deliveroo Hop function as your personal pantry around the corner: they have a network of mini-warehouses (“darkstores”) spread across the city, so orders for basic goods (water, snacks, ice cream, hygiene products) can be delivered to you in an astonishing 15–30 minutes.

Bulk purchases from hypermarkets

For planning for the week ahead or buying a wide range of products, it’s best to use apps from major retailers. They offer a full catalog of their products, regular discounts, and convenient delivery time slots.

• Carrefour: Your all-purpose solution. Need everything at once—from mangoes and steaks to a beach umbrella and a phone charger? This is the place for you. It’s the equivalent of “Auchan” or “Lenta”: a huge selection and the best prices, especially during promotions.
• Kibsons: The local “VkusVill” on steroids. If impeccable freshness of vegetables and fruits, organic meat, and farm-fresh products are your top priorities, then this is your number-one choice.
• Spinneys / Waitrose: For those who miss home—or simply enjoy high-quality food. Looking for that authentic British cheddar, a French baguette, or familiar European brands? These premium supermarkets are your “Azbuka Vkusa” in Dubai.

More than just food: Packages, medicines, and special errands

Delivery needs in Dubai go far beyond food. Need to send documents to the other side of the city, pick up forgotten keys from a hotel, or urgently buy medicine? There are solutions for all these tasks as well.

On-demand couriers for any task

Services like Fetchr or a similar feature in the Careem app allow you to send or receive almost any small item within the city. The process is simple: you specify points A and B on the map, briefly describe the package, and the nearest available courier picks it up for delivery. This is an ideal solution for sending gifts to friends, returning an ill-fitting item to a store, or handing over important documents.

Delivery from pharmacies: when health comes first

The ability to order over-the-counter medications, hygiene products, or baby goods with home delivery is an invaluable option for any traveler. Major aggregators, especially Talabat, have a dedicated section for ordering from pharmacies. In addition, many large pharmacy chains offer their own delivery services through their websites or apps. Keep in mind that the regulations for dispensing certain medications in the UAE may vary, so always check whether a prescription is required for the medication you need.

Practical guide: Everything you need to know before your first order

Now that you know what to order, let’s figure out how to do it correctly to avoid any misunderstandings. Terms and fees may change, so always check the final cost in the app before confirming your order.

Payment: cards, cash, and subscriptions

Most apps readily accept international credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard). This is the most convenient and fastest payment method. The option to pay the courier in cash (Cash on Delivery) is also available on many services, but it is less common, especially for express food delivery.

Address – the key to successful delivery

Forget the usual addresses like "Lenin Street, Building 5." In Dubai, things are a bit different, and the success of delivery depends 99% on your accuracy. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating the perfect address:

1. The main rule is geolocation. Always use the "Drop Pin" or "Mark on Map" feature in the app to place a marker as precisely as possible on your building. This is more important than any words.

2. Essential details in the comments. After placing the marker, be sure to write in the comments field:

• The name of your hotel or residential complex (e.g., Address Sky View or Marina Gate 2).
• The room or apartment number (Room 2505).

3. Useful landmarks (optional but helpful). If there's something distinctive nearby, add: "entrance next to Spinneys supermarket" or "black door to the right of the main entrance."

4. Request a call. A simple phrase like "Please call upon arrival" works wonders and resolves 90% of issues.

Tips and etiquette

Tipping in Dubai is not mandatory, but it is always sincerely appreciated as a sign of gratitude for fast and quality service. Most apps allow you to leave a tip for the courier online after the delivery is completed. If you wish to tip in person, it is sufficient to give 5–10 dirhams in cash.

Delivery costs and hidden fees

To avoid being surprised by the final bill, let’s break down its components. Your total amount is almost always a combination of several parts:

• Basket cost: The price of the dishes or products themselves.
• Delivery fee: Usually a few dirhams, depending on the distance.
• Service fee: A small commission charged by the app itself (not always applicable).
• Small order fee: If you ordered just a can of cola, the app may add a fee to make the order profitable.

Be sure to check the final amount carefully before paying!

How to choose the perfect service: A quick cheat sheet

To help you quickly find the right service for your needs, we’ve created a simple matrix tailored to different scenarios.

• If you want the widest selection of restaurants and discounts: Your choice is Talabat.
• If you’re looking for dishes from trendy or premium establishments: Start your search with Deliveroo.
• If you need groceries or drinks within 20 minutes: Open Talabat Mart or Careem Quik.
• If you’re planning a big grocery shop for the week: Use the Carrefour or Kibsons app.
• If you need to send a package within the city: Use the courier service in the Careem app or a dedicated delivery service.

Your Dubai, your rules

The delivery system in Dubai is a key tool for managing a tourist’s most valuable resource: time and energy. Use it not only to tackle everyday needs (“I’m hungry”) but also to create a unique experience. Arrange a romantic dinner on your balcony with a view of the Burj Khalifa by ordering food from a premium restaurant. Sample authentic Indian or Lebanese cuisine from an eatery tucked away far from the usual tourist routes. So don’t be afraid to let your smartphone handle the routine tasks. It will save you something that no amount of dirhams can buy—time and energy for what really matters: creating unforgettable memories and building your ideal Dubai.