Leading Food Apps in Dubai : A Review | FuturByte
Food apps in Dubai are used by millions of people, daily. After Covid-19, people are more inclined towards ordering their goods online rather than going out in public. This has given a rise to food delivery apps. This article will discuss:
- The market trends of food apps in Dubai
- Reviews on some of the leading food apps in Dubai
- The benefit it has on the restaurant industry
- Third-party apps vs. Custom food apps
Table of Contents
We all have at least one app on our device that is dedicated to getting meals delivered to our doorstep. According to statistics, the meal delivery market is set to reach 2.5 billion users by 2028. This stat clearly indicates the need for food delivery applications in the current era.
The boom in this market saw substantial growth during the Covid-19 lockdowns. People were apprehensive about going out and purchasing and reverted to online shopping. This gave a huge rise to online stores and food delivery applications.
Large metropolitan cities have seen this increase in the most impactful manner. The following article will discuss the food delivery app market in one of the Middle East’s biggest metropolitan cities, Dubai. Keep reading to learn the top food apps in Dubai, the impact of these apps and if your food business needs an app, you can get the best Mobile App Development in Dubai from FuturByte.
Food Delivery App Statistics in UAE
Based on Statista’s research, the use of food delivery apps in the UAE is projected to consistently grow, exceeding US$2.18 billion in 2024, with an annual growth rate of 8.5% CAGR by 2026.
Furthermore, with the growing popularity of these apps will see an increase in tthe number of online food delivery users. This number is anticipated to rise to 6 million by 2026, leading to a significant increase in the user penetration rate, reaching around 45%.
Looking at the prominent players, Talabat, Careem, and Deliveroo stand out as the top contenders in the food delivery sector, earning the preference of millions of Emiratis.
Among the top players, Talabat emerges as the leader among people that tend to have a larger order value, with Deliveroo as a potential runner-up. This determination is based on their respective market shares, calculated from their order volumes.
This goes to show that the UAE is a flourishing market for food delivery apps. Let’s dive into food delivery apps in Dubai and what they offer.
7 Best Food Apps in Dubai
Talabat
Talabat, a prominent and budget-friendly food ordering app in Dubai, has established a strong reputation amongst users for its functionality and affordability over the years.
The app has consistently been the most popular in the food delivery market, thanks to its skilled team, robust customer support, and efficient order fulfilment operations. These qualities make Talabat a great choice of food apps for Emiratis across the UAE.
The ordering process on Tabalat is simple:
- Make your choice from a selection of different cuisines from several food hubs located nearby
- Once chosen, you can confirm and pay instantly using your debit card or COD.
- The app will keep track of your previous orders to simplify the process in case of a reorder.
- You can use this app without making an account using the guest checkout option.
Careem (Uber Eats)
Careem has become a major success and a leading food delivery app in Dubai, garnering popularity in the Middle East. Established in 2012, it was later acquired by Uber in 2020.
One notable feature of Careem is its real-time order tracking, allowing users to monitor the progress of their food delivery. The app simplifies reordering by saving your most frequent orders, enabling you to make repeat purchases with just one click.
Careem’s app includes an exclusive tab showcasing various discount offers and deals, providing users with the opportunity to save money while enjoying the best promotions. It’s worth noting that Careem maintains a minimum delivery fee of AED 7.
Deliveroo
Deliveroo stands out as a comprehensive food ordering app with extensive coverage, ensuring that you can order your favourite meals with ease. For those seeking reliable food ordering apps in Dubai, Deliveroo comes as a strong recommendation.
The Deliveroo app offers the characteristics:
- A diverse menu featuring pocket-friendly options.
- A wide-variety of cuisines to choose from, rangin from biryani, club sandwiches, BBQ, chicken masala, and more.
- A minimal delivery charge of AED 7, which is notably lower compared to other upscale food delivery apps in Dubai.
- Offers convenience and affordability to improve the customers food ordering experience.
Noon_Food
Noon Food is a well-known food ordering app in the UAE, known for its user-friendly payment methods and transparent fee structure for your orders.
Operating in key areas, Noon Food provides services in:
- Dubai
- Abu Dhabi
- Sharjah
EatEasy
EatEasy is known for offering a wide range of grocery and food delivery services for users looking for a reliable solution. This hybrid app stands out by providing food ordering services throughout several neighbourhood, making it an ideal choice for fulfilling your food delivery needs.
Key features of EatEasy include:
- Accessibility on Android, iOS, and desktop platforms.
- Segmentation based on the user’s location, ensuring tailored services.
- Cashback redemption options to enhance the user experience.
- Multiple payment methods, including cash, credit card, or cash-on-delivery (COD).
- Wide-ranging delivery services covering all major areas of Dubai.
Eat Clean
Eat Clean is considered an excellent food ordering app that goes beyond selling dishes, catering to the health-conscious individuals by providing personalised meal plans for weight management. Choose your preferred food course and prepay delivery charges for a streamlined experience.
Key features of Eat Clean:
- Advance payment option for 3-4 weeks meal plans, allowing for efficient planning.
- Flexibility to modify daily deliveries, comprising 3 meals and 2 snacks.
Explore this app to simplify the fulfilment of your dietary preferences, promoting a balanced and health-conscious food ordering experience.
Munch: On
Munch: On, also known as Lunch in Dubai, stands out as one of the best budget-friendly food ordering options, specifically designed for individuals who are always on the go and prefer ordering daily meals during their office hours.
Key features of Munch On:
- A wide selection of cuisines, catering to the preferences of all individuals.
- Weekly suggestions, seasonal deals, and discounts available by signing up.
- Advanced scheduling for food deliveries, ensuring convenience and alignment with your schedule.
- Timely arrival of food orders, providing a punctual and reliable service.
Impact of Food Delivery Apps on Restaurant Industry
The restaurant industry is leveraging food delivery apps to help them grow. There are several benefits that the restaurant industry enjoys with the rise in food delivery applications. These benefits include:
Increased Reach and Accessibility
Food delivery apps have created new opportunities for restaurants. Smaller, independent eateries that were restricted to their own store can now reach customers with ease through simplified delivery systems.
Enhanced Convenience
Food delivery apps offer convenience to the customer which also reflects positively on the restaurant. With just a few taps, users can browse menus, place orders, and have food delivered to their doorstep.
Increased Sales and Revenue
Many eateries have reported a substantial boost in profits since partnering with these apps. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, these apps became a lifeline for many restaurants.
Marketing Opportunities
Food delivery apps can be a great source of marketing for restaurant businesses. They provide a platform to showcase menus, promote special deals, and attract new customers.
Quality Control
Businesses are encouraged to maintain their quality of food and packaging when opting for a food delivery app. Some items may not travel well, leading to challenges.
Customer Reviews and Ratings
Food delivery apps offer customers a platform to send in their feedback about the food. These reviews can help restaurants improve their processes and use the feedback in a constructive manner.
Should You Consider Getting a Food Delivery App Developed?
There are several food delivery apps on the market today. Subsequently, there are several food delivery apps that are specific to a single eatery such as Dominoes and McDonalds.
Businesses in the restaurant industry can either opt to partner with a third-party food delivery application or develop their own. Let’s look into the pros and cons of each.
Developing a Food Delivery App from Scratch:
Pros | Cons |
Tailor the app to match your restaurant’s specific needs and branding | Creating an app from scratch can be expensive |
Have complete control over features, design, and user interface | Building a custom app takes time |
an extension of your restaurant’s brand, fostering stronger customer loyalty and recognition | Ongoing maintenance and updates require a dedicated team |
Maintain ownership of customer data for marketing and personalised services | It may take time to build a user base |
Signing Up with a Third-Party Food Delivery App:
Pros | Cons |
Instantly tap into an existing user base, reaching a broad audience | The app charges a percentage of each order |
Typically, no upfront development costs | Less control over branding, customer experience, and data ownership |
Benefit from the app’s marketing efforts | Your restaurant is listed alongside competitors, leading to reduced brand visibility |
Quicker adoption and increased order frequency. | Your restaurant is subject to the apps policies, updates, and potential changes in commission rates |
Future of Food Apps in Dubai
The food delivery app market has seen a substantial increase in the last 5 years, and this is only going to increase as people get used to the convenience it offers. Some experts believe that there may be some major advancements in this market in the coming years. These include:
- More restaurants will start adopting digital solutions
- Advanced technologies such as AI, machine learning, and data analytics will be integrated into food apps
- The concept of virtual restaurants operating solely through food delivery apps and cloud kitchens will gain more popularity amongst owners and customers.
- Food apps will partner with eco-friendly restaurants, offer sustainable packaging, or implement green practices.
Conclusion
Food delivery apps are widely popular in Dubai, and the restaurant industry is already taking advantage of this platform. There are several challenges businesses might face if they choose to partner with third-party apps. Creating your custom food apps in Dubai can change this.
FuturByte has a team of experienced developers that can create a custom application for your restaurant business. We will understand all your requirements and functionalities to create an application that is suited to your business needs and geared towards business growth. Get a free consultation today.
Custom apps offer tailored features, brand consistency, and unique functionalities specific to your restaurant, providing a competitive edge.
The timeline varies based on features and complexity, but it generally ranges from a few months to a year, including development, testing, and deployment.
Yes, custom apps can be designed to seamlessly integrate with your Point of Sale (POS) system for efficient order management.
Implementing robust security measures, including encryption and secure payment gateways, ensures the protection of customer data on your custom app.
Yes, with a custom app, you have full control over updates, modifications, and future feature additions based on your restaurant’s evolving needs.
