Food delivery apps in Dubai (with promo codes)
After a long day of sightseeing in Dubai, you don’t necessarily feel like going out for dinner. It can be nice to order meals on an app and have them delivered.
Delivery services seem particularly popular in Dubai: you see couriers everywhere and the service is very efficient!
Here are the 3 apps you should know and use
Deliveroo
Certainly the easiest to use for us French: it’s exactly the same app you might use in Paris, Bordeaux, Rennes, Nancy, …
So you don’t have to install a new app or even create a new account if you already have one.
The app is in French, which can be handy for some. Only the names of the dishes will be in English, but almost always accompanied by a photo.
If you don’t have one, you can click on this link https://roo.it/jbm-tusc to get a promo code for 60 AED (about 15 euros).
During our stay in Dubai, Deliveroo seemed to us the meal delivery app offering the widest choice.
Deliveroo charges 3% service fees + 5 AED delivery fees (may vary depending on the distance between the restaurant and the delivery location).
In addition to meal delivery, Deliveroo can also deliver groceries.
Talabat
You’ll quickly become familiar with the couriers in orange suits. Talabat is the most popular delivery app in the Middle East. Founded in Kuwait, Talabat now operates in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, India, Qatar, Jordan, …
It works the same as any other delivery app. In addition to meal delivery, Talabat offers delivery of groceries, medicine, flowers, …
If you don’t use it yet, you should give it a try because Talabat is quite generous with promo codes (as of November 2021): on our first two meal orders, we received two promo codes for 30 AED (about €7.5) to use on grocery delivery. We took advantage of them to have some fruit delivered.
Talabat charges 7 AED in service fees regardless of the order amount.
The Talabat app is only available in English or Arabic.
Careem
Careem is primarily an app for hailing drivers or taxis, which is mainly what we use it for. But Careem also offers meal delivery, groceries, a courier service, bike rentals, … The app is based in Dubai and very popular in the Middle East.
Careem charges the same fees as Talabat: 7 AED regardless of the order amount.
Careem is only available in English.
Conclusion
Deliveroo, Careem, and Talabat are 3 apps that work in exactly the same way. If you’re staying in Dubai for several weeks, it might be worth installing all 3 to play the discounts they offer each day.
If you’re used to using Deliveroo in France, you’ll have nothing to set up when you arrive in Dubai (except your new delivery address). Deliveroo also seemed to us to offer the greatest variety of restaurants.
If you’re only staying a few days and prefer to use just one app, I’d recommend Careem because you can also book taxis (cheaper than Uber in Dubai).
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