It’s been a long day. Long week. Long month. And you just can’t be bothered to cook, or go anywhere? What do you do?
A) Order from your favorite restaurant?
B) Order in a meal kit?
or
C) Order from a variety of local spots, because it’s been one of those days and you just can’t decide whether you want pizza or burgers. Why not both? (We don’t judge here).
Well, whatever you decide, we’ve got your back – or stomach in this case.
Keep reading to learn all about the best food delivery services.
Different Services for Whatever You’re Jonesing For
Food delivery has been around for a very long time. It all started with a pizza, all the way back in 1889. Yup, you read that right. And since then, meal delivery has evolved tenfold, even more so in recent years, thanks to a certain pandemic.
Meal delivery services no longer only include restaurants that deliver. You can now also have meal kits delivered. Perfect for those jonesing for a homecooked meal, but don’t have the time to go to the shops for those specific ingredients.
Grocery delivery is now also a thing! Gone are the dreaded weekend shops, when all you want to do is relax after a long, busy week at work.
But how does it all work?
How to Get Food Delivered
Of course, we’re all familiar with the dreaded, nerve-wracking call to our favorite pizzeria (calling all fellow introverts). Luckily, thanks to technology, most meal delivery services make the entire experience far less daunting. Depending on what you want delivered, there are a few options, from apps to websites.
Simply download the app or load up the website, create a profile, and include all your details. And voila! You’re one step closer to having your food delivered to you.
Luckily, in these times, most of these services offer no contact delivery. They also offer plenty of other security and safety measures for your peace of mind.
Now that you know how it all works, let’s get into the best food delivery services out there.
Best Food Delivery Services Ranked
Because there are different services for different types of food delivery, we’re going to split them up into their respective categories. So, whatever you want to get delivered, you can choose the right service for your specific needs.
Apps that Deliver Food
As you’re probably well aware, there are now several food delivery apps on the market. But which one’s the best? Well, let’s find out.
Grubhub
First on our list today is Grubhub – and no, not because the name is cool. Although, it doesn’t hurt in this ranking system.
Most collectively agree that Grubhub offers the best food delivery service overall. They’re available in over 4 000 US cities, and even in London, UK. Thanks to their vast availability, they have a massive reach. Chances are, no matter where you are, you can get a Grubhub order.
Part of their allure is that they deliver from a large pool of national chains and local restaurants. They also support different payment methods, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Pay Pal. Perfect for those who don’t want to share their credit card credentials.
Unfortunately, there are no set delivery fees, as these are often dictated by the restaurant or how far you are from it. The minimum order amount also varies by restaurant.
But Grubhub has your back! They offer a subscription service, Grubhub+, which offers several benefits. For $9.99 a month, you can get:
- unlimited free delivery for orders over $12 at elidable restaurants
- exclusive deals with these select restaurants
- donation matching for No Kid Hungry
The Grubhub app is easy to use, and its offering is pretty huge. So go forth and order some grub from your favorite restaurant.
DoorDash
While most food delivery apps are pretty similar, some offer a few extra features that make them a better choice. DoorDash is a great example of this. Like Grubhub, it’s available in 4 000 cities across the US and works with a wide range of popular food chains and local restaurants.
But their app makes ordering food quick and easy. It allows you to quickly reorder your favorite meals, delivery tracking, and a delivery scheduling system. This way you can get your food delivered at the most coinvent time for you.
They also have a rating system called a “Yum Score.” And perhaps one of its greatest features is that it allows you to order alcohol with your meal – so you can get the full dining experience, right on your couch.
DoorDash also offers a $9.99 pm subscription service that includes:
- free delivery from DoorDash partner restaurants
- reduced service fees from partner restaurants
DoorDash doesn’t have the same reach as Grubhub, though, which is why it’s second on our list.
Uber Eats
Number three on our list is Uber Eats. If you already use Uber to get around, it makes complete sense to use their food delivery app.
The app’s delivery UI is very similar to their ridesharing app, making you feel right at home. You can schedule your orders and track them, just like you would with an Uber ride.
Uber Eats also has some of the biggest reach. It recently announced that it now offers nationwide shipping in the US. So now you can get food delivered, no matter where you are.
The only downfall with Uber Eats is that it requires a 15% service fee, regardless of the restaurant you order from. They also have a minimum order requirement, charging you between $2 and $3 for orders less than $10 – $15.
They also offer a $9.99 subscription called Eats Pass. In select cities, it offers:
- free delivery
- 5% discount on orders over $15
While it makes sense to stick with the brand you know, other food delivery apps offer better subscriptions and less service fees.
Postmates
Have you ever craved a burger at 2 am? Well, we have, and there’s nothing worse than not being able to satiate your post-Midnight hunger. That’s where Postmates comes in. That’s right, they offer 24/7 deliveries! Restaurant operating hours dependent of course.
While it’s owned by Uber, there are a few differences. Other than offering 24-hour delivery, it also allows you to shop at select retail shops. Now you can order all you need, in one simple app.
Postmates is available in over 4 000 cities across the US, giving it quite an extensive reach.
Unfortunately, there are some downsides. Their fees are restaurant-dependent, and often orders are subject to surge pricing in peak times. They also charge a $1.99 fee on small cart orders. There are also minimum orders, which restaurants dictate.
Like all the others on this list, they also have a subscription service which helps elevate some of these extra fees. The service includes:
- Free delivery on orders $12 or more, with select restaurants
- Flat delivery rates (so no surge pricing) on orders under $12
While deliveries extend beyond food, and their app is great, Postmates service fees and surge pricing for non-subscribers put it in at number four on our list.
Meal Kits
Food delivery service has extended to meal kits. These kits are perfect for those looking for chef-quality meals, with little experience and ingredients. They’re also great for those of us who don’t have the time and energy to think up dinners in the week but want to cut back on take-out.
In the name of making this easier, meal kits often label everything very clearly and include easy-to-read recipes and instructions.
So, which meal kit service should you choose?
Martha & Marley Spoon
Martha & Marley Spoon lands at the very top of our list today. There are a few reasons, but the biggest is that all the meals are Martha Stewart-approved. Never again will you have to dream of cooking meals like the celebrity chef – now you can just have them delivered to your door!
Many argue that it’s the best meal kit overall because the service is available across the entire continental US. It also offers a wide variety of cuisines, all catering to many dietary needs. From vegan to gluten-free options, the choices are basically endless.
There are 40 recipes to choose from when you build your weekly box, so you can dabble in a variety of different meals each time you order. There is a flat delivery fee of $8.99 and the weekly price changes per plan.
- 2 meals / 2 people = $10.25 per serving
- 6 meals / 2 people = $7. 89 per serving
- 2 meals / 4 people = $8.49 per serving
- 6 meals / 4 people = $6.30 per serving
The main downfall with this meal kit is that it does land on the slightly more expensive side. Its delivery fee is also quite high. Unlike other services, Martha & Marley Spoon doesn’t offer grocery add-ons – which might be a deal breaker for some.
But thanks to the sheer variety of recipes and quality of ingredients, it stays at number one.
Sun Basket
Number two is Sun Basket. This meal kit service doesn’t offer as many meals as Mather & Marley Spoon, but it’s still a great choice for most. They offer 20 weekly recipes, and 15 Fresh and Ready meals. These ready meals are meals perfect for one that can be easily reheated in the microwave.
One of the biggest perks of Sun Basket is that it offers add-ons. In addition to their meals, you can order grocery items to your box, like bread.
Their only downfall is their pricing structure. While their delivery is cheap at $5.99, their price per serving is slightly more expensive.
- 2 meals / 2 or 4 people = $12.99 per serving
- 4 meals / 2 or 4 people = $10.99 per serving
Another reason why they’re in second place is their limited availability compared to other services. Sun Basket delivers nationwide, excluding Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, and several parts of New Mexico.
HelloFresh
HelloFresh was one of the first meal kit services on the market, making them a tried and tested company. They offer a rather expansive menu with several cuisine options. This allows you to customize your weekly meal plans, so you rarely repeat meals.
Each week, HelloFresh lets you choose between 25 different easy-to-follow recipes and several market items. They don’t allow you to add non-HelloFresh items though, like Sun Basket.
They’re also available nationwide, making them one of the most accessible meal kits out there. While their shipping fee is a touch high at $8.99, their pricing structure is acceptable:
- 2-3 meals / 2 people = $8.99 per serving
- 2 meals / 4 people = $8.99 per serving
- 3 meals / 4 people = $7.49 per serving
While seemingly perfect, there’s a reason why they’re number 3 on our list today. While easy to understand, HelloFresh’s recipes do require some kitchen know-how and they assume you have a few kitchen staples on hand. But their recipe cards do offer a few kitchen tips and tricks, which is a nice touch.
Groceries
Grocery shopping can be an absolute pain. It’s much better to do it from the comfort of your couch, with a glass of wine, where no one can judge you for buying several jars of Nutella. Here are our top two Grocery delivery services:
Instacart
Instacart is considered one of the best grocery delivery services out there, especially for last-minute shops. They offer same-day delivery from all your favorite local grocery stores, nationwide. Often, you’ll get your delivery in a matter of hours.
Their app is simple and easy to use and offers contactless delivery.
Instacart charges a $3.99 delivery fee on top of a minimum pick-up fee of $1.99. They also charge varying service fees.
Whether you’re doing your weekly shopping or need last-minute ingredients for dinner, Instacart is the app to use.
Walmart Grocery Delivery
Walmart’s grocery delivery service is available in most US states and is perfect for those living in rural and suburban areas. You can order all your Walmart favorites and get them delivered to your office or home.
They offer same-day delivery, so you never have to worry about spending time in a store ever again.
Walmart charges a $7.95 delivery fee, that can go up depending on how far the delivery address is from the store.
Get Your Food Delivered
Whether you’re craving a burger or pizza or need to top up your pantry, food delivery services have got you. Hopefully, this guide on the best food delivery service will help you choose the right service for you.
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