16+ Best Food Delivery Services: Food, Grocery and Meal Delivery Services

The convenience of having food brought to your home can’t be discounted. After all, one in three Americans use food delivery at least once a week.

If you want to add some convenience to your dine-out or grocery plans, then let’s look at 16 of the best food delivery companies and how they can help make your dinner plans much easier.

The Best Food Delivery Services for 2023

The food delivery industry is booming with numerous companies, both big and small, entering the market in the U.S.

While this provides a wealth of options for consumers, the sheer number of online food ordering services can be overwhelming, with over a billion search results for the term “order food online.”

To simplify this, we’ve researched and listed some of the top services, both popular and lesser-known. For more in-depth information on each, follow the provided links. If you believe we’ve missed a notable company, please comment.

Note: We’ve excluded grocery delivery services as they fall under a different category.

Restaurant Delivery Companies

Restaurant delivery companies use technology to pair your food delivery order with a local restaurant. From there, these delivery apps use a delivery driver to bring prepared meals to the customer.

1. DoorDash

DoorDash currently stands out as the top-performing food delivery service in the U.S. in terms of monthly sales.

For those with a wide range of cravings—from fast food and Thai to vegan options or even items from the local convenience store—DoorDash is available in over 800 cities across North America. They have also forged partnerships with big names such as McDonald’s, Five Guys, and Papa John’s.

The DoorDash app, similar to Grubhub, offers the flexibility for users to opt for either delivery or pick-up. However, it’s worth noting that using DoorDash comes with service fees. Typically, a delivery charge of $5.99 applies, but fees can vary based on the restaurant, with some even offering free delivery.

Importantly, these charges don’t include gratuity for the driver, which is highly recommended. If you’re looking to place a group order, DoorDash accommodates this without additional costs.

On the logistics end, DoorDash drivers—be it on car, bike, scooter, or on foot in certain areas—receive order notifications and directions through the dedicated DoorDash Driver app on their smartphones.

• Download DoorDash on iPhone or Android.
• Get free delivery on any order with a DoorDash promo code
• Need help? Here’s how to contact DoorDash customer service
• Learn how to apply with our Guide to Becoming a DoorDash Driver

2. Uber Eats

While Uber is primarily known for ridesharing, it also boasts one of the top three food delivery platforms in the U.S., Uber Eats.

In terms of operation, Uber Eats aligns closely with major competitors such as DoorDash and Postmates. The service is expansive, spanning over 500 cities across all six inhabited continents.

What sets Uber Eats apart is its unique “Dine-In” feature. This option allows users to arrive at their chosen restaurant just as their meal is prepared, ensuring they’re promptly seated and served. Restaurants on Uber Eats can also extend exclusive deals to users on the platform.

For those enrolled in Uber Rewards, there’s an added benefit: you can earn credits toward future meals by using any of Uber’s services.

However, be aware of the associated fees. These include a delivery fee (typically under $5), a $2 fee for small orders (below $10), and a surcharge during peak hours.

Notably, Uber Eats drivers operate through the standard Uber Driver app, making it seamless for current Uber drivers to transition to food deliveries without a separate application process.

• Download Uber Eats on iPhone or Android.
• Save $7 off your first order with our Uber Eats promo code
• Need help? Here’s how to contact Uber Eats customer service
• Learn how to apply with our Guide to Becoming an Uber Eats Driver

3. Grubhub and Seamless

Upon reviewing this list, it’s evident that GrubHub stands out as a dominant player in the food delivery industry. With a vast user base, they’ve expanded their reach by acquiring numerous competitors.

While several companies in this sector might not survive past 2023, GrubHub’s presence seems long-lasting. As one of the pioneers, Grubhub continues to be a significant force in food delivery, connecting users from over 3,200 U.S. cities, including London, to a selection from 300,000 restaurants.

Additionally, GrubHub owns Seamless, another food delivery app offering similar services and available in over 600 U.S. cities. Both brands primarily focus on on-demand deliveries but also accommodate pick-up orders, allowing users to wait at home until their meal is ready at the restaurant. They even offer catering delivery services.

Users can schedule deliveries up to a week in advance with both Grubhub and Seamless. As customers place orders, GrubHub drivers or bikers get notifications and directions via their dedicated app.

It’s important to note that a delivery fee, ranging from $0 to $10, may apply unless users opt for pick-up. Furthermore, certain restaurants on these platforms enforce minimum order values.

• Download Grubhub on iPhone or Android, or download Seamless on iPhone or Android.
• Get $12 in free Grubhub credit with our Grubhub promo code
• Learn how to apply with our Guide to Becoming a Grubhub Driver

4. Postmates

Postmates isn’t just your ordinary food delivery service; its versatility lies in delivering almost anything you might need.

Whether it’s a last-minute stationery item from Staples or a craving for tacos, Postmates offers both pick-up and delivery options for a wide array of items. Vendors on the platform often promote daily deals, adding to its appeal.

A unique feature of Postmates is its ability to deliver alcohol even without accompanying food. This comes in handy if you’re setting the mood with a bottle of wine for a special evening. If you’re searching for broader alcohol delivery choices, there are several other apps to explore.

Cost-wise, the delivery fee on Postmates varies. For partner merchants (identified by a green check mark in the app), it ranges between 99 cents to $3.99, while for other retailers, it’s between $5.99 to $9.99.

Smaller orders attract an additional fee: $1.99 for those below $12, or under $10 in Los Angeles. And while not mandatory, tipping your driver is a courteous gesture, adding a bit more to your total bill.

For those interested in driving for Postmates, the process is streamlined. Individuals from cities across all 50 U.S. states can sign up using the Postmates Fleet app, which is also the platform for managing delivery requests.

• Download Postmates on iPhone or Android.
• Get $100 in free delivery credit with our Postmates Promo Code
• Need help? Here’s how to contact Postmates customer service
• Learn how to apply with our Guide to Becoming a Postmates Driver

5. Caviar

Caviar is the go-to food delivery service for those seeking meals from upscale restaurants.

Catering to a select number of major cities such as San Francisco, Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington, D.C., Caviar stands out as a premium choice in the realm of food delivery.

Their platform is versatile, offering options for pick-up, delivery, catering, and even scheduling your delivery in advance. Costs associated with using Caviar include a service fee (around 18% of your order) and a delivery charge ranging between $1.99 to $8.99. Since Caviar specializes in high-end eateries, some restaurants may introduce their own additional fees, and minimum order values might be in place.

Although DoorDash recently acquired Caviar, after its previous ownership by Square, the platform has maintained its distinct identity. For delivery logistics, drivers rely on the Caviar Courier app to manage and fulfill orders.

• Download Caviar on iPhone or Android.
• Save $10 off your first order of $50 or more with our Caviar Promo Code
• Learn how to apply with our Guide to Becoming a Caviar Courier

6. EatStreet

EatStreet stands out in the food delivery arena with a dominant presence in smaller U.S. cities and college towns. Now operational in over 250 markets, it boasts partnerships with approximately 15,000 restaurants.

In terms of functionality, the platform mirrors its competitors, offering users the convenience to opt for either delivery or takeout from a wide range of local eateries.

Delivery fees apply and vary depending on the restaurant. Similar to Grubhub and DoorDash, individual restaurants might also set minimum order values.

What sets EatStreet apart is its approach to staffing. Contrary to the norm in the delivery industry, EatStreet employs its drivers directly rather than categorizing them as independent contractors. This distinction means drivers could potentially benefit from training, job perks, and growth opportunities, all while retaining a degree of job flexibility.

• Download EatStreet on iPhone or Android.
• Apply to be an EatStreet driver on this page.

7. Delivery.com

Established in 1995, Delivery.com has evolved from an online food delivery service to a modern platform with its own smartphone app. Today, it’s not just about food; the company also offers delivery services for alcohol, laundry, and dry cleaning.

A distinct feature of Delivery.com is its direct connection between customers and merchants. Any delivery fees you encounter are set and charged by the merchants themselves to cover their service expenses.

As a bonus, frequent users of the platform can accumulate points with each order, which can then be used as discounts during checkout.

However, this direct merchant-to-customer model means that Delivery.com itself doesn’t hire drivers. Those interested in delivery roles should look for opportunities directly with the merchants listed on the platform.

• Download Delivery.com on iPhone or Android.
• Apply to be a Delivery.com driver on this page.

Other Food Delivery Services

In addition to the most popular food delivery services listed above, we’d also like to highlight a few others that we’d categorize as “honorable mentions”.

Delivery Dudes

Delivery Dudes is a food delivery service that focuses on friendliness and customer service.

This is a bit different than other companies you might know and love.

While many might consider their lax approach “too chill”, they do have a lot going and the service really is great to use.

Which Is the Best?

The best choice for you will depend on your needs.

For the average consumer, DoorDash is hard to pass up between its range of choices for meals and the modest delivery fee it charges.

Healthy Food Delivery Services

Online food platforms like Grubhub often tempt users with unhealthy options. For those prioritizing nutrition, choosing a healthy food delivery service is essential.

As these services gain popularity, options expand, making it easy to get nutritious meals delivered, whether home-cooked or professionally made. Explore the top seven health-focused services in the country.

1. Green Chef

Green Chef is a meal kit service that helps you easily craft homemade meals by sending prepared, organic ingredients to your door — all customized based on your preferred meal plan.

No matter what your dietary preferences are, one of Green Chef’s five diverse, health-forward menus will likely cover your needs:

1. Keto: For anyone following a ketogenic, low-carb, or gluten-free diet.
2. Paleo: For people following paleo or gluten-free diets. This menu is also free of dairy, grains, and soy.
3. Balanced Living: A generally nutritious menu, with some vegetarian options.
4. Plant Powered: Plant-based meals for vegetarians and vegans.
5. Family Plan: Another generally nutritious menu, designed for families of four.

This healthy food delivery service offers the first USDA-certified organic meal kits, each wrapped in eco-friendly packaging, proving its commitment to both natural foods and sustainability. Each of your meals should take no more than 30 minutes to complete.

• Cost: At least $9.99 to $12.99 per serving, plus $7.99 shipping. Shipped in six- to eight-serving boxes.
• Availability: Anywhere in the United States except Alaska, Hawaii, and parts of Louisiana.

2. Freshly

If you’re looking for a direct alternative to the extra convenient meals that Postmates and DoorDash deliver, Freshly is a great option for you. Your meals are professionally cooked, never frozen, and ready to eat after three minutes in your microwave.

Every single week, Freshly offers a large selection of over 30 meal options that often include healthy alternatives, like cauliflower-based rice, pasta, and mash.

Your menu will always include dairy-free, paleo, and vegetarian options, as well as many options with under 500 calories and 35 grams of carbs. If you have celiac disease, a peanut allergy, or a gluten intolerance, Freshly’s entire menu is gluten-free and peanut-free.

Freshly is also particularly great for anyone who only needs meals for one.

While healthy meal kits are usually designed for two people or more, Freshly offers serving quantities fit for both families and individuals who want to achieve their health or weight loss goals — and you can always freeze your meals if you don’t finish.

• Cost: $8.99 per meal (for 12 servings per week) to $12.50 per meal (for four servings per week), with free shipping.
• Availability: Anywhere in the continental United States.

3. Sun Basket

Sun Basket is perhaps the best service for people with complex dietary needs and little time to manage them. Whether you need a dairy-free breakfast delivery, a low-calorie snack, or a diabetes-friendly dinner, this meal service allows you to quickly narrow down your search for the perfect homemade dinner kit.

You can even view all the fresh ingredients provided, find each meal’s estimated calories, and sort by meals with a prep time of under 20 minutes before you start ordering.

While accommodating all of these diets, Sun Basket still ensures your meals will be high-quality and diverse. Your recipe selections — ranging from salmon alla puttanesca to ginger-chickpea soup — come with seasonal ingredients, sustainably sourced animal products, and USDA-certified organic products.

Wrapping all of these quality ingredients up is environmentally friendly packaging. If flavor is the most important factor for your healthy food, Sun Basket allows you to select a Mediterranean or chef’s choice meal plan, too.

• Cost: At least $10.99 per serving, plus $5.99 shipping for each weekly delivery. Shipped in four- to 16-serving boxes.
• Availability: Anywhere in the United States except Arkansas, Hawaii, Montana, and parts of New Mexico.

4. Sakara Life

If a high-end healthy food delivery service focused on plant-based clean eating sounds like exactly what you need, Sakara Life is the only way to go.

The Sakara Signature Program creates a meal plan that aims to help you improve digestion and energy, lose weight, improve your skin, and more — all within a week.

Sakara Life fully creates your meal plan for you, which means no menu customization, but lots of fast-paced results. This is because their meals are carefully designed to get the best out of superfoods, teas, and supplements, while remaining totally free of gluten, dairy, GMOs, and refined sugar.

The plus side is that foods in this meal plan are completely ready to eat, so there’s no need to set aside meal prep time.

The Sakara program is definitely not cheap and its second-level Detox meal plan is even more expensive, but the company does provide non-recurring meal plans for anyone seeking a one-time detox expense. Plus, you’ll get a ton of perfect Instagram posts out of Sakara Life’s beautiful, natural meals.

If you know someone already using Sakara Life, ask them for a referral so you both get $50 off.

• Cost: $239 per week (for three-day subscriptions) to $420 per week (for five-day subscriptions), or $255 (for a three-day program) to $1,760 (for a 20-day program). Each day includes three meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Availability: Anywhere in the continental United States.

5. Daily Harvest

A more affordable alternative to Sakara Life is Daily Harvest, healthy meal delivery service that offers organic clean eats for anyone seeking a vegan and nutrition-forward option.

Every product you can add to your weekly delivery is marked with a list of benefits it provides, from anti-inflammatory and energizing properties to ingredients that boost your immunity.

While Daily Harvest is best known for its smoothies, the company also offers hearty soups and healthy lattes, making it perfect for anyone on a liquid diet. With these options, all you need to do is add water and blend.

Of course, the healthy food delivery service also offers nutritious bowls that just need to be heated up, as well as chia pudding, oatmeal, and snacks that you can munch on without feeling guilty.

Daily Harvest does act as more of a supplement to your weekly diet, as its main goal is to keep fruits and vegetables prominent in your diet, but it’s a convenient way to add healthy food into your routine.

• Cost: $6.99 per item (for 24 items per week or per month) to $7.75 per item (for nine items per week), with free shipping.
• Availability: Daily Harvest is available in more than half of all U.S. states, but you’ll have to input your zip code and email on the subscription page to be sure it’s available in your area.

6. Purple Carrot

If you want a vegan diet that still feels hearty and substantial, Purple Carrot delivers plenty of American favorites with a plant-based twist.

By helping you eliminate excess meat consumption with easy meal kits, the company states that you can actually improve or reverse chronic disease, while also helping the environment.

Every week, you’ll have eight new recipes to choose from. These include vegan meals with familiar flavors, such as Kung Pao cauliflower, black bean pumpkin quesadillas, and lime quinoa salad. Many of these are highlighted as protein-packed or gluten-free options, as well.

If you’re crunched for time before and during work, Purple Carrot breakfast and lunch option can actually be prepared in a matter of minutes, so you can keep earning money faster. This low time commitment makes Purple Carrot a great way to get introduced to a balanced, plant-based lifestyle without hiring a nutritionist.

• Cost: $7.99 per serving (for 12 weekly servings) or $11.99 per serving (for six weekly servings), with free shipping.
• Availability: Anywhere in the continental United States.

7. HelloFresh

While Blue Apron may have dominated the world of meal kits for quite some time, HelloFresh is now the industry leader that’s growing five times as fast. Since its acquisition of the previously listed Green Chef, HelloFresh has been doubling down on the healthy marketplace, as well.

Although HelloFresh may not be as health-focused as the other food delivery services on our list, it still meets the nutrition factor by providing balanced meals, partially thanks to the fact that the company has registered dietitians on its team. It also offers vegetarian and low-calorie meal plans with seasonal ingredients.

Another plus of selecting HelloFresh as your first meal delivery service is the fact that it’s incredibly helpful for beginner cooks to get the hang of healthy cooking. Within your eco-friendly package you’ll receive recipe cards that walk you step by step.

HelloFresh is also affordable and almost always has generous offers available for first-time customers. At the same time, you get the power to cancel as early as right after you make your first order.

• Cost: At least $8.99 per serving, plus $6.99 shipping. Shipped in four- to 24-serving boxes.
• Availability: Anywhere in the continental United States.

HelloFresh also operates in Germany, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Meal Kit Delivery Companies

Finally, the final kind of food delivery: meal kit services. These businesses ship pre-planned meals for their subscribers, as well as recipe cards to follow along with. This process helps busy families find a way to add home-cooked meals to their nightly routine without any extra hassle.

1. HelloFresh

HelloFresh is a leading name in the meal kit delivery sector. The company emphasizes sustainability, sourcing from farms that use sustainable methods. They offer a broad spectrum of organic and vegetarian meals.

By 2021, their reach had expanded to 16 countries, covering North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. A significant advantage of HelloFresh is the high customizability of their meal kits, with recipes easily replicable using ingredients from local grocery stores.

However, a drawback is the limited quantity in their boxes, which at their largest, offer only up to 12 servings for a week.

2. Blue Apron

Blue Apron, drawing its name from the aprons their chefs don to craft recipes, stands out in the meal kit sector. Prioritizing sustainable food sources, the company lays special emphasis on the joy and flavor of home-cooked meals based on expertly curated recipes.

Currently, Blue Apron serves only the contiguous United States, excluding places like Alaska, Hawaii, and international locations. A standout feature is that their recipes are crafted by a dedicated team of chefs.

Additionally, they offer wine deliveries and maintain a niche market on their website. However, a notable downside is the cost. With a starting price of $7.95 per serving, Blue Apron might seem pricey, especially when juxtaposed against homemade recipes sourced directly from grocery stores.

3. Home Chef

Home Chef differentiates itself in the meal kit market by offering a service tailored for the average family, emphasizing a familiar grocery-shopping feel. Their reach is expansive, claiming to cover 98% of the United States, although specific exclusions aren’t specified.

One of Home Chef’s significant advantages lies in its flexibility. Unlike competitors that allow only minor changes, Home Chef permits extensive customization to weekly meal kits, ensuring that families can tailor their meals as they deem fit.

However, a potential drawback is its pricing. At approximately $9 per serving, Home Chef’s cost is slightly higher than some other meal kit services.

4. Sunbasket

Sunbasket stands apart in the meal kit domain by deeply ingraining sustainability in its ethos. They curate meal kits to cater to diverse diets, including vegan and Paleo, sourcing from organic, sustainable, and local produce.

Their delivery scope is limited to the contiguous United States, similar to several other U.S.-based competitors.

A distinct advantage of Sunbasket is the variety they offer; their kits are not confined to conventional choices but also encompass recipes inspired by Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines. However, they come with a steeper price tag, with each serving priced at $11.49, making them the priciest option mentioned here.

Do Food Delivery Companies Cost Extra?

While it isn’t fun to admit it, any delivery option you choose is going to cost you extra.

Let’s take a look at why this is the case.

How Food Delivery Prices Work

To deliver a healthy meal to your doorstep, it takes more than just bringing the food to your door.

Every delivery method listed here requires the work of a lot of people to get the order sent off to you.

Each person puts in the effort and uses a system that takes energy to keep running.

All of those factors come together in the delivery you’re charged, increasing the price of your food over the normal price for the fresh meal or the fresh ingredients in your groceries.

How Do You Find A Food Delivery Company Near You?

Because each of these delivery options operates in different parts of the world, let’s talk about how you can find which ones work in your area.

Step-by-Step Instructions

To find a list of all the delivery options in your area, your favorite search engine will be your best tool here.

Follow these steps:

1. Open your web browser and go to the search engine of your choice.
2. Type in “food delivery options” plus your city name.
3. Scroll through the results to see which services handle delivery orders in your area.

Also, you can use this tool to find if a particular service works in your city:

1. Open up a search engine.
2. Type in your city name plus the name of the service.
3. Check the results to see if the service works in your area.

Folks that live in big cities like San Francisco probably don’t need to worry about this.

But, for people in smaller towns, checking what options you have will be a big help.

Working for Food Delivery Companies

With how many food delivery service options there are, there are plenty of opportunities to start a career in the field.

Is It Worth It to Work in Food Delivery?

The value of working in food delivery depends on your goals.

Many folks treat food delivery as a side gig or part-time job instead of their career.

While food delivery can be a good way to earn a little extra money, it might not be the best way to start carving out a sizable long-term income.

Pros

Working in food delivery has some solid perks, especially as a driver:

• Drivers get to set their schedules.
• Work is available in most major population centers.

Cons

However, food delivery isn’t always the right choice, especially because:

• Pay will vary based on your area and the tips you make from delivering.
• Not all jobs in food delivery have clear career advancement tracks.

How Much Do Food Delivery Drivers Make?

Food delivery can be a good way to supplement another income source.

On average, most delivery drivers for the big restaurant food delivery platforms make between $20,000 and $40,000 per year, depending on the app and area.  

Which Food Delivery Company Is Best to Work For?

In general, many folks prefer to work for DoorDash.

The service offers consistent work and reasonable pay compared to other delivery services and tends to stay up on both customer and driver app updates.

Order or Earn More Conveniently Than Ever

Online food delivery services remain a prominent part of many people’s lives.

By offering the convenience of food at your doorstep or earnings on your schedule, these companies are making it easier for you to get your favorite food or meet your financial goals.

However, all the fast food on the aforementioned platforms can be tempting.

If you’re looking to eat foods that are better for you, while still getting the same convenience, check out these healthy food delivery services and breakfast delivery services that can send meal kits and prepared food to your door.