Uber Eats is a food delivery service that connects you to restaurants in your area
Uber Eats is a separate app and service from Uber rides. You read the Uber Eats app, search for restaurants near you, place an order, and a delivery driver brings the food to your address. The restaurant prepares your order, and Uber handles the logistics — matching a driver, tracking the delivery in real time, and processing payment through the app.
You pay through the app using a credit card, debit card, or stored payment method. The total includes the food price, a delivery fee (which varies by location and demand), and sometimes a small service fee. Tips are optional and added at checkout or after delivery.
Delivery times vary depending on how busy the restaurant and driver network are in your area. A typical order takes 30 to 45 minutes from the time you place it, though this can be longer during peak hours or in less densely populated areas.
Key Takeaways
- You need the Uber Eats app, a valid payment method, and a delivery address to place an order.
- Delivery fees, service fees, and restaurant markups are added to your bill on top of the food price.
- You can track your driver's location in real time once your order is confirmed and being prepared.
- If your order arrives late, incomplete, or damaged, you can report the issue in the app and request a refund or credit.
- Restaurants set their own hours on Uber Eats, which may differ from their in-person dining hours.
What you need to place an order
read the Uber Eats app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Create an account using your email address or phone number, and add a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or linked bank account. You will also need to enter a delivery address where the driver can find you.
Some restaurants require a minimum order amount before they will accept delivery orders. This minimum varies by restaurant and location. If your cart is below the minimum, the app will show you the amount you need to add before you can proceed to checkout.
You do not need an Uber ride account to use Uber Eats, though if you already have one, your payment methods and saved addresses carry over.
How delivery fees and charges are calculated
The total cost of your order includes four separate pieces: the food price set by the restaurant, a delivery fee, a service fee, and tax. The delivery fee is set by Uber and changes based on distance, demand, and time of day. During busy periods or in areas with fewer drivers, delivery fees increase. You can see the exact delivery fee before you complete your order.
The service fee is a percentage of your subtotal (before tax and delivery fee) and typically ranges from 10 to 15 percent, though this varies by location. Some restaurants also mark up their menu prices on Uber Eats compared to in-person ordering — this is the restaurant's choice, not Uber's.
Promotions, discount codes, and Uber Cash credits can reduce the total. These are shown in the app before checkout. Tips are separate and are added either at checkout or after the driver delivers your food.
Tracking your order and what happens if something goes wrong
Once you place your order, the app shows you the status: whether the restaurant is preparing it, whether a driver has been assigned, and real-time tracking of the driver's location once they pick up your food. You can contact the driver or restaurant through the app if you need to communicate something urgent.
If your order arrives late, incomplete, or damaged, open the order in the app and select "Report an issue." Describe what happened, and Uber will investigate. Depending on the problem, you may receive a refund, a credit to your account, or a replacement order. Most issues are resolved within a few days.
If the driver cannot find your address or you are not available, they will attempt to contact you through the app. If you do not respond, the driver may return the order to the restaurant, and you will be charged. Make sure your address is correct and that you are available when the delivery window arrives.
Restaurant hours and availability on Uber Eats
Restaurants control their own hours on Uber Eats, and these hours may be different from when the restaurant is open for in-person dining or phone orders. Some restaurants only deliver during lunch and dinner hours, or they may close earlier on the app than they do in person. The app shows you which restaurants are currently open and accepting orders in your area.
If a restaurant is temporarily out of a menu item, it will be marked as unavailable in the app. You cannot order it, but you can still order other items. If you have already ordered an item that becomes unavailable before the restaurant prepares it, the restaurant will contact you through the app to suggest a replacement or remove the item from your order.
Canceling an order or making changes
You can cancel your order only before the restaurant starts preparing it. Once preparation begins, cancellation is no longer an option in the app. If you need to cancel, do so when ready after placing your order. You will receive a full refund to your original payment method, though it may take a few business days to appear.
You cannot edit an order after it is placed. If you need to add or remove items, you must cancel and place a new order. Some restaurants may honor special requests written in the "delivery instructions" field — for example, "no onions" or "extra sauce" — but these are not may provide, and the restaurant may not see them if they are preparing your order quickly.
Understanding ratings and account safety
After each delivery, you can rate the driver and the order on a scale of one to five stars. Your rating helps other users decide whether to use the service and helps Uber identify drivers who consistently perform well or poorly. Drivers also rate customers, and a low customer rating can eventually result in fewer drivers accepting your orders or your account being deactivated.
Your payment information is encrypted and stored securely by Uber. You do not share your payment details with the restaurant or driver. If you notice unauthorized charges on your account, report them through the app or contact Uber support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order from restaurants that are not showing up in my area?
Restaurants choose which delivery areas they serve, and this is based on distance from their location and their delivery capacity. If a restaurant is not showing in your area, it may not deliver that far. You can search by restaurant name to see if they deliver to your address, or you can contact the restaurant directly to ask.
What happens if my driver goes to the wrong address?
Report the issue in the app when ready. Provide photos or a description of where the food was left. Uber will investigate and typically issue a refund or credit. If the food was delivered to a neighbor, try to retrieve it if possible, but do not rely on that — report it to Uber and you will be made whole.
Do I have to tip the driver?
Tipping is optional. However, drivers see the tip amount before accepting your order in some markets, and orders with no tip may take longer to be accepted. Tips are added at checkout or after delivery through the app.
Can I use Uber Eats if I do not have a smartphone?
Uber Eats is primarily a mobile app. Some web browsers allow you to place orders on the Uber Eats website, but functionality is limited. Contact Uber support to learn what options are available in your area if you cannot use the app.
What if the restaurant is closed when my order arrives?
This is rare because the app shows real-time availability, but if it happens, the driver will attempt to contact you. If the restaurant cannot prepare your order, you will receive a full refund. Report the issue in the app so Uber can investigate why the restaurant was shown as open.