Uber Eats is a food delivery service that connects you to restaurants in your area
Uber Eats lets you order food from restaurants using an app or website, and a driver brings it to your address. You pay through the app, and the total includes the food price, a delivery fee, and sometimes a service fee. The driver is an independent contractor — not an Uber employee — who picks up your order and drops it off. Delivery times vary by restaurant, distance, and how busy the service is in your area, but most orders arrive within 30 to 60 minutes.
You do not need an Uber account to use Uber Eats, though having one makes checkout faster. The service operates in most U.S. cities and many countries, but availability depends on your location and which restaurants partner with Uber Eats in your area.
Key Takeaways
- You order through the Uber Eats app or website, pay upfront, and a driver delivers the food to your address.
- The total cost includes the restaurant's menu price, a delivery fee (which varies), and sometimes a service fee — all shown before you confirm the order.
- Drivers are independent contractors who set their own schedules, so wait times depend on driver availability and restaurant prep time.
- You can track your order in real time once the driver picks it up, and you rate both the restaurant and driver after delivery.
- If food arrives cold, incomplete, or damaged, you can report the issue in the app and request a refund or credit.
How to place an order on Uber Eats
read the Uber Eats app from your phone's app store or go to ubereats.com on a computer. Enter your delivery address in the search box at the top. The app shows you restaurants available in your area, sorted by distance, rating, and delivery time.
Browse the menu of any restaurant. Add items to your cart, note any special instructions (no onions, extra sauce), and proceed to checkout. You will see the subtotal, delivery fee, service fee, and any promotions or discounts. Enter your payment method — credit card, debit card, or linked bank account — and confirm. Once you place the order, you can watch the restaurant prepare it and see the driver's location once they pick it up.
Understanding the costs and fees
The price you see on the menu is what the restaurant charges. On top of that, Uber Eats adds a delivery fee, which ranges from a few dollars to $5 or more depending on distance and demand. During busy times (lunch, dinner, bad weather), delivery fees rise. You also pay a service fee, usually 10 to 15 percent of your order total, though this varies by restaurant and location.
Some restaurants offer promotions — a percentage off your order or free delivery over a certain amount. These appear in the app before you check out. If you have an Uber One membership (a paid subscription), you get free delivery on orders over $15 at participating restaurants and lower service fees. The membership costs money, so compare whether you order often enough for it to save you money.
Taxes are calculated based on your delivery address and added at checkout. Tips are separate and optional — you can add them when you place the order or after the driver delivers.
What happens after you order
Once you confirm your order, the restaurant receives it and starts preparing your food. You see a timer showing the estimated pickup time. When the driver arrives at the restaurant, they collect your order and head to your address. The app shows the driver's real-time location, so you know roughly when to expect delivery.
The driver has your phone number and can call or text if they cannot find your building or need gate access. When they arrive, they leave the food at your door or hand it to you, depending on what you chose during checkout. You receive a notification when the order is delivered.
After delivery, you rate the driver (1 to 5 stars) and the restaurant separately. If something went wrong — missing items, cold food, or damage — you can report it in the app within a set time window and request a refund or credit to your account.
Delivery times and what affects them
Most orders arrive within 30 to 60 minutes, but this depends on several factors. The restaurant's prep time is the biggest variable — a busy pizza place might take 20 minutes just to make your order, while a sandwich shop might take 5. Distance from the restaurant to your address affects how long the driver takes. During peak hours (lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., dinner from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.), restaurants and drivers are busier, so times stretch.
Weather, traffic, and driver availability also matter. If few drivers are online in your area, your order waits longer for someone to accept it. The app shows you an estimated delivery time before you place the order, and this updates as the order moves through the restaurant and onto the road. If delivery takes much longer than estimated, you can contact support through the app.
Handling problems with your order
If your food arrives cold, incomplete, or damaged, open the Uber Eats app and go to your order history. Select the order and tap "Report an issue." Describe what went wrong — for example, "burger was cold" or "fries were missing" — and you can attach a photo. Uber Eats reviews your report and usually offers a refund, credit, or replacement.
If the driver never showed up or the app showed them at your location but they did not deliver, report it when ready. Uber Eats can contact the driver or investigate the delivery. If you paid but the order was never placed (rare), you can request a refund through the app's support section.
For issues with the restaurant — wrong items, allergies not respected, or food quality — you can also rate the restaurant low and describe the problem. This feedback goes to the restaurant and Uber Eats. Repeated complaints can affect a restaurant's rating and standing on the platform.
Payment methods and account security
Uber Eats accepts credit cards, debit cards, and linked bank accounts. You can also use digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay if your phone supports them. Your payment information is encrypted, and you do not share card details with the driver — payment happens through the app.
If you create an Uber Eats account, you can save multiple payment methods and addresses for faster checkout next time. You can also set a default payment method so you do not have to select it every order. If you notice a charge you did not make, report it in the app under "Account" and then "Payment methods," and Uber Eats will investigate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my order after I place it?
It depends on how fast the restaurant is. If the restaurant has not started preparing your order, you can cancel through the app and place a new one. Once they start cooking, cancellation is not possible, though you can still report issues after delivery. The app tells you the restaurant's status, so check there first.
What if I am not home when the driver arrives?
You can add delivery instructions during checkout — for example, "leave at front door" or "call when you arrive." The driver follows these instructions. If you are not there and did not leave instructions, the driver may wait a few minutes, then leave the food and mark it delivered. You can contact the driver through the app if you are running late.
Do I have to tip the driver?
Tipping is optional. You can add a tip when you place the order or after delivery. Some people tip a percentage of the order total (15 to 20 percent), while others tip a flat amount. Drivers see the tip amount before they accept your order, so higher tips may result in faster pickup and delivery.
Can I order from restaurants that are not showing in the app?
No. Uber Eats only shows restaurants that have partnered with the service in your area. If a restaurant you like is not listed, you can contact the restaurant directly and ask if they deliver through other services, or order directly from their website if they offer delivery.
What happens if the driver cancels after accepting my order?
If a driver cancels, your order goes back into the queue for another driver to accept. You are not charged until another driver picks it up. If no driver accepts after a while, Uber Eats cancels the order and refunds your payment. You can then place a new order or contact support.