How to place an order on Uber Eats
To place an order on Uber Eats, open the app or go to ubereats.com, enter your delivery address, browse restaurants, add items to your cart, and proceed to checkout. You'll choose a payment method, review your order total (which includes the food price, service fees, and delivery fee), and confirm. The restaurant then prepares your food, and a driver picks it up and brings it to you. The whole process from order to delivery typically takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on restaurant busy times and distance.
You don't need a special account type or membership to order — a regular Uber Eats account works the same way whether you're ordering for the first time or the hundredth. The app guides you through each step, and you can track your driver in real time once they pick up your food.
Key Takeaways
- Enter your address first to see which restaurants deliver to you, since not all restaurants serve every location.
- Your total bill includes the restaurant's menu price, a service fee (usually 10 to 15 percent), a delivery fee, and sometimes a small order fee if your cart is under a minimum.
- You can pay with a debit card, credit card, or linked bank account, and you can save multiple payment methods in your account.
- Once you confirm your order, you can watch the restaurant prepare it and then track your driver's location on the map.
Setting up your delivery address
When you open Uber Eats, the app asks for your delivery address before showing you any restaurants. Tap the address field at the top of the screen and type in the street address where you want your food delivered. The app will show you a list of matching addresses — select the correct one, and it will save that location.
If you want to order to a different address later (your office instead of home, for example), tap the address field again and enter the new one. Uber Eats will show you only restaurants that deliver to that specific address. Some restaurants have delivery zones, so a restaurant available at your home address may not deliver to your workplace.
Browsing restaurants and adding items to your cart
After you enter your address, Uber Eats shows you a list of restaurants near you. You can scroll through them, filter by cuisine type (pizza, sushi, burgers, etc.), or search for a specific restaurant by name. Tap a restaurant to see its menu, hours, and estimated delivery time.
Once you're in a restaurant's menu, tap items you want to order. Many items have options — a burger might let you choose the size, toppings, or how it's cooked. Select your choices, then tap "Add to cart." You can add as many items as you want. The app keeps a running total at the bottom of the screen. If the restaurant has a minimum order amount (for example, $15), the app will tell you how much more you need to add before you can check out.
Reviewing fees and your order total
When you tap "Checkout" or "Go to cart," Uber Eats shows you a breakdown of what you're paying. The subtotal is the restaurant's menu prices. Below that, you'll see a service fee (a percentage of your subtotal), a delivery fee (a flat amount that varies by distance and demand), and sometimes a small order fee if your subtotal is below the restaurant's minimum.
Promo codes and credits appear here too — if you have a discount code, tap "Add promo code" and enter it before you pay. The final total at the bottom is what you'll be charged. This total does not include tax in most places — tax is added by the restaurant and shown separately on your receipt after delivery.
Choosing a payment method and confirming your order
At checkout, Uber Eats shows you the payment method you used last time. You can tap it to change to a different card, bank account, or other saved payment method. If you want to add a new card, tap "Add payment method," enter the card details, and save it.
Once you've chosen your payment method and reviewed your order one more time, tap "Place order" or "Confirm." Uber Eats charges your payment method when ready. You'll see a confirmation screen with your order number, and the app will send you a notification when the restaurant starts preparing your food.
Tracking your order and driver
After you place your order, the app shows you a status screen. You'll see when the restaurant is preparing your food, when a driver has picked it up, and then real-time tracking of the driver's location on a map as they head to you. The estimated delivery time updates as the driver gets closer.
If something goes wrong — the driver is taking too long, the food hasn't arrived by the estimated time, or you need to contact the driver — tap the order in your app and look for contact options. You can message the driver, call them, or report an issue directly to Uber Eats support from that screen.
What happens if you need to cancel or change your order
If you cancel your order before the restaurant starts preparing it, Uber Eats will refund your payment in full. Once the restaurant has started cooking, you usually cannot cancel — the refund policy depends on how far along they are. Tap your active order and look for a "Cancel" button to see whether cancellation is still an option.
You cannot add or remove items after the restaurant has started preparing your food. If you realize you forgot something, you can place a separate order, but the restaurant may have already started on your first one. It's worth double-checking your cart before you confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tip the driver after delivery?
Yes. Uber Eats shows you a tip screen after the driver delivers your food. You can add a tip at that point, or you can tap your completed order in the app later and add a tip within a few hours of delivery. Tips go directly to the driver.
What if my food doesn't arrive or is missing items?
Open the app, find your completed order, and tap "Report an issue." Describe what's wrong — missing items, wrong order, or food that didn't arrive. Uber Eats will investigate and usually issue a refund or credit to your account within a few days.
Do I have to create an account to order?
Yes, you need an Uber Eats account. You can sign up with an email address, phone number, or by linking your Google or Apple account. It takes less than a minute, and you only have to do it once.
Why is my delivery fee so high?
Delivery fees depend on the distance from the restaurant to your address and how busy the service is at that moment. During peak hours (lunch, dinner), fees are usually higher. Some restaurants also set their own delivery minimums or surcharges. The app shows you the full fee before you confirm your order.
Can I order for someone else at a different address?
Yes. Change your delivery address to their location before you browse restaurants, and they'll receive the order at that address. Make sure you use a payment method you have access to, since you're paying for the order.