What Uber Eats is and how to place an order
Uber Eats is a food delivery service owned by Uber that lets you order from restaurants in your area and have the food brought to your address. You read the Uber Eats app or visit ubereats.com, search for restaurants or dishes, add items to a cart, and pay through the app. A driver picks up your order from the restaurant and delivers it to you.
The service operates in most major U.S. cities and many smaller ones, though availability depends on your location and which restaurants partner with Uber Eats in your area. You can order from chain restaurants, local independent restaurants, and some grocery stores or convenience stores that use the platform.
Ordering takes about five minutes if you know what you want. You enter your delivery address, browse restaurants sorted by cuisine or rating, select dishes, review the total cost (which includes the food price, delivery fee, and service fee), and pay with a credit card, debit card, or other payment method saved in your account.
Key Takeaways
- Uber Eats charges three separate fees on top of the restaurant's menu price: a delivery fee, a service fee, and sometimes a small order fee if your order is below a certain amount.
- Delivery times vary by location and restaurant busyness, but typically range from 20 to 45 minutes, and you can track the driver's location in real time once they pick up your order.
- You can tip the driver before or after delivery through the app, and the tip goes directly to the driver, not to Uber.
- Refunds for missing or incorrect items are handled through the app; you report the issue and Uber Eats credits your account or contacts the restaurant on your behalf.
- Restaurants set their own prices on Uber Eats, which are often higher than eating in the restaurant or ordering directly, because the restaurant pays Uber a commission on each order.
How much Uber Eats costs and what fees you'll see
The total cost of an Uber Eats order includes the restaurant's menu price plus three types of fees. The delivery fee is set by Uber and varies by distance and demand; it typically ranges from $2 to $8 but can be higher during busy times or in areas far from restaurants. The service fee is a percentage of your food subtotal, usually between 10% and 15%, and goes to Uber. Some orders also have a small order fee of $2 to $3 if your subtotal is below a certain threshold, which varies by location.
Restaurant prices on Uber Eats are often 10% to 30% higher than the same items cost in the restaurant or on the restaurant's own website. This is because restaurants pay Uber a commission—typically 15% to 30% of each order—and raise menu prices to offset that cost. You can see the exact total before you confirm payment, so there are no hidden charges after you order.
If you have an Uber Eats Pass subscription (a paid membership), you get free delivery on orders over a certain amount and a small discount on service fees. The subscription costs money and is only worth it if you order frequently.
Delivery times and tracking your order
Delivery typically takes 20 to 45 minutes from the time you place your order, though this varies widely based on how busy the restaurant is, the distance from the restaurant to your address, and traffic conditions. During peak meal times (lunch around noon to 1 p.m., dinner around 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.), delivery can take longer. Late-night orders may take longer or may not be available at all, depending on which restaurants are open.
Once a driver accepts your order, you can see their location on a map in the app and watch them drive to the restaurant, wait for the order to be prepared, and then drive to your address. The app sends you notifications at each stage: when a driver is assigned, when they arrive at the restaurant, when they leave the restaurant, and when they are nearby for delivery.
If your order is taking much longer than the estimated time, you can contact the driver or restaurant through the app. If the order never arrives or the driver cancels, Uber Eats will refund your payment.
What happens if your order is wrong or missing items
If you receive your order and items are missing, damaged, or incorrect, you report the issue in the Uber Eats app within a certain time window (usually 90 days, though Uber may process claims sooner). Open the order in your app, tap "Report an Issue," describe what is wrong, and submit photos if you have them. Uber Eats will review your report and either credit your account or contact the restaurant to remake the order.
Most missing or incorrect item claims are resolved with a refund to your account within a few days. If the issue is significant—for example, you ordered a full meal and received almost nothing—Uber Eats may refund the entire order. For smaller issues like a missing side or drink, you typically receive a partial refund equal to that item's price.
If you want to dispute a refund decision or if Uber Eats denies your claim, you can contact Uber Eats support through the app or website. Response times vary, but support usually replies within 24 to 48 hours.
How to pay and what payment methods are accepted
Uber Eats accepts credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and gift cards. You add a payment method to your account when you first sign up, and you can save multiple payment methods and choose which one to use for each order. If a payment fails, the app will prompt you to add or update a payment method before your order can be placed.
You can also use Uber Cash, a digital wallet within the Uber app that you load with money in advance. Some users add Uber Cash to their account by linking a bank account or credit card, and then use that balance to pay for orders. Uber Cash does not earn interest and does not expire, so money sits in your account until you spend it.
Promo codes and discounts are sometimes available through the app or email. These typically offer a discount on your first order, free delivery on orders over a certain amount, or a percentage off your total. You enter the code at checkout, and the discount is applied before you pay.
Tipping the driver and how tips work
You can tip the driver before or after delivery. Before you confirm your order, the app shows an option to add a tip as a percentage of your total (usually 15%, 18%, or 20%) or a custom amount. You can also tip after delivery by opening the order in your app and selecting "Add tip." Tips can be added up to 30 days after delivery, though most drivers prefer to see the tip before they pick up the order.
The tip you add in the app goes directly to the driver; Uber does not take a cut. Drivers can see the tip amount before they accept your order, and some drivers may decline orders with no tip or a very small tip, especially during busy times. The tip is separate from the delivery fee and is not included in Uber's commission.
If you believe the driver did not deserve the tip you gave—for example, the food arrived cold or the driver was rude—you can reduce or remove the tip within the app. This is different from a refund for a missing item; it is a direct adjustment to what the driver receives.
Restaurant availability and how to find what you want
Which restaurants appear in your Uber Eats app depends on your delivery address. Not all restaurants in your city use Uber Eats, and some restaurants may deliver only to certain neighborhoods or zip codes. You can search by restaurant name, cuisine type (pizza, sushi, burgers, etc.), or dish name. The app also shows restaurants sorted by rating, delivery time, and distance.
Restaurant hours on Uber Eats may differ from their in-person hours. Some restaurants open later or close earlier for delivery, and some are only available through Uber Eats and do not have a physical location. You can see a restaurant's delivery hours in the app before you place an order.
If a restaurant is temporarily closed or not accepting orders, the app will show it as unavailable or "closed" rather than letting you place an order. If you cannot find a restaurant you want, it may not partner with Uber Eats in your area, or it may be closed at that time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order alcohol through Uber Eats?
Yes, some restaurants and convenience stores sell beer, wine, and spirits through Uber Eats, but availability depends on your location and local laws. When alcohol is available, you must be at least 21 years old and provide ID to the driver at delivery. The driver will check your ID before handing over the order.
What if I'm not home when the driver arrives?
Contact the driver through the app as soon as you realize you will not be there. The driver can wait for a short time, leave the order in a safe place you specify (like your porch), or return it to the restaurant. If the order is returned, you can request a refund through the app.
Can I change or cancel my order after I place it?
You can cancel an order within a few minutes of placing it, before the driver has picked it up from the restaurant. After the driver picks up the order, cancellation is not possible, though you can still report missing or incorrect items after delivery. Check the app for the exact cancellation window for your order.
Do I need an Uber account to use Uber Eats?
No, you can create an Uber Eats account separately from an Uber (ride-sharing) account. However, if you already have an Uber account, you can use the same login for Uber Eats. Both accounts are linked to the same email address and payment methods.
How does Uber Eats make money if I don't tip?
Uber Eats makes money from the service fee and delivery fee you pay, and from the commission it takes from restaurants. The driver's base pay comes from Uber, not from your tip. However, drivers rely on tips to earn a reasonable wage, so tipping is expected even though it is not required.