What Uber Eats does and how to start
Uber Eats is a food delivery service that lets you order from restaurants in your area and have the food brought to your home or another address. You download the app or visit the website, search for restaurants near you, add items to a cart, pay through the app, and a driver picks up your order and delivers it.
To start, you need the Uber Eats app (available on iPhone and Android) or you can order through ubereats.com on a computer. You'll need to create an account with an email address or phone number, add a delivery address, and set up a payment method — usually a debit card, credit card, or linked bank account. Some cities also let you pay with PayPal or Apple Pay.
The app shows you restaurants that deliver to your address. You can filter by cuisine type, price, ratings, or delivery time. When you find a restaurant, you can see the menu, read customer reviews, and check how long delivery typically takes from that location.
Key Takeaways
- You search for restaurants, add food to your cart, and pay through the app — the driver picks up your order and delivers it to the address you entered.
- Uber Eats charges a delivery fee (usually $2 to $5 depending on distance), a service fee (a percentage of your order), and sometimes a small bag fee, on top of the restaurant's menu prices.
- You can track your driver in real time once they pick up your order, and you'll see their photo and vehicle information.
- Restaurants set their own prices on Uber Eats, which are often higher than eating in or calling the restaurant directly.
- If your order arrives late, incomplete, or damaged, you can report it in the app and request a refund or credit.
How ordering and payment work
Once you've chosen a restaurant, you browse the menu and add items to your cart just like shopping online. You can customize most items — for example, choosing toppings on a pizza or dressing on the side for a salad. The app shows you the price of each item and updates your total as you add things.
When you're ready to pay, the app shows you a breakdown: the subtotal from the restaurant, the delivery fee, a service fee (usually 10 to 15 percent of your order), and sometimes a small bag fee. You review the total, confirm your delivery address, and choose your payment method. Most orders go through instantly, and the restaurant receives your order right away.
Some restaurants offer promotions or discounts through Uber Eats — you'll see these marked on the menu or in a banner at the top of the restaurant page. You can also use promo codes if you have them, which usually reduce the total by a set amount or percentage.
What happens after you place an order
After you pay, the restaurant starts preparing your food. You'll see a status screen in the app that tells you when the order is being prepared, when it's ready for pickup, and when a driver has been assigned. The time shown at checkout is an estimate — some orders finish faster, and some take longer depending on how busy the restaurant is.
Once a driver accepts your order, you'll see their name, photo, car type, and license plate. You can watch them drive to the restaurant in real time on a map. When they arrive at the restaurant, they'll pick up your order and head to your delivery address. You can track their location the entire way.
The driver will typically arrive within the estimated time window, though traffic and restaurant delays can push this later. When they're close, you'll get a notification. Most drivers leave the order at your door or hand it to you directly — you can add delivery instructions in the app if you want the food left in a specific spot.
Fees and what they cover
Uber Eats charges three main fees on top of what the restaurant charges for food. The delivery fee covers the driver's work and usually ranges from $2 to $5 depending on how far you are from the restaurant. The service fee is a percentage of your order total (typically 10 to 15 percent) and goes to Uber Eats. Some restaurants also charge a small bag fee (usually under $1) for packaging.
Restaurant prices on Uber Eats are often higher than the same items cost if you order directly or eat in. This is because restaurants pay Uber Eats a commission on every order — usually 15 to 30 percent of the order total. Many restaurants pass this cost to customers by marking up menu prices on the platform.
Delivery fees are higher during busy times (lunch, dinner, weekends) and for orders from restaurants farther away. You can see the exact fees before you pay, so there are no surprises at checkout.
What to do if something goes wrong
If your order arrives late, incomplete, or damaged, you can report it in the app within a short window (usually a few hours). Open the order in your app, tap "Help," and describe the problem. You can request a refund of part or all of the order, or a credit toward your next order.
For missing items, take a photo if you can — this helps Uber Eats process your claim faster. For damaged food, you don't usually need to open the container; just report it and describe what happened. Uber Eats will typically refund you or credit your account within a few days.
If a driver never shows up or cancels after accepting your order, you'll be refunded automatically. If you need to cancel before the driver picks up your order, you can do this in the app, though you may lose the delivery fee if the restaurant has already started preparing your food.
Uber Eats Pass and subscription options
Uber Eats Pass is a paid membership that waives delivery fees on most orders over a certain amount (usually $15). The membership costs a monthly fee and can save money if you order frequently. You can try it free for a limited time, then decide whether to keep it.
Some credit cards and bank accounts offer Uber Eats credits or cashback as a cardholder benefit — check with your bank to see if you have this. Uber also runs seasonal promotions where you get discounts on your first few orders or free delivery on certain restaurants.
How to contact support and track your order
You can track your order in real time through the app map. If you need to contact the driver, there's a phone icon in the app that lets you call them directly. For issues with the restaurant or your order, tap "Help" in the app to see options for reporting problems or contacting support.
Uber Eats support responds through the app, usually within a few hours. For urgent issues (like a driver who can't find your address), calling the driver directly is faster. You can also add delivery instructions in the app before the driver picks up — for example, "Ring the doorbell twice" or "Leave at side gate."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tip the driver through the app?
Yes. You can add a tip when you place your order, or after the driver delivers your food. The app suggests a percentage (usually 15, 18, or 20 percent), but you can enter any amount. Tips go directly to the driver and are separate from the delivery fee.
What if the restaurant is closed when my order arrives?
This is rare because the app only shows restaurants that are currently open. If a restaurant closes unexpectedly after you order, Uber Eats will cancel your order and refund your payment. You'll be notified in the app.
Do I need to be home when the driver arrives?
No. You can add delivery instructions telling the driver where to leave your order — for example, at your front door or with a doorman. You'll get a notification when the order is delivered, and the driver usually takes a photo to confirm.
Can I order from multiple restaurants at once?
No. Each order is from a single restaurant. However, you can place multiple separate orders if you want food from different places — each will have its own delivery fee and driver.
What payment methods does Uber Eats accept?
Uber Eats accepts debit cards, credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. In some cities, you can also pay with a linked bank account. You can save multiple payment methods and choose which one to use for each order.