Uber Eats is a food delivery app that connects you to restaurants and independent food businesses in your area

Uber Eats lets you order food from restaurants using an app or website, and a delivery driver brings it to your address. You pay through the app, and the driver keeps the order insulated in a bag during transport. The service operates in most US cities and many countries worldwide, though availability depends on your location and which restaurants partner with the platform.

The app shows you restaurants near you, their menus, customer ratings, and estimated delivery times. You can filter by cuisine type, price range, dietary needs, or delivery speed. Once you place an order, you can track the driver's location in real time and see when they're arriving.

Key Takeaways

  • Uber Eats charges a delivery fee (usually $2 to $5), a service fee (a percentage of your order), and sometimes a small bag fee — the total cost is shown before you confirm your order.
  • You need a valid payment method on file, a delivery address within the service area, and a phone number so the driver can contact you if needed.
  • Delivery times vary by restaurant and location but typically range from 20 to 45 minutes during normal hours.
  • If your order arrives late, damaged, or incomplete, you can report it in the app and request a refund or credit for future orders.

What fees you'll pay and when

Uber Eats charges three separate fees on top of your food cost. The delivery fee covers the driver's trip and usually ranges from $2 to $5, though it can be higher during busy times or in remote areas. The service fee is a percentage of your subtotal (typically 10 to 15 percent) that goes to Uber. Some restaurants also charge a bag fee of 50 cents to $1 per order.

The app shows you the total cost — food, all fees, and tax — before you tap to confirm payment. There are no hidden charges added after you order. If you have an Uber Pass subscription (a paid membership), the delivery fee is waived on orders over a certain amount, though the service fee still applies.

How to place an order

Download the Uber Eats app or go to ubereats.com. Enter your delivery address, and the app shows restaurants that deliver to you. Browse menus, add items to your cart, and review any special instructions (allergies, no onions, extra sauce). At checkout, select your payment method and tip amount — tipping is optional but drivers see it before accepting your order.

Once you confirm, the restaurant receives your order and begins preparing it. You'll see a notification when the driver picks it up and another when they're on the way. Most restaurants take 10 to 20 minutes to prepare food, and delivery usually takes another 10 to 25 minutes depending on distance and traffic.

What to do if something goes wrong with your order

If your food arrives late, cold, damaged, or incomplete, open the app and go to your order history. Tap the order that had the problem and select "Report an issue." Describe what happened — the app may offer a refund, credit toward your next order, or both. Uber typically resolves these reports within 24 to 48 hours.

If the driver can't find your address, they'll call or text you. Make sure your address is correct in the app and that your phone number is current. If you're not home when the driver arrives, they may leave the order at your door or return it to the restaurant depending on the situation.

Restaurant and driver ratings explained

Each restaurant and driver has a star rating (1 to 5 stars) based on customer reviews. A restaurant's rating reflects food quality and order accuracy; a driver's rating reflects timeliness and condition of delivery. Ratings below 4.6 stars may indicate consistent problems, though a single bad experience can temporarily lower a rating.

You can read individual reviews before ordering to see what specific issues customers reported. After delivery, you're asked to rate both the restaurant and driver. Your honest feedback helps other customers make decisions and gives restaurants and drivers information about what to improve.

Dietary restrictions and special requests

Most restaurants on Uber Eats label menu items with dietary tags — vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and others. You can filter restaurants by these categories to narrow your choices. When you add items to your cart, there's a space for special instructions where you can note allergies, ingredient substitutions, or preparation requests.

Type your requests clearly and specifically. For example, "no peanuts — severe allergy" is better than "no nuts." The restaurant sees these instructions before they prepare your food. If you have a severe allergy, it's worth calling the restaurant directly before ordering to confirm they can safely prepare your meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change or cancel my order after I place it?

You can cancel within a few minutes of placing your order, before the restaurant starts preparing it. Once preparation begins, cancellation may not be possible, and you could lose your payment. The app shows a countdown timer indicating how long you have to cancel.

What if the restaurant is closed when I try to order?

The app only shows restaurants that are currently open and accepting orders. If a restaurant appears closed, it's outside its delivery hours or temporarily not accepting orders. Check back later or choose a different restaurant.

Do I need to be home when the driver arrives?

You don't have to be home, but it's safer to be there so the driver can hand you the order directly. If you're not available, let the driver know where to leave it (porch, lobby, mailroom) in the delivery instructions or by calling them when they arrive.

How much should I tip the driver?

Tipping is optional and entirely up to you. Many people tip 15 to 20 percent of their order total, similar to restaurant tipping. Drivers see the tip amount before accepting your order, so higher tips may result in faster delivery.

Is my payment information secure?

Uber Eats uses encryption to protect your payment details. Your credit card or bank information is not shared with restaurants or drivers — they only see that payment was received through the app.