What Uber Eats is and how to get your free guide
Uber Eats is a food delivery service that lets you order from restaurants in your area and have meals brought to your door. You download the app or visit the website, search for restaurants near you, add items to a cart, and pay through the app. A driver picks up your order from the restaurant and delivers it to your address. The whole process typically takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on how busy the restaurant and delivery network are.
To use Uber Eats, you need a smartphone or computer, an account (which requires an email address and payment method), and a delivery address. You can pay with a credit card, debit card, or account balance. Some areas also accept other payment methods like digital wallets. The app shows you estimated delivery times and fees before you complete your order, so you know the total cost upfront.
Key Takeaways
- Uber Eats charges a service fee (usually 15 to 30 percent of your order), a delivery fee that varies by location and time, and sometimes a small order fee if your total is below a restaurant's minimum.
- You can track your order in real time once the driver picks it up, and you rate both the restaurant and driver after delivery.
- Delivery times depend on restaurant busyness, distance, and driver availability—peak hours (lunch and dinner) are slower than off-peak times.
- You can save favorite restaurants, set dietary filters, and use promo codes to reduce costs on some orders.
- If food arrives cold, incomplete, or wrong, you can report the issue in the app and request a refund or credit.
How fees work and what you actually pay
Uber Eats charges three separate fees on top of your food cost. The service fee is a percentage of your subtotal—typically 15 to 30 percent depending on the restaurant and your location. The delivery fee varies based on distance, time of day, and how many other orders drivers are handling; it can range from under $2 to $5 or more during busy times. Some restaurants also set a minimum order amount, and if you fall short, Uber Eats adds a small fee to your total.
The app shows you the full breakdown before you pay, so you can see exactly what the service fee, delivery fee, and any other charges are. If you have an Uber Eats Pass subscription (a paid membership), you get free delivery on orders over a certain amount and lower service fees on participating restaurants. Without the pass, fees can add 30 to 50 percent to your bill, which is why many people use promo codes or order during slower times when delivery fees are lower.
Delivery times and what affects how long your order takes
Most Uber Eats orders arrive within 30 to 60 minutes, but this varies widely. The app estimates delivery time based on the restaurant's current order volume, the distance from the restaurant to your address, and how many drivers are available. During lunch (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and dinner (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.), restaurants are busier and drivers are handling more orders, so delivery takes longer. Late night and mid-afternoon orders often arrive faster.
If a restaurant is particularly slow or a driver is far away, the app may show a longer estimate upfront. You can see the estimated pickup and delivery times separately—pickup time is how long the restaurant takes to prepare your food, and delivery time is how long the driver takes to bring it to you. If your order is taking much longer than the estimate, you can check the app to see where the driver is and contact them through the in-app messaging system.
Tracking your order and communicating with the driver
Once the restaurant confirms your order and a driver accepts it, you can watch the driver's location on a map in real time. The app shows you when the driver is on the way to the restaurant, when they've picked up your food, and when they're heading to your address. You can message the driver directly through the app if you need to give them special instructions—for example, asking them to leave the order at a side entrance or to call when they arrive.
The driver can also message you if they have questions, such as whether you want a substitution if an item is out of stock. You receive a notification when the driver is a few minutes away, and another when they've arrived. After delivery, you rate both the restaurant and the driver on a scale of one to five stars and can leave comments about your experience.
What to do if your order is wrong, incomplete, or arrives cold
If your food arrives damaged, cold, or missing items, you can report the issue directly in the app. Open your order history, select the order, and tap "Report an issue." Describe what went wrong and include photos if possible. Uber Eats will review your report and typically offer a refund or credit to your account within a few days. The amount depends on what was wrong—if a single item was missing, you might get a credit for that item; if the entire order was cold or damaged, you may get a credit for the full amount.
If the restaurant is consistently getting orders wrong or the driver is frequently late, you can also rate them poorly and leave a comment explaining the problem. This feedback helps Uber Eats identify restaurants and drivers with ongoing issues. For serious problems—such as a driver not delivering your order at all—contact Uber Eats support through the app, and they can investigate and take further action.
Saving money with promo codes and off-peak ordering
Uber Eats regularly offers promo codes through email, the app, and promotional campaigns. These codes typically give you a discount on your first order (often $10 to $15 off) or a percentage off future orders. You enter the code at checkout before you pay. Some codes are one-time use, while others can be used multiple times. The app also shows you which restaurants have special promotions or discounts on certain items.
Delivery fees are lower during slower times—typically mid-afternoon (2 p.m. to 5 p.m.) and late morning (10 a.m. to 11 a.m.). Ordering during these windows can save you $1 to $3 on delivery alone. If you order frequently, an Uber Eats Pass subscription may pay for itself through free delivery and reduced service fees, though this depends on how often you order and how much you spend per order.
How ratings and reviews work
After each delivery, you rate the restaurant and driver separately. Your rating for the restaurant reflects the food quality and accuracy of the order; your rating for the driver reflects their professionalism, speed, and condition of the delivery. Both ratings are one to five stars, and you can add written comments. Your ratings are anonymous to the restaurant and driver, but they see the star rating and any comment you leave.
Restaurants and drivers with consistently low ratings may be removed from the platform. Your own rating as a customer (based on how you treat drivers and whether you have disputes) can affect your access to certain features or promotions, though Uber Eats does not publicly disclose exactly how this works. If you believe a rating was unfair, you can contact Uber Eats support to dispute it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tip the driver after delivery?
Yes. The app lets you add a tip at checkout before the driver arrives, or you can add or adjust the tip after delivery. You can also tip in cash if the driver accepts it, though most tips are added through the app. Tipping is optional but appreciated—many drivers rely on tips as part of their income.
What happens if the restaurant is closed when the driver arrives?
If the restaurant is unexpectedly closed, the driver will contact you through the app. Uber Eats will cancel your order and refund your payment. You may also receive a credit or discount code for the inconvenience, depending on the circumstances.
Can I schedule an order for a specific time?
Yes. The app lets you schedule orders up to a week in advance. You select your delivery time at checkout, and Uber Eats will send the order to the restaurant at the appropriate time so it arrives when you want it. Scheduled orders may have different fees or availability depending on the restaurant.
What if I'm not home when the driver arrives?
You can message the driver through the app to let them know you're running late or to give them instructions on where to leave the order. If you're not there and haven't left instructions, the driver will wait a few minutes and then may cancel the delivery. Contact Uber Eats support immediately if this happens to discuss your options.
Do I need to create an account to order?
Yes. You need an Uber Eats account with an email address and payment method to place an order. Creating an account is free and takes a few minutes. You can use the same account across the Uber Eats app and website.