DAILY LIFE
Food and delivery apps in Dubai
You will use these every week. Download two meal apps and one grocery app. Pay in the app — not to a rider’s personal number.
- Need a UAE number or eSIM for most apps.
- Card or Apple Pay is normal. Cash on delivery exists on some, not all.
- Delivery is often AED 7–15. A monthly pass only pays if you order a lot.
- Check your bank card — ENBD, ADCB, FAB and others sometimes include Talabat Pro or Careem Plus.
- Cooking still wins: a Lulu shop for one is often AED 250–450 a week.
The apps
| App | For | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Talabat Delivery often AED 7–15. Pro is a monthly pass — check the app and your bank card first. | Both | Most restaurants. Talabat Mart for a 15–30 min shop. |
| Deliveroo Similar delivery fee. Plus Silver/Gold in the app. | Meals | Restaurant quality. Plus if you order often. |
| Careem Careem Plus often around AED 19/month. Check your bank — some cards include it. | Both | Rides + food + Quik grocery in one app. |
| noon Food / Minutes Noon One is the paid pass. Shop + food on one account. | Both | Cheap fees and 15-minute groceries (Minutes). |
| Keeta Fees change with promos. Confirm in the app. | Meals | New in the UAE. Watch new-user free delivery. Drone drops in parts of DSO. |
| InstaShop 30–60 min. Fee depends on the store. | Supermarket | Order from a named store: Spinneys, Carrefour, a pharmacy. |
| Carrefour Cheaper per item than 15-minute dark stores. | Supermarket | Full weekly shop, own app, slots. |
| Lulu Scheduled delivery. Good for rice, oil, bulk. | Supermarket | Value hypermarket shop. |
Simple setup
- Meals: Talabat + one of Deliveroo, Careem or Keeta so you can compare the fee.
- Tonight’s milk: noon Minutes, Careem Quik or Talabat Mart.
- Weekly shop: Carrefour or Lulu app — or go in person. Cheaper than 15-minute apps.
- Named supermarket: InstaShop.
Want to work as a rider?
Courier work is a job with a company contract and a visa — same as any other work. Apply on the company’s page (Careem, Talabat). A WhatsApp bike + visa bundle is a scam.