The Most Popular Food Delivery Apps in Canada
- Murat Koçak
- 11 hours ago
- 12 min read
When you move to Canada or plan to relocate, food delivery apps quickly become one of the essential tools that make daily life easier. Whether you are looking for traditional Canadian dishes or flavors from a variety of international cuisines, these apps allow you to get the food you want delivered to your door with just a few taps. In recent years, Canadians have become highly accustomed to this digital convenience. In this article, we examine the most popular food delivery apps in Canada and provide a detailed analysis of the experiences each one offers.
The Food Delivery Experience in Canada
Food delivery apps have become a significant part of daily life in Canada. These platforms are widely used not only in major cities but also in smaller communities, bringing together hundreds of restaurants from different cuisines on a single platform. For newcomers, understanding how apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and SkipTheDishes work makes it easier to make informed decisions when ordering food.
The Three Most Commonly Used Apps in Canada: Uber Eats, DoorDash, and SkipTheDishes
Uber Eats
Uber Eats is one of the food delivery apps with the widest coverage across Canada. The platform offers a broad selection of restaurants, ranging from international cuisines to traditional Canadian dishes.
Key features:
User friendly interface
Filtering restaurants by cuisine type, ratings and location
Real time order tracking
Additional categories such as groceries, beverages or flowers
In app promotions and seasonal discounts
Subscription model for frequent users (Uber One)
These features make Uber Eats a practical option especially for users in large cities who are looking for a fast delivery experience.
DoorDash
DoorDash is another widely used platform in Canada, known for its broad restaurant network and flexible filtering options.
Notable functions offered by the app:
● Filtering restaurants by delivery time, price level, promotions or high ratings
● Closely tracking the order process
● Viewing restaurant price levels ($ – $$$$)
● Pickup option
● Optional subscription system for frequent users (DashPass)
DoorDash helps users easily find the type of food they are looking for thanks to its variety of filtering tools.
SkipTheDishes
SkipTheDishes, a Canada based app, has broader coverage especially in small and medium sized cities.
Key features:
Sorting restaurants by rating, delivery fee or delivery time
Simple and easy to use interface
Wide variety of local restaurants
Built in loyalty system that offers points for each order (Skip Rewards)
Delivery of small grocery items in certain regions
SkipTheDishes’ local focused approach makes it easier to access small businesses across various regions of Canada.
How Are Restaurants Rated in Canada?
Before trying a new restaurant, most of us quickly check customer ratings and reviews. In Canada, restaurants are rated using a five-star system, similar to many other countries. These ratings are provided by users on both general platforms, such as Google Reviews and Yelp, and directly within food delivery apps.
In food delivery apps, once an order is delivered, the user is asked to evaluate both the restaurant and the delivery experience. For instance, on Uber Eats, users can rate the restaurant between one and five stars and leave feedback. When calculating restaurant ratings, Uber Eats assigns more weight to customer reviews from the last 90 days to reflect recent performance. This means a restaurant’s service quality in recent months has a greater impact, helping users make decisions based on the current situation. Likewise, DoorDash and SkipTheDishes display average ratings out of five and typically show how many people have rated each restaurant. DoorDash also allows users to filter restaurants by high ratings, displaying only those with a certain star level or higher, which makes quality-based selection easier.
Beyond in-app ratings, comments on platforms like Google Maps or Yelp are also important sources of information for Canadians. Many users search for the restaurant on Google after seeing it on a food delivery app to read general customer reviews. Google and Yelp also utilize a five-star system, allowing for detailed written feedback. These reviews can be particularly helpful, especially in terms of food quality, portion size, and service speed.
Another notable aspect of restaurant rating culture in Canada is that politeness and customer satisfaction often influence ratings. Canadians are generally willing to give high ratings when they receive good service. According to Uber Eats’ 2024 report, some Canadian cities ranked among the highest nationwide in tipping and politeness. Naturally, restaurants also work hard to maintain high scores by prioritizing customer satisfaction. Overall, whether through in-app star ratings or general platform reviews, restaurant ratings in Canada serve as valuable reference points for new customers. Checking these before placing an order helps ensure a better experience.
Budget-Friendly Ordering Tips for Students
If you are living in Canada as a student or trying to manage your expenses on a limited budget, saving money while using food delivery apps might be a priority. Fortunately, student-specific strategies make it possible to order delicious meals more affordably.
Student Discounted Memberships:Many popular apps offer discounted subscription plans for students. For example, Uber Eats’ Uber One Student plan reduces the monthly fee from $9.99 to $4.99, and the first four weeks come with a free trial. This membership also waives delivery fees on orders over $15 and offers an additional 5% discount on every order. Similarly, DoorDash usually offers DashPass to students for around $4.99 per month. These memberships are highly advantageous for frequent users, as they significantly reduce cumulative delivery and service fees.
New User and Referral Codes:Students using the apps for the first time can take advantage of welcome discounts. For example, Uber Eats sometimes gives $15 off to new users. DoorDash and SkipTheDishes offer similar first-order promotions. Referral programs are also noteworthy; when you invite a friend to the app, both you and your friend earn credits. On university campuses, students frequently exchange referral codes to earn free meals or discounts.
Group Orders and Sharing:If you are living in a dorm or student house, ordering together with friends is a key way to save. By placing a large order, you can exceed the free delivery threshold offered by many restaurants. For instance, delivery fees may be waived for orders above $20 or $30, or special in-app promotions may be applied. With group orders, no one pays a delivery fee individually. DoorDash’s “Group Order” feature allows everyone to choose their own meal while checking out together.
Choosing Pickup:One of the biggest cost items is the delivery fee. If the restaurant is nearby or on your route, you can choose the pickup option and collect the food yourself. This eliminates delivery fees, and some apps even offer discounts or credits (such as a 5 percent credit for DashPass members) for choosing pickup. Many students in Canada pick up their lunch from nearby restaurants and only order delivery in the evenings when they truly do not want to go out.
Campus and Local Discounts:Some restaurants in student-dense areas offer student menus or discounted pricing. These promotions may also appear in the apps, such as a 10 percent discount valid at certain times. Student clubs or local businesses also distribute coupon codes periodically. You can stay informed by checking your school’s Facebook groups, forums, or student union announcements.
In summary, with a few smart choices, it is entirely possible to manage your food delivery budget. While exploring a variety of cuisines, including Canadian dishes, you can save money by using the right codes, opting for group orders, and taking advantage of student discounts. Your student years can be both delicious and budget friendly.
Apps Offering Vegan and Halal Options in Canada
Canada’s multicultural structure provides a wide range of food options that meet different dietary preferences and needs. In recent years, many consumers have been looking for meals that are not only filling but also healthy, ethical or aligned with religious requirements such as vegan or halal food. Fortunately, popular food delivery apps have expanded to accommodate these demands.
On large platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash and SkipTheDishes, vegan and vegetarian options can be found under cuisine type filters. The interfaces typically include categories like “Vegan”, “Vegetarian” or “Healthy Choices”. Additionally, Uber Eats offers a similar category for halal restaurants. Searching for “Halal” allows users to easily find restaurants nearby that serve halal food, such as kebab shops offering halal meat or restaurants serving vegan burgers.
Beyond food delivery apps, Canada also has specialized platforms for dietary needs. HalalDil is one such app, helping users locate halal restaurants and markets across Canada. It allows you to explore halal food options on a map and view the products offered. Similarly, HappyCow, a global platform listing vegan and vegetarian restaurants, is frequently used to find plant-based dining options in Canadian cities. Although these apps do not provide direct ordering, they help identify restaurant menus before placing an order through food delivery apps.
Finding vegan and halal meals is especially easy in large cities. Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal have hundreds of restaurants developing vegan menus or obtaining halal certification. For instance, in Toronto, there are many Middle Eastern halal restaurants as well as vegan restaurants offering fully plant-based “hot dogs”. Most of these are listed on Uber Eats or DoorDash. Delivery apps also occasionally offer special campaigns, such as discount weeks dedicated to vegan options or free delivery days for halal restaurants.
In summary, choosing vegan or halal food in Canada is not a barrier when it comes to delivery. Thanks to advanced filters and a wide range of restaurants, you can easily find meals suited to your health or religious preferences. Remember to use the dietary filters within the apps and take advantage of specialized platforms to ensure the options fit your needs.
Instacart and Alternatives for Grocery Delivery
Alongside food delivery, online grocery shopping has also become increasingly common in Canada. Especially during the cold winter months or busy work schedules, ordering your grocery needs through an app offers great convenience. Instacart is one of the most popular platforms in this category. Bringing together multiple grocery chains under one roof, Instacart delivers selected products directly to your door. It is recognized as one of the top grocery delivery apps in Canada, offering same-day delivery and the convenience of shopping from multiple stores simultaneously. Its user-friendly interface, real-time order tracking, and contactless delivery options make home grocery shopping a simple experience. The app features large retailers such as Walmart, Costco, and Loblaws, as well as local markets and pharmacies. After adding items to your cart and placing your order, an Instacart shopper collects your products from the shelves and delivers them within the selected time window. Instacart also offers Instacart Plus, a subscription service providing benefits such as free delivery on orders above a certain amount and special discounts.
As an alternative to Instacart, many major grocery chains offer their own online ordering systems. Walmart Canada accepts direct grocery orders via both its app and website. You can choose delivery or pickup. Walmart’s Delivery Pass subscription provides unlimited next-day delivery for around $9 per month and has a widespread network across Canada. Similarly, Loblaws-owned supermarkets (such as Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, and Loblaws) use the PC Express platform for online orders. PC Express allows users to choose home delivery or parking lot pickup. For frequent users, PC Express offers a monthly membership plan for $9.99 or an annual plan for $99, which provides free delivery or pickup for orders over $35, making it financially beneficial for regular grocery shoppers.
Regional grocery chains in Canada also offers their own solutions. In Western Canada, Save On Foods offers its own online ordering and delivery service, renowned for its fresh and local products. In Ontario, Longo’s manages Grocery Gateway, a long-running online delivery service. Sobeys, one of Canada’s major chains, has invested in advanced technology to create Voilà by Sobeys, a sophisticated online grocery platform that picks and delivers orders directly from specialized warehouses to ensure freshness and accuracy. Some Quebec-based grocery stores also offer French-language online systems. In short, no matter where you live, it is highly likely that a grocery chain near you has an online ordering option.
Food delivery apps have also entered the grocery delivery market. Uber Eats offers grocery and alcoholic beverage delivery in certain regions of Canada. Within the Uber Eats app, you can see categories such as “Grocery” or browse local markets. This service emerged following Uber’s acquisition of Cornershop in 2019. Today, Uber Eats users can order from retailers like Loblaws and Metro. SkipTheDishes launched Skip Express Lane, its own grocery service, available in major cities where users can browse convenience store-style items. SkipTheDishes aims to extend its food delivery expertise to everyday grocery needs.
When ordering groceries, it is helpful to compare which platform is most affordable and fastest in your area. For example, Instacart may be very active in downtown regions, whereas PC Express pickup may be more practical in suburban areas. Comparing delivery fees, minimum order amounts, and membership advantages helps you make informed decisions. Some memberships, like Walmart Delivery Pass or PC Express, may also offer student discounts or be available for free trials through credit card promotions. Overall, Canada offers numerous options for convenient grocery delivery, and selecting the one that suits your needs and budget can save both time and money.
Using Discounts and Promo Codes in Delivery Apps
One of the best ways to enjoy delicious meals at lower prices is to make smart use of discounts and promo codes. Both food delivery platforms, such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, and SkipTheDishes, and individual restaurants offer various promotions to attract customers. Taking advantage of these opportunities can significantly reduce your spending.
In App Promotions: Pay attention to banners or promotion labels when you open the app. Many restaurants offer free items or discounts for orders above a certain amount. For example, deals such as “free appetizer for orders over $30” or “buy one get one free” are quite common. Some restaurants offer discounted prices during non-peak hours, such as between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. On SkipTheDishes, certain restaurants remove delivery fees when you exceed a specific cart total, although service fees may still apply. Since these promotions vary by restaurant, it is helpful to compare similar restaurants before placing an order.
Promo Codes:From time to time, apps release promo codes for general use. During competitive periods, platforms may introduce codes such as “50 percent off” or “$10 off” to attract users. These codes are usually announced through in-app notifications or email newsletters. Searching “[App name] promo code” online can also reveal up-to-date codes. As of December 2025, coupon sites listed 15 percent Uber Eats discounts or “50 percent off” codes for DoorDash. Reliable coupon sites such as RetailMeNot, CouponFollow, and Groupon, or user posts on Reddit, can help you find valid codes. However, these codes often have limited time or usage restrictions, so it is best to use them quickly.
Membership and Loyalty Benefits:Programs like Uber One, DashPass, or Skip Rewards also function as discount opportunities. For example, DashPass members can receive a 5% discount on service fees, and Uber One members can enjoy additional promotions at select restaurants. If you have the opportunity to try these memberships for free through credit card or mobile carrier promotions, it can be beneficial to take advantage of them. Banks or phone companies sometimes offer free memberships; for instance, RBC provided DoorDash DashPass to credit card holders in Canada. Checking existing memberships and card benefits can reveal discounts for which you may already qualify.
Seasonal and Regional Campaigns:Delivery apps often run large promotions during major events such as Black Friday, New Year’s, or Canada Day. During summer, discount campaigns such as “Summer Flavor Festival” may appear, offering 20 to 30 percent off at many restaurants. During the holiday season, gifts like promo codes may be distributed. Additionally, if a new delivery app enters a city, it may offer aggressive promotions such as free delivery on the first three orders. Turning on app notifications or subscribing to email updates ensures you do not miss these opportunities.
Important Notes:When using discounts or promo codes, read the conditions carefully. Sometimes a 50 percent discount sounds great, but it may be capped at a maximum of $10. Free dessert promotions may only be available at select restaurants. Additionally, most promotions cannot be combined, so choose the one that offers the most benefits. Lastly, remember to tip appropriately. Even when you save money, tipping couriers fairly is part of Canadian culture.
In summary, there are plenty of ways to save on food delivery apps. Following campaigns, using promo codes promptly, and taking advantage of loyalty programs can help you enjoy great meals while staying within budget.
Orientation Support for Newcomers to Canada
When adapting to life in Canada, you may need guidance not only regarding food delivery apps but also in many aspects of daily living. Adjusting to a new country often requires finding accurate information, receiving reliable advice, and having an experienced team by your side when needed.
At C&C Canada Education, Visa, and Immigration, we offer comprehensive orientation support for individuals who have recently arrived in Canada or plan to arrive soon. From education options to practical daily life tips, from accommodation suggestions to cultural adaptation, we prioritize being at your side throughout the process of establishing your life in Canada.
If you would like to start your new life in Canada with greater confidence, you can contact us to learn more about our orientation programs and consultation services. We would be happy to accompany you on this journey.
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