Top-Rated Food Delivery Apps in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s food delivery market has grown exponentially in recent years. Today, millions of residents rely on mobile apps to order meals from their favorite restaurants. Whether you’re craving traditional kabsa, international cuisine, or a quick snack, the right delivery app makes all the difference. At Foodspark, we’ve analyzed the leading platforms to help you choose the service that best fits your needs.

What Are the Best Food Delivery Apps in Saudi Arabia?

The top food delivery apps in Saudi Arabia include HungerStation, Jahez, Mrsool, Deliveroo, Talabat, and Careem Now. These platforms dominate the market by offering extensive restaurant selections, competitive pricing, and reliable delivery services across major cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.

Each app has unique strengths. Therefore, your choice depends on factors such as location, restaurant variety, delivery speed, and payment options.

How Does HungerStation Stand Out Among Food Delivery Services?

HungerStation operates as one of Saudi Arabia’s oldest and most established food delivery platforms. Founded in 2012, it partners with thousands of restaurants nationwide. The app covers over 50 cities and offers diverse cuisine options ranging from local Saudi dishes to international fast food chains.

Users appreciate HungerStation for its user-friendly interface and extensive filtering options. You can search by cuisine type, delivery time, restaurant rating, or minimum order value. Additionally, the platform provides real-time order tracking and multiple payment methods including cash on delivery, credit cards, and digital wallets.

HungerStation frequently runs promotional campaigns with attractive discounts, and many restaurants on the platform offer exclusive deals not available elsewhere. By using insights from the HungerStation API, businesses can track these promotions, monitor price changes, and analyze delivery fee variations based on distance and restaurant location. Since delivery fees fluctuate throughout the day, access to real-time HungerStation data helps ensure accurate pricing and better decision-making.

Why Do Saudi Customers Prefer Jahez for Food Delivery?

Jahez has rapidly gained popularity since its launch in 2016. The app focuses exclusively on the Saudi market, which allows it to understand local preferences better than international competitors. Jahez operates in more than 70 cities across the Kingdom, making it one of the most widespread services available.

The platform emphasizes fast delivery times. Most orders arrive within 30-45 minutes, depending on your location and the restaurant’s preparation time. Jahez also maintains competitive commission rates with restaurants, which often translates to lower menu prices compared to other apps.

Customer loyalty programs set Jahez apart from competitors. The app rewards frequent users with points that can be redeemed for discounts on future orders. Furthermore, Jahez offers a subscription service called “Jahez Plus” that provides unlimited free delivery for a monthly fee, making it cost-effective for regular users.

What Makes Mrsool Different From Traditional Delivery Apps?

Mrsool operates on a unique model that extends beyond restaurant food delivery. The app functions as an on-demand delivery service for virtually anything, from groceries and medications to documents and gifts. This versatility has made it incredibly popular among Saudi users who value convenience.

For food delivery specifically, Mrsool connects you directly with independent couriers who can pick up orders from any restaurant, even those without official delivery services. This means you have access to virtually every eatery in your city through Foodspark’s recommended platform, Mrsool.

The app uses a bidding system where multiple couriers can offer to complete your delivery. You can view their profiles, ratings, and proposed delivery fees before selecting one. This transparency gives you more control over costs and delivery times. Additionally, Mrsool allows direct communication with your courier through in-app chat, ensuring smooth coordination.

How Does Deliveroo Cater to Saudi Arabia’s Food Scene?

Deliveroo entered the Saudi market with a premium positioning strategy. The international platform partners primarily with mid-range to high-end restaurants, offering quality cuisine options that appeal to expatriates and affluent locals. Major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah have the most extensive Deliveroo coverage.

The app’s strength lies in its curated restaurant selection and presentation. Each listing features professional food photography and detailed menu descriptions, making it easier to discover new dining options. Deliveroo also maintains strict quality standards for its partner restaurants, ensuring consistent food quality.

Deliveroo Plus, the platform’s subscription service, offers unlimited free delivery on orders above a certain threshold. Moreover, subscribers receive exclusive access to special offers and priority customer support. The app integrates seamlessly with international payment methods, making it particularly convenient for expatriates and tourists.

What Services Does Talabat Offer in Saudi Arabia?

Talabat ranks among the Middle East’s oldest food delivery platforms. The app operates across multiple countries in the region, bringing extensive operational experience to the Saudi market. Talabat partners with thousands of restaurants ranging from local eateries to international chains.

The platform’s search and filter capabilities are highly sophisticated. You can browse by specific dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or halal-certified options. Additionally, Talabat categorizes restaurants by meal type, making it simple to find breakfast spots, lunch specials, or late-night delivery options.

Talabat’s customer service receives consistently positive reviews. The platform maintains responsive support channels through phone, email, and in-app chat. Furthermore, their refund and complaint resolution processes are straightforward, providing peace of mind when issues arise.

Why Should You Consider Careem Now for Food Delivery?

Careem Now leverages the infrastructure of Careem, the region’s leading ride-hailing service. This integration provides logistical advantages, particularly regarding delivery speed and courier availability. The extensive network of Careem drivers who can switch between ride-sharing and delivery tasks ensures consistent service even during peak hours.

The app benefits from Careem’s reputation for reliability and safety. All couriers undergo background checks and training programs. Real-time GPS tracking shows exactly where your order is at every moment, and you can contact your driver directly through the app if needed.

Careem Rewards, the company’s loyalty program, applies across all Careem services. Points earned from food deliveries can be used for ride discounts and vice versa. This interconnected ecosystem makes Careem Now particularly valuable for users who already rely on Careem for transportation needs.

How Do Delivery Fees and Service Charges Compare Across Apps?

Delivery fees vary significantly across platforms and depend on multiple factors. Distance from the restaurant, order value, time of day, and promotional offers all influence the final cost. Most apps charge between 5 to 15 SAR for standard deliveries, though premium restaurants may impose higher fees.

Service fees or platform fees typically range from 10% to 15% of your order value. Some apps include these charges in the displayed menu prices, while others add them at checkout. Therefore, comparing total costs rather than menu prices alone provides a more accurate picture.

Several platforms offer subscription programs that eliminate delivery fees for regular users. If you order food more than twice weekly, these subscriptions usually provide significant savings. Additionally, many apps waive delivery fees on orders exceeding certain minimum amounts, encouraging larger purchases.

What Payment Methods Do Saudi Food Delivery Apps Accept?

Most major food delivery apps in Saudi Arabia support multiple payment options. Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) are universally accepted. Digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and STC Pay have become increasingly popular due to their convenience and security.

Cash on delivery remains widely available, particularly valuable for users without bank accounts or those who prefer not to share financial information online. However, some premium restaurants and during certain promotional periods, cash payments may not be accepted.

Mada cards, Saudi Arabia’s national payment system, receive support across all local delivery platforms. Furthermore, some apps offer their own digital wallet systems where you can preload funds for faster checkout and exclusive bonuses.

How Can You Track Your Food Delivery in Real-Time?

Real-time order tracking has become a standard feature across all major delivery apps. Once your order is confirmed, you can follow its progress through several stages: restaurant acceptance, food preparation, courier assignment, pickup, and delivery.

Most apps display your courier’s location on an interactive map. This GPS tracking updates every few seconds, showing the exact route and estimated arrival time. Meanwhile, push notifications keep you informed about important status changes without requiring you to keep the app open constantly.

Some platforms, particularly those featured on Foodspark, offer even more detailed tracking. You can see when your food enters preparation, when it’s ready for pickup, and receive photos confirming pickup. This transparency reduces anxiety about order status and helps you prepare for the delivery’s arrival.

What Should You Know About Restaurant Ratings and Reviews?

Customer ratings significantly influence restaurant visibility on delivery apps. Most platforms use a five-star rating system with verified reviews from actual customers. Restaurants with ratings above 4.0 stars generally indicate consistent quality and service.

Reading recent reviews provides valuable insights beyond numerical ratings. Customers often mention specific dishes, portion sizes, packaging quality, and delivery speed. Therefore, checking reviews from the past month gives you current information about a restaurant’s performance.

However, rating systems can be manipulated. Some restaurants offer incentives for positive reviews, while competitors may post negative ones. Consequently, focusing on detailed reviews with specific information proves more reliable than overall star counts. Foodspark recommends reading at least 5-10 recent reviews before ordering from a new restaurant.

How Do Peak Hours Affect Food Delivery Times?

Delivery times fluctuate dramatically based on demand. Lunch hours (12:00-14:00) and dinner periods (19:00-22:00) represent peak times when restaurants and couriers are busiest. During these windows, expect delivery times to increase by 15-30 minutes compared to off-peak hours.

Weekend evenings, particularly Thursday and Friday nights, see the highest order volumes in Saudi Arabia. Some restaurants become overwhelmed with orders and temporarily stop accepting new ones through delivery apps. Planning ahead by ordering early or during quieter periods ensures faster service.

Weather conditions also impact delivery performance. During extremely hot summer months or rare rainy days, courier availability may decrease while demand increases. Most apps provide estimated delivery times before you confirm your order, allowing you to decide whether the wait is acceptable.

What Are the Most Common Issues With Food Delivery Apps?

Wrong orders represent one of the most frequent complaints. Items may be missing, incorrect, or substituted without notification. Most apps have established protocols for these situations, typically offering refunds, credits, or replacement deliveries. Documenting issues with photos before contacting support strengthens your case.

Food quality problems can arise from long delivery times or poor packaging. While apps aren’t responsible for food preparation, they mediate disputes between customers and restaurants. Cold food, soggy items, or spilled contents warrant immediate reports through the app’s complaint system.

Payment discrepancies occasionally occur, such as duplicate charges or incorrect totals. Checking your receipt against the app’s order summary helps identify these errors quickly. Most platforms resolve financial issues within 3-5 business days when proper documentation is provided.

How Can You Maximize Savings on Food Delivery Orders?

Promotional codes and first-time user discounts offer substantial savings. Most apps provide significant discounts for new customers, sometimes covering the entire delivery fee or offering percentage-based reductions. Additionally, banks frequently partner with delivery apps to offer exclusive discounts for specific credit card users.

Loyalty programs reward frequent ordering habits. Collecting points through regular purchases leads to redeemable rewards, free deliveries, or priority access to limited-time offers. Meanwhile, referring friends typically earns both parties credit toward future orders.

Bundle ordering with family members or coworkers reduces per-person costs. Splitting a larger order helps you reach minimum delivery thresholds for free shipping and dilutes service fees across multiple people. Furthermore, many restaurants offer better value on combo meals and family packages than individual items.

What Does the Future Hold for Food Delivery in Saudi Arabia?

Technology integration continues advancing rapidly in Saudi Arabia’s food delivery sector. Artificial intelligence now powers personalized recommendations based on your ordering history and preferences. Chatbots handle basic customer service inquiries, providing instant responses to common questions.

Sustainability initiatives are gaining traction among delivery platforms. Some apps now offer eco-friendly packaging options and carbon-neutral delivery choices. Electric vehicles and bicycles are gradually being introduced for short-distance deliveries in major cities, reducing environmental impact.

Ghost kitchens and virtual restaurants represent emerging trends that will reshape the industry. These delivery-only establishments operate without physical dining spaces, focusing exclusively on takeout and delivery orders. This model reduces overhead costs and enables restaurateurs to experiment with new concepts more affordably.

At Foodspark, we recognize that choosing the right food delivery app depends on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you prioritize variety, delivery speed, pricing, or service quality, Saudi Arabia’s highly competitive delivery market offers strong options for every requirement. By leveraging insights from food app data scraping, businesses can better understand each platform’s strengths, compare offerings, and apply smarter strategies to enhance the food delivery experience while maximizing value and convenience.