The best apps like Car Eats are DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and Instacart if you want more restaurants, better delivery windows, and fewer “not available in your area” dead ends. For context, DoorDash held about 67% of U.S. meal delivery sales in early 2024, which shows how much one app can shape what people see first when they order food [source: Bloomberg Second Measure].
TLDR: If Car Eats feels limited, start with DoorDash for the widest restaurant reach, then compare the same meal on Uber Eats before paying. A $16 burger can easily jump to $24 after fees, tax, and tip, so checking two apps can save real money. Grubhub is useful for local restaurants and campus areas, while Instacart makes more sense when you want groceries, snacks, or ready-made meals in one order.
1. DoorDash: Best for sheer choice
DoorDash is usually the first app to try when Car Eats does not show enough restaurants. It has a huge reach in many U.S. cities and suburbs. You will often find fast food, local spots, grocery stores, convenience stores, and even alcohol delivery where allowed.
The app is simple. Search by dish, restaurant, price, rating, or delivery time. That sounds basic, but it matters when you are hungry and annoyed. Honestly, it feels like some delivery apps hide the useful filters three taps too deep. DoorDash keeps most of them close.
- Best for: restaurant variety and quick repeat orders.
- Watch for: service fees that change by restaurant.
- Nice touch: DashPass can cut delivery fees if you order often.
Use it when: you want the safest bet for finding something open right now.
2. Uber Eats: Best for price checking and promos
Uber Eats is the app I’d open right after DoorDash. Not because it is always cheaper. It is not. But the same restaurant may have a lower delivery fee, a better promo, or a shorter wait time.
The app is polished, and tracking is usually clear. You can see the driver, route, and estimated arrival. If you already use Uber for rides, the account setup is painless. Uber One can also help if you order food or take rides often.
The catch is that fees can sneak up fast. A meal that looked fair on the restaurant page can feel silly at checkout. Expect to waste time on one or two extra taps if you want the real total before deciding.
- Best for: comparing prices against DoorDash.
- Watch for: small order fees and higher menu prices.
- Nice touch: strong promo codes for new or returning users.
Use it when: you are ordering from a chain or want to compare final totals before hitting pay.
3. Grubhub: Best for local restaurants and simple ordering
Grubhub can feel less flashy, but that is not always bad. It works well for people who order from neighborhood restaurants, diners, pizza spots, and takeout staples. In some cities, Grubhub still has strong coverage with older local favorites.
The search tools are clear. You can sort by delivery fee, rating, cuisine, and arrival time. The menu pages are easy to read. That sounds small, but it matters when you are ordering for three people and everyone wants changes.
Grubhub+ may be worth checking if you order several times per month. The value depends heavily on your area, though. Some places have lots of eligible restaurants. Others feel thin.
- Best for: local spots, pizza, takeout, and campus orders.
- Watch for: fewer options in some suburbs.
- Nice touch: clean checkout and easy reorder tools.
Use it when: you want a no-fuss order from a restaurant you already trust.
4. Instacart: Best when dinner is not just one meal
Instacart is not a pure restaurant delivery app, but it belongs on this list. Sometimes you do not need a burger. You need pasta, milk, fruit, chips, frozen pizza, and a rotisserie chicken. That is where Instacart wins.
The app connects you with grocery stores, pharmacies, warehouse clubs, and some local shops. Many stores also sell ready-to-eat meals. If Car Eats is focused on restaurant orders, Instacart fills the rest of the food gap.
It is especially useful for families, sick days, office snacks, and last-minute hosting. The shopper may message you about replacements, which can save the order when one item is sold out.
- Best for: groceries, snacks, drinks, and prepared meals.
- Watch for: item markups and replacement choices.
- Nice touch: same-day delivery from several store types.
Use it when: you want food for the whole day, not just one delivery box.
How to pick the right Car Eats alternative
Do not marry one app. Compare them. Food delivery prices change by time, distance, restaurant, driver supply, and promos. Two people on the same street can see different deals.
- Check the final total. Ignore the menu price until fees appear.
- Compare delivery time. A cheaper order is less fun if it arrives cold.
- Look for pickup. You can dodge delivery fees if the restaurant is close.
- Use subscriptions only if you order often. One or two orders a month may not justify the cost.
- Save favorite restaurants. Reordering is faster and reduces mistakes.
Our quick verdict
DoorDash is the best first download for broad restaurant choice. Uber Eats is the best second app because promos can beat DoorDash on the same order. Grubhub is great for familiar local takeout. Instacart is the smart pick when your food order looks more like a grocery run.
If you only install two, pick DoorDash and Uber Eats. If you hate surprise totals, compare checkout prices before paying. It takes about a minute, and yes, that minute can save you five bucks.
