Food delivery near me is no longer a pipe dream for New Yorkers. As more restaurants embrace online ordering and add delivery to their repertoire, we’re seeing a rise in local food delivery apps that connect customers with their favorite local eateries. Third-party apps like these act as a marketplace – a sort of directory that organizes restaurants based on location and food type, allowing consumers to browse menus and order from them directly on their smartphone.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has made online ordering and delivery a necessity for many restaurateurs, it’s also opened up a new window of opportunity for up-and-coming players in the industry to grab a piece of the pie. In fact, according to a recent study, sales for these third-party delivery services have jumped by more than 25% since the start of the pandemic.

Coronavirus Update: Contactless delivery is now the default option, and DoorDash has provided a package of commission relief and marketing support to ailing restaurants as well as implemented programs to provide financial assistance and health protection for their delivery drivers. The service also offers a subscription option for customers to pay $10 per month for $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees at participating restaurants (customer fees still apply).

In addition to offering a robust selection of food from popular American fast-food chains, DoorDash can connect you with a variety of neighborhood hotspots in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Its Featured Restaurant Partners section includes places such as Shake Shack, Taco Bell, and Cheesecake Factory, making it easy to find something familiar. The app can get a little limiting if you’re looking for a specific type of food, however.

Another option for quick and reliable food delivery is Caviar, which boasts high-quality food photography and a convenient interface to make it a top choice for New York City residents. Although its restaurant list is smaller than some of the other options on this list, it can quickly connect you to the best of the city’s culinary scene.

For an even more comprehensive meal-delivery experience, check out ChowNow, a New York City-based app that connects you to more than 14,000 restaurants in North America. It’s been growing in popularity this year, partly due to its seamless integrations with a restaurant’s online ordering system, allowing users to place their orders from the platform they’re already using. Plus, it offers commission-free online ordering for restaurants — a welcome benefit in a time when the majority of food delivery companies have been increasing their fees. food delivery near me