Food Delivery – Beijing
The Best Food Delivery Options in Beijing, China 2025
If you’re in Beijing and your stomach starts to rumble, know that a delicious meal is just a tap away, thanks to the best food delivery services in the city. Gone are the days when online food ordering in Beijing was a complex chore.
Now, a world of Beijing cuisine awaits you, with many Chinese food delivery services offering quick meal options that cater to every tastebud. Whether you’re in the comfort of your home or having a night in your hotel room, these services bring the flavours of Beijing’s finest dishes directly to your doorstep.
My name is Shannon 🙂
I have been travelling full time for the last decade. I have seen and experienced the most wonderful and mysterious things and incredibly excited to share these adventures with you. I thank my lucky stars that i have found myself in a position that I can give you all the tips and tricks needed for a seamless trip. So pack your bags and lets go!
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on our site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. This helps us to continue providing valuable content and supports our efforts in bringing the travel community together. We only recommend products and services we believe in and think you’ll find useful. Complete details are included in our affiliate disclaimer. Thank you for your support!
In a Hurry? Here's our Key Info for This Article
- Discover sheer convenience with online food ordering in Beijing.
- Indulge in the diverse flavours of Beijing cuisine through delivery.
- Experience the efficiency of Chinese food delivery services.
- Find quick meal options in Beijing for every occasion.
- Benefit from the technological advancements of food delivery apps.
- Savour the taste of traditional and modern dishes alike.
Must-Visit Attractions
No attraction data available for this destination.
Stay Connected
Things to Do
Essential Apps
Surfshark VPN
Stay safe online and continue accessing all your services just like back home.
Budget Tips
Exploring Top Food Delivery Apps in Beijing
As you navigate the streets of Beijing, China, the convenience of food delivery apps becomes a daily necessity. With a host of options at your fingertips, let’s dive into the top services in online food ordering in Beijing.
Meituan Waimai
Meituan Waimai, easily recognized by its vibrant yellow branding, is more than just a Chinese food delivery service, it offers quick meal options and a gateway to a world of conveniences. With the support of its parent company, Tencent, and its integration with Dianping, Meituan Waimai has captured over 40% of the market share. It’s not just about food, they also deliver groceries, making online food ordering in Beijing easy and convenient.
Ele.me
Competing head-to-head with Meituan Waimai is the blue-clad titan, Ele.me, supported by Alibaba Group. With an impressive market share, Ele.me prides itself on fast delivery times and an extensive network of delivery staff. The acquisition of Baidu Waimai has further enhanced their capabilities, making them one of the most popular delivery services to use in Beijing.
The Convenience of AI and Technology with Ele.me
Stepping into the future, Ele.me combines AI technology with its delivery system. With intelligent algorithms determining the most efficient delivery routes, this app not only promises fast delivery but also compensates for any delays, underscoring their commitment to customers.
Meituan and Dianping
The collaborative efforts between Meituan and Dianping have resulted in a vast selection for users, complemented by valuable insights from reviews and restaurant details. This only enhances the food scene in Beijing, using some of the best technology that this country has to offer.
Sherpa’s
If Mandarin isn’t your strong suit, Sherpa’s emerges as the English food delivery app champion in Beijing, especially amongst the many expats living there. Its bilingual call centre caters to Beijing expats and travellers, offering an extensive selection of restaurants popular in the expat community, albeit with a higher delivery fee.
| Service | Market Share | Delivery Options | User Experience | Language Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meituan Waimai | 40% | Food, Groceries | Integrated with Dianping for reviews | Mandarin |
| Ele.me | 53.4% | Food, Customer-to-customer | AI technology for route optimization | Mandarin |
| Sherpa’s | N/A | Food | English interface and call center | English and Mandarin |
Menus and Food Categories
As you delve into the world of online food ordering in Beijing, you’ll find a large mix of both Beijing cuisine and Western food delivery options. Similar to Cambodia’s delivery food services, the city’s delivery apps cater to every kind of person, offering everything from dumplings to cheesy pizzas. To help you navigate this culinary landscape, here’s a guide to the diverse food categories available at your fingertips.
- Local dishes: Savor the authentic flavors of Beijing with traditional foods like Peking duck, Zhajiangmian, and the ever-popular Jiaozi (dumplings).
- Western tastes: Craving a taste of home? You’ll find a variety of burgers, pastas, and sandwiches, all available for convenient delivery.
- Street food favorites: Enjoy the casual delights of street-style food such as Chuanr (skewers) and Jianbing (Chinese crepes), perfect for a quick and tasty meal.
- Comfort foods: For those chillier Beijing nights, nothing beats the warmth of a hearty hot pot or a comforting bowl of Congee.
- Health-conscious choices: Many menus offer vegetarian, vegan, and organic selections, ensuring everyone can indulge guilt-free.
| Cuisine Type | Popular Dishes | Available on Meituan Waimai | Available on Ele.me |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Beijing | Peking Duck, Zhajiangmian | Yes | Yes |
| Western | Pizzas, Burgers | Yes | Yes |
| Street Food | Chuanr, Jianbing | Yes | Yes |
| Comfort Food | Hot Pot, Congee | Yes | Yes |
| Healthy Options | Salads, Organic Juices | Yes | Yes |
Best Food Delivery in Beijing
There so many options at your fingertips in Beijing, it’s important to make selections that not only satisfy your taste buds but also fit into your lifestyle. Understanding how to make the best choice for your palate is key. Let’s delve into the many facets that influence your food delivery decisions.
Consumer Feedback
Consumer feedback is the cornerstone of improving and refining food delivery in Beijing. The opinions and ratings provided by diners like you help to craft a market that prioritizes quality. Chinese food delivery services such as Meituan Waimai and Ele.me take this input seriously, constantly tweaking their apps and partnerships to ensure that your cravings for quick meal options are met. Before placing your next order, consider browsing through consumer reviews, they might just lead you to your next favourite meal.
Local Beijing Cuisine vs. Western
In the heart of China, local Beijing cuisine is a representation of the city’s famous culinary soul, but Western food delivery remains a sought-after commodity among expats and locals. I mean who doesn’t want some comfort food once in awhile? Food apps in China are in a unique position to cater to a market that desires both authenticity and variety much like the Singaporean food delivery scene. As such, you’ll find that many apps feature a mix of traditional Chinese dishes and Western classics, ensuring that you can get your hands on whatever you feel in that moment.
Delivery Fees and Discounts
The practicalities of delivery fees can’t be ignored when considering food delivery in Beijing. With most services charging a fee, it’s wise to keep an eye out for discounts and promotions that can make your order more wallet-friendly. Look for special deals, especially during non-peak hours, when restaurants are more likely to offer attractive discounts to boost sales. Here’s a quick glimpse at how this works in your favour:
| Service | Standard Delivery Fee | Discounts/Promotions |
|---|---|---|
| Meituan Waimai | ¥5 | Limited-time offers during off-peak hours. |
| Ele.me | ¥5 | Membership discounts and restaurant-specific deals. |
Delivery Times and Areas of Service
Delivery times and areas of service are essential elements to consider for online food ordering in Beijing. Knowing when and where services like Meituan Waimai and Ele.me deliver can help you plan your meals effectively. While most companies promise delivery within a short window, remember that during peak hours or bad weather, patience is key. Familiarize yourself with the service areas of these food apps in China to set realistic delivery time expectations for your location.
Health and Dietary Considerations
For those with health and dietary considerations, the rise of online food ordering in Beijing brings both convenience and cautions. While descriptions and ingredient lists are becoming more prevalent, it’s important to communicate any dietary restrictions or allergies clearly to make sure your meal is safe for consumption. Chinese food delivery services are becoming more mindful of these needs, but it doesn’t hurt to double-check for your well-being. This tends to also happen in other Asian cities, for instance ingredients in the Tokyo delivery scene should also be checked in case of language barriers.
Conclusion
As we wrap up, it’s clear that the best food delivery in Beijing stands as one of the best in the world. Meituan Waimai and Ele.me have cemented their place at the top with expansive networks that showcase the variety of Beijing cuisine, catering to any craving. New platforms like Sherpa’s, with its English interface, ensure that language barriers don’t keep you from enjoying Beijing’s local and international foods. Peering into the future, expect the food delivery market in Beijing to improve with even more refined services. AI advancements and an upward climb in technological integration may lead to even quicker delivery and online food ordering becoming seamlessly intuitive.
Ready to savour the flavours of Beijing? Let’s embrace the efficiency and technology that Beijing can offer! Consider the locality-specific delivery areas, read through the delivery fees, and order with dietary requirements in mind. With the click of a button, you can grab the yummiest food that Beijing has from the comfort of your own home!
Best Food Delivery in Beijing FAQ
The top food delivery services in Beijing include Meituan Waimai and Ele.me, both offering a wide variety of Beijing cuisine and quick meal options. For English speakers, Sherpa’s is also a popular choice among expats.
Certainly! Meituan Waimai is a leading online-to-offline (O2O) food delivery app in China, recognized by its yellow branding. It delivers not only food but also groceries and daily needs right to your doorstep, and it has a strong online presence in more than 300 cities, including Beijing.
Ele.me is a major player in the food delivery market, backed by the Alibaba Group. Known for its blue uniform, it provides customer-to-customer meal ordering and is known for streamlining restaurant management systems and employing its own delivery staff for better service control.
AI technology, especially in Ele.me’s operations, helps improve management efficiency and delivery reliability. With real-time algorithms for setting delivery times and providing compensation for delays, AI enhances customer satisfaction in food delivery services.
The partnership between Meituan and Dianping pools two significant players to create a combined platform offering extensive choices in food delivery. Customers can access detailed restaurant reviews, photos, and information, making online food ordering in Beijing a more informative experience.
