Which food delivery platform is cheapest in London?

Just Eat typically has the widest selection of budget options (kebab shops, independent Indian, fried chicken). Uber Eats and Deliveroo often have better-priced offers on chain restaurants with active promotions.

What is the commission rate for London restaurants?

Uber Eats and Deliveroo typically charge restaurants 15–30% commission depending on delivery type (platform-delivered vs self-delivered). Just Eat charges 14–22%. GeraEats UK commission is 12–18%.

How long does delivery take in London?

Typical delivery time is 25–45 minutes depending on restaurant preparation time, distance, and weather. Zone 1 and Zone 2 typically fastest; outer zones can run 45–60 minutes.

Tipping is optional in the UK but appreciated. Typical tip: 10–15% on the food total, or a flat £1–£3 for shorter distances. Platforms pass 100% of tips to riders.

Food Delivery in London: Platforms, Prices, and Coverage (2026)

London's food delivery market in 2026 is dominated by three platforms — Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat — with a large restaurant selection across the capital, average delivery times of 25–45 minutes, and platform commissions to restaurants of 15–30% depending on platform and delivery type. GeraEats operates as a fourth platform with lower commission (12–18%) and a focus on independent restaurants overlooked by the big three.

This guide covers how each platform works, what you pay as a customer versus what the restaurant keeps, which platform suits which cuisine, and how GeraEats fits in.

What are the three main platforms?

Uber Eats: widest global brand recognition, strong integration with Uber ride app. Best selection in Zone 1-2, extensive Zone 3+. Restaurant commission typically 25–30% for Uber-delivered, 15% for restaurant-delivered.
Deliveroo: strongest in premium restaurants and Editions (dark kitchens). Fee structure similar to Uber Eats. Plus subscription available at £3.49/month for unlimited free delivery.
Just Eat: oldest UK player, widest coverage of independents, kebab shops, fried chicken, budget Indian. Lower commission (14–22%) but less polished customer experience.

What are the real costs as a customer?

A typical £25 order in London:

Food: £25
Delivery fee: £1.50–£4.00 depending on distance
Service fee: typically 10% (£2.50)
Small order fee if under £12–£15
Optional tip: £2–£4

Total: ~£31–£35 for a £25 order. Subscription (Uber One £4.99/month, Deliveroo Plus £3.49/month) removes most fees above and pays back quickly for frequent users.

What do restaurants pay?

Uber Eats platform-delivered: 25–30% commission
Uber Eats self-delivered: 15% commission
Deliveroo platform-delivered: 25–30%
Deliveroo self-delivered: 14%
Just Eat: 14–22% depending on plan
GeraEats: 12–18% — deliberately lower to put more money back into the independent restaurant sector

Which platform is best for which cuisine?

Premium and Michelin-recognised: Deliveroo (strongest premium brand)
Chains and fast food: Uber Eats and Deliveroo both strong
Independent takeaways: Just Eat (widest selection), GeraEats (lower commission means restaurants more engaged)
Late-night: Uber Eats tends to have the latest hours
Grocery: Uber Eats (via supermarket partnerships), Deliveroo Hop

What about delivery times?

Typical London delivery times in 2026:

Zone 1: 20–35 minutes
Zone 2-3: 25–45 minutes
Zone 4-6: 35–60 minutes
Lunch peak (12:30–14:00) and dinner peak (19:00–21:00): add 10–15 minutes
Rain or snow: add 15–25 minutes

What does GeraEats offer in London?

GeraEats operates with a lower-commission model: 12–18% to the restaurant, which means restaurants can offer better prices, better portions, or just keep more margin. Delivery is via Stuart couriers plus GeraEats's own Yerevan-tested rider network. Coverage is focused initially on Zone 1-3 with expanding Zone 4-6 availability. GeraCoins loyalty rewards on every order — typically 2–5% back in coins usable across all Gera Services apps.

Is the market changing?

Yes. The Competition and Markets Authority has investigated platform dominance. Restaurant strikes over commission rates in 2022–2024 have pushed platforms to introduce lower-commission tiers. Direct-to-restaurant ordering (via the restaurant's own website or WhatsApp) has grown. GeraEats is positioned as the market challenger with structurally lower restaurant costs.