Order online
Ordering food to your door should be simple, and people want their meal to arrive hot, on time and right first time.
Companies in Order online
182 companies
About Order online
Food and drink order online covers the services that let customers choose meals, groceries and drinks through a website or app and have them delivered or collected. The category takes in restaurant delivery platforms, supermarket grocery services, meal kit subscriptions and drinks retailers selling direct to the home. Some businesses operate only online, while many others are traditional restaurants, supermarkets and high street brands that have added a digital ordering channel alongside their shops.
The market in the United Kingdom is shaped by a mix of large national platforms, regional independents and grocers with established delivery networks. Companies compete on range, delivery speed, fees and the reach of their rider or van networks. Consumer protection for online food and drink purchases falls mainly under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which sets out expectations for goods, services and digital content sold to customers.
Food safety standards for every business that prepares or sells food are enforced by local councils through their environmental health teams and by the Food Standards Agency. Businesses handling alcohol sales must also meet licensing and age verification rules set by local authorities. Trade bodies such as the British Retail Consortium and the UK Hospitality association represent members in the category and publish guidance on standards and practice.
Questions about Order online
How do I choose a food delivery company in the UK?
Check whether the company is a registered business with a clear trading name, postal address and company number, which you can confirm on Companies House. Look at whether it holds the food hygiene rating given by your local council, which is published on the Food Standards Agency website.
What should I compare before ordering food online?
Compare the total cost including delivery fees, service charges and any minimum order, since these are shown before you pay under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. Check the delivery area, the estimated delivery time and whether the restaurant or supplier is clearly identified on the order.
Do I have to create an account to order food online?
No, you do not have to create an account for most orders, although some companies require one to store your details. If you do sign up, the company must ask for your consent to marketing emails separately from the sign-up itself.
Is there a cooling-off period for online food orders?
Food is excluded from the 14-day cancellation right under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 because it is perishable and can deteriorate quickly. This exception does not stop you rejecting food that is faulty, incorrect or not as described.
How do I cancel an online food subscription?
Find the cancellation route stated in the terms and use it, and check that the company gives you a clear way to cancel online as well as by other means. Under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, subscription contracts must be cancellable in a straightforward way, and you should keep a record of the date you cancelled.
What can I do if my food delivery is late or never arrives?
Contact the company first through its app, website or customer service line and state what went wrong, keeping a note of the order number and the time. If you paid by credit card and the company does not resolve the matter, you may be able to claim under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 for purchases between £100 and £30,000.
What rights do I have if the food I receive is faulty or not as described?
You are entitled to goods that are of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. You can ask for a replacement or a refund, and if the food is unsafe you should report it to your local council environmental health team.
How do I make a complaint to an online food company?
Put your complaint in writing, describe what happened, say what outcome you want and give a reasonable deadline for a response. If the company does not resolve it, you can refer the matter to an alternative dispute resolution scheme such as the one the company is signed up to, or to Trading Standards.
Which regulators oversee online food ordering in the UK?
The Competition and Markets Authority enforces consumer law on pricing, unfair terms and misleading information on platforms. The Food Standards Agency in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and Food Standards Scotland oversee food safety and hygiene standards, with local councils carrying out inspections.
Are online food companies required to show allergen information?
Yes, the Food Information Regulations 2014 require businesses selling food online to provide information on the 14 named allergens before the order is placed. You should check this information before you buy if you have an allergy or intolerance.
What should I look for in reviews of online food companies?
Look for reviews that describe specific details such as delivery times, the condition of the food and how the company responded to a problem. Be cautious of reviews that are all very similar in wording or that appear in bunches over a short period, as these can indicate unreliable feedback.
Can I get a refund if I was charged twice for my food order?
Yes, a duplicate charge is an overpayment that you are entitled to have returned, and you should contact the company and your card provider to request this. Give the company the transaction details and ask for confirmation of the refund date, and if it is not returned, your bank can help you dispute the charge.
Latest reviews in Order online
The lamb hotpot
Ordered the lamb hotpot, which I know well from my gran's cooking, and this is a fair version. The potato topping browns nicely in the…
Not cheap but worth it
I compared this against two other sites before deciding, and the selection here is a little narrower, though the wines are better chosen…
Decent wine but pricey
The first thing I noticed was that the same Malbec I buy elsewhere was about two quid more here, which I didn't expect given the offers…
A proper natural wine selection
I got a case of natural orange wine from their list, which is hard to find locally. The producer notes on the listing were detailed and the…
needed something quick after uni
Was starving after a lecture and needed something quick that wasn't a pizza. Ordered the bowl and it was on my doorstep in like 25 mins…
Great first order
Honestly this is the best wet food I've tried for my cat, and I've had a few. It's more expensive than the supermarket stuff but she…