Online grocery shopping in Dubai
A fruit and vegetable box delivered by Made In Italia
For a city that prides itself on convenience, and door-to-door service (think dry cleaning and car washing), Dubai is very late to the online grocery delivery game. Surprisingly, two of the largest supermarket chains in this town, Spinneys and Carrefour, still have no online ordering facilities (the latter only currently delivers in Abu Dhabi). But fret not, I was staggered to discover that we have 20 online grocery delivery options in Dubai (with some supplying other emirates) – covering:
- Mainstream supermarkets
- Online-only grocery stores
- Organic stores
- Fruit and vegetable suppliers
- Grocery apps
- Meat and seafood purveyors
- Posh gourmet grocery sites
The technology is still a long way off established markets like the UK with the likes of Ocado, but for many, like me, who run all-consuming businesses, where free time is strapped, online shopping is a life saviour. So here’s your guide on where to shop online for groceries in Dubai.
MAINSTREAM SUPERMARKETS
- Choithrams: pretty much all your supermarket needs, with a small pork selection included. For a one-stop shop this is the outfit I use. To avoid an AED15 delivery charge, the minimum order is AED100 – with same-day delivery slots. You have the option of receiving a call for substitutes if goods are not available. Cash or card on delivery.
- Geant: no pork here (or in-store for that matter). Free delivery on orders of AED100 and above – otherwise AED10 delivery charge. Same day delivery throughout Dubai. Cash or card on delivery.
- Aswaaq: daily grocery requirements, pork excluded. Same-day delivery. Free delivery on orders of AED100 and above – otherwise AED10 surcharge. Cash or card on delivery, or in advance online by card.
ONLINE-ONLY GROCERY STORES
- Quality Food: vegetables, fruit, meat and seafood, with a small selection of other daily essentials. Same day delivery. If less than AED100, an AED20 fee applies. Cash on delivery, or online via card.
- Supermart: a comprehensively stocked online supermarket. Dependent on where you live, delivery between 60-90 minutes is either free with a minimum order of AED50 – or an AED10 charge for a AED200 minimum order. Cash or card upon delivery.
- Early Bird: similar to Supermart in terms of range of produce. Unusually, the delivery system is tiered – a fixed weekly order incurs no service fee; delivery at a specified time is AED7.50; and a one-hour express service is AED15. Cash or card on delivery.
ORGANIC STORES
- Organic Foods: a one-stop (expensive) shop for organic produce across Dubai. Free delivery for orders above AED250; otherwise expect an AED50 fee. What’s annoying is that each district has assigned delivery days, and the order must be placed before 5pm two days in advance. Cash or card on delivery, or in advance online by card.
- Down to Earth Organic: purveyors of dried organic produce, sourced mainly from India. Minimum order for free delivery is AED100. Cash on delivery.
FRESH FRUIT AND VEG
- Made In Italia: the company that inspired this round up when a fruit and veggie box rocked up at my door. An extension to Italian owner Marilena’s trade supply business, consumers can now order boxes of seasonal Italian fruit and vegetables that are delivered weekly – 2kg (AED150) or 4kg (AED230) – with the selection changing according to seasonality. Delivery slots only on Wednesday and Thursday to ensure freshness when the Italian shipment arrives. Currently payment is only with cash on delivery – credit card payment coming soon.
- MyQ&C: another Italian outfit, and the same company that distributes Monviso Water. Fruit and vegetables aside (including boxes), it also delivers Italian condiments and dried goods free of charge. AED75 minimum order, with delivery the following day (or any day in the future) over five different time slots. Cash or card on delivery.
- Greenheart Organic Farms: organic produce sourced locally from their own organically certified farms in the UAE. Primarily fruit and vegetables (available individually and as boxes), with meat, dairy, eggs and other dried pantry staples also available. AED5 admin fee for all deliveries. Free delivery for orders above AED130 – otherwise AED20 surcharge. Order before 10am for delivery the following day. Payment by card online or upon delivery, as well as cash on delivery.
- Fruitful Day: fruit-only boxes from snacks (AED10-14) to a small gift box (AED195) or a large box (AED395) delivered straight to your door. Choose from typical fruit ‘staples’ or more unusual ‘discovery’ boxes. Aside from blueberries, the fruit is sourced locally during the harvesting season, and during the hot summer months further afield within the Middle East. Delivery daily except Friday. Online via card, or on delivery with cash or card.
GROCERY APPS
- El Grocer: an app for last-minute grocery needs, delivering free within the hour with no minimum order. Prices the same as store partners BiOrganic, Al Maya, 7 Eleven, Lifco and Circle K (the stores pay commission) – who also organise the delivery. Cash or card on delivery.
- Instashop: a similar grocery app with various store partners delivering within the hour. Minimum order of AED20 for free delivery. Cash or card on delivery.
- Trolley: available to order through an app and via the website. Free delivery for orders over AED100, otherwise an AED10 charge. All orders placed between 10am and 7pm everyday will be delivered straight away. Orders received after 7pm will be delivered the following day. Online payment by card.
MEAT AND SEAFOOD
- Prime Gourmet: high quality, imported meat from two butchery locations at Gold & Diamond Park (closed for renovation until September) and Town Centre. Delivery daily bar Friday to districts in Dubai that are in close proximity to their shops. Orders received by 3pm will be delivered the following day. Free delivery for orders above AED300 – otherwise expect a surcharge of AED50. Cash or card on delivery.
- Martin’s Meats: well not just meat but seafood too from Irishman Martin who handles all first-time deliveries. His produced is sourced from Dubai’s largest hotel supplier, but worth noting that only the beef and lamb arrive freshly chilled; the pork, poultry and seafood are frozen. Available to order via the website and an app. Minimum order of AED500 (a hefty amount of meat!). Orders placed before 3.30pm will be delivered the following day. Cash on delivery.
- Springbok Butchery: founded by a South African, the fresh hormone-free meats are mostly Australian, with some from South Africa. Available to order via the website and an app. Orders before 9pm will be delivered the following day. Delivery in Dubai six days a week (Abu Dhabi daily). Cash, card or cheque on delivery. They also offer a BBQ braai catering set-up.
GOURMET GROCERS
- Secrets Fine Food: this posh gourmet grocer is owned by a French lady, Stephanie – and also sits under the umbrella of Classic Fine Foods, a premium supplier to the hotel trade. Therefore, expect high quality and mostly French produce, sourced straight from the producer to Dubai. Think truffles, caviar and oysters. I noticed the latter are cheaper than Market & Platters who don’t offer an online service. Free delivery for orders above AED250, otherwise an AED50 charge. Next day delivery for orders placed before 8pm. Cash, cheque or card on delivery – as well as Paypal or telegraphic transfer in advance.
- Chez Charles: a similar outfit owned by a Lebanese gent who goes by the name of, you guessed it, Charles – and the same person behind the catering business and the D3 restaurant. Produce tends to arrive from France or Australia. To deliver, a minimum order of AED250 is required. Next day delivery for orders placed before 1pm. Cash, cheque or card on delivery.
Have I missed any online groceries in Dubai? Where and how do you shop?
I am considering running a separate round-up of UAE-based artisan producers that sell their wares online, like my go-to tea supplier Avantcha – and a recent discovery of Balqees Raw Honey. Any other similar outfits that you online order from?
A bientôt.
FooDiva. x
Excellent information, thank you and well done
In addition, a few readers have recommended the following online grocers:
Lulu’s Supermarket
Kibson’s (fruit and veg)
Gulf Seafood
Arabian Fish
The British Butcher Shop (opening soon – will sell pork too!)
Kibsons
Amazed that there are so many, though in a city that promotes the service industries I guess we shouldn’t be surprised – how many times have you been in a corner grocery when they get a phone call to deliver a carton of milk to a nearby tower? Even here in the UK, I use three on-line delivery services fairly regularly – a specialist Spanish grocery Brindisa, fresh seafood from Cornwall and a large supermarket (Sainsbury’s, Tesco, etc) for monthly store cupboard restocks. One other development here that could work really well in the UAE is the recipe box where, each month, you sign up on-line for a different size box based on number of meals and then get the recipe cards and all ingredients delivered. A great way of extending your kitchen repertoire without being left with overstocks of ingredients after trying something new and not liking it. Call it Chef’s Choice and get three chefs a month to provide a recipe based on what the produce supplier offers, then have it delivered to home and office. Imagine saying to delighted friends, “Oh, just a dish that Darren Velvick taught me…”
How I wish I lived in the UK for the diversity of produce that can be delivered to your door Dave! There are some recipe box companies here, and you’re right, a fantastic initiative for minimising food wastage. What we have even more of here, are meal deliveries, where you can pick a dietary plan or have one tailored to you with your three meals a day delivered to you early in the morning. Here’s an older round-up: http://www.foodiva.net/2014/09/10-healthy-meal-delivery-services-in-dubaiand-some-across-the-uae/
I tried aswaaq and i had amazing experience. Professional staff, fast delivery and everything you want in one place. And if you join aswaaq loyalty program wafa you will get 10% cashback.
Great article!
We are launching on-line Spanish premium food, such as organic EVOO, bio slow jams and marmalades, canned fish and seafood from Cantabrian Sea, vegetables from Navarra’s garden……
No additives, preservatives or coloring added, all products very healthy and tasty.
We would appreciate your feedback and comments:
http://www.dlizia.com
Thanks!
Really useful, thank you
Tried this SPAZA Online Grocery http://www.spaza.ae
Decent collection of products, fairly priced.
Great pricing on water.
Vegetables and fruits were fresh. You can schedule the delivery as per your convenient time and availability. Loved their service.