Uber Eats Toronto: A Complete 2025 Guide to Ordering, Delivering, and Thriving in the Food Delivery Scene
Toronto is one of Canada's most vibrant, multicultural cities—and its food scene reflects that global diversity. From Korean BBQ to Jamaican patties, Ethiopian injera to Italian trattorias, the city's culinary offerings are as expansive as its skyline. With a population of over 3 million in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), food delivery has exploded in recent years—and Uber Eats sits at the very heart of it.
Launched in Toronto in 2015, Uber Eats has grown into one of the most dominant food delivery apps in the city. Whether you're a customer ordering late-night sushi, a restaurant partner trying to scale your brand, or a courier aiming to earn extra cash, Uber Eats in Toronto offers opportunities—and challenges.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Uber Eats in Toronto as of 2025: ordering, becoming a delivery partner, understanding fees, tips for restaurants, and legal and economic updates that matter.
1. The Rise of Uber Eats in Toronto
1.1 Launch and Expansion
Uber Eats launched in Toronto in December 2015 as one of the company’s first cities outside the U.S. With Toronto’s dense population, large number of restaurants, and existing Uber rideshare infrastructure, it was the perfect market to test and expand.
By 2020, Uber Eats had partnered with thousands of restaurants. During the pandemic, demand skyrocketed, with more people ordering from home than ever before.
1.2 Uber Eats Toronto in 2025
Today, Uber Eats Toronto serves nearly every neighborhood—from downtown Toronto and North York to Scarborough, Etobicoke, and even into surrounding municipalities like Mississauga and Vaughan. The platform includes not only restaurants but also convenience stores, liquor outlets, and grocery chains like Loblaws and Metro.
2. Using Uber Eats as a Customer
2.1 Download and Setup
Start by downloading the Uber Eats app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. If you already have an Uber account, you can use the same credentials.
2.2 Placing an Order
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Open the app and set your delivery address.
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Browse categories: Fast food, sushi, vegetarian, coffee & tea, etc.
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Search for a restaurant or item (e.g., “Pad Thai” or “bubble tea”).
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Select items, customize them, and add to cart.
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Choose delivery or pickup.
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Place the order, tip your courier, and track the progress in real-time.
2.3 Delivery Times in Toronto
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Peak hours: 11am–2pm (lunch), 5pm–9pm (dinner)
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Typical delivery times: 20–45 minutes
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Factors that affect delivery: weather, downtown traffic, availability of couriers
3. Uber Eats Toronto: Costs and Fees
3.1 Delivery Fees
Delivery fees vary by distance, demand, and availability. Expect fees to range from $2.99 to $6.99. Uber also uses dynamic pricing during peak hours.
3.2 Service Fees
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Service fee: Usually 10-15% of your order subtotal
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Small order fee: If your subtotal is under $10, expect a $2 surcharge
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Tip: Optional but encouraged (typically 10-20%)
3.3 Uber One Membership
For $9.99/month, Uber One offers:
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$0 delivery fees on eligible orders over $15
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5-10% off eligible orders
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Priority support
4. Delivering with Uber Eats in Toronto
4.1 Requirements
To become a delivery courier, you must:
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Be at least 18 years old
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Have a smartphone with a data plan
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Pass a criminal background check
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Provide documentation:
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Valid SIN (Social Insurance Number)
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Proof of work eligibility in Canada
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Government-issued ID
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Proof of insurance (for vehicle or bike if applicable)
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Vehicle options:
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Car (must be 4-door, model 20 years old or newer)
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Scooter
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Bicycle (ideal for downtown Toronto)
4.2 Application Process
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Submit your documents and background check
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Choose your delivery method
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Wait for approval (usually 1–5 days)
4.3 Earnings Potential
Earnings in Toronto vary by time, location, and efficiency. Couriers are paid per delivery with bonuses and surge pricing.
Factor | Average |
---|---|
Base Pay | $3–$5 |
Per Km | $0.50–$1.00 |
Tips | $2–$6 per trip |
Surge Bonus | Up to 2x |
Estimated average hourly rate: $18–$28/hr
4.4 Top Areas to Deliver
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Downtown Core
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Yonge & Eglinton
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Queen West
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Liberty Village
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Ryerson & U of T Campus
4.5 Courier Tips
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Work during peak hours
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Use insulated bags (mandatory for some restaurants)
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Stack orders when possible
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Track promotions and surge zones in the app
5. Uber Eats for Restaurants
5.1 Why Partner with Uber Eats?
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Access to a huge customer base
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Real-time delivery logistics
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Easy integration with POS systems
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Marketing tools and in-app promotions
5.2 How to Join
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Visit Uber Eats for Merchants
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Submit business and tax information
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Choose delivery method: Uber Eats delivery or self-delivery
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Set menu, prices, hours
5.3 Commission Structure
Restaurants pay Uber a commission on each order, typically:
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15%: Self-delivery
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25%: Pickup orders
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30%: Full-service delivery
5.4 Challenges for Restaurants
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High commission fees
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Customer service issues
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Delays in courier arrival
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Competition visibility within app
5.5 Growth Strategies
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Optimize menu photos
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Use promotions (e.g., “Buy 1 Get 1 Free”)
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Focus on packaging and quality control
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Encourage customer reviews
6. Legal and Regulatory Aspects in Toronto
6.1 Ontario Gig Worker Rights
Ontario is one of the first provinces to introduce a minimum wage for gig workers (as of 2023): $16.55/hr for time spent on active delivery.
Other rules include:
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In-app transparency: Estimated pay shown before acceptance
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Detailed pay summaries
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Health & safety protections
6.2 Insurance for Couriers
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Uber provides commercial insurance for active delivery time
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Couriers must also maintain their own vehicle/bike insurance
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Accidents during inactive time are not covered by Uber
6.3 Food Safety Regulations
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Uber Eats enforces standards for food packaging, delivery temperature, and hygiene
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Some Toronto restaurants require food handlers' certifications
7. Toronto-Specific Trends
7.1 Popular Cuisine Trends
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Korean Fried Chicken
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Vegan and Plant-Based Options
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Halal Comfort Food
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Sushi Burritos
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Toronto-exclusive ghost kitchens
7.2 Top Restaurants on Uber Eats Toronto (2025)
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Chatime – Bubble tea empire
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Freshii – Healthy wraps and bowls
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The Halal Guys – Middle Eastern street food
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Blaze Pizza – Custom pizza
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Kibo Sushi House – Affordable and fast sushi
7.3 Ghost Kitchens in Toronto
Ghost kitchens—delivery-only restaurants—are booming in Toronto. They use Uber Eats to reach customers without having physical storefronts.
8. Uber Eats Promotions and Perks in Toronto
8.1 Student Discounts
Partnered with local universities (UofT, York, Ryerson), Uber Eats offers discount codes for students.
8.2 Seasonal Promotions
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Summer Bites: Free delivery during July weekends
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Winter Warmers: Hot drink specials and soup combos
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Toronto Sports Night: Partner promos during Leafs or Raptors games
8.3 Uber Pass Benefits
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Free delivery on eligible orders
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Priority customer support
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Exclusive restaurant offers
9. Uber Eats vs. Competitors in Toronto
Feature | Uber Eats | DoorDash | SkipTheDishes |
---|---|---|---|
Market Share | ~45% | ~35% | ~20% |
Availability | Citywide | Citywide | Citywide |
Speed | Fastest | Average | Average |
App Usability | High | Medium | High |
Promo Frequency | Frequent | Medium | Rare |
10. Future Outlook of Uber Eats Toronto
As of 2025, Uber Eats continues to expand beyond restaurants. The app now offers:
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Grocery delivery from Loblaws, Walmart, and local grocers
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Alcohol delivery via The Beer Store and LCBO
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Pharmacy items through Shoppers Drug Mart
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Pet supplies and convenience items
Expect to see:
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AI-powered menu recommendations
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Drone or robot delivery testing in pilot areas
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Greater push for sustainability and eco-friendly packaging
Conclusion
Toronto and Uber Eats have grown together over the past decade. For customers, it’s a fast, user-friendly gateway to the city’s food culture. For couriers, it's a flexible source of income. And for restaurants, it's a necessary tool to survive and thrive in an increasingly digital economy.
Whether you’re hungry for a midnight shawarma in Scarborough, delivering burritos on a fixie bike down Queen Street West, or running a kitchen with no dine-in option, Uber Eats Toronto is a dynamic ecosystem to be part of.
As the landscape continues to evolve, so do the opportunities. Stay updated, be smart about timing and strategy, and you can ride the Uber Eats wave—whether you’re ordering, delivering, or serving.
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