Uber Eats to introduce "Dine Out" feature, Australia to be first test market
As restaurants struggle to attract customers, Uber has unveiled a new feature, "Dine Out," designed to transform the way people experience restaurant dining.
The tech giant announced at its annual Go-Get product launch in New York City, that Australia will be the first country to trial the service, with Sydney slated for the initial rollout starting in June, and Melbourne expected to follow.
Sachin Kansal, Uber’s global chief product officer, speaking with news.com.au, said the move would "turn Uber Eats on its head." The new functionality will allow users to not only order food for delivery but also to directly book tables at restaurants and access dining discounts, all within the Uber Eats app.
"Uber and Uber Eats are about us giving our users options. Sometimes those users may order through Uber Eats, but sometimes they may want to dine out and enjoy the ambience of the restaurant,"Kansal said. "This is a continuation of our journey for both users as well as restaurants."
Ed Kitchen, Uber Eats Australia managing director, said, "It’s a thrill and privilege for Australia to be the first market anywhere in the world to test and finesse the new Dine Out product – one we know will benefit restaurants and bring additional convenience and value to Sydney-siders and visitors alike." As a proud Melburnian, Kitchen also assured that "the plan is to launch in Victoria in the coming months."
The "Dine Out" feature, facilitated through a partnership with the booking platform OpenTable, will enable Australians to reserve tables at participating restaurants via the Uber Eats app and take advantage of special offers. Furthermore, the integration will allow diners to conveniently book an Uber ride to their chosen venue. Uber Eats is promoting "Dine Out" as a benefit for both consumers and the hospitality industry.
Explaining the rationale behind Australia being the launchpad, the company cited the Southern Hemisphere's winter season. This period typically sees more people staying indoors, and restaurants are keen to attract diners. Uber anticipates that the "Dine Out" feature, with its built-in discount capabilities, will incentivise people to venture out for meals, particularly during potentially quieter periods for restaurants.
Sydney's acclaimed harbourside restaurant, Catalina, was showcased at the New York event as an example of a dining establishment that will be available through the new feature.
Catalina owner Judy McMahon anticipates a positive impact, noting that "winter was always quieter, despite the eatery’s breathtaking location." She hopes that "this year with Uber’s Dine Out technology it will be different," and expects the feature to attract "new or younger" clientele. Other Sydney restaurants already on board span a range of cuisines and price points, including Fabbrica, Wings and Tins, Malabar, Employees only, and Raw Bar. Uber has confirmed that accessing the "Dine Out" feature will not incur any additional costs for either customers or restaurants.
Kansal, who fondly recalled his visit to Sydney in December and acknowledged Australia as one of Uber Eats’ "strongest markets," also addressed a key concern for Australian users: affordability. "Affordability and prices are a big thing that we hear from users, and then we ask ourselves, what can we do? We can’t solve the broader problem ourselves, but we can contribute to the solution?" he said.
In response to these concerns, Uber unveiled several new features in New York aimed at helping users save money. These include the Price Lock Pass, Route Share for potentially cheaper shared rides on predetermined routes, and a Savings Slider on Uber Eats that suggests more affordable grocery alternatives. Mr Kansal assured that "all the initiatives that we talked about today will find their way into Australia," although specific launch dates for these features, aside from "Dine Out," are yet to be announced.
This strategic move by Uber signifies a major expansion of its Uber Eats platform, venturing beyond food delivery to become a comprehensive dining companion.
Jonathan Jackson, 15th May 2025
