9 Best Meal Delivery Services in Oakland 2023 (Updated List)

Oakland is a culturally diverse city filled with a huge variety of food options. It’s easy to find incredible restaurants to try, but it can be brutal on your budget to constantly eat out.

We’ve pulled together a list of the 10 best meal delivery services in Oakland so you can have more time to meet your friends in Jack London Square or get some shopping done in Temescal while still enjoying chef-prepared meals or dietitian-designed recipes you cook for yourself. 

No need to run to Kroger to grab a missing ingredient – you’ll have everything you need delivered to your door.

What’s the Difference Between Meal Delivery and Food Delivery?

Meal delivery services like Home Chef utilize a warehouse with large kitchens where they prep everything and ship it to customers as part of a subscription. There’s usually a selection of different meals to choose from and then everything arrives at your door ready to prep or heat up.

Food delivery services partner with restaurants and shops in your area to deliver their products. Using Grubhub or Postmates, you can search through a list of restaurants and their menus and when you order, a delivery driver will pick up the food and bring it to you. 

Our Best Meal Delivery Services Reviewed

1. Home Chef – Oakland’s Best Overall Meal Delivery Service

Home Chef Best Features

• Choose a menu to suit you – many different cooking and prep options

• Customizable protein options – with meat-free options or higher-quality meat

• Easy-to-follow recipes – just a few steps per meal kit

• Delivery Rank special discount available – Get 18 Free Meals (50% off your first 4 boxes)!

Home Chef in a Nutshell

With 20 different meals to choose from each week, Home Chef offers a lot of variety and a range of different prep options.

For those busy nights when you’re running from the BART to dinner, you can select a few of the oven-ready or microwave-ready meals that don’t require a lot of prep work. Then you can switch it up, and get regular 30-minute meal kits, or even gourmet Culinary Collection kits for a special night in.

The meal kits are highly customizable and you can swap out proteins, or even upgrade to antibiotic-free proteins. You can read all about it in my colleague’s detailed review.

There are calorie-conscious, carb-conscious, and vegetarian meal plans to choose from. You can also add on breakfasts, desserts, bread, and additional protein packs.

2. Blue Apron – Chef-Designed Recipes to Your Door in Oakland

Blue Apron Best Features

• Makes healthy eating easy – track SmartPoints with a WW partnership

• Free shipping – just order three meals or more

• Responsibly sourced  – high-quality ingredients in every dish

• Delivery Rank special discount available – Enjoy $180 off across your first 6 orders

Blue Apron in a Nutshell

Each week, Blue Apron serves up a wide selection of different meals, including craft burgers, grilling options, globally inspired dishes, and other favorites. There’s a good chance you’ll be able to try something new in the kitchen.

Choose between WW-approved wellness meals, the vegetarian menu, or the balanced Signature menus. Our in-depth review goes into more detail.

Blue Apron offers some other goodies that you can include in your delivery. Browse the market to find any kitchen utensils you need and if you want something a little fancier, you can add wine to your order. Each wine bottle comes with pairing ideas and tasting notes so you can learn about it as you taste it.

3. Purple Carrot – Oakland’s Best Plant-Based Delivery Service

Purple Carrot Best Features

• Plant-power your whole day – breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinners available 

• All meals are vegan-friendly – there’s also a Gluten Free plan

• Ideal for couples and small families – choose two or four servings per meal

• Delivery Rank special discount available – Get $30 off with code carrot30

Purple Carrot in a Nutshell

California is already a haven for vegans and vegetarians and you’ll find plenty of restaurants and grocery stores with great meat alternatives. If you’re thinking of making the switch, Purple Carrot is the perfect way to try out plant-based eating without having to do a bunch of research.

My colleague, who eats meat, tried Purple Carrot and writes about how much he enjoyed the meals in this in-depth review.

Choose between eight different dinners, each of which can be prepared in under 40 minutes. As well as meal kits, Purple Carrot has also launched prepared meals for those busier nights.

In addition to the dinners available, there are breakfasts, lunches, and a collection of “plantry” items that you can snack on throughout the day. Choose from the vegan marshmallows or the peanut butter cup truffle pouch as just two options.

4. HelloFresh – Flexible Meal Delivery Service with Great Variety

HelloFresh Best Features

• Utilizes fresh produce – seasonal ingredients in every box

• Family-friendly menu – recipes that even fussy kids will love

• Regular collaborations with celebrities and chefs – like Mindy Kaling and Antoni Porowski

HelloFresh in a Nutshell

Each week, HelloFresh has over 27 recipes available to choose from. You’ll find fun, seasonal recipes like the “taste of summer” meals and global dishes in the “taste tour” meals. You’ll also see some tried-and-tested favorites on the menu each week.

HelloFresh plans include Meat & Veggies, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Family Friendly, Quick & Easy, and Calorie Smart. Find out more about the menus in each plan in our in-depth review. You can order between two and six meals each week with either two or four servings.

5. Sunbasket – An Organic, Farm-to-Kitchen Meal Delivery Service

Sunbasket Best Features

• Premium ingredients – all responsibly sourced and organic

• Clear ethical mission – Sunbasket donates food to those in need

• Fuel your whole day – choose breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and more

Sunbasket in a Nutshell

This farm-fresh meal delivery service offers meal plans for all kinds of specialized diets. You can choose from menus like Paleo, Mediterranean, Gluten-Free, and more. See more of the diet options available in our in-depth review.

Sunbasket also caters to different schedules by offering both meal kits and prepared meals. If you’ve got a long commute on BART and you want a few dinners that are quick and easy – Sunbasket has you covered. The Fresh & Ready meals come in single servings while meal kits are available in either two or four servings.

6. Green Chef – Healthy, Organic Meal Service for Oaklanders

Green Chef Best Features

• Caters to specialized diets – great for those following keto or paleo diets

• USDA Certified organic – high-quality ingredients in every recipe

• Good for the planet – environmentally responsible packaging and offsetting

Green Chef in a Nutshell

Organic produce and responsibly sourced proteins are included in every Green Chef recipe. With each box, you’ll be helping to support farmers that might even be located just outside of the Bay Area, because the company buys from regional providers whenever possible.

Read more about the ingredients and recipes in our full review.

You can choose between the Balanced Living, Keto + Paleo, and Plant-Powered menus depending on your dietary needs, but note that you can’t mix and match between menus. If you have a larger group to feed, you’re in luck with Green Chef, because it gives the option of up to six servings per meal. It’s perfect if you’re hosting a group of friends before an A’s game.

7. EveryPlate – Oakland’s Most Budget-Friendly Meal Service

EveryPlate Best Features

• Simple, easy recipes – you don’t need a lot of kitchen experience

• Choice of plans – choose between Classic Plate, Veggie Plate, or Family Plate

• Extras available – add protein packs to your orders each week

EveryPlate in a Nutshell

This is Oakland’s most affordable meal delivery service. There are no fancy offerings, but the meals are healthy and include classic favorites like burgers and pasta. By utilizing simple ingredients and minimal packaging, EveryPlate can keep its prices lower than competitors.

Each weekly menu includes 14 meal options to choose from. Read our in-depth review to see what sort of dishes you can expect. It isn’t easy to sort through ingredients for any allergy concerns or specific diets, but it’s a great choice for families that are looking for comfort food favorites with some new dishes sprinkled in.

8. Grubhub – Best Food Delivery Service in Oakland

Grubhub Best Features

• Quick ordering – easy-to-use app and website

• Loads of options – choose from 1,700+ Oakland restaurants

• Incredible customer service – available 24/7 via phone or live chat

Grubhub in a Nutshell

This food delivery service connects delivery drivers with some of your favorite local restaurants. Place your order and a driver will pick it up for you while you track it right until it hits your door, ready to enjoy.

Find your favorites from local spots like Spices 3 Restaurant (pictured above) or try something totally different. The search filters allow you to sort by customer rating, price points, or even by a specific dish you’re craving. If you want a great falafel sandwich or some of the famous Bay area seafood, it’s just a few clicks away.

If you order in a lot, try Grubhub+, which offers unlimited free delivery, exclusive perks, and the option to round up and donate to charity.

9. Postmates – Order From Your Favorite Bay Spots Online

Postmates Best Features

• Order from national brands – as well as small, independent businesses

• Lower delivery fees for partners – benefits local businesses

• No commitment – just use as and when you want

Postmates in a Nutshell

With a user-friendly app and website, you can order meals directly from your favorite restaurants. But that’s not all. You can also search Postmates for groceries, pet supplies, and other convenience store items. Demi Lovato once even ordered a single twinkie via Postmates! Your options are endless.

The service is perfect if you’re sick and need supplies delivered, but on the other hand, you can also use it for last-minute party prep when you forgot balloons or desserts. The variety of places you can order from is impressive.

Best Meal Delivery Services for Oakland: Comparison Table

Bottom Line: Are Meal Delivery Services in Oakland Worth It?

Absolutely!

By signing up for one of the meal delivery services on this list, you’ll be able to gain some time back in your busy schedule to hang out at Lake Merritt or hike in the Redwoods.

Having a meal delivery service subscription can help residents of Oakland budget and plan their weekly meals more efficiently. So why wait? Take advantage of the special discounts available and see how much time you can save.

For even more options, check out our list of the best meal delivery services today.

FAQ

What is the most affordable meal delivery service in Oakland?

EveryPlate is the most affordable meal service available in Oakland. The meal kits start at just $1.49 per serving, so if you’re shopping based on budget alone, this is definitely the best option. 

If you need a little more flexibility with dietary requirements, Home Chef is another affordable favorite, with servings starting at just $7.99. See more on our list of the cheapest meal delivery services.

What is the best healthy meal delivery service in Oakland?

Oakland has lots of great options for healthy meal delivery services. If you’re looking for premium ingredients, try Sunbasket or Green Chef. Both use organic produce and responsibly sourced proteins, so you know you’re cooking with the highest quality ingredients.

Purple Carrot is a great option for anyone looking to try plant-based eating. Vegan eating is proven to help lower cholesterol and be heart-healthy, so it’s a great healthy meal service.

Check out our full list of the healthiest meal delivery services for more ideas.

What is the best diet meal delivery service in Oakland?

Blue Apron is the only service that partners with WW to offer a menu that meets the requirements of the program. This is great for anyone looking for a diet-friendly option. 

If you’re looking for recipes with fewer carbs or calories, Home Chef has many meals that fit into both of those categories.

What is the best paleo meal delivery service in Oakland?

Sunbasket offers a great paleo menu, with both meal kits and prepared meals. Another great option is the Keto + Paleo plan from Green Chef. 

For more options, check out our expert round-up of the best services for paleo diets.

Best Meal Delivery Services in Oakland in 2023 – Final Score: