There are so many different meal delivery services to choose from! Meal delivery services offer everything from prepared meals to quick lunchtime solutions, organic meal kits to specialized diet plans. Which service best meets your needs?
You could spend hours scanning ingredient lists, comparing prices, and reading FAQs for cancellation policies. But what New Yorker has time for that? Luckily, I’ve done all that hard work (like testing meal kits and comparing today’s top meal plans) so you don’t have to.
TLDR: After checking out different services, my favorite (by far) is Home Chef. From the huge menu variety to the customization options to the easy recipes, it’s just great value-for-money. Plus, you can save even more with our current deal – Get 16 Free Meals!.
Home Chef – Best overall meal delivery service in NYC
Blue Apron – Best gourmet meal kit delivery service in NYC
Sunbasket – Healthy meal kits and recipes for New Yorkers
Hellofresh – Best Family-Friendly Meal Delivery Service
Purple Carrot – Best for Vegan Meal Delivery
Good variety – around 20 meals to choose from each week
Completely customizable – swap, upgrade, or double-up on protein
Meals to suit your schedule – premium dishes to oven-ready options
Special discount available – Get 16 Free Meals!
Home Chef is hands down one of our favorite options for both prepared meals and meal kits in NYC.
With more than 20 recipes on the menu each week and the option to swap, upgrade, or double-up on protein (something not seen in other meal delivery services), there’s a lot to love about it.
There’s enough variety here to ensure you don’t end up eating the same things. For the ultimate lowdown, check out our Home Chef review.
Another great feature is the range of cooking and prep options – from super-simple 15-Minute Meal Kits and Oven-Ready dishes to the Culinary Collection of recipes which take around 40 minutes to get on the table.
High-quality ingredients – sustainable seafood, exclusive spice blends, and more
WW- and diabetes-friendly – a dedicated Wellness plan to keep you on track
Monthly wine pairings – available to purchase through the site
Special discount available – $130 off across your first 6 boxes!
With around 16 recipes on the menu each week, Blue Apron offers an impressive array of dishes inspired by cuisines from around the world. Choose from either the Signature plans (for either two or four people), the Vegetarian plan, or the service’s dedicated Wellness plan, which includes WW-approved and carb-conscious offerings.
Learn more about Blue Apron in our full-length Blue Apron review.
What sets Blue Apron apart for many diners is the option to add wine to your box, either as a one-off or as part of a monthly subscription.
The pairing-sized wines are just enough for two people to share, and come with tasting notes and tips. Romantic at-home dinner date on the balcony of your apartment, anyone?
Always organic where possible – including responsibly sourced proteins
Caters to a variety of lifestyles – vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, and more
Online marketplace – pick up fridge fillers like veggies, cheese, and sauces
Special discount available – $90 off Plus a Free Gift!
Sunbasket is our top choice if you’re looking for organic and healthy meal kits or prepared dishes. And if you’re on any kind of food regimen – such as keto, paleo, or gluten-free, you can bet that Sunbasket has options to meet your needs.
Before you try it out for yourself, take a look at our Sunbasket review.
Among the 10 plans available, Sunbasket offers an extensive dinnertime menu as well as add-ons such as breakfast, healthy snacks, specialty meats, fresh pasta, sauces, and more. In fact, once you fall down the rabbit hole that is Sunbasket’s online marketplace, you might not even need to do a grocery shop!
The diverse menu is made up of organic ingredients (where possible) and the freshest, farm-to-table produce. The meat and fish are always sustainably sourced and non-GMO.
Varied menu – 25 or more new recipes each week
Full of family favorites – classic dishes even the kids will love
Focused on reducing food waste – no more throwing out food past its best
Special discount available – 16 Free Meals + 3 Gifts + Free Shipping
With menus that cater to everyone, from families to vegetarians, dieters to busy professionals, New Yorkers are definitely spoiled for choice with HelloFresh.
The menu offers around 25 new recipes each week, with a good mix of meat and veggie dishes and comfort-food classics that you can plan up to six weeks in advance if you need to. The company makes it really easy to customize your box at checkout. Explore all your options in our HelloFresh review.
HelloFresh takes pride in sourcing its meat and fish sustainably and using local suppliers where possible. And while not all its ingredients are organic, the focus is certainly on fresh produce that tastes as good as it looks. It’s also committed to reducing unnecessary food waste by ensuring everything is perfectly portioned.
Good-sized menu – choose from 20 main meals each week
More than just dinner – pick up breakfast, lunch, and pantry items, too
Plans to suit you – High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Quick & Easy, and more
Special discount available – Get $25 Off & FREE Delivery
One of the only all-vegan meal delivery services available in NYC right now, Purple Carrot offers a good selection of vegan meal kits and prepared meals straight to your door.
And it may be purely plant-based, but it’s certainly varied and adventurous. It’s particularly great if you’re trying a vegan diet for the first time and are struggling to plan recipes and find vegan alternatives or hard-to-source ingredients from elsewhere.
If you find yourself hungry for more, the service also offers breakfast items, quick lunch solutions, and basic pantry items to keep you going. For more about the menu, read our in-depth Purple Carrot review.
Purple Carrot’s detailed recipe cards will guide you through the cooking process of its meal kits and help you learn the best tricks in the kitchen to make vegetables tasty. A pretty important skill to have if you’re on a plant-based diet, right?
Huge variety – around 40 recipes every week
Family-friendly – crowd-pleasing dishes on the table in 30 minutes
Great price point – from $1.99 per serving
Special discount available – Get $120 off Your First 5 Boxes
Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon brings you the easy way to get cooking without the stress of shopping, planning, or time-consuming meal prep. Each meal kit comes with perfectly portioned ingredients and a six-step recipe that includes photos. Just don your apron and get cooking!
Find out more in our in-depth Marley Spoon review.
The menu boasts kid-friendly dishes like Fried Chicken Tacos with Charred Corn Salsa & Chipotle Mayo, and Cheese Tortellini Marinara with Garlic Butter Breadcrumbs & Salad. That said, there are a range of categories to choose from, including Vegetarian & Vegan, Health & Diet, and more.
Despite its budget-friendly price point, the company promises to use only the freshest, seasonal, high-quality ingredients from family-run producers and local farmers.
Great for families – home-style meals and extra protein packs
Super affordable – $4.99 per serving, whatever your order size
Easy-to-follow recipes – clearly states what store-cupboard essentials are needed
Special discount available – $40 OFF throughout your first 3 boxes
While so many meal kits come with a premium price tag, EveryPlate’s dinners are just $4.99 per serving, whatever your order size. Unfortunately, the low price does mean this is a service that keeps things simple, and special dietary requirements aren’t catered for.
Find out more in our EveryPlate review.
However, if you’re not a picky eater, this meal kit delivery service really is a budget-winner. It’s great for families, with extra protein packs available. But even if you live alone, the two-person plan offers up easy lunch solutions – it’s a win-win! Everything comes portioned and measured, so there won’t be any unnecessary food waste, either.
EveryPlate offers 17 meals per week. It’s easy to find the ingredients list, nutritional info, and even the step-by-step instructions for every dish on the website before you order.
Clean, nutrient-dense ingredients – always plant-based and gluten-free
Free shipping on all orders – no minimum spend
Ready to eat – zero prep required
Special discount available – Get $25 Off + Free Shipping
Splendid Spoon is on hand to help busy New Yorkers save time and cut down on food waste with its ready-to-eat breakfasts, lunches, and light dinners. Start your day with a low-sugar smoothie (Mint Chip, anyone?), then enjoy tasty veggie grain bowls, noodles, or light soups for the rest of the week.
For more about the menu, check out our Splendid Spoon review.
Whether you just want to stock up your fridge with grab-and-go breakfasts and/or lunches, or you want a complete daily meal plan, Splendid Spoon has five plans to choose from, plus the option of an On-Demand box.
Everything on the menu is vegan-friendly and gluten-free – and all meals and smoothies will keep for up to three months in the freezer.
While Splendid Spoon might not satisfy those looking for hearty meals, health-conscious and dieting New Yorkers will find a lot to love here.
Prepared meals – simply heat and eat
Almost all dishes are gluten-free – certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group
Single-serving meals – great for individuals who want healthy food to hand
Special discount available – Save $125, Promo Code: SAVE125AFF
At first glance, Freshly meals may look like TV dinners. But while typical ready meals are often high in sodium and loaded with sugar, Freshly promises nothing less than nutritious, satisfying dishes that are low in sugar and which contain fewer processed ingredients.
Learn more about what’s in the meals in our our detailed Freshly review
There are lots of menu categories to browse, including the low-carb, high-protein FreshlyFit, and the most recent addition – Purely Plant, which features vegan-friendly meals like the Indian-Spiced Chickpea Curry Bowl with Basmati Rice, Lentils & Veggies.
If you’re an NYC resident simply looking to have quick and easy, healthy food to hand, Freshly is a great option. You can order anything between four and 12 meals per week. Eating well (for one!) has never been easier.
No cooking required – chef-prepared dishes ready to eat and heat
Plans for every lifestyle – Vegan & Veggie, Keto, and more
Ongoing support – nutrition coaching programs available
Special discount available – $120 Off! Code: DELIVERYRANK120
Want to eat healthier but not sure where to start? No problem. When you sign up to Factor, not only will you get a free 20-minute consultation with a registered dietitian, but you’ll also have access to the company’s nutrition coaching programs to help you crush your health goals.
This is a company that’s big on keto – it has a wide range of meals that are low in carbs and abundant in protein and healthy fats. The Spicy Turkey Poblano Bowl or Shrimp Alfredo with Zucchini Noodles are just a couple of the dishes you’ll find on the menu. Our full-length Factor review has more information.
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Our Rating | ||||||||||
Our Rating | 9.8 | 9.5 | 9.3 | 9.2 | 9.1 | 8.9 | 8.6 | 8.3 | 8.1 | 8 |
Starting Price | ||||||||||
Starting Price | $6.99 Per Serving | $3.24 Per Serving | $5.99 Per Serving | $3.79 Per Serving | $8.32 Per Serving | $1.99 Per Serving | $4.99 Per Serving | $9.00 Per Serving | $7.74 Per Serving | $5.50 Per Serving |
Minimum Order | ||||||||||
Minimum Order | 2 meals for 2 people | 2 meals for 2 people | 2 meal kits for 2 people/4 prepared meals | 2 meals for 2 people | 3 meal kits for 2 people/6 prepared meals | 2 meals for 2 people | 3 meals for 2 people | 5 lunches | 4 prepared meals | 4 prepared meals |
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Meal Types | Kits, oven- & grill-ready, prepared | 20 - 60 min. meal kits | Fresh & Ready meals, 30-Min Meal Kits | 20 - 30 min. meal kits | 30-minute meal kits | 30 min. meal kits | 30-minute meal kits | Prepared Meals, Juices & Smoothies | Prepared meals | Prepared meals |
Prep Time | ||||||||||
Prep Time | 5-50 min | 5-45 min | 3-40 min | 15-40 min | 3-40 min | 20-40 min | 20-45 min | 0-3 min | 3 mins | 2-3 min |
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So what should you look for when choosing the meal delivery service that is best for you? Here are some pointers from a meal delivery service professional.
Decide what’s important for you: If you are a vegan or strict paleo dieter, you need a service which meets your nutritional needs. If you are cooking for a family, you have different considerations than if you are cooking for 2 or for 1.
Make price a factor … but not the only factor: Times are tough and you don’t want to waste money, but you also want healthy meals you and your loved ones will enjoy. If you’re on a 12-meal plan, an extra $0.50 per serving will set you back $6 a week. That’s a small price to pay for better eating.
Consider things besides money: If a meal delivery service saves you a weekly trip to the grocery store, that’s extra time for you to do the things you love. If meal delivery helps you eat tasty nutritional meals, how much is better health worth?
Try out different services: If you’re not happy with your first meal delivery experience, try a different service. There are meal delivery services for just about every diet and budget, and we have discount offers available for most of them.
Eating out in NYC is great, but meal delivery services offer so much more than standard restaurant food. They allow you to enjoy healthy, nourishing meals at home, made with quality ingredients, and they’re designed to work with your lifestyle, accommodating both your dietary preferences and schedule.
They also tend to work out as the far cheaper option than straight-up takeout, and help to reduce unnecessary food waste compared to usual grocery shopping. So it’s safe to say, we’re on board! So much so, we compiled a complete list of the Best Meal Delivery Services for 2022.
At $4.99 per serving, EveryPlate is New York’s most affordable meal delivery service. If you’re looking for hearty, family-friendly comfort food and have no specialized dietary needs, you may find EveryPlate is perfect for you – and it won’t blow the budget!
Those on paleo, Mediterranean, vegetarian, carb-conscious, or diabetes-friendly diets will find that Sunbasket offers the best selection of plans. While diet plans are notorious for boring food, you can find delicious recipes from a wide range of cuisines on Sunbasket’s menu.
If you want to improve your diet with help from a registered dietitian, it’s hard to beat Blue Apron. With premium ingredients, and an entire Wellness plan that works in tandem with its WW program, Blue Apron makes it easy to eat well.
The basic concept is the same – meals delivered to your door – but there are a few fundamental differences. A meal delivery service (like Home Chef) lets you subscribe to a weekly, biweekly, or monthly plan, sending you all the ingredients or meals you need in that timeframe.
Food delivery services (for example, Grubhub) connect you with local restaurants, fast-food joints, and even convenience and liquor stores to get you your favorite dishes, snacks, and beverages.