10 Best Meal Delivery Services in New York 2022: Updated List
We New Yorkers have a unique lifestyle. We eat on the subway. We eat while walking down the street. Our schedules are so packed that often, we forget to eat at all! That’s where meal delivery services can help – they ensure you eat well, saving you time and money along the way.
If you live in the city, you owe it to yourself to try out at least one of these services. After all, having your food delivered is a great time saver. But how do you know which plan is right for you? Well, that’s where I come in.
My colleagues and I have tested and researched dozens of meal delivery services. We narrowed down the best of the best, and they turned to me (as the resident New Yorker) to let you in on our insider knowledge.
Spoiler alert: My favorite service right now is Home Chef, thanks to its customizable menu and great value. But if you find it’s not quite right for you, there are plenty of other options that might be – so read on to find out more!
Short on Time? Here Are the Best Meal Delivery Services in NYC
Home Chef – Best customizable meal delivery service in NYC
Blue Apron – Best gourmet meal kits in NYC
HelloFresh – Best family-friendly NYC meal delivery service
Purple Carrot – Best vegan meal delivery in NYC
Marley Spoon – For Martha Stewart-approved recipes
The Best Meal Delivery Services in New York Reviewed
1. Home Chef – Best Customizable Meal Delivery Service in NYC
Key Features
Meals for every schedule – 15-minute, oven-ready, and other easy recipes
Add-ons available – bread, desserts, protein packs, and more
Personalize your menu – filter out ingredients such as nuts or shelfish
Current deal: Get 18 Free Meals + Free Shipping on 1st + Free Dessert Item for Life!
Home Chef is hands down one of my favorite meal kits available in NYC. Its menu features more than 20 recipes each week – many of which are customizable and allow you to swap, upgrade, or double-up on the protein.
The stovetop skillet dish above, for example, is made with pork, but you can quite easily substitute chicken for a leaner option – or get double the pork for a more indulgent meal! Find out what my colleague thought when she gave Home Chef a try for herself.
Without doubt, one of my favorite things about Home Chef is its range of cooking and prep options – from super-simple 15-Minute Meal Kits and Oven-Ready dishes to the Culinary Collection of recipes, which are perfect for weekends.
You’ll also spot some veggie options on the menu, as well as some carb- and calorie-conscious meals.
2. Blue Apron – Best Gourmet Meal Kits in NYC
Key Features
High-quality ingredients – sustainable seafood, signature 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
Current deal: Enjoy meals starting as low as $4.79 - plus, the first week ships free!
While not as customizable as Home Chef, Blue Apron still offers an impressive array of gourmet dishes inspired by cuisines from around the world.
New Yorkers don’t generally have to travel far to be able to experience international cuisines, but how often do you get to craft such fun recipes from the comfort of your own kitchen? Blue Apron’s internationally-inspired dishes make it easy.
You’ll find around 19 meals on the menu each week, including a selection of microwavable Heat & Eat dinners for those nights when time is of the essence. This Blue Apron review goes into more detail.
But the winning feature? Without doubt, it’s Blue Apron’s wine pairing service. Whether you give it a try as a one-off or sign up to a monthly subscription, an extra bottle could come in handy for those nights when it sounds like your upstairs neighbor is hosting a dance party…
3. HelloFresh – Best Family-Friendly NYC Meal Delivery Service
Key Features
Varied menu – 40 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 ingredients past their best
Current deal: 10 Free Meals Across 7 Boxes, 1st Box Ships Free + Free Dessert for Life
I’ve reviewed dozens of meal delivery services, but it’s plain to see which is the most popular. When I walk past the packages in my apartment lobby, I can see just how many of my neighbors prefer HelloFresh over any other.
Sure, marketing and brand recognition are part of it, but you know the service has to be good enough to keep people coming back for more. With a menu that caters to everyone from families to busy professionals, HelloFresh clearly knows how to please its customers.
Choose from plans such as Veggie, Pescatarian, Quick & Easy, and more. And order up to six meal kits a week if you want to. Learn more about your options in my colleague’s HelloFresh review.
The crowd-pleasing menu is ever-changing and ever-growing, and it's simple to plan ahead or skip your deliveries up to six weeks in advance.
4. Purple Carrot – Best Vegan Meal Delivery in NYC
Key Features
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
Current deal: Celebrate Earth Day at Purple Carrot! 50% Off First Order Flash Sale!
Purple Carrot is an entirely plant-based service offering meal kits and prepared meals, and it’s one of my personal favorites. I love it because the recipes celebrate vegetables in all their forms, rather than relying on “fake” meats and other animal-product substitutes.
Trying out new vegan recipes used to involve lugging groceries on the subway and cramming more vegetables than can fit into my apartment refrigerator. But Purple Carrot allows me to try plant-based dishes without the hassle – and the food waste!
If you want to know more about my experience with this service, be sure to check out my Purple Carrot review.
The detailed recipe cards are easy to follow, as they guide you through the cooking process. To this day, I constantly refer back to old recipes to recreate my favorites.
5. Marley Spoon – For Martha Stewart-Approved Recipes
Key Features
Huge variety – around 45 recipes every week
Family-friendly – crowd-pleasing dishes on the table in 30 minutes
Great price point – from $2.99 per serving
Current deal: Up to $235 off the first 5 boxes
Martha Stewart & Marley Spoon brings you the easy way to get cooking thanks to its perfectly portioned ingredients and six-step recipes that include photos. Just don your apron and get started!
The menu boasts kid-friendly dishes like tacos, pasta, burgers, and grilled chicken, but there are a range of categories to choose from, including Vegetarian & Vegan, Health & Diet, and more. You can read more about Marley Spoon’s extensive offerings in my colleague’s in-depth review.
Despite its budget-friendly price point, Marley Spoon promises to use only the freshest, seasonal ingredients from family-run producers and local farmers. In fact, the sustainability aspect of this company is one of the things I love most about it – it’s totally carbon neutral!
6. EveryPlate – Cheapest Meal Delivery Service in NYC
Key Features
Great for families – home-style meals and extra protein packs
Super affordable – $1.49 per serving
Easy-to-follow recipes – clearly states which pantry essentials are needed
Current deal: Try Everyplate at $1.49/meal
Whether you live in a penthouse on the Upper East Side or in a loft in Queens, everyone in New York appreciates the opportunity to save some money, right? That’s the number-one reason I keep coming back to EveryPlate.
When I first tried this meal kit out for myself, I was impressed with the quality of the ingredients. It hardly feels like a budget option when you’re enjoying a Caramelized Onion Burger or the Kung Pao Beef Bowl shown here!
If you want a more in-depth look at this service, read what my experience was like in this EveryPlate review.
That said, the company does fall a little short in that it doesn’t cater to specialized diets and there’s no option to customize your meals. Undoubtedly this is a consequence of the low price tag – but if you’re not particularly picky, there’s lots to love about EveryPlate.
7. Splendid Spoon – Best For Smoothies, Veggie Bowls, & Soups
Key Features
Clean, nutrient-dense ingredients – always plant-based and gluten-free
Free shipping on all orders – no minimum spend
Ready to eat – zero prep required
Current deal: Get $120 off your first 4 deliveries!
If you’re ever that running-late-gotta-catch-the-subway person, you know the worst part is running out the door without having the chance to eat. Splendid Spoon’s offerings are ready in minutes – or in no time at all! – making it a perfect solution for days like this.
The plant-based menu is filled with light, ready-to-eat dishes like soups, smoothies, and delicious-looking grain bowls. Find out what my colleague thought of the service in this more detailed Splendid Spoon review.
Whether you just want to stock up your fridge with grab-and-go breakfasts, or you want a complete daily meal plan, Splendid Spoon has five plans to choose from, plus the option to purchase an On-Demand box.
While this service might not satisfy those looking for hearty, home-cooked meals, health-conscious and dieting New Yorkers will find a lot to love here.
8. Freshly – Best Prepared Meals for Busy New Yorkers
Key Features
Prepared meals – simply heat and eat
Almost everything is gluten-free – certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group
Great for individuals – have healthy food to hand
Current deal: Get $175 off your first 7 boxes!
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.
The menu is almost entirely gluten-free, with special categories like Purely Plant and FreshlyFit for those who want plant-based or low-calorie options, too. Learn more about how these differ in this Freshly review.
Ultimately, Freshly is a great option for New Yorkers who don’t want (or don’t have time) to cook. You can order up to 12 meals per week, too – assuming you have a big enough fridge to store them!
9. Factor – Best Diet-Focused Prepared Meals
Key Features
No cooking required – chef-prepared dishes ready to heat
Plans for every lifestyle – Vegan & Veggie, Keto, and more
Ongoing support – nutrition coaching programs available
Current deal: Get $130 Off + Free Wellness Shots for Life!
At first glance, Factor and Freshly seem similar: they both offer healthy, microwaveable meals that are primarily gluten-free – and both have a one-word name beginning with “F.”! But don’t mix these services up.
Factor sets itself apart with a few unique features, including a free 20-minute consultation with a registered dietitian when you sign up. You’ll also have access to the company’s nutrition coaching programs throughout to help you crush your health goals.
This is also 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. This full-length review has more info.
With meals starting at $10.49 per serving, Factor is one of the more expensive prepared meal delivery services. But for New Yorkers who want convenient, dietitian-approved meals, it’s also a tasty investment in your health.
10. Sunbasket – Best For Healthy, Organic Ingredients
Key Features
Always organic where possible – plus 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
Current deal: No active deal
Sunbasket is my top choice (and often the top choice of professional dietitians) 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 low-carb, paleo, or gluten-free, you can bet that Sunbasket has options to meet your needs.
Despite living in Brooklyn, I still have trouble finding restaurants that cater well to these diets, but Sunbasket has varied and exciting offerings for everyone, from diabetics to vegans. You can find out more about its plans in my colleague’s in-depth review.
You’ll also find plenty of add-ons, including breakfast options, healthy snacks, specialty meats, fresh pasta, sauces, and more. Everything is organic where possible and, more importantly, super fresh, sustainably sourced, and non-GMO.
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| Starting Price | $7.99 Per Serving | $3.74 Per Serving | $3.32 Per Serving | $8.50 Per Serving | $2.99 Per Serving | $1.49 Per Serving | $9.99 Per Serving | $6.90 Per Serving | $10.49 Per Serving |
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| Minimum Order | 2 meals for 2 people | 2 meals for 2 people | 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 | 6 prepared meals |
| Meal Types | |||||||||
| Meal Types | Kits, speedy kits, oven-ready | 5 - 60 min meal kits and prepared meals | Meal kits, speedy kits, prepared meals | Meal kits, prepared meals | 30-60 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 | 5-50 min | 3-40 min | 20-40 min | 20-45 min | 0-3 min | 3 mins | 2-3 min |
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Tips for Choosing the Best Meal Delivery Service in New York
So what should you look for when choosing a meal delivery service? Here are some pointers from a Brooklyn-based meal delivery service pro (that’s me!):
Decide what’s important to you: If you’re a vegan or strict keto dieter, you need a service which meets your nutritional needs. If you’re cooking for your family, you’ll have different considerations entirely, such as portion size or the types of dishes on the menu.
Choose which meal type you’d prefer: Do you want ingredients and recipes so you can cook your own dinners at home? Or are you someone who requires prepared meals that can be refrigerated for easy heating? Perhaps you’d like a service that offers both.
Make price a factor… but not the only factor: Times are indeed tough, but you also want enjoyable, balanced meals that won’t go to waste – so healthy, quality ingredients, menu variety, and complexity of the meals should also be considered.
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. Oh, and we have discount offers available for most of them!
Bottom Line: What’s the Best Meal Delivery Service in New York City?
Eating out in NYC is great, but it’s not sustainable for your wallet and your health. Meal delivery services allow you to enjoy nourishing meals at home, made with quality ingredients, and they’re designed to work with your lifestyle, accommodating your dietary preferences and your schedule.
My favorite right now has to be Home Chef, thanks to its extensive options and flexibility.
Whether you want a quick salad, an oven-ready meal, or a more adventurous recipe for a special occasion, there’s something to fit every mood on Home Chef’s menu – and it’s cheaper than takeout!
For those wanting plant-based recipes (something Home Chef doesn’t do especially well), Purple Carrot is easily my favorite vegan meal delivery service. But for even more options, including those outside of NY, check out my compilation of the Best Meal Delivery Services for 2022.
FAQ
What is the most affordable meal delivery service in New York?
At $1.49 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, EveryPlate could be perfect for you – and it won’t blow the budget!
What is the best diet meal delivery service in New York?
Those on paleo, vegetarian, gluten-free, carb-conscious, or diabetes-friendly diets (and others) will find that Sunbasket offers the best selection of plans. Diet-friendly food can be notoriously boring – but Sunbasket’s healthy offerings are varied and exciting.
For those wanting diet-focused prepared meals, Factor would be my pick, particularly if you’re looking for keto meals.
What is the healthiest meal delivery service in New York?
I love Sunbasket for its holistically healthy range of ingredients – most of which are organic – to help you create balanced meals at home.
But if you’re looking for low-calorie swaps and diet tips, Blue Apron has an entire Wellness plan that works in tandem with WW (formally Weight Watchers).
What's the difference between meal delivery and food delivery?
The basic concept is the same – meals delivered to your door – but there are a few fundamental differences. A meal delivery service, such as Home Chef, lets you subscribe to a weekly, biweekly, or monthly plan, sending you either ready-to-heat prepared meals or the ingredients and recipes to cook the meals yourself at home.
Food delivery services (for example, Grubhub) connect you with local restaurants, fast-food joints, and even convenience stores to get you your favorite dishes, snacks, and beverages.
