Uber Eats unveiled their 2024 Cravings Report and it did not disappoint. While crispy chicken was the most searched item on the app, the most expensive order was a bottle of cognac. There were even delivery requests made by Shakespeare! It sure was a year full of culinary surprises.
Cassie Jaganyi, Head of Communications at Uber Eats South Africa, says: “Our continued commitment to making it easy for you to get whatever you’re craving is reflected in the growing demand for food and grocery delivery. Meanwhile the insights from the Cravings Report provide a compelling look at our shared love for food, convenience and dining trends.”
We know South Africans love their chicken. Therefore, the fact that crispy chicken was the most searched item on the Uber Eats app in 2024 did not really come as a surprise. Pap was the most ordered side with chicken – a typical South African combo made in heaven.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner get pushed out the way when midnight snacking enters the chat. Interestingly, Joburg and Pretoria clocked 1.2 million orders between the hours of 23:00 and 03:00! We guess that comes with the ‘work hard and play harder’ lifestyle.
Vegans and vegetarians also utilise Uber Eats with 0.6% of all orders placed in Durban being plant-based. In addition, Joburg and Pretoria were the cities with the most vegan orders collectively.
Over R20 000 left someone’s pocket for a single order of expensive cognac from Uber Eats. A little gift ‘to me, from me’ never hurt anyone.
Lastly, Margate has been dubbed the friendliest city on Uber Eats with “please” and “thank you” often popping up in order requests. Joburg and Pretoria seem to follow suit too. Honestly, South Africans can’t help but spread love and joy!
The stats on Uber Eats users and drivers show that one customer placed 2378 orders in 2024. That’s more than 6 orders a day! Another user ordered Uber Eats on 364 days of the year. Also, someone ordered 706 meals for two in 2024 – lovers, besties or just really hungry, who knows? Lastly, one savvy user saved over R18 000 in 2024 with 779 orders with Uber One. They are currently sitting on the beach somewhere, we are sure of it!
Delivery drivers have also topped the charts with one courier having travelled nearly 40 000 km in 2024. This same driver clocked 4500 service hours and made 7.959 trips – the champion of our hearts. Another driver delivered 320 orders to the same customer throughout last year. Talk about redefining the term ‘work bestie.’ The ultimate record breaker, though, was a delivery made in just 89 seconds!
William Shakespeare entered the chat when one user made a request with whimsical words: “In the swirling mists of your ramen creation, I’ve a trifling, yet bold, culinary sensation. Dear chef, in your pot of wonders so vast, might I request, not one egg be cast, but three! Oh yes, three jolly eggs indeed, to accompany my noodles in their hour of need.”
Another user copied and pasted “no garnish, no sauce, crispy chips!!!” in eight different orders. Dedication and passion at its finest!
We all see Uber Eats bikes zig-zagging through our city streets daily. Now, we know what it accumulates to and we can’t help but be curious about what 2025 will bring to the world of Uber Eats.
For more food and drink inspo, click here.
Follow us on Instagram to stay in the loop.
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Stay up-to-date on the hottest, hippest and most happening things to do in Mzansi!