Food Near Me: How Digital Ordering is Transforming British Dining in 2025
The Rise of Local Food Discovery
In 2025, the simple search query ‘food near me’ has become one of the most powerful tools reshaping the restaurant industry. With over 3 million searches each month for Chinese cuisine alone, consumers are increasingly turning to digital platforms to discover and order from nearby eateries. The National Restaurant Association reports that more than half (51%) of US consumers believe that ordering delivery and takeout from restaurants is an ‘essential part of their lifestyle’, with similar trends emerging across the UK and globally.
Convenience Meets Quality
Nearly 75% of restaurant meals are now enjoyed off-site, marking a fundamental shift in dining behaviour. In the past month, 77% of consumers ordered food delivery, and 43% of consumers reported placing the same order at least once per week. This transformation has been driven by sophisticated delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats, which have expanded from takeaways to anything and everything, with groceries, tools and other products available in under an hour.
The trend extends beyond mere convenience. Around a third of all consumers prefer to order from local restaurants (defined as those with just one store in their area), demonstrating a desire to support independent businesses whilst enjoying the ease of delivery.
Technology Driving the Future
AI is making waves in food ordering, with online grocery giants such as Walmart, Amazon and Instacart rolling out new AI search features that work like search engines tailored to food discovery. More than a quarter of Americans (28.2%) use these services at least once a week, with urban residents showing particularly high engagement rates.
Food delivery services are expected to grow from $3.7 billion in 2023 to $90.3 billion by 2030, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.4%. This explosive growth reflects not just changing consumer habits, but a fundamental reimagining of how restaurants operate and serve customers.
What This Means for Diners
For British consumers, the implications are significant. The Joy Of Missing Out, or JOMO, is all about enjoying the comforts of home, without worrying about what’s happening elsewhere, and it’s been growing in popularity since the Covid-19 pandemic. Restaurant-quality meals, delivered quickly and reliably, have become the new normal.
Looking ahead, nearly half of global consumers value food trends that reflect their culture and diversity as important values in their diets, with bringing one country’s traditional flavours to another satisfying the demand for authentic global cuisines. The ‘food near me’ search represents more than convenience—it’s become a gateway to culinary exploration, supporting local businesses, and accessing diverse cuisines without leaving home. As technology continues to evolve, this digital dining revolution shows no signs of slowing down.