UAE Food Delivery Photo Guide: Talabat, Deliveroo, Careem & Keeta

The UAE Food Delivery Market

The UAE online food delivery market reached USD 2.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to nearly USD 4 billion by 2030.^[1] With smartphone penetration above 99% and nearly half the population using delivery apps, the competition for orders is intense.

Four platforms dominate the market:

Platform	Market Position	Average Order Value
Talabat	Market leader (~70%+ of orders)	~USD 18
Deliveroo	Premium segment	~USD 35
Careem	Integrated super-app	Varies
Keeta	New entrant (2025), aggressive growth	Competitive

The data is clear: restaurants with professional photos see 20-30% more orders.^[2] On Deliveroo specifically, menus with photography capture the majority of online orders, and hero images help restaurants rank higher in search results.^[2]

Talabat Photo Requirements

Talabat dominates UAE food delivery with roughly 70% market share by order volume.^[3] Getting your photos right here matters most.

Cover Photo

Specification	Requirement
Quality	High resolution, wide angle
Content	Multiple dishes or signature item
Background	Cannot be white or grey
Restrictions	No text overlays, no cropped items

Menu Item Photos

Specification	Requirement
Orientation	Landscape mode
Format	JPEG recommended
Content	Single dish, clearly presented
Naming	Item name and image filename should match

Talabat does not publicly document exact pixel specifications. Based on integration standards and partner guidance, aim for 1920 x 1080 pixels minimum at 16:9 aspect ratio for best results across the platform.

Logo Requirements

High quality, not photographed or scanned
Solid colored background preferred
Must match your registered store name
No cartoon logos or banners

What Gets Rejected

Raw food images (exception: meat/fish specialists)
Text over food images
Cropped or partially visible dishes
Low resolution or blurry photos
White or grey backgrounds on cover photos

Deliveroo UAE Photo Requirements

Deliveroo operates in the premium segment with higher average order values. Their photo standards reflect this positioning.

Hero Images (Cover Photos)

Specification	Requirement
Minimum Dimensions	1920 x 1080 pixels
Aspect Ratio	16:9
File Format	JPEG only (PNG, TIFF, PSD not accepted)
Content	Minimum 5 different dishes recommended

Deliveroo explicitly states that restaurants with hero images rank higher in search results.^[2]

Menu Item Images

Specification	Requirement
Minimum Dimensions	1200 x 800 pixels
Aspect Ratio	3:2 (crops to 1:1 for display)
File Format	JPEG only
Orientation	Landscape

The 1:1 crop is important: center your dish with enough margin on all sides so nothing gets cut off in the thumbnail view.^[4]

Content Guidelines

Required:

Dish fills majority of frame with small margins
Clean, complementary background
Natural lighting (avoid reflections and harsh shadows)
Sharp focus, no visible grain
For stackable items (burgers, sandwiches), use 45-degree side angle

Not Allowed:

Hands, faces, or people
Text, watermarks, or promotional content
Raw ingredients as focal point
Stock photos from any source
Collages or heavily photoshopped images
Overcrowded compositions

Careem Food Photo Guidelines

Careem operates as an integrated super-app across the Middle East, with food delivery as one of several services. Their photo requirements are less publicly documented than Deliveroo's.

What We Know

Careem's partner portal allows you to:^[5]

Submit menu changes including images
Request image updates via helpdesk tickets
Manage operational details

Photography Support

Careem has partnered with GetFlashy to provide photography sessions for partners. They've secured rates offered at cost, with next-day scheduling and 48-72 hour content delivery available.^[5]

Partners can book sessions using code CAREEM10 for a 10% discount.

Recommended Specifications

While Careem doesn't publish exact specs, aligning with Deliveroo's standards (1920x1080, 16:9, JPEG) ensures compatibility. For specific requirements, contact your account manager or email partnerssupport.uae@careem.com.

Keeta: The New Player

Keeta launched in Dubai in September 2025 and has since expanded across all seven Emirates.^[6] Backed by Meituan (China's largest food delivery platform), they're investing heavily in the UAE market with hundreds of millions of dollars committed over the next 3-5 years.^[7]

Founding Vendor Program

Keeta's approach to onboarding restaurants is aggressive. Their "Founding Vendor Program" offers:^[6]

Marketing support at no cost
Technology support for menu setup
Early-adopter incentives

Photo Requirements

Keeta hasn't published detailed photo specifications yet. As a new platform, they're likely accepting a wide range of content while building their restaurant base.

Recommended approach: Use the same standards as Deliveroo (1920x1080, 16:9, JPEG) until Keeta publishes specific guidelines.

Why Keeta Matters

Keeta is disrupting the market with:

50% off promotions and free delivery incentives^[6]
On-time delivery guarantees
Dubai Taxi Company partnership expanding their delivery fleet^[8]
Drone delivery service (first overseas market for Meituan drones)^[7]

For restaurants already on Talabat and Deliveroo, adding Keeta now positions you for their growth phase while competition is still building.

Getting Your Photos Right for UAE Platforms

Universal Standards That Work Everywhere

Specification	Safe Standard
Dimensions	1920 x 1080 pixels minimum
Aspect Ratio	16:9 for hero/cover, plan for 1:1 crop on items
Format	JPEG
File Size	Under 5 MB
Orientation	Landscape

Shooting at these specs ensures your photos work across Talabat, Deliveroo, Careem, and Keeta without reformatting.

UAE-Specific Considerations

Cuisine diversity. The UAE market includes Arabic, Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, European, and international cuisines. Your photos should highlight what makes your food distinctive in a crowded market.

Premium positioning. Deliveroo's higher average order value (nearly double Talabat's) means premium presentation matters more there. Consider different hero images for different platforms - rustic warmth for casual dining on Talabat, elegant refinement for Deliveroo.

Mobile-first. With 99% smartphone penetration, assume customers are viewing on small screens. Bold, clear compositions outperform subtle or complex arrangements.

Using GourmetPix for UAE Platforms

GourmetPix supports the aspect ratios UAE platforms require:

16:9 (Widescreen) for hero images across all platforms
1:1 (Square) for Deliveroo menu item thumbnails
4K upscaling exceeds all minimum resolution requirements

The style presets work well for UAE market positioning:

Studio for clean delivery app listings
Elegant for fine dining and Deliveroo premium positioning
Cozy/Rustic for cafes and casual dining
Custom using your own restaurant interior as background

Professional Photography Costs in UAE

For context on what traditional photography costs in the region, see our complete pricing guide. Dubai rates typically run AED 1,500-4,400 (USD 410-1,200) for a 10-dish shoot.

Careem's partnership with GetFlashy offers an alternative, though availability and pricing vary. For restaurants updating menus frequently or testing across multiple platforms, AI photo enhancement provides flexibility that scheduled shoots cannot match.

Ready to improve your UAE delivery platform photos? Try GourmetPix free with 10 credits - no credit card required.

Frequently Asked Questions

What photo size does Talabat require?

Talabat doesn't publish exact pixel requirements, but based on industry standards and integration guidelines, use 1920 x 1080 pixels minimum in 16:9 aspect ratio for best results. Cover photos should not have white or grey backgrounds.

What are Deliveroo's photo specifications?

Deliveroo requires hero images at minimum 1920 x 1080 pixels (16:9), menu items at minimum 1200 x 800 pixels (3:2, cropped to 1:1). JPEG format only - they don't accept PNG, TIFF, or PSD files.

Can I use the same photos for all UAE platforms?

Yes, if you shoot at 1920 x 1080 in 16:9 format with JPEG. This works for Talabat, Deliveroo, Careem, and Keeta. Keep dishes centered with margin for platforms that crop to 1:1 thumbnails.

Which UAE delivery platform is most important?

Talabat dominates with roughly 70% market share, so prioritize getting your photos right there first. However, Deliveroo has higher average order values (~USD 35 vs ~USD 18), so premium restaurants may see better returns there.

Is Keeta worth joining in the UAE?

Yes, especially now. Keeta is in growth mode with heavy investment in the UAE market. Their Founding Vendor Program offers free marketing and technology support. Being an early partner positions you for better visibility as the platform expands.

Do UAE platforms accept AI-enhanced photos?

Yes, provided the photos accurately represent your actual dishes. The platforms care about customer experience - photos should show what customers will receive. AI enhancement that improves presentation while maintaining authenticity is accepted.

References

[1] Grand View Research. "UAE Online Food Delivery Market"[2] Deliveroo Help Centre. "Showcase your food with photography"[3] Dubai People. "Talabat captures 76 per cent of Dubai's food delivery market"[4] Deliveroo Help Centre. "Menu Manager: Sending in your own images as a restaurant"[5] Careem. "Restaurant Partner Signup"[6] Gulf News. "Why are we suddenly seeing so many Keeta food delivery riders in Dubai?"[7] China Daily. "Meituan expands food delivery arm Keeta to UAE"[8] Gulf News. "Why are we suddenly seeing so many Keeta food delivery riders in Dubai?"