Deliveroo has taken to the skies, announcing the launch of its first-ever drone delivery service in Dublin, marking a global first for the food delivery platform.
Starting this week, customers living within a 3km radius of Blanchardstown will be able to order meals from popular local restaurants via drone. Participating eateries include Musashi, WOW Burger, Boojum, and Elephant & Castle. The company also revealed plans to expand the offering to include grocery and retail deliveries within the next six months.
Powered by Irish drone delivery startup Manna, the drones will operate from a dedicated local hub and are capable of flying at speeds up to 80 km/h. According to Deliveroo, deliveries can be completed in as little as three minutes. Upon arrival, the drone hovers above the delivery point and lowers the food to the ground using a secure, biodegradable tether—providing a contact-free experience.
"This is an exciting milestone for Deliveroo as we trial innovative ways to get great food to our customers faster and more efficiently,” said Carlo Mocci, Deliveroo’s Chief Business Officer. “Our goal is to connect neighbourhood favourites with even more people, and drones may help us reach customers in suburban or hard-to-access areas.”
To use the service, eligible customers must validate their address through the Deliveroo app, which will confirm a safe delivery location such as a driveway or garden. Once an order is placed, customers can track the drone’s journey in real time and will receive a notification as the delivery approaches.
The initial rollout in Blanchardstown will serve as a testing ground to evaluate the feasibility of expanding drone deliveries across Ireland and potentially into other international markets. Deliveroo says the early weeks will be crucial in assessing how drones can support deliveries in areas that are less accessible by traditional riders.
The launch puts Dublin at the forefront of food delivery innovation, with residents among the first in the world to experience meals dropped from the sky.
