Meituan (美团, Meituan) is the best first delivery app to try because it combines food delivery with a very broad local-services ecosystem. Ele.me (饿了么, Eleme) is a useful second platform, especially when a restaurant, promotion or Alipay entry leads you there. For a visitor staying only a few days, the bigger question is whether delivery is worth the setup at all.
| Question | Meituan | Ele.me |
|---|---|---|
| Main role | Large local-services and delivery platform | Major food-delivery platform closely encountered through the Alibaba ecosystem |
| Language | Chinese-first | Chinese-first |
| Payment | Follow the methods shown in the current checkout | Often convenient when entered through Alipay, but verify the actual checkout |
| Why keep it | Broad restaurant selection and common local use | Alternative restaurant coverage, promotions or an Alipay-linked route |
Before creating an order
- Ask the hotel whether riders can enter or must leave food at reception or a delivery cabinet.
- Copy the hotel’s official Chinese address.
- Add the building, lobby or room instruction only with hotel permission.
- Use a phone number that can receive calls or messages.
- Keep the order screen open around the arrival time.
Why the hotel pin is not enough
A map pin may lead to a large complex with several entrances. Include the Chinese hotel name, street number and a short instruction such as “leave at reception.” Do not put a room number into the address if the hotel does not allow door delivery.
When you should skip delivery
Skip it on your first night if you have no usable phone number, cannot read the checkout, do not know the hotel’s delivery rule, or have a serious allergy that the restaurant cannot confirm. Walking to a mall food court or asking reception for a nearby restaurant may be safer and faster.
If the rider calls
Do not panic and repeatedly hang up. Send the saved Chinese delivery instruction through the order chat if available, or ask reception to help. Never send your passport image to solve a food-delivery problem.
FAQ
Do I need both apps?
No. Try Meituan first. Add Ele.me only when it solves a real availability or payment problem.
Can I use a foreign card directly?
Checkout routes change. Confirm the method shown for that order rather than assuming every restaurant and mini program uses the same payment channel.
What if the food never arrives?
Check the rider status, messages, lobby and delivery shelf before opening an order-specific support request.
Official information to check
- Hainan government guide to Meituan and Ele.me registration, ordering and payment
- Recent traveler discussion of Meituan, Dianping and delivery apps
Hotel logistics: how to receive food and parcels at a Chinese hotel.