Meituan:
Food, Hotels & Everything Else
美团 · Měituán
Meituan covers food delivery, hotels, tickets, groceries, and local services across China. For foreign visitors, food delivery is the easiest first use case. Hotels, tickets, and local services can be useful but are more language-heavy.
Set up payments before Meituan
Meituan orders usually require an active payment method. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before ordering. Some users may also see other payment options, but Alipay and WeChat Pay are the safest setup path for most foreign visitors. Meituan has no full built-in English UI — photo menus and translation tools help. Our concierge team can also handle bookings on your behalf.
Part 1 — First-time setup
Setup takes about 5 minutes. Do this at your hotel before you're hungry — it's much easier when you're not rushing. Phone number required for SMS verification.
Food delivery · hotels · tickets · groceries · local services
Download Meituan
Search "美团" on App Store or Google Play. The icon is a yellow butterfly on a dark background. Meituan has no full built-in English UI.
Register with phone number
International phone numbers can often receive SMS verification. If the SMS code does not arrive, try a local SIM/eSIM or ask hotel staff for help. A mainland China number may be more reliable, but is not always required.
Allow location access
Meituan uses your location to show nearby restaurants and services.
Link a payment method
Meituan commonly accepts WeChat Pay and Alipay. Link your international card to WeChat Pay or Alipay first, then use that wallet at checkout. On iPhone, Apple Pay or UnionPay options may also appear depending on device, card, and app version.
Set delivery address
Save your hotel name, full Chinese address, and room number. If possible, ask hotel staff for the correct Chinese delivery address before ordering.
Part 2 — Ordering food delivery
Food delivery (外卖, wài mài) is Meituan's most foreigner-friendly feature. Photos make it easy to order without reading Chinese.
Food delivery in major Chinese cities — estimated time shown before checkout
Tap 外卖 (Takeaway)
From the home screen, look for 外卖 — the food delivery section.
Browse or search
Filter by category or search by restaurant name. Large chains such as McDonald's and KFC are often easier to identify — menus are familiar and photos are clear. Payment still depends on your selected Meituan payment method.
Select items
Tap the + button next to dishes. Most menus have photos, which helps when you cannot read Chinese.
Review & checkout
Check delivery address, phone number, delivery time estimate, and total price carefully before submitting. Estimated delivery time is shown before checkout — in major cities, many orders arrive in about 30–60 minutes depending on restaurant, distance, weather, and demand. Minimum order and delivery fees vary by restaurant.
Pay and track
Pay via your linked payment method. Track the rider on the map. Couriers may call to confirm delivery — if you do not speak Chinese, add a note before checkout: 请放酒店前台，谢谢 (Please leave it at the hotel front desk, thank you).
What Meituan can do for you
Food Delivery (外卖)
EasyEasiest use case for foreigners. Photos make ordering possible even without reading Chinese.
Hotel Booking (酒店)
MediumUseful for comparing local prices. Foreign guests should confirm the hotel accepts foreign passports before booking.
Experiences & Tickets (休闲娱乐)
Hard — Chinese UIUseful for local activities, but some bookings may require Chinese ID, passport information, a Chinese phone number, or merchant confirmation.
Grocery & Convenience (买菜/超市)
MediumUseful for drinks, snacks, and late-night needs. Address accuracy and phone availability matter for successful delivery.
Tips for foreigners
Use photo menus
Most Meituan restaurants show food photos. Ordering by pointing at images is a practical workaround when you cannot read Chinese.
Save your hotel address before ordering
Save your hotel name, full Chinese address, and room number before placing any order. If possible, ask hotel staff for the correct Chinese delivery address. Delivery riders may not be able to reach you by phone.
Use mini-program translation if available
In the WeChat Meituan mini-program, you may be able to tap the three-dot menu and use Translate. In Alipay, some users may also see translation options. Availability depends on app version and phone language settings.
Add a courier note
Couriers may call to confirm delivery details. If you do not speak Chinese, add a note before checkout: 请放酒店前台，谢谢 (Please leave it at the hotel front desk, thank you).
On-time guarantee (准时宝)
Some orders may offer an on-time guarantee option. Rules vary by order and city — do not rely on it as your main protection.
Meituan has no full built-in English UI
Meituan is designed primarily for domestic users. Use WeChat or Alipay mini-program translation, screenshot translation apps, or photo menus to navigate. In the WeChat Meituan mini-program, you may be able to tap the three-dot menu and use Translate — availability depends on app version and phone language settings. If you want someone to handle Meituan for you, our concierge service includes ordering and coordinating food and activity bookings on your behalf.
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Our concierge team handles Meituan bookings, restaurant reservations, and activity tickets on your behalf — in Chinese, in real time.
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