Menu Photos That Pass & Convert on Uber Eats & DoorDash (2025): Complete Guide + Free Checklist

The Complete Platform Photography Guide

Produce item photos that both pass platform checks and win the tap. This tutorial gives you a repeatable workflow, fast platform‑specific rules, a 7‑day rollout plan, and a one‑page specs appendix (with sources).

Looking for more photography tips? Check out our guide on iPhone Food Photography or explore our specialized solutions for delivery apps.

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Executive Summary

Your menu photos have two jobs: pass each platform's checks and win the tap in crowded feeds. The most reliable way to do both is simple: one centered dish, neutral background, soft side‑light, and two exports—5:4 for Uber‑style catalog views, 16:9 for DoorDash‑style headers. This guide walks you through a 2-minute workflow with FoodShot's delivery app tools plus a practical rollout plan.

Watch: 2-Minute Food Photo Demo for Delivery Apps

How Delivery Apps Actually Display Your Photos

Delivery apps show the same image in different contexts. DoorDash uses square thumbnails in list/search and wide 16:9 headers on restaurant pages. Uber Eats prefers landscape item images between 5:4 and 6:4, with 5:4 used widely for hero/catalog visuals. Translation: keep your subject centered with a little breathing room so it looks right everywhere.

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The 5 Elements of Conversion‑Winning Photos

These five rules are teachable to any team and work across cuisines.

1) Composition that reads in half a second

• One hero dish only. Sides/drinks in the same frame dilute the message.
• Leave a slim, even margin around the plate so auto‑crops don't cut edges.
• Choose angle by item type: top‑down for pizzas/bowls; gentle 45° for burgers, sandwiches, stacked desserts.

2) Backgrounds that disappear

• Neutral, non‑reflective surfaces (light gray, off‑white, pale stone/wood).
• Limit props to one subtle element at most; avoid glossy tableware.

3) Light that flatters food

• Soft side‑light from a window or a diffused source; avoid mixed color temperatures.
• Tame specular highlights on glossy sauces/buns with diffusion or a bounce card.

4) Color & texture appetite cues

• Add a tiny freshness accent (basil leaf, crisp lettuce edge) to signal life.
• Aim for appetizing glisten, not oily glare. Use micro‑contrast lightly.

5) Menu‑wide consistency

• Keep scale, brightness, and white balance consistent across items.
• Shoot sets of 9 in one session—your storefront grid will feel designed and trustworthy.

A 2‑Minute Workflow with FoodShot (or 10 Minutes Manually)

1. Shoot a base photo on a neutral background: one centered dish, top‑down or 45°.
2. Quick clean‑up: wipe plate rims, remove crumbs, fix crooked garnishes.
3. Edit for reality: slight exposure lift, neutral white balance, subtle micro‑contrast.
4. Export two crops you'll reuse: 5:4 (Uber‑style catalog) and 16:9 (DoorDash‑style header).
5. Name predictably (e.g., chicken‑bowl_5x4_uber.jpg / chicken‑bowl_16x9_dd.jpg).

With FoodShot: upload your phone snap → choose a preset (Delivery / Restaurant / Lifestyle / Healthy) → see how our delivery-optimized AI transforms your photos → export in your needed format in seconds.

💡 Related: Avoid the 5 common delivery photography mistakes that get photos rejected. For a complete platform solution, check our delivery apps photography service.

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Platform‑Specific Walkthroughs (Fast)

Uber Eats — Pass & Look Great

• Use landscape between 5:4 and 6:4 for item photos; one centered dish; no text/logos/borders.
• For hero/catalog visuals, 5:4 JPEG at around 2880×2304 is a safe, high‑detail target.
• Angles: top‑down for flat dishes; 45° for tall stacks; cut/stack to reveal fillings.

DoorDash — Pass & Look Great

• Use 16:9 for items/headers; keep at least 1400×800 pixels; JPG/PNG.
• Keep the hero centered so 1:1 thumbnails still look good; leave breathing room.
• If you upload via integrations and want auto‑approval, target ≤ 2 MB; Merchant Portal often allows up to 16 MB.

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Troubleshooting by Symptom

Wrong Aspect Ratio

• Re‑export: 5:4 for Uber‑style catalog; 16:9 for DoorDash headers/tiles.

Dark or Muddy Color

• Use side light; fix white balance; apply subtle micro‑contrast—not heavy sharpening.

Text/Logo Detected

• Remove overlays entirely; both platforms prohibit text/watermarks/borders.

Food Cropped in Thumbnails

• Add headroom and re‑center the plate; test a square preview before upload.

File Too Large (DoorDash integrations)

• Export high‑quality JPEG under 2 MB; for portal uploads, larger sizes often pass, but keep it clean.

Your 7‑Day Implementation Plan

Days 1–2 — Audit: list items that need new photos; flag rejections and inconsistencies.

Days 3–4 — Capture: set one neutral background and light; shoot top 9 items in one session.

Day 5 — Process: run through FoodShot; export both crops (5:4 & 16:9); adopt a naming scheme.

Day 6 — Upload: ship to Uber Eats and DoorDash; note any rejections/reviews.

Day 7 — Optimize: fix outliers; document your presets; plan a quarterly refresh.

Appendix — Specs Cheat‑Sheet (2025)

FAQ

Can I reuse the same image for both platforms? You can, but export two crops (5:4 + 16:9) for best results and fewer rejections.

Do I need a pro camera? No—recent phones are enough. What matters is clean light, neutral background, and safe crops.

How often should I refresh photos? Quarterly for seasonals; every 6–12 months for core dishes or whenever plating changes.

Can FoodShot fix my existing photos? Yes—upload what you have; generate platform‑ready versions in seconds and keep your look consistent.

What about pricing? Check our transparent pricing plans - starting from just $9/month for restaurants.

Looking for professional photography comparison? Read our detailed Traditional vs AI Food Photography comparison guide.

Need a complete delivery platform solution? Explore our specialized tools for food delivery apps - optimized for Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub.

Ready to transform your menu photos? Try FoodShot AI - professional food photography in seconds.

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Sources

• Uber — Store‑Submitted Menu Photo Guidelines
• Uber — Merchant‑Submitted Menu Catalog Photo Guidelines (5:4 • 2880×2304)
• Uber — User Submitted Photos FAQ
• Uber — Customer Photos Blog
• DoorDash — Photos Terms / Item Guidelines (16:9)
• DoorDash — Merchant Portal: Add Photos / Rejection Reasons
• DoorDash — Developer Docs (Menu Configuration Reference)
• DoorDash — Integrated Modifier/Images (≤ 2 MB for auto‑approval)