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.

---

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.

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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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 free - get 3 free credits, no credit card required.

---

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)