Amazon adds Uber Eats and Grubhub ordering to Alexa+

Amazon has launched a new conversational food ordering feature for Alexa+, its next-generation AI assistant, allowing users to order from delivery services Uber Eats and Grubhub. According to Amazon, the feature is rolling out to Alexa+ customers in the U.S. and the U.K. who use Echo Show 8 devices and larger. Starting today, users can begin requesting a cuisine and exploring menu options through a conversational interface, similar to speaking with a waiter or ordering at a drive-thru—a restaurant service model where customers order from vehicles. If a user changes their mind mid-order, wants to add items, or needs to adjust quantities, they can make those changes instantly within the conversation.

To use the feature, users link their Grubhub or Uber Eats accounts through the Alexa app, which automatically syncs previous orders to facilitate reordering or discovering new restaurants. Once linked, users can initiate an order by saying phrases such as, “I want to order Italian for delivery,” and Alexa+ will guide them through restaurant options before presenting a comprehensive summary of the items, quantities, and prices in their cart. This launch serves as a test case for Amazon’s broader strategic goal of establishing adaptive interaction models—which the company defines as its strategic goal for AI conversational capabilities. According to Amazon, this development lays the groundwork for its aim to expand similar features into grocery shopping and travel arrangements.

This rollout comes as the broader food industry continues to navigate the challenges of AI reliability in customer service. While some fast-food chains have integrated AI assistants into their operations, accuracy remains a significant hurdle. For example, McDonald’s paused its AI drive-thru initiative in 2024 due to accuracy challenges, following an incident involving an AI cashier accidentally adding nine sweet teas to a customer’s order. Similarly, Taco Bell has faced challenges with viral videos showcasing its AI making errors.

Why it matters

This launch represents a strategic shift for Amazon toward adaptive interaction models, moving beyond simple commands to complex, multi-turn tasks. By testing conversational commerce with food delivery, the company is establishing the infrastructure to eventually expand these capabilities into grocery shopping and travel.