If you are trying to order a takeaway in London today, you have likely noticed a frustrating trend: the “Cash on Delivery” button is disappearing.
From coffee shops in Shoreditch to black cabs, London is moving toward a 100% digital economy. However, cash is legal tender, and whether you are a tourist avoiding foreign transaction fees or a local who prefers privacy, you should be able to buy dinner with pound notes.
The landscape is different here than in the US or Asia. Here is the honest breakdown of which food delivery apps still accept cash in London and across the UK in 2025.
The “Big Three” in the UK: Who Takes Cash?
1. Just Eat (The King of Cash)
If you have cash in hand, Just Eat is your best bet in the UK.
- Why it works: Unlike other apps that rely heavily on their own gig-economy riders, Just Eat still functions as a gateway for thousands of local “chippies,” curry houses, and kebab shops that employ their own drivers.
- The Verdict: These local restaurants prefer cash to avoid card processing fees. When filtering restaurants, look for the “Cash” icon at checkout. It is available on about 60-70% of listings outside Zone 1.
2. Uber Eats (The “Maybe”)
Uber Eats is technically capable of accepting cash, but in London, it is complicated.
- The Issue: Drivers can toggle “Accept Cash” on or off. Due to safety concerns in London, many riders refuse to carry cash floats.
- The Reality: You might see the option in suburban areas or other UK cities (like Manchester or Birmingham), but in Central London, this option is frequently unavailable.
3. Deliveroo (Card Only)
- The Verdict: Deliveroo has been almost exclusively cashless for years. Do not waste time trying to find a workaround here; their model is built entirely on digital speed and safety.
The “Near Me” Strategy: Beating the App Algorithm
If you are searching for “Cash food delivery near me” in London and coming up empty on the apps, you need to go old school.
Direct Restaurant Ordering
The UK has a massive culture of independent takeaways that hate paying the 30% commission fees to apps.
- Search: Go to Google Maps and type “Indian takeaway near me” or “Pizza shop near me.”
- Call: Ring them up.
- Ask: “Do you take cash on delivery?”
- The Bonus: Most UK takeaways will offer you a 10-15% discount or free sides (like prawn crackers or garlic bread) if you order direct and pay cash, because you are saving them the app commission.
The Major Chains: Domino’s & Pizza Hut
While the aggregators (apps) are going digital, the big pizza franchises in the UK manage their own logistics.
- Domino’s UK: Almost always accepts cash at the door. They have their own drivers who carry change (usually up to £20).
- Pizza Hut Delivery: Similar policy. Cash is widely accepted.
3 Rules for Paying Cash for Food in the UK
If you manage to find a driver who takes cash, follow these unwritten rules of London etiquette:
- Have Exact Change: British drivers rarely carry large floats. If your order is £14.50, do not hand them a £50 note. They likely cannot break it.
- The Tip: Tipping isn’t mandatory in the UK like it is in the US, but rounding up is polite. If the bill is £18, hand over a £20 note and say “keep the change.”
- Safety First: Cash orders require you to be physically present. You cannot ask for a “contactless doorstep drop” if you owe them money.
Summary
In 2025 London, Just Eat and Direct Calling are the last bastions of cash delivery. Deliveroo is strictly digital, and Uber Eats is hit-or-miss.
Traveling outside the UK? Payment rules change drastically across borders. If you are planning a trip or want to know which apps work globally, check out our master guide on Food Delivery Apps That Accept Cash Worldwide.
