We try Melbourne's new Uber for food: UberEATS

UberEATS, a crowd-sourced home delivery service from the makers (and drivers) of Uber, landed today and its bait is strong: Supernormal, Entrecote, Gazi plus the heavier hitters shared by Deliveroo and Foodora like Henrietta's Chicken Shop.

They don't have Messina, but there's Pidapipo – arguably a stronger get.

UberEATS tells us that they've got 80 restaurants on the books so far across Melbourne's inner suburbs (Mostly the CBD, up north to Fitzroy and as far as Windsor in the south) – the catch is that you need to be within 3-4km of the venue. On the upside, there's no minimum order.

For the sake of science, the Good Food office just ordered in some Supernormal dumplings and a lobster roll (on a private account) and initial feedback is good.

It's an easy app to use, charged to your existing Uber account your order will be picked up and dropped off just like an Uber for passengers (there's even a little spoon and fork icon that pops up once your food leaves the restaurant).

Slightly annoying – there's no notes section so we call them on approach to explain we're across the road. Delivery will be a $5 flat fee (the company emphasises its no-tipping policy), and there's a free delivery promo on for the first month.

We waited just one minute longer than the initial estimate. The food was a little cool, and maybe the traffic-weaving bikers will have it over the drivers for cross-CBD addresses at lunch time.

Reservations manager Alice Turner, of Gazi in the city centre, says they'll probably put an extra staff member on to manage UberEATS orders – restaurants can control wait times internally based on supply and demand.

Gazi has always offered a takeaway menu, but has a reduced menu for delivery as "some items don't travel well".

Worth it? The idea of lobster rolls at lunch is alluring. The reality of lobster rolls at lunch is $16 for something not at its best (our bun had dried out). But ask us tomorrow and we'll likely be back to "alluring!"

Uber promises no surge pricing for UberEATS, but expect wait times to fluctuate as demand soars off the charts.