Balanced meals with sustainable delivery that could save you time and reduce waste? L360’s Katie Sipp-Hurley puts DabbaDrop to the test.
Faced with the nightly stress of figuring out healthy, nutritious dinners for their families, DabbaDrop co-founders Renee Williams and Anshu Ahuja decided to do something about it.
Inspired by Mumbai’s iconic dabbawala system — a centuries-old network delivering home-cooked meals — the pair were struck by the idea that “convenience and care can co-exist, and that a waste-free food culture has always been possible,” says Renee.
The brand’s aim is to provide healthy, flavourful, Asian-inspired takeaway meals for busy individuals who need a break from meal planning — without the heavy, sluggish feeling that often comes with takeaways.
As Anshu puts it: “DabbaDrop isn’t fast food — it’s feel-good food. We make proper curries from scratch, using real ingredients and bold spice blends, then deliver them chilled, not hot, in reusable tins.”
But does DabbaDrop live up to the promise?
Read more: Great British Bake Off finalist Crystelle Pereira on her favourite simple recipes
How it works
On the DabbaDrop website, you can choose your preferred delivery day — Wednesday, Thursday or Friday — either weekly or fortnightly, depending on when your first delivery is scheduled. Each Dabba serves two people, so keep that in mind when ordering, as you’ll need to double up if you’re feeding more.
You can skip or pause orders anytime and only pay for what you receive. It’s also easy to change your delivery day or adjust your side dishes as needed. Orders are processed on Mondays for that week’s delivery, so you don’t have to plan too far in advance.
What’s great is if you’re not ready to commit you can try a one-off delivery before subscribing. Even once you’re a subscriber, the skip/pause feature makes it super flexible — and, honestly, that’s what makes you more likely to come back for more.
Personally, I’d commit to two more after the first one-off to get a good sense of what’s on offer — fortnightly for the first two and then every four weeks if you’re still trialling it out (so the novelty doesn’t wear off).
Are they convenient and healthy meals?
The meals themselves are made from scratch by DabbaDrop chefs, based on family recipes. They also regularly partner with restaurants in London on menu collaborations, which is a really nice way to try different places and cuisines — plus, a refreshing change from my usual decision fatigue of figuring out where to order from.
You do need to choose your meals in advance, but since the meals last for up to two days in the fridge, you can always save them for later. Personally, I liked having a set day where I knew I wouldn’t need to cook, which I often find a huge effort after a long workday.
Each delivery typically includes amade from scratch by DabbaDrop chefs and recipes are based on family recipes. ouple of mains (like curry), a rice or grain dish and vegetables. I tried a delicious Sri Lankan meal — my first ever — from Kolamba restaurant and was impressed by how thoughtfully balanced it was. I could tell there was intention behind the ingredients: things like beans, meat substitutes and potatoes to cover a wide range of food groups. I genuinely felt full, satisfied and like I was eating well. The accompanying chutney-like dips and sauces were a nice touch, too.
Read more: Bone broth is being dubbed ‘liquid gold’ by health experts — here are the best places to buy it
Is it really zero hassle?
If you love a good takeaway every now and then but are concerned about waste, you’re not alone — I’m running out of cupboard space for all the reusable plastic containers.
As Anshu says, “We couldn’t justify creating a convenience food business that added to the planet’s problems.”
That’s where DabbaDrop impressed me most. They deliver meals in reusable, oven-safe tins — all you need to do is wash them (either by hand or in the dishwasher) and get them ready for pick up by a DabbaDrop driver who collects the tins when dropping off the next Dabba. For busy families or even just those who are tired after a day’s work, it’s a real game-changer.
Read more: These are the easiest fibre-filled recipes for weeknight nutrition
Is DabbaDrop worth it?
Price wise, one Dabba (which serves two) with extras like sauces can cost around £40, which is admittedly on the steeper side. But considering this is quite similar to a typical takeaway cost for two I don’t mind paying this, although I’m not sure I’d subscribe regularly at this cost.
However, since the sides are optional, you could skip them and bring the cost down to around £30 — still within a reasonable takeaway price range.
For singles or couples without children, I’m not sure I’d commit to ordering on a regular basis. But it’s a good option if you’re looking to try out different restaurants without the hassle of researching the best.
That said, I really appreciate the zero-waste approach, which sets DabbaDrop apart from other delivery services. Overall, it’s a solid choice for busy families who want convenience and a balanced meal and generous portions. It’s definitely something I’ll return to occasionally in the colder months when I’m craving something comforting yet nutritious.
Feature image: DabbaDrop
