Airbnb is moving deeper into services that wrap around a stay, unveiling a partnership with chef-led meal delivery company CookUnity that lets guests (and locals) order prepared meals directly through Airbnb Services. Through the new offering, select users in the US can now reserve bundles of three to six ready-to-heat meals from CookUnity’s roster of award-winning chefs, with prices starting at $15 per meal. The meals are delivered fresh and designed to be heated and eaten in minutes – so when you arrive at your Airbnb after a long travel day you won’t then have to worry about where to get dinner.
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“Our new partnership with CookUnity fits perfectly into the ethos of Airbnb Services – offering guests more convenience, comfort and value during their travels. We’re excited to bring CookUnity’s expertise in high-quality, reliably-delivered meals directly into the Airbnb app, making it easier for guests to enjoy fresh, ready-to-heat gourmet meals during their stay or at home,” said Dave Stephenson, Airbnb’s chief business officer.
Airbnb recently unveiled massive changes to its app, including an autumn update that makes it more of a social experience that allows travelers to handle logistics even beyond booking a home rental, and to connect with the people with whom they share experiences. The partnership integrates CookUnity’s platform into Airbnb Services, the company’s growing layer of add-ons around a booking. Guests will be able to choose from curated, globally inspired menus that are tied to their stay, eliminating the need to search across separate food delivery apps or plan grocery runs.
CookUnity’s model centers on giving independent and well-known chefs a direct channel to diners. The lineup available through Airbnb will include meals crafted by chefs such as Esther Choi, Cat Cora, Ludo Lefebvre, José Garces, Einat Admony, Aarthi Sampath, Dustin Taylor and John DeLucie, covering a wide range of culinary traditions and cooking styles.
“At CookUnity, our mission has always been to make chef-crafted, high-quality meals more accessible,” said Mateo Marietti, founder and CEO of CookUnity. “This partnership with Airbnb expands on that vision, empowering chefs to reach new audiences while giving guests a convenient and elevated dining experience from some of the most recognized culinary talents in the world.”
According to the companies, every meal is cooked in small batches by the chefs and their teams to preserve quality and consistency, then delivered fresh in sustainable packaging. Dishes span comfort-focused “Sunday staples,” signature Latin offerings and other globally influenced plates aimed at travelers who want a higher level of dining than standard takeout, but with less cost and friction than dining out.
The tie-up is designed to capture multiple use cases: a family arriving late and wanting dinner in their listing, a business traveler looking for a reliable meal between meetings, or locals using Airbnb Services without booking a stay. By leaning into prepared meals that are ready in minutes, the companies position the service as both a convenience play and an alternative to traditional restaurant delivery.
CookUnity bundles are available starting today to select Airbnb guests and locals in parts of the US, with listings scheduled to roll out to additional US markets and to cities in Canada throughout the year.
