DoorDash is rolling out Zesty, an AI-powered social app to discover new restaurants

DoorDash is launching a new AI-powered social app designed to help users quickly find local restaurants. The app, called Zesty, is initially available in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York.

With the app, DoorDash is expanding beyond food delivery and into the social and exploratory space. The idea behind the app is to eliminate the need to read a bunch of different reviews, look up different menus, or browse TikTok when looking for a new place to eat.

Once people open the app and log in with their DoorDash accounts, they can ask the AI-powered chatbot to make personalized recommendations based on what they’re looking for. In a promotional post on Instagram, the company shared that users can type prompts like, “A simple dinner in Williamsburg that’s actually good for introverts” to find specific recommendations. Users will also see suggested prompts, such as “brunch spots suitable for groups” and “romantic dinner with a vintage flair.”

The app collects information across DoorDash, Google Maps, TikTok and more to “curate the best suggestions from the web,” DoorDash co-founder Andy Fang wrote in an X post.

The app also learns your tastes to know what you like and don’t like. Once you find a recommendation you’re interested in, you can save it and share it with others.

Users can view and share photos and reviews about restaurants they’ve visited, discover content from others, and follow people just like on any social network.

“At DoorDash, we’re always looking for new ways to help people better connect with their communities,” a DoorDash spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch. “We’re piloting an app called Zesty to make it easier to discover great nearby restaurants, cafes, bars, and more through personalized search and social sharing. We’re excited to learn from early testers as we continue to shape what local discovery can look like.”

News of the app’s launch was first reported by Bloomberg.

Of course, some people may not want to download a whole new app to find new restaurants when they can simply use Google. For people who have already integrated AI into their daily lives, they may already be using services like ChatGPT and Gemini to discover new restaurants. However, the app could be a welcome launch for people who want to be part of a social network that revolves around discovering new restaurants.

The launch of the new app marks DoorDash’s latest effort to branch out beyond delivery services, with the company earlier this year launching features that allow customers to make in-person dining reservations and earn in-store rewards.