DoorDash is launching a new AI-powered social app designed to help users quickly find local restaurants. The application is called Heatit 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 discovery space. The idea behind the app is to get rid of 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 users open the app and sign in to their DoorDash accounts, they can ask an AI chatbot for personalized recommendations based on what they’re looking for. In one Promotional Instagram postthe company shared that users can type in messages like “A low-key dinner in Williamsburg that’s really good for introverts” to find specific recommendations. Users will also see suggested messages such as “Brunch places good for groups” and “Romantic dinner with a vintage feel.”
DoorDash co-founder Andy Fang wrote in one X post that the app aggregates information about DoorDash, Google Maps, TikTok and more to “curate the best recommendations from the web.”
The app also learns your tastes to understand what you do and don’t like. Once you come across a recommendation that interests you, you can save it and share it with others.
Users can view and share photos and reviews of 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 connect with the best of 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.”
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News of the app’s launch was first reported by Bloomberg.
Of course, some people might not want to download a whole new app to find new restaurants when they could just use Google. For people who have already incorporated 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 release for people who want to be part of a social network that is all about discovering new restaurants.
The launch of the new app marks DoorDash’s latest effort to expand beyond delivery services, as the company earlier this year introduced features that allow customers to make dinner reservations in person and earn rewards in store.
