DoorDash has launched "Zesty," an AI-powered social application developed to facilitate the discovery of local restaurants. The app is initially available to users in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York, signaling DoorDash's expansion into the social and discovery sector, moving beyond its primary food delivery services.
Zesty integrates an AI chatbot that provides personalized restaurant recommendations based on user prompts. Users can input specific criteria, such as "A low-key dinner in Williamsburg that's actually good for introverts," to receive tailored suggestions, according to an Instagram promotional post by the company. Suggested prompts, including "Brunch spots good for groups" and "Romantic dinner with a vintage feel," are also featured within the application.
DoorDash co-founder Andy Fang stated via an X post that the app aggregates information from multiple sources, including DoorDash's own data, Google Maps, and TikTok, to "curate the best suggestions from the web." The platform is designed to learn user preferences over time, enabling more refined recommendations. Users can save and share recommendations, and the app incorporates social networking functionalities, allowing users to view and share photos and comments, discover content, and follow other users.
A DoorDash spokesperson confirmed the pilot program to TechCrunch, stating, "At DoorDash, we're always looking for new ways to help people connect with the best of their communities. We're piloting an app called Zesty to make it easier to discover great nearby restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and more through personalized search and social sharing." The spokesperson added that the company anticipates learning from early testers to further shape the local discovery experience.
The introduction of Zesty represents DoorDash's ongoing strategy to diversify its offerings beyond meal delivery. Earlier this year, the company implemented features that allow customers to make reservations for in-person dining and earn in-store rewards. News of the app's launch was first reported by Bloomberg.
