This long-distance date is perfect for couples who want to make dinner more spontaneous and exciting. Instead of ordering your own food, you secretly choose a meal for your partner and have it delivered to their door. When the food arrives, you jump on a video call and experience the surprise together.
It’s a fun mix of curiosity, trust, and a little bit of chaos—because you never know what your partner will choose for you.
When the same delivery apps don’t exist in both countries
Vanessa and Mehrad really wanted to do a fun dinner date together. However, Vanessa lives in Canada, and Mehrad lives in Iran, which meant something as simple as ordering food together wasn’t as straightforward as it sounds.
Ordering through Uber initially seemed like the obvious idea, but they quickly realized it wasn’t realistic because certain services simply don’t operate in every country. Many popular platforms like Uber, DoorDash, or SkipTheDishes are restricted in Iran.
And Iran isn’t the only example. Couples dating across countries in parts of the Middle East, Africa, Russia, Asia, and other regions often face similar barriers — whether it’s app availability, payment systems, delivery services, or even internet access. Much of the advice online seems written for couples living in the same country or separated by a short flight, not for couples navigating international barriers or completely different digital ecosystems.
Instead of using the same delivery app, Vanessa and Mehrad simply used the services available in each other’s countries. Vanessa ordered his meal through Snapp Food, a popular delivery service in Iran, while Mehrad ordered Vanessa’s through Uber Eats.
There was also the challenge of time zones. Vanessa and Mehrad were 12 hours apart, which meant one person was eating breakfast while the other was eating dinner.
Below are the instructions for both types of long-distance couples: those who have access to the same delivery platforms and a special section for couples like Vanessa and Mehrad who may need to use different services in each country.
Instructions
Option 1: If you both have access to the same delivery apps
Pick a time that works for both of you; use a time zone converter if needed.
Choose a delivery platform you both have access to, such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, or another local service.
Secretly browse restaurants near your partner and pick a meal you think they’ll enjoy — or something funny, unexpected, or completely new for them.
Order the food to your partner’s address without telling them what you chose.
Once the food arrives, hop on a video call using Zoom, Google Meet, Discord, FaceTime, Microsoft Teams, or Skype.
Open the delivery together and reveal what you ordered for each other!
Option 2: If you don’t have access to the same delivery apps
Pick a time that works for both of you; use a time zone converter if needed.
Hop on a video call using Zoom, Google Meet, Discord, FaceTime, Microsoft Teams, or Skype.
Choose a delivery service available in each others country.
Secretly browse restaurants near your partner and choose a meal you think they’ll enjoy.
Note: If the website or delivery app is blocked in your country, you may need to ask your partner to screen share and remotely access their computer so you can place the order from their device.
To keep the surprise, turn off your camera or have your partner wear a blindfold while you place the order so they can’t see what you’re choosing.
Order the food to your partner’s address using the delivery platform available in their area.
Open the delivery together and reveal what you ordered for each other!
Elevate this date!
🍜 Order food from a cuisine your partner has never tried before.
🕵️ Before opening the bag, try to guess what your partner ordered.
🍣Pick the same type of cuisine — for example Indian, Japanese, Mexican, or Italian — and see how the dishes compare in each country.