Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about finding home-cooked tiffin meals, listing your dabba service, staying safe, and getting the most out of DabbaMap. Can't find your answer? Email us at passionprojects.zu@gmail.com.

What is DabbaMap?

DabbaMap is a free, crowdsourced directory that helps people discover home cooks and tiffin (dabba) providers near them. It is a discovery platform, not a food delivery app — we simply help home cooks get found and help meal-seekers find real, home-cooked food in their neighbourhood. There are no commissions and no platform fees.

How do I find a tiffin service near me?

Open the Discover page or the map on the home page. You can search by area or pincode, and filter by food type (veg, non-veg, Jain, diet), cuisine, meal (lunch or dinner), and maximum price. Each listing shows the provider's area, prices, cuisine, and a short description. You can also sort listings by distance from your pincode to find the closest cooks first.

Do I need an account to browse?

No. Anyone can browse the full directory, view profiles, and see prices without signing up. You only need a free account if you want to send a message to a provider or list your own dabba — this keeps conversations tied to you across devices.

Is DabbaMap free?

Yes, completely. Browsing is free, listing your dabba is free, and we take zero commission on any arrangement between a cook and a customer. The site is supported by advertising, not by fees.

How do I contact a provider?

Open any listing's profile and use the "Send Message" option. Your enquiry is delivered to the provider through the platform, and they can reply — all without exchanging phone numbers until you both choose to. You'll need to be logged in so your messages reach the provider on any device.

Is the home food safe to eat?

Home-cooked food can be wonderful, but DabbaMap does not inspect kitchens or certify providers. We strongly recommend you order a trial meal first, ask about hygiene and ingredients, confirm any allergies, and use your own judgement before committing to a monthly plan. See our detailed guide to ordering tiffin safely.

How much does a tiffin usually cost?

Prices vary by city, area, cuisine, and meal type. Across most Indian cities, a single home-cooked meal typically ranges from about ₹60 to ₹130, and monthly subscription plans often fall between ₹1,400 and ₹3,200. You can filter listings by maximum price to match your budget.

Can I get a trial meal before subscribing?

Many providers offer trial meals, and listings indicate when this is available. A trial is the best way to judge taste, portion size, and reliability before committing to a monthly plan. We always recommend trying before subscribing.

How do I list my dabba?

Click List My Dabba, create a free account, and fill out the short form — your provider name, area, the food you cook, prices, and a description. Pin your location on the map so customers can find you. Your listing goes live immediately and appears on the map and in search results.

Do customers see my phone number?

No. Customers contact you through our anonymous messaging system. Your personal contact details are only shared when you choose to share them in a conversation. This protects your privacy while you decide who to deal with.

How do I manage enquiries?

Your Dashboard shows every enquiry for your listings, with a notification badge when you have unread messages. You can reply directly from there, and replies sync across all your devices.

Which cities is DabbaMap available in?

DabbaMap is a pan-India directory — you can search for home cooks and list your dabba anywhere in the country by your area or pincode. The directory grows as more cooks and customers join, so listing early helps build it up in your city.

How do I reset my password?

On the login screen, click "Forgot password", enter your registered email, and we'll email you a secure reset link. Open the link and choose a new password. For security, passwords can only be reset by email.

How is my data handled?

We collect only what's needed to run the directory — your account details, your listings, and your messages. Public listing details are visible to everyone (that's the point of a directory), but your email and password are never shown publicly. Read the full details in our Privacy Policy.

Is DabbaMap a delivery service?

No. DabbaMap does not cook, deliver, or handle payments. We connect you with independent home cooks; everything after that — trials, pricing, delivery or pickup, and payment — is arranged directly between you and the provider.

Does DabbaMap charge any commission?

No. DabbaMap does not take any commission from home cooks or charge customers any platform fee. Every rupee paid for a meal goes entirely to the cook. We keep the platform free by showing advertising on the site. This model means cooks keep more of what they earn, and customers pay only for the food.

How do I pay for a tiffin subscription?

Payment is arranged directly between you and the cook — DabbaMap handles no money. Most home cooks in India accept payment via UPI (GPay, PhonePe, Paytm) at the beginning of the month. Some accept cash. For your first orders, paying per meal or for a short period before committing to a full monthly plan is a sensible approach. Confirm the payment method with the cook before you start.

Can I pause my subscription if I travel?

This depends entirely on the individual cook — DabbaMap has no system-level subscription management. Many established home cooks allow subscribers to pause for a week or two if given advance notice, because a steady subscriber returning is more valuable to them than a one-time higher payment. Always ask about pause terms when you start the arrangement, not after you need to use it. Get the answer in writing through the chat so it's documented.

What if the food quality drops after I've subscribed?

Quality changes are the most common reason subscribers switch providers. If you notice a dip — smaller portions, less freshness, or taste inconsistency — raise it directly with the cook first. Many issues are temporary (a different vegetable batch, a busy week) and a good cook will appreciate honest feedback. If quality doesn't recover after you've flagged it, you're not obligated to continue. Most monthly arrangements do not require formal advance notice, but a few days' heads-up is considerate. You can always find another provider on DabbaMap.

What if a cook doesn't show up on a day?

Home cooks occasionally miss a day — illness, a family event, or a supply issue. A reliable cook will inform you in advance through WhatsApp, ideally the night before or early morning. For a missed day, most cooks either adjust the next month's payment, make up the meal on another day, or deliver two meals on the next day. Sort this out in your first conversation, before you start subscribing: ask "what happens if you can't cook one day?" It tells you a lot about how organised the cook is.

Are there options for people with food allergies?

Many home cooks can accommodate common allergies — nut-free, dairy-free, gluten-reduced — if you inform them clearly before ordering. The important thing is to communicate your allergy in writing through the DabbaMap messaging system before any trial or subscription, so there's a record. Never assume a cook has automatically accounted for an allergy; always confirm explicitly. If a cook seems uncertain or dismissive about your allergy concern, that's a signal to try a different provider.

Can I find Jain tiffin on DabbaMap?

Yes. Many home cooks on DabbaMap offer strictly Jain food — no onion, no garlic, no root vegetables (potato, carrot, beetroot, etc.). You can filter listings by "Jain" on the Discover page. When messaging a Jain cook, confirm exactly which root vegetables they exclude, as interpretations vary: some include no turnips, yam, or radish; others apply a broader or stricter list depending on their tradition. If you follow a specific Jain sampraday's guidelines, mention it to the cook directly.

Is there tiffin available for people on a weight-loss or fitness diet?

Yes. Some cooks on DabbaMap specifically offer "diet tiffin" — meals with lower oil, controlled portions, high-protein options (more dal, eggs, or chicken), and reduced refined carbs. These listings are marked with a Diet filter. When you contact a diet-focused cook, be specific about your goals: calorie target, macros you care about, any foods you avoid. A good home cook who understands this market will ask you the right questions and can often customise portions and ingredients to a degree that no restaurant can match.

Can I get a tiffin that avoids a specific vegetable or ingredient?

Most home cooks can accommodate one or two regular exclusions — no brinjal, no bitter gourd, no garlic — if you mention it upfront and the request is simple. More complex customisations (multiple exclusions, strict macro requirements) depend on the specific cook and how many subscribers they have. The smaller the cook's subscriber base, the more flexibility they typically have. Ask before you start, not after.

I just moved to a new city. How do I find a tiffin quickly?

Open DabbaMap's map on the homepage and search your new pincode or area name. You'll see all the home cooks within a few kilometres. Sort by distance to find the closest ones first. Message two or three at once, ask about trial meals, and taste-test before you commit. Most people settle into a reliable tiffin within their first week. Our newcomer's guide to eating well in a new city has a full step-by-step approach.

Can I find tiffin for hostel or PG accommodation?

Yes. Home cooks who deliver to PGs and hostels are some of the most common listings on DabbaMap, particularly in cities with large student populations. When you search your area, check whether the cook's description mentions hostel delivery or PG subscribers — many do specifically. Delivery to a PG building often means the cook already knows the area and has an existing route, which makes your delivery more reliable. Confirm the exact delivery point (main gate, specific floor, etc.) before you start.

Is tiffin available on weekends and holidays?

This varies by cook. Many home cooks take Sundays off and cook Monday–Saturday. Some offer Sunday service at the same or slightly higher price. Festival days are handled differently by each cook — some continue, some take a day or two off and inform subscribers in advance. Always ask about the weekly schedule and how festival breaks are handled when you first contact a provider. If uninterrupted seven-day coverage is important to you, filter for cooks who specifically advertise it.

How do I know a listing is genuine?

DabbaMap does not verify listings in advance — we are a discovery directory. However, the best signal of a genuine, active cook is a detailed, specific listing description. Cooks who describe exactly what they cook, mention their cuisine style, give a price range, and write about their cooking approach are almost always real. Vague or one-line listings deserve more scrutiny. Always start with a trial meal — it takes all the risk out of evaluation, and any genuine cook is comfortable with this.

Can I report a listing that seems suspicious?

Yes. If you encounter a listing that seems fraudulent, misleading, or violates our guidelines, please email us at passionprojects.zu@gmail.com with the listing name and your concern. We review all reports and remove listings that violate our community standards. We do not tolerate fake listings, misleading price claims, or abuse of the messaging system.

Does DabbaMap have ratings or reviews?

DabbaMap currently does not have a formal ratings or reviews system. This is a deliberate choice for the current stage of the platform — structured reviews can be gamed, and in a community directory like this, the word-of-mouth signal from your neighbourhood is often more reliable than a star average. We may introduce verified reviews in a future version. For now, the best "review" is a trial meal and a direct conversation with the cook.