Nothing makes a house feel like home more than small-batch meals and a fully stocked pantry. Thanks to recent partnerships with companies in the meal kit and grocery-delivery spaces, Airbnb is testing pilot programs to bring both of those luxuries to short- and long-term rental units.
Airbnb, a San Francisco-based online homestay marketplace in its 17th year of operation, represents a promising market of hungry consumers for businesses looking to satisfy their cravings. According to the company’s website, the platform boasts more than eight million active listings and over two billion total guests as of last fall.
CookUnity partnership delivers chef-prepared meals to guests
Last May, Airbnb CEO and co-founder Brian Chesky announced the introduction of Airbnb Services during a speech in front of a Los Angeles crowd. The feature launched in select cities, offering guests new ways to make their stays special.
According to a December 2025 press release from Airbnb, consumers often choose hotels based on the availability of services, such as room service, gym access, etc. The new Services feature brings similar attractions and more to Airbnb rentals, including chefs, prepared meals and catering services.
One of the new offerings through Airbnb Services is an option for guests to reserve meals crafted by award-winning chefs, such as Esther Choi, Cat Cora and Luda Lefebvre, courtesy of a partnership with chef-to-consumer marketplace CookUnity.
Beginning Jan. 21, U.S. consumers in 22 states and the District of Columbia can order bundles of three to six prepared meals through Airbnb Services, starting at $15 per meal. All meals are prepared directly by chefs and their teams in small batches, ready to eat in minutes, according to a CookUnity press release.
“Our new partnership with CookUnity fits perfectly into the ethos of Airbnb Services – offering guests more convenience, comfort and value during their travels,” Dave Stephenson, Airbnb’s chief business officer, said in a press release. “We’re excited to bring CookUnity’s expertise in high-quality, reliably-delivered meals directly into the Airbnb app, making it easier for guests to enjoy fresh, ready-to-heat gourmet meals during their stay or even at home.”
CookUnity-friendly listings will continue to expand across U.S. and Canadian cities throughout 2026.
Instacart partnership incentivizes “kitchen stocking”
Beginning Jan. 5, Airbnb and grocery delivery platform Instacart launched a pilot program that allows guests to remotely stock their pantries with desired items before they arrive for their stay.
Following a brief early testing phase last November, the kitchen stocking pilot launched less than a week into 2026 and runs until April 4, according to information on Airbnb’s website. The pilot cities include Phoenix, Arizona; Orlando, Florida; and Los Angeles, California.
The program provides rewards to incentivize participation among Airbnb hosts. Hosts must have qualifying listings in the above-mentioned communities with rental availability during the testing or pilot periods. Participation is by invitation only, and hosts must opt in.
Once a host opts in, guests may place Instacart orders through Airbnb. Hosts receive notifications when orders are placed. Then they schedule ideal delivery times, receive the groceries, organize the items at the rental unit, and remove packaging before guests arrive.
“The Kitchen Stocking Incentive” offers $100 after a host’s first kitchen stocking order is completed, plus an additional $25 for each order. Such hosts also receive three complimentary months of Instacart+, a membership program priced at $10 per month that offers exclusive benefits, including $0 delivery fees on eligible orders.
