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Best credit cards for restaurants of June 2023

Updated May 31, 2023

Everyone has to eat, so restaurant rewards are an easy way to squeeze extra value out of your credit cards. Fortunately, dining is one of the most popular bonus categories you’ll find. Whether your ideal card is designed for cash back or travel, restaurant rewards cards can serve up a ton of value.

This buffet of credit card offers has been curated to highlight the best rewards and perks on the market based on foodies’ key card criteria. To help you choose the optimal credit card, we’ll also walk you through how to apply the right dining card for your specialized expenses in order to maximize its potential rewards value and leverage any extra features it carries.

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BEST FOR REWARDS STRATEGISTS

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

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Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4 Bankrate review
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Intro offer

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Annual fee

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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Rating: 4.9 stars out of 5
4.9 Bankrate review
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Intro offer

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Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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Best for food and travel

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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Rating: 4.9 stars out of 5
4.9 Bankrate review
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Intro offer

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Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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BEST FOR DINING PERKS

American Express® Gold Card

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Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0 Bankrate review
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Annual fee

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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BEST FOR FINE DINING

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0 Bankrate review
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Annual fee

Recommended credit

Excellent (740 – 850)
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Comparing the top credit cards for restaurants

Card name Best for Card highlights Bankrate score
Citi Custom Cash Card Rewards strategists
  • 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle (can include restaurants), up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • No annual fee
4.4 / 5
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Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Dining + groceries
  • Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber and Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits (through Nov. 14, 2024)
  • 5% cash back on hotel stays and rental cars through Capital One Travel
  • 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)
  • No annual fee
4.9 / 5
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Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Travel
  • 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on Lyft purchases (Lyft offer through March 2025)
  • 3X points on dining, select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs)
  • 2X points on all other travel purchases
  • Over $50 in annual bonus bonus and credits: $50 back each year in hotel statement credits for purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, and 10% bonus points on the total spend in points from the previous year
  • One year of free DoorDash DashPass, six months of free Instacart+, and $10 monthly Gopuff statement credits. Plus, up to $10 of quarterly Instacart statement credits (through July 2024). Must activate DoorDash offer before December 2024. Gopuff offer through December 2023.
  • $95 annual fee
5 / 5
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American Express Gold Card Dining perks
  • 4X points at restaurants (including takeout and U.S. delivery services like Uber Eats) and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year, then 1X points)
  • 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or via American Express Travel
  • Up to $240 in annual dining-related credits each year: Up to $120 in dining credits annually (enrollment required) and up to $120 in Uber Cash toward U.S. Uber Eats orders and rides annually ($10 in Uber Cash per month, expiring at the end of the month)
  • $250 annual fee
5 / 5
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Chase Sapphire Reserve Fine dining
  • 10X points on prepaid Chase Dining purchases, hotel stays and car rentals through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on Lyft rides (Lyft offer through March 2025)
  • 5X points on airfare through Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • 3X points on general travel and restaurant purchases
  • Up to $300 in annual, automatic travel credits (Points on travel purchases only earned after this credit is used)
  • One year of free DoorDash DashPass and Instacart+, plus $10 monthly Gopuff statement credits. Plus, up to $15 of quarterly Instacart statement credits (through July 2024) and $5 of monthly DoorDash statement credits. Must activate DoorDash offer before December 2024. Gopuff offer through December 2023.
  • $550 annual fee
5 / 5
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U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card Fast food
  • 5% cash back on purchases in two choice categories (up to $2,000 in combined purchases per quarter, then 1%) — including fast food — and on prepaid air, hotel, and car reservations booked through the Rewards Center
  • 2% cash back on one choice everyday category, including dining and grocery stores
  • No annual fee
3.2 / 5
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Chase Freedom Unlimited Everyday spending
  • 5% cash back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on Lyft purchases (Lyft offer through March 2025)
  • 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases
  • 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
  • Three months of free DoorDash DashPass and Instacart+. Plus, 50% off the monthly DoorDash rate for the next nine months (activate before December 2024) afterward, and up to $10 of quarterly Instacart statement credits (through July 2024 when enrolled)
  • No annual fee
5 / 5
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U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card* Takeout and delivery
  • 4X points on dining (including takeout and restaurant delivery)
  • 2X points on grocery store (and grocery store delivery), gas station (including EV charging station) and streaming service purchases
  • $15 statement credit for select streaming services after 11 months of streaming credits
  • No annual fee
4.3 / 5
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A closer look at our top credit cards for dining

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Best for rewards strategists

Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

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You can earn the highest cash back rate available at restaurants for no annual fee, or automatically cover one of nine other popular categories if your spending habits change from one month to the next. This makes the Custom Cash a terrific card to supplement your earnings from a flat-rate card or another tiered rewards card. 
People who spend significantly in a single eligible category each billing cycle (such as dining) and have other cards that can earn rewards in their second- and third-largest spending categories. Since the card earns flexible ThankYou points, it’s also great for pairing with a Citi travel card.
If you like the idea of flexible bonus categories but want a card that covers more than just one category per billing cycle, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a solid choice. It allows you to choose a high-earning rewards category each calendar month — dining being just one of several options — and earns consistent cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, up to $2,500 in combined quarterly spending (then 1 percent back).
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Best for dining + groceries

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

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It offers one of the highest unlimited rewards rates at both restaurants and eligible grocery stores without paying an annual fee. Most competing cards offer bonus cash back on dining or groceries, not both, making the SavorOne one of the most practical and valuable standalone rewards cards.
Foodies who dine out and cook at home can benefit from this card’s generous rewards rate in both dining and grocery store purchases. Minimalists who want a simple way to earn and use rewards might also enjoy the card’s wide category coverage and automatic redemption options.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited may be a smart alternative if the SavorOne’s non-dining bonus categories don’t align with your biggest everyday categories. 
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Best for food and travel

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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Its rewards rate on dining and online grocery purchases makes it easy for foodies to rack up rewards on everyday spending. Meanwhile, your points are worth 25 percent more when you redeem for travel through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards portal, so they might take you further than points earned with an average mid-tier travel rewards card.
It’s a great fit for foodies looking for their first travel card. Not only does the card carry plenty of perks that help offset its annual fee, but you could save tons on food deliveries with valuable, limited-time delivery service perks for eligible DoorDash, Instacart and GoPuff orders.
Cardholders who don’t want to track purchases or juggle multiple cards and rewards categories may prefer the streamlined Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (if you’re after luxury perks), both of which offer a flat rewards rate of 2X miles on general purchases.
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Best for dining perks

American Express® Gold Card

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Along with top-tier rewards at both restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, you’ll enjoy a ton of value via foodie perks, including dining credits with certain U.S. merchants . These perks make it easy to offset the card’s annual fee and make the Amex Gold one of the best cards for delivery services.
Work-from-home employees and busy homebodies can make the most of the Amex Gold card’s rewards rates and perks. You can get close to justifying the cost of this card with an average restaurant budget, but the card’s dining and Uber Cash perks bring a ton of value for anyone who often orders takeout or needs to get out of the house for lunch.
Although you can offset it via rewards and perks, the card’s $250 annual fee may be a deal-breaker for frugal cardholders. Plus, you may not want to commit to redeeming rewards for travel instead of cash back. Consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which offers flexible rewards at a lower price point, or the Capital One SavorOne, which boasts a terrific rewards rate on dining and grocery store purchases with no annual fee.
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Best for fine dining

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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You can earn 10X points on prepaid Chase Dining purchases — perhaps the highest restaurant rewards rate available. Chase Dining is a niche offering, but your other dining purchases earn 3X points as well. You can also squeeze an additional 50 percent out of your points when you redeem for Ultimate Rewards travel.
Frequent travelers who value extravagance over practical value will be able to make the most of the Reserve card’s boosted earning rate for Chase Dining purchases. Although Chase’s benefit might point you toward pricey restaurants, the card’s elevated rewards rate can help offset the premium you pay for the finer restaurants included in Chase Dining.
It can be hard to consistently take advantage of the Chase Dining bonus category, so a lower-cost rewards card like the American Express Gold or the Chase Sapphire Preferred could offer better value overall.
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Best for fast food

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

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It carries one of the highest rewards rates out there in several popular spending categories, including fast food purchases. The card is a solid standalone rewards option since you can also earn unlimited 2 percent cash back on one everyday category, including grocery stores, restaurants or gas stations.
Fast food aficionados won’t find a better deal than this card’s fast food category. But cardholders who value flexibility will love having the option to change bonus categories based on their spending habits. 
If you visit traditional restaurants more than fast food restaurants you can bank more rewards from a card like the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card. This card also lets you choose your own bonus category, which you can change once per month instead of once per quarter.  And it features more popular everyday bonus categories than the Cash+, including gas, online shopping, dining and travel.
Read our U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature review or jump back to offer details.
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Best for everyday spending

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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It’s one of the only cards that offers both an unlimited 3 percent cash back rate on dining and more than 1 percent back on general purchases. Nearly all competing cards offer either elevated rewards in specific spending categories or a flat 1.5 percent to 2 percent back on all purchases, not both.
Anyone who holds a premium Chase travel card looking for an all-purpose rewards card with no annual fee. The card’s 1.5 percent rewards rate on general spending helps you maximize purchases outside of the categories available on other Chase cards. Plus, your points can be worth up to 50 percent more when you pair it with a premium Ultimate Rewards card and redeem for travel through Chase.
No-fuss cardholders who are more interested in the Freedom Unlimited card’s flat-rate rewards than its dining category may squeeze more value out of a flat-rate card versus a card with bonus categories. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is one of the most rewarding options out there thanks to its unlimited 2 percent cash rewards rate on purchases.
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Best for takeout and delivery

U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card

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Though it charges no annual fee, this card’s rewards rate on dining rivals the rate you’ll find on premium dining cards like the American Express Gold Card. Add in excellent rewards on streaming and groceries and you can have quite a rewarding night in — especially since paying for your eligible streaming services for 11 months straight could net you a $15 credit every year.
Anyone who prefers to hang at home and enjoy the convenience of restaurant and grocery store delivery. Note also that your points can’t be transferred to airline or hotel rewards programs, so this card is a better fit if you only travel occasionally or prefer to redeem rewards for cash back.
The Capital One SavorOne carries a higher cash back rate at grocery stores and on UberEats, so it may be a better option for Uber users and fans of simplicity, home cooks and families. And if you’re looking for truly flexible and valuable travel points, the Chase Sapphire Preferred also rewards generously for purchases in most of the categories you’ll find on the Altitude Go.

What are restaurant credit cards?

Restaurant credit cards reward cash back, points or miles on dining purchases. These purchases typically include those you make at restaurants or at fast food chains. Depending on the card, it may also include food delivery services or carry-out. Along with rewards, many restaurant credit cards provide perks and benefits for restaurant purchases. These bring added value to the card, even if the card’s regular rewards rate isn’t favorable to dining, restaurant or delivery purchases. 

How do dining rewards credit cards work?

Unlike some co-branded cards, dining rewards cards typically don’t require you to redeem rewards with a particular company (in this case, a particular restaurant). Instead, dining cards are simply general-purpose cash back or rewards credit cards with boosted rates for dining category purchases or perks.

For example, the American Express Gold card is a travel rewards card that appeals to restaurant-goers with its boosted rewards rate at restaurants, dining credits and up to $120 in annual Uber Cash for U.S. Uber and Uber Eats purchases (up to $10 each month).

Most dining rewards cards also offer rewards in other popular bonus categories, like groceries, gas or travel. Weighing how well each card’s rewards rates, benefits and fees fit with your spending habits is key to choosing the best restaurant credit card for you.

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Bankrate Insight

Rewards-savvy cardholders can investigate merchant category codes (MCCs) to see how card networks classify different types of purchases. This will determine whether a dining purchase earns bonus rewards. For example, some networks may not consider a meal at a food truck a restaurant purchase.

How much could you save on dining with a credit card for restaurants?

Dining in and taking out make up a big chunk of many cardholders’ everyday spending. If you aren’t using a card that offers bonus rewards on restaurant purchases, you may be leaving points or cashback on the table. For the most part you won’t save money with these cards, but you’ll earn some of your spending back.

Based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ most recent Consumer Expenditures Report, the average person spent $3,030 per year on food away from home in 2021. That was a drop compared to pre-pandemic spending, but the report notes that restaurant spending is on the rise. Based on pre-pandemic spending trends, we estimate the average cardholder may typically spend around $3,500 per year on dining (about $292 per month).

Even if you used a card that only earned 1 percent cash back on dining purchases (the standard minimum rewards rate), you’d earn $35 cash back per year with that spending amount. But the best cards for restaurants feature rates that can be substantially higher.

Check out these popular flat-rate and tiered bonus rewards cards to get a sense of how much you could earn on a $3,500 annual dining spend:

Card name Dining rewards rate and perks Estimated rewards earned, plus perk value
Basic cash back card (example) 1% cash back $35
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card 1.5% cash back on all purchases $52
Chase Freedom Unlimited 3% cash back on dining purchases $105
American Express Gold Card 4X points on restaurant and eligible takeout and delivery purchases, plus up to $120 per year in dining credits for eligible purchases and up to $120 per year in Uber Cash for U.S. orders (terms apply, enrollment required) Up to $380 ($140 earned via card spend if points are redeemed for travel through Amex Travel, plus up to $240 in annual value via dining-related credits)

Although rewards and benefits like these can be mouthwatering, it’s important to review your spending habits and consider how you’ll use your rewards before choosing a restaurant card. For example, a no-annual-fee cash back card may be a better fit for you than a pricey luxury travel card if you don’t usually spend enough to take full advantage of a slightly higher rewards rate or flashy perks.

Pros and cons of dining rewards cards

Pros

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    Earn additional rewards on one of the most popular everyday expenses most cardholders can take advantage of.

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    Dining bonus categories are easy to find across a range of cards — this bonus category is often found on cards focused on both travel and everyday spending rewards.

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    Dining rewards cards often come with perks and annual credits that can cover restaurant and delivery service purchases.

Cons

  • If you tend to cook at home more than dine out, a grocery rewards card can be much more lucrative.

  • Dining categories often exclude caterers and specialty eateries, including cheese and wine shops, farmer’s markets, fish markets, bakeries and restaurants within hotels, amusement parks, sports venues.

  • It may be hard to find a card that rewards certain categories in addition to dining, such as online shopping or transit, which could be inconvenient depending on your spending habits.

Who should get a restaurant credit card?

Since so many different types of cards offer rewards at restaurants, it may be difficult to tell whether a restaurant card specifically is worth a slot in your wallet. A dining credit card may be an especially valuable tool if you fall into one the following camps:

Restaurant regulars

Naturally, you’re most likely to reap the rewards of a dining card if you frequently go out to eat or order delivery. But you don’t have to be a die-hard restaurant patron to maximize a dining rewards card. 

Restaurant credit cards often earn rewards in additional everyday spending categories like grocery stores, and sometimes come with dining credits or other valuable perks. The restaurant category also usually isn’t as narrowly defined as some other popular categories like travel or grocery stores, so a dining card usually doesn’t require you to research merchant category codes to be sure you’ll earn rewards.

So even if you only eat out or order takeout occasionally, a dining card can help you to earn rewards on purchases you already make.

Foodies who travel

Several major rewards cards bundle dining rewards and perks with travel bonus categories since these purchases often go hand in hand. This means frequent travelers should have plenty of chances to earn rewards at restaurants and fuel future trips. 

Dining cards also often carry supplementary bonus categories like transit, gas and groceries, so they could also work well as standalone rewards cards that cover much of your everyday spending and get you closer to your next free trip.

Delivery service aficionados

If you frequently order delivery or use apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats, there’s a good chance you can earn rewards on those purchases with a dining credit card. Depending on the card, you might also enjoy a complimentary delivery service subscription or even statement credits to cover some of your orders. However, it’s worth checking your card’s terms to ensure your favorite delivery service is eligible for rewards.

Should you get a restaurant credit card?

Although restaurant credit cards often earn rewards in multiple bonus categories — not just dining — they may not be the best choice if you rarely eat out. After all, these cards tend to feature dining as their top-earning rewards category.

If you prefer home-cooked meals, you might want to consider a grocery store credit card instead, since those cards will offer the highest rewards rates on groceries. Or if you’d rather not juggle multiple cards and track spending or bonus categories, a flat-rate cash back card may make more sense (and could even net you more earnings overall if you only eat out occasionally).

No matter what card you choose, make sure that its rewards rates line up with your biggest spending categories and cover the places where you shop the most.

How we chose our best credit cards for restaurants

All credit cards from our partners are rated with a 5-star scoring system. Singling out the best restaurant cards means focusing our evaluation on key ingredients that distinguish cards in this category, such as:
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    Rewards value
    Since many restaurant credit cards are cash back or travel cards with varying rewards value, both a high rewards rate and redemption value are necessary to stand out. Top competitors provide at least 3 cents back in rewards per dollar spent on dining purchases, although extra food-related bonus categories like groceries and dining delivery services give cards an edge.
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    Easy, everyday usability
    Excellent restaurant cards should fit into a variety of reward strategies. Our other ideal factors include broad bonus category coverage, diverse reward options and a simple redemption process. Comprehensive coverage is key, so we favor dining categories that also cover café, bar, dining delivery service and specialty food merchant purchases.
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    Welcome offers and ongoing perks
    Like our leading rewards and travel cards, the best options deliver valuable, reasonably accessible welcome bonuses. Strong additional benefits — especially dining credits and similar features — that build notable ongoing value cement our picks as well.
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    Low fees
    The mark of a quality restaurant credit card is unobtrusive rates and fees. Although no annual fee is stellar, a solid premium card’s annual fee should be easily justified and offset with its premier rewards and perks. Intro APR periods, no foreign transaction fees and a low ongoing APR also inform our choices.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

Frequently asked questions about restaurant credit cards