7 Best Credit Cards for Restaurants and Dining

Do you love food? Then your credit card should, too. Whether you like to try new restaurants every weekend or just want to earn some cash back on your grocery bill, the right dining credit card can help you get rewarded every time you grub. We’ve outlined our picks for the best credit cards for restaurants.

Many of the cards below require good to excellent credit. Need help boosting your score? Check out MoneyLion Credit Builder Plus: A membership dedicated to helping you build credit health. Proven to help more than half of our members raise their score by up to 27 points within the first 60 days!*.

• Best for restaurants and daily spending: Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card

• Best for groceries: American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card

• Best for bonus points: US Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card

• Best for low spenders: Citi Custom Cash® Card

• Best with an annual fee: American Express® Gold Card

• Best for flexible rewards: Citi Double Cash® Credit Card

• Best for no foreign transaction fees: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card

Key Takeaways

• Match the card to your spending habits. The best dining card depends on where you eat most — pick the Chase Freedom Unlimited® for everyday dining and drugstores, the American Express® Blue Cash Preferred for groceries or the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go for bonus points on takeout and delivery.

• Watch the fees and weigh the perks. No-annual-fee cards like the Citi® Custom Cash and Citi® Double Cash keep things simple, while premium picks like the American Express® Gold Card charge $325 but offer over $500 in annual statement credits to offset it.

• Decide fast by running the numbers. Estimate your monthly dining and grocery spend, then choose a card whose rewards rate and welcome bonus clearly beat the annual fee — and grab one with no foreign transaction fees if you eat out abroad.

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

1. Best for Restaurants and Daily Spending: Chase Freedom Unlimited

Looking for a card that packs a punch at restaurants, but also doubles as a daily swiper? The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a solid option that offers 3% cash back on dining and drugstores, plus a flat 1.5% back on all other purchases with no annual fee.

This Chase card also comes with plenty of built-in benefits and protections, including auto rental insurance, travel and emergency assistance, trip interruption insurance, and more. Plus, new cardholders will enjoy a 0% intro annual percentage rate (APR) on both balance transfers and purchases for 15 months (then 18.24%–27.74% variable).

• Bonus offer: Earn a $200 bonus when you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening your account.

• Cash advance fee: $10 or 5%, whichever is higher

• Annual fee: None

• Balance transfer fee: $5 or 3% (whichever is higher) for the first 60 days. After that, $5 or 5% of the transfer.

• Regular APR: 18.24% to 27.74%

• Rewards rate: Minimum 1.5% cash back on all purchases

2. Best for Groceries: American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card

The American Express Blue Cash Preferred® is a great option if you do most of your dining at home. This card offers an impressive 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) with no annual fee for the first year. 

In addition to its grocery rewards, you’ll earn 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions and 3% on transit and U.S. gas stations, plus 1% on everything else. As an Amex cardholder, you’ll also enjoy a range of included benefits like car rental insurance, a 24/7 global assist hotline when traveling, and up to $120 in annual credit for Disney+. Finally, new cardholders get a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months (then 19.49% to 28.49% variable).

Bonus offer: You may be eligible for as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.

Cash advance fee: $10 or 5%, whichever is higher

Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $95

Balance transfer fee: $5 or 3%, whichever is higher

Regular APR: 19.49% to 28.49%

Rewards rate: Minimum 1% cash back on eligible purchases

3. Best for Bonus Dining Points: US Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card

Looking for a card that dishes out bonus points for all food spending? The US Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature Card is likely your best choice. This card offers 4X points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery on your first $2,000 each quarter (then 1x), with no annual fee.

It also offers 2X points at grocery stores, gas stations/EV charging stations, and on streaming platforms. Plus, 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. Finally, new cardholders enjoy a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles (then 17.49% to 27.49% variable).

• Bonus offer: Earn 20,000 points when you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days

• Cash advance fee: $10 or 5%, whichever is higher

• Annual fee: None

• Balance transfer fee: $5 or 5%, whichever is higher

• Regular APR: 17.49-27.49%

• Rewards rate: Minimum 1 point per $1 spent

4. Best for Low Spenders: Citi Custom Cash Card

The Citi Custom Cash® Card is a great option for people who want to earn solid rewards without breaking the bank by eating out all the time. This card offers 5% back in your top eligible spending category each month, up to $500. So if you spend just $500 dining out or on groceries each month, then you’ll earn at least $25 in cash back. After you hit the $500 limit, you’ll continue to earn 1% back on all purchases.

This card is a great option for people who want to maximize their cash back while keeping their spending modest. Plus, there’s no annual fee, and new cardholders get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months (then 17.49% - 27.49% variable).

• Bonus offer: Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

• Cash advance fee: $10 or 5%, whichever is higher

• Annual fee: None

• Balance transfer fee: $5 or 5%, whichever is higher

• Regular APR: 17.49% to 27.49%

• Rewards rate: Minimum 1 point per $1 spent

5. Best With an Annual Fee: American Express Gold Card

For $325 annually, this card offers 4X points at restaurants (up to $50,000 per year, then 1X), 4X at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1X), 5X on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel®, 3X on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, 2X on prepaid car rentals and cruises booked through Amex Travel, and 1X on everything else.

The Amex Gold Express also serves up over $500 in annual statement credits, which can help offset the annual fee. These credits include:

• Up to $120 in Uber Cash 

• Up to $100 for Resy 

• Up to $84 for Dunkin’

• Up to $120 for eligible dining purchases

Plus, you’ll enjoy all the perks of being an Amex cardholder, which include car rental insurance, a 24/7 global assist hotline when traveling, baggage insurance, and no foreign transaction fees.

• Bonus offer: You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

• Cash advance fee: $10 or 5%, whichever is higher

• Annual fee: $325

• Regular APR: For Pay Over Time, 19.49% to 28.49%

• Rewards rate: Minimum 1 point per $1 spent

6. Best for Flexible Rewards: Citi Double Cash Credit Card

The Citi Double Cash® Credit Card offers an unlimited flat 2% cash back: 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay. This makes it a great option for people looking for a strong all-around rewards program. You’ll earn 2% on restaurants and dining, but will also enjoy 2% on bills and all other expenses.

The Citi Double Cash card also has no annual fee, and new cardholders enjoy a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for the first 18 months (then 17.49% - 27.49% variable).

• Bonus offer: Earn $200 when you spend $1,500 in 6 months

• Cash advance fee: $10 or 5%, whichever is higher

• Annual fee: None

• Balance transfer fee: $5 or 3% (whichever is higher) for 4 months, then $5 or 5%

• Regular APR: 17.49% - 27.49%

• Rewards rate: 2% cash back on all purchases

7. Best for No Foreign Transaction Fees: Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

Looking for the best dining card, both domestically and internationally? You’ll want to consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card. This card offers 3X points on dining, online groceries, eligible delivery services, and select streaming services. Plus, 5X on Chase Travel℠ expenses and 1X on all other purchases, all with no foreign transaction fees.

You’ll also enjoy complimentary DashPass, which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees (a value of $120 annually, activation required by Dec. 31, 2027). Plus, as a Chase cardholder, you’ll get tons of included protections like auto rental insurance, travel and emergency assistance, trip interruption insurance, and lost luggage insurance. However, just be prepared for the $95 annual fee.

Bonus offer: Earn 75,000 points when you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months

• Annual fee: $95

• Regular APR: 19.24%–27.49%

• Cash advance fee: $10 or 5%, whichever is higher

• Balance transfer fee: $5 or 5%, whichever is higher

• Rewards rate: Minimum 1 point per $1 spent

How Do Restaurants and Dining Credit Cards Work?

You eat. You swipe. You get rewarded. That’s the beauty of restaurant and dining credit cards. 

These rewards can come in all shapes and sizes, including cash back, points, miles or a statement credit that you can spend on food. It all depends on the card.

The rewards structure can also vary, with some cards offering a flat rate on all dining (like 3% cash back), while others offer boosted rewards for spending on specific categories like grocery stores, restaurants, or delivery apps. Restaurant and dining credit cards can offer a great way to get rewarded for one of life’s most essential expenses. 

👉 Ultimate Guide on How Credit Cards Work

How To Choose Credit Cards for Restaurants and Dining

There’s a lot to consider when trying to select the best dining credit card. Here are a few of the main perks to keep in mind

1. Higher cash back or points on dining purchases: Look for cards that offer higher cash back or points on dining, when compared to other categories. For example, some cards might offer 1% cash back on most purchases, but 3% back on dining.

2. No foreign transaction fees if you dine internationally: It’s common for credit cards to charge a foreign transaction fee of between 1-3% to swipe overseas. If you dine internationally often, then you’ll want to look for a card that waives this fee. 

3. Special dining perks like reservations or statement credits: Some cards will offer unique perks like a statement credit to spend on dining each month or special access to reservations.

4. Annual fees that you can offset with your typical dining spend: Be sure to check if your card charges an annual fee. If it does, it’s usually a good idea to crunch the numbers and see how much you have to spend to offset the fee. 

5. Welcome bonuses that focus on dining spending: It’s common for cards to offer a bonus if you spend a certain amount after opening a card. 

6. Flexible redemption options: It’s also worth considering how your card will reward you, whether it’s cash back, redeemable points, gift cards, or something else.

What’s the Best Dining Credit Card? It Depends What You Like!

Choosing the best dining credit card is a bit like choosing the “best” type of food – it all depends on your preferences! 

What matters the most is to pick a card that aligns with your spending habits and rewards you appropriately, whether that’s with simple cash back, bonus points, or something else. From no-annual-fee options to premium picks with fancy perks, there’s a card on this list that’ll help you feed your wallet while you feed yourself. 

FAQs 

What credit card offers the best dining rewards?

A few of the best credit cards for restaurants and dining include the Chase Unlimited Freedom (one of best for restaurants and daily spending), American Express Blue Cash Preferred (one of the best for groceries), and US Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature (one of the best for bonus dining points).

Are there credit cards that offer discounts at restaurants?

Many credit cards offer discounts and perks at restaurants, usually in the form of cash back, points, or credits. However, cards that offer a direct discount on your restaurant bill are rare.

How do credit cards reward dining purchases?

Just swipe your card at a restaurant, grocery store, or food delivery, and you’ll automatically earn cash back, points, or miles (depending on the card). Eat, earn, repeat.

Do credit cards with dining rewards have annual fees?

There are plenty of credit cards that offer dining rewards with no annual fee. However, cards that offer premium rewards usually come with an annual fee.

Key Terms

1. Annual percentage rate (APR): The yearly cost of borrowing on a credit card, shown as a %. It helps you compare cards and estimate interest charges if you carry a balance.

2. Cash back: A credit card reward that returns part of what you spend. You usually redeem it as a statement credit, direct deposit or check.

3. Annual fee: A yearly charge for having a credit card. Some cards offset it with richer rewards, credits or added benefits.

4. Balance transfer: Moving debt from one credit card to another, often to save on interest. Many balance transfers come with a fee.

5. Credit score: A number that predicts how likely you are to repay debt on time. Lenders use it to decide approval odds, rates and terms.

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors