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Dining out, including takeout and delivery services, remains one of the most common credit card bonus categories. Some of the best credit cards for restaurants earn extra points on food and even offer statement credits to help you save on orders from food delivery subscription services.
Here are the best credit cards for restaurants and dining out that can help you maximize rewards when you try a new restaurant, grab lunch or order delivery.
4 Partner Offers
| Our Picks for the Best Cards for Restaurants | |
|---|---|
 Chase Sapphire Reserve® | 10 points per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals and 5 points per dollar spent on flights when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards (after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually) 3 points per dollar spent on other travel and dining purchases 1 point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases |
 Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards 3 points per dollar on dining 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases 1 point on everything else |
 Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card | 3% cash back each quarter in the available category of your choice, now with expanded categories 2% cash back each quarter at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases; then earn 1% cash back) 1% cash back on all other purchases |
 American Express® Gold Card | 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and on up to $25,000 in purchases each year at U.S. supermarkets; then 1 point per dollar 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com 1 point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases; terms apply |
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Though the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card has always offered bonus points on restaurant spending, recent partnerships have made it even more valuable to people who carry this card.
The card earns 10 points per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals and 5 points per dollar spent on flights when you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards (after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually). You'll also earn 3 points per dollar spent on other travel and 3 points per dollar spent on dining purchases, including takeout and eligible delivery services. You'll earn 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. The card's $300 travel credit reimburses you for travel purchases up to that amount each account anniversary year.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is currently offering new applicants 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's equivalent to $900 in travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Its annual fee is $550.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
APR
22.49%-29.49% Variable
Intro APR
Rewards
Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
5x Points on Flights Purchased Through Chase
3x Points on Dining
3x Points on Other Travel
1x Points on All Other Purchases
Intro Bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Annual Fee
$550
Card Details
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
- Member FDIC
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
This card earns 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3 points per dollar on dining, 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases and 1 point on everything else.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is currently offering new cardholders 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months—worth up to $750 in travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Its annual fee is $95.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
APR
21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Intro APR
Rewards
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
3x Points on Dining
2x Points on Other Travel
1x Points on All Other Purchases
Intro Bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Annual Fee
$95
Card Details
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
- Member FDIC
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card has no annual fee and offers a unique cash back program tailored to your spending. You earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, which might include dining, gas, online shopping, travel, drug stores or home improvement/furnishings.
Additionally, you earn 2% cash back each quarter at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases; then earn 1% cash back) and an unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Bank of America Preferred Rewards Program members can earn 25% to 75% more cash back on every purchase depending on your tier in the program.
American Express® Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card is one of the best rewards cards for restaurant spending thanks to the rewards program and annual statement credit offers. You earn 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide, plus many takeout and delivery services in the U.S. You also earn 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar); 3 points per dollar for flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com; and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.
You can link this card with your Uber account to receive up to $10 in Uber Cash each month for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. You're also eligible for up to $10 in monthly statement credits for purchases at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations (enrollment is required). Add that and the Uber Cash perk together, and you're looking at up to $240 per year in savings, which goes a long way toward offsetting the card's $250 annual fee. Terms apply.
You may be matched with this and other cards at Experian CreditMatch™
Do Bars And Coffee Shops Count as Restaurants?
The terms "dining" and "restaurant" can be a bit confusing when it comes to credit card categories. That's good news for consumers, though, since many credit cards that offer these bonus categories actually extend them to merchants beyond what you might think are included.
For instance, Chase categorizes "Dining/Restaurants" as merchants whose primary business is sit-down or eat-in dining, including fine-dining establishments as well as fast food restaurants. But you'll also find that many delivery services, including Grubhub, are counted in the dining category, as are some coffee shops and many bars. Those merchants that sell food within other facilities such as sports stadiums, theme parks or hotels are usually not included.
For its part, American Express divides restaurants into U.S. and global groupings, and excludes those that are located within other businesses such as hotels, casinos and event venues, as well as bars, nightclubs, cafeterias, caterers, theatre clubs, breweries, bakeries and meeting venues. Still, many purchases you may think fall into these categories are in fact coded as restaurant charges and thus earn bonus points. Terms apply.
Credit card issuers depend on merchants to categorize themselves for the most part, so if a café or bar lists itself as a restaurant, that's how the charge will earn points.
Are There Limits to Rewards Earned?
Some credit cards limit the number of bonus rewards you can earn in certain categories. Before you commit to a specific card for your dining buys, double-check the terms and benefits. That way, you can ensure your earning potential is not capped, or that you can at least maximize your rewards by spending up to any dollar ceilings there might be.
What Credit Score Do I Need for a Restaurant Rewards Card?
While some rewards credit cards are targeted to customers who are just getting started with credit or looking to build their credit history, the best credit cards for restaurants tend to be geared toward folks with good to excellent credit. That usually means you have a long history of paying off your bills responsibly and on time, and carry little to no debt.
Before applying for a credit card, get a free copy of your credit report and score from Experian so you will know what issuers see when they receive your application and whether it's worth applying for a certain card. You can also check out Experian CreditMatch™ for credit card offers that suit your needs.
Some of the best rewards credit cards include restaurants and dining among their bonus categories. By using such a card for your dine-in, takeout and delivery purchases, you can rack up extra rewards like points or cash much faster than with other everyday expenses. Just be sure you do so responsibly—and maximize any other perks the card might offer.