Best dining credit cards of September 2024
If you’re a foodie who spends a lot of time dining out, you should use one of our picks for the best dining credit cards to maximize your rewards and score other great benefits such as access to hard-to-get reservations and more.
Some cards not only offer generous cash back and rewards points on dining out but also have you covered when you order takeout and delivery when you’re short on time or not up to cooking. Plus, some of the options on this list also double as great entertainment and travel cards, too, making it even easier to quickly rack up rewards.
- American Express? Gold Card: Best for the well-traveled foodie
- Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card: Best for beginners
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for foodies with no annual fee
- American Express? Green Card: Best for Best mid-tier card for lounge access
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass? Card: Best for Hilton loyalists
- Chase Sapphire Reserve?: Best for premium travel rewards for value
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards? points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards? points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards? points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards? points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards? point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
No other card can match the Amex Gold’s powerful rewards rate, earning higher bonus points on restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and travel. Read our full review of the American Express Gold Card.
Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x) and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of card membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases (up to $100) within the first six months of card membership.
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards? Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
- Get the American Express? Gold Card in either the Gold, Rose Gold or Limited-Edition White Gold metal design. White Gold design is only available while supplies last.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards? points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards? points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards? points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards? points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards? point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express? Gold Card at Dunkin' locations.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express? Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express? Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
| 5x | 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel?. |
| 3x | 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries. |
| 2x | 2x on all other travel purchases. |
| 1x | 1x on all other purchases. |
Year after year, the Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card wins at the TPG Awards for Best Travel Rewards Card. In exchange for a $95 annual fee, you’ll gain access to the incredible Ultimate Rewards program — unleashing tons of potential value for award travel. Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
Pros
- Earn multiple points per dollar on things like travel and dining
- The current welcome bonus on this card is quite generous. TPG values it at $1,230
- Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage reimbursement
Cons
- The card comes with a $95 annual fee
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy bene?ts such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel?, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel?. 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, 2027.
- Member FDIC
| 8% | 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases |
| 5% | 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply) |
| 3% | 3% Cash Back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart? and Target?) |
| 1% | 1% Cash Back on all other purchases |
With this card, you can maximize your purchases on four popular categories from dining, entertainment, popular streaming services to grocery stores. Read our full review of the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card.
Pros
- Earning 3% back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores, like Walmart and Target) is a great return for a no-annual-fee credit card
- This card is great for beginners
- The intro APR offer that comes with this card makes it a solid choice for those looking to finance a large purchase. You’ll get 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 15 months (19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after, there's a 3% balance transfer fee for the first 15 months or at the promotional APR offered at any other time. No fee for amounts transferred at the Transfer APR)
Cons
- If you spend a lot on dining and entertainment each year, there are cards that provide better value with higher rewards potential
- The sign-up bonus isn’t anything to write home about (though it is easy to earn)
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart? and Target?), plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
American Express? Green Card**The information about the American Express? Green Card has been collected independently by www.2hotmovs.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards? points on travel including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards? Points on transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards? points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards? points on all other purchases. |
Pros
- Decent earning rates across popular spend categories
- Annual Clear Plus credit
- Annual LoungeBuddy credit
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- $150 annual fee
- May not offer much value if you’re not a frequent traveler
The American Express? Green Card is packed with value for the frequent jet setter who will maximize the travel credits and related perks that come with it. In addition to earning valuable Amex Membership Rewards points on purchases such as transit, flights, hotels and vacation rentals, this card offers a nice starter stash of points in the form of an attainable welcome bonus.
| 12X | Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio. |
| 6X | Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card. |
If you’re looking to become a loyal Hilton guest and want a way to quickly achieve Hilton Gold status, consider applying for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card that gives you complimentary status. Read our full review of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card.
Pros
- 12x points on eligible Hilton purchases, 6x at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, 4x on U.S. online retail purchases 3x on all other eligible purchases
- Hilton Honors Gold status with an upgrade to Diamond by spending $40,000 in a calendar year
Cons
- No chart to redeem points at Hilton properties
- Ties you to Hilton properties
- Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass? Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025.
- Get up to $200 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases after you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass? Card.
- Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
- Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
- Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
- Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors ? Gold Status with your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass? Card.
- Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors? Diamond Status through the end of the next calendar year.
- Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental? Emerald Club Executive? status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club? program is required. Terms apply.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $150 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
| 10x | Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel?. |
| 5x | Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel?. |
| 3x | Earn 3x points on other travel and dining. |
| 1x | Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. |
The Chase Sapphire Reserve? is a no-brainer card for those who are looking to up their reward earnings to the highest level. Chase Ultimate Rewards are one of the most valuable points currencies. Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Pros
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year
- Access to Chase Travel hotel and airline travel partners
- Unlimited 3x points on the broad category of travel and dining
- 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel?
- Broad definitions for travel and dining bonus categories
Cons
- Steep $550 annual fee
- May not make sense for people that don't travel frequently
- You must spend the $300 travel credit before earning 3x points for travel and dining
- No automatic hotel elite status
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- $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 Travel? 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 Travel?. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
- 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, 2027.
- 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
Comparing the best dining cards
Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at American Express's secure site | the well-traveled foodie | 60,000 points + earn up to $100 back Open Intro bonus Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards? Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24. | 1 - 4X points | $325 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Chase's secure site | beginners | 60,000 bonus points Open Intro bonus Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 1 - 5X points | $95 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Capital One's secure site | foodies with no annual fee | $200 Open Intro bonus Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening | 1 - 8% cash-back | $0 |
American Express? Green Card * *The information about the American Express? Green Card has been collected independently by www.2hotmovs.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer. Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Information updated as of 09/20/2024 | Best mid-tier card for lounge access | Earn 40,000 points Open Intro bonus Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards? Points
after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your American Express Green Card? within the first 6 months of Card Membership. | 1 - 3X points | $150 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at American Express's secure site | Hilton loyalists | Earn 165,000 points Open Intro bonus Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass? Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025. | 3 - 12X points | $150 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Chase's secure site | premium travel rewards for value | 60,000 bonus points Open Intro bonus Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 1 - 10X points | $550 |
More details on the best dining credit cards
This isn’t just a card that’s nice to look at. The American Express Gold Card packs a real punch, offering generous bonus points on dining at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. There are also fantastic benefits, such as a monthly dining credit for select merchants, a monthly Uber Cash credit and more. All this makes it a very strong contender for all food purchases, whether dining out, ordering takeout or cooking for yourself. Enrollment required for select benefits.
Anyone who eats out regularly and would like to earn lots of valuable Membership Rewards points while dining and grocery shopping will benefit from adding this card to their wallet.
“I spend a lot dining out and on groceries, so this is probably my most frequently used card. Earning 4 points per dollar spent on these categories helps boost my Membership Rewards balance, which is my preferred flexible points program. Whilst the up to $10 monthly dining credit isn't huge, it helps to offset the annual fee (enrollment required; see rates and fees) and I have a recurring reminder in my calendar to use the credit every month. This card is a good complement to The Platinum Card? from American Express, which I also have in my wallet.” — Matt Moffitt, senior editor
If you want to earn on dining and travel with a lower annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card earns bonus rewards on dining and travel purchases, and Chase Travel? has a great slate of transfer partners. Plus, with an annual fee below $100, it’s a low-maintenance card to have in your wallet.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of the most popular travel rewards credit cards on the market — and for good reason. Offering an excellent return on travel and dining purchases, the card packs a ton of value that easily offsets its low annual fee. Cardholders can redeem points at 1.25 cents each for travel booked through Chase or transfer points to one of Chase’s valuable airline and hotel partners.
Anyone looking for generous earning rates on travel and dining and a great list of redemption options, all for a low annual fee.
“The Chase Sapphire Preferred has remained a top card in my wallet for years. Between the consistently strong sign-up bonus, low annual fee and continual improvements made over the years, it's hard to compare any other mid-tier rewards card. I love that I can earn bonus rewards on travel, dining, streaming and online grocery purchases — all with just one card. Plus, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are valuable and easy to use whether you're new to points and miles or an expert.” — Madison Blancaflor, managing editor
If you prefer Capital One, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is your best bet. The card offers bonus miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and a flat 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases. The welcome bonus is on par with the Chase Sapphire Preferred, and you’ll pay the same annual fee (see rates and fees).
The Capital One SavorOne is a great cash-back credit card for beginners looking for a solid rewards structure and no annual fee (see rates and fees). Dining, entertainment and groceries are all high-value bonus categories, and it’s rare for a card to hit all three.
Foodies, travelers and frequent concertgoers looking to dip their toes into the world of rewards or who just want generous cash back on regular expenses.
This is a great card to have if dining, travel and entertainment are major spending categories for you. Rewards can be maximized if you also have a card that earns Venture miles.
If you want a simpler earnings rate, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee (see rates and fees) and an easy-to-hit welcome bonus. You'll earn a flat 1.5% unlimited cash back on all purchases, which is great if you have expenses outside the SavorOne's bonus categories.
The Amex Green card is a mid-tier credit card with an annual fee of $150. It features a solid welcome offer, an annual LoungeBuddy credit and other travel-related benefits. LoungeBuddy is a lounge network of more than 200 lounges around the world. Cardholders can use their Amex Green Card to pay for LoungeBuddy visits since they receive up to $100 in statement credits every calendar year. Additionally, cardholders are able to earn American Express Membership Rewards points and transfer them to any of Amex’s 17 airline and three hotel partners.
The information for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Amex Green is best suited for those who frequent LoungeBuddy lounges but don’t frequent other airport lounges enough to justify a higher annual fee card with more extensive lounge access.
Consider the Amex Green Card if you travel frequently, want LoungeBuddy lounge access and are looking to build — or add to — a stash of Membership Rewards points.
If you are looking for the ultimate lounge access card, consider The Platinum Card? from American Express, which features exclusive Centurion lounge access, Priority Pass lounge access and additional complimentary access to over 1,400 lounges worldwide. Enrollment is required.
The Hilton Honors Surpass Card stands out in the crowded mid-tier category of cobranded hotel credit cards. It has elitelike perks at a reasonable annual fee (see rates and fees) while still earning on dining.
Anyone who is a fan of the worldwide Hilton group and wants to supercharge their Hilton Honors points earnings, both from travel and everyday spending, to redeem at thousands of Hilton properties.
Even if you only stay with Hilton a few times a year, having the Hilton Surpass Card can be worth it. It offers solid earnings at Hilton properties and automatic Hilton Gold elite status — all for a low annual fee. Hilton Gold is one of the best mid-tier hotel statuses as it gets you complimentary breakfast or food and beverage credits and space-available room upgrades.
If you want more perks, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is Hilton's premium card, offering top-tier Diamond status as an automatic benefit. The card's annual fee is significantly higher, but TPG values Diamond status at more than $2,000 annually. You'll receive great perks like free night rewards, airline fee statement credits, Hilton resort and on-property credits, and more.
The information for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of our top premium travel cards. With a sizable annual travel credit, generous earning rates on dining and travel purchases and other benefits, you can get excellent value that far exceeds the annual fee on the card.
If you have an excellent credit score and want premium travel benefits, the Sapphire Reserve could be a great option.
“I've had the Sapphire Reserve for years, and it's going to stay in my wallet for the near future. I get $300 off travel every year, great earning rates on travel and dining (3 points per dollar), and varied travel protections that can reimburse me when things go wrong. And by leveraging other cards in the Ultimate Rewards ecosystem, I'm able to maximize the earnings across all of my purchases.” — Nick Ewen, senior editorial director
If you want a premium travel card with a lower annual fee, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers access to Priority Pass, Plaza Premium and Capital One lounges but has a lower annual fee (see rates and fees). You'll also enjoy insurance protections and earn at least 2 miles per dollar on all purchases plus an annual travel credit.
Maximizing dining credit cards
Ensure your favorite retailers accept your favorite credit card
If you will be earning more than 1 point or mile per dollar spent at your favorite restaurant, supermarket or food delivery service, make sure they accept your type of credit card. While acceptance of American Express cards is generally very good in the United States, you may find acceptance less common in other countries.
When you are choosing a card in anticipation of using it regularly in these categories, perhaps before a long vacation where you expect to eat out for most meals, it is worth doing a little research first to avoid the dreaded, “Sorry, we don’t accept that card,” when you go to pay.
Dining definitions may be much broader than you realize
American Express counts most restaurants, including fast food restaurants, and many delivery services (such as DoorDash and Grubhub) under its dining category. Chase categorizes fine dining restaurants, eat-in dining (including all fast food operators) and even those delivery services classifying themselves as a restaurant as dining.
So, that takeaway coffee, lunchtime sushi delivery or special gastronomic birthday dinner could earn you generous points just for paying with the right credit card.
Don't forget the card's other perks
While generous points-earning on dining is a hugely valuable benefit for those who love to eat out, some of the best cards for dining access also come with many other benefits that shouldn’t be overlooked. These can include top-tier elite hotel status, offering you lounge access, early check-in, late checkout, space-available room upgrades, welcome amenities, additional points and even free breakfast.
Other card perks could include travel and ride-hailing service credits, cash back with popular retailers, and Priority Pass lounge access.
How we rate
What is a dining credit card?
A dining credit card is a type of credit card that offers rewards, benefits or cash back specifically tailored for dining expenses. These cards are designed to provide incentives and perks for individuals who frequently dine out or spend significantly on food and restaurant-related purchases.
What is considered dining for credit cards?
The specific categorization of dining expenses can vary depending on the credit card issuer and the merchant category codes they use. However, in general, dining expenses typically include:
- Sit-down restaurants, fast food chains and casual dining establishments.
- Cafes, coffee shops, tea houses, bakeries and dessert shops.
- Bars, pubs, lounges and taverns.
- Some food delivery services, such as Uber Eats, Grubhub or DoorDash.
Purchases made at grocery stores, supermarkets or convenience stores are typically not considered dining expenses.
How to choose a dining credit card
- Seek out a card for dining that comes with a generous sign-up bonus. The reward you earn from meeting the bonus-earning threshold can be used for future travel or to pay down a balance, in the case of cash-back cards. Be sure you pick a card with a spending threshold that you can reach and with a currency you'll find valuable.1Sign-up bonus
- The dining cards featured come with various annual fees — from the higher end to the lower end. However, cards with higher annual fees often also offer strong protections on shopping and travel, in addition to other benefits. If you aren't interested in paying annually for your dining credit card, we included options for that as well.2Annual fee
- The best cards to use for dining will typically earn bonus points, miles or cash back for eating out at restaurants. However, many of these cards also earn more in other bonus categories, such as supermarkets, travel or entertainment. Work to find a card that will maximize your earnings across the categories where you spend most frequently.3Bonus categories
Ask our experts
What's your favorite dining credit card — and why?
What TPG readers have to say about their top pick for best dining credit card
We asked our readers which cards they’re bringing along when dining out at restaurants to earn the most back for their spending. From bonus categories to statement credits, here is what TPG readers love about their credit cards for dining.
Note: Reader-submitted responses have not been edited, reviewed or approved by the issuers nor reflect TPG’s opinions of these cards.
Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card
“It's a low annual fee with lots of benefits. I get a free Doordash DashPass*, which is one of my favorite benefits because I order a lot of food delivery. I love the extra points on dining.” – TPG reader via a TPG newsletter survey
*Through December 31, 2027.
American Express? Gold Card
“The 4x multiplier on food and groceries [restaurants and U.S. supermarkets]* earn me the most points.” – Abby M via a TPG newsletter survey
*4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants on up to $50,000 per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar). 4 points per dollar on up to $25,000 in purchases at U.S. supermarkets per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar).
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass? Card
“Best overall benefits and points bonus for dining, grocery, gas.” – Bob H via a TPG newsletter survey
Pros + cons of dining credit cards
Pros
- Using dining credit cards can help boost your credit when used responsibly
- A credit card that earns more at restaurants can help you quickly earn rewards to use toward travel and more
- Many credit cards for dining also have bonuses for other spending, such as travel and entertainment
- Credit cards often provide purchase, theft and fraud protection
Cons
- Dining credit cards can encourage overspending
- Carrying a balance on your credit card for restaurants can negatively impact your credit score
- Some dining credit cards do not earn bonus rewards in all categories, so you may need other credit cards to boost your earnings in other categories
- Some credit cards for dining require a good credit score, which means those who haven't had a credit card before (or have a low score from past spending) may not be approved
Frequently asked questions
To maximize your rewards for eating out and food delivery, as well as saving you money on dining-related and other travel expenses, these are the best credit cards for dining:
- American Express Gold Card: Best overall dining card
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for no annual fee
- Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card: Best for dining and travel
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card: Best for Hilton loyalists
- Chase Sapphire Reserve?: Best for Chase Ultimate Rewards
Most rewards credit cards categorize traditional sit-down restaurants, cafes and fast food establishments as dining for rewards purposes. The categorization of restaurants can vary depending on the credit card issuer and the merchant category codes they use to classify transactions.
To determine whether a specific restaurant qualifies as dining for rewards on your credit card, you can check the credit card's terms and conditions or contact the issuer directly. It can provide specific information on categorizing dining expenses and which restaurants are eligible for rewards or benefits.
Generally, if a bar primarily focuses on serving food and offers a dining experience, it is more likely to be categorized as a restaurant for credit card purposes. However, suppose a bar primarily serves alcoholic beverages and does not offer a significant food menu or dining experience. In that case, some credit card issuers may not classify it as a restaurant.
To determine whether a specific bar is considered a dining establishment for your credit card, you can check with the credit card issuer or review the merchant category code associated with the bar's merchant account.
Credit card dining rewards often apply to takeout and delivery purchases. As the popularity of takeout and food delivery services has increased, credit card issuers have recognized this trend and expanded their dining rewards to include these types of transactions. However, it's important to note that each credit card's terms and conditions may vary.