Best Credit Cards for Dining and Restaurants

Whether you’re a foodie who enjoys frequent nights on the town, or you rely on takeout to keep your family fed, a credit card that earns rewards on at restaurants can help you save on dining expenses. 

Especially in today’s inflationary environment, in which menu prices are rising alongside staples like grocery items, gas, and more. In fact, the cost of dining out rose by 7.2% between April 2021 and April 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

While a credit card is unlikely to mitigate rising prices completely, earning cash back or points on your purchases can help offset these higher costs.

Our picks for the best credit cards for dining and restaurants offer rewards on dining out, delivery, and takeout — and get access to other bonus categories and cardholder perks along the way. Like any new rewards card, it’s also helpful to search for options that reward your most frequent spending and fit within your budget.

To help you get started, these are the best cards right now for earning rewards on restaurant spending and saving with more dining-related perks:

Best Credit Cards for Dining and Restaurants

Good for Maximum Dining Rewards: American Express Gold Card

Good for Welcome Offer: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Good for a Night Out: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Good for a Night In: U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card

Good for Dining and Rotating Categories: Chase Freedom Flex

Good for Hard-to-Get Reservations: The Platinum Card from American Express

Good for Premium Benefits: Chase Sapphire Reserve

What Qualifies as Dining?

For the most part, the dining category for popular rewards credit cards is pretty broad. However, issuers typically rely on the merchant category code (MCC) — a four-digit code that determines the type of purchase and subsequent rewards rate — used by the retailer. As a result, eligible purchases can vary slightly based on your card issuer and where you’re dining out.

For example, the Chase defines eligible restaurant and dining rewards as purchases with merchants whose “primary business is sit-down or eat-in dining, including fast food restaurants and fine dining establishments.” But it also comes down to MCCs — Chase states that merchants who sell food and drinks located within facilities like sports stadiums, hotels and casinos, theme parks, grocery and department stores will not be included in this category, for example, “unless the merchant has set up such purchases to be classified in a restaurant category.” 

On the other hand, Capital One defines its dining category simply as “purchases at restaurants, cafes, bars, lounges, fast-food chains and bakeries.” 

American Express’ information about what counts toward earning bonus rewards at U.S. restaurants is somewhat vague, but the issuer states “you will earn additional rewards in the U.S. restaurant category when you purchase at restaurants located in the U.S.” That said, Amex does list quite a few exclusions that won’t earn bonus rewards. For example, bars, nightclubs, convenience stores, supermarkets, grocery stores, cafeterias, caterers, theatre clubs, breweries, bakeries and meeting venues do not count.

Does Ordering Delivery Still Get You Dining Points on Your Card?

Generally speaking, you’ll earn bonus rewards on dining purchases if your food is delivered to your home. If you order pizza from Dominos, for example, you’ll earn bonus rewards on dining just as you would if you sat down to order pizza for a sit-down meal.

But this can also depend on how the merchant codes the purchase. If you order delivery and the purchases is recorded as a restaurant purchase, then it should count toward your dining rewards.

In addition, many rewards credit cards count food delivery services such as DoorDash and GrubHub as dining for the purpose of earning rewards. That’s because these food delivery services are set up with the same merchant category code (MCC) as restaurants are.

Quite a few of the best credit cards for dining also offer specific food delivery benefits and statement credit offers. For example, Chase partners with DoorDash to provide a free, limited time DashPass membership to select cardholders. 

The Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve still come with a complimentary DashPass membership, which includes $0 delivery fees, reduced service fees for over $12 and other perks. Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders also qualify for $5 per month in DoorDash credit they can use.

Separately, the American Express Gold Card offers $120 in Uber Cash annually, which is accrues within your connected Uber account monthly, in increments of $10. This cash can be used for Uber rides, but it can also apply to Uber Eats purchases. And of course, you’ll still earn 4x Membership Rewards points for each dollar spent on dining, including purchases made with Uber Eats.

Are Rewards the Same for All Dining Cards?

The best credit cards for dining all offer bonus points at restaurants, but their rewards rates vary widely. And the rewards you’ll earn in other categories aren’t the same, either. For example, some offer additional bonus points on groceries or entertainment, while others focus their bonus categories on travel-related purchases.

Before you apply for a rewards credit card to maximize your dining, take time to compare all the benefits and features of the the cards you’re considering. Other rewards categories, as well as added benefits and fees that may apply can all affect the value you’ll get from the card. Also look at each card’s rewards program so you have a general idea of how you can redeem your points when you’re ready.

How to Maximize Your Points by Dining and Ordering Out

Cards with restaurant rewards are most valuable for those who already spend a significant amount on dining out each month. So the best way to maximize your rewards is to make these purchases with a card that will earn you the most points or cash back on dining. Here are a few more ways to ensure you’re getting the best value on your dining cards: 

• Use rewards cards strategically as you spend. Each time you dine out at a restaurant or pay for takeout, make sure you’re using the credit card that will give you the most bonus points on your purchase.
• Connect your rewards credit card food delivery apps. Once you sign up for a credit card that earns bonus rewards on dining, make sure to make it your preferred payment method on any food delivery apps you use. Examples include your DoorDash account, your Uber account, or any restaurant apps you order from regularly.
• Pay for dining purchases whenever you can. You can earn more rewards per meal if you offer to use your card as payment when you dine out with family or friends. Just remember to have the other diners repay you using cash or a money transfer app like Venmo or Zelle.

Choosing the Right Dining and Restaurant Card

Like any new rewards card, your spending habits and budget can help you decide on the right card for dining and restaurants.

Before you choose a credit card for dining out, take time to review your budget and the expenses you already charge to a credit card. If you spend a lot on dining and will get more value than the cost from plentiful benefits and high rewards rates, it might make sense to open a card with an annual fee. Similarly, if your spending isn’t only focused on dining, but you also spend a lot in categories like groceries or travel, you might want to prioritize cards that offer more points on these types of purchases, too.

After comparing long-term value via rewards rates and benefits, you may also want to consider each card’s welcome offer or sign-up bonus. These offers can boost your first-year value with hundreds of dollars worth of points or cash back after you meet a spending threshold. 

Finally, make sure you’re credit score is in good standing and within the recommended range for the card you want to apply for. Practicing good credit habits like paying your balance in full and on time each month can help you maintain good credit to qualify for the best credit cards available.