The American Express® Gold Card is our top overall pick for best dining card. Along with valuable dining credits, the card offers a generous rewards rate at restaurants worldwide, and on takeout and delivery purchases in the U.S.
We all have our favorite spots to dine in or take out food, but did you know when you leave the restaurant, you could be leaving valuable rewards on the table? Choosing the right dining credit card can help you turn meal purchases into cash back, points and miles that can save you money in the long run. Many of these popular cards even include additional benefits to maximize your savings.
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How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.The American Express® Gold Card offers one of the highest rewards rates available at restaurants — including takeout and delivery in the U.S. — and comes with a monthly dining credit when you use your card on select dining purchases (enrollment required). It also offers flexible rewards redemption options including the ability to transfer points to other loyalty programs.
Who’s this card best for?
If you spend enough on dining each month to make up for the annual fee, the American Express® Gold Card may be the right fit.
Along with a generous rewards rate and welcome offer, you’ll get up to $10 per month in statement credits (for a maximum of $120 per year) when you dine at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment is required. Plus, you’ll get up to $10 each month (for a maximum of $120 per year) in Uber Cash when you add this card to your Uber account and use it to pay for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the United States.
These statement credits are worth a combined total of $240, almost fully covering the $325 annual fee.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.If you want to earn a high rewards rate on dining out and food delivery — but don’t want to pay an annual fee — the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card is hard to beat. You’ll also earn solid cash back on other purchases like streaming services, groceries and gas.
Who’s this card best for?
If you’re looking to earn 4X points on dining at restaurants, takeout and delivery without paying an annual fee, you will love the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card. There is no limit to how many points you can earn and your points never expire as long as the account remains open.
For those who enjoy dining out while traveling internationally, this card is a great choice thanks to its foreign transaction fee of none. Plus, if you like to kick back and stream TV shows or music, you’ll appreciate this card’s annual streaming bonus.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.
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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers extremely valuable rewards in several popular categories, including travel, Chase Dining purchases and other restaurant purchases, including eligible delivery services and takeout. Points are worth 50% more when you redeem them for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Who’s this card best for?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with a $550 annual fee, so it’s not for the occasional traveler. But if you travel frequently enough that you’d benefit from its premium travel benefits, this is the card for you. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® grants cardholders a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership (enrollment required), which gets you into more than 1,300 airport lounges across the world.
You can also get a statement credit of up to $100 every four years to reimburse your Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA PreCheck membership when you charge the application fee to this card.
Redemption options for rewards include booking travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, which gets you 50% more value per point, or transferring points to the following airline and hotel partners:
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Along with high cash back rewards on purchases made in the Instacart app and on Instacart.com, you’ll receive an Instacart credit and complimentary one year Instacart+ membership. Plus, get a solid cash back rate on restaurant, travel, gas station and, select streaming service purchases.
Who’s this card best for?
If you prefer to order your groceries online, specifically through the Instacart app, The Instacart Mastercard® is the perfect way for you to get rewarded for those purchases. This card also gives you plenty of other options to get rewarded if you don’t always plan to order your groceries. You will Earn 5% cash back on Instacart app, Instacart.com and Chase Travel purchases, 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations and on select streaming services and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Keep in mind that you will only earn 1% back if you decide to make purchases inside of the grocery store, but you can still earn 5% back on eligible pick up orders.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Along with a great cash back rate on travel, dining, takeout, select delivery services and drugstore purchases, you’ll also have the opportunity to activate new bonus categories each quarter.
Who’s this card best for?
Between a generous welcome offer and a fantastic rewards program — which offers both ongoing rewards and rewards in rotating bonus categories — the Chase Freedom Flex℠ is a standout choice for earning cash back with a $0 annual fee. That is, as long as your spending tends to align with the rotating categories.
A few examples of past 5% categories include the following:
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.In addition to cash back on dining and grocery purchases, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers generous rewards on a wide range of entertainment purchases. This category includes movie theaters, sports events, amusement parks, tourist attractions, zoos, pool halls, bowling alleys and more.
Who’s this card best for?
If you’re a foodie who enjoys attending concerts, sporting events and other entertainment events, you can come out on top with the $0-annual fee Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card.
You’ll also earn rewards on select popular streaming services, including Hulu, Disney+ and Netflix and additional rewards on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Plus, through Nov. 14, 2024, you can earn 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases, which is an incredible value.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Whether you plan to spend more on dining each month or on another category, like grocery stores, gas or travel, you can earn a high cash back on purchases in your top spending category with this $0-annual-fee card.
Who’s this card best for?
If your spending habits vary and you are looking for a card to adapt to your spending, the Citi Custom Cash® Card is the card for you. Along with a $0 annual fee and easy-to-earn sign-up bonus, you will earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026. If you max that out each month, that’s $25 per month in cash back at the elevated rate.
5% cash back categories include:
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.The American Express® Business Gold Card lets you earn a high rewards rate in popular business-related spending categories like U.S. restaurants, directly purchased airfare, U.S. gas, U.S. advertising, U.S. shipping and computer hardware, U.S. software and U.S. cloud systems.
Who’s this card best for?
If your business spends a large amount on dining and/or other popular categories that tend to fluctuate from month to month, the American Express® Business Gold Card is a solid option. Along with a generous welcome offer, the card offers a flexible rewards program that automatically identifies your top two spending categories each month. Just know, the card does charge a $375 annual fee.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you’ll earn a generous cash back rate on Amazon and Whole foods purchases, plus additional cash back at restaurants, gas stations, drug stores and other purchases.
Who’s this card best for?
If you frequently shop at Amazon or Whole Foods, the rewards offered with this card are hard to beat. Not only is this card a money-saving option for Amazon users, but you’ll also earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership, unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and unlimited 1% on all other purchases Plus, the card comes with a $0 annual fee and an Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval.
Dining rewards cards offer cash back, points or miles for restaurant purchases and can be big money savers if you love dining out. The purchases that are eligible to earn dining rewards can vary depending on the credit card; however, they typically include those made at sit-down restaurants, fast food restaurants, bars and cafes, and sometimes even takeout and delivery. Some of the top dining credit cards offer up to 4 points per dollar on dining purchases as well as annual dining credits.
While there are dining credit cards available with $0 annual fees, the cards with the highest rewards rates and most robust benefits often charge a fee.
To compare the best dining credit cards, you should take a look at the rewards you can earn at restaurants, takeout and delivery and rewards you can earn in other categories. You should also see if the card has any other credits or benefits and how that compares to the card’s annual fee. A card with no annual fee is often best; however, many cards with annual fees have other perks that can offset that cost. Finally, you should take a look at the APR and recommended credit.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Welcome Offer | Rewards Rate | Recommended Credit Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
American Express® Gold Card
|
Winner
|
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. | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply | Good / Excellent | |
|
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card*
|
No annual fee
|
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. | Earn 4X points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery, 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, gas stations, EV charging stations and on streaming services. Plus, a $15 credit for annual streaming purchases like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify®, Apple Music, Disney+, HBO Max and more! And earn 1X points on all other eligible purchases. | Good / Excellent | |
|
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
Travel
|
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 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. | Excellent |
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
|
Instacart Mastercard®*
|
Groceries
|
Get a $50 Instacart credit automatically upon approval. | Earn 5% cash back on Instacart app, Instacart.com and Chase Travel purchases, 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations and on select streaming services and 1% cash back on all other purchases. | Good / Excellent | |
|
Chase Freedom Flex℠*
|
Rotating categories
|
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter. Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. | Good / Excellent | |
|
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card*
|
Entertainment
|
Earn $200 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening | 3% Cash Back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®); 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply); 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases; 1% Cash Back on all other purchases | Good / Excellent | |
|
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
High rewards in top spending categories
|
Earn $200 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. | Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026. | Good / Excellent |
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
American Express® Business Gold Card
|
Business
|
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.* | Get 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 eligible categories where your business spent the most each month on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card. Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required. Terms apply. | Good / Excellent | |
|
Prime Visa
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
Online shopping
|
Get a $200 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members | Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership, unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and unlimited 1% on all other purchases | Good / Excellent |
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
According to a 2021 statistic from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American spends about $3,000 on dining out each year for an estimated $250 per month. With costs continuing to rise and dining being a good chunk of yearly budget for most, getting rewarded for your spending is important.
For example, if you spend $3,000 on restaurant purchases in a year with the American Express® Gold Card, you can earn 12,000 points from those purchases alone. If you redeem those points for flights through American Express Travel, they will be worth $120. If you enroll and take advantage of the card’s credits (e.g., the annual dining credit), you can get up to $360 in value from the card — which more than covers the card’s $250 annual fee.
Dining rewards programs are another way to earn miles, points and cash back on top of what you earn with credit card rewards. Typically, all you have to do is create an account and add eligible credit cards to automatically start earning rewards when you use your card at eligible restaurants. Many major airlines and hotels offer their own dining rewards programs. These are also usually free to join, making it a no-brainer for racking up extra rewards. Here are a few examples of these rewards programs:
| Dining program | Earning rate |
|---|---|
| Delta SkyMiles Dining | Up to 5 miles per dollar |
| American Airlines AAdvantage Dining | Up to 5 miles per dollar |
| Alaska Mileage Plan Dining | Up to 5 miles per dollar |
| United MileagePlus Dining | Up to 5 miles per dollar |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining | Up to 3 miles per dollar |
| Free Spirit Dining | Up to 5 miles per dollar |
| TrueBlue Dining | Up to 3 miles per dollar |
| Dining program | Earning rate |
|---|---|
| IHG One Rewards Dine & Earn | Up to 8 points per dollar |
| Eat Around Town by Marriott Bonvoy | Up to 6 points per dollar |
| Hilton Honors Dining | Up to 8 points per dollar |
| Choice Eat & Earn | Up to 5 points per dollar |
When choosing the best dining credit card you should consider a few factors:
Before deciding which card is right for you, you should determine how much you spend on dining each month. That way, you can compare the rewards rates and dining credits offered by each card to see which one offers the best earning potential to suit your spending habits.
While most dining credit cards offer rewards at restaurants, only some offer the same rewards on takeout and food delivery. If you spend more time ordering your food to go, make sure that your credit card rewards you for that.
Some dining credit cards come with a $0 annual fee, while others have a more expensive annual fee to account for. If you are leaning towards a dining credit card with an annual fee, you should decide if the rewards and benefits that come with the card are enough to offset this fee.
If your spending varies monthly, you may want to choose a card that offers rewards in categories that rotate each quarter or that automatically offers the highest rewards rate in your top spending category each month.
Or, if you spend a significant amount in other popular categories each month, like entertainment, you should consider a dining card that also offers an elevated rewards rate on those purchases.
Ultimately, the best dining credit card for you comes down to how you plan to use the card. If dining is one of your major spending categories and you want to maximize what you earn when you eat out and order in, the American Express® Gold Card is a great fit. But if you also want to earn a competitive rate on entertainment purchases, consider the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card instead.
Or, if you travel extensively and want a card that rewards dining while also providing premium travel benefits and unparalleled flexibility in how you redeem your rewards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® could be the best card for your wallet, despite its $550 annual fee.
Dining purchases often refer to purchases made at restaurants, fast food establishments, bakeries and bars, although many cards also include takeout and delivery in this category.
Rewards are earned when you make eligible dining purchases using your credit card. Additional rewards can often be earned when you hit the spending threshold for the card’s sign-up bonus or welcome offer.
This depends on the card. Many credit cards have points that never expire as long as your account is open and in good standing, while others expire if you do not use your card or redeem rewards within a certain time period.
To select the best dining rewards credit cards, we reviewed the cards available on LendingTree, as well as those offered by top issuers. We looked at a variety of factors, including the amount of rewards each card offers on dining, restaurant and food delivery purchases. We also considered the sign-up bonuses, rewards redemption options and dining credits.
Annual fees and introductory APRs also contributed to our choices, as well as useful benefits, like extended warranty and purchase protection.
To see rates & fees for American Express cards mentioned on this page, visit the links provided below:
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
The information related to the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card, Instacart Mastercard®, Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
