Best Dining Credit Cards - December 2024

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Dining out and food purchases make up a significant portion of American households' expenses. For frequent diners, the American Express® Gold Card is the best dining card due to its generous rewards program for restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, along with additional perks like dining credits and access to presale event tickets.

This card is a great option for:

  • Foodies who love trying new restaurants in and out of the city
  • Busy professionals who frequently use food delivery services like Uber Eats or DoorDash
  • Families who spend a lot on groceries and dining out on weekdays

Why You Can Trust Our List

*Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Credit CardBest ForAvg. Rewards RateRecommended Credit
A great rewards card for groceries, dining and flights
Earn 1X – 4X Membership Rewards® Points
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
On Issuer's Site
N/A
Earn 1% – 2% cash back
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
On Issuer's Site
Best for premium travel with flexible redemption points
Earn 1–10% cash back
740 - 850 (Excellent)
On Issuer's Site
Solid dining rewards card with no annual fee
Earn 1X – 4X points
670-850 (good to excellent)*
On Issuer's Site
High cash back on bonus categories especially for BofA loyalists
Earn 1%–3% cash back
670–850 (Good to Excellent)
On Issuer's Site

Best Overall: American Express® Gold Card

The Amex Gold Card is a top choice for dining, offering 4x points on restaurants worldwide and at most U.S. supermarkets. The $120 annual dining credits are easy to use for those with busy schedules, making it a hassle-free option. Despite a $325 annual fee (see Rates and Fees), this card remains the best card for dining. If you dine out regularly and use spending credits diligently, the Amex Gold Card could be a great choice for you.

American Express® Gold Card

Business: The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is our pick for the best business dining card due to its straightforward cash back structure and no annual fee. This card offers financial flexibility for business owners, whether you need to buy bulk groceries for a cooking shoot or new tiles for a restaurant renovation. Its competitive cash back and lack of over-limit fees make it the best credit card for restaurants for business meetings, managing bulk purchases and emergency expenses effortlessly.

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Best Rewards Rate: Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card

When it comes to dining and travel rewards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card leads as the card with the best rewards rate. With 3x points on dining, including delivery services, and a 60,000-point welcome bonus after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, the Chase Sapphire card is a solid choice for those who spend regularly on dining and travel.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card

Bonus Categories: U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card

Dining, takeout and restaurant delivery with the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card gets you 4x points with no annual fee. A reliable Visa credit card can go a long way when your spending aligns heavily with dining out and ordering in.

U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card

Customization: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card offers 3% cash back in a category of your choice, including dining, with no annual fee. It's a great option for loyal Bank of America users seeking flexible cash back opportunities. Personalized rewards from this Bank of America card can also help ease a hefty grocery bill with 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% on all other purchases.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Alternative Dining Credit Card to Consider

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an honorable mention on our list due to its great cash back rewards for dining, travel and entertainment altogether. This card offers a rich rewards program and valuable travel benefits, making it a strong contender for frequent diners and travelers. Finding the cash back credit cards for dining and food purchases that suit your lifestyle can be a game-changer.

Is a Dining Credit Card Worth It?

Dining credit cards offer rewards points or cash back on dining-related purchases, making them ideal for those who frequently dine out or use food delivery services. Perks often include higher cash back rates on dining, tandem rewards and dining credits at some restaurants.

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YOU CAN OFFSET YOUR DINING CREDIT CARD’S ANNUAL FEE BY USING THE DINING CREDITS ON SOME CARDS

Let’s consider the Amex Gold Card’s $325 annual fee. You can offset much of the annual fee by using the card’s spending credits for dining and other purchases. This requires a bit of planning and strategy to ensure you squeeze the entire value of the card out.

How to Choose the Best Dining Credit Cards

When selecting a dining credit card, align the card's benefits with your spending habits and financial goals. Consider the following:

  • Spending Habits: Do you spend more on groceries, dining out or takeout?
  • Monthly Dining Expenses: How much do you typically spend on dining each month, and is it consistent?
  • Annual Fee vs. Rewards: Will the rewards you earn offset the card's annual fee?

By answering these questions, you can find a card that maximizes your rewards and fits your lifestyle. It’s also key to consider the card's other benefits, such as introductory offers, travel perks and dining credits at specific restaurants.

Some cards offer extra points or cash back on dining and related categories like groceries or entertainment, providing more value for diverse spending. Researching and comparing different options can help you make an informed decision, ensuring you choose a card that enhances your dining experience and complements your overall spending strategy.

How to Maximize the Value of a Dining Credit Card

Maximizing the value of your dining credit card involves strategic use of rewards, signup bonuses and promotional offers. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your card:

Leverage Signup Bonuses Where You Can

Many dining credit cards offer substantial signup bonuses. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card offers a significant bonus after meeting a minimum spend requirement. Make sure to take advantage of these offers to boost your rewards balance early on.

Watch Out for Promos

Credit card issuers often run promotions that can enhance your rewards. Keep an eye out for limited-time offers that provide extra points or cash back on dining purchases. For instance, the Amex Gold Card frequently has promotions that can increase your points earnings.

Get a Full Grasp of the Redemption Process

Understanding how to redeem your rewards effectively is crucial. Some cards, like the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card, offer higher redemption values when points are used for specific categories. Make sure you know the best ways to redeem your points or cash back.

Check if Your Favorite Retailers and Restaurants Accept Your Cards

Not all restaurants and delivery services accept every credit card. Before you commit to a card, ensure that your favorite dining spots and services like Uber Eats or DoorDash accept it. This will help you maximize your rewards without any hassle or missed opportunities to get rewards.

FAQ

What credit card has 4% on dining?

Which credit card is best for food and travel?

What is the best Chase card for restaurants?

Which Amex is best for restaurants?

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please click here.

For rates and fees of The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, please click here.

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.


*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
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