Best Credit Cards for Dining & Restaurants (2026)

Searching for the best credit card for dining and restaurants in 2026? Dining out (and ordering in) is a huge part of our daily lives, so maximizing rewards on these purchases is more important than ever.

Whether you’re a food enthusiast seeking out a Michelin-starred meal or just grabbing a quick bite after a long day, using the right credit card can help you get a little extra back in your pocket or boost your rewards balance for your next vacation.

If you’re not using a card tailored for dining rewards, you’re leaving significant money on the table. However, there’s a lot to consider when choosing a new card. Here’s everything you need to know about choosing the best dining credit card for you.

How To Choose the Best Credit Cards for Restaurants and Dining Out in 2026

Choosing the best credit card for dining out and restaurant purchases should be tailored to your individual needs and preferences. Are you chasing flexible rewards points that transfer to airline or hotel partners? Or do you prefer earning fixed-value rewards like cash back to keep things simple?

Here are some considerations to keep in mind when choosing the best credit cards for restaurants:

• Spending habits: Examine how often you dine out and how much you spend, on average. This will help you determine the potential returns from a card’s rewards structure and evaluate whether those earnings justify an annual fee.
• Rewards and benefits: Are you more interested in flexible rewards points that can be transferred to airline or hotel partners? Or perhaps you’re leaning towards fixed-value rewards points that you can use at restaurants or for other travel expenses like car rentals. Evaluate the rewards rates and benefits of each card.
• Fees: Always be mindful of any annual fees or other charges associated with the card. Sometimes, a card may offer great rewards, but the fees might negate the benefits.

Related: Use These Credit Cards for Free Food Delivery Perks

Credit: Dan Gold/Unsplash

Best Dining Credit Cards To Earn Bonus Points

If you tend to spend a lot at restaurants, it’s worth considering a card that earns bonus points on dining. Here are a few of our favorite card options that include a dining bonus category.

Best overall credit card for dining and restaurants: American Express^® Gold Card

Of the best dining cards currently open to new applicants, the American Express^® Gold Card delivers the most bang for your buck at your favorite eatery over the long term. That’s because it earns 4X Membership Rewards points per dollar on up to $50,000 spent each calendar year (then 1X) at restaurants worldwide — including takeout and delivery in the U.S.

American Express^® Gold Card

Welcome Offer
Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

American Express^® Gold Card

Welcome Offer
Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Annual Fee:$325

Show moreWhy We Like ItHighlightsEarning Rates

The American Express^® Gold Card stands out for its robust rewards, especially for food enthusiasts. It offers 4X points on dining worldwide (up to $50,000 per year, then 1X) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1X), and 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel^®. Cardholders can take advantage of multiple annual dining credits at select locations and up to $120 in Uber Cash credits for U.S. rides and Uber Eats (received as $10 monthly credits), just add your American Express^® Gold Card to your account in the Uber app and select it as the payment method. Enrollment required for select American Express benefits.

• You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• 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.
• New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
• Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $84 Dunkin’ Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you’ll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
• New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
• Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
• Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
• Whenever you need us, we’re here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Terms Apply.

• 4X Membership Rewards^® points at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. (on up to $50,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
• 4X Membership Rewards^® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
• 5X Membership Rewards^® points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com
• 3X Membership Rewards^® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
• 2X Membership Rewards^® points on prepaid car rentals booked through amextravel.com
• 2X Membership Rewards^® points on cruises booked and paid through amextravel.com
• 1X on other eligible purchases

The Amex Gold comes with a $325 annual fee (Rates & Fees). However, four valuable benefits help offset the annual fee:

• Up to $120 annual dining credits: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Amex Gold at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
• Up to $84 in Dunkin’ credits annually: Receive up to $7 per month when you pay with the Amex Gold at any U.S.-based Dunkin’ or through Dunkin’s mobile app. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
• Up to $100 in annual Resy Credits: You can get up to $50 in statement credits from January to June and up to $50 from July to December on eligible purchases at qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
• Up to $120 Uber Cash annually: Get $10 per month deposited into your connected Uber account, which can be used for taking an Uber ride or for Uber Eats purchases within the U.S. This credit expires at the end of each month if not used. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.

Assuming you maximize each of your available statement credits and Uber Cash, you’re earning $424 in annual value, not including the points you’ll earn throughout the year.

Plus, with the Amex Gold, you’ll earn 4X Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), making it the best card for both dining and groceries. This card is great for racking up points on your food bill, whether you’re dining in or eating out.

Related: Amex Gold Review

Best dining rewards card for small businesses: American Express^® Business Gold Card

For small business owners, there isn’t much competition. No other card comes close to the transferable earnings the American Express^® Business Gold Card offers — with one major caveat.

With the Amex Business Gold, you can earn 4X Membership Rewards points on up to $150,000 at U.S. restaurants. However, to accomplish that, U.S. restaurant purchases need to be one of your business’s top two eligible spending categories in every billing cycle. If this matches your business’s spending patterns, it doesn’t get much better than earning 4X on $150k in spending.

American Express^® Business Gold Card

Find Out Your Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $15,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Find out your offer.

American Express^® Business Gold Card

Find Out Your Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $15,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Find out your offer.

Annual Fee:$375

Show moreWhy We Like ItHighlightsEarning Rates

The American Express^® Business Gold Card offers 4X points on the top 2 spending eligible categories per billing cycle, 3X points on flights and pre-paid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™, and 1X points on other eligible purchases. Cardholders can earn up to $240 back annually for eligible purchases at FedEx (through 10/01/2026), Grubhub, and U.S. Office Supply Stores, and up to $155 annually for Walmart+ membership costs, enhancing the card’s appeal for varied business spending. Enrollment required for select American Express benefits.

• As High As 200,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $15,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.
• Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx (through 10/01/2026), Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
• Enroll and get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business* on the Business Gold Card. *Subject to auto-renewal.
• Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits per calendar year for U.S. purchases with Squarespace. Subscription purchases subject to auto-renewal.
• Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
• The Business Gold Card comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and White Gold. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
• Terms Apply

Get 4X Membership Rewards^® points on the 2 eligible categories where your business spent the most each billing cycle from the list below:

• U.S. purchases for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)
• U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
• U.S. purchases at gas stations
• U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
• Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
• Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.

*4X points applies to the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these 2 categories each calendar year; then earn 1 point per dollar.

However, this business version of the card is far less food-focused than the personal version. While the $375 annual fee (Rates & Fees) is offset by a variety of statement credits, these are tailored toward business expenses, not eating out.

Related: Amex Business Gold Review

Best for fixed-value rewards: U.S. Bank Altitude^® Go Visa Signature^® Card

If you don’t spend a ton on dining purchases every month but you still want to maximize your earnings, the U.S. Bank Altitude^® Go Visa Signature^® Card is a fantastic option. You’ll earn 4X points on dining, takeout, and delivery on your first $2,000 spent each quarter.

In other words, if you spend more than $667 per month at restaurants, you might prefer to go with a different card with a higher spending threshold. If not, the lack of an annual fee on the Altitude Go makes it a very intriguing option.

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

Welcome Bonus Intro Offer: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. That’s a $200 value redeemable towards merchandise, gift cards, cash back, travel and more.

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

Welcome Bonus Intro Offer: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. That’s a $200 value redeemable towards merchandise, gift cards, cash back, travel and more.

Annual Fee:$0

Show moreWhy We Like ItEarning Rates

The U.S. Bank Altitude^® Go Visa Signature^® Card offers 4X points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery; 2X points at grocery stores, gas stations/EV charging stations, and on streaming services; and 1X point on all other eligible purchases. Cardholders also receive a $15 annual streaming service credit after 11 consecutive months of streaming purchases.

• 4X points on takeout, food delivery and dining (on up to $2,000 spent each quarter)
• 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, gas stations, EV charging stations, and on streaming services
• 1 point on all other eligible purchases

The major drawback of the Altitude Go and other cards issued by U.S. Bank is that there’s no way to maximize your earnings. You can redeem your points as a deposit into a U.S. Bank account or towards travel through the travel portal, but you don’t have access to transfer partners for potentially outsized value.

Still, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another card that earns 4X points on dining purchases without charging an annual fee.

Related: Altitude Go Review

Best hotel option: Marriott Bonvoy Bevy^® American Express^® Card

Another path to 4X points at restaurants is the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy^® American Express^® Card. You’ll earn 4X Marriott Bonvoy points at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets on up to $15,000 in combined purchases each year. After that, you’ll earn 2X points.

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy^® American Express^® Card

Welcome Bonus
Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points plus a $150 statement credit after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 09/30/2026.

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy^® American Express^® Card

Welcome Bonus
Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points plus a $150 statement credit after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 09/30/2026.

Annual Fee:$250

Show moreWhy We Like ItHighlightsEarning Rates

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy^® American Express^® Card delivers a Free Night Award after spending $15,000 in a calendar year, applicable for one night at hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy program (up to 50,000 points), and receive complimentary Gold Elite status. Enrollment required for select American Express benefits.

• Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points plus a $150 statement credit after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 09/30/2026.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®.
• Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. Supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points).
• Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Marriott Bonvoy® 1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Terms apply. See www.marriott.com/loyalty/terms/default.mi for more information.
• Earn up to 18.5X Marriott Bonvoy® points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Earn 6X points with the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card. Earn up to 10X points from Marriott Bonvoy for being a Marriott Bonvoy member. Earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy with the 25% Bonus Points on Stays, a benefit available with your complimentary Gold Elite status.
• With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite Status, earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy® on eligible hotel purchases with the 25% Bonus Points on stays benefit.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® Free Night Award: Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at a participating hotel. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• 15 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year, receive 15 Elite Night Credits towards the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy® member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.
• Booking the trip is easy. Avoiding delays is next to impossible. If a round-trip is paid for entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason delays your trip more than 12 hours, Trip Delay Insurance can help reimburse certain additional expenses purchased on the same Eligible Card, up to $300 per trip, maximum 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• Plan It® is a payment option that lets you split up large purchases into monthly installments with a fixed fee. A fixed monthly fee is shown upfront so you’ll know exactly how much you’ll pay. Plus, you’ll still earn rewards for the purchases you plan the way you usually do.
• $250 Annual Fee.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

• 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
• 4X points on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets
• 2X points on all other eligible purchases

Like the Altitude Go, the drawback with the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card is that you have limited flexibility in how you use your points. However, if you enjoy staying at Marriott properties, dining out and paying for your meal with your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card is an easy way to reach your next free night.

Related: Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card Review

Best for weekend diners: Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

If you play your cards right, you can earn more on your dining purchases as a cardholder of the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (Rates & Fees) than you could with any other credit card on the market. Normally, you’ll earn 3X transferable ThankYou^® Points at restaurants. However, you’ll earn 6X points at restaurants on Citi Nights℠ purchases, which run from 6 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. ET on Friday and Saturday. If you tend to do most of your dining out on the weekend, the opportunity to earn six points per dollar spent is hard to pass up.

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

Welcome Bonus Earn 75,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

Welcome Bonus Earn 75,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.

Annual Fee:$595

Show moreWhy We Like ItHighlightsEarning Rates

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card is Citi’s premier rewards card, delivering top-tier travel and dining rewards and standout perks like a $300 annual hotel credit and no foreign transaction fees. From Friday night dinners to weekend getaways, the elevated earnings on hotels, air travel, and CitiNights℠ purchases make this a powerhouse option for frequent travelers looking to maximize every dollar spent.

• Earn 75,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
• Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com and 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com
• Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time
• Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
• Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit: Each calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more when booked through cititravel.com.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees

• 12X – Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com.
• 6X – Earn 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com.
• 6X – Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time.
• 1.5X – Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases.

Plus, although it doesn’t offer any dining-specific statement credits, you can take advantage of a $200 Annual Splurge Credit℠, which is valid at a variety of merchants, including Best Buy. You can purchase several different dining-related gift cards at Best Buy, including Instacart, Doordash, Starbucks, and more.

Related: Citi Strata Elite Review

Best dining credit card with no annual fee: Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

A stalwart of the Chase Ultimate Rewards stable of credit cards, the Chase Freedom Unlimited^® (Rates & Fees) sports a dizzying array of bonus categories, including 3% cash back (or 3X Chase Ultimate Rewards points) on restaurant dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services). This makes it one of the best credit cards for restaurants, especially for those wanting a card without an annual fee.

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

Welcome Bonus
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

Welcome Bonus
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening

Annual Fee:$0

Show moreWhy We Like ItHighlightsEarning Rates

The everyday workhorse of the Ultimate Rewards family of cards earns 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day of the week. While the Freedom Unlimited earns cash back on its own, the points earned become even more valuable when you hold an Ultimate Rewards card with the ability to transfer points to partners.

• Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
• Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can use points to redeem for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the United States!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% – 27.74%.
• No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
• Member FDIC

• Earn 5% on purchases through Chase Travel℠
• Earn 3% on dining at restaurants
• Earn 3% on drugstore purchases
• Earn 1.5% on all purchases

When used as a cash rewards credit card, these points are worth 1¢ each towards a selection of redemption options, including cash back. However, you may be able to redeem points at a higher value if you also hold the Sapphire Preferred (Rates & Fees) or another Ultimate Rewards credit card charging an annual fee. If so, you can combine your Ultimate Rewards points and redeem them for an increased value towards select travel. Or you can leverage the Ultimate Rewards transfer partners for potentially much more value.

Related: Chase Freedom Unlimited Review

Best credit card for dining abroad: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

If cash back on dining is your thing, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is a solid option. That’s because the card includes the ability to earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining purchases. If you spend around $370 per month on dining (the national average, according to the Bank of America Institute), you’ll earn roughly $133 in cash back annually. That’s a great return — especially since there’s a $0 annual fee.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Welcome Offer:
Earn $250 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Welcome Offer:
Earn $250 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

Annual Fee:$0

Show moreWhy We Like ItHighlightsEarning Rates

Tailored for cardmembers who enjoy dining and entertainment, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. The card charges no foreign transaction fees, and rewards don’t expire for the life of the account.

• For a limited time, earn a one-time $250 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart^® and Target^®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
• Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
• Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 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 12 months; 18.49% – 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
• Top rated mobile app

• 8% cash back on purchases made via the Capital One Entertainment ticketing platform
• 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 3% cash back on dining and entertainment
• 3% at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart^® and Target^®)
• 3% on popular streaming services
• 1% on all other purchases

The other factor that makes the Capital One Savor Cash so interesting is that Capital One doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. That makes it one of the very few no-annual-fee cards that lets you earn 3% cash back on dining purchases made abroad. Plus, you can convert the cash back you earn on your card to Capital One miles so you can unlock access to Capital One’s transfer partners if you hold a miles-earning card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

Related: Capital One Savor Cash Review

For a long time, the Amex Gold reigned supreme if you wanted to earn bonus points or statement credits on dining purchases. While it is undoubtedly still one of the best cards for this purpose, many other premium credit cards have added dining-related benefits. If you’re after statement credits, here are a few options.

Best for premium dining perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve^® (Rates & Fees) earns 3X Ultimate Rewards points on dining worldwide. While this is solid, it’s not necessarily anything out of the ordinary. Many other cards, including others on this list and its sibling — the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card — earn the same number of points on dining purchases at far lower annual fees.

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

Welcome Bonus
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

Welcome Bonus
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Annual Fee:$795

Show moreWhy We Like ItHighlightsEarning Rates

Chase’s flagship Ultimate Rewards card. You get a $300 travel credit, airport lounge access courtesy of a Priority Pass membership and industry-leading travel insurance benefits. New cardholders earn 100,000 bonus points bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

• Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
• Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
• Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
• Get complimentary subscriptions to Apple TV and Apple Music for a minimum of one year when activated by June 22, 2027, a value of $288 annually.
• Member FDIC

• 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠
• 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
• 3x points on dining worldwide
• 1x points on all other purchases

However, the Sapphire Reserve has a few notable dining-related benefits that make it a strong contender. First, you can get up to $300 in dining credits each year, split into two semi-annual $150 credits, when you dine at restaurants part of the Sapphire Exclusive Tables program on OpenTable. Sapphire Exclusive Tables aren’t in every city in the country, but if you live near one of more than 50 major metro areas, you shouldn’t have any trouble using your credit on your next date night.

In addition, cardholders get a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership for $0 delivery fees when you activate by December 31, 2027. You’ll also enjoy a $5 monthly promo to spend on restaurant orders and two $10 promos each month to save on groceries, retail orders, and more.

Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve Review

Best for monthly dining credits: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

Just like many other cards on this list, you’ll earn 3X points per dollar at restaurants worldwide with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card. However, you’ll also enjoy up to $25 in monthly statement credits at restaurants worldwide. The vast majority of credit cards that offer a dining credit require you to use that credit within the U.S., so a card that lets you earn a monthly dining credit anywhere in the world is appealing.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

Welcome Offer Earn 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points plus a $250 statement credit after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 09/30/2026.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

Welcome Offer Earn 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points plus a $250 statement credit after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 09/30/2026.

Annual Fee:$650

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card offers plenty of value for Marriott enthusiasts: up to $300 yearly in dining credits, Marriott Bonvoy^® Platinum Elite status, and a Free Night Award valued at up to 85K points after every card renewal. Earn 6X points at Marriott hotels, 3X on dining and direct airline bookings, and 2X on other purchases. Additional perks include a $100 property credit at select Marriott brands, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit, 25 annual Elite Night Credits, and a Priority Pass™ Select membership. Enrollment required for select American Express benefits.

• Earn 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points plus a $250 statement credit after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 09/30/2026.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
• Earn 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines.
• Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Earn up to 21X Marriott Bonvoy® points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Earn 6X points with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Earn up to 10X points from Marriott Bonvoy for being a Marriott Bonvoy member. Earn up to 5X points from Marriott Bonvoy with the 50% Bonus Points on Stays, a benefit available with your complimentary Platinum Elite status.
• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: With the $300 Brilliant Dining Credit, you can get up to $25 per month each calendar year in statement credits for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide when you pay with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
• With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite status, earn up to 5X points from Marriott Bonvoy® on eligible hotel purchases with the 50% Bonus Points on stays benefit.
• Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®, such as Le Metropolitan, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Paris. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Brilliant Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See for Award options.
• $100 Marriott Bonvoy® Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
• Receive either a $120 statement credit for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee every 4 years, when charged to your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Each calendar year, receive 25 Elite Night Credits towards the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.
• With your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you can enroll in Priority Pass™, with an unlimited number of visits to over 1,300 airport lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or in-between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks and internet access in a comfortable location.
• Trip Cancelled or Interrupted? If you purchase a round-trip entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason cancels or interrupts your trip, we may be able to help. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
• $650 Annual Fee.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

• 6X points on purchases at Marriott Properties
• 3X points at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery
• 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines
• 2X points on all other eligible purchases

The dining credit is on top of the Marriott perks that come with the card, like automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, an annual free night award valued up to 85,000 points, and more. However, make sure to do the math before applying. The $650 annual fee (Rates & Fees) is quite high, so you should be a frequent Marriott guest to justify it.

Related: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card Review

Overview of the Best Rewards Credit Cards for Dining & Restaurants

Here’s a quick summary of our favorite credit cards for dining and restaurant purchases, along with a few additional cards that offer at least a 3% return on restaurant spending.

Stack With a Dining Program for More Earnings

If you’re hunting even higher returns on your dining spend, don’t forget to join the numerous dining rewards programs offered by airline, hotel, and cash back programs.

For example, say you agree to receive emails from Alaska’s Atmos Rewards Dining Program and make 12 qualifying transactions in a calendar year. Any subsequent dining purchases earn 5X Atmos points at the program’s over 10,000 participating restaurants. Meanwhile, IHG Dine & Earn offers up to 8X IHG One Rewards points to frequent diners.

The best part is that you don’t have to choose between earning credit card rewards or dining program rewards. You can stack these rewards on top of the points you earn when using your credit card for the same purchase. Even better, you can take advantage of dining rewards program welcome bonuses if you haven’t already enrolled.

Credit: SpotOn/Unsplash

What Purchases Are Included in the Dining & Restaurant Category?

The merchant category code defines purchases included in the dining category. To receive bonus points on your meal, the merchant must code the purchase correctly. This can vary substantially from issuer to issuer. For instance, Citi tends to code my favorite food delivery app as a restaurant, while Chase doesn’t.

When in doubt, we recommend using the AwardWallet Merchant Category Lookup Tool to see how purchases have been coded in the past. Here’s the wording from the four major issuers on how each defines dining purchases.

Chase

“…primary business is sit-down or eat-in dining, including fast food restaurants and fine dining establishments. Merchants that sell food and drinks located within facilities such as sports stadiums, hotels and casinos, theme parks, grocery and department stores will not be included in this category unless the merchant has set up such purchases to be classified in a restaurant category. Bakeries, caterers, meal kit delivery services, and gift card merchants are not included in the category. Delivery and takeout services will be included if they classify as a restaurant merchant.”

Citi

“Includes purchases at cafes, bars, lounges, fast-food restaurants, restaurant delivery services, and take out restaurants. Excludes purchases at bakeries, caterers, and restaurants located inside another business (such as hotels, stores, stadiums, grocery stores, or warehouse clubs).”

American Express

Global Restaurants:

“You will NOT earn additional rewards at bars, nightclubs, convenience stores, supermarkets, grocery stores, cafeterias, caterers, theatre clubs, breweries, bakeries and meeting venues. You may not earn additional rewards at a restaurant located within another establishment (e.g. a restaurant inside a hotel, casino, or event venue) or for purchases made through third-party food delivery services outside of the U.S. For example, purchases made at a restaurant located within a hotel may be recognized as a purchase at a hotel, not a restaurant.”

Specific to U.S. Restaurants:

“You will NOT earn additional rewards for purchases made at a restaurant owned by a U.S. company but located outside the U.S. (e.g., Hard Rock Café in Paris).”

Capital One

“Purchases at restaurants, cafes, bars, lounges, fast-food chains and bakeries.”

Final Thoughts

Of all the cards currently open to new applicants, the Amex Gold is our top pick for earning extra rewards on dining. You’ll earn 4X Membership Rewards points per dollar at restaurants — including takeout and eligible delivery services in the United States (on up to $50,000 per year, then 1X).

For frequent diners who’d prefer to avoid an annual fee, the Freedom Unlimited provides a stellar return at 3% cash back on dining (or 3X Ultimate Rewards points if you hold a card that can transfer points to partners).

At the end of the day, the best card for you will depend on which rewards you want to earn and how much you spend on dining and takeout. But if you pick a card and use it consistently, you’ll be well on your way to building your reward balances.