BEST CREDIT CARDS
The best credit cards for restaurants offer elevated rewards on dining-related purchases. Some cards, however, go beyond that basic perk, though, offering rewards on both eating out and ordering in, doling out statement credits for dining purchases, or providing access to special dining experiences.
If you’re looking for a credit card that will make eating out more rewarding, these credit cards are some of the best on the market. Here’s what to know about the different options and other relevant questions.
The best credit cards for restaurants of 2020
There are several different restaurant credit cards out there, and not all are created equal. Some offer bonus rewards on other categories, and some come with more perks and higher annual fees than others. As you try to decide which restaurant credit card is best for you, compare the full details of each instead of just the rewards rate.
None of our top picks for the best restaurant credit cards are the best for everyone. Know what you want in a card first, and then pick the right one for you.
Here are 2020’s best restaurant credit cards:
- Best for cash-back rewards: Capital One Savor Card
- Best for cash back and no annual fee: Capital One SavorOne Card
- Best for eating out and ordering in: Uber Visa Card
- Best for rewards flexibility: U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card
- Best for comic book fans: Marvel Mastercard
- Best for dining and travel credits: American Express Gold Card
- Best for premium rewards and perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Best for flexible dining and travel rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred
- Best for dining and travel with no annual fee: Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card
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What to look for in credit cards for restaurants
The most important features to look for when choose credit cards for restaurants include the rewards rate on dining-related purchases, what’s included in that rewards category — whether it’s restaurants only or if food delivery services are also included — and other dining perks. You’ll also want to consider each card’s annual fee.
Because there’s no single best credit card out there, it’s up to you to decide what’s most important to you. Here are the main features of each of the top restaurant credit cards in one place.
1. Rewards rates
As a standard, a restaurant credit card is considered good if it offers a 3% rewards rate or higher on dining-related purchases. Over the past few years, more and more credit cards have offered these rates on an ongoing basis, making it easier to find a good rate.
But now it’s not just the rate you want to look at, but also what’s included in the dining category. The Uber Visa Card, for instance, includes UberEATS purchases in its 4% bonus category. Meanwhile, the Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card includes both eating out and ordering in.
Other cards, however, may limit bonus rewards to eating out at a restaurant. Depending on what your dining habits are, it’s important to know what will earn higher rewards with your credit card and what won’t.
Finally, remember that points and miles may have different values than cash back. With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, for instance, your points are worth 1.5 cents apiece when redeemed for travel through Chase. So, earning 3X points per dollar on dining effectively gives you a 4.5% rewards rate, beating out most restaurant credit cards.
As you consider different rewards rates, dig a little deeper with points and miles programs to find out how much each one is actually worth.
The Best Restaurant Credit Cards
| Card | Reward Rates | Fee | APR | Sign-Up Bonus | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Savor | 4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% back at grocery stores and 1% back everywhere else | $0 intro for first year; $95 after that | 15.99% - 24.99% (Variable) | $500 | Get Postmates Unlimited for free through December 2019, and access to premier dining and entertainment experiences |
| Capital One SavorOne | 3% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% back at grocery stores and 1% back everywhere else | $0 | 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable) | $150 | Access to premier dining and entertainment experiences |
| Uber Visa | 4% cash back on dining (including UberEATS), 3% back on hotels and airfare, 2% back on online purchases (including Uber), and 1% back everywhere else | $0 | See terms | $100 in Uber Cash after spending $500 in the first 90 days | Up to $50 in statement credits for online streaming services when you spend $5,000 or more annually |
| U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature | 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible net purchases each quarter on two categories you choose (which can include dining), 2% back at grocery stores, gas stations or restaurants, and 1% elsewhere | $0 | 18.74% - 28.74% Variable | $150 | The 5% bonus categories can be limited; in 2019, for instance, fast food is the only dining-related bonus category |
| Marvel Mastercard | 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, online at Marvel.com and at Marvel’s Official Merchandise Booths, and 1% cash back on all other purchases | 0 | 16.99% to 26.99% | $25 statement credit | Offers several discounts and offers on Marvel merchandise and experiences |
| American Express Gold Card | 4X points on dining worldwide, 4X points on the first $25,000 spent annually at U.S. supermarkets, 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, and 1X points on everything else | $250 | See Pay Over Time APR | 35,000 points | Offers up to $120 in dining credits each year and a $100 annual airline fee credit |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | 3X points on travel and dining worldwide, and 1X points on everything else | $550 | 18.49% - 25.49% Variable | 50,000 points | Several premium perks, including complimentary airport lounge access, a $300 annual travel credit, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, and more |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | 2X points on travel and dining, and 1X points on everything else | $95 | 17.49% - 24.49% Variable | 60,000 points | Offers flexible redemption options with cash back, travel and transfer partners |
| Wells Fargo Propel American Express | 3X points on eligible dining, transportation, travel, and streaming services purchases, plus 1X points on everything else | $0 | 14.49%-24.99% Variable | 20,000 points | Allows you to redeem for cash back or travel at the same redemption rate |
2. Other dining perks
Racking up rewards on dining purchases is nice, but some of the best restaurant credit cards also provide other dining-related perks that can add even more value.
With the Capital One Savor Card, for instance, you’ll get a free Postmates Unlimited membership, which comes with no delivery fees on orders over $15 and no blitz pricing, through December 2019.
And with the American Express Gold Card, you’ll get $10 in dining credits each month, which you can use at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Boxed, and participating Shake Shack locations. That’s up to $120 per year that, along with the card’s $100 annual airline credit, make its $250 annual fee easier to stomach.
The Best Restaurant Credit Cards
| Card | Reward Rates | Fee | APR | Sign-Up Bonus | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Savor | 4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% back at grocery stores and 1% back everywhere else | $0 intro for first year; $95 after that | 15.99% - 24.99% (Variable) | $500 | Get Postmates Unlimited for free through December 2019, and access to premier dining and entertainment experiences |
| Capital One SavorOne | 3% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% back at grocery stores and 1% back everywhere else | $0 | 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable) | $150 | Access to premier dining and entertainment experiences |
| Uber Visa | 4% cash back on dining (including UberEATS), 3% back on hotels and airfare, 2% back on online purchases (including Uber), and 1% back everywhere else | $0 | See terms | $100 in Uber Cash after spending $500 in the first 90 days | Up to $50 in statement credits for online streaming services when you spend $5,000 or more annually |
| U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature | 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible net purchases each quarter on two categories you choose (which can include dining), 2% back at grocery stores, gas stations or restaurants, and 1% elsewhere | $0 | 18.74% - 28.74% Variable | $150 | The 5% bonus categories can be limited; in 2019, for instance, fast food is the only dining-related bonus category |
| Marvel Mastercard | 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, online at Marvel.com and at Marvel’s Official Merchandise Booths, and 1% cash back on all other purchases | 0 | 16.99% to 26.99% | $25 statement credit | Offers several discounts and offers on Marvel merchandise and experiences |
| American Express Gold Card | 4X points on dining worldwide, 4X points on the first $25,000 spent annually at U.S. supermarkets, 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, and 1X points on everything else | $250 | See Pay Over Time APR | 35,000 points | Offers up to $120 in dining credits each year and a $100 annual airline fee credit |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | 3X points on travel and dining worldwide, and 1X points on everything else | $550 | 18.49% - 25.49% Variable | 50,000 points | Several premium perks, including complimentary airport lounge access, a $300 annual travel credit, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, and more |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | 2X points on travel and dining, and 1X points on everything else | $95 | 17.49% - 24.49% Variable | 60,000 points | Offers flexible redemption options with cash back, travel and transfer partners |
| Wells Fargo Propel American Express | 3X points on eligible dining, transportation, travel, and streaming services purchases, plus 1X points on everything else | $0 | 14.49%-24.99% Variable | 20,000 points | Allows you to redeem for cash back or travel at the same redemption rate |
3. Annual fees
A card with a higher annual fee may require that you spend more to make up for it, but it may also offer more valuable perks that make it easy to break even. On the flip side, a card with no annual fee won’t make you wonder if you’re getting enough value to make up for a yearly cost, but it may not provide as much overall value as annual-fee cards.
As you consider each card, consider the total net value you can get from each card to determine which one is best for you.
What is the best credit card for restaurants of 2020?
There’s no single best credit card for restaurants out there for everyone, so it’s important to know what you want in a dining credit card. Think about each of the above features, as well as your dining habits, to find the one that best fits your needs.
In some cases, it may be worth having more than one credit card that offers bonus rewards on dining. For example, you may want the Chase Sapphire Reserve for its travel perks, but want to rack up Membership Rewards points on dining with the American Express Gold Card to diversify your rewards.
Whatever you do, take the time to research all of your options to find the best card and strategy for you.
The Best Restaurant Credit Cards
| Card | Reward Rates | Fee | APR | Sign-Up Bonus | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Savor | 4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% back at grocery stores and 1% back everywhere else | $0 intro for first year; $95 after that | 15.99% - 24.99% (Variable) | $500 | Get Postmates Unlimited for free through December 2019, and access to premier dining and entertainment experiences |
| Capital One SavorOne | 3% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% back at grocery stores and 1% back everywhere else | $0 | 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable) | $150 | Access to premier dining and entertainment experiences |
| Uber Visa | 4% cash back on dining (including UberEATS), 3% back on hotels and airfare, 2% back on online purchases (including Uber), and 1% back everywhere else | $0 | See terms | $100 in Uber Cash after spending $500 in the first 90 days | Up to $50 in statement credits for online streaming services when you spend $5,000 or more annually |
| U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature | 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible net purchases each quarter on two categories you choose (which can include dining), 2% back at grocery stores, gas stations or restaurants, and 1% elsewhere | $0 | 18.74% - 28.74% Variable | $150 | The 5% bonus categories can be limited; in 2019, for instance, fast food is the only dining-related bonus category |
| Marvel Mastercard | 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, online at Marvel.com and at Marvel’s Official Merchandise Booths, and 1% cash back on all other purchases | 0 | 16.99% to 26.99% | $25 statement credit | Offers several discounts and offers on Marvel merchandise and experiences |
| American Express Gold Card | 4X points on dining worldwide, 4X points on the first $25,000 spent annually at U.S. supermarkets, 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, and 1X points on everything else | $250 | See Pay Over Time APR | 35,000 points | Offers up to $120 in dining credits each year and a $100 annual airline fee credit |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | 3X points on travel and dining worldwide, and 1X points on everything else | $550 | 18.49% - 25.49% Variable | 50,000 points | Several premium perks, including complimentary airport lounge access, a $300 annual travel credit, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, and more |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | 2X points on travel and dining, and 1X points on everything else | $95 | 17.49% - 24.49% Variable | 60,000 points | Offers flexible redemption options with cash back, travel and transfer partners |
| Wells Fargo Propel American Express | 3X points on eligible dining, transportation, travel, and streaming services purchases, plus 1X points on everything else | $0 | 14.49%-24.99% Variable | 20,000 points | Allows you to redeem for cash back or travel at the same redemption rate |
Who has the best restaurant rewards credit card?
For the most part, no credit card issuer has a corner on the best restaurant credit cards. Of our top picks, Capital One and Chase have a couple of cards on the list, but you’ll also find cards from American Express, Barclays, Synchrony Bank, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo.
In general, getting the right credit card for you isn’t so much about the card’s issuer as it is the card itself. If you bank with Capital One, for instance, it can be convenient to have one of the Savor cards to keep everything under one roof. But if you think you can get more value from a restaurant credit card offered by one of the other banks on our list, go for that one.
What is the best restaurant cash-back credit card?
Because the value of cash back is more straightforward than points or miles, it’s easier to compare rewards rates on a cash-back credit card than on a travel credit card.
That said, it’s still difficult to pinpoint one restaurant cash-back credit card as the best. Again, what is so-called best depends on the full package. The Uber Visa Card and the Capital One Savor Card tie for the best rewards rate of the cash-back credit cards we’ve listed, but they’re very different in other aspects, including their annual fees, other benefits, and what they consider to be dining.
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Assess each card based on the full package instead of just the rewards rate. That’s how you’ll get the most bang for your buck.
What are the best credit cards for restaurants and gas?
Most of the cards we’ve listed here don’t offer high rewards rates on both dining and gas purchases. So if that combination is what you’re looking for, the Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card may be your best bet, offering 3X points on dining and gas, among other things.
And if you want to earn more on gas than dining, consider the Costco Anywhere Visa, which offers 4% cash back on up to $7,000 in eligible gas each year, 3% back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases, 2% back at Costco and Costco.com, and 1% back on everything else.
What are the best credit cards for restaurants and bars?
In general, most credit card issuers include both restaurants and bars in their definition of dining, so you don’t need to worry about getting bonus rewards at one and not the other. As a result, you can pick the right restaurant credit card for you based on the other factors we’ve discussed so far.
The bottom line
There are plenty of restaurant credit cards that offer incredible rewards and perks, and you can’t go wrong with most of them. Regardless of which one you choose, here’s a quick tip on how to maximize your rewards: when you go out with friends, offer to pay the bill and have them pay you back via Venmo or another peer-to-peer payment service.
It may not be a great option with friends who might be slow to pay you back, but it can be a great way to earn more rewards without actually spending more than your fair share.
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More details on restaurant credit cards
Here are some more details on some of our favorite restaurant credit cards for 2019:
Capital One Savor Card
Annual fee: $0 intro for first year; $95 after that
APR: 15.99% - 24.99% (Variable)
Bonus: $500
Rewards rates: Earn 4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% back at grocery stores and 1% back everywhere else.
Dining perks: Get a Postmates Unlimited membership covered through December 2019, plus access to premier culinary experiences.
Pro/strength: The card’s welcome bonus covers the annual fee for a few years, giving you time to decide whether it’s the best fit for you.
Con/weakness: The Postmates Unlimited membership benefit is running out soon. While the card may replace it with a different promotion, it’s not guaranteed.
SavorOne Rewards from
Capital One
Capital One SavorOne Card
Annual fee: $0
APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Bonus: $150
Rewards rates: Earn 3% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% back at grocery stores and 1% back everywhere else.
Dining perks: Get access to premier culinary experiences.
Pro/strength: The card’s lack of an annual fee makes it a decent alternative to its sister card, the Capital One® Savor® Card.
Con/weakness: Its rewards rate isn’t the best among restaurant credit cards with no annual fee.
Uber Visa Card
Uber Visa Card
Annual fee: $0
APR: See terms
Bonus: $100 in Uber Cash after spending $500 in the first 90 days
Rewards rates: 4% cash back on dining (including UberEATS), 3% back on hotels and airfare, 2% back on online purchases (including Uber), and 1% back everywhere else
Dining perks: UberEATS is included in the card’s definition of dining, making it possible to earn bonus rewards while eating out or ordering in.
Pro/strength: The card also offers a $50 offer on streaming services, cell phone protection and other perks on everyday needs.
Con/weakness: Its welcome bonus is low compared to many of our favorite restaurant credit cards.
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card
Annual fee: $0
APR: 18.74% - 28.74% Variable
Bonus: $150
Rewards rates: 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible net purchases each quarter on two categories you choose (which includes fast food in 2019), 2% back at grocery stores, gas stations or restaurants, and 1% elsewhere.
Dining perks: None.
Pro/strength: The card offers a high rewards rate on more than just fast food purchases, and you can change up your 5% bonus categories every few months.
Con/weakness: Fast food is the only dining-related category that you can earn 5% back on in 2019.
Marvel Mastercard
Marvel Mastercard
Annual fee: $0.
APR: 16.99% to 26.99% variable.
Bonus: Receive a $25 statement credit after you make your first purchase.
Rewards rates: 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, online at Marvel.com and at Marvel’s Official Merchandise Booths, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Dining perks: None.
Pro/strength: The card offers a lot of perks, including discounts and special offers, for Marvel fans.
Con/weakness: Non-Marvel fans won’t get much out of the card beyond 3% back on dining and entertainment.
Amex Gold Card
American Express Gold Card
Annual fee: $250
APR: See Pay Over Time APR
Bonus: 35,000 points
Rewards rates: 4X points on dining worldwide, 4X points on the first $25,000 spent annually at U.S. supermarkets, 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, and 1X points on everything else.
Dining perks: You’ll get up to $10 per month in statement credits that you can use at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Boxed, and participating Shake Shack locations.
Pro/strength: The card’s annual fee is high, but its $220 worth of annual credits alone reduces its effective yearly cost to just $30. Add in the high rewards rates and other perks, and it makes a lot of sense.
Con/weakness: It requires you to pay your balance in full each month and the $250 annual fee may still be too steep for some.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Annual fee: $550
APR: 18.49% - 25.49% Variable
Bonus: 50,000 points
Rewards rates: Earn 3X points on travel and dining worldwide, plus 1X points on everything else.
Dining perks: None.
Pro/strength: The card offers a suite of elite travel perks, including a $300 annual travel credit, complimentary airport lounge access, an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, complimentary rental car privileges, and more. Plus, points are worth 50% more when you redeem them for travel through Chase.
Con/weakness: The card’s high annual fee may be too much for some credit card users.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Annual fee: $95
APR: 17.49% - 24.49% Variable
Bonus: 60,000 points
Rewards rates: Earn 2X points on travel and dining and 1X points on everything else.
Dining perks: None.
Pro/strength: The card doesn’t offer elite travel perks like its sister card, but rewards are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase, and you can also transfer them to airline and hotel partners for potentially more value.
Con/weakness: Despite a lot of redemption flexibility, its rewards rates aren’t as generous as some of the other cards on our list.
Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card
Annual fee: $0
APR: 14.49%-24.99% Variable
Bonus: 20,000 points
Rewards rates: Earn 3X points on eating out and ordering in, gas, rideshares, and transit, flights, hotels, homestays, and car rentals, and popular streaming services. All other purchase will net you 1X points.
Dining perks: None.
Pro/strength: The card will give you 1 cent per point on both travel and cash-back redemptions. Most travel credit cards give you less for cash back redemptions, limiting your flexibility.
Con/weakness: The card doesn’t provide a lot of dining or travel-related perks.
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