Dining out at restaurants is one of life’s little pleasures, but it can also be an expensive habit. Whether you’re enjoying a casual lunch with friends or savoring a fine-dining experience with family, using the right credit card can help you maximize rewards and savings. The good news? Many credit cards offer excellent benefits when it comes to dining out, from cashback and points to valuable dining-specific perks. In this guide, we’ll explore the best credit cards to use at restaurants in 2025.
Why Use a Credit Card at Restaurants?
Before diving into specific cards, let’s explore the benefits of using credit cards at restaurants rather than paying with cash or debit.
-
Earn Rewards: Many credit cards offer rewards like points or cashback for dining purchases. This means that every meal you enjoy could help you earn something back, whether it’s travel points, cashback, or statement credits.
-
Enhanced Benefits: Certain credit cards offer exclusive perks such as complimentary restaurant reservations, discounts, or priority seating. These rewards and benefits are especially valuable for frequent diners or those who enjoy special dining experiences.
-
Added Protection: When you use a credit card, you often get added consumer protection, including fraud protection and purchase protection. This can be especially helpful in case there are issues with your restaurant bill or if you need to dispute a charge.
-
Sign-Up Bonuses: Many credit cards come with generous sign-up bonuses, which can be earned through restaurant purchases. If you’re planning to dine out, why not take advantage of these offers?
Now that we’ve covered the benefits, let’s explore the best credit cards to use at restaurants.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Why It’s Great for Dining:
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is widely regarded as one of the best travel credit cards, but it’s also fantastic for dining out. This card offers 2X points on dining at restaurants, which includes takeout and delivery. Whether you’re dining in or ordering in, you’ll earn solid rewards for every meal.
Key Features:
-
2X points on dining (including restaurants, takeout, and delivery)
-
60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
-
$95 annual fee
-
1:1 point transfer to travel partners (great for travel redemptions)
-
Travel and purchase protections, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance and extended warranty protection.
Why It’s Ideal for Dining:
In addition to the great points rate on dining, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card provides excellent travel rewards that can be redeemed for dining experiences as well. Plus, if you travel frequently, the ability to transfer points to travel partners opens up a range of opportunities for dining rewards on vacation.
2. American Express® Gold Card
Why It’s Great for Dining:
The American Express® Gold Card is a top choice for foodies. It offers an incredible 4X points on restaurants, including takeout and delivery, making it one of the highest-earning credit cards for dining out. This card also offers bonus points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year), making it an ideal option for those who spend a lot on both dining and groceries.
Key Features:
-
4X points on dining (at restaurants, including takeout and delivery)
-
$250 annual fee
-
3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
-
$120 Dining Credit (can be used at select restaurants and food delivery services)
-
No foreign transaction fees
Why It’s Ideal for Dining:
The American Express® Gold Card is a standout for dining rewards. The 4X points on restaurants are unrivaled by most other cards, and the additional $120 dining credit can help offset the annual fee, especially if you dine out regularly. Plus, the rewards points can be redeemed for travel, dining experiences, or even statement credits.
3. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Why It’s Great for Dining:
If you’re looking for a simple, straightforward card with no annual fee, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers 3% cashback on dining and entertainment, making it an excellent option for those who frequently dine out or enjoy entertainment-related dining experiences.
Key Features:
-
3% cashback on dining and entertainment
-
No annual fee
-
1% cashback on all other purchases
-
No foreign transaction fees
-
$200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months
Why It’s Ideal for Dining:
This card is an excellent choice for those who want to earn cashback without paying an annual fee. The 3% cashback on dining helps you earn rewards quickly, and you can redeem your cashback as a statement credit, check, or for travel.
4. U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
Why It’s Great for Dining:
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card is a great option for dining enthusiasts. It offers 4X points on dining and 2X points on grocery store purchases, giving cardholders a chance to earn more rewards with their daily spending.
Key Features:
-
4X points on dining
-
2X points on grocery store purchases
-
No annual fee
-
1X points on other purchases
-
20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months (worth $200 in travel)
Why It’s Ideal for Dining:
The 4X points on dining makes this a strong contender for anyone who enjoys eating out. Plus, with no annual fee, this card delivers a lot of value without any added cost. Whether you’re grabbing lunch or dining at a fine restaurant, you’ll rack up points fast.
5. Citi Premier® Card
Why It’s Great for Dining:
The Citi Premier® Card offers 3X points on dining at restaurants, including takeout and delivery. It also provides extra points on travel-related purchases, making it ideal for those who love both dining out and traveling.
Key Features:
-
3X points on dining, including takeout and delivery
-
3X points on air travel and hotels
-
$95 annual fee
-
80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months (worth up to $800 in gift cards or travel)
-
No foreign transaction fees
Why It’s Ideal for Dining:
This card offers a strong 3X points on dining and a solid welcome bonus, making it a great all-around card for frequent diners and travelers. With flexible point redemptions and travel protections, it’s perfect for those who want to earn rewards on both dining and travel.
6. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Why It’s Great for Dining:
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers 3% cashback on dining, including restaurants, takeout, and delivery services. Although this card is more known for its cashback on supermarkets, the rewards on dining are strong as well.
Key Features:
-
3% cashback on dining, including restaurants, takeout, and delivery
-
6% cashback at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year)
-
$95 annual fee
-
$300 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months
-
Cashback can be redeemed as a statement credit
Why It’s Ideal for Dining:
With its 3% cashback on dining, this card is ideal for those who spend a significant amount on eating out. The 6% cashback at supermarkets makes it a great all-around card for everyday purchases as well.
7. Discover it® Cash Back
Why It’s Great for Dining:
The Discover it® Cash Back card is unique in that it offers 5% cashback on rotating categories, which often includes dining. Although the categories change every quarter, you can earn up to 5% cashback on dining expenses for specific periods throughout the year.
Key Features:
-
5% cashback on rotating categories (including dining, when activated)
-
1% cashback on all other purchases
-
No annual fee
-
$0 Fraud Liability Guarantee
Why It’s Ideal for Dining:
The 5% cashback on dining can be a great deal if you’re able to align your spending with the rotating categories. There’s no annual fee, and Discover will match all the cashback you earn in your first year, making this a valuable option for those who can optimize the rotating categories.
Conclusion
Choosing the best credit card to use at restaurants can depend on a variety of factors, including the types of rewards you’re looking for, your dining habits, and whether you’re willing to pay an annual fee. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and American Express® Gold Card offer exceptional points for dining, while cards like the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card and Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express provide great cashback options.
Ultimately, the best card for you will depend on your spending patterns, travel goals, and what type of rewards you find most valuable. Make sure to weigh the benefits of each card carefully to choose one that fits your lifestyle.