Most Used Credit Cards in the USA for Dining & Restaurants

Introduction

Eating at restaurants, either in the form of a quick bite or an upscale dining experience, is a necessary part of daily life for countless individuals in the USA. With the advent of food delivery businesses and eating out as a major social outing, credit card companies have answered with products that incentivize customers for restaurant purchases.

The best dining credit cards provide rewards beyond rewards—added benefits that include discounts, entry to special events, and even points you can use toward complimentary meals. With so many credit cards out there, though, how to select the optimal card for your dining activity? In this article, we will look at the top dining and restaurant purchase credit cards in the USA based on features such as reward rates, annual fees, and special benefits. Knowing your preferences and how you spend will guide you to pick the best card for your dining lifestyle.

Summary TLDR

Top 9 Credit Cards in the USA for Dining & Restaurants [2025]

Best Credit Cards in the USA for Dining & Restaurants [March 2025]

1. Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card

The Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card has strong 2X points on dining and travel purchases, and it is thus an ideal pick for those spending in both these categories. Even though its rewards for dining are not as substantial as other credit cards, overall benefits and reward structure make the card a decent option for individuals seeking a well-balanced rewards card.

Dining Rewards

• Issuer – Bank of America
• Payment Gateway – Visa
• Credit Score – Good to Excellent
• Intro APR – N/A
• Regular APR – 21.24% – 29.24% Variable APR.
• Annual Fee – $95
• International Transaction Fee – None
• Cash Advance Fee – Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
• Balance Transfer APR – 21.24% – 29.24% Variable APR
• Sign-up Bonus – Receive 60,000 online bonus points (a $600 value) after making at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Best For – Frequent Travelers

The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card is a premium travel and cashback hybrid card offering 2x points on travel and dining and 1.5x on everything else. Issued by Bank of America, it comes with a $100 airline incidental statement credit, making it a strong option for frequent travelers. Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, or gift cards.

This card has a $95 annual fee and requires a good to excellent credit score (700+). Credit limits are based on income and financial history. It offers a referral program where cardholders can earn bonus points. Other benefits include trip delay reimbursement, rental car insurance, and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® credits. There are no foreign transaction fees, making it an excellent travel companion.

Pros & Cons:

2. American Express® Gold Card

The American Express® Gold Card is an upscale choice for foodies, with rich rewards on restaurant spending and numerous travel benefits. Its high rewards earning rate for restaurant dining, takeout, and delivery make it a perfect choice for heavy eaters. Although it has a high annual fee, the abundance of benefits it offers can make it a great option for regular diners.

Restaurant Spending

• Issuer – American Express
• Payment Gateway – AMEX
• Credit Score – Good-Excellent
• Intro APR – N/A
• Regular APR – 21.24%–29.24%
• Annual Fee – $250
• International Transaction Fee – No Foreign Transaction Fee
• Cash Advance Fee – 5% or $10
• Balance Transfer APR – N/A
• Sign-up Bonus – 60,000 Membership Rewards points after $4,000 spent in 6 months
• Best For – Food Enthusiasts, Frequent Travelers

The American Express® Gold Card, issued by American Express, provides generous rewards on everyday purchases, including dining and travel. Its best feature is the Membership Rewards program, offering valuable points for various expenses.

The card has an annual fee of $325 plus applicable taxes. Unique features include no pre-set spending limit and access to the Gold Collection rewards. The required credit score is 700+. The referral program offers bonus Membership Rewards points.

Pros & Cons:

3. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is ideal for those who eat out frequently, providing 4% cashback on dining and entertainment spending. It’s a good option for those who desire to earn cash rewards on their favorite food and activities.

Dining Rewards

• Issuer – Capital One
• Payment Gateway – MasterCard
• Credit Score – Excellent
• Intro APR – 0% for 12 months
• Regular APR – 19.24%-29.24% Variable
• Annual Fee – $95
• International Transaction Fee – None
• Cash Advance Fee – 5% or $10, whichever is greater
• Balance Transfer APR – 19.24%-29.24% Variable
• Sign-up Bonus – $300 after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
• Best For – Food Enthusiasts, High Spenders

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores, dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services. Issued by Capital One, it’s perfect for foodies and entertainment enthusiasts.

With no annual fee and a 0% intro APR for 15 months, the Savor card also offers 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. A good credit score is required, and cardholders can refer friends for rewards.

Pros & Cons:

4. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers an attractive cashback rate of 3% on dining, making it a solid option for those who want to earn rewards while keeping costs low. With no annual fee and easy-to-understand rewards, it’s a great choice for casual diners.

Dining & Restaurant Spending

• Issuer – Capital One
• Payment Gateway – Mastercard
• Credit Score – Good-Excellent
• Intro APR – 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% – 29.99% variable APR after that
• Regular APR – 19.99% – 29.99% Variable
• Annual Fee – $0
• International Transaction Fee – None
• Cash Advance Fee – Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
• Balance Transfer APR – 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% – 29.99% variable APR after that
• Sign-up Bonus – Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
• Best For – Food Enthusiasts Professionals

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for foodies and entertainment lovers, offering unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery stores (excluding superstores). Issued by Capital One, it also features 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

With no annual fee, the SavorOne card provides premium cashback rewards without extra costs. A credit score of 700+ is generally required. The card features an introductory 0% APR for 15 months, no foreign transaction fees, and a referral program that rewards users with cash bonuses for inviting friends. Other benefits include travel accident insurance and fraud protection.

Pros & Cons:

5. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great all-around travel rewards card with exceptional dining benefits. With 3X points on dining, this card is also an excellent choice for travelers, as it has excellent travel benefits. This card is the best option for those who can benefit from dining and travel rewards.

Dining Rewards

• Issuer – Chase
• Payment Gateway – Visa
• Credit Score – Good-Excellent
• Intro APR – N/A
• Regular APR – 21.24%–28.24%
• Annual Fee – $95
• International Transaction Fee – No Foreign Transaction Fee
• Cash Advance Fee – 5% or $10
• Balance Transfer APR – N/A – Sign-up Bonus
  60,000 points after $4,000 spent in 3 months
• Best For – Frequent Travelers, Foodies

Pros & Cons:

6. Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card helps individuals & businesses with travel and dining benefits. This card helps to manage all the expenses and travel rewards.

Travel and Dining Rewards

• Issuer – Chase
• Payment Gateway – Visa
• Credit Score – Excellent
• Intro APR – N/A
• Regular APR – 22.24%–29.24%
• Annual Fee – $550
• International Transaction Fee – No Foreign Transaction Fee
• Cash Advance Fee – 5% or $10
• Balance Transfer APR – N/A
• Sign-up Bonus – 60,000 points after $4,000 spent in 3 months
• Best For – Frequent Travelers, Luxury Travelers

Pros & Cons:

7. Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card stands out by offering 5% cashback on your top eligible spending category each billing cycle, which can include dining. This card is perfect for individuals who have fluctuating spending habits and want to maximize their rewards in dining or other categories.

Dining Rewards

• Issuer – Citibank
• Payment Gateway – Mastercard
• Credit Score – Good-Excellent
• Intro APR – 0% for 15 months
• Regular APR – 19.24%–29.24%
• Annual Fee – $0
• International Transaction Fee – 3%
• Cash Advance Fee – 5% or $10
• Balance Transfer APR – 19.24%–29.24%
• Sign-up Bonus – $200 cash back after $1,500 spent in 3 months
• Best For – Everyday Users, High Spenders

The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card, issued by Citi, is perfect for category-specific spending. Its best feature is earning 5% cashback on your top eligible spending category each month. It benefits users by maximizing rewards in their most-used credit card categories.

The card has no annual fee. Its unique feature is the rotating 5% cashback category. The credit limit varies. A good credit score (670+) is required. No referral program, but it offers introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers.

Pros & Cons:

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

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card is an excellent option for dining lovers with no annual fee. With 4X points on dining, the card also rewards additional points for takeout and delivery, which makes it an ideal option for people who love eating out or ordering in.

Dining Points

• Issuer – U.S. Bank
• Payment Gateway – Visa
• Credit Score – Good to Excellent
• Intro APR – 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR applies.
• Regular APR – 14.99% to 23.99% Variable APR
• Annual Fee – No Annual Fee
• International Transaction Fee – No Foreign Transaction Fees
• Cash Advance Fee – Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
• Balance Transfer APR – 14.99% to 23.99% Variable APR
• Sign-up Bonus – 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
• Best For – Individuals Seeking Dining Rewards

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card is a solid choice for food lovers, offering 4x points on dining, 2x on groceries, streaming services, and gas stations. Issued by U.S. Bank, it also provides an annual $15 credit for streaming services like Netflix and Spotify. The unlimited points can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, or statement credits.

This card has no annual fee and requires a good to excellent credit score (700+). Credit limits vary based on financial history. The card has a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers. While there is no referral program, additional perks include contactless payments, extended warranty protection, and cell phone insurance when you pay your phone bill with the card.

Pros & Cons:

9. Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is a simple way to earn rewards on dining. With 3X points on dining, this no-annual-fee card is a great option for those seeking a low-cost, easy rewards card that still has flexibility for other purchases.

Dining Points

• Issuer – Wells Fargo
• Payment Gateway – Visa
• Credit Score – Good to Excellent
• Intro APR – 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. After that, a variable APR applies.
• Regular APR – 19.24% to 29.24% Variable APR
• Annual Fee – No Annual Fee
• International Transaction Fee – 3% of each transaction converted to U.S. dollars
• Cash Advance Fee – Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
• Balance Transfer APR – 19.24% to 29.24% Variable APR
• Sign-up Bonus – 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months.
• Best For – Individuals Seeking Rewards, N/A

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is a versatile rewards card that offers 3x points on dining, travel, gas, streaming, and transit. Issued by Wells Fargo, it’s perfect for those looking for a balanced rewards structure with everyday spending categories. With no rotating categories and easy redemption options, it provides a seamless rewards experience.

This card has no annual fee and is designed for individuals with good credit (700+). Credit limits start at $1,000 and can increase over time. The card offers a 0% intro APR for 12 months and includes a referral program that allows users to earn bonus points. Additional perks include cellphone protection, travel accident insurance, and zero liability fraud protection.

Pros & Cons:

Comparison Table:

Methodology

• Key Factors Considered in Review:
  • Focused on determining the usefulness of top metal credit cards offered by Chase.
• Rewards Programs:
  • Analyzed how each card rewards users based on spending categories such as travel, dining, and other expenditures.
• Annual Fees:
  • Examined the yearly fees, which are generally higher for metal credit cards, but often come with significant benefits.
• Premium Travel Benefits:
  • Considered perks like airport lounge access, high-end travel insurance, and concierge services, as these are highly valued by metal card users.
• Sign-Up Bonus & Welcome Offer:
  • Evaluated the initial bonuses, as they can substantially increase a card’s value within the first few months.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Took into account the income and credit score requirements, as some Chase metal cards require higher financial standing.
• Card Design & Experience:
  • Assessed not just the functionality but also the premium feel and user experience of the metal cards.
• Final Selection Process:
  • Chose the best Chase metal credit cards based on their value proposition, flexibility, and overall benefits to the cardholder.

Choosing the Best Dining & Restaurant Credit Cards?

Why Do You Need a Credit Card for Dining & Restaurants?

• Credit cards use rewarding dining habits: rewards on restaurant spending earn you back money on dining and can give you excellent points for travel or cashback.
• Exclusive access: Most cards offer access to exclusive dining events, restaurant promotions, or affiliations with certain restaurant chains.
• Convenience: Credit cards enable convenient and safe payment at dining places, in-person and online.
• Other Perks: Cards usually have purchase protection, extended warranties, or trip cancellation insurance, which can be beneficial for dining-related purchases (e.g., booking group dinners or catering).

Advantages of credit cards for Restaurants & Dining

FAQs

What is the best credit card for dining in the USA?

The best card depends on your spending habits, but cards like the Capital One SavorOne and Chase Sapphire Preferred are top picks for dining rewards.

Are there credit cards that offer rewards for dining out?

Yes, many cards offer high rewards for dining out, such as 3x points or cashback, with additional benefits like discounts at partner restaurants.

Do Capital One cards offer dining-specific perks?

Yes, certain Capital One cards provide dining-focused rewards, including access to dining experiences and restaurant discounts.

How do credit cards help with restaurant spending?

Credit cards provide rewards for dining purchases, which can be redeemed for travel, cashback, or discounts at restaurants. Additionally, some cards offer dining-specific perks like VIP reservations.

Is it worth getting a credit card for dining out?

If you dine out regularly, a credit card with dining rewards can offer significant savings and perks, making it a worthwhile investment.