Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
ALSO CONSIDER: Best credit cards of 2023 || Best cash back credit cards || Best credit cards for groceries || Best travel credit cards
Turn restaurant meals, including takeout and delivery, into serious rewards by paying with a credit card that offers extra cash back or points on spending at restaurants. According to federal consumer expenditure data, the average U.S. household spent $2,375 on "food away from home" in 2020, the most recent year available. When paying for those meals with a card that earned 3% on restaurant spending, the rewards would top $70 — enough for a few more free meals, depending on the dining establishment.
Show summary
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for 3% dining rewards + high rate on other spending
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for 3% dining and grocery rewards
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card: Best for Up to 5% cash back
American Express® Gold Card: Best for Travel rewards
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for Travel rewards
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for Travel rewards
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card: Best for High rewards + no annual fee
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card: Best for 3X on dining and much more
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card: Best for Customizable rewards
American Express® Business Gold Card: Best for Small business
Chase Freedom Flex℠: Best for 3% dining rewards + rotating bonus categories
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card: Best for 3% dining rewards
DoorDash Rewards Mastercard®: Best for DoorDash delivery
Credit card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best for 3% dining rewards + high rate on other spending | $0 | 1.5%-6.5% | $300 | Apply Now on Chase's website | |
Best for 3% dining and grocery rewards | $0 | 1%-10% | $200 | Apply Now on Capital One's website | |
Best for Up to 5% cash back | $0 | 1%-5% | $200 | Apply Now on Citibank's application | |
Best for Travel rewards | $250 | 1x-4x | 60,000 | Apply Now on American Express' website | |
Best for High rewards + no annual fee | $0 | 1x-4x | 20,000 | Apply Now on US Bank's website | |
Best for Travel rewards | $95 | 1x-5x | 60,000 | Apply Now on Chase's website | |
Best for 3X on dining and much more | $0 | 1x-3x | 20,000 | Apply Now on Wells Fargo's website | |
Best for Customizable rewards | $0 | 1%-5% | $200 | Apply Now on US Bank's website | |
Best for Travel rewards | $550 | 1x-10x | 60,000 | Apply Now on Chase's website | |
Best for Small business | $295 | 1x-4x | 70,000 | Apply Now on American Express' website | |
Best for 3% dining rewards + rotating bonus categories | $0 | 1%-5% | $200 | Apply Now on Chase's website | |
![]() Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Apply Now on Bank of America's website,or call (877) 754-6706 | Best for 3% dining rewards | $0 | 1%-3% | $200 | Apply Now on Bank of America's website,or call (877) 754-6706 |
Best for DoorDash delivery | $0 | 1%-4% | $100 | Apply Now on Chase's website |
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5%-6.5%
CashbackIntro offer
$300
Recommended Credit Score
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® isn't the only card that pays 3% back at restaurants. But it's the only one that pays 3% at restaurants AND pays 1.5% on spending outside its bonus categories, rather than the standard 1%.
This card earns 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase; 3% cash back at restaurants and drugstores; and 1.5% on other purchases. New cardholders who apply through NerdWallet can snag this sign-up bonus: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
There just aren't a lot of drawbacks to this card. But if you prefer to cook at home as much as eat out, keep in mind that groceries earn only the base rate of 1.5% cash back.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® isn't the only card that pays 3% back at restaurants. But it's the only one that pays 3% at restaurants AND pays 1.5% on spending outside its bonus categories, rather than the standard 1%.
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-10%
CashbackIntro offer
$200
Recommended Credit Score
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card — the $0-annual-fee version of Capital One's popular dining card — pays unlimited 3% cash back on dining, grocery stores and entertainment, including streaming services, and 1% back on other purchases. And for a limited time (through Nov. 14, 2024), the card also earns 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats, making it ideal for those who frequently have their food delivered. Terms apply.
Though it offers a lower rewards rate on dining and entertainment than its annual-fee-bearing big brother, this card is a better choice for people who eat out less often. The sign-up bonus is smaller, but still quite nice: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
If you're a one-card kind of person rather than someone with a card for every occasion, you might get more value from a card that pays 1.5% or 2% cash back on every purchase.
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card — the $0-annual-fee version of Capital One's popular dining card — pays unlimited 3% cash back on dining, grocery stores and entertainment, including streaming services, and 1% back on other purchases. And for a limited time (through Nov. 14, 2024), the card also earns 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats, making it ideal for those who frequently have their food delivered. Terms apply.
You earn 5% cash back on up to $500 spent per month in your top eligible category, and 1% on other spending. You don't have to select or "activate" your category; it's automatic, so you'll always earn 5% in the category where it makes you the most money. This card also offers newcomers a terrific bonus offer and a nice 0% intro APR period.
Note the $500 monthly spending cap for the 5% rewards rate, which means the most you can earn per month in bonus rewards is $25. Also note the low rewards rate outside of your lone bonus category for the month.
The $0-annual-fee Citi Custom Cash℠ Card automatically pays 5% in your highest-spending eligible category each month. The categories include restaurants.
In addition to to dining rewards, you get 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 a year in spending; 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines and amextravel.com; and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. Cardholders can also enroll to receive up to $10 in monthly statement credits when they use the card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations.
The annual fee is $250. Frequent travelers can make up for the fee with the card's travel perks. If you don't travel much, this card isn't for you.
The American Express® Gold Card comes with big rewards, including 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide.
Annual fee
$95
Rewards rate
1x-5x
PointsIntro offer
60,000
PointsRecommended Credit Score
The $95-annual-fee Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card delivers a lot of value for cards in that price range, such as triple rewards on dining (including eligible delivery services and takeout), as well as some valuable perks that recur annually.
Aside from earning 3 points per $1 spent on dining, the card also features bonus rewards on a host of other popular spending categories including travel, eligible online grocery purchases and select streaming services. Those points are worth 1.25 cents when you redeem them for travel through Chase, or you can transfer them to multiple hotel and airline travel partners at a 1:1 ratio. There's also a large sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Keeping track of this card's various and sundry bonus rewards categories and perks can take some maintenance. And it lacks some of the premium travel perks of its more expensive sibling, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
The $95-annual-fee Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card delivers a lot of value for cards in that price range, such as triple rewards on dining (including eligible delivery services and takeout), as well as some valuable perks that recur annually.
Annual fee
$550
Rewards rate
1x-10x
PointsIntro offer
60,000
PointsRecommended Credit Score
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® made its name with a treasure trove of travel benefits, but restaurant connoisseurs will also appreciate its first-rate dining rewards. It offers an unlimited 3 points per dollar spent on dining and travel and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. If you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards, you can earn even more: 10 points per dollar on Chase Dining, hotel stays and car rentals and 5 points on air travel.
Points can be redeemed for travel through Chase at a value of 1.5 cents each. The card also comes with a sizzling sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
The annual fee is a whopping $550. However, the $300 annual travel credit and other benefits of this card can make up for the fee — but only if you travel regularly.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® made its name with a treasure trove of travel benefits, but restaurant connoisseurs will also appreciate its first-rate dining rewards. It offers an unlimited 3 points per dollar spent on dining and travel and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. If you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards, you can earn even more: 10 points per dollar on Chase Dining, hotel stays and car rentals and 5 points on air travel.
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-4x
PointsIntro offer
20,000
PointsRecommended Credit Score
Few if any cards on the market offer what the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card provides: namely, huge ongoing rewards on dining with a $0 annual fee. Other cards that match or exceed its rate at restaurants cost anywhere from about $100 to nearly $500 a year to carry.
Earn quadruple points per $1 spent on dining purchases, which includes takeout and delivery; 2X points at grocery stores (including grocery delivery), gas stations, EV charging stations and streaming services; and 1X points on other eligible purchases. There's also a bonus, an intro APR period and an annual credit on eligible streaming services.
It doesn't earn rewards on "entertainment" spending, so it's not as comprehensive as other products for a night on the town.
Few if any cards on the market offer what the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card provides: namely, huge ongoing rewards on dining with a $0 annual fee. Other cards that match or exceed its rate at restaurants cost anywhere from about $100 to nearly $500 a year to carry.
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-3x
PointsIntro offer
20,000
PointsRecommended Credit Score
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers so much value, it's hard to believe there's no annual fee. Start with a great bonus offer, then earn extra rewards at restaurants and in a host of other common spending categories.
The card earns unlimited 3 points per dollar spent at restaurants, as well as on travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Other spending earns 1 point per dollar. The bonus offer is outstanding for a $0-annual-fee card, and you even get a introductory APR period.
The rewards rate at restaurants isn't the highest available, but the other bonus categories could more than make up for it for many users.
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers so much value, it's hard to believe there's no annual fee. Start with a great bonus offer, then earn extra rewards at restaurants and in a host of other common spending categories.
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-5%
CashbackIntro offer
$200
Recommended Credit Score
The $0-annual-fee U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card earns 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose and unlimited 2% cash back on your choice of one everyday spending category. All other non-bonus-category spending earns 1% cash back. Fast food has been an option for a 5% category, and restaurants have been an option for the 2% category.
This card's customizable rewards mean that if you decide to cut back on your restaurant spending to save money, you can change your bonus categories and keep getting good value from the card. The card also features a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
This is a pretty high-maintenance card: You have to choose your own categories each quarter and keep track of them. Some people enjoy that kind of control; others don't have the time for it. For similar rotating bonus categories with less to keep track of, consider the Discover it® Cash Back. Restaurants are regularly among the bonus categories on that card.
The $0-annual-fee U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card earns 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose and unlimited 2% cash back on your choice of one everyday spending category. All other non-bonus-category spending earns 1% cash back. Fast food has been an option for a 5% category, and restaurants have been an option for the 2% category.
This card has no preset spending limit and gives you 4X Membership Rewards points on the 2 select categories where your business spent the most each month, including restaurants, and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. Terms apply.
The annual fee of $295 is steep when compared with alternatives. And if your spending doesn't align with the six areas that are eligible for bonus rewards, you're better off with a different option.
For entrepreneurs with clients to wine and dine, the $295-annual-fee American Express® Business Gold Card could be a perfect fit.
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-5%
CashbackIntro offer
$200
Recommended Credit Score
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers a slew of bonus categories — some permanent, some that rotate — including 3% cash back at restaurants. If you don't mind putting in a little effort, it could be a rewards maximizer's dream.
In addition to 3% cash back at restaurants, this card earns 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in spending per quarter in categories that change every three months (online activation required); 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase; 3% at drugstores; and 1% on other purchases. New cardholders can earn this bonus: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
Activating the quarterly bonus categories can be a hassle. And while dining used to be a regular 5% category for Chase, it's been out of the quarterly lineup for a while (and might be out for good now that restaurants are a permanent 3% category). That might make a rotating category card a less appealing choice to some.
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers a slew of bonus categories — some permanent, some that rotate — including 3% cash back at restaurants. If you don't mind putting in a little effort, it could be a rewards maximizer's dream.
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-3%
CashbackIntro offer
$200
Recommended Credit Score
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card lets you choose which purchases earn the highest 3% cash-back rate. Restaurants are among the options.
The bonus offer is rich for a no-fee cash-back card. You'll earn 3% cash back in a category you choose and 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, on up to $2,500 per quarter in combined spending in those categories. All other purchases earn 1% cash back. (The 3% options are dining, gas, travel, online shopping, drugstores or home improvement and furnishings; you can change your choice once a month.)
The rewards structure is somewhat complicated. Because the amount of spending eligible for the 3% and 2% rewards is capped, you might earn more rewards with a simple flat-rate card that pays an unlimited 1.5% or 2% on everything.
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card lets you choose which purchases earn the highest 3% cash-back rate. Restaurants are among the options.
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-4%
CashbackIntro offer
$100
Recommended Credit Score
If you're regularly ordering from DoorDash and its sibling service Caviar, the DoorDash Rewards Mastercard® could deliver significant value, with up to 4% cash back and special offers that can save you even more.
You earn 4% cash back on DoorDash and Caviar orders, including restaurants, groceries, pet supplies and more; 3% back on spending directly with restaurants; 2% back on purchases directly with grocery stores; and 1% back on other spending. You get a complimentary DashPass membership your first year; after that, you can earn free DashPass membership by spending $10,000 on the card in a year. The annual fee is $0.
Although this card still rewards you pretty well (3% cash back) for ordering directly from a restaurant rather than going through DoorDash, it's not a good pick if you use multiple delivery services. Orders through Uber Eats, GrubHub and other competitors earn just 1% cash back.
If you're regularly ordering from DoorDash and its sibling service Caviar, the DoorDash Rewards Mastercard® could deliver significant value, with up to 4% cash back and special offers that can save you even more.
Click the card name to read our review. Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.
Our pick for: High rewards rate + sign-up bonus
If a night out is more than a once-in-a-while proposition for you, consider the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card. You get a best-in-class cash-back rate on dining, entertainment and eligible streaming services, plus bonus rewards at grocery stores. The sign-up bonus is one of the best you can get on a cash-back card. Read our review.
Our pick for: High rewards rate + no annual fee
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card is perhaps the most cost-effective restaurant card on the market, earning a whopping 4 points per dollar on dining purchases including takeout and delivery. You can find higher rates on dining, but not on cards with no annual fee. Read our review.
Our pick for: Up to 5% cash back
The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card offers a lot of value for a $0 annual fee: 5% back automatically in your eligible top spending category on up to $500 spent per billing cycle (1% back on other spending). The list of eligible 5% categories is varied and includes biggies like restaurants, grocery stores and more. And unlike with its competitors, there's no activation schedule or bonus calendar to keep track of. Read our review.
Our pick for: 3% dining rewards
Love the night life but dead-set against paying an annual fee? Consider the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. It pays a lower cash-back rate on dining and entertainment than the regular Savor card, but the rewards are nevertheless quite good. The sign-up bonus is smaller than on the annual-fee version, too, but it's still solid. Read our review.
Our pick for: 3X on dining and much more
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers so much value, it's hard to believe there's no annual fee. Start with a great bonus offer, then earn extra rewards in a host of common spending categories — restaurants, gas stations, transit, travel, streaming and more. Read our review.
Our pick for: 3% dining rewards
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card gives you a little more control over your credit card rewards by letting you choose which category earns the highest cash-back rate, from a list that includes gas stations, restaurants, travel, home improvement and more. You also get bonus rewards at grocery stores and supermarkets, plus a great new-cardholder bonus offer. Read our review.
Our pick for: 3% dining rewards
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® was already a fine card when it offered 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Now it's even better, with bonus rewards on travel booked through Chase, as well as at restaurants and drugstores. On top of all that, new cardholders get a 0% introductory APR period and the opportunity to earn a sweet cash bonus. Read our review.
Our pick for: 3% dining rewards
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers bonus cash back in quarterly categories that you activate, as well as on travel booked through Chase, at restaurants and at drugstores. Category activation can be a hassle, but if your spending matches the categories — and for a lot of people, it will — you can rack up hundreds of dollars a year. There's a fantastic bonus offer for new cardholders and a 0% intro APR period, too. Read our review.
Our pick for: Customizable rewards
If you don't mind putting some work into your rewards, check out the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card. It might be the most customizable cash back card available. You pick which categories earn the most cash back — you get two 5% categories and a 2% category — and you can change those options every quarter. There's a good bonus offer for new cardholders, too. Read our review.
Our pick for: Travel rewards
The American Express® Gold Card can earn you a pile of points from everyday spending, with generous rewards at U.S. supermarkets, at restaurants and on certain flights booked through amextravel.com. Other benefits include hundreds of dollars a year in available dining and travel credits and a solid welcome offer for new cardholders. There's an annual fee, though, and a pretty substantial one, so it's not for smaller spenders. Read our review.
Our pick for: Travel rewards
For a reasonable annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns bonus rewards (up to 5X) on travel, dining, select streaming services, and select online grocery purchases. Points are worth 25% more when you redeem them for travel booked through Chase, or you can transfer them to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. The sign-up bonus is stellar, too. Read our review.
Our pick for: Travel rewards
The high annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® gives many potential applicants pause, but frequent travelers should be able to wring enough value out of this card to more than make up for the cost. Cardholders get bonus rewards (up to 10X) on dining and travel, a fat bonus offer, annual travel credits, airport lounge access, and a 50% boost in point value when redeeming points for travel booked through Chase. Points can also be transferred to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. Read our review.
Our pick for: DoorDash delivery
If you're regularly ordering from DoorDash and its sibling service Caviar, the DoorDash Rewards Mastercard® could deliver significant value, with up to 4% cash back and special offers that can save you even more. Read our review.
If you like your shopping carts like your dining rewards — extra large — the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is your card. It offers bonus rewards in several categories, including:
4% cash back on gas and EV charging (up to $7,000 per year, then 1% after that).
3% back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases.
2% back at Costco stores and Costco.com.
1% back on all other purchases.
It doesn’t have a sign-up bonus. Its annual fee is $0, but it requires a Costco membership, which starts at $60 per year.
After using this card to fill up on gas at the pump, you'll want to tap it to fill up on daily specials at your favorite restaurant. The Sam's Club® Mastercard® gets you:
5% cash back on gas bought at Sam's Club, Walmart and other gas stations (on up to $6,000 per year).
3% back on dining.
1% back on all other purchases.
Extra rewards for Sam's Club purchases if you have a "Plus" membership.
The annual fee is $0. It requires a Sam's Club membership, which costs at least $45 a year.
Last updated on June 1, 2023
NerdWallet's credit cards team selects the best credit cards in each category based on overall consumer value. Factors in our evaluation include fees, promotional and ongoing APRs, and sign-up bonuses; for rewards cards, we consider earning and redemption rates, redemption options and redemption difficulty. A single card is eligible to be chosen as among the "best" in multiple categories. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.