Best of
Best Credit Cards for Restaurants of August 2019
NerdWalletAugust 9, 2019
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Show summary
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Annual Fee
$0 for the first year, then $95
Regular APR
16.74% - 25.74% Variable APR
Intro APR
N/A
Recommended Credit Score
Dinner and a movie? What sets the Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card apart is that it earns high rewards for both the dinner and the movie.
The card pays unlimited 4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% cash back at grocery stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Pros
The “entertainment” category is broad and includes things like movie tickets, concerts, sporting events, tourist attractions, theme parks, dance clubs, record stores and more. There’s also a terrific sign-up bonus: Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus after you spend $3000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.Cons
There's an annual fee, and it's pretty steep for a cash-back card: $0 for the first year, then $95. If you spend less than $9,500 a year on dining and entertainment, consider the no-fee version of this card, described below.- Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus after you spend $3000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases. Plus, earn 8% cash back on tickets at Vivid Seats through May 2020.
- Receive a monthly statement credit for a Postmates Unlimited monthly membership through Dec. 2019 with the Capital One Savor Card
- 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
- No foreign transaction fees
- Capital One cardholders get access to premium experiences in dining, entertainment and more
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $95 after that
See if you qualify for a better offer with Capital One:
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months
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 and entertainment, 2% back at grocery stores and 1% back on all other purchases.
Pros
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 don't eat out all the time. The sign-up bonus is smaller, too, but still quite nice: Earn a one-time $150 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.Cons
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.- Earn a one-time $150 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases
- 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 for 15 months; 16.24% - 26.24% variable APR after that
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months; 16.24% - 26.24% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
See if you qualify for a better offer with Capital One:
on US Bank's website
on US Bank's website
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
15.99% - 25.49% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% Intro APR* on purchases and balance transfers for 12 billing cycles
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 spending earns 1% cash back. As of February 2019, fast food was an option for a 5% category, and restaurants were an option for the 2% category.
Pros
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 $150 bonus after spending $500 in eligible net purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.Cons
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 Chase Freedom® and select Discover cards like the Discover it® Cash Back. Restaurants are regularly among the bonus categories on both cards.- Earn up to $550 cash back in the first year.
- $150 bonus after spending $500 in eligible net purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
- 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible net purchases ($100 per quarter) on two categories you choose. That adds up to $400 cash back!
- 2% cash back on your choice of one everyday category, like gas stations or grocery stores.
- 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.
- 0% Intro APR* on purchases and balance transfers for 12 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 15.99% - 25.49%.
- No limit on total cash back earned.
- No annual fee*
- Great Offer from U.S. Bank, a 2019 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2019
- View Rates and Fees
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
16.99% - 26.99% Variable
Intro APR
N/A
Recommended Credit Score
Earn extra cash back when your ideal date night is dinner and a movie, regardless of whether the film features an actual Marvel superhero. The Marvel Mastercard® earns 3% cash back on restaurants and entertainment categories like movie theaters, amusement parks, theater and concert tickets, game stores and more. Non-bonus-category purchases earn 1% back.
Pros
If you're a big-time Marvel fanboy/fangirl, you'll appreciate that the card gets you a 10% discount at Marvel.com and pays 3% cash back on Marvel.com purchases. There's also a modest bonus for newcomers: $25 Statement Credit after your first purchase. The annual fee is $0.Cons
Cash back is automatically applied as a statement credit, so you can't "save up" your rewards for something special.- Earn 3% Cashback on Dining, Select Entertainment, Online at Marvel.com and Marvel’s Official Merchandise Booth
- Earn 1% Cashback on all other Mastercard purchases
- No Annual Fee
- $25 Statement Credit after your first purchase
on American Express's website, or call (866) 512-6673
on American Express's website, or call (866) 512-6673
Annual Fee
$250
Regular APR
See Terms
Intro APR
N/A
Recommended Credit Score
The revamped American Express® Gold Card comes with big rewards, including 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide.
Pros
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, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Boxed and participating Shake Shack locations. And don't forget the welcome offer: Earn 35,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 3 months. Terms Apply.Cons
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.- Earn 35,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 3 months.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points when you dine at restaurants worldwide. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Boxed, and participating Shake Shack locations. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Airline Fee Credit: up to $100 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees at one selected qualifying airline.
- Choose to carry a balance with interest on eligible charges of $100 or more.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- View Rates and Fees
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Annual Fee
$450
Regular APR
19.24% - 26.24% Variable APR
Intro APR
N/A
Recommended 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.
Pros
Points can be redeemed for travel through Chase at a value of 1.5 cents each, giving the card an effective rewards rate of 4.5% on dining. The card also comes with a sizzling sign-up bonus: Earn 50K 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® .Cons
The annual fee is a whopping $450. However, the $300 annual travel credit and other benefits of this card can make up for the fee — but only if you travel regularly.- Earn 50,000 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®
- Named "Best Premium Travel Credit Card" for 2018 by MONEY® Magazine
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year
- 3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit. 3X points on dining at restaurants & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. $0 foreign transaction fees.
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 50,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,000+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select
- Up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
on Wells Fargo's website
on Wells Fargo's website
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
15.99% - 27.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% APR for 12 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Recommended Credit Score
The Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card earns 3 points per dollar spent at restaurants, bars, gas stations, rideshares, transit and more, making your nights out extra valuable. All non-bonus-category purchases earn 1 point per dollar.
Pros
The sign-up bonus is generous for a card with a $0 annual fee: Earn 30,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $300 cash redemption value.Cons
Though you can redeem your points for cash back, there's a $25 minimum to redeem ($20 when redeeming at a Wells Fargo ATM).- Earn 30,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $300 cash redemption value
- $0 annual fee and no foreign currency conversion fee
- Earn 3X points on eating out and ordering in
- Earn 3X points on travel including flights, hotels, homestays and car rentals
- Earn 3X points on gas stations, rideshares and transit
- Earn 3X points on popular streaming services
- Earn 1X points on other purchases
- Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
OTHER OPTIONS
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
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 (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.
Sam's Club Mastercard
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 and travel.
- 1% back on all other purchases.
The annual fee is $0. It requires a Sam's Club membership, which costs at least $45 a year.
PayPal Extras Mastercard®
The PayPal Extras Mastercard® is designed for people with average credit, but its dining rewards are better than average. You’ll get an unlimited 3 points per dollar spent at restaurants and gas stations, 2 points per dollar spent at eBay and PayPal, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. Points are worth 0.83 cents each when redeemed for cash back, and they expire after 24 months. The card doesn't have a sign-up bonus. The annual fee is $0.
AARP® Credit Card from Chase
You don't have to be a card-carrying member of AARP to qualify for this dining card. It gets you an unlimited 3% cash back at restaurants and gas stations and 1% back on all other purchases. Its annual fee is $0, and it comes with a generous sign-up bonus: $100 bonus cash back after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Information related to the AARP® Credit Card from Chase has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.
To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please visit this page.
Last updated on August 9, 2019
Methodology
NerdWallet's credit cards team selects the best 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 in multiple categories.
