Top 3 Credit Cards for Dining Out

Use a credit card that provides extra cash back or points on dining out to turn restaurant meals, including takeaway and delivery, into significant rewards. A typical American household spent $2,375 on “meal away from home” in 2020, the most recent year for which data is available, according to federal consumer spending data. When purchasing for those meals using a credit card that offered 3% back on dining out purchases, the rewards would reach $70, which, depending on the restaurant, would be enough for a couple more free dinners.

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers unlimited 3% cash back on dining, grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), and entertainment, including streaming services. It has no annual fee and is a well-known dining card. Also, the card lets you earn 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats for a promotional period (until November 14, 2024), making it the best option for people who frequently get their food delivered. Rules apply. This card has no annual fee.

Pros

This card is a good no-annual-fee credit card for folks who like to earn cash back on eating out. New card members can get a one-time $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Cons

A card that offers 1.5% or 2% cash back on every purchase can be more valuable to you if you tend to use only one card rather than one for every occasion.

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

You might take off immediately with the Altitude Go because to its industry-leading earnings on meals and lack of foreign transaction fees.

Pros

  • There is no international transaction fee

  • Non-punitive APR

  • The rewards rates on a card without an annual fee are exceptionally high.

  • Yearly discount on qualified streaming services

Cons

  • charge for balance transfers

  • No additional reward tier for spending on entertainment

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase Sapphire Reserve is known for its wealth of travel benefits, but gourmet diners will also value its top-notch dining privileges. It offers infinite 3 points for dining and travel expenses and 1 point for every dollar spent on all other transactions.

Pros

Via Chase, points can be redeemed for travel at a cost of 1.5 cents each. The card also offers a tempting sign-up incentive: By spending $4,000 on purchases during the first three months of account setup, you’ll receive 60,000 extra points. When you redeem with Chase Travel℠, you will receive $900 toward travel.

Cons

The astronomical annual cost is $550. Nevertheless, if you travel frequently, the $300 yearly travel credit and other perks of this card can offset the charge.