8 Best Credit Cards for Restaurants

Earning Structure:

• 3X points on dining at restaurants
• 3X points on travel purchases
• 2X points on online grocery purchases and select streaming services
• 1X point on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

The welcome bonus is 75,000 points after spending $5,000 within the first three months.

Card Details

• Annual fee: $95
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: Variable 21.49%–28.49%
• Other perks: $50 annual hotel credit via Chase Travel, chip-enabled, contactless payments

Key Benefits:

• High rewards on dining and travel
• Discounts on DoorDash non-restaurant orders up to $10 per month with DashPass
• Strong travel and purchase protections
• Flexible points that can be transferred to travel partners

Redemption Options:

Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards, or transferred to partners. Travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal yields 1.25 cents per point, boosting value for frequent travelers.

Credit Requirements:

Applicants typically need good to excellent credit, generally a score of 700 or above.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The $95 annual fee may be a barrier for light spenders, and some users may prefer cards with higher everyday cash back rates on non-bonus spending.

Why it Works for Beginners:

With bonus points in multiple categories and user-friendly redemption options, this card offers a simple way to learn how to earn and use travel rewards without the complications of high-fee travel cards.

Earning Structure:

• 4% cash back on dining and entertainment
• 3% cash back on grocery stores
• 3% cash back on popular streaming services
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn a $200 cash bonus after spending $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $0
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then 19.24%–29.24% variable
• Balance transfer fee: Applies (typically 3% during intro period)
• Other perks: Contactless payments, no expiry on rewards, and extended warranty protections

Key Benefits:

• Unlimited 3% cash back on food and entertainment
• No annual fee makes it cost-effective
• Rewards can be turned into miles on certain Capital One cards

Redemption Options:

Rewards can be redeemed as statement credits or transferred to travel partners if the cardholder also owns a miles-earning Capital One card.

Credit Requirements:

Applicants generally need good to excellent credit—typically a score of 700 or above—to be eligible.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The card lacks elevated rewards for travel or larger grocery spending and doesn’t offer tiered perks beyond dining and entertainment, limiting value for broader spending habits.

Why it Works for Beginners:

This card’s simple earning structure and no-annual-fee model make it easy to use for first-time rewards cardholders, especially if you dine out or entertain regularly.

Earning Structure:

• 4X Membership Rewards points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per year)
• 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year)
• 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel
• 1X point on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months of card membership.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $325
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: Pay-over-time interest rate is variable (refer to issuer)
• Other perks: Monthly dining credits up to $120 annually ($10/month), up to $100 in Resy statement credits, access to Global Dining Collection and exclusive reservations

Key Benefits:

• Up to $120 in dining credits per year through monthly $10 credits at select restaurants and delivery services
• Up to $100 in statement credits for use with Resy
• Access to American Express Global Dining Collection and exclusive reservations
• Transfer points to many airline and hotel partners

Redemption Options:

Membership Rewards® points can be redeemed for travel bookings, gift cards, statement credits, or converted into airline and hotel loyalty programs for maximum value, especially when transferred strategically.

Credit Requirements:

Approval typically requires good to excellent credit, generally a FICO score of 700 or higher.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The high annual fee may not justify the cost for casual diners, and the supermarket and dining bonus categories have annual caps that limit earning potential beyond set thresholds.

Why it Works for Beginners:

With its generous rewards on food-related spending and straightforward credits that lower the effective cost, this card helps new users maximize dining value and learn how to leverage flexible points for real rewards.

Earning Structure:

• 6% cash back on one chosen category (including dining) for the first 12 months
• 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days of account opening.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $0
• Foreign transaction fees: 3%
• APR: 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles, then 18.24%–28.24% variable
• Balance transfer fee: 3% during the first 60 days, then 4% thereafter

Key Benefits:

• Customizable bonus category, including restaurants
• Extra 10% to 75% bonus on cash back for Preferred Rewards members
• No expiration on rewards as long as account is open
• No limit on cash back earnings

Redemption Options:

Cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit, direct deposit to a Bank of America or Merrill account, or you can request a check. Rewards never expire as long as your card account remains open.

Credit Requirements:

Applicants are typically expected to have good to excellent credit.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The 6% and 2% rates apply only to the first $2,500 combined in bonus categories each quarter; spending beyond that earns just 1%. A 3% foreign transaction fee makes it less appealing for international use, and maximizing the card requires active category management.

Why it Works for Beginners:

This card is excellent for new rewards users who don’t want a fixed category structure but want flexibility to earn where they spend most. Its $0 annual fee, solid welcome bonus, and customizable earning make it approachable and worthwhile for everyday spending.

Earning Structure:

• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase
• 3% cash back on dining, including takeout and delivery
• 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
• 1.5% cash back on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn a $200 cash bonus after spending $500 within the first 3 months of account opening.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $0
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: Variable (typically 19.24%–27.99%)
• Other perks: Chip-enabled, contactless payments supported

Key Benefits:

• Solid dining rewards with no extra effort
• Bonus categories beyond dining
• No annual fee helps keep costs low
• Points can be combined with other Chase cards for more value

Redemption Options:

Cash back can be redeemed as statement credits, direct deposits, gift cards, or toward travel when paired with a premium Chase card like Sapphire Preferred®. Points can also be transferred for more value when used with travel partners.

Credit Requirements:

Good to excellent credit is typically needed to qualify, generally with a FICO score of 700 or higher.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

Rewards rates are highest on specific Chase portal purchases and dining, which may limit earning power in other categories. As a no-fee card, it lacks high-end perks like lounge access or travel credits found in premium cards.

Why it Works for Beginners:

With no fee, simple earnings, and flexible redemption options, this card is perfect for new users who want to earn rewards quickly without managing complexity.

Earning Structure:

• 3 points per $1 spent on dining, including food delivery
• 3 points per $1 spent on travel
• 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 100,000 bonus points plus a $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $795
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• Other perks: $300 annual dining credit, Priority Pass airport lounge access, and mobile wallet compatibility

Key Benefits:

• Up to $300 annual dining credit at exclusive restaurants
• Access to hard-to-book restaurant reservations
• Priority lounge access at airports
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance

Redemption Options:

Points are worth 1.5 cents each when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, and can also be redeemed for gift cards, statement credits, or transferred to travel partners. Travel redemption gives maximum value, while other options provide flexibility for everyday use.

Credit Requirements:

Applicants typically need excellent credit, generally in the high 700s or above, for approval.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The $795 annual fee is high and makes sense only if you use the dining credit and travel perks frequently. Bonus categories are limited, so value may be lower for those who spend heavily outside dining and travel.

Why it Works for Beginners:

Despite its premium fee, this card is beginner-friendly for those who dine and travel often, its credits and travel protections help offset the cost, and its flexible redemption framework educates users on unlocking high rewards value.

Earning Structure:

• 3 points per $1 spent on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, streaming services, and phone plans
• 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 20,000 bonus points (approximately $200 in value) after spending $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of card membership.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $0
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: Variable rate (refer to issuer)
• Other perks: Options to transfer points to select travel partners, statement credits applied quickly

Key Benefits:

• Earn 3x points on multiple common spending categories
• No annual fee to maintain
• Transfer points to travel partners or redeem for cash back
• Simple and clear rewards system

Redemption Options:

Points can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, airfare, hotel stays, or other travel options through Wells Fargo’s rewards platform. Transfers to partner loyalty programs are also available for increased travel value.

Credit Requirements:

Approval typically requires good to excellent credit, generally with a FICO score of around 700 or higher.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

Rewards are broad but capped at 3X, so high spenders in categories not listed won’t earn bonus rates. While points are transferable, the list of travel partners is somewhat limited compared to other rewards cards.

Why it Works for Beginners:

This card’s straightforward structure, broad category bonus earnings, and no fee make it user-friendly for beginners looking to earn rewards on dining and everyday spending without managing multiple cards.

Earning Structure:

• Earn 4X Membership Rewards points on the top 2 categories where the business spends the most each month
• Eligible categories include restaurants, airfare, advertising, gas stations, shipping, and more
• 1X points on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $15,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of card membership.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $375
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: Pay-over-time purchases are assessed a variable interest rate, refer to issuer for details
• Other perks: No preset spending limit, integrated expense management tools, employee cards at no extra cost

Key Benefits:

• Flexible points earning on top categories
• Purchase protection and extended warranties
• Expense management tools integrated with Amex platform

Redemption Options:

Membership Rewards® points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, statement credits, or transferred to American Express airline and hotel partners, ideal for maximizing point value.

Credit Requirements:

Typically requires good to excellent credit, along with a stable business financial profile, to qualify successfully.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The card’s high reward potential hinges on spending in the top two monthly categories, which means value drops if your spending patterns don’t align. The $375 annual fee may not be justifiable for businesses with lower monthly spend volumes.

Why it Works for Beginners:

This card is beginner-friendly for business owners who spend heavily in one or two main areas because it automates category selection and provides flexible point use. It’s a smart way to earn high rewards without juggling multiple cards.