Our family likes to not only explore the restaurant scene when traveling but also when we’re home. That’s why we prefer to align on spending on one of these best credit cards for restaurants to maximize our earnings.
The restaurant spending bonus category is competitive across all banks. As you’ll see in the best credit cards for restaurants list below, many of the major banks are represented. That also includes business credit cards offered by these banks. There’s no shortage of options for us consumers to receive high earn rates for our restaurant spending.
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Best Credit Cards For Restaurants
Citi Custom Cash Card
- Earning Structure: 5x Citi ThankYou points (must also hold Citi Premier Card or Citi Prestige card to convert cashback earned into points)
- Annual Fee: $95
- Details: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening.
American Express Gold Card
- Earning Structure: 4x Amex Membership Rewards points
- Annual Fee: $250
- Details: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
American Express Green Card
- Earning Structure: 3x Amex Membership Rewards points
- Annual Fee: $150
- Details: Earn 45,000 Amex Membership Rewards points after spending $2,000 within the first six months.
Bilt Mastercard
- Earning Structure: 3x Bilt points
- Annual Fee: $0
- Details: NA
Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card
- Earning Structure: 3x Chase Ultimate Rewards points (must also hold Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve to convert cashback earned into points)
- Annual Fee: $0
- Details: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
- Earning Structure: 3x Chase Ultimate Rewards points (must also hold Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve to convert cashback earned into points)
- Annual Fee: $0
- Details: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy, on up to $20,000 spent in the first year.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
- Earning Structure: 3x Chase Ultimate Rewards points
- Annual Fee: $95
- Details: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Earning Structure: 3x Chase Ultimate Rewards points
- Annual Fee: $550
- Details: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Citi Premier Card
- Earning Structure: 3x Citi ThankYou points
- Annual Fee: $95
- Details: Earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Best Business Credit Cards For Restaurants
American Express Business Gold Card
- Earning Structure: 4x Amex Membership Rewards points
- Annual Fee: $95
- Details: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
Common Best Credit Cards For Restaurants Questions
Does Mcdonald’s count as a restaurant for credit cards?
Yes, fast food restaurants count as a restaurant per this article.
Is Starbucks considered a restaurant credit card?
As long as a merchant classified itself in a restaurant category when applying to accept credit cards, the purchase will qualify per this article.
Does Cancelling a credit card hurt your credit?
A credit card can be canceled without harming your credit score per this article.
Does Amex dining include fast food?
Yes, fast food does count as a restaurant for credit cards per this article.
Conclusion on the Best Credit Cards For Restaurants
Citi Custom Cash Card, American Express Gold Card, American Express Green Card, Bilt Mastercard, Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card, Chase Freedom Unlimited, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Premier Card, and American Express Business Gold Card are some of the best credit cards for restaurants rewards.
What credit cards do you use for dining and restaurants? Please let me know in the comments or by sending me an email on my contact page.
Disclaimer: If you click and sign up for a credit card through certain links on this site or any of my related social media platforms, I may make a commission from that click-through. The editorial content on this page and the user comments are not provided by any of the companies mentioned and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. The opinions expressed here are mine alone.
