Best Credit Cards for Restaurants in 2025

1. American Express® Gold Card

Best For: Foodies and frequent diners.

Key Features:

• 3x points on dining (including takeout and delivery).
• 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel.
• 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
• Sign-up bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months.
• Annual fee: $250.

Why It’s Great:
The American Express® Gold Card is a top choice for those who love to dine out, offering a generous 3x points on dining, including takeout and delivery. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite or indulging in fine dining, you’ll earn significant rewards with this card. The sign-up bonus and additional travel perks also sweeten the deal.

Pros:

• High rewards on dining and travel.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Access to Amex Offers for additional savings at restaurants.

Cons:

• High annual fee compared to some other cards.
• Limited bonus categories (does not cover groceries, gas, etc.).

2. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Best For: Travelers who dine out frequently.

Key Features:

• 2x points on dining and travel.
• 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
• Sign-up bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
• Points can be transferred to over 10 travel partners.
• Annual fee: $95.

Why It’s Great:
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a versatile option that offers 2x points on both dining and travel, making it ideal for those who enjoy both eating out and traveling. This card provides excellent value for both casual diners and frequent travelers, with points that can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, or even cash back.

Pros:

• Strong 2x points on dining and travel.
• Low annual fee for the rewards it offers.
• Points can be transferred to a variety of travel partners.

Cons:

• Requires good to excellent credit for approval.
• Points are best used for travel redemptions.

3. Capital One SavorOne Rewards Credit Card

Best For: Earning unlimited cash back on dining and entertainment.

Key Features:

• 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services.
• 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Sign-up bonus: $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months.
• Annual fee: $0.

Why It’s Great:
The Capital One SavorOne Rewards Credit Card is perfect for those who want a simple and straightforward cashback option. With 3% cash back on dining, it’s an excellent choice for food lovers, and its no annual fee structure makes it an accessible option for everyone. Plus, it also rewards entertainment and streaming services.

Pros:

• No annual fee.
• 3% cash back on dining and entertainment.
• Easy-to-use cash back system.

Cons:

• No sign-up bonus as large as some other cards.
• Cash back is only available on dining, entertainment, and select categories.

4. Citi® Double Cash Card

Best For: A simple, no-fuss cashback card.

Key Features:

• 2% cash back on every purchase—1% when you buy, 1% when you pay.
• Annual fee: $0.

Why It’s Great:
The Citi® Double Cash Card offers 2% cash back on all purchases, with no rotating categories or complicated tracking. This makes it a fantastic all-around card, including for dining. Whether you’re picking up a meal at your favorite restaurant or grabbing takeout, you’ll earn consistent cash back across all your purchases.

Pros:

• 2% cash back on all purchases (1% on the buy, 1% on the pay).
• No rotating categories or annual fee.
• Simple rewards structure.

Cons:

• No bonus rewards for dining specifically (compared to cards with higher rates for dining).
• No sign-up bonus.

5. Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Best For: Earning rewards on a wide range of categories, including dining.

Key Features:

• 3% cash back on dining, travel, gas, and popular streaming services.
• 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Sign-up bonus: $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months.
• Annual fee: $0.

Why It’s Great:
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers an impressive 3% cash back on dining and a range of other categories like travel and streaming services. It’s a great option if you want to earn cash back on multiple everyday spending areas, not just restaurants.

Pros:

• 3% cash back on dining and a variety of other categories.
• No annual fee.
• Easy-to-use rewards program.

Cons:

• 3% cash back applies to only specific categories, not all dining types.
• Requires good credit for approval.

6. The Platinum Card® from American Express

Best For: Luxury dining experiences and travel perks.

Key Features:

• 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel.
• 1 point per dollar on all other purchases, including dining.
• Access to Concierge services for premium dining reservations.
• Annual fee: $695.

Why It’s Great:
While the Platinum Card® from American Express has a hefty annual fee, it’s a great option for those who want to elevate their dining experience. The card offers exclusive dining privileges and experiences, such as access to premium restaurants and reservations, and points can be redeemed for high-value travel rewards. If dining is part of your luxury lifestyle, the Platinum Card® can deliver unmatched value.

Pros:

• VIP dining and travel perks.
• Access to exclusive restaurant reservations and experiences.
• Premium rewards for high-spending individuals.

Cons:

• Very high annual fee.
• Most benefits are geared towards high-income individuals and luxury travelers.

Conclusion: Choosing the Best Credit Card for Dining in 2025

When choosing the best credit card for restaurants in 2025, it's important to consider your spending habits and how often you dine out. Cards like the American Express® Gold Card and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card are perfect for frequent diners and travelers who want to earn generous rewards. For those looking for a straightforward cashback option, the Capital One SavorOne and Citi® Double Cash Card provide great returns without the need to worry about rotating categories.

If luxury dining and high-end experiences are more your style, the Platinum Card® from American Express offers exclusive perks for premium dining, though it comes with a high annual fee. Ultimately, the best card for you will depend on your dining habits, budget, and whether you prioritize rewards, cash back, or premium benefits.