Dining out and ordering takeout is an essential part of many people’s lifestyles, and it’s also one of the best categories to earn valuable credit card rewards. Whether you’re grabbing a coffee with friends, enjoying a fine dining experience, or ordering food from your favorite restaurant, having the right credit card can help you earn significant rewards on those everyday purchases. In 2025, there are several credit cards for dining and restaurant rewards that can help you maximize your spending and earn points, miles, or cashback on meals.

From cards that offer bonus rewards on dining to those that provide extra perks like access to exclusive dining experiences, there’s a perfect option for foodies and frequent restaurant-goers.

Let’s dive into the best credit cards for dining and restaurant rewards this year.

Why Choose a Credit Card for Dining & Restaurant Rewards?

Credit cards that offer rewards for dining purchases are beneficial for anyone who regularly eats out or orders food. Here’s why you should consider one of these cards:

• Earn Higher Rewards: Many cards offer 2x, 3x, or even 5x points for dining purchases, which can lead to significant rewards if you frequently dine at restaurants or order takeout.
• Flexible Redemption: Rewards earned on dining can often be redeemed for cashback, travel points, or even gift cards, giving you flexibility in how you use your rewards.
• Exclusive Perks: Certain cards come with perks like restaurant discounts, access to exclusive events, or dining credits at popular establishments, adding extra value to your dining experience.

What to Look for in a Dining Rewards Credit Card

When selecting the best card for dining rewards, keep an eye on these features:

• Bonus Rewards: Look for cards that offer higher rewards rates specifically for dining and restaurants.
• Sign-Up Bonuses: Some cards offer generous welcome bonuses for meeting initial spending requirements, which can be redeemed for cashback, travel, or gift cards.
• Annual Fee: Make sure the annual fee is worth the rewards and perks you’ll receive. Many dining-focused cards offer great benefits with no annual fee.
• Extra Perks: Consider cards that offer dining-specific perks such as dining credits, concierge services, or VIP access to exclusive events.

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card remains one of the best credit cards for dining rewards in 2025, particularly for those who enjoy dining out and want to earn travel rewards at the same time.

• Rewards: Earn 2x points on dining (including takeout and delivery) and 2x points on travel. You’ll also earn 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
• Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. This bonus can be worth $750 toward travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• Flexible Redemption: Points can be transferred to more than 10 airline and hotel partners or redeemed for cashback, travel, or even gift cards.
• Annual Fee: $95

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card provides excellent rewards on dining and travel, and it offers one of the best sign-up bonuses for any card in this category. With the ability to transfer points to travel partners and access exclusive travel perks, it’s a great choice for foodies who also love to travel.

Key Highlights:

• 2x points on dining and travel
• 60,000-point sign-up bonus
• $95 annual fee
• Flexible point redemption (cashback, travel, or transfer to partners)

2. American Express® Gold Card

For serious foodies and restaurant lovers, the American Express® Gold Card offers one of the best reward structures in the dining category.

• Rewards: Earn 4x points on restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on Amex Travel. Earn 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
• Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 6 months, which can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, or shopping.
• Dining Perks: Enjoy $120 in dining credits annually ($10 per month) at select restaurants through Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, and more.
• Annual Fee: $250

The Amex Gold Card is one of the top choices for dining enthusiasts, offering 4x points on dining and restaurant credits to offset the annual fee. Plus, the card earns solid rewards on travel purchases, making it a versatile choice for frequent travelers and food lovers alike.

Key Highlights:

• 4x points on restaurants
• $120 dining credit per year
• 60,000 Membership Rewards points sign-up bonus
• $250 annual fee

3. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

If you prefer cashback over points, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for dining and restaurant rewards.

• Rewards: Earn 3% cashback on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services, and 1% on all other purchases.
• Sign-Up Bonus: Earn $200 after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months.
• Annual Fee: $0

This card offers 3% cashback on dining and entertainment, which is a generous rate for a card with no annual fee. If you prefer straightforward cashback rewards and want a simple way to earn on dining, the Capital One SavorOne is an excellent option.

Key Highlights:

• 3% cashback on dining, entertainment, and streaming services
• $200 sign-up bonus
• No annual fee

4. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

For travelers who also want to earn rewards on dining, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is a great choice. Although this card is focused on American Airlines frequent flyers, it offers solid rewards on dining purchases as well.

• Rewards: Earn 2x miles on dining at restaurants, plus 2x miles on American Airlines purchases. Earn 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
• Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 50,000 AAdvantage® miles after spending $2,500 on purchases within the first 3 months.
• Travel Perks: Enjoy priority boarding, first checked bag free, and no foreign transaction fees. You’ll also get access to exclusive AAdvantage® deals and offers.
• Annual Fee: $99 (waived for the first year)

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® allows you to earn miles for dining and provides valuable travel perks for frequent flyers. If you fly American Airlines often, this is an excellent card to earn miles and maximize dining rewards.

Key Highlights:

• 2x miles on dining and American Airlines purchases
• 50,000 AAdvantage® miles sign-up bonus
• Priority boarding and first checked bag free
• $99 annual fee (waived for the first year)

5. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

For students and those looking for an easy-to-use cashback card with no frills, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers a simple rewards structure.

• Rewards: Earn 2% cashback on every purchase, including dining.
• Sign-Up Bonus: Earn $200 in cashback after spending $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months.
• Annual Fee: $0

With 2% cashback on all purchases, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a great option for anyone who wants to earn rewards without thinking about categories or limits. While it doesn’t offer a specialized dining bonus, the 2% cashback on all purchases makes it a great choice for food lovers who want simplicity and value.

Key Highlights:

• 2% cashback on every purchase
• $200 cashback sign-up bonus
• No annual fee

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best credit card for dining and restaurant rewards in 2025 depends on your specific preferences and lifestyle. If you’re looking for higher rewards on dining, the American Express® Gold Card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card might be the best fit for you. On the other hand, if you prefer cashback, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card and Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offer great value with their high cashback rates.