If you spend a lot on restaurants (dining out and takeout), then it’s time to maximize your spending on those purchases! The list below includes our favorite cash back cards for restaurants.
At CashFreely, we are all about maximizing cash back in the least amount of time. The #1 way to do this is through great signup bonus offers that lead to lots of cash back in the first few months of getting a new card. Most people will earn way more cash back in one signup bonus compared to the ongoing cash back they earn with everyday purchases. For our top-ranked offers, go to this page.
That said, let’s talk about our picks for the best cash back cards for restaurants.
A few extra notes: In general, the spending category of dining and restaurants includes fast food, fine dining, delivery and takeout, coffee shops, and bars. Some cards have no foreign transaction fees and earn the same cash back internationally. While others will only earn extra cash back for dining and restaurants based in the U.S. Some cards offer higher earning in several categories, but only apply the bonus earning for the top 2-3 spending categories each month. Lastly, some cards have a cap on how much you can earn on dining before it drops down to 1%. In summary, make sure to read our notes and the fine print to know what the terms are.
Curious about our favorite cards for gas and groceries? We’ve got you covered:
Best Cash Back Cards for Gas Purchases
Best Cash Back Cards for Groceries
Our Picks: Best Cash Back Cards for Restaurants
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Earning rate on restaurant spending: 3% cash back
Annual Fee: $0
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Earning rate on restaurant spending: 3% cash back
Annual Fee: $0
Very solid cash back card with a bonus and no annual fee. Very attractive 3% on grocery stores (excluding superstores - e.g. Walmart and Target), dining, entertainment, and streaming services. The ability to convert this earning to Capital One miles is a great idea if you have a Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Earning rate on restaurant spending: 3% cash back
Annual Fee: $0
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Earning rate on restaurant spending: up to 5% cash back (depends on other spending)
Notes: This card offers 5% cash back in the category in which you spend the most each billing cycle, for up to $500 of spending; Restaurants is one of the included categories eligible for 5% cash back.
Annual Fee: $0
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Earning rate on restaurant spending: 3x ThankYou® points (which is 3% cash back equivalent)
Notes: Also earns 3x on gas and groceries.
Annual Fee: $95
US Bank Altitude GO
Earning rate on restaurant spending: 4x points (4% cash back equivalent)
Notes: You can cash out points at a rate of 1 cent per point as a statement credit or deposit into a US Bank account. There is a 2,500 point redemption minimum. e.g. 50,000 points converts to $500 cash.
Annual Fee: $0
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Earning rate on restaurant spending: 3% cash back in your choice of categories, and restaurants is one of those categories
Notes: You must choose restaurants as your 3% category. Earn 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter.
Annual Fee: $0
Bottom line
If you’re new to the world of cash back credit cards, then you may be wondering what all the hype is about. Or, maybe you’ve dipped a toe into the cash back rewards world but feel you have a lot still to learn. Getting your first card to maximize a major monthly expense is a great start. Of course, getting started is much easier with us.
Let us help you earn $1,500+ in cash back every year.
