Home › Best card by category › dining

Best card by category

Best credit card for dining

Dining is one of the most generously rewarded categories, so the gap between the best and an average card is large. Today the top-ranked card for restaurants is the Citi Strata Elite at 9.6% effective value, and the best with no annual fee is the Chase Freedom Flex at 5%.

Rates last reviewed between August 4, 2026 and October 19, 2026. Data published October 22, 2026.

Cards with a bonus on dining

#CardEarnsEffective valueAnnual feeDetails
1 Citi Strata EliteMastercard 6x points 9.6% $595
  • Restaurants during Citi Nights, Friday-Saturday 6 PM-6 AM ET.
  • Citi Nights: Friday and Saturday, 6 PM to 6 AM ET
2 American Express GoldAmex 4x points 6.8% $325
  • Restaurants worldwide. (first $50,000 per year)
3 Chase Sapphire PreferredVisa 3x points 5.4% $95
  • Dining worldwide, including takeout and eligible delivery.
4 Chase Sapphire ReserveVisa 3x points 5.4% $795
  • Dining worldwide.
5 American Express GreenAmex 3x points 5.1% $150
  • Restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
6 Chase Freedom FlexMastercard 5% cash back 5% $0
  • 5% Rotating Bonus Categories (first $1,500 per quarter)
  • Rotating: activate each quarter
7 Discover ItDiscover 5% cash back 5% $0
  • 5% Cash Back Rotating Categories (first $1,500 per quarter)
  • Rotating: activate each quarter
8 Citi Strata PremierMastercard 3x points 4.8% $95
9 Synchrony Verizon VisaVisa 4% cash back 4% $0
  • Restaurant purchases including take-out and delivery. Earned as Verizon Dollars.
10 U.S. Bank Altitude GoVisa 4x points 4% $0
  • Restaurants, fast food, and bars, including takeout and restaurant delivery. First $2,000 each quarter, then 1X.

For comparison: the best flat-rate cards

These pay the same rate on everything, so they set the bar a bonus card has to beat.

#CardEarnsEffective valueAnnual feeDetails
1 Coastal Community Bank Robinhood Gold CardVisa 3% cash back 3% $0
  • Flat rate on all purchases
2 Alliant Credit Union Alliant Visa® Signature CardVisa 2.5% cash back 2.5% $0
  • Flat rate on all purchases
3 Citi Strata EliteMastercard 1.5x points 2.4% $595
  • Flat rate on all purchases
4 Capital One Venture RewardsVisa 2x miles 2.4% $95
  • Flat rate on all purchases
5 Capital One Venture XVisa 2x miles 2.4% $395
  • Flat rate on all purchases

Effective value is the headline rate times what a point or mile is worth, before annual fees. Points and miles are valued at: Citi 1.6¢, American Express 1.7¢, Chase 1.8¢, U.S. Bank 1¢, Capital One 1.2¢. Cash back counts at face value. Personal cards only; sign-up bonuses, statement credits and other perks are not counted.

What usually counts

  • Restaurants, cafés and fast food.
  • Many cards include takeout; delivery apps vary.

Watch out for

  • Delivery apps and bars are treated differently from card to card.
  • Some rates apply only at certain times or places. The details column shows it when the data has it.

Which of your cards wins?

The best card in the world is the best card you actually own. Add your cards to PointMaxxer and see which one to use for dining, and every other purchase, in a second. Free, no sign-up, no bank login.

Open the web app

More guides