Gourmet Benefits: 7 Best Credit Cards for Dining and Groceries

There’s nothing like indulging in your favorite meals or exploring new culinary adventures at home. But did you know your credit card could make these experiences even more rewarding? You can earn cashback, points, or exclusive perks whenever you dine out or stock up on groceries. This article will explore some of the best credit cards for dining and groceries, perfect for foodies looking to maximize their rewards, and some tips for maximizing your rewards beyond credit cards.

Why You Should Care About Food-Related Rewards

Dining out or buying weekly groceries often makes up a significant portion of your budget. You can turn these normal expenses into tangible rewards with the right credit card. Many cards offer elevated earning rates for dining out at restaurants and grocery store purchases, giving you more bang for your buck. Some even provide access to exclusive culinary events or credits for food-related spending. Whether you’re a restaurant regular, a home chef, or a little bit of both, these cards can give you more rewards on your spending.

How to Choose Rewards Credit Cards for Groceries and Restaurants

Selecting the perfect credit card for your date nights or supermarket trips can be daunting, but you can make an informed decision by considering your unique lifestyle and financial goals. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Assess your spending habits

• Track how much you usually spend on dining out versus grocery shopping.
• If you’re more of a home chef, prioritize cards with higher rewards for grocery purchases. Restaurant regulars, on the other hand, will benefit from dining-specific perks.

Compare rewards structures

• Some cards offer cashback, while others provide points that can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, or even statement credit.
• Decide whether immediate cashback or accumulating points for larger rewards aligns better with your goals.

Consider additional perks

• Look for benefits beyond rewards rates, such as travel insurance or partner credits.
• When used correctly, any added benefits can significantly enhance your card’s value.

Factor in annual fees

• A card with a higher annual fee may still be worth it if the rewards and benefits outweigh the cost.
• For budget-conscious users, excellent no-annual-fee options from a credit card issuer still deliver substantial rewards value.

The 7 Best Credit Cards for Dining and Groceries

Tasteful Pairings: Compare Dining and Grocery Cards

There are advantages to having a single card, like not carrying more cards or needing to remember which card to use. However, some of the best cards may have high annual fees that you want to avoid. Or you may decide you want to maximize earning rates for restaurants and grocery shopping categories individually. Below is a comparison of the credit cards we’ve covered and their cashback or points earning rates.

Tip: There are rules when applying for multiple credit cards within a short time period. Check out our guide to Navigating Credit Card Application Rules for more.

Tips for Maximizing Savings on Dining and Groceries

To make the most of your rewards, strategy matters. We’ve listed some practical tips to boost your earnings.

Leverage bonus categories:

• Use the card with the highest rewards rate for dining or groceries.
• Some cards have rotating or tiered categories—stay updated to maximize your rewards.

Use rotating credit card portal offers:

• Rotating offers for many categories, including cash back on dining, can be added to your card from the card issuer app or website.
• Offers often include online grocery, and local restaurants or national dining chains.

Combine with cashback or loyalty apps:

• Stack your credit card rewards with in-store apps like Rakuten and Upside for additional cashback or points. You just link your credit card.
• Enroll in grocery store loyalty programs to earn even more perks like coupon discounts and special offers.

Buy discounted gift cards

• You can often find discounted gift cards at Costco or Amazon. Buy them for your favorite chain restaurants or grocery stores to save 10% or more. 
• Use an app like Pepper Rewards to buy gift cards of any amount, and get points toward more gift cards on the app.

Let’s eat!

The right credit card can transform your expenses of dining out and grocery shopping into valuable rewards, making indulging in your favorite meals or saving for future experiences easier. Whether you’re a foodie who loves dining out, a home chef stocking your pantry, or someone who enjoys a bit of both, there’s a card that fits your lifestyle.

You can make every meal more rewarding by looking at your spending habits, choosing the best reward structure, and using smart strategies to maximize your earnings. Explore the cards outlined in this article and start earning today—because your love for food deserves to be celebrated!

Editor’s note: Opinions shared in this article are solely the author’s and do not represent the views of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other organization. The content has not been evaluated, approved, or endorsed by any of the mentioned entities. These are our recommendations but it isn’t financial advice. We may receive a commission if you click through any of the links in this article.

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Dining and Grocery Rewards: Frequently Asked Questions

How to find the best reward cards for points and cashback?

When it comes to finding the best credit cards for dining and grocery purchases, there are quite a few options out there that cater specifically to food lovers and shoppers. You’ll need to know your credit score to understand where you may qualify for a new card. Some of these cards offer competitive cash back or points on both dining and grocery purchases, making them easy-to-use options without any guesswork at the register. The perfect credit card for you will depend on your spending habits and whether you prefer cash back or travel rewards.

How do I choose the right credit card for groceries?

Choosing the best credit card for groceries involves a little homework. Start by examining your monthly spending on grocery stores. If you spend a lot, look for a rewards card that offers a high percentage of cash back or points on grocery purchases. Don’t forget to look at credit card offers that also reward online grocery purchases (if that matters to you). Also, check for any annual fees—you want to ensure that the rewards you earn outweigh any costs. 

How do I choose the best credit card for restaurants?

Picking the best credit card for cash back on dining is easy. Just check out how much you usually spend on dining each month. If a large part of your monthly spending is on dining, look for a credit card that gives you elevated cash back or points on these purchases. Some even work for restaurants worldwide. Most of these cards will provide portal offers for bonus cash back at local establishments or national chains, and some might even give you monthly food credits or other benefits. If there is an annual fee, just be sure the rewards stack up beyond the fee. 

What are the pros and cons of a no annual fee card?

Several credit cards offer awesome benefits for dining or grocery shopping without charging an annual fee. This means they are usually stripped of many of the benefits and credits offered by annual fee cards, and sometimes charge a fee for foreign transactions too. The main benefit is that you don’t need to pay an annual fee, so if that’s important to you, you can still earn rewards on your food purchases.

Can I use a credit card for grocery store gift cards?

Yes, you can typically use a card that earns cashback or points at grocery stores to buy gift cards at those stores. This is a great hack to essentially pay less for gift cards to non-dining, non-grocery places you already shop. It’s often best practice to add other things to your order so it’s not just gift cards, which totals an even amount and may be flagged by the issuer.