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Home › Best Credit Cards › Best for Restaurants

Best Credit Cards for Restaurants (March 2026)

Ranked by actual rewards rates at restaurants merchants. 15 cards tested.
Updated March 11, 2026·PointsPick Data Team
Data verified March 2026 · Methodology
Quick Answer

The best credit card for restaurants in 2026 is the Sapphire Reserve Business ($795/yr annual fee). We compared 15 cards across rewards rates, fees, and benefits to find the top picks.

Looking for cash rewards? See our best cash back credit cards — ranked by reward rate and annual fee value.

Top 15 Cards Compared

#1
Sapphire Reserve Business
Sapphire Reserve Business
Top Pick
Chase ·
5.5
4x Dining$795/yrNo FTF
Sapphire Reserve Business earns 4X on dining, no foreign transaction fee.
Apply Now
Rewards Rate
4xDining
10xHotels & Car Rentals
5xFlights
3xAll Other Travel
1.0xAll other purchases
Intro Offer
N/A
Annual Fee
$795/yr
Foreign Fee
None
Transfer Partners
No
Why we picked it: Sapphire Reserve Business earns 4X on dining, no foreign transaction fee.
Pros
  • 4X on dining
  • No foreign transaction fee
Cons
  • High $795 annual fee
  • No point transfer partners
Apply Now Full Review →
#2
American Express® Gold Card
American Express® Gold Card
Runner Up
American Express ·
7.5
4x Dining$325/yrNo FTF60,000 points
American Express® Gold Card earns 4X on dining, no foreign transaction fee, plus a 60,000 points signup bonus.
Apply Now
Rewards Rate
4xDining
4xU.S. Supermarkets
3xFlights
1xEverything Else
1.0xAll other purchases
Intro Offer
60,000 points
Annual Fee
$325/yr
Foreign Fee
None
Transfer Partners
Yes
Why we picked it: American Express® Gold Card earns 4X on dining, no foreign transaction fee, plus a 60,000 points signup bonus.
Pros
  • 4X on dining
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Transferable points to travel partners
Cons
  • High $325 annual fee
Apply Now Full Review →
#3
Freedom Unlimited
Freedom Unlimited
Best No-Fee Option
Chase ·
7.5
3x Dining includin$0/yr fee$200 cash back
Freedom Unlimited earns 3X on dining including takeout and delivery, with no annual fee, plus a $200 cash back signup bonus.
Apply Now
Rewards Rate
3xDining including takeout and delivery
5xChase Travel Purchases
3xDrugstore Purchases
2xEverything Else
1.5xAll other purchases
Intro Offer
$200 cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Fee
3%
Transfer Partners
No
Why we picked it: Freedom Unlimited earns 3X on dining including takeout and delivery, with no annual fee, plus a $200 cash back signup bonus.
Pros
  • 3X on dining including takeout and delivery
  • No annual fee
  • $200 cash back signup bonus
Cons
  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • No point transfer partners
Apply Now Full Review →
#4
Freedom Flex
Freedom Flex
Chase ·
7.5
3x Dining includin$0/yr feeNo FTF$200 cash back
Freedom Flex earns 3X on dining including takeout and delivery, with no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, plus a $200 cash back signup bonus.
Apply Now
Rewards Rate
3xDining including takeout and delivery
5xQuarterly 5% Categories
5xChase Travel Purchases
3xDrugstore Purchases
1.0xAll other purchases
Intro Offer
$200 cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Fee
None
Transfer Partners
No
Why we picked it: Freedom Flex earns 3X on dining including takeout and delivery, with no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, plus a $200 cash back signup bonus.
Pros
  • 3X on dining including takeout and delivery
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
Cons
  • No point transfer partners
Apply Now Full Review →
#5
Sapphire Preferred
Sapphire Preferred
Best Bonus
Chase ·
8.0
3x Dining$95/yrNo FTF75,000 points
Sapphire Preferred earns 3X on dining, for just $95/yr, no foreign transaction fee, plus a 75,000 points signup bonus.
Apply Now
Rewards Rate
3xDining
5xTravel Via Chase Portal
3xOnline Grocery
3xStreaming
1.0xAll other purchases
Intro Offer
75,000 points
Annual Fee
$95/yr
Foreign Fee
None
Transfer Partners
Yes
Why we picked it: Sapphire Preferred earns 3X on dining, for just $95/yr, no foreign transaction fee, plus a 75,000 points signup bonus.
Pros
  • 3X on dining
  • Low $95/yr annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
Cons
  • $95/yr annual fee
Apply Now Full Review →
#6
Sapphire Reserve
Sapphire Reserve
Chase ·
7.0
3x Dining worldwid$795/yrNo FTF125,000 points
Sapphire Reserve earns 3X on dining worldwide, no foreign transaction fee, plus a 125,000 points signup bonus.
Apply Now
Rewards Rate
3xDining worldwide
8xChase Travel Purchases Including The Edit
4xFlights Booked Directly With Airlines
4xHotels Booked Directly
1.0xAll other purchases
Intro Offer
125,000 points
Annual Fee
$795/yr
Foreign Fee
None
Transfer Partners
Yes
Why we picked it: Sapphire Reserve earns 3X on dining worldwide, no foreign transaction fee, plus a 125,000 points signup bonus.
Pros
  • 3X on dining worldwide
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Transferable points to travel partners
Cons
  • High $795 annual fee
Apply Now Full Review →
#7
Green
Green
American Express ·
6.0
3x Dining worldwid$150/yrNo FTF
Green earns 3X on dining worldwide, no foreign transaction fee.
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Rewards Rate
3xDining worldwide
3xTravel
1xEverything Else
1.0xAll other purchases
Intro Offer
N/A
Annual Fee
$150/yr
Foreign Fee
None
Transfer Partners
No
Why we picked it: Green earns 3X on dining worldwide, no foreign transaction fee.
Pros
  • 3X on dining worldwide
  • No foreign transaction fee
Cons
  • $150/yr annual fee
  • No point transfer partners
Apply Now Full Review →
#8
Strata
Strata
Citi ·
7.0
3x Hotels, air tra$0/yr feeNo FTF
Strata earns 3X on hotels, air travel, restaurants, supermarkets, gas, with no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee.
Apply Now
Rewards Rate
3xHotels, air travel, restaurants, supermarkets, gas
1xEverything Else
1.0xAll other purchases
Intro Offer
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Fee
None
Transfer Partners
No
Why we picked it: Strata earns 3X on hotels, air travel, restaurants, supermarkets, gas, with no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee.
Pros
  • 3X on hotels, air travel, restaurants, supermarkets, gas
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
Cons
  • No point transfer partners
  • No signup bonus
Apply Now Full Review →
#9
Strata Premier
Strata Premier
Citi ·
8.0
3x Dining$95/yrNo FTF60,000 points
Strata Premier earns 3X on dining, for just $95/yr, no foreign transaction fee, plus a 60,000 points signup bonus.
Apply Now
Rewards Rate
3xDining
10xHotels/Car Rentals Via Citi Travel
3xSupermarkets
3xGas Stations
1.0xAll other purchases
Intro Offer
60,000 points
Annual Fee
$95/yr
Foreign Fee
None
Transfer Partners
Yes
Why we picked it: Strata Premier earns 3X on dining, for just $95/yr, no foreign transaction fee, plus a 60,000 points signup bonus.
Pros
  • 3X on dining
  • Low $95/yr annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
Cons
  • $95/yr annual fee
Apply Now Full Review →
#10
Strata Elite
Strata Elite
Citi ·
5.5
3x Hotels, air tra$595/yrNo FTF
Strata Elite earns 3X on hotels, air travel, restaurants, supermarkets, gas, no foreign transaction fee.
Apply Now
Rewards Rate
3xHotels, air travel, restaurants, supermarkets, gas
1xEverything Else
1.0xAll other purchases
Intro Offer
N/A
Annual Fee
$595/yr
Foreign Fee
None
Transfer Partners
No
Why we picked it: Strata Elite earns 3X on hotels, air travel, restaurants, supermarkets, gas, no foreign transaction fee.
Pros
  • 3X on hotels, air travel, restaurants, supermarkets, gas
  • No foreign transaction fee
Cons
  • High $595 annual fee
  • No point transfer partners
Apply Now Full Review →
#11
Wyndham Rewards Earner Business
Wyndham Rewards Earner Business
Barclays ·
6.5
5x Gas stations & $95/yrNo FTF
Wyndham Rewards Earner Business earns 5X on gas stations & restaurants, for just $95/yr, no foreign transaction fee.
Apply Now
Rewards Rate
5xGas stations & restaurants
8xWyndham Hotel & Resorts
1xEverything Else
1.0xAll other purchases
Intro Offer
N/A
Annual Fee
$95/yr
Foreign Fee
None
Transfer Partners
No
Why we picked it: Wyndham Rewards Earner Business earns 5X on gas stations & restaurants, for just $95/yr, no foreign transaction fee.
Pros
  • 5X on gas stations & restaurants
  • Low $95/yr annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
Cons
  • $95/yr annual fee
  • No point transfer partners
Apply Now Full Review →
#12
AAdvantage Globe
AAdvantage Globe
Citi ·
6.0
3x Restaurants$350/yrNo FTF
AAdvantage Globe earns 3X on restaurants, no foreign transaction fee.
Apply Now
Rewards Rate
3xRestaurants
3xAmerican Airlines Purchases
3xHotels
1xEverything Else
1.0xAll other purchases
Intro Offer
N/A
Annual Fee
$350/yr
Foreign Fee
None
Transfer Partners
No
Why we picked it: AAdvantage Globe earns 3X on restaurants, no foreign transaction fee.
Pros
  • 3X on restaurants
  • No foreign transaction fee
Cons
  • High $350 annual fee
  • No point transfer partners
Apply Now Full Review →
#13
Autograph
Autograph
Wells Fargo ·
7.5
3x Restaurants$0/yr feeNo FTF20,000 points
Autograph earns 3X on restaurants, with no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, plus a 20,000 points signup bonus.
Apply Now
Rewards Rate
3xRestaurants
3xTravel
3xGas Stations
3xTransit
1.0xAll other purchases
Intro Offer
20,000 points
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Fee
None
Transfer Partners
No
Why we picked it: Autograph earns 3X on restaurants, with no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, plus a 20,000 points signup bonus.
Pros
  • 3X on restaurants
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
Cons
  • No point transfer partners
Apply Now Full Review →
#14
Bilt
Bilt
Wells Fargo ·
7.5
3x Dining on Rent $0/yr feeNo FTFVaries
Bilt earns 3X on dining on rent day, with no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, plus a Varies signup bonus.
Apply Now
Rewards Rate
3xDining on Rent Day
2xTravel
1xRent Payments
1xEverything Else
1.0xAll other purchases
Intro Offer
Varies
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Fee
None
Transfer Partners
Yes
Why we picked it: Bilt earns 3X on dining on rent day, with no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, plus a Varies signup bonus.
Pros
  • 3X on dining on rent day
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
Cons
    Apply Now Full Review →
    #15
    Autograph Journey
    Autograph Journey
    Wells Fargo ·
    7.5
    3x Dining$95/yrNo FTF60,000 points
    Autograph Journey earns 3X on dining, for just $95/yr, no foreign transaction fee, plus a 60,000 points signup bonus.
    Apply Now
    Rewards Rate
    3xDining
    5xHotels
    4xAirlines
    3xOther Travel
    1.0xAll other purchases
    Intro Offer
    60,000 points
    Annual Fee
    $95/yr
    Foreign Fee
    None
    Transfer Partners
    No
    Why we picked it: Autograph Journey earns 3X on dining, for just $95/yr, no foreign transaction fee, plus a 60,000 points signup bonus.
    Pros
    • 3X on dining
    • Low $95/yr annual fee
    • No foreign transaction fee
    Cons
    • $95/yr annual fee
    • No point transfer partners
    Apply Now Full Review →
    RelatedSapphire Reserve Business vs American Express® Gold Card·Sapphire Reserve Business Review·American Express® Gold Card Review·Freedom Unlimited Review·Freedom Flex Review·Sapphire Preferred Review

    Top 5 Picks in Detail

    #1. Sapphire Reserve Business

    The Sapphire Reserve Business from Chase earns 4x on dining for a $795/yr annual fee.

    Read Full Review →Apply Now →

    #2. American Express® Gold Card

    The American Express® Gold Card from American Express earns 4x on dining for a $325/yr annual fee, plus a 60,000 points welcome bonus worth ~$1200.

    Read Full Review →Apply Now →

    #3. Freedom Unlimited

    The Freedom Unlimited from Chase earns 3x on dining including takeout and delivery with no annual fee, plus $200 cash back welcome bonus.

    Read Full Review →Apply Now →

    #4. Freedom Flex

    The Freedom Flex from Chase earns 3x on dining including takeout and delivery with no annual fee, plus $200 cash back welcome bonus.

    Read Full Review →Apply Now →

    #5. Sapphire Preferred

    The Sapphire Preferred from Chase earns 3x on dining with a $95/yr fee that nets ~$85/yr on $500/mo restaurants spend, plus a 75,000 points welcome bonus worth ~$938.

    Read Full Review →Apply Now →

    Our Methodology

    Our restaurants rankings are based on 15 data points across reward rates, annual fees, signup bonuses, and cardholder benefits. We pull data from 35+ independent verified sources including official card terms, issuer disclosures, and industry databases. Rankings are computed algorithmically with no affiliate influence on card placement or scoring. Cards are re-evaluated monthly as terms change. For the full breakdown of our scoring model, see our methodology page.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the best credit card for restaurants in 2026?
    The Sapphire Reserve Business is our top-ranked card for restaurants in 2026, earning 4X rewards with a $795/yr annual fee. We compared 15 qualifying cards based on category-specific bonus rates, annual fees, and cardholder benefits.
    How did you rank these restaurants credit cards?
    We ranked 15 cards by their actual category-specific bonus rate using data from 35+ verified sources. Cards earning higher rewards in restaurants rank higher. We also factor in annual fees, signup bonuses, and cardholder benefits.
    Is there a no-annual-fee card for restaurants?
    Yes — the Freedom Unlimited is the top no-annual-fee option for restaurants in our rankings.
    How often are these rankings updated?
    Rankings update automatically when card terms change. Data last verified: March 11, 2026.
    PointsPick may earn a commission when you apply through our links. Full disclosure
    This ranking draws on data from 35+ independent sources. Rankings are data-driven with no affiliate influence on placement. Last verified on March 11, 2026. Full methodology: www.pointspick.com/methodology.