Top Cards for Dining and Groceries

Food expenses are among the biggest parts of most people’s monthly budgets — and the right credit card can turn those everyday costs into valuable rewards. Whether you dine out or cook at home, certain cards make it easy to earn cash back, points, or miles on every bite and grocery run. Here’s a look at the top cards for dining and groceries and how each can help you save or travel smarter.

1. American Express® Gold Card

The Amex Gold is a standout for food lovers. It earns 4x points at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year, then 1x). Add annual dining credits and flexible travel redemptions, and it’s easy to see why this card tops most lists for dining and grocery rewards.

• Annual fee: $250
• Rewards: 4x on dining, 4x on U.S. supermarkets, 3x on flights
• Best for: Frequent diners and home cooks who spend heavily on food

2. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers strong dining rewards and flexible travel redemption options. Points can be redeemed through Chase Travel or transferred to top airline and hotel partners for maximum value.

• Annual fee: $95
• Rewards: 3x on dining, 2x on travel, 1x on other purchases
• Best for: Travelers who want both dining rewards and flexible points

3. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

This no-annual-fee card offers excellent everyday value. You’ll earn 3% cash back on dining, grocery stores, entertainment, and streaming services — all with no cost to keep the card.

• Annual fee: $0
• Rewards: 3% on dining, groceries, entertainment, and streaming
• Best for: Budget-conscious users who still want strong rewards

4. Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

The Citi Custom Cash automatically adapts to your spending. It gives 5% cash back on your top eligible spending category each billing cycle — which can include restaurants or grocery stores — up to $500 per month, then 1%.

• Annual fee: $0
• Rewards: 5% on your highest category, 1% on others
• Best for: Flexible spenders who alternate between dining and groceries

5. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

If groceries dominate your budget, this card delivers unmatched value. You’ll earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), plus 3% on transit and streaming services.

• Annual fee: $95
• Rewards: 6% on groceries, 3% on transit and streaming
• Best for: Families and frequent shoppers who spend big on food

How to Choose the Right Card

The best card for dining and groceries depends on your habits. If you travel often and want to maximize transferable points, look at cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Amex Gold. If you want pure cash value with no annual fees, the Capital One SavorOne or Citi Custom Cash is hard to beat.

• For diners: Amex Gold or Sapphire Preferred deliver top restaurant value.
• For grocery spenders: Blue Cash Preferred offers unmatched cash back.
• For simplicity: SavorOne or Custom Cash require no special management.

Final Thoughts

The top cards for dining and groceries offer a rare opportunity — earning rewards for what you already spend the most on. Whether you prefer cash back simplicity or transferable points for travel, there’s a perfect match. Choose the one that fits your habits and turn every meal into real value.