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Americans spend an average of $475 per month on groceries and $325 on dining out, according to 2026 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. That’s roughly $9,600 per year — money that could be earning you serious cash back or travel rewards if you’re using the right credit card.
The best credit cards for groceries and dining can return 3% to 6% on your food spending, putting hundreds of dollars back in your pocket annually. But with dozens of options available, choosing the right card requires understanding category structures, spending caps, and annual fee tradeoffs.
We evaluated over 40 credit cards across major issuers to find the best options for grocery and restaurant spending in 2026. Here are our top picks.
Best Credit Cards for Groceries and Dining: Our Top Picks
| Card | Grocery Rewards | Dining Rewards | Annual Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express® Gold Card | 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25K/yr) | 4x points at restaurants worldwide | $250 | Overall food spending |
| Blue Cash Preferred® from Amex | 6% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6K/yr) | 1% | $95 | Grocery-focused cash back |
| Capital One SavorOne | 3% at grocery stores | 3% at restaurants | $0 | No-fee balanced option |
| Citi Custom Cash® Card | 5% on top category (up to $500/mo) | 5% on top category (up to $500/mo) | $0 | High rate, low spend |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® | 3x on online grocery | 3x on dining | $95 | Travel + food combo |
| U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa | 2x on grocery | 4x on dining | $0 | Dining-focused, no fee |
Detailed Card Reviews
1. American Express® Gold Card — Best Overall for Food Spending
The Amex Gold Card is the undisputed champion for food spending, offering an industry-leading 4x Membership Rewards points at both U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/year in purchases) and restaurants worldwide — with no cap on dining rewards.
Key features:
- 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/year, then 1x)
- 4x points at restaurants worldwide (no cap)
- $120 dining credit ($10/month at select restaurants including Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory)
- $120 Uber Cash credit ($10/month, including Uber Eats)
- $250 annual fee
Why it stands out: When you factor in the $240 in annual dining and Uber credits, the effective annual fee drops to just $10. At 4x points with a conservative valuation of 1.8 cents per point, you’re earning an effective 7.2% return on groceries and dining. For a household spending $800/month on food, that’s over $690 in annual rewards value.
Pro Tip: Transfer Amex points to airline partners like Delta or ANA for valuations above 2 cents per point, making this card even more lucrative for travel-focused food spenders.
2. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express — Best for Grocery Cash Back
If you want straightforward cash back rather than points, the Blue Cash Preferred delivers the highest grocery rate available at 6% back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in annual spending.
Key features:
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year, then 1%)
- 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% at U.S. gas stations and transit
- 1% on everything else
- $95 annual fee
Why it stands out: Spending $500/month on groceries earns you $360/year in cash back. After subtracting the $95 annual fee, you net $265 — far more than any no-fee grocery card. The break-even point is roughly $132/month in grocery spending.
Important note: The 6% rate applies to U.S. supermarkets only. Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club, as well as Target and Walmart, typically don’t code as supermarkets and earn only 1%.
3. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards — Best No-Annual-Fee Option
The SavorOne delivers solid, balanced rewards on both groceries and dining without any annual fee — making it the easiest recommendation for most people.
Key features:
- 3% cash back on dining
- 3% cash back at grocery stores
- 3% on entertainment and popular streaming services
- 5% on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 1% on everything else
- $0 annual fee
Why it stands out: Zero annual fee with no spending caps on the 3% categories makes this the set-it-and-forget-it food card. A household spending $800/month on combined groceries and dining earns $288/year — all profit with no fee to offset.
4. Citi Custom Cash® Card — Best for Targeted High Rewards
The Citi Custom Cash automatically identifies your top spending category each billing cycle and gives you 5% back — up to $500 in purchases per month. If groceries or dining is consistently your highest category, this card delivers exceptional value.
Key features:
- 5% cash back on your top eligible spending category each billing cycle (up to $500)
- 1% on all other purchases
- Eligible categories include restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, travel, and more
- $0 annual fee
Why it stands out: For disciplined spenders who keep their grocery or dining spending under $500/month on this card, the 5% return beats most competitors. The automatic category selection means no activation or enrollment required.
Strategy tip: Pair the Citi Custom Cash with a broader rewards card. Use Custom Cash exclusively for groceries (keeping under the $500 cap) and another card for dining.
5. Chase Sapphire Preferred® — Best for Travel and Food Combined
The Sapphire Preferred isn’t just a travel card — it earns 3x points on dining (including takeout and delivery) and 3x on online grocery purchases, making it a strong food card for travelers.
Key features:
- 3x points on dining (including delivery services)
- 3x on online grocery purchases (excluding in-store)
- 2x on all travel
- Points worth 25% more when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
- $95 annual fee
Why it stands out: Chase Ultimate Rewards points are among the most versatile in the industry. At 1.25 cents per point through Chase Travel (or 1.5-2+ cents via transfer partners), your effective dining rate becomes 3.75% to 6%. For people who dine out frequently and travel, this is an unbeatable combination.
6. U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® — Best No-Fee Dining Card
If dining out is where most of your food budget goes, the Altitude Go delivers an exceptional 4x rewards on dining with zero annual fee.
Key features:
- 4x points on dining
- 2x on grocery stores, gas stations, and streaming
- 1x on everything else
- $0 annual fee
- $15 streaming credit
Why it stands out: The 4x dining rate is the highest available with no annual fee. For someone spending $400/month on restaurants, that’s $192/year in rewards — all without paying a cent in fees.
How to Choose the Right Food Rewards Card
Step 1: Know Your Spending Split
Track your spending for one month to understand your grocery-to-dining ratio. This determines whether you need a grocery-focused card (like Blue Cash Preferred), a dining-focused card (like Altitude Go), or a balanced option (like SavorOne or Amex Gold).
Step 2: Calculate the Annual Fee Break-Even
For cards with annual fees, calculate your expected rewards and subtract the fee. Here’s a quick reference:
| Card | Annual Fee | Monthly Food Spend to Break Even vs. 2% Card |
|---|---|---|
| Amex Gold (after credits) | $10 effective | $42 |
| Blue Cash Preferred | $95 | $198 in groceries |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $95 | $792 in dining |
Step 3: Check Merchant Category Codes
Not all grocery stores code as “supermarkets.” Before committing, verify that your primary grocery store triggers the bonus category. Key exceptions to watch for:
- Walmart and Target: Usually code as “discount stores,” not supermarkets
- Costco and Sam’s Club: Typically code as “warehouse clubs”
- Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods: May code differently depending on the card issuer
- Specialty stores (Trader Joe’s, Aldi): Usually code correctly as supermarkets
Strategies to Maximize Your Food Rewards
The Two-Card Strategy
Pair a grocery-focused card with a dining-focused card for maximum returns:
- Groceries: Blue Cash Preferred (6%) or Citi Custom Cash (5%)
- Dining: U.S. Bank Altitude Go (4x) or Amex Gold (4x)
This combination can earn you $500 to $800+ annually on a typical household food budget.
Stack with Grocery Store Gift Cards
Purchase restaurant gift cards at the grocery store to double-dip on rewards. Your grocery card earns the higher supermarket rate, and you still enjoy the meal. Just be sure to only buy gift cards for restaurants you regularly visit.
Use Grocery Delivery Strategically
Some cards (like the Chase Sapphire Preferred) specifically bonus online grocery purchases. If you’re already using Instacart, Amazon Fresh, or Walmart+ delivery, check which card offers the best rate for online grocery orders versus in-store purchases.
Don’t Forget Dining Credits
Cards like the Amex Gold include monthly dining and Uber Eats credits that effectively reduce the annual fee. Set calendar reminders to use these credits each month — unused credits expire and don’t roll over.
Grocery Rewards by Category: What Counts?
Understanding merchant category codes (MCCs) is crucial for maximizing your rewards. Here’s what typically does and doesn’t count:
| Counts as Grocery | Usually Does NOT Count |
|---|---|
| Kroger, Safeway, Publix | Walmart Supercenter |
| Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods | Target |
| Aldi, Lidl | Costco, Sam’s Club |
| Local/regional supermarkets | Dollar stores |
| Instacart (usually) | Amazon.com (usually) |
FAQ: Credit Cards for Groceries and Dining
Which credit card gives the highest cash back on groceries?
The Blue Cash Preferred® from American Express offers the highest flat cash-back rate at 6% on U.S. supermarket purchases, up to $6,000 per year. After that cap, it drops to 1%. For unlimited grocery rewards, the Capital One SavorOne offers 3% with no spending cap or annual fee.
Do Walmart and Target count as grocery stores for credit card rewards?
Generally, no. Walmart and Target typically code as “discount stores” or “superstores,” which means they won’t trigger grocery bonus categories on most credit cards. If you primarily shop at these stores, look for cards with broad category bonuses or flat-rate rewards instead.
Is it worth paying an annual fee for a grocery rewards card?
It depends on your spending. If you spend at least $200/month on groceries, the Blue Cash Preferred’s 6% rate more than covers its $95 annual fee. The Amex Gold Card effectively costs just $10/year after dining and Uber credits, making it worthwhile for almost any food spender.
Can I use multiple credit cards to maximize food rewards?
Absolutely — and we recommend it. Using a dedicated grocery card (like the Blue Cash Preferred at 6%) alongside a dedicated dining card (like the Altitude Go at 4x) is the most effective strategy. This “two-card approach” can earn $500–$800+ annually on food spending alone.
What about grocery delivery services like Instacart?
Instacart purchases usually code as the grocery store you’re ordering from, so they typically trigger supermarket bonuses. However, some delivery services code as their own merchant. Check your statement after a small test purchase to confirm before relying on the bonus category.
How do I check what merchant category a store falls under?
Make a small purchase and check your credit card’s online portal or app. Most issuers show the merchant category in the transaction details. You can also call the number on the back of your card and ask which MCC a specific merchant codes under.
Special Considerations for Large Families
Families spending $1,000+ per month on groceries need to be especially strategic about spending caps. The Blue Cash Preferred’s 6% rate maxes out at $6,000/year in grocery spending — if you spend $800/month, you’ll hit the cap by August and earn only 1% for the rest of the year.
Strategies for high-volume grocery spenders:
- Pair two grocery cards: Use the Blue Cash Preferred for the first $6,000/year, then switch to the SavorOne (3%, no cap) for the remainder
- Split between spouses: Each spouse can have their own Blue Cash Preferred, doubling the $6,000 cap to $12,000/year at 6%
- Leverage the Amex Gold: The $25,000/year cap at 4x points accommodates most family grocery budgets without running out
Bottom Line
The best credit card for groceries and dining depends on your spending habits and preferences. For maximum overall food rewards, the American Express Gold Card is hard to beat with 4x points on both categories. For pure grocery cash back, the Blue Cash Preferred at 6% is the clear winner. And if you want simplicity with no annual fee, the Capital One SavorOne delivers solid 3% across both groceries and dining.
Whichever card you choose, the key is actually using it consistently for food purchases. Even the best rewards card doesn’t help if it sits in your drawer. Pick the card that matches your spending pattern, set it as your default payment, and start earning on money you’re already spending.
Last updated: May 2026. Card terms and rewards are subject to change. Always verify current offers on the issuer’s website before applying.