Best credit cards for restaurants in Canada 2024

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Updated: October 09, 2024

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When it comes to maximizing credit card rewards, choosing the right card for specific spending categories is crucial. For Canadians, dining and restaurant purchases (including takeout and deliveries) can be particularly rewarding with the right credit card. 

Many rewards credit cards offer bonuses for typical expenditure such as groceries, gas and transportation. However, only a handful provide cashback for restaurant expenses. This is a list of the top cards for those who frequently dine out.

  • Why you can trust Money.ca's best dining credit cards in Canada list

    +

    Money.ca rates all credit cards on a numeric scale of 1 to 5 stars, with 1 being the lowest and 5 the highest rating, respectively. Money.ca’s proprietary scoring formulas break down the confusing language, complex points, rewards and earn rates to give you the real data that caters to your needs first, not ours.

    Our partnerships have no impact on our ratings, which are solely determined by the merits of each card. To learn more about how we researched and ranked these cards, read our full credit card review methodology.

Best overall

Overall best credit card for restaurants in Canada

American Express Cobalt® Card

Apply now

4.9

up to 20k pts

Welcome offer

Fair

Suggested credit score

Earn up to 20,000 Membership Rewards® points

Pros

  • High earn rates (up to 5% return on spending!)

  • Flexible month-by-month fee structure

  • Free supplementary cards

  • 1:1 points transfer with selected hotels, airlines and frequent flyer programs

Cons

  • Accelerated earn rates only apply to purchases in Canada (not to purchases made abroad)

  • Amex has a more limited merchant acceptance rate than Visa and Mastercard

  • Slightly higher than average annual fee

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Fair

Required Annual Personal Income

$0

Required Annual Household Income

$0

Pros

  • High earn rates (up to 5% return on spending!)

  • Flexible month-by-month fee structure

  • Free supplementary cards

  • 1:1 points transfer with selected hotels, airlines and frequent flyer programs

Cons

  • Accelerated earn rates only apply to purchases in Canada (not to purchases made abroad)

  • Amex has a more limited merchant acceptance rate than Visa and Mastercard

  • Slightly higher than average annual fee

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Fair

Required Annual Personal Income

$0

Required Annual Household Income

$0

the points on eligible eats & drinks purchases in Canada

5x

the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada

3x

the points on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada

2x

the points on everything else

1x

additional Membership Rewards point for every $1 you charge to your Cobalt Card on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel

1

Get up to $100 USD hotel credit to use on amenities like dining, spa or other leisure facilities when charged to the room

$100 USD

Purchase APR

21.99%

Cash Advance APR

21.99%

Annual Fee

$155.88

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.5%

  • Overview of the Amex Cobalt

    +

    The American Express Cobalt® Card is an excellent all-around rewards credit card that benefits Canadians with a penchant for spending money on food regularly. In addition to earning 5X points for every $1 every time you swipe in an eligible restaurant, you also get the same number of points when you spend at eligible grocery stores, bars, cafes, and on food delivery (applicable only to purchases made in Canada).

    When it comes time to trade in your rewards, Amex points are worth $0.01 each when redeemed against any eligible purchase you’ve made with the card, including restaurant bills. The annual fee is a high-ish, $155.88 (12.99/month), but you can make up for that with the introductory offer.

    Welcome offer:

    Earn up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points* by earning 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 on your Card in your first year as a new Cobalt Cardmember.

    Plus, earn 5,000 points after spending $2,500 in the first 3 months.

    That could add up to 20,000 points in a year.

    That’s up to $200 towards your next weekend getaway.

    *Current or former Cardmembers with this Card are not eligible for this offer. Other terms apply.

    Contact American Express for the most up-to-date referral bonus figures.

    American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

Best no FX fee

Best for dining with no foreign exchange fees

Scotiabank Gold American Express®

Apply now

4.8

up to 45K pts

Welcome offer

Very Good

Suggested credit score

Earn up to $950* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points¹

Expires

Nov 1, 2024

Pros

  • Lots of daily spend options to earn multiplied point bonuses

  • Swanky Amex perks like Front of the Line presale concert tickets

  • Save on foreign transaction fees when abroad

  • Fantastic insurance coverage, especially for travel

Cons

  • Relatively low-value welcome bonus

  • $120 annual fee that chews into your point value substantially

  • Scene points redeem poorly for travel

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Very Good

Pros

  • Lots of daily spend options to earn multiplied point bonuses

  • Swanky Amex perks like Front of the Line presale concert tickets

  • Save on foreign transaction fees when abroad

  • Fantastic insurance coverage, especially for travel

Cons

  • Relatively low-value welcome bonus

  • $120 annual fee that chews into your point value substantially

  • Scene points redeem poorly for travel

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Very Good

Scene+ points¹ on every $1 you spend at Sobeys, Safeway, Freshco, Foodland and more

6x

Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery and other eligible grocery stores. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.

5x

Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend in Canada eligible entertainment purposes. Includes movies, theatre and ticket agencies stores.

5x

Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshares, buses, subway, taxis and more

3x

Scene+ points¹ for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services

3x

Scene+ point for every $1 spent on all other eligible everyday purchases

1x

Purchase APR

20.99%

Balance Transfer Rate

22.99%

Cash Advance APR

22.99%

Annual Fee

$120

Foreign Transaction Fee

0%

  • Overview of the Scotiabank Gold Amex

    +

    If you spend frequently on restaurants and travel or shop internationally, then the Scotiabank Gold American Express® is an excellent choice. You can earn 5X Scene+ points for every $1 CAD you spend when dining at restaurants, fast food joints, or eligible bars. You’ll also earn the same rate on food delivery services, food subscriptions such as Hello Fresh and groceries. If you want to splurge on both dinner and a movie, Scotiabank also gives you 3X Scene+ points for every $1 CAD on eligible entertainment purchases, including movie and theatre tickets. You’ll also earn 6X Scene+ points for each $1 CAD charged to your account on all eligible purchases at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA and a bunch more eligible grocers.¹

    Scene+ points are worth up to $0.01 each, depending on what you’re redeeming them on. When you’ve earned enough you can redeem them for things like air travel, purchases of merchandise at eligible retailers, gift cards, or credits to your statement balance.

    Besides offering points, this credit card also waives foreign transaction fees on international purchases. Foreign transaction fees usually add 2.5% to every international transaction, so waiving this fee can add up to significant savings if you make international transactions regularly. International dining bills unfortunately will not earn at at the 3 points per $1 rate—they’ll earn at 1 point per $1 instead. But the foreign transaction fee waiver nonetheless makes this one of the best dining cards for those who travel abroad frequently.

    Additional perks: Travel insurance, car rental insurance, purchase security, discounted Priority Pass membership, 25% off at AVIS and Budget car rentals, etc.

    Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card to learn more.

    *See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.

Best fine dining

Best for fine dining experiences

BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite

Apply now

3.8

up to 60K pts

Welcome offer

Very Good

Suggested credit score

Get up to 60,000 points worth $400 in travel rewards, a $50 lifestyle credit and the $120 annual fee waived in the first year - that's a $570 value in your first anniversary!*

Expires

Nov 30, 2024

Pros

  • Excellent welcome offer: Get up to 60,000 points and a $50 lifestyle credit

  • Good earn rate in top spending categories

  • First year annual fee waiver* (Value: $120)

  • Includes new mobile device insurance: Up to $1,000 in coverage**

  • Annual $50 lifestyle credit to spend however you like*

  • Includes comprehensive travel insurance

  • Access to exclusive Visa Infinite benefits

Cons

  • High minimum annual income: Minimum $60,000 (individual) or $100,000 (household)

  • Insurance doesn't include trip cancellation coverage

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Very Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$60,000

Required Annual Household Income

$100,000

Pros

  • Excellent welcome offer: Get up to 60,000 points and a $50 lifestyle credit

  • Good earn rate in top spending categories

  • First year annual fee waiver* (Value: $120)

  • Includes new mobile device insurance: Up to $1,000 in coverage**

  • Annual $50 lifestyle credit to spend however you like*

  • Includes comprehensive travel insurance

  • Access to exclusive Visa Infinite benefits

Cons

  • High minimum annual income: Minimum $60,000 (individual) or $100,000 (household)

  • Insurance doesn't include trip cancellation coverage

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Very Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$60,000

Required Annual Household Income

$100,000

Earn 5x the points for every $1 spent on groceries, gas, dining in and out and transit.*

5x

Earn 10% more points when you add an authorized user to your account.*

10%

Get a $50 annual lifestyle credit to spend however you want*

$50

Purchase APR

20.99%

Balance Transfer Rate

23.99%

Cash Advance APR

23.99%

Annual Fee

$120

  • Overview of the BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite

    +

    Offering a hefty 5 BMO Rewards points for every $1 spent on dining out or ordering in, the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* has an excellent rewards scheme. Additionally, you’ll also get the same rate at bars, grocery stores, drugstores, and on gas and transit (applicable only to purchases in Canada). Another unique perk via Visa Infinite is the dining experiences you’ll have access to as an extra reward, such as multi-course meals with wine pairings delivered to your home or spending an evening with chefs.

    One hundred and fifty BMO Rewards points can be redeemed for $1 in travel or investments into BMO accounts, which works out to a rate of $0.0067 per point. Points can also be redeemed as a statement credit or for merchandise, though the points will be worth less for those redemptions.

    Get a $50 annual lifestyle credit to spend however you want*, mobile device insurance, and you can boost your earn rate by 10% when you add a secondary cardholder to your account. If you want to add even more lucrative rewards like priority airport lounge and security passes, luxury hotel access and more, and are willing to pay a higher fee, check out the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege* credit card.

    Additional perks: $50 annual lifestyle credit, supplementary cards boost earn rate, mobile device insurance, travel insurance, access to Visa Infinite exclusive dining invites

    *Terms and conditions apply

    BMO is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click on the Apply now link for the most up to date information.

Best no fee

Best for no annual fee

Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card

Apply now

4.0

10% back

Welcome offer

Good

Suggested credit score

Get 10% cash back on up to $1,000 in everyday purchases made within 2 months. Pay only 1.95% balance transfer interest for the first 6 months.

Expires

Nov 1, 2024

Pros

  • No annual fee

  • Choose the spending categories where you want to earn the most cash back

  • Unlimited cash back—no maximum spending limit for any purchase category

  • Cash back is paid out monthly rather than annually

  • Periodically includes a special welcome offer where you can get extra cash back

  • 1.95% interest on balance transfers for the first 6 months (1% transfer fee applies)*

Cons

  • Regular cash back rates are still lower than what you can get from a card with an annual fee

  • Limited extra perks or benefits beyond the cash back and balance transfer promotion

  • Generally not a good fit for shopping at warehouse clubs or wholesale grocers like Costco or Walmart

  • Tangerine does not have any physical bank branches

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$12,000

Pros

  • No annual fee

  • Choose the spending categories where you want to earn the most cash back

  • Unlimited cash back—no maximum spending limit for any purchase category

  • Cash back is paid out monthly rather than annually

  • Periodically includes a special welcome offer where you can get extra cash back

  • 1.95% interest on balance transfers for the first 6 months (1% transfer fee applies)*

Cons

  • Regular cash back rates are still lower than what you can get from a card with an annual fee

  • Limited extra perks or benefits beyond the cash back and balance transfer promotion

  • Generally not a good fit for shopping at warehouse clubs or wholesale grocers like Costco or Walmart

  • Tangerine does not have any physical bank branches

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Good

Required Annual Personal Income

$12,000

Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)

2%

Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.

3

Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.

0.5%

Variable APR

19.95% - 24.95%

Balance Transfer Rate

1.95%

Cash Advance APR

19.95%

Annual Fee

$0

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.5%

  • Overview of the Tangerine Money Back credit card

    +

    If you are looking for a credit card that will allow you to earn on dining out without having to pay a hefty annual fee, then look no further than the Tangerine Money-Back Card. It’s free of charge and still has a decent earn rate for restaurants. The way this credit card works is that you, the cardholder, get to choose two or three spending categories in which you’ll earn 2% back. Once you have selected restaurants as one of your money back categories, you will earn2% on every $1 spent on dining with no limits—a huge advantage over many other credit cards. Another reason why we love the Tangerine Money-Back Card is that you will see those money back rewards in your account every month, you don’t need to wait a year to see your rewards.

    *Terms and Conditions apply

Best debit or prepaid

Best prepaid card for restaurants

KOHO Extra

Apply now

4.0

Fair

Suggested credit score

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Pros

  • 2% cash back on on groceries, restaurants, food delivery, bars, coffee shops, and transportation

  • 0.25% cash back on all other purchases

  • No foreign transaction fees

  • No everyday banking fees

  • Credit Building by KOHO optional paid add-on

  • Earn interest

Cons

  • $84 annual fee

  • Deposits capped at $40,000

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Fair

Required Annual Personal Income

$0

Required Annual Household Income

$0

Pros

  • 2% cash back on on groceries, restaurants, food delivery, bars, coffee shops, and transportation

  • 0.25% cash back on all other purchases

  • No foreign transaction fees

  • No everyday banking fees

  • Credit Building by KOHO optional paid add-on

  • Earn interest

Cons

  • $84 annual fee

  • Deposits capped at $40,000

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Fair

Required Annual Personal Income

$0

Required Annual Household Income

$0

cash back on groceries, transportation, food, and drink

2%

cash back on all other purchases

0.25%

interest on your entire balance

5%

cash back extra at partnered merchants

5%

off Credit Building

30%

for credit building, instead of $10 (save 30%)

$7

Annual Fee

$84

Foreign Transaction Fee

0%

  • Overview of the Koho Extra card

    +

    Earn rate: 2% cash back on restaurants, bars, cafes, food delivery, groceries, and transportation (in Canada and abroad)

    Additional perks: No foreign exchange fees and one free international ATM withdraw per month

    Annual fee: $84 or $9 per month

    If you’ve had trouble managing your credit in the past, you may want to stay away from credit cards altogether. In this case, a prepaid card like the KOHO Extra credit card is a good choice that still allows you to earn cash back on restaurant spending. You’ll get 2% cash back when using KOHO Extra at restaurants, cafes, bars, on food delivery, and at both small or larger chain grocery stores. The 2% cash back also applies to transportation, including ride shares like Uber or Lyft.

    It’s also important to keep in mind that KOHO Extra requires you to deposit money before you spend it, so there is no way to overspend.

Best Aeroplan

Best for earning Aeroplan points

The Platinum Card

Apply now

3.5

80,000 pts

Welcome offer

Excellent

Suggested credit score

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points*

Pros

  • Access to a wide range of luxury perks, including premium concierge service

  • Complimentary lounge membership providing access to over 1,400+ airport lounges worldwide

  • Annual statement credits: $200 annual travel credit, $200 annual dining credit

  • Special insurance coverages like trip cancellation/interruption, flight delay, lost or stolen baggage and rental car theft & damage.

  • Provides extended warranty (2 years) and purchase protection (120 days).

Cons

  • High annual fee of $799, one of the heftiest among Canadian cards

  • The rewards system can be complicated, especially for users not familiar with maximizing credit card points

  • Requires good to excellent credit for eligibility

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Excellent

Pros

  • Access to a wide range of luxury perks, including premium concierge service

  • Complimentary lounge membership providing access to over 1,400+ airport lounges worldwide

  • Annual statement credits: $200 annual travel credit, $200 annual dining credit

  • Special insurance coverages like trip cancellation/interruption, flight delay, lost or stolen baggage and rental car theft & damage.

  • Provides extended warranty (2 years) and purchase protection (120 days).

Cons

  • High annual fee of $799, one of the heftiest among Canadian cards

  • The rewards system can be complicated, especially for users not familiar with maximizing credit card points

  • Requires good to excellent credit for eligibility

Eligibility

Recommended Credit Score

Excellent

points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada

2x

points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel

2x

point for every $1 in all other Card purchases

1x

additional point on Amex Travel Online for eligible hotel or car rental bookings

1

Variable APR

21.99% - 28.99%

Annual Fee

$799

Foreign Transaction Fee

2.5%

  • Overview of the Amex The Platinum

    +

    With the Platinum Card® from American Express you earn 2X points on dining and food delivery purchases in Canada.

    And The Platinum Card®’s premium dining benefits don’t stop at its earn rate. Platinum and Centurion cardholders have exclusive access to the Global Dining Collection, which offers reservations for international eateries at the vanguard of haute cuisine, and intimate dining events with the world’s most respected gourmet chefs. Also you can enjoy the .

    Additional perks: Curated dining experiences; enjoy complimentary benefits that offer an average value of $600 USD at over 1,500 extraordinary properties worldwide when you book Fine Hotels + Resorts; Toronto Pearson airport benefits; Platinum Concierge service; comprehensive travel insurance; free access to airport lounges;

Compare our picks

Comparing the best credit cards for dining out in Canada

Credit card Welcome bonus Earn rate Annual fee
American Express Cobalt® Card up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points* 5X points for every $1 spent on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery $155.88 (12.99/month)
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card Earn up to $950* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points¹ 5x Scene+ points¹ for every $1 you spend on dining, food delivery, food subscriptions and other eligible grocery stores $120
BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Get up to 60,000 points worth $400 in travel rewards, a $50 lifestyle credit and the $120 annual fee waived in the first year - that's a $570 value in your first anniversary!* Earn 5x the points for every $1 spent on groceries, gas, dining in and out and transit.* $120
Tangerine Money Back Get 10% cash back on up to $1,000 in everyday purchases made within 2 months. Pay only 1.95% balance transfer interest for the first 6 months. 2% restaurants (if selected as a special money-back category) $0
KOHO Extra N/A Earn 2% cash back on groceries, eating & drinking, and transportation 84 or $9 per month
The Platinum Card® Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points* Earn 2X points on eligible dining and food delivery purchases in Canada $799

Conditions Apply. Visit here for the Scotiabank Gold American Express® to learn more. *See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.

Conclusion

Conclusion

Whether it's enjoying meals at restaurants, subscribing to meal services, or ordering in, dining out plays a crucial role in our lives. Whether you prefer a card with no fees, low interest rates, or high rewards, one of the selections mentioned will meet your requirements. You can also check out our best rewards credit cards if you're looking for more perks.

FAQs

FAQs: Best Canadian credit cards for dining out

  • Can I earn cash back when I spend at restaurants?

    +

    Yes! Although many of the credit cards listed above allow you to earn rewards points that can be redeemed for travel and merchandise, KOHO Extra lets you earn 2% cash back on all restaurant spending.

  • Do I have to pay an annual fee to earn rewards from restaurant spending or dining out?

    +

    No. While most rewards credit cards require you to pay an annual fee, the Tangerine Money-Back Card does not have a yearly fee. The rewards you can earn with this credit card are slightly lower than the fee-based cards, so it’s essential to consider your spending habits when deciding which credit card is best for you.

  • What constitutes a restaurant for most rewards credit cards?

    +

    Most credit cards use merchant category codes to classify your spending into rewards categories. You can check your vendor’s merchant category code online in advance of your purchase, but this process can be onerous. A quicker method to keep track of which establishments qualify for rewards is to monitor your credit card statement, which will show the purchases that qualify for rewards or cashback.

American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

Jordann Brown is a freelance personal finance writer whose areas of expertise include debt management, homeownership and budgeting. She is based in Halifax and has written for publications including The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, and CBC.

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