Best Credit Cards For Restaurants and Dining in Canada For 2024
Sara Skodak
Author9 min read
When you're constantly going out, restaurants and dining can become one of the biggest expenses on your credit card. In this case, you'll want a card that optimizes your rewards in these specific categories.
That said, your credit card could double as your perfect date for dining out. It all comes down to what your card offers in terms of restaurant rewards or dining credits.
As with any date, you’ll also want to have a few things in common. That’s why we’ve outlined the best credit cards for restaurants and dining in a few different categories. Take a look to find your ideal match.
Best Credit Card Overall For Restaurants and Dining
American Express Cobalt® Card
5
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus*
Up to 15,000 points
Annual Fee*
$155.8
Interest Rates*
21.99% / 21.99%
Why we like it
Why we like it
This card was voted the Best Credit Card in Canada by FinlyWealth. The rewards earned on this card for a person with average spending exceed those of other credit cards in Canada by a huge margin! In addition, this card has a good benefits coverage, a flexible points redemption program (1:1 transfer to Aeroplan® or Avios), making it the best candidate to become the main credit card for the majority of people.
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Points can be transferred to Air Canada Aeroplan® at a 1:1 ratio, making this card a solid Aeroplan® points earner as an alternative to Aeroplan® branded credit cards
- Generous welcome bonus of up to 15,000 points
- 4+ different ways of redeeming your points for great value
- 10 different types of insurance, including travel
- Often referred to as the Best Credit Card in Canada
Cons
- Less acceptance of American Express at different merchants across Canada
- Not all types of travel insurance are covered, especially trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards*
- 5x points per $1 spent on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery (up to 12,500 points per month)
- 3x points per $1 spent on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
- 2x points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
- 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Insurance*
Coverage*
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 days
Flight Delay
$500Baggage Delay
$500
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Travel Accident
$250,000.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Benefits*
Details*
Amex Experiences™
Access Front Of The Line® Amex Presale & Reserved Tickets to some of your favourite concerts and theatre performances and special offers and events curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™.svg)
Travel Credit
Book two or more consecutive nights at participating properties through The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel to receive a $100 credit for amenities or a complimentary room upgrade, if available.
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
N/A
Known as the best credit card in Canada, complete with plenty of points per dollar spent with the highest earning potential in food and drink categories at eligible restaurants, this card could be the companion you’ve been searching for. In fact, it ranks #1 for earnings in the food category (one of the highest spending categories) compared to its competitors.
Eatery eligible rewards are paired with solid coverage, a travel credit, and an impressive welcome bonus to feed your spending appetite with a top-tier first-year value (a value that remains high in the following years).
With access to exclusive Amex Experiences, you can also indulge in select food festivals and tastings at the hottest restaurants as part of the Dining with American Express program.
Best Cashback Cards for Restaurants and Dining
Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa* Card
4.4
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus*
10% cash back† up to $1,000 in spending
Annual Fee*
$0
Interest Rates*
20.99% / 22.99%
Why we like it
Why we like it
If you dine out a lot and don't want to pay an annual fee for your credit card, the Simplii Financial™ Cash Back Visa* Card will undoubtedly be one of your best friends with its 4% cashback. Additionally, the card offers a decent cashback rate (1.5%) for gas, pharmacy, and groceries, making it one of the best no-annual-fee cashback credit cards in Canada. However, there are limits on how much you can earn in these categories. Therefore, you need to be careful not to exceed those limits; otherwise, your cashback rate will drop to 0.5% after those spending limits are reached.
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Highest cashback rate on restaurant purchases in Canada!
- Decent cashback rate on high spent categories such as groceries and gas.
- No annual fee for a card with great rewards.
Cons
- No insurance and benefits other than the standard purchase protection and extended warranty.
- Cap on the rewards that can be earned on each category.
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards*
- 4% cash back on eligible restaurant, bar, and coffee shop purchases up to $5,000 spent per year†
- 1.5% cash back on gas, groceries, drugstore, and pre-authorized payments up to $15,000 spent per year†
- 0.5% cashback on all other purchases†
Insurance*
Coverage*
Purchase Protection
Up to 90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Eligibility*
Credit Score
Very GoodAnnual Income
$15,000 personal or $15,000 household
If you’re craving cashback instead of points, the Simplii Financial Cashback Visa Card could be the card for you. Come prepared with a lower annual income requirement and a recommended “very good” credit score for the highest cashback rate on restaurant purchases in Canada (just keep an eye on the annual cap). With limited benefits, its welcome bonus will have to be incentive enough to apply. You can also claim decent cashback on popular categories like gas and groceries, but the main course will definitely be the cashback rate for restaurants, bars, and coffee shops.
On top of its best-in-class cashback rate on restaurant purchases, this card also comes with no annual fee, making it a great choice for budget-friendly foodies.
CIBC Costco Mastercard
2.8
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Interest Rates
20.75% / 22.49%
Why we like it
Why we like it
The CIBC Costco Mastercard offers one of the highest cashback rates on restaurant purchases in Canada, making it an excellent choice for optimizing rewards in this specific category, especially since it has no annual fees. If you use Costco Gas or shop on Costco Online, there is a decent cashback rate as well. However, for other categories, the cashback rate is average. Notably, you will be better off using other credit cards for warehouse Costco purchases, as you will only earn 1% cashback. If you are looking for no annual fee credit cards only, this is a good card to go for.
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Decent reward rate for a no annual fee credit card
- One of the highest cashback rates for restaurant purchases in Canada
- Has Mobile insurance
Cons
- Doesn't come with a lot of benefits
- Doesn't earn much on Costco Warehouse purchases!
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards
- 3% cash back on Restaurants and Costco Gas
- 2% cash back on Costco.ca purchases (Max $160 yearly)
- 2% cash back on Gas (Max $100 yearly)
- 1% on everything else
Insurance
Coverage
Mobile Device Insurance
$1000Purchase Protection
Up to 90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to a year
Eligibility
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$15,000 personal
It may come as a surprise, but the CIBC Costco Mastercard is actually a great card for restaurant purchases (also with no annual fee)! With this card, you'll earn nearly as much cashback on restaurant purchases as the Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa Card, but without any cap. Of course, you will need to consider that you must be a Costco member to apply.
I currently have or may soon have an eligible Rogers, Fido or Shaw service as the primary or level 1 authorized user
Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®
4.8
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Interest Rates
19.99% / 22.99%
Why we like it
Why we like it
This card is one of the best in Canada, especially if you are a Rogers, Fido, or Shaw customer. With those services, you can effectively get a 3% cashback rate, which is higher than what almost any other card offers, even those with annual fees! Additionally, for a no-fee card, you gain access to an extensive list of travel benefits, many of which are typically offered only with cards that have annual fees. Therefore, we recommend this card to anyone who meets the income requirements, even if you are not a Rogers customer!
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Voted the Best Cash Back Card in Canada for Rogers, Fido and Shaw customers by FinlyWealth.
- Voted the Best No Annual Fee Credit Card in Canada by FinlyWealth.
- There is no annual fee which is a notable benefit for a card with such high rewards. Most cards with slightly lower reward rates typically include yearly fees.
- Many favorable benefits for travelers.
- Many benefits, such as trip cancellation insurance, are only available on credit cards with an annual fee. It is rare to see these benefits on a no-annual-fee card!
- Offers the flexibility to redeem cash towards Rogers, Shaw, or Fido services, potentially increasing your rewards.
- The roam-like benefit is a benefit unique only to this card.
- It is accepted at nearly all locations as it's a Mastercard.
Cons
- Harder to qualify due to the high credit score and income requirements.
- Out of all possible travel insurances, this card is missing Baggage delay and Hotel Burglary insurance. If these two insurances are essential to someone, this card needs to be paired with another travel card to cover them.
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards
- 3% cash back on all U.S dollar purchases
- 2% cash back on all regular purchases if you have 1 qualifying Rogers, Fido or Shaw service as the account owner
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases if you do not have 1 qualifying service
- 1.5x redemption bonus on your earned cash back value when used on Rogers, Fido and Shaw purchases – that’s a 3% cash back value
Insurance
Coverage
Emergency Out of province Medical
$1M, Up to 10 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
$1M, Up to 3 days
Trip Cancellation
$1,000/person, $5,000 maximum
Trip Interruption
$1,000/person, $5,000 maximumCar Rental Damage & Theft
$65,000Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
1 year
Benefits
Details
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
Pass only, complimentary visits not included
No Cost roaming
5 days
Eligibility
Credit Score
Very GoodAnnual Income
$80,000 personal or $150,000 household
While you will need a "very good" credit score and a higher annual income to apply, the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard is voted our best no annual fee credit card, especially for Rogers, Fido, and Shaw customers. The card provides a high cashback rate on all purchases (which makes it a great restaurant card as well) that can be flexibly redeemed towards regular purchases (including dining purchases if that's where you often spend money). You can also expect extensive travel coverage (even for trip interruption and cancellation insurance, which is rare for no-fee cards), no-cost roaming, and access to the airport lounge Dragon Pass.
Tangerine World Mastercard
4.1
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus
10% Cash Back up to $100 value
Annual Fee
$0
Interest Rates
20.95% / 22.95%
Why we like it
Why we like it
While we think Tangerine World Mastercard isn't the best single credit card to own, it's still a valuable card to have in your arsenal for maximizing your rewards. It offers one of the highest cashback rates for pharmacy and recurring bill payments, areas where your other credit cards might not provide significant rewards. For no annual fees
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Allows you to change the categories, and you get a 2% reward depending on how your spending is changing every 90 days.
- 2% cashback on recurring Transactions and pharmacy purchases. One of the highest cashback rates on these categories among credit cards in Canada.
- Has cashback on Furniture and Home Improvement categories. Two categories that are not covered by any other card in Canada.
- Overall, it is a good no-annual-fee cashback credit card, especially if you have a Tangerine Savings account.
- A few benefits such as free DragonPass for lounge access, Boingo Wi-Fi, and insurances like mobile insurance and car rental theft and damage insurance.
Cons
- With these income and credit score requirements, there are cards with no annual fees that offer much higher rewards and benefits.
- Very low cashback rate on the other categories not selected.
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards
- 2% on the choice of two categories chosen from the 10 offered by Tangerine (3 if you have Tangerine's Savings account)
- 0.5% cashback on all other credit card purchases.
Insurance
Coverage
Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to a yearMobile Device Insurance
$1000Car Rental Damage & Theft
31 days
Benefits
Details
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
Pass only. No Complimentary visits!
Boingo Wi-Fi hotspot
Eligibility
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$60,000 personal or $100,000 household
While you’ll need a higher income for this cashback card (like the Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard), you might be able to get away with a “good” credit score instead of the Simplii Financial Cashback Card and Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard's “very good” credit recommendation. The coolest aspect about this card is its customization, allowing for a solid cashback rate on your choice of two categories offered by Tangerine. Plus, you can pick an additional category if you have a Tangerine Savings Account. To help you make your decision, note that you can earn decent rewards with restaurant, fast food, and dining purchases.
You’ll get a bit more coverage than the Simplii Financial Cashback Card, specifically in car rental damage and theft, and mobile device insurance. You'll also receive extra benefits like the airport lounge Dragon Pass and access to Boingo Wi-Fi hotspots.
The Tangerine World Mastercard offers almost as much annual value as the Simplii Financial Cashback Card, and it provides more substantial coverage and benefits, all at no annual cost.
Best Points Credit Cards For Restaurants and Dining
American Express Cobalt® Card
5
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus*
Up to 15,000 points
Annual Fee*
$155.8
Interest Rates*
21.99% / 21.99%
Why we like it
Why we like it
This card was voted the Best Credit Card in Canada by FinlyWealth. The rewards earned on this card for a person with average spending exceed those of other credit cards in Canada by a huge margin! In addition, this card has a good benefits coverage, a flexible points redemption program (1:1 transfer to Aeroplan® or Avios), making it the best candidate to become the main credit card for the majority of people.
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Points can be transferred to Air Canada Aeroplan® at a 1:1 ratio, making this card a solid Aeroplan® points earner as an alternative to Aeroplan® branded credit cards
- Generous welcome bonus of up to 15,000 points
- 4+ different ways of redeeming your points for great value
- 10 different types of insurance, including travel
- Often referred to as the Best Credit Card in Canada
Cons
- Less acceptance of American Express at different merchants across Canada
- Not all types of travel insurance are covered, especially trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards*
- 5x points per $1 spent on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery (up to 12,500 points per month)
- 3x points per $1 spent on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
- 2x points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
- 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Insurance*
Coverage*
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 daysFlight Delay
$500Baggage Delay
$500Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500Travel Accident
$250,000Car Rental Damage & Theft
yesMobile Device Insurance
$1,000Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Benefits*
Details*
Amex Experiences™
Access Front Of The Line® Amex Presale & Reserved Tickets to some of your favourite concerts and theatre performances and special offers and events curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™Travel Credit
Book two or more consecutive nights at participating properties through The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel to receive a $100 credit for amenities or a complimentary room upgrade, if available.
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
N/A
If you have a palate particularly for points, you’ll be pleased to hear that the American Express Cobalt Card still ranks at the top of our list in this category. Its highest points value per dollar spent on eligible eats and drinks in Canada extends to participating restaurants, food delivery services, and even groceries for when you prefer to eat in. Just be mindful that these earnings aren’t served buffet-style, you will be capped monthly. However, with a high cap rate, most spenders likely won't need to worry about it.
If that weren’t enough, you can also earn a few points per dollar spent on purchases for streaming subscriptions, as well as points for gas and transit before hitting a 1 point per dollar base rate on all other expenses.
With multiple ways to redeem your high-value points, this card is sure to satisfy almost any taste.
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
4.9
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus*
Up to 45,000 Scene+ points ($450 value)
Annual Fee*
$120
Interest Rates*
20.99% / 22.99%
Why we like it
Why we like it
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card is one of our favorite cards. It has a very solid rewards program, earning one of the highest rewards among all credit cards in Canada. In addition, it offers comprehensive travel benefits, including the rare and valuable no foreign transaction fee benefit, making it a great and balanced credit card in terms of both rewards and benefits. The first-year annual fee waiver is the cherry on top, providing even greater value to cardholders.
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No foreign transaction fee saves you 2.5% on all non-CAD purchases.
- Rewards cover all high-spending categories, including food, groceries, entertainment, and gas.
- Comprehensive coverage of all travel insurance.
Cons
- The card network is American Express, which might not be widely accepted in some countries, making it a bit harder to use the no foreign transaction fee benefit.
- Having a lounge pass would have made this card even more perfect, but there is access to a discount code for lounge access pass purchases.
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards*
- 6 Points per $1 spent at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland & Participating Co-ops
- 5 Points per $1 spent on eligible dining, other grocery stores, entertainment purchases including movies, theatre, and ticket agencies
- 3 Points per $1 spent on rides which includes rideshare, buses, taxis, subways and more
- 3 Points per $1 spent on eligible streaming service payments (Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, Crave and more)
- 1 Point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
Insurance*
Coverage*
Emergency Out of province Medical
$1M, Up to 25 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
$1M, Up to 3 daysTrip Cancellation
$1500/person, $10000/tripTrip Interruption
$1500/person, $10,000/tripLost or Stolen Baggage
$500/person, $1000/tripBaggage Delay
$500/person, $1,000/trip After 4 hoursFlight Delay
$500/personTravel Accident
$500K/person, $1M/occurrenceCar Rental Damage & Theft
$65K up to 48 daysHotel Burglary Insurance
$1000/occurrenceMobile Device Insurance
$1,000Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Benefits*
Details*
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Avoid the 2.5% foreign transaction fees incurred when spending in non $CADAmerican Express® Experiences
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Concierge Services
Discount
Discount on PriorityPass Membership
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$12,000 personal or $12,000 household
Also part of the Amex network, you can grab a bite to eat with your Scotiabank Gold American Express Card. Offered at a slightly lower annual fee than the American Express Cobalt Card, this card features a similar points rate on eligible dining, remarkable points at participating grocery stores and co-ops, plus comprehensive travel insurance. Mix that all together with a nice welcome bonus, and you get the second highest first-year value in this category.
MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard®
4.7
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus
Up to 30,000 points ($300 value)
Annual Fee
$120
Interest Rates
19.99% / 24.99%
Why we like it
Why we like it
The MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard® is one of the best reward credit cards in Canada, offering high rewards on frequently spent categories such as groceries and restaurant purchases. The annual birthday bonus, unique to this card, also provides a significant boost to your yearly earnings. Additionally, the card features a comprehensive list of benefits, including price protection—a rare and valuable perk not found with many other cards in Canada. These factors make this card one of the best to have in Canada.
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Both restaurants and groceries, two of the most commonly spent categories, earn decent rewards.
- Great annual birthday bonus with up to $150 in value.
- A solid list of travel insurance and benefits.
- Price protection, a rare feature not offered by many other cards.
- Good value for many of the card's redemption options.
Cons
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance, two great benefits are missing from this card.
- Not the best card for gas purchases.
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards
- 5 points on restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership, and household utility purchases (maximum $50,000 spend annually per category)
- 1 point for everything else
Insurance
Coverage
Mobile Device Insurance
$1000Purchase Protection
Up to 90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to a yearCar Rental Damage & Theft
31 daysFlight Delay
$500/person after 4 hoursTravel Accident
$1,000,000Emergency Out of province Medical
$2M for 21 daysLost or Stolen Baggage
$1000/personBaggage Delay
$1000/person
Benefits
Details
Annual Birthday Bonus
10% of the Points earned the 12 months prior to the primary cardholder's birthday month (up to a max 15,000 bonus points per year)
Car Rental Discount
10% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car in Canada and US and 5% internationally
Trip and legal Assistance
Concierge Services
Price Protection
$500/item, $1000/account per year
Eligibility
Credit Score
Very GoodAnnual Income
$80,000 personal or $150,000 household
If you’re worried about the Amex acceptance rate, you can earn similar restaurant rewards with the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard. The catch? You will be subject to higher annual income requirements and a recommended “very good” credit score rating (whereas with the Cobalt card you could pass with a “good” score at any annual income, and the Scotiabank Gold Amex with a lower income requirement and “good” credit). Plus, there is an annual spending cap on popular categories that ultimately is a bit more limiting than the Cobalt card’s monthly cap.
Regardless, with this card, your high points earnings accompany a generous welcome bonus, rare price protection, and an annual birthday bonus. While it doesn’t offer as high of an annual value as the Cobalt Card or the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, it’s still a close third.
Best Travel Credit Cards for Restaurants and Dining
Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card
4.9
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus*
Up to 45,000 Scene+ points ($450 value)
Annual Fee*
$120
Interest Rates*
20.99% / 22.99%
Why we like it
Why we like it
The Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card is one of our favorite cards. It has a very solid rewards program, earning one of the highest rewards among all credit cards in Canada. In addition, it offers comprehensive travel benefits, including the rare and valuable no foreign transaction fee benefit, making it a great and balanced credit card in terms of both rewards and benefits. The first-year annual fee waiver is the cherry on top, providing even greater value to cardholders.
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No foreign transaction fee saves you 2.5% on all non-CAD purchases.
- Rewards cover all high-spending categories, including food, groceries, entertainment, and gas.
- Comprehensive coverage of all travel insurance.
Cons
- The card network is American Express, which might not be widely accepted in some countries, making it a bit harder to use the no foreign transaction fee benefit.
- Having a lounge pass would have made this card even more perfect, but there is access to a discount code for lounge access pass purchases.
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards*
- 6 Points per $1 spent at Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland & Participating Co-ops
- 5 Points per $1 spent on eligible dining, other grocery stores, entertainment purchases including movies, theatre, and ticket agencies
- 3 Points per $1 spent on rides which includes rideshare, buses, taxis, subways and more
- 3 Points per $1 spent on eligible streaming service payments (Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, Crave and more)
- 1 Point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
Insurance*
Coverage*
Emergency Out of province Medical
$1M, Up to 25 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
$1M, Up to 3 daysTrip Cancellation
$1500/person, $10000/tripTrip Interruption
$1500/person, $10,000/tripLost or Stolen Baggage
$500/person, $1000/tripBaggage Delay
$500/person, $1,000/trip After 4 hoursFlight Delay
$500/personTravel Accident
$500K/person, $1M/occurrenceCar Rental Damage & Theft
$65K up to 48 daysHotel Burglary Insurance
$1000/occurrenceMobile Device Insurance
$1,000Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to 1 year
Benefits*
Details*
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Avoid the 2.5% foreign transaction fees incurred when spending in non $CADAmerican Express® Experiences
Concierge Services
Discount
Discount on PriorityPass Membership
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$12,000 personal or $12,000 household
Food and travel often complement each other. So, if you want a card that’s going to please your taste buds and your travel bug, you’ll want to take a second look at the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card.
Aside from its competitive points per dollar spent on eligible dining, this card comes equipped with extensive travel insurance (from emergency medical over 65 to trip interruption and trip cancellation insurance). It’s also highly rated for having no foreign transaction fees – allowing you to shop internationally with ease.
American Express Platinum Card®
4.5
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus*
Up to 140,000 Membership Rewards® points (100,000 in 1st year)
Rewards Rate*
1x - 2x Points
Annual Fee*
$799
Interest Rates*
21.99% - 30% / 21.99% - 30%
Why we like it
Why we like it
If you're a frequent traveler, the Platinum card is an excellent choice. It's highly recommended for its extensive travel benefits, including unlimited lounge access for you and a guest at the American Express Lounge collection, making it the best card for lounge access in Canada. The card also offers unique perks not commonly found with other Canadian cards, such as status upgrades at Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton, dining and travel credits, concierge service, airport benefits, Nexus application reimbursement, and more. These benefits can more than offset the annual fee. However, if you don't travel often or are mainly looking for a card that maximizes rewards, this card may not be the best option for you.
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Offers more perks than any other credit card in Canada, catering to premium users who value extensive benefits.
- Enjoy $400 in annual travel and dining credits, which can offset some of the card's cost.
- Gain unlimited access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, enhancing your travel experience.
- Multiple options for redeeming points for high value, giving you flexibility in how you use your rewards.
- Includes 11 types of insurance coverage, offering comprehensive protection for cardholders.
Cons
- As with other American Express cards, it may have lower acceptance in some locations compared to other networks.
- The high annual fee of $799 may be a barrier for some users, especially those who do not fully utilize the card's benefits.
- Some benefits are limited to specific airports and hotels.
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards*
- 2x points per $1 spent on eligible dining & food delivery purchases (restaurant, fast food, coffee shop, food delivery)
- 2x points per $1 spent on eligible travel purchases (flights, hotels, tours and more)
- 1x point per $1 spent for all other purchases
Insurance*
Coverage*
Emergency Out of province Medical
15 daysTrip Cancellation
$2,500Trip Interruption
$2,500Flight Delay
$1,000Baggage Delay
$1,000Hotel Burglary Insurance
$1000Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1,000Travel Accident
$500,000Car Rental Damage & Theft
YesPurchase Protection
120 daysExtended Warranty
1 year
Benefits*
Details*
Airport Lounge - American Express Global Lounge
Take full advantage of The American Express Global Lounge Collection™ which unlocks access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide. This includes The Centurion® Lounge network, Plaza Premium Lounges, and hundreds of other domestic and international lounges designed to enhance your travel experience.Travel Credit
$200
Dining Credit
$200 at Select Restaurants
Nexus Program Rebate
$100 statement credit every 4 years
Complimentary Hotel Benefits
Hotels booked American Express Travel.svg)
Status lift
Upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold StatusStatus lift
Upgrade to Marriott BonvoyTM Gold Elite status
Priority Travel
At Toronto Pearson Airport get Priority Security lane, Complimentary valet and 15% discount at the Express Park and daily parkConcierge Services
Trip and legal Assistance
American Express® Experiences
Extra points
Earn 2 points on Amex Travel Online purchases and extra points on American Express offers
Eligibility*
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
N/A
Premium travellers and diners will want to invest in this platinum card, specifically if they want to bask in its benefits (the rewards are merely a bonus). With points per dollar spent on eligible dining, food delivery, restaurant, and coffee shop purchases, plus points per dollar spent on travel purchases (both higher than the base rate) – this card is double the deal. Unique to this card, enjoy a dining credit at select restaurants in addition to its travel credit.
While the hefty annual fee may seem pretty steep, you’re paying for tons of insurance, and more perks than any other competing cards in Canada – notably hotel benefits and upgrades, and unlimited airport lounge access.
Desjardins Cash Back World Elite® Mastercard®
4.7
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
$100
Interest Rates
20.90% / 21.90%
Why we like it
Why we like it
The Desjardins Cash Back World Elite Mastercard stands out for its high earn rates across essential spending categories, including 4% cash back on groceries and 3% on restaurants, entertainment, and transit. Additionally, it offers a slightly lower annual fee compared to other World Elite Mastercards, making it an attractive option for those looking to maximize their rewards without breaking the bank. With added perks like membership to over 1,300 airport lounges and various insurance coverages, this card provides excellent value, especially for frequent travelers and everyday spenders.
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- High earn rates make it a strong option for those looking to maximize rewards on their spending.
- Slightly lower annual fee compared to other cards in its category, providing good value for its benefits.
- Comes with attractive perks from being a World Elite Mastercard, such as travel and purchase protection benefits. Membership to 1,300 airport lounges across the globe through DragonPass (no free passes)
Cons
- Limited physical branch access, with branches only in Quebec and Ontario, which may be inconvenient for those living elsewhere.
- Lacks a welcome bonus, which may be a drawback compared to other cards offering substantial introductory offers.
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards
- 4% cash back on grocery purchases (up to $400 cash back annually)
- 3% cash back on restaurant purchases (up to $180 cash back annually)
- 3% cash back on entertainment and alternative transportation purchases
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Insurance
Coverage
Extended Warranty
1 yearPurchase Protection
90 daysMobile Device Insurance
$1,000Trip Cancellation
$500 for trips up to 3 daysTrip Interruption
$1,000 for trips up to 3 daysEmergency Out of province Medical
$5M for trips up to 3 daysEmergency Medical Over 65
$5M for trips up to 3 daysBaggage Delay
$500 for trips up to 3 daysLost or Stolen Baggage
$500 for trips up to 3 daysCar Rental Damage & Theft
Yes
Benefits
Details
Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
Pass onlyBoingo Wi-Fi hotspot
over 1 million Boingo Wifi hotspots worldwideCar Rental Discount
25% off base rate off Hertz car rentalCar Rental Discount
10% off base rate off Thrifty or Dollar rental
Eligibility
Credit Score
Very GoodAnnual Income
$80,000 personal or $150,000 household
For an Amex alternative at a smaller annual fee, with the Desjardins Cash Back World Elite Mastercard, you can earn a competitive cashback reward on restaurant purchases (capped annually). Along with this reward, expect comprehensive travel insurance and travel-oriented benefits like the airport lounge Dragon Pass, Boingo Wi-Fi hotspots, and car rental discounts.
Honorable Mentions
BMO eclipse Visa Infinite* Card
3.6
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus
Up to 60,000 points and first year fee waived
Annual Fee
$120
Interest Rates
20.99% / 23.99%, for Quebec 21.99%
Why we like it
Why we like it
This card is ideal for individuals who want to maximize rewards on everyday purchases like dining, groceries, and transit while benefiting from a generous welcome bonus and lifestyle credit. However, the point value and high income requirements may be limiting for some.
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Earn up to 60,000 BMO Rewards points.
- 5x points on dining, groceries, gas, and transit.
- $50 annual lifestyle credit.
- 10% bonus points when adding an authorized user.
- First-year annual fee waived.
Cons
- Low point value of 0.67 cents per point.
- High income requirements ($60,000 personal or $100,000 household).
- Only 6 types of insurance coverage included.
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards
- 5 points per $1 spent in restaurants, fast foods, coffee shops, food delivery, grocery, gas and daily transit (up to 250,000 points)
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Insurance
Coverage
Purchase Protection
90 daysExtended Warranty
1 yearMobile Device Insurance
$1,000Travel Accident
$500,000Emergency Out of province Medical
15 daysCar Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Benefits
Details
Visa Infinite Exclusive Benefits
Exclusive luxury hotel collection, unique dining and wine events
Golf Benefit
Troon Rewards Golf benefits like discounts at over 95 resorts and courses around the world plus access to select private clubs across the U.S.svg)
Gas Discount
Up to 7 cents off per litre on Shell® fuel if you are an AirMiles member
Anniversary Credit
Get a $50 anniversary lifestyle credit
Eligibility
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
$60,000 personal or $100,000 household
The BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite Card is another non-Amex points contender with a moderate annual fee (completely waived in the first year), a high annual income requirement, and a “good” credit recommendation. Like its points counterparts featured in the main list, this card offers similar points per dollar spent in eligible eateries (up to a certain point). However, its point value is considered lower than its competitors. Overall, with some standard coverage and benefits, and if BMO is your preferred bank, this card could be the dining card for you.
MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard®
3.4
Finly Rating
Welcome Bonus
Up to 90000 points ($900 value)
Annual Fee
$0
Interest Rates
19.99% / 24.99%
Why we like it
Why we like it
The MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus MasterCard is a solid no-annual-fee card choice with high returns on restaurant and grocery purchases, which are the most common spending categories for most people. Additionally, it offers one of the highest signup bonuses for a no-annual-fee card. However, there are two main considerations before choosing this card. If you are open to a card with an annual fee, many other cards offer better rewards. Furthermore, the points earned need to be used for travel to fully benefit from this card; otherwise, if you are not planning to use the points for travel, you are better off with a cashback or another type of card.
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- One of the best no-annual-fee credit cards in Canada, both in terms of rewards and signup bonus.
- Both restaurants and groceries, two of the most commonly spent categories, earn decent rewards.
- Great annual birthday bonus with up to $100 in value.
Cons
- Points must be used for travel otherwise the points won't have much value
- There are better alternative cards both for cashback and paid cards that have higher reward rates
Product Details
Product Details
Rewards
- 2 points on restaurant, grocery, digital media, membership, and household utility purchases (Maximum 20000 yearly)
- 1 point for everything else
Insurance
Coverage
Mobile Device Insurance
$1000Purchase Protection
Up to 90 daysExtended Warranty
Up to a year
Benefits
Details
Annual Birthday Bonus
10% of the Points earned the 12 months prior to the primary cardholder's birthday month (up to a max 10,000 bonus points per year)Car Rental Discount
10% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car in Canada and US and 5% internationally
Eligibility
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
N/A
The MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Card is another no-fee contender, but this time a points card instead of cashback. You’ll earn points per dollar spent on restaurant purchases, an annual birthday bonus, and rental car discounts. It's considered one of the best no-annual-fee cards in Canada – particularly for its rewards rates and welcome bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are American Express credit cards good for restaurant purchases?
As you’ll see from the Amex cards featured in our list, American Express has some great card options for restaurant purchases, including generous restaurant rewards rates, dining-related Amex experiences, and in some cases, dining credits (like with the American Express Platinum Card).
Does dining include fast food for credit cards?
On some of the cards we’ve mentioned, you’ll see fast food listed as a category for dining rewards. To know exactly which cards offer rewards rates towards fast food restaurants and which fast food restaurants are eligible, you’ll always want to check each individual card’s terms and conditions found on the provider’s official website.
Can you use a credit card at a restaurant?
You can certainly pay for your restaurant bill using a credit card accepted by the establishment. You’ll always want to make sure your card is accepted, for example, sometimes American Express cards aren’t as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard.
Do DoorDash and Uber Eats purchases fall under credit card restaurant purchases?
Typically, DoorDash and Uber Eats purchases fall under the restaurant or dining category on most credit cards, look for food delivery services listed as a subcategory on select cards. In any case, you should always check your credit card's terms and conditions to see what's explicitly included under this category.