May 16, 2025 · 16 mins read

Best credit card for dining: top picks for restaurants in 2025

Santosh Kumar

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Credit cards are no longer a luxury but have become a necessity these days. The rewards offered by credit cards are a great way to have a luxurious lifestyle without spending much from your pocket. If you love dining out and visiting new restaurants, then a best credit card for dining can be a great option that you can consider. These credit cards offer a great range of perks and special rewards, which can elevate your dining experience while not hurting your wallet.

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Offers on Dining Credit Cards

Use your dining credit card to pay your food bill, and save money on the discounts and deals offered by your bank. Most banks partner with restaurants, pubs, food chains and outlets to offer the following:

Discounts - Customers can avail anywhere between 5% to 40% off on their bill. Each restaurant has different terms and conditions for their offer. You might get a discount on your total bill, on the food bill, on food and soft beverages, or the discount can be availed of only on a minimum amount spent all by swiping your dining credit card at the partner restaurant.

Complimentary items - At certain restaurants, customers are entitled to complimentary drinks, appetisers or starters. Lounges may also offer complimentary cocktails. Cafes offer complimentary coffee for the dining credit cardholders.

Offers - Partner restaurants also offer buy one get one free deals where customers can get a second dish or drink for free.

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Benefits of Dining Credit Cards

Listed below are various benefits offered by dining credit cards.

Discounts at select restaurants: Use the credit card at any one of the restaurants listed by the bank and avail 10% to 15% discount on your bill value. The discount offer is typically available at most of the restaurant brands, popular restaurants in your city and other local food points. All you need to know is to find the restaurant that offers the best discounts on your dining credit card and make the most of it.

Accelerated reward points: Dining credit cards also allow cardholders to earn 10 to 15 times more reward points than regular spends. Besides enjoying the food at a discounted price, you can also have the privilege of earning more reward points in fewer transactions.

Cashback offers: Another interesting feature of dining credit cards is the cashback offer. If your credit cards offer cash back, a percentage of the dining bill amount will be credited back to your account allowing you to enjoy your favourite food at lesser price.

Complimentary rewards: Some best credit card for dining also offer complimentary drinks, beverages and starters. Cardholders need to present the card to avail the complimentary benefits. Top Banks Offering Dining Offers on Credit Cards

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How to Choose the Best Dining Credit Card Based on Your Needs?

Choosing the best credit card for restaurants or the best credit card for dining depends heavily on your eating habits and lifestyle. If you frequently order food online, the card’s tie-ups with apps like Swiggy and Zomato are crucial. Cards like the SBM ZET Credit Card are excellent for frequent home delivery, offering up to 20% discounts on Swiggy, Zomato, and BookMyShow. On the other hand, if you enjoy fine dining at premium restaurants, focus on cards that offer complimentary meals, exclusive reservations, or access to curated dining experiences.

Assess whether you want a card that prioritizes dining offers credit card platforms or one that gives broader lifestyle perks. In India, the best dining credit card India may differ for delivery enthusiasts versus dine-out lovers, so understanding your needs ensures you choose the best credit card for food and get the most value from your spend. A thoughtfully chosen best credit cards for dining can save money while enhancing your dining experience.

Comparison Table: Dining Credit Cards at a Glance

Here’s a quick glance at some of the best credit card for dining India options, comparing joining fees and key perks. The right card can make a big difference in your dining budget:

Credit Card: SBM ZET Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹500

Key Perks: 20% off on Swiggy, Zomato, BookMyShow; ZET Coins for cashback. This card is ideal for both home delivery and dine-out lovers, making it one of the best dining credit card India picks.

Credit Card: EazyDiner IndusInd Bank Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹1,999

Key Perks: Free 12-month EazyDiner Prime membership, 3X EazyPoints, 25% off at premium restaurants. Perfect for users seeking a dedicated dining credit card.

Credit Card: Swiggy HDFC Bank Credit Card

Joining Fee: ₹500

Key Perks: 10% cashback on Swiggy, 5% on select online spends. This card is a practical best credit card for food for those who mostly order in.

By comparing perks like discounts, reward points, and app tie-ups, you can select the best credit card for dining suited to your lifestyle. These dining offers on credit cards help maximize value every time you eat out or order home delivery.

Dining Credit Card Eligibility & Income Requirements

To apply for a dining credit card, most banks require you to meet certain eligibility criteria. Applicants typically need to be aged 21–65 years, maintain a stable income source, and have a decent credit score, usually above 700, to increase approval chances. Documents such as PAN, Aadhaar, proof of income, and address are standard requirements. Some cards, like the SBM ZET Credit Card, are designed for first-time cardholders and those without extensive credit history, making them accessible while helping build credit.

For higher-tier best credit cards for dining, banks may ask for a minimum monthly or annual income, which can vary depending on the card’s perks. Understanding these requirements is crucial to determining which is the best credit card for restaurants that you can realistically get approved for. Choosing the right dining credit card also ensures you fully utilize benefits like cashback, reward points, and dining-specific discounts without unnecessary waiting or frustration. A careful match between eligibility and card benefits maximizes the value of your best credit card for dining India.

EazyDiner IndusInd Bank credit card

Joining fee: Rs. 1,999

Key features:

1: Enjoy complimentary EazyDiner Prime subscription worth ₹2,495 with free delivery and 2,000 EazyPoints as a bonus on sign up.

2: Get 10 EazyPoints for each ₹100 spent on dining out and earn 3x EazyPoints for all purchases made with your card.

3: Avail an additional 25% off on dine in or takeaway orders on PayEazy on EazyDiner app, and also get complimentary imported/ premium brand alcoholic beverages at select restaurants.

4: Get 10 points on every ₹100 spent on shopping and entertainment.

5: Receive 4 reward points on any other costs (with the exception of fuel).

6: Enjoy a ₹5,000 Postcard Hotel stay voucher for sign-up.

7: Enjoy 2 free visits to domestic airport lounges per quarter.

8: Get 2 movie tickets, each worth ₹200, on BMS for free every month.

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Swiggy HDFC Bank credit card

Joining fee: Rs. 500

Key features:

1: Get a free Swiggy One membership for 3 months on card activation.

2: 10% cashback up to ₹1,500 per month on food delivery through Swiggy, on ordering groceries through Swiggy Instamart, dining out and booking a Genie through Dineout.

3: 5% cashback on total spent on all select merchant categories: grocery, transport & bills, dining out and utility payments up to ₹1500/month.

4: Flat 1% cash back on all other purchases up to ₹500 per month.

5: Complimentary zero liability on lost cards.

HDFC Diners Club Privilege credit card

Joining fee: ₹2,500

Key features:

1: Enjoy Swiggy One & Times Prime annual subscriptions when you spend a total of Rs. 75,000 in the first 90 days.

2: Get 20 reward points on every Rs. 150 spent on Swiggy and Zomato.

3: Avail 4 reward points on every Rs. 150 spent on the groceries, department stores, etc.

4: Get a 10x multiplier in SmartBuy and earn 10x reward points for all their spends.

5: Enjoy BOGO deal of maximum 2 free tickets per month with up to Rs. 250 instant discounts on movie/live shows on BookMyShow.

6: Get 8 complimentary international lounge access per calendar year with maximum 2 in a quarter on Rs. 15,000 quarterly spending.

7: Voucher worth Rs. 1,500 for Marriott/ Decathlon /O2 Spa/ Barbeque Nation /Lakme salon after spending Rs. 1.5 lakhs quarterly.

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SBI Card Prime credit card

Joining fee: Rs. 2,999

Key features:

1: Earn 10 reward points every time you dine worth ₹100.

2: Earn a ₹ 1000 Pizza Hut voucher after spending ₹ 50,000 within a single quarter.

3: Avail 10 reward points for every ₹100 spent on grocery, provisions, departmental stores and movies.

4: Get 2 reward points for every ₹100 spent on all other retail expenses except fuel expenses. Enjoy complimentary Club Vistara Silver membership.

5: Get 4 free international Priority Pass lounge visits per annum.

6: Avail 8 complimentary domestic lounge accesses in India within the calendar year.

7: Get a ₹7000 Yatra or Pantaloons gift voucher for every ₹5 lakhs spent within one year.

8: Annual fee waiver on reaching ₹3 lakh of annual spends.

SBI Card SimplyCLICK credit card

Joining fee: Rs. 499

Key features:

1: Get 10x reward points on top brands including BookMyShow, Swiggy, Myntra, etc.

2: Earn 5x reward points on all other online purchases

3: Avail 10 points for every ₹100 spent on other categories

4: Get an Amazon India gift card worth Rs. 500 on the joining fee payment

5: Cleartrip/ Yatra e-voucher of Rs. 2,000 every time the total annual spends reach Rs. 1 lakh, and Rs. 2 lakhs respectively

6: 1% fuel charge waiver on fuel expenses between Rs. 500 to Rs. 3000

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RBL Bank Icon credit card

Joining fee: Rs. 5,000

Key features:

1: 2 rewards for every Rs. 100 spent & 10X rewards on international & weekend dining.

2: 2 domestic lounge accesses per quarter & Priority Pass membership

3: 10,000 reward points on Rs. 3 lakhs annual spend

4: 15000 and 20000 reward points on ₹5 lakhs and ₹8 lakhs annual spends respectively

5: Free golf rounds/lessons & green fee discounts with 24/7 concierge service

Axis My Zone credit card

Joining fee: Rs. 500

Key features:

1: Enjoy flat Rs. 120 Off on Swiggy on a minimum order of Rs. 500 twice a month

2: Get a free movie ticket on Paytm Movies; up to Rs. 200 discount per month

3: Avail a flat discount of up to Rs. 1000 while using the Ajio app on a minimum order of Rs. 2999

4: Complimentary SonyLiv Premium annual subscription on spending Rs. 1.5 Lakh in a year

5: Enjoy 15% off (maximum discount Rs 500) on dining through EazyDiner, twice a month, on a minimum bill amount of Rs 2500

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Airtel Axis Bank credit card

Joining fee: Rs. 500

Key features:

1: Airtel, Thanks, 10% cash back on utility bill payments

2: Up to 10% Instant Cashback on all spends on Zomato, Swiggy and Big Bazaar

3: Unlimited 1% cash back for all other purchases

4: 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge access annually

5: Get a flat 25% cash back on payment of Airtel Mobile, DTH, etc. on the Airtel Thanks App

HSBC Live+ credit card

Joining fee: Rs. 999

Key features:

1: 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge access per year

2: Enjoy Rs. 1000 cash back on the spends of Rs. 20000 within 30 days from the date of card activation

3: Avail Live+ Dining Programme membership and enjoy up to 15% off at partner restaurants

4: Annual fee waiver after spending more than Rs. 200000 per year

5: 10% cash back (max. Rs. 1000/month) on Dining, grocery and food delivery

6: Unlimited 1.5% cash back on transactions

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HDFC Bank Pixel Play credit card

Joining fee: Rs. 500

Key features:

1: Get 5% cash back on dining & entertainment, travel, grocery, electronics & fashion (you can choose any two)

2: 1% cash back on all transactions

3: Get up to 20% off on dining through Swiggy Dineout

4: Enjoy a joining fee waiver on spending Rs. 20,000 in the first 90 days.

5: Avail an annual fee waiver on spending more than Rs. 1 lakh annually

6: 3% cash back on any 1: Amazon, Flipkart or Payzapp

How to Apply for a Dining Credit Card Online?

Once you have decided about the type of Best credit card for restaurant you wish to avail, you can apply for the same using online channels. There are many online venues which allow you to apply for credit cards. However, applying through an authoritative channel is the key to approaching the bank in the right way.

Two authorised ways to apply for credit cards online include applying through the bank's official website and another is to apply through third-party online websites. Let's look at both processes in detail.

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Apply Through Bank's Website

If your credit card issuer is allowing an online application, you can visit the bank website, fill out the required online form and submit the same to avail the credit card. Follow the steps mentioned below to know the detailed procedure to apply for a dining credit card online.

Steps to apply for dining credit cards online

1: Visit the official website of the credit card issuer

2: Go to the dining credit card page

3: Find the 'Apply' button and click on it to visit the online application page

4: Fill all the fields with accurate information and click on 'Submit'

As soon as you submit the application form, a reference number will be generated. Make a note of it and use it for future queries, if any.

Once the bank receives your application, it will review the same and if your profile seems suitable for the applied credit card, you are likely to receive a call in 3-4 working days. After verifying your details, you will be informed about the next step in the application process. More likely you will be told about the required documents to process the application and an appointment will be scheduled to collect the same.

Upon receiving the documents, your card will be processed in 7-10 business days, provided that you clear the bank's verification process. To check how far your application has been processed, you can use the application ID to track your credit card application status online.

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FAQs

How do I know if my credit card is eligible for dining offers?

This information is available online on your bank's website. You should also be able to find this information in the credit card leaflet handed to you when you received your credit card. You can also call the customer care service of your bank to find out if your credit card is entitled to dining privileges.

Is there an expiry date on dining offers?

Yes, the offers at restaurants all have their own expiry date. You will need to check your bank's website, or the website dedicated to the dining programme to find out the validity of the offer. Dining programmes may also have an expiry date as a whole programme.

How do I avail of dining offers on my credit card?

To avail the offer, you need to inform the merchant partner or the waiter that you would like to get the discount or complimentary offer. To be eligible for the offer, you must pay the bill with your credit card.

Are public holidays included for the dining offers?

Almost all banks and merchant partners allow dining offers to run on public holidays. The offers will not be valid, however, on blackout dates that include dates such as 14 February (Valentine's Day) and 31 December (New Year's Eve).

Can I avail of discounts even during happy hours?

No, discounts under dining programmes are not valid during Happy Hours. Dining offers are also not available on buffets.

Do dining benefits apply during festivals or blackout dates?

Dining benefits are generally available year-round, but certain festivals, special events, or blackout dates may be excluded. Banks or reward programs may temporarily suspend offers during high-demand periods to manage promotions and maintain fairness. Always check the terms and conditions for any specific dates before planning your dining transactions.

Can I stack dining offers with app-based discounts (e.g., Swiggy, Zomato)?

In most cases, dining benefits cannot be combined with other app-based discounts or promotional offers. Programs usually specify that only one offer can be applied per transaction. However, some platforms or banks may allow stacking in select campaigns, so it’s best to verify with your provider or the restaurant/app before placing your order.

How long do dining reward points take to reflect?

Reward points for dining transactions typically take between 3 to 10 business days to reflect in your account, depending on the bank or reward program. Delays can occur during weekends, holidays, or if transactions are pending or disputed. Some banks may also take additional time if the transaction is international or processed through third-party apps. It’s a good idea to regularly check your rewards dashboard to track when points are credited and reach out to customer service if there’s a delay beyond the standard timeframe.

Will existing reward points convert at the same rate for dining transactions?

Yes, existing reward points generally convert at the standard rate specified by the program. However, promotional multipliers or special dining offers may allow faster accumulation for specific transactions. In some cases, banks run seasonal or partner-specific campaigns where dining transactions earn bonus points, effectively increasing your conversion rate temporarily. Always confirm the conversion rate for your dining category and check if the bonus points have any expiry terms to ensure you maximize your dining offers credit card benefits.

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