If you have a credit card that offers bonus rewards on dining, understanding which MCC codes qualify can mean the difference between earning 1% or 5% back. This comprehensive guide covers all dining-related MCC codes, from fine dining restaurants to food delivery apps.
The Four Main Dining MCC Codes
Credit card companies typically recognize these four MCC codes as "dining" for bonus rewards:
Eating Places, Restaurants
Full-service restaurants, cafes, diners, and most sit-down establishments. This is the most common dining MCC.
Drinking Places (Bars, Taverns, Nightclubs)
Bars, pubs, nightclubs, cocktail lounges, and similar establishments focused on alcoholic beverages.
Fast Food Restaurants
McDonald's, Subway, Starbucks, bubble tea shops, and quick-service restaurants where you order at a counter.
Caterers
Catering services for events, weddings, corporate functions. Less common in everyday spending.
Food Delivery Apps: Which MCC Do They Use?
Great news for credit card optimizers: most food delivery platforms code as MCC 5812 (Restaurants), meaning they typically qualify for dining bonuses.
Apps That Usually Code as Dining (5812)
- DoorDash: Generally codes as 5812
- Uber Eats: Usually codes as 5812
- GrabFood: Typically codes as 5812 in Southeast Asia
- Deliveroo: Commonly codes as 5812
- Foodpanda: Usually codes as 5812
- Grubhub: Generally codes as 5812
Exceptions to Watch For
- Grocery delivery via food apps: May code as grocery (5411) instead
- Meal kit services: Often code as grocery, not dining
- Convenience store delivery: May code as convenience store (5499)
Popular Restaurant Chains and Their MCCs
Here's how some popular restaurant chains typically code:
| Restaurant | Typical MCC | Category |
|---|---|---|
| McDonald's | 5814 | Fast Food |
| Starbucks | 5814 | Fast Food |
| Subway | 5814 | Fast Food |
| KFC | 5814 | Fast Food |
| Pizza Hut (dine-in) | 5812 | Restaurant |
| Olive Garden | 5812 | Restaurant |
| Chipotle | 5814 | Fast Food |
| Panera Bread | 5812 | Restaurant |
Coffee Shops: Dining or Not?
Coffee shops are generally classified under MCC 5814 (Fast Food Restaurants), which most credit cards include in their dining bonus categories. This includes:
- Starbucks
- Dunkin'
- Costa Coffee
- Peet's Coffee
- Local independent coffee shops
- Bubble tea shops (Tiger Sugar, Gong Cha, etc.)
What Doesn't Count as Dining
Be aware of these purchases that might seem like dining but use different MCCs:
- Groceries: Even from a supermarket's deli (MCC 5411)
- Walmart/Target cafeterias: Usually the store's MCC (5311)
- Hotel room service: Hotel's MCC (7011)
- Airline food: Airline's MCC (3000-3299)
- Vending machines: Various MCCs, rarely dining
- Meal kit subscriptions: Often grocery or subscription MCCs
Maximizing Your Dining Rewards
- Use a dedicated dining card: Cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One SavorOne, or Citi Premier offer enhanced dining rewards
- Order through restaurant apps: DoorDash, Uber Eats typically code as dining
- Pay directly at restaurants: Avoid third-party payment apps that may change the MCC
- Check your statement: Verify purchases are coded correctly after the fact