These Restaurant Gift Cards Give You Something for the Holidays, Too (2024)

It can be hard to find just the right gift for friends and family -- not to mention teachers,co-workersor other professionals you might rely on -- particularly if you're shopping at the last minute.

This story is part of Gift Guide, our year-round collection of the best gift ideas.

Restaurant gift cards are a wonderful option for any number of recipients. And a lot of restaurant chains have sweetened the pot by giving you a bonus card or freebies with every gift card you purchase.
If you need a present for someone who's hard to shop for -- and wouldn't mind a bonus for yourself -- check out our list of restaurant gift cards below.

For more on holiday shopping, check out these great last-minute gifts you can print or email, learn how to avoid holiday shopping scams and find the best credit cards for big-ticket gifts.

Applebee's

Through the end of 2023, get a free $10 Applebee's gift cardwith the purchase of a $50 gift card.

Benihana

Spend $50 in gift cards at Benihana and get a $10 promo card for yourself. If you spend $200 in gift cards, you'll get $60 to spend on yourself at the Japanese steakhouse chain.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

Through New Year's Day, get a $10 bonus card when you purchase a $50 gift card online atBJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. Spend $100 and get a $20 bonus card, plus a VIP card that gets you 20% off any purchase.

Black Angus Steakhouse

Spend $50 on gift cards at Black Angus through Dec. 31 and get $10 in Bonus Bucks.

Bonefish Grill

Receive a $10 e-bonus card from Bonefish Grill with every $50 gift card bought through Dec. 31.

Buca di Beppo

These Restaurant Gift Cards Give You Something for the Holidays, Too (1)

Through New Year's Eve, buy a $50 Buca di Beppo gift card and get two $10 reward cards valid from Jan. 1 to Feb. 29, 2024.

Buffalo Wild Wings

These Restaurant Gift Cards Give You Something for the Holidays, Too (2)

Through Dec. 31, spend $25 on Buffalo Wild Wings gift cards and get a $5 coupon valid on food and non-alcoholic beverages from Jan. 1 to Feb. 29, 2024.

California Pizza Kitchen

Spend $100 on gift cards at California Pizza Kitchen and get a bonus $20 gift card.

Carvel

These Restaurant Gift Cards Give You Something for the Holidays, Too (3)

Earn a $5 Carvel Reward Card with the purchase of at least $25 in Carvel gift cards through Jan. 1.

The Cheesecake Factory

These Restaurant Gift Cards Give You Something for the Holidays, Too (4)

Buy a $50 gift card at The Cheesecake Factory by Dec. 31 and get a $15 bonus eCard for yourself. Bonus eCards must be redeemed between Jan. 1 and Feb. 29, 2024.

Chili's

Through Dec. 31, get a bonus $10 e-card when you spend at least $50 on Chili's gift cards.

Cold Stone Creamery

These Restaurant Gift Cards Give You Something for the Holidays, Too (5)

Spend $50 on Cold Stone Creamery gift cardbefore New Year's Eve and get a $15 bonus e-card for yourself.

Denny's

With every $25 gift card purchase at Denny's, get a free $5 card.

First Watch

This holiday season, spend $50 on First Watch e-gift cards and get $10 back in Bonus Bucks. Fun fact: The name of this Florida-based breakfast chain references the first shift aboard a ship, since First Watch restaurants are open only from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Grimaldi's Pizzeria

Through Dec. 31, get a $10 Grimaldi's gift card when you buy a $50 gift card or get a $20 card when you buy a $100 gift card. Don't forget about it, though -- the bonus card expires on Jan 31, 2024.

IHOP

Through Jan. 7, 2024, when you spend $25 in gift cards at IHOP, you get a $5 reward card to spend by Feb. 25, 2024.

Jamba

Buy $25 in Jamba gift cards before Christmas Day and get a free $5 gift card.

Maggiano's

Spend $100 on Maggiano's gift cards and get a $20 bonus card through Dec. 31.

McAlister's Deli

Get $5 in eRewards for every $25 in McAlister's gift cardspurchased online or in store through Dec. 31.

Moe's Southwest Grill

For every $30 spent on a Moe's gift card through Dec. 31, you'll receive two $5 Moe Rewards codes that can be redeemed Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, 2024.

Noodles & Company

Through Dec. 31, geta $5 bonus with the purchase of a $25 Noodles & Company gift card. The bonus expires Jan. 13, 2024.

The Old Spaghetti Factory

Through Dec. 24, receive a $10 bonus certificate for every $50 gift card purchase made atThe Old Spaghetti Factory. The bonus can be spent between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2023.

Outback Steakhouse

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Get a free $10 bonus gift card when you spend at least $50 in Outback Steakhouse gift cards. The bonus cards are valid from Jan. 1 to Feb. 11, 2024.

Panera Bread

Through Dec. 31,Panera customers get a $10 bonus card for every $50 in gift cards purchased online or in a cafe.

Peter Piper Pizza

Spend $75 on Peter Piper Pizza gift cards and get a $15 bonus card for yourself. If you buy a $100 card, the bonus goes up to $20, and if you buy $125, the bonus goes up to $25.

Potbelly

Get $5 off a $25 Potbelly eGift Card.

Red Lobster

Through Jan. 7, 2024, when you buy $50 worth of Red Lobster gift cards, you get two coupons for $10 off.

Red Robin

For every $25 you spend on Red Robin holiday gift cards, you get $5 Bonus Bucks for yourself.

Restaurant.com

A $100 Restaurant.com eGift Card is just $40 and includes dining discounts ranging from $5 to $100 off at thousands of local restaurants nationwide. The discounts don't expire.

Ruth's Chris Steak House

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Through Jan. 1, 2024, receive a 10% digital bonus when you purchase $300 in Ruth's Chris Steak House gift cards online.

Schlotzsky's

Through Jan. 8, 2024, every $25 spent on a Schlotzsky's gift cardgets you a $5 eReward.

Shake Shack

Shake Shack is offering $5 back on every $25 you spend on a gift card.

Smashburger

Through Jan. 2, 2024, for every $25 in gift cards purchased at Smashburger, you receive $5 Smash Cash in return. Smash Cash rebates can be redeemed between Jan. 3 and Feb. 29, 2024.

Subway

Get a free 6-inch sub with every $25 you spend onSubway gift cards.

TGI Fridays

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Receive $20 in Bonus Bites when you spend $50 on TGI Fridays gift cards. Bonus Bites are valid until Feb. 29, 2024.

More gift ideas

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22 Great Gifts for $50 or Less

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These Restaurant Gift Cards Give You Something for the Holidays, Too (2024)

FAQs

Is a restaurant gift card a good Christmas gift? ›

Gifting someone a dining gift card shows an element of thoughtfulness. Dining gift cards denote creativity and thoughtfulness, indicating that the giver took time to think about a great experience. So, dining gift cards are the best gift because they show true love, dedication, and thoughtfulness towards other people.

What does the restaurant gift card cover? ›

The Restaurant Card gift card can be redeemed at any participating restaurant nationwide, including some of the UK's well-known restaurant chains including Bella Italia's 90 restaurants, Café Rouge's 100 restaurants, and Las Iguana's where they offer a Latin American-themed menu.

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What is an appropriate amount for a restaurant gift card? ›

In today's restaurant market with escalating prices, I would say $50 for lunch and $100 for a dinner gift card. I think this is one of the best gifts when you're giving a gift, especially for someone in another city. You even save money on postage and you can include it in a lovely card.

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Do restaurants make money off gift cards? ›

Get instant revenue

Selling a gift card ensures you receive immediate revenue as the buyer purchases the card upfront. Even if the gift card is never redeemed, you still have secured a revenue.

Are restaurant gift cards good gifts? ›

Restaurant gift cards are ideal gifts for true food enthusiasts who live and breathe culinary experiences. Whether they are craving their favorite breakfast combo or a fine dining experience, restaurant gift cards give them the opportunity to save on their favorite meals.

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What is the best gift card to give at Christmas? ›

For the Apple tech enthusiast: Apple gift card.
For the coffee lover: Starbucks gift card.
For the person that loves takeout: Uber Eats gift card.
For the person who buys everything they want themselves: Amazon gift card.
The gift card they can use almost everywhere: Visa gift card.

Dec 20, 2023

Do restaurant gift cards include tip? ›

Always tip on the total amount

If your gift card doesn't cover the full amount that you owe, and you haven't factored in the tip, make sure that your tip corresponds to your bill total, not the leftover amount.

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Do you leave a tip at a restaurant with a gift card? ›

Always tip on the total amount. Bring cash as a backup. Use caution with Visa gift cards. Don't leave a gift card as a tip.

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Where can I use my the restaurant gift card? ›

The Restaurant Card gives the choice and flexibility of being able to redeem the card at over 150 restaurants across different, famous brands including: Banana Tree, Bella Italia, Café Rouge, Chiquito, Frankie & Bennys and Las Iguanas.

Is $50 gift card too much? ›

Fifty dollars goes a long way, and you can use it for the kinds of stores suitable for multiple purchases, like some of the other options on this list. If, for instance, your friend loves to go to Starbucks, spending $50 on a gift card provides them with a lot of value. That's enough about Starbucks.

Is $30 enough for a gift card? ›

You want to give an amount in the gift card that seems appropriate. General etiquette is usually under $20 for casual acquaintances, like co-workers, $30-$75 for close friends and family members and more for someone like your spouse or for a big occasion, like a wedding.

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How can I turn my restaurant gift card into cash? ›

Here are some popular websites and apps to sell unused gift cards online:

CardCash:
Raise:
GiftCash:
ClipKard:
Gameflip:
Other methods:

Dec 26, 2023

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Do restaurant gift cards lose value? ›

While it may take gift cards years to expire, experts say it's still wise to spend them quickly. Some cards — especially generic cash cards from Visa or MasterCard — will start accruing inactivity fees if they're not used for a year, which eats away at their value. Inflation also makes cards less valuable over time.

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Do restaurants charge a fee for gift cards? ›

No. A gift certificate or gift card cannot contain a service fee, including a fee for dormancy (non-use). However, there is an exception from this general rule for a gift card where: The value remaining on the gift card is $5.00 or less each time the fee is assessed; and.

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How to present a restaurant gift card? ›

They can be slipped right into an envelope, and boom, it's done. Sometimes they're in their own decorative envelope or the card itself has the celebratory greeting directly on it. Who needs wrapping paper? And you can always find the perfect place for someone to go out to eat.

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Do restaurant gift cards go bad? ›

Federal Law

Section 1693l-1, Title 15 of the U.S. Code regulates gift cards. These laws were passed as part of the 2009 Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (Credit CARD) Act. Under this Act, gift certificates, store gift cards, and bank gift cards can't expire for five years.

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Should I give a gift card as a gift? ›

If You're at a Loss for a Gift Idea, Don't Guess: Give a Gift Card. Of course you can purchase something your loved one will appreciate, but if you genuinely don't know what to get, you might just be wasting your money. “When in doubt, a gift card is a better gift than an ugly sweater,” Weaver says. “Trust me.

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