5 Best Credit Cards for Groceries in Canada (2026)

For most Canadian households, groceries are the single largest expense you can put on a credit card — often $800 to $1,500 a month. Earning an extra 3–5% there is worth hundreds of dollars a year, which makes a dedicated grocery card one of the easiest wins in personal finance.

The catch: most cards pay just 1% at the supermarket, and several "grocery" cards exclude warehouse clubs (Costco) and big-box stores (Walmart). Below are the cards that actually pay top rates on groceries in Canada, whether you prefer flexible points or straight cash back.

How to choose a grocery card

Three questions settle it:

1. Points or cash back? Cash back is simple and never loses value. Points (Scene+, Membership Rewards) can be worth more — especially toward travel — but only if you'll actually redeem them well.
2. Where do you shop? Amex earns big at most supermarkets but isn't accepted everywhere. If you buy groceries at Costco or Walmart, you need a Mastercard or Visa, and ideally one that still counts those as "groceries."
3. Will you clear the cap? The highest rates (5–6%) usually apply to the first ~$500–$1,000 of monthly grocery spend. Above the cap you drop to 1%, so match the card to your real bill.

Our top picks

Best overall: Scotiabank Gold American Express

The Scotiabank Gold Amex earns a category-leading 6 Scene+ points per $1 on groceries (plus 5x on dining and entertainment), and it charges no foreign transaction fee — rare for a rewards card. The $120 annual fee is easily covered by the earn rate for any regular grocery shopper, and Scene+ points are flexible (travel, statement credits, or groceries at Sobeys/Safeway). A welcome offer worth up to $650 in the first year sweetens the deal. Our pick for most people who want maximum grocery value.

Best cash back: CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite

Prefer cash you never have to think about? The CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite pays a flat 4% cash back on groceries and gas — the strongest combined rate of any mainstream card — with broad 2% categories beyond that. Because it's a Visa, it works at Costco and Walmart too. The $120 fee is often rebated in year one as part of a welcome offer worth up to $350.

Best for food lovers: American Express Cobalt

The Amex Cobalt earns 5x points on both groceries and dining, and its Membership Rewards points transfer to airline and hotel partners — so heavy spenders can squeeze outsized value toward travel. At $12.99/month ($156/year) it's pricier, but for anyone who spends a lot on food, it's the highest-earning card in the country.

Highest headline rate: BMO CashBack World Elite

The BMO CashBack World Elite tops the charts at 5% cash back on groceries — just watch the $500/month cap (spend above it earns 1%). If your monthly grocery bill is around $500, this is the highest effective rate you can get.

Best no-fee option: PC World Elite Mastercard

Loyal to No Frills, Superstore, Loblaws or Shoppers Drug Mart? The PC World Elite Mastercard earns up to ~4.5% back in PC Optimum points at those stores with no annual fee. It's weak outside the Loblaw family, so treat it as a companion card — but for free groceries at stores you already visit, nothing beats it.

A quick word on Costco and Walmart

Costco only accepts Mastercard, and many "grocery" bonus categories specifically exclude warehouse and big-box stores. If a big chunk of your grocery budget goes to Costco, look at the CIBC Costco Mastercard (no fee) or a strong flat-rate cash back card so those purchases still earn something.

The bottom line

If you want the most value and don't mind a fee, the Scotiabank Gold Amex is our top grocery card in Canada. For pure cash back, the CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite is hard to beat. And if you refuse to pay a fee, the PC World Elite earns serious free groceries at Loblaw-banner stores.

Not sure which earns more for your spending? Plug your monthly grocery, gas and dining numbers into our rewards calculator, or browse the best cash back cards in Canada to compare side by side.