Indian food-delivery spend on Swiggy and Zomato routinely crosses ₹5,000–₹15,000 per month for urban households. Most generic cards return 1% on these — the category specialists return 5–10%. Pair that with in-app dining discounts and Prime/Gold memberships, and a dedicated food-delivery card saves ₹6,000–₹12,000 a year. Here are the 2026 picks.
1. HDFC Swiggy Credit Card — co-branded, best absolute rate
The HDFC Swiggy Credit Card is the only co-branded card of its kind in India. 10% cashback as Swiggy Money on all Swiggy transactions (food delivery, Instamart, Dineout, Genie, Minis), 5% on partner merchants (Swiggy's preferred brand network), 1% on everything else. Includes Swiggy One complimentary membership. Annual fee ₹500.
On ₹10,000/month Swiggy spend, 10% = ₹1,000/month = ₹12,000/year of Swiggy Money. Nothing else comes close.
2. SBI SimplyCLICK — best pairing with Zomato
The SBI SimplyCLICK pays 10X reward points on Swiggy, Dominos, Netmeds, and other partner merchants. Zomato isn't a listed partner but earns the 5X "online" rate = ~1.25%. Pair SBI SimplyCLICK (for Swiggy) with the HDFC Swiggy Card only if your Swiggy volume is large enough to justify two cards.
3. HDFC Millennia — 5% on both Swiggy and Zomato
The HDFC Millennia pays 5% on Swiggy AND Zomato (both in the 10-merchant preferred list), plus 5% on 8 other merchants. Capped at ₹1,000/month for 5% categories. Better than the HDFC Swiggy card for dual-app households, and broader than SBI SimplyCLICK.
4. Flipkart Axis Bank — 4% on Swiggy, solid on Uber
The Flipkart Axis Bank offers 4% on Swiggy, Uber, PVR, and Cultsport. Lower than HDFC Millennia's 5% on Swiggy, but includes Uber (rides and Uber Eats) — useful if your food delivery is mixed with ride-hailing on Uber Eats.
5. Axis Ace — flat 4% on food delivery apps
The Axis Ace pays 4% on Swiggy, Zomato, and Ola (ride-hailing). Simple and uncapped. For households where food delivery is ₹5K/month or less, Axis Ace may beat category cards because its 2% base rate on every other spend makes it genuinely multi-purpose.
Head-to-head on ₹10K monthly food-delivery spend
| Card | Swiggy rate | Zomato rate | Monthly value |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Swiggy | 10% | 1% (base) | ₹1,000 (if 100% Swiggy) |
| HDFC Millennia | 5% | 5% | ₹500 (capped) |
| SBI SimplyCLICK | 2.5% | 1.25% | ₹150–₹250 |
| Flipkart Axis | 4% | 1.5% (base) | ₹160–₹400 |
| Axis Ace | 4% | 4% | ₹400 |
Winner per profile:
- Swiggy-loyal: HDFC Swiggy.
- Swiggy + Zomato split: HDFC Millennia for the 5% cap, or Axis Ace for uncapped 4%.
- Already holding SBI SimplyCLICK or Flipkart Axis: use them, add HDFC Swiggy only if monthly Swiggy spend > ₹5K.
In-app dining discounts — separate from card rewards
Both Swiggy and Zomato run frequent in-app offers (Swiggy One, Zomato Gold) that stack on top of card cashback. These typically give:
- 10–30% off on delivery orders (capped ₹100–₹150).
- Free delivery on orders above ₹150.
- Member-only restaurant deals.
Cards don't compete with these — they add on top. If your card earns 5% and your Zomato Gold saves 20%, you're effectively getting 25% off.
Which cards to avoid for food delivery
Premium travel cards (HDFC Infinia, Axis Magnus) pay base rate on Swiggy/Zomato — 3.3% in Infinia's case, but measured as redeemed points, not immediate cashback. The HDFC Diners Black's 6X weekend dining bonus applies to restaurant bookings, not delivery apps. If food delivery is a significant category for you, a specialist card beats a premium card.
For a broader cashback lens, read the best cashback credit cards guide. Online shoppers should also see our best credit cards for online shopping round-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which card gives the highest cashback on Swiggy?
The HDFC Swiggy Credit Card at 10% on Swiggy-owned brands. No other mainstream Indian card exceeds this on Swiggy.
Is there a card co-branded with Zomato?
Not in 2026. RBL had a Zomato-branded card that was discontinued. For Zomato rewards, HDFC Millennia (5%) or Axis Ace (4%) are the best alternatives.
Can I use Swiggy Money like real money?
Swiggy Money is spendable across all Swiggy services (food, Instamart, Dineout, Genie). It cannot be transferred to a bank account or UPI merchant. For most households this isn't a constraint — Swiggy Money turns over quickly.
Do HDFC Swiggy cashback caps reset monthly or annually?
The HDFC Swiggy 10% tier is capped at ₹1,500/month of cashback earned, resetting each billing cycle. Cashback above the cap still accrues but at the 1% base rate.