How to Use Gift Cards & eGift Cards at a Restaurant

October 17, 2025

Key Points: Using Restaurant Gift Cards & eGift Cards

• Physical gift cards can be used in person or online. 
• eGift cards are digital, sent via email, and can be added to many mobile wallets. 
• Vanilla Visa Gift Cards—both physical and digital—are accepted at most restaurants that take Visa debit cards.
• No fees after purchase and funds never expire on Vanilla Visa Gift Cards. 
• Tip tolerance matters: Restaurants often preauthorize 20% above the bill for tipping—ensure your card balance covers this.
• Partial payments may be accepted—check with the restaurant and have a backup payment method ready. 
• Activation and balance check are required before use:  
  • Visit https://balance.vanillagift.com or call 1-833-322-6763.
• eGift cards must be added to a mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) before use in a restaurant. 
• Wait 5 minutes after adding an eGift card to your wallet before using it at a restaurant. 

What Are Restaurant Gift Cards and eGift Cards? 

Physical gift cards are plastic gift cards you can take with you on the go, in your purse or wallet, and use in transactions at restaurants and shops or for online purchases. While these tangible cards are sometimes preferred, they are not the only option.  

eGift cards, also known as virtual gift cards or digital gift cards, are sent via email with all information sent electronically. While you can’t hold them in your hand, they can often be added to a mobile wallet for using in person or used when shopping online.  

When it comes to Vanilla Visa Gift Cards, both physical and digital cards can be used at restaurants where Visa cards are accepted. That opens the door to a wide variety of places to check out, from the hottest restaurants to hidden favorites. When considering the question, “Can you use gifts cards at restaurants?”, it would depend on if it’s a bank-issued gift card or one for specific brands. However, that restriction does not apply to Vanilla Gift Cards. 

Can I Use a Vanilla Gift Card at a Restaurant?

Yes! Additionally, a recipient may question, “Can I use an eGift card at a restaurant?” Yes again! The joy of Vanilla Visa Gift Cards is that they can be used how and when the cardholder chooses—including at restaurants. Once they understand how to use it, as far as knowing the balance, fees and other pertinent information, they can prepare to use their Vanilla Gift Card on a delicious meal. 

How to Use a Physical Gift Card at a Restaurant 

When you bring your physical Vanilla Visa Gift Card to a restaurant, we recommend you go through these steps before presenting the card to the server or cashier for the smoothest transaction:

• Activate your card by visiting balance.vanillagift.com or calling 1-833-322-6763.
• Check the card’s balance before your visit: To find out Vanilla Visa Gift Card balance, call 1-833-322-6760 or go to go to balance.VanillaGift.com and enter your Gift Card’s Security Code, Valid Through Date and Gift Card Number.
• Make sure the balance covers the bill: If your card doesn’t cover the full bill, you will need to check with the restaurant if partial payments are accepted, either using the gift card with cash or combining with other payment methods. Be sure to have an alternate payment method available in case the restaurant does not accept partial payments.
• Consider the tip tolerance on gift cards: When dining out, restaurants typically add 20% to your total to account for the tip. Your transaction may be declined if there are not enough funds to cover the preauthorized amount. We are required to approve and hold funds based on the estimated total until the merchant finalizes the transaction. These funds will be released when the transaction is finalized.

How to Use an eGift Card at a Restaurant

After receiving an eGift card by email, we recommend following these steps before redeeming it to the server or cashier at a restaurant: 

• Access the card: Your digital Vanilla Gift Card must be added to your mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay) to use at a restaurant. If the option is available for your card, follow these steps to correctly add it so you can show it for payment: 
  1. Open the Wallet app on your device. 
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions, including entering your Gift Card Number and information manually. 
  3. After adding to the wallet, please wait at least 5 minutes before spending. Please note: If you remove your card from your mobile wallet, you may not be able to add it back again. 
• Check the card’s balance before your visit, as you would a physical gift card: Make sure you know the balance for covering the bill or are clear on the restaurant’s acceptance of partial payments. 
• Make sure to consider tip tolerance on gift cards: Because restaurants typically add 20% to your total to account for the tip, make sure to have sufficient funds to cover that preauthorized amount or your transaction may be declined. Funds covering the estimated total will be held until the merchant finalizes the transaction and then released. 
• Again, the funds on your Vanilla Visa Gift Cards do not expire and there are no fees after purchase.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use a gift card for delivery or takeout orders? 

• Yes, Vanilla Visa Gift Cards should work for food delivery services if your card has enough available funds. Check with the individual delivery service provider to ensure they accept Vanilla Visa Gift Cards. 

What if my bill is less than or more than the card’s value? 

• If your bill is less than your gift card’s value, the card will have left over funds. If the bill is more than the gift card’s value, it will depend on the restaurant if they are able or willing to split the bill so that you can apply the gift card to the bill. You will need an alternative payment method on hand. 

Can I reload the card with more funds? 

• No, Vanilla Gift Cards are not reloadable. 

Can you tip on a gift card? 

• Yes. In fact, when dining out, restaurants typically add 20% to your total to account for the tip. Your transaction may be declined if there are not enough funds to cover the preauthorized amount. These funds based on the estimated total until the transaction is approved and finalized, at which time the merchant will release the funds. 

Are there any fees I should be aware of when using my gift card at a restaurant? 

• Yes—as noted above, make sure to account for the 20% tip fee that may be charged and held until the transaction is approved and finalized. 

Can I use multiple gift cards for one bill? 

• Many restaurants may work with multiple gift cards, but it depends on the restaurant. It’s recommended that you check with the specific restaurant to confirm if this is acceptable.  

Do all restaurants accept both physical and eGift cards? 

• Each restaurant has its own policy as to acceptance of payment with physical gift cards and eGift cards. As with the questions about partial payments or multiple gift cards, we recommend you check with the restaurant first to confirm their policies.  Each restaurant has its own policy as to acceptance of payment with physical gift cards and eGift cards. As with the questions about partial payments or multiple gift cards, we recommend you check with the restaurant first to confirm their policies.  

Delight in Taking Your Vanilla Gift Card to Dinner

Vanilla Visa Gift Cards and eGift Cards make for a convenient and flexible gift, which is why gift-givers and recipients appreciate them. Whether you’re receiving one or buying one for someone special, you no longer need to wonder, “Do restaurants accept Visa Gift Cards?” Vanilla Gift Cards offer the freedom of spending how and when you choose at many restaurants—from fancy bistros to fast casual. For a wonderful experience from start to finish, we recommend you follow the steps listed above, including checking your gift card balance and the restaurant’s policy before dining. Once you’ve got all the necessary information, all that’s left to do decide what to order. Bon appetit!