Restaurant Card Machines: Best Payment Terminals for Hospitality

Compare card machines built for restaurants, cafés, pubs, and bars. Wireless table service, EPOS integration, next-day funding. Save 20-30% on fees.

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Best Card Machines for Restaurants 2026

1

Dojo Go

Best Overall for Full-Service Restaurants

  • Wireless WiFi + 4G option
  • Table service optimised
  • EPOS integration available
  • Next day funding

From 0.99% + £9.95/month

2

Square Terminal

Best for Casual Dining & Cafés

  • No monthly fees
  • Built-in receipt printer
  • Easy menu management
  • All-in-one device

£299 + 1.75% fees

3

Worldpay iCT220

Best for High-End Restaurants

  • Premium support
  • Enterprise EPOS integration
  • 99.9% uptime
  • 24/7 support

Custom pricing

Essential Features for Restaurant Card Machines

Wireless/Portable

Take payments at the table for better service. WiFi range up to 100m indoors. Battery lasts full service (8-12 hours).

Fast Settlement

Next-day funding improves cash flow. Critical for restaurants with daily supplier payments and fresh ingredient purchases.

💳 Tip Management

Digital tipping increases staff earnings by 20-40%. Customers add tips on screen before paying. Distributed to staff automatically.

🍽️ EPOS Integration

Sync payments with tables, kitchen orders, and inventory. Reduce errors, speed up service, track menu item performance.

Restaurant Card Machine FAQs

What is the best card machine for restaurants UK?▼

Dojo Go is #1 for restaurants - wireless (WiFi/4G), integrates with EPOS, next-day funding, and table service features. Square also popular for casual dining with easy menu/inventory management. High-end restaurants often choose Worldpay for reliability.

Do I need WiFi or 4G for my restaurant?▼

WiFi is cheaper (no SIM costs) but only works within your premises. 4G works anywhere, costs £5-10/month extra. Best: WiFi terminals for table service, 4G for delivery or outdoor seating.

Can waiters take payments at the table?▼

Yes with portable WiFi terminals. Dojo Go, Square Terminal, Zettle work perfectly for tableside payment. Customers pay without leaving their seat - faster service, better tips, improved customer experience.

What about integrated EPOS systems?▼

Dojo, Square, and Zettle integrate with major restaurant EPOS systems. This syncs your card sales with kitchen orders, inventory, and tables. Essential for full-service restaurants. Takeaways may not need full EPOS.

How quickly do I get my money?▼

Dojo and Square: Next working day. SumUp: 2-3 days. Traditional providers (Worldpay): 3-5 days standard (next-day available for premium accounts). Fast settlement helps restaurant cash flow.

Can I split bills between multiple cards?▼

Yes - all modern terminals support split payments. Customers can pay their share individually. Essential for group dining and birthday celebrations.

What about tipping on card machines?▼

Most terminals now support adding tips before payment. Square and Dojo have customizable tip prompts (10%, 15%, 20%, custom). Tips can go directly to staff or be distributed via payroll.

Do I need different machines for bar vs restaurant?▼

Not necessarily. One wireless terminal works for both. However, busy bars often have: Countertop terminal at main bar + wireless terminals for table service. Restaurants: Mainly wireless for tableside payment.

Can I accept payments for delivery orders?▼

Yes. Three options: 1) Virtual terminal (take card details by phone), 2) Mobile app card reader (driver takes payment), 3) Integrated with delivery platforms (Deliveroo, Uber Eats).

What happens during power cuts?▼

WiFi terminals stop working during power outages. 4G terminals continue working on battery power (8-12 hours typical). Critical for restaurants during storms or power issues.

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