{
  "id": 3522294,
  "title": "Today is ‘Pay What You Can’ day: See a list of restaurants that participate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/today-is-pay-what-you-can-day-see-a-list-of-restaurants-that",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-26T12:59:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fast Company",
    "slug": "fast-company",
    "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91596263/pay-what-you-can-day-expands-2026-list-of-restaurants"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Today marks the \"Pay What You Can\" day, an initiative where numerous restaurants worldwide invite patrons to consume their meals without a set price. Over a hundred venues are joining in this practice, allowing diners to decide how much they wish to pay based on their financial circumstances. Tips, trade items such as artwork or homemade salsa, and even labor services are accepted in lieu of cash. Drinks, however, are sold at their usual prices. This concept was conceived by Saqib Keval and Norma Listman, the co-owners and chefs of Masala y Maíz, a restaurant in Mexico City. Since its inception over eight years ago, the initiative has garnered more than 20 participants, including three Michelin-starred establishments. Last year's event expanded into a global movement, emphasizing trust, accessibility, and the creation of community dining experiences. To support new participants, Masala y Maíz provides comprehensive guidelines covering aspects such as service design, communication with guests, team preparation, financial planning, community outreach, media engagement, and interview strategies. Most of the participating restaurants this year are located in Mexico and the United States, with others extending the initiative to Colombia, France, India, Nigeria, Turkey, and beyond. In the United States, restaurants like Bombera in Oakland, Tokyo Record Bar in New York, Hellbender in Queens, Oyster Oyster in Washington D.C., Mera Kitchen Collective in Baltimore, Comadre Panadería in Austin, Lenoir in Austin, Ayu Bakehouse in New Orleans, and 22 Moons Tea Room in Valrico are among those participating in this pay-what-you-can day. The complete list of all participating restaurants is accessible on the Pay What You Can website.",
  "summary": "Here’s a wholesome story for your heart and belly: Today (August 26, 2026), restaurants from around the world are participating in a pay-what-you-can initiative. More than 100 restaurants are offering up their usual food menu and high-quality service to customers, but with no expectation that diners will cover the bill. Guests are instead asked how much they want to pay and tip, with some…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}