Food is life. There are few places in the world where that adage is more true than the city of New Orleans. Our rich and diverse food culture permeates every aspect of society and unites us all. Our new full-service restaurant will have regular hours and serve brunch daily. Customers will be greeted by a host and seated at a table. Menus will be available, orders will be taken by servers, and food will be made to order. After enjoying their meal, customers will pay at the donation station before leaving the restaurant.

As a donation based restaurant, diners that eat at the cafe will be served regardless of their ability to pay. Guests have the option to pay what they can, pay what they would typically pay for brunch, pay it forward, or sign up for volunteer work in exchange for the meal.

We’re a typical brunch restaurant, however payment will not be a barrier keeping anyone away. This new cafe will not only provide everyone that dines with us a quality meal, it will also foster relationships among New Orleanians from all walks of life. We are excited to add another option for delicious, quality breakfast to the robust brunch culture of New Orleans. The Crescent City Cafe is joining other pay-what-you-can community cafes around the country in bringing donation based dining to the restaurant scene. These include Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen in New Jersey, F.A.R.M. Cafe (Feed All Regardless of Means) in Boone, North Carolina, and S.A.M.E. (So All May Eat) in Denver. This model continues to grow in popularity and success across the nation.

At these restaurants, guests – whether they can give a little, a lot, or nothing at all – sit down in the same space and dine on delicious food. Those who can afford to pay often give more than the suggested amount, helping to pay it forward for neighbors struggling to afford food. Each meal is chef-crafted and hearty, attracting a broad mix of people: students, workers on their lunch break, families, and guests who may be experiencing homelessness.

The result is a dining experience where everyone belongs. No one is handed a different menu, ushered to a different line, or made to feel less-than. Crescent City Cafe offers what New Orleans hospitality has always provided: nourishment, connection, and joy.