Important Note: There is a huge cost incurred to participate in such an effort and not every establishment is able to do so. I listed restaurants in the Bay Area that have participated in other ways recently whether through general strike for immigrants or gave away food when the food stamps were paused. Please also support these restaurants year-round.
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San Francisco Bay Area Social Justice, Activist & Grassroots Organizations
Bay Area Restaurants Offered Food For SNAP Recipients During Shutdown
Restaurants United For A Global Day of Hospitality 2026
Created by years of practice at Masala y Maíz in Mexico City, the “Paga Lo Que Puedas / Pay What You Can” Global Restaurant Initiative invites restaurants all over the world to offer the full expression of their food and hospitality while allowing guests to pay what they are able for one day.
Eat What You Want, Pay What You Want Day 2026
Below is a list of San Francisco Bay Area restaurants participating this year (including a few that have been featured on Eddie’s List for weekly recommendations).
Tacos Oscar
Bombera,
Merkado
They host an annual fundraiser event ‘My Taco, My Choice’ for reproductive rights each year (featured on Eddie’s List). Highly recommend you follow them for the next one.
Reem's
Sfizio
Understory
Valley Swim Club
Acopio Alta Cocina Mexicana
Al Pastor Papi (per their IG post which name was added)
For the full list of restaurants participating, you can check out the list below on the official site which lists all participants beyond the San Francisco Bay Area.
https://www.pagaloquepuedas-paywhatyoucan.com/
Pay What You Can Day: San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants
If you are participating but are not listed on the official page, flyer you can let me know and I will update the list I have.
Other Pay What You Can Days San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants
Beyond the August 26 date, some restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area may have similar offerings like Merchant Roots on first Tuesdays of the month (which appear to be sold out already). Understory in Oakland has offered a pay what you can daily dish since it has opened. Good Table Cafe in El Sobrante has a pay what you can business model.
Paga Lo Que Puedas Dia Restaurantes el Área de la Bahía de San Francisco, Pay What You Can Restaurants Oakland, San Jose, Sonoma, Marin, Napa, Santa Clara, East Bay, Berkeley, San Mateo, Palo Alto, Peninsula, Silicon Valley, Contra Costa, Alameda, North Bay, Pay What You Can Restaurant El Sobrante, Pay What You Can Restaurant Oakland, Pay What You Can Restaurant San Francisco