Help reinvent how we feed our community

1 in 7 residents in Raleigh are food insecure. 1 in 5 children go hungry.

When you experience homelessness, it’s like being invisible. People walk right by you. Soup kitchens feed an incredible number of people, but they differ from a ‘typical’ dining experience.

There are over 1 million restaurants across the country. A Place at the Table is 1 in a million, where anyone is welcome to dine with us regardless of means.

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Dignity and power in choice

A Place at the Table accomplishes our mission in two ways.

We eat together. We are Raleigh’s first pay-what-you-can cafe. Patrons from all walks of life come together to share a meal at our table.
We volunteer together. Over 80 people volunteer for their meal every day. They gain skills and connection each shift.

The best part is you wouldn’t even know we are a nonprofit. To the average consumer, we operate as one of the millions of restaurants you eat at every day…until a volunteer behind the counter asks, “your suggested price is… would you like to pay that price, pay less or volunteer for your meal?”

Ways to Pay for your Meal

Pay the suggested price

Donate a minimum for your meal

Volunteer for your meal

Pay it forward

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However you choose how to pay, we’re grateful that you’re a part of our community!

Upcoming Volunteer Events

Virtual Volunteer Info Session

Monday, March 10th from 6:00-6:45pm

Join Kay and Cheyanne to learn more about our mission, volunteer processes, and how to get started. If you have questions, this will be the perfect time to ask them! Save the link below or return to this page to join at the meeting time.

Click here to join at meeting time

Get to Know Table

Thursday, March 13th from 1:00-3:30pm in the Sunflower Room at the cafe

This in-person volunteer info session is for new and current volunteers. During the time together, we will go through our Volunteer 101 presentation, have the chance to practice a shift, and get to know other volunteers!

The Table Token is now the PLACE Card!

Our wooden Table tokens are now the PLACE Card! Purchase them to pay-it-forward, hand them out in your community, or use one yourself and come in the Café for some good food and community. Paying with a card means dignity for every last person who walks into our door.

PLACE Cards

A plate with a sandwich and a plate with a salad

4.9 Stars from over 500 Google Reviews

“This place operates to truly serve the community and promote good will and provides an opportunity to have a great meal and to do good for others…Great chance to have good food and do good at the same time = winning. Highly recommend.”

— Pearline G.

“Absolutely love this place. I think Raleigh (and all cities, for that matter) would benefit from more pay-what-you-can/community-focused restaurants. I got the turkey gouda melt and it was delicious. Also, their barbecue chips are really good, definitely better than regular Lays barbecue chips. The brown sugar cinnamon oat milk latte was also great. And the service is incredible! Very welcoming.”

— Ahmad A.

“I had the scrambled eggs and bacon, which were perfect! I also had their cornbread, which was light and airy. The food came out to us hot and within seconds after we seated ourselves. It is a nonprofit organization and anyone can get a hot meal regardless of their means. I would highly recommend if you are in the area to check it out. Not only will you get a delicious meal but you will be helping out the community.”

— Luann K.

“My husband and I volunteered here and then got some food after. They’re the first pay-what-you-can restaurant in Raleigh. They do wonderful things for the community.
Bonus: food is great! Good outdoor seating. Lively atmosphere.”

— Ananya A.

Gather ’round the table

New Orleans Director of Operations Andrew Gravens curates our award-winning menu! Nourish your body and spirit with comfort soul food from locally sourced ingredients, made fresh daily! From a garden salad to biscuits and gravy, we all deserve dignity and choice.

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