Aug 25, 2026 - Food and Drink

Pay what you can at these New Orleans restaurants

Employees chat near display cases inside a modern-designed bakery. — Ayu Bakehouse on Frenchmen Street near closing time. Photo: Chelsea Brasted/Axios

When budgets get tight, dining out often goes out the window, but on Wednesday, some of the world’s best restaurants will let diners pay what they can.

Why it matters: What began as a community-minded experiment among Mexico City chefs is going global this year — and two New Orleans restaurants are joining in.

State of play: The Paga Lo Que Puedas/Pay What You Can campaign comes from Norma Listman and Saqib Keval, the duo behind acclaimed Mexico City restaurant Masala y Maíz.

The idea: Let more people experience acclaimed restaurants, without the usual price barrier.
This year, more than 100 restaurants across 13-plus countries are taking part, from Austin to Istanbul.

In New Orleans, that includes Ayu Bakehouse and chef Ana Castro's new breakfast spot, Casimiro.

How it works: Instead of a check, diners get a blank envelope and decide what they can pay for their meal. Drinks are priced as usual.

Everything else stays the same: Restaurants serve their regular food with their regular hospitality, whether a diner leaves $5 or $500.

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Pay what you can at these New Orleans restaurants

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