A Place at the Table

Glad to support this incredible restaurant with an incredible mission of everyone should have a place at the table for a good meal. Guest can pay full price, discounted price, or volunteer for a meal! You can also pay forward, purchase meal cards to give out or support with donations! Atmosphere - food - and service are all excellent - plus you get to feel fantastic for supporting such an incredible business!

We decided to have brunch here without knowing the fact that its okay to only pay what you can afford and also volunteer to pay for your food. While we love and admire the concept and willingness to help the community, the food was a slight let down. I had the breakfast platter with scrambled eggs, sausage and avocado. The eggs were not scrambled and oily. My girl friends food wasnt great other.

Wowza. I’ve been trying to get here for well over a year and today happened to be the day! I was aware of the concept and wanted to lend support. I was greeted as I walked in the door and was surprised by the amount of options with food, desert, and coffee choices. I had an iced coffee that was SO SMOOTH. Not acidic at all. I chose the humus pesto sandwich and loved it. I chose to pay it forward and was excited to do so. If you’ve never been, know that you will absolutely enjoy the experience. 5 stars!

Not only do they let people work an hour for a meal, but you can get food if you're unable to pay full price, everyone is so nice, and they have a great atmosphere! I will definitely be back when I come back to Raleigh! Food was good too!

Just had breakfast here today for the first time. We were a party of 3 and we all really enjoyed our food. Everyone who was working there was very helpful and wore a smile. I love the entire concept. There should be more places like this. Having a meal and being able to give back at the same time is wonderful. Will come back again soon.

My son and I tried this place while in town for the weekend. The reviews highlighting the need for more of these types of places were SPOT ON. I have heard about these types of places but to see the amazing work that is being done in person, I’m speechless. If you are just in town for the weekend or making a move into Raleigh, I think this is one of those must stop places. My son is still talking about the chocolate milk with whipped cream ☺️

I arrived here around 12:35pm on a Sunday afternoon for brunch with my friend. It was very busy. There is a pay for parking lot across the street. I’d suggest downloading ParkMobile if you don’t already. It was $5.95 for an hour. Once inside, there was a person by the door who explained the concept. Their mission is “A Place at the Table provided community and good food for all regardless of meals”. Payment options: -Pay suggested price -Pay less than the suggested price ($3 or more for entree and a side/pastry/drink OR pay less than $3 for any side/pastry/drink) -Volunteer in the care for one hour for your meal -Pay it forward by buying a $10 place card to give to someone in the community or for someone who comes in an cannot afford meal We waited in line for 15 minutes prior to ordering. My friend and I both did the build you own breakfast. I got 1/2 buttermilk waffle, bacon, and eggs. I got bacon jam as my condiment. I also got a side of buttermilk biscuit. My friend the 1/2 buttermilk waffle, grits, and bacon. I paid the suggested price for the meal and left a tip (that is considered a donation to the cause). They have outside seating and an upstairs sitting area. We sat upstairs. There were 3 tables. The steps upstairs has writing that says “All are welcome”. We received our food 5 mins later. The bacon was so crispy and delicious! The eggs were tasty too; I didn’t have to add anything to them. My waffle was awesome, especially with the bacon jam and syrup. I added my remaining bacon jam to my biscuit and it was great. No complaints at all! I would most definitely return! I noticed so many volunteers! They were on it too! Tables didn’t remain dirty long. They were also extremely friendly. I love the concept and I highly recommend this establishment!

I'm a ~10x repeat patron. Excellent food - high quality and very well prepared. Excellent service - courteous and attentive + the staff busses your table. Excellent atmosphere - Bright, refreshing, modern, and extremely clean & organized. I had the avocado turkey sandwich with a side salad. The bread is made on-site. It's toasted perfectly, with a slight crisp. The dressing is slightly sweet, applied just right. The turkey is high quality meat, as are the vegetables. It's presented on a real plate with proper metal utensils and a cloth napkin. Everyone in the restaurant is positive, helpful, and knowledgeable. This is only possible if the place is well managed. We'll be back!

Love the idea of this restaurant. Here is a place where anyone can eat even if you don't have any money. You have options, you can pay what you can, you can volunteer in service, you can pay more, you can donate, or you can pay it forward. The food tasted great, the service was friendly.

I have had the opportunity to eating at A Place at the Table prior to the pandemic and after and I will say that the concept has stayed the same and the food continuously gets better and better. If you have never eaten here I would highly recommend it because it is an opportunity to giveback while you enjoy delicious food! My family and I normally go to APATT on the weekends. We love their sausage biscuits, pop tarts and anything sweet that they make. On this particular visit I ordered their: Huevos Rancheros VG GF Fried Corn Tortillas, Black Beans, Sunny-Side Up Eggs (2), Ranchero Sauce, Cilantro, Lime Crema Vanilla Latte I ended up paying for both things at full price but I had the option to pay what I could or help wash dishes which I thought was amazing! The restaurant is cleaned and the staff is great! On this particular day there was a lot of foot traffic and people were coming in and out. All of the staff was friendly no matter who you were!

So this is a very unique restaurant. A place at the table is a restaurant that anyone to eat even if you don't have any money. You have options, you can pay what you can, you can volunteer in service, you can pay more, or you can donate, or you can pay it forward. The food was very very good, the service was very good, everyone was friendly. What a special concept in the execution of all of it was amazing. Please go visit this place, it's exceptional and a grand idea.

Good food and pleasant people! Good breakfast options. Nice cross section of people.

I really appreciate the purpose of this place. The food was very good, but the spirit of this place and the people there is even better. Offering flexible payment for people who may be food insecure and allowing options like paying full price, volunteering for food, or paying what you're able to pay vs the full price sets this place a part from anywhere we went while in Raleigh. The name really describes the environment and the thought that went into the execution. While we were there we saw several volunteering for food and it felt good to pay full price and support such a powerful community movement. But don't get it twisted the food is also on point! We got huevos rancheros, a buffalo chicken sandwich, coffee and tea and everything was delicious. So not only are they looking out for the community it's serving up excellent food! Seating is available, it's a small store front and it stayed full but the food came out in short order. If you're in Raleigh come here for lunch and you'll be happy with your food and your contribution to the community.

I arrived here around 12:35pm on a Sunday afternoon for brunch with my friend. It was very busy. There is a pay for parking lot across the street. I'd suggest downloading ParkMobile if you don't already. It was $5.95 for an hour. Once inside, there was a person by the door who explained the concept. Their mission is "A Place at the Table provided community and good food for all regardless of meals". Payment options: -Pay suggested price -Pay less than the suggested price ($3 or more for entree and a side/pastry/drink OR pay less than $3 for any side/pastry/drink) -Volunteer in the cafe for one hour for your meal -Pay it forward by buying a $10 place card to give to someone in the community or for someone who comes in an cannot afford meal We waited in line for 15 minutes prior to ordering. My friend and I both did the build you own breakfast. I got 1/2 buttermilk waffle, bacon, and eggs. I got bacon jam as my condiment. I also got a side of buttermilk biscuit. My friend the 1/2 buttermilk waffle, grits, and bacon. I paid the suggested price for the meal and left a tip (that is considered a donation to the cause). They have outside seating and an upstairs sitting area. We sat upstairs. There were 3 tables. The steps upstairs has writing that says "All are welcome". We received our food 5 mins later. The bacon was so crispy and delicious! The eggs were tasty too; I didn't have to add anything to them. My waffle was awesome, especially with the bacon jam and syrup. I added my remaining bacon jam to my biscuit and it was great. No complaints at all! I would most definitely return! I noticed so many volunteers! They were on it too! Tables didn't remain dirty long. They were also extremely friendly. I love the concept and I highly recommend this establishment!

This is the first time I have ever been to a restaurant of this kind. The concept behind this is wholeheartedly the best! There are different ways to pay for your meal here. 1) you pay the suggested price on the menu 2) you can pay $3 or more/ $3 or less...whatever you can afford 3) volunteer in the cafe for an hour, 4) buy a $10 meal card to pay forward. I was blown away by how efficient everything was. The lady behind the counter was really nice.m I opted for a sausage, egg, and cheese on a buttermilk biscuit. This was delicious!! Hubby ordered the huevos rancheros. We found a table all the way to the left in the back room. There is seating upstairs and outside as well. I saw a table with a couple workers/volunteers giving out coffee to other volunteers. I also ordered a chai tea which was delicious! I enjoyed my sandwich, and I love to see community involvement. I will definitely come back when back in the area.

I visited this restaurant twice on a 5-day trip to Raleigh. Not only was the food amazing, I loved the mission!

Went with wife (gluten allergy and dairy free) and I am diabetic, have Alpha Gal and have a tree nut allergy. Went because of the healthier slant to the menu. Mostly sandwiches and other faster type choices. You stand in line to order, they give you a number and you wait. They will bring the food to the table. I had a turkey sandwich and she had a chicken salad sandwich. Both were very good. The name refers to their practice of allowing those folks who can't pay for a meal to have "a place at the table". People can pay forward a meal for a person or family who can't afford something otherwise. So the mix of people in the restaurant is dramatic. From homeless to business people looking for lunch. Because of this the place gets a little chaotic - lots of people waiting for food, people hanging outside, etc. just understand that when coming. We will return - love the concept and the food is worth a return on its own!

Today was my first time volunteering at this "pay what you can café". They have lots of wonderful breakfast and lunch options with vegetarian and gluten free options. They also serve Black & White Coffee, which is my favorite in Raleigh. I definitely recommend volunteering here for your meal if you have the time. The huevos rancheros and biscuit sandwich are my favorite!

Good food, with a mission - pay what you can, and no one is turned away. Those who cannot afford are afforded the chance to work for their meals in exchange. Food was really quite good, vibe was warm and cozy, and it is a dining experience one can feel good about. Small acts of kindness can change the world over time, and I truly believe this local eatery does so with every serving. I recommend the breakfast! The coffee & pastries were also quite good if you're on the go!

A Place At The Table is a non-profit, pay what you can cafe, where everyone is welcome to come and dine. They have it set up where you can pay for your meal in full; pay at least three dollars; volunteer for an hour; or you can use a Place Card (token) for your meal. When I entered I was asked if I had been to the cafe before and shown the menu and where to order. I noticed that the prices were very reasonable for the selections. At the register, if you pay it forward there is no tip option. But I was told that if you do not pay it forward it is an option to tip and you can pay it forward that way. After you order you are given a number and when you beverage and food are ready a volunteer brings it to your table. The idea of the non profit was to give a choice of what patrons can eat. You can order breakfast or lunch here at all hours. I went with the breakfast platter and got a half waffle; scrambled eggs and a biscuit. It was a lot of carbs but I wanted to try the biscuit and the 1/2 waffle was great. We sat in the side with the cash register but the other room is so colorful so I want to sit in there next time.

Great food, great service, and an impactful mission in the community. I had the biscuits and gravy, and it had just enough kick. Just such an incredible energy in this place.

I like the concept, who doesn't!? Food for anyone in need, picking the price of your food, paying it forward are all noble ideas. Unfortunately, it felt the majority of the customers were taking advantage of the generosity of the concept(s). For the customers that are paying full price it actually takes away from the overall experience. The food was fine the ambiance combined soup kitchen with fine dining.

The breakfast was pretty good. I went on the weekend so there was plenty of parking in the lot across the street. The staff was friendly and the prices were good. I'm from out of town so I didn't understand the concept until later on after talking to family members in the area. I think it's an awesome idea and so unique! It is a very community oriented environment that seems to be inclusive of everyone. I really enjoyed our visit.

What a wonderful experience, yummy food, fast and good service, plus knowing you are helping the community. We sat inside and there's a very pretty mural that makes for great atmosphere. We will definitely be back

Wow.. what a place. My best friend brought me to this place and explained to me their mission statement: you can pay what you can afford or more and People in need can pick up a shift for 2 hours and earn a meal. Just wow. A friendly, welcoming place for all. My meal was delicious as well. It was fresh and buttery and filled me right up happily. Really recommend this place it feeds and fills your soul

Such a cool concept. It's a pay what you can kind of establishment. You can choose to pay asking price or more or less. They don't ask questions. They just let you choose. Many people paid more than asking price to help cover meals of others. I love this for humanity and find it refreshing in a time where the world seems to brittle. Hoping this place lasts for a long time. Only giving it 4 stars because the tea was bland. Other than that it was great. My sandwich was super tasty.

Amazing place, people, foods and purpose! A non-profit that gives back 110% incorporating local everything as much as possible. Pay what you can, can't anything in between or over and above. Meeting people where they are in life as nothing's guaranteed. They give back to the community over and above... They list the menu in suggested pricing and if you can't pay that, then you pay what you can. There's an option to donate a plate for $10 to those more needing and any of the tip goes to this purpose as well! We need more do these places in the community... No only can you choose what you like but customizable and dietary restriction friendly! Huevos rancheros is not only eye-appealing but top notch as is what goes for pretty much everything here! I built my own breakfast and sampled my friends' other items and we tried almost everything on the menu! Chicken salad- perfectly seasoned... Chunks of chicken, not overly mayo heavy, dried cranberries, celery, a hint of onion. Spicy cheddar biscuit- perfection grilled to even more perfection! Nice spice, great cheddar taste, fluffy, not doughy. Cheddar grits- creamy, tender, delicious. Bacon- nice, meaty, crisp, almost apple wood flavored Over easy eggs- perfectly cooked! No brown or black, burnt edges. Toasted Coconut Cold Brew- exactly what it states, nothing more nothing less. Perfectly toasted coconut sprinkled on top! The only thing I didn't care for was the sausage, but 1 in my party did. It was heavy, almost meatloaf like and pulled more hamburger than sausage. And, the syrup was a little too runny but had a nice flavor. Wish we had one of these where I live!

I always feel like I have a lot of options for brunch and when I go to brunch I want to make sure I'm getting something that I can't get at home. You were debating between going to this place and another more upscale place in downtown Raleigh. But when I asked my kids to pick both unanimously said let's go to a place at the table because of the really cool give back vibe they got going on. Walking into the space, we were greeted by a volunteer who explained the whole rundown of how the cafe works. It's a pretty simple concept: you order from the counter, they bring food to your table, and you can choose whether or not you want to pay the suggested donation, pay less or pay more. The beautiful part is all tips go directly into the non-profit arm of this business to support other people in the community. You also have the option to volunteer time so you can pay for your meal in service as well. And after all of that the food is actually really good. Both of my kids got the breakfast biscuit and my husband's and I each got a build your own breakfast plate. The cheddar grits are on point and the waffle I had with my eggs was delicious. If you're going to be spending some coins on brunch anyway, why not spend it someplace that's supporting the community? Aaand it was a great opportunity to open up the conversation with my kids about their own volunteering and service work too. Bonus...community service with a tasty biscuit... can't beat that.

I loveee the mission behind this restaurant. It's a non profit that provides a good and affordable alternative to cheap fast food for those who need a meal. The service was great, and they have a good amount of options. I will say, if you are paying full price, it feels like a bit much for what you get, but if you're trying to support the business, it's worth it. You can also pay it forward or jump in on volunteering, which are shwae ways to get involved in the Raleigh community!!

As I am about to write a review I noticed a few little stars for this place. I wanted to know why and scrolled to read their reviews, smh wow. Anyway this was one of the highly recommended breakfast spots and I had no clue as to why but I wanted to find out. We were greeted and told the mission of the cafe. How humbling it is to have a community care about one another. We ordered several dishes bc we wanted to taste as much as possible and contribute in the process. We left a generous tip as it is payed forward to the next person instead of in someone's pockets. We sat next to a community of ppl and ate at the same table. It was truly a humbling experience. The food we ordered were waffles, sausage gravy and biscuits, bacon, eggs, the sweet tea was delicious! We did have to add extra salt to our meals but it was still delicious. Everyone was so helpful, everyone was helping everyone, the volunteers were so sweet and helped clear tables and areas for more to come eat. I'm happy that I was able to come across this cafe and can't wait to go back.

Great place for lunch! Friendly staff, affordable priced menu items, and plenty of seating. There is a free water station near the door with glasses and plastic takeout cups. I tried the Turkey Club Sandwhich (+ bacon ) and my sister had a Turkey sausage, egg and cheese biscuit. Both were huge, fresh and delicious! If you've lost your wallet or simply need some assistance you are welcome to pay the amount you can afford. For example, you want a biscuit sandwich that has a suggested amount of $12, you are welcome to offer to pay $6.30. To my knowledge, all offers are accepted, meaning you will certainly receive the meal of your choice despite your financial constraints. Check it out and be sure to buy a $10 coin to provide a free meal to someone in need !

In town for a conference and don't have a chance to come over during the week for breakfast. Opted for breakfast for lunch today. I ordered Huevos Rancheros with a side of bacon, a buttermilk biscuit and a toffee chocolate chip cookie. Love what this place stands for. As others have mentioned, you can volunteer and eat for free, pay the list price or pay what you can afford. Great, cheerful vibe in this establishment. Everyone is very polite and accommodating. Chill music playing quietly somewhere back the kitchen/grill area that pipes out to the seating area. While waiting for my Rancheros, I devoured the toffee chocolate chip cookie. Off the chain good! The Rancheros with a biscuit and bacon did not disappoint. Check this place out!

I loved this spot. not only was it a great breakfast I loved that It supports a community. way to go guys!

Food was spectacular! The staff and volunteers were so friendly and helpful. Loved the murals on the wall and the atmosphere. Most definitely will be back!

This place was amazing. Truly something we all should rally behind. Plus the food is amazing, the service is top notch. It's a great spot to spend a Saturday morning for some good food and coffee.

We went to A Place at the Table after church and I was wary of a long wait, but they have expanded their seating inside and outside! The ordering process is very easy and the food is incredible. I haven't been here in a while and I forget how much I love A Place at the Table. They pour into the community like no other business, pulling people in, giving opportunities, and sharing kindness. The food is excellent, but I will be back because I feel human kindness in this space.

If you live or work in the Raleigh area then I hope you consider regularly supporting this place. Great establishment serving our community in a way that hopefully will lead more around the country. Food was good and the vibe was great!

I loved visiting this place and their mission is awesome! The food is absolutely delicious and I love how they serve the community by giving everyone and anyone a chance to enjoy a good meal! 10/10!

I like the overall idea here about giving back and the pricing; the area felt a bit unsafe during my one visit here around 10am on a weekday morning. Clearly a "bad area" but the food was solid and the service was friendly.

Everything was 5 stars, best huevos rancheros I've ever had! Everyone was so friendly, and the spot is welcoming.

Outstanding coffee shop in Raleigh! Will definitely be back. I very much appreciated the service of the staff and the LGBT friendly environment.

Simply dewicious! Have yet to try anything here that we don't love and can't wait to come back!

Very good breakfast good service just location is kind of difficult to find a parking spot but over all very good breakfast we will be back

This restaurant is unique. You choose how much you want to pay those that are unfortunate can eat and for the those that can afford can pay more to help out the community. The food has the freshest ingredients and is really good. I loved my waffles, bacon and eggs. The Huevos rancheros was really good just wish there were a little less beans. Small portions cost is high on the menu but like I said why not support your community.

The food is delicious the service is great and the concept of the place is amazing! It's very heartwarming to literally have "A place at the table" I highly recommend this place all the time to anyone who wants not only good food but an experience going there.

Easy to use and efficient. Made reservations a breeze. Will definitely use again in the future.

Seriously one of the best places I've been to in terms of concept and helping out the community. This is a wonderful place to be able to allow everyone to have a hot meal daily. They offer the ability to pay it forward, pay full price, pay what you'd like, or volunteer in the kitchen for your meal. It truly is a great way to do things and I wish more places were like this!

There's just so much to love about A Place at the Table. Not only is the food delicious and the staff are the kindest people around, but also it's a non profit and pay-what-you-can restaurant. You have multiple choices of how you can pay: pay suggested price, pay what you can, or volunteer for a meal. I went for brunch on a Sunday and had a wonderful time. The Huevos Rancheros were very good and the coffee was even better. They had some seating indoors and outdoors as well. Parking was a little lackluster, but if you go on the weekends, the street parking is free. Highly recommend.

Places like this reinforce my faith in humanity. Not only do they provide friendly service & great food, they also take amazing strides to help the local community. The interior is comfy, the outdoor seating is fantastic on the weekends, and volunteering is a breeze. If you want a great meal you don't need to feel guilty about - this is your place!!

I was in town for a couple of days and this place spoke to me. I've never felt more satisfied spending for brunch in a long time as I did at this place. Wish the establishment my best!

We were really intrigued by this Wonderful concept. Food was really great. Friendly staff and nice ambiance.

Absolutely, love the concept of this place. You can pay full price for your meal, pay 3$ or more for your meal, volunteer for your meal, or pay it forward for someone else's meal. .

I absolutely love the concept and the food was delicious!! I'd love to see more places like this around the US. Keep doing what ya'll are doing because it's amazing!! Will definitely come back when I visit again!

tldr: The sandwich I had was excellent, the place was clean, and the staff was awesome. Stopped in for a quick lunch. I really like the "pay what you can" approach to feeding folks who maybe can't afford to eat at restaurants. They have a very good model that benefits the community. Lots of folks volunteer there. I feel it's important to note that it's not like a food kitchen or food bank. It's a legitimate restaurant with a good mission. The paid staff were very friendly and helpful. The volunteers were also nice, and informative about the restaurant. As I mentioned, the food was top notch - what you'd expect at an expensive place. I'll definitely go back when I'm in Raleigh.

I can't recommend this business enough!! The food was amazing, all made from scratch and the service was some of the best I've ever gotten. All of the volunteers were very friendly and loved conversing and talking to everyone they possibly could! I got the Turkey bacon avocado club, and it was huge and well comfortably priced! It came with homemade bbq chips that were perfection.

We only stopped in here for coffee so I can't speak to any of the food but I loved the set up of the restaurant. There's a small area to sit out front. A gentleman at the door greeted me as I walked in and we chit chatted for a bit while I waited for my coffee. If I'm in the area again, I will definitely return and check out the food. The vibe alone won me over.

Well - what is there to say about a non-profit breakfast/brunch place? A lot actually. I'll keep it short. If you are looking for really good food made by some really good people who help others -- well, that's it. Like I said, short.