What restaurants can you pay with cash on DoorDash

Many services currently mainly accept digital payment methods. However, for some DoorDash users, cash payment is still the preferred method. Whether it's due to budget, lack of a bank card, or just habit, many users are interested in the question: what restaurants can you pay with cash on DoorDash?

The answer is not so clear. DoorDash initially worked as a cashless platform, but recently the company has introduced the possibility of payment upon receipt (Cash on Delivery, COD) for some restaurants using DoorDash Drive, a logistics solution designed for restaurants. This means that some restaurants do accept cash, but not all. We'll talk about everything in detail below.

Payment methods on DoorDash

DoorDash accepts the following standard payment methods:

• Bank cards (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Discover)
• Apple Pay and Google Pay
• PayPal
• DoorDash gift cards and account credit

For a long time, these were the only possible payment methods. Moreover, in 2020, DoorDash completely abandoned cash payments for regular orders. However, with the launch of DoorDash Drive and the growing demand from small businesses and customers in certain regions, cash returned — but under specific conditions.

The growing popularity of payment upon receipt (COD)

In 2023, DoorDash officially introduced the Cash on Delivery option for orders via Drive. According to the official DoorDash announcement, this feature allows restaurants to accept cash, provided they have enabled the appropriate setting.

This is especially true for small and independent establishments where cash is still heavily used, as well as in areas with low levels of digital engagement.

However, not all restaurants on DoorDash accept cash payments. Some people prefer to remain completely cashless to avoid the risks associated with:

• Lack of payment
• Security issues
• Slowing down the delivery process

However, the trend is changing. More and more small and medium-sized restaurants are using the COD feature to attract customers—especially in cities like New York, where there are many users who prefer cash.

Which restaurants accept cash on DoorDash?

In DoorDash, you cannot select the establishments that accept cash separately. You can find the types of businesses that accept cash by studying the platform's user communities.

Typical cash-accepting restaurants:

• Local pizzerias and sandwich shops
• Chinese and other Asian takeaway food
• Halal outlets and Mediterranean grill bars
• Latin American restaurants, especially in areas where cash is often paid.
• Independent fast food establishments (not franchises)

Examples in New York (based on user reviews):

• Joe's Pizza (in some locations)
• Kennedy Fried Chicken (depends on the area)
• Dominican cafes in the Bronx
• Small Thai or Vietnamese cafes in Queens

Cash payment is possible only if the restaurant uses DoorDash Drive, has enabled COD, and the delivery area allows it.

How can I pay in cash on DoorDash?

If the restaurant accepts cash via DoorDash Drive, this option will appear at checkout. Here's how to check it:

1. Add items to the cart from a restaurant that supports COD.
2. Proceed to checkout.
3. If the restaurant allows cash payment, you will see the “Cash on Delivery” option.
4. Select it, confirm the order, and prepare the exact amount in cash for the delivery rider.

The delivery rider (Dasher) will collect the payment from you upon delivery and transfer the money to the restaurant according to the DoorDash rules.

For more information, see the official information for restaurants.

Cash payment restrictions on DoorDash

Although COD is a convenient feature, it has several limitations:

• Not available everywhere: only for restaurants connected to DoorDash Drive.
• There is no filter when searching: you cannot select such establishments in advance.
• Some delivery riders refuse orders with cash payments for security or convenience reasons.
• You need to know the exact amount; delivery riders are not required to provide change.

Refunds are also an issue; cash payments are harder to dispute than card payments.

For these reasons, many establishments still operate only by wire transfer, despite the possibility of setting up a flexible payment system.

What should I do if I can’t pay with cash?

If your favorite institution does not support payment upon receipt, there are alternatives:

• Prepaid debit cards — can be topped up with cash.
• DoorDash gift card — sold at CVS, Walgreens, and online.
• You can link PayPal to a bank account without a credit card.

These options allow you to keep control over your expenses without resorting to credit cards.

DoorDash also provides delivery riders with specific guidance for handling cash orders and restaurants that accept only cash.

Conclusion

Which DoorDash restaurants accept cash? Short answer: In selected establishments that use DoorDash Drive with the COD feature enabled, these are usually local and independent restaurants in cities such as New York.

Although not all establishments offer this option, their number is growing. DoorDash continues to expand functionality for customers who prefer cash. But remember: since COD is enabled at the restaurant’s discretion, be sure to check if it’s available during checkout.

If you prefer to pay cash, explore local establishments and check payment methods in the app — or use alternatives that provide a similar level of control. Especially in New York, there are chances to find restaurants with cash payments in areas with high population density and a large number of independent food outlets.

And if you're planning to start working with DoorDash as a delivery rider, our reliable electric bikes are the perfect way to get started — you can hit the road and start earning as early as day one.

DoorDash continues to evolve, and payment flexibility is becoming more widespread. Cash is a limited but growing option, and it's important to know how, where, and when to use it.

‍