Hayward, a city recognized for its cultural diversity, is showcasing its locally-owned restaurants with Hayward Restaurant Month. 

Throughout January, participating eateries offer special deals and promotional menu items, encouraging residents to explore a variety of cuisines while supporting local business owners and families. From African and Nepali dishes to Hispanic pastries, the celebration invites the community to taste the rich variety of cultures that uniquely shape Hayward.

Concha Dreams, a Hispanic sweet bread café on B Street, brings a unique cultural experience to the community. 

“I am super thankful to Hayward for highlighting family-run restaurants and giving us this opportunity,” said Concha Dreams owner Rose Aguilar. 

Since opening in November, the café has become a favorite in the community, serving fresh conchas and coffee with a modern, heartwarming twist. 

“They have really good conchas. The owners are great people who focus on serving quality food and quality service,” said customer Brian P. 

To celebrate Hayward Restaurant Month, the café is offering special menu items, including a s’more concha and a breakfast concha.

Just down the street is The Gurkha Kitchen, which features Nepali and Indian cuisine. Co-owner Narayan Khanal originally worked as a computer technician before his friend and fellow co-owner, Anil Panta, introduced the idea of opening a restaurant. 

“The focus was to bring traditional Nepali dishes in order to highlight tastes from back home in Nepal, but also give it a modern twist by adding Indian cuisine,” Khanal said.

The Gurkha Kitchen now operates five locations, including one in downtown Hayward. While Khanal expressed gratitude for community support, he also acknowledges challenges. 

“I appreciate all the families that come to our restaurant and enjoy the love of food with us. However, business has been slow in January,” he stated. 

Khanal noted concerns related to safety and accessibility. 

“We have had a struggle with homeless people coming into our restaurant, disturbing the peace and comfort when families are dining. We have also had issues with parking — customers complain about limited spots, especially later in the day,” Khanal said. 

Although Khanal appreciates increased city security on certain nights, he shared uncertainty about the promotion’s outreach, noting that many community members seem unaware of Hayward Restaurant Month. 

“I’m still confused about where the advertising is [coming] from regarding this promotion. Many people didn’t know about it, and January is always a slow month,” he added.

Go back up B Street and find the family-run Susie Q’s Pizza, owned by Susie Jaber, also known as “Queen Mamabear.” Jaber opened the restaurant to share her passion for fresh, halal-friendly cuisine. Her son, Adam, created the restaurant’s logo and slogan, “A Mother’s Touch.”

The idea for the restaurant came when Jaber started making pizza for her children after noticing a lack of quality pizza options while dining out. 

“The pizzas were too greasy, too fatty, or simply not worth the price,” Jaber said, “All the pizzas I make here are the ones I also make for my kids. All the sauces, dough, and dishes I make from scratch.” 

Jaber aspires for Susie Q’s Pizza to be the go-to destination for pizza in Hayward. Her restaurant is also in the running for its third consecutive Best Pizza in Hayward Award. 

“I want to be known as the family-run pizza place. I have always wanted this to be a family-oriented place. We love the support from the community, and we give the love back by helping out at local schools and fundraisers. We have a strong connection with the community, and that is what I am most grateful for,” Jaber said.

Similarly with The Gurkha Kitchen, Jaber expressed concern about the effectiveness of Hayward Restaurant Month. 

She stated, “Hayward Restaurant Month has not helped much. The promotion isn’t for the full month of January, and there hasn’t been much advertising by the city. On top of that, there’s an increase in pizza places in Hayward, some only blocks away from us. I hope to see more diversity in restaurants in the future.” 

Hayward Restaurant Month is not just a celebration of food — it’s a celebration of community, culture, and the families behind local restaurants. From the sweet conchas at Concha Dreams, to the traditional Nepali dishes at The Gurkha Kitchen, and the fresh, homemade pizzas at Susie Q’s Pizza, each restaurant tells a story of passion, dedication, and connection.

By participating in Hayward History Month, residents have the chance to explore new cuisines, enjoy special deals, and support the local businesses that contribute to Hayward’s identity. Each visit, every order, and every shared meal helps keep these family-run restaurants thriving. Whether you’re tasting a dish from your own culture or trying something entirely new, Hayward Restaurant Month invites everyone to come together, celebrate diversity, and experience the heart of the community, one bite at a time.

Click here to view the full list of participating restaurants and special deals.