The Best Places to Eat & Run in Boston

I’m so excited to team up with Montana DiPietrantonio of @apres_run on Instagram and the blog at https://apres-run.com for this post! Montana is a Providence based run coach, food blogger, just an hour south of Boston, in Providence, RI. I’ve been living in Boston for the past seven years and have trained for all of my marathons here.

As lovers of all things food AND running, we combined our knowledge to create a list of the very best places to eat and run in the city. For all those coming into the city this weekend for the Boston Marathon, good luck, and we hope you get to soak in all the city has to offer!

Best Places to Eat - Daytime:

- Tatte - This could just as easily fall into the “Best Cup of Coffee” category as in the “Best Places to Eat” category. Tatte is a Boston staple with the most beautiful of interiors, European-quality baked goods, and menu items that are just as good (try their shakshuka -- they’re famous for it!). Check their website for locations, as they have a couple cafe locations throughout the city.

- Flour Cafe - Another Boston cafe staple, Flour is famous for their sticky buns. Beyond just sweets, we’d recommend the hearty sweet potato sandwich and soups. They also have several locations throughout the city.

- Jugos Supremo - Jugos’ flagship location, attached to the train station, has long been a staple for commuters and people new to the city. The convenience can’t be beat, and you can get ridiculously fresh juices, smoothies, bowls, toasts, and other healthy take-away goods. Now, they have a second location, Jugos Supremo, with an expanded menu that includes sit-down items such as more elaborate toasts, egg dishes, even Belgian waffles. You can expect the freshest fruits and vegetables, all local ingredients, and the fact that all their nut milks are housemade.

502 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02118

- Mother Juice - Just a couple blocks from the Boston Marathon finish line, you’ll want everything on Mother Juice’s menu. It is totally plant-based but could convert even the biggest meat-eating skeptics. Try their big salad bowls (pictured below: BBQ Chickpea), smoothies, overnight oat bowls, and energy balls.

291 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115

- Eataly - A great post-race option right next to the finish line, Eataly has several mini-restaurants within it (for incredible salad, pasta, bread, and wine). Plus, shop their selection of meats, cheeses, and baked goods to bring home.

Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02199

- FoMu - For the BEST vegan ice cream, in flavors such as Bourbon Maple Walnut, Magic Bar, Salted Caramel, and Sweet Lavender. FoMu has locations in Allston, Jamaica Plain, Fenway, and the South End.

Best Places to Eat - Pre- or Post-Race Dinner:

- Myers and Chang - Located in the South End neighborhood, just a few blocks away from the finish line, this Asian fusion restaurant offers a popular Dim Sum brunch on weekends and Cheap Date Prix Fixe on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Expect flavorful Asian style dishes presented in a “small plates” format.

1145 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02118

- Citrus and Salt - A “coastal Mexican” foodie paradise that has Instagram-worthy cocktails. Their Sunday brunch is a fan favorite. If you have a big appetite, try the waffle tacos! If you’re just stopping by for drinks, get margaritas and a whole vat of their guacamole - it’s that good.

142 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116

- Lolita - Another incredible Mexican restaurant in Boston, you can expect free chips and salsa at the start of your meal and cotton candy to finish things off with a sweet touch. The spicy cucumber margaritas are my favorite.

In Back Bay and Seaport

- Pammy’s - This Italian inspired restaurant is in the heart of Cambridge. People love it for their hearty pastas and incredible cocktail selection.

928 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

- Oleana - Oleana is on the fancy side but, it’s worth the reservation (usually booked a few weeks out on a weekend night). It’s a very vegan friendly Mediterranean style restaurant. You can either order everything in a small plates, shared fashion or go with their incredible tasting menus (opt wine pairings). I’d highly suggest the veggie tasting menu. If you have any dietary restrictions, just let them know and they’ll happily adjust. As a bonus, if you love sweets, go for their well known Baked Alaska.

134 Hampshire St, Cambridge MA, 02139

Best cup of coffee:

Dunkin Donuts may well be the official coffee chain of Boston (locals are fervently loyal), but don’t let that stop you from experiencing a city that has an incredible coffee scene. Here are our picks for the best cups in Boston...

- Pavement Coffeehouse - A local Boston brand. Try one their specialty lattes for something fun (they carry oat milk, which we love), or a pour-over for something classic. They also have great bagels and light bites.

With locations in Allston, Berklee, Boston University, Fenway, Symphony, Newbury, Brighton, and Harvard Square

- Caffe Nero - The best of European coffee in Boston. Come for the gorgeous, moody vibes and great espresso.

They have locations all over the city. Check their cafe map here to find the closest one near you.

- Gracenote - Super cute decor and delicious, artisanal coffee tucked in the Leather District of Boston. A must-stop if you’re in the area.

108 Lincoln St, Boston, MA 02111

- Ogawa - Created by Japanese coffee artisans, Ogawa is distinctly unlike any of the other coffee spots on this list. Stop in for something different, and to try all the matcha-flavored things. They also have a full food menu if you want something more than just a light bite.

10 Milk Street, Boston, MA 02108

- Blue Bottle - There are only a few locations of Blue Bottle in the world -- this is a must-stop! Try their signature New Orleans iced coffee.

Located right in the Prudential Center (by the Boston Marathon finish line), but also has locations in Harvard Square and the Exchange

Best places to run:

- The Charles River - You can find a great full map of the river here. To run the Charles, just pick two bridges and make a loop. The Charles loop “unofficially” ends at the Museum of Natural Sciences, and you can take the river all the way out past Harvard, MIT, Boston University, and into Watertown and Newton.

- The Common - Try the long hill for hill sprints or hill reps. It’s about 1 mile to cover the whole diameter of the common and the “big hill” closest to Beacon St is .25 miles, for reference! This is one of the only “big hills” in the Downtown Boston area so, you’ll catch many of the run groups doing hill repeats here on any weekday night.

- The Emerald Necklace - This pathway starts in Fenway and spits you right at Jamaica Pond.

- The Chestnut Hill Reservoir - Affectionately called “the Res”, it’s a beautiful 1.5 mile path right off of Boston College’s campus.

- The Newton Carriage Trails - Run the toughest parts of the Boston Marathon course along the beautiful carriage roads of Newton. You’ll pass some of Boston’s most beautiful homes and get some hills in to boot.

Have you ever been to Boston before? Do you have any favorite spots you think we missed?! Would love to hear in the comments!