From late-night snacks to budget-friendly eats, here are the best places to eat and drink in Boston, selected by students from Boston University, Northeastern University, and Emerson College.
LessThis mother-and-daughter-owned cafe is open until 4 p.m. It has delicious pastries and sandwiches, homemade syrups, and a walk-up window to order. It definitely classifies as a perfect place to begin your daily routine.
Who knew late-night cookies would become so vital to the college lifestyle? From classic chocolate chunk cookies to loaded brownies served with ice cream, this sweets delivery service is a godsend for the students at Boston University and college kids across the nation.
This northeastern and midwestern wing restaurant offers perfect portions for sharing with friends before a night at the club. The honey mustard sauce is an absolute hit every time, especially when paired with Wings Over's waffle fries.
The best way to wake up is definitely with a bagel in hand. Pavement Coffeehouse boasts a myriad of locations in Boston and Cambridge and serves up authentic kettle-boiled bagels on the daily. From classic egg and cheese to Vegan Tequila Sunrise breakfast sandwiches, the sky is the limit for your ideal bagel experience.
French food fans need to add Tatte, a Massachusetts and Washington D.C.-based restaurant, to their must-try list. The bakery is a dream come true with croissants, tartines, hot cross buns, and scones overflowing in the display case. Brunch is also a delight as Tatte offers various shakshuka options, breakfast sandwiches, and fresh salads.
Brunch squad, line up! Milkweed is best known for its sweet and aesthetically pleasing French toast offerings, savory omelets, and gorgeous cocktail menu. This restaurant has "a menu fit for a monarch," and offers a beautiful backdrop for Instagram photos.
There's a little piece of Southern country goodness in the heart of Boston. Grab a whiskey and liquor flight before you hit the floor to line dance.
If you love a restaurant with a cute aesthetic so you can snap photos of your food, Genki Ya is the sushi place for you. Its beautifully crafted, organic sushi rolls and platters aren't terribly expensive considering the high quality. If you order a lunch special, you get your sushi, miso soup, salad, rice, and fruit all for around $14 — talk about bang for your buck.
Symphony Sushi strives to provide excellent service and superb sushi. Its plates are fresh, beautiful, and flavorful, and the menu has all the beloved classics as well as innovative dishes you won't find anywhere else.
If you prefer cheese pizza, Ernesto's is famous for it. Other options include pizzas like chicken ranch, caprese, Caribbean shrimp, and cheeseburger. You can get your pizza through curbside pickup or order and eat inside.
Since it's open until 2 a.m., this pizzeria is a great late-night hangout spot. The menu is versatile and offers everything from burgers to sandwiches to pasta — and of course, pizza. The food is fresh, and the service is fast.
"Dirty water" refers back to when the water in Boston was too contaminated to drink, so people used beer to bake bread instead of water. Therefore, beer is the secret ingredient in this pizzeria's dough. The menu includes unusual but delicious options like dirty taco, mac cheesy, and steak 'n cola. If you're into experimenting, you can also add extra toppings to any pizza.
Picco's pizza is made with "a cold-ferment sourdough and charred to maximize flavor," according to its website. On top of the homemade toppings and gluten-free options, there's also homemade ice cream and sorbets made from local ingredients. The combination of pizza and ice cream makes this pizzeria a great date-night spot.
El Jefe’s Taqueria is an affordable taco spot where you’re able to customize your tacos and burritos. The taqueria offers large portions and relatively cheap prices. Plus, it’s open late — perfect for those late-night taco cravings.
You could order anything off the menu at Maria's Taqueria, and you would never be disappointed. The delicious taco selection includes steak, chipotle chicken, carnitas, and beans with rice. For every order, you get two corn tortillas served with pico de gallo, sour cream, cheese, and hot sauce.
The Burro Bar has a cool atmosphere with tons of options. Its taco menu has 10 choices from a classic pork carnitas taco, topped with a butternut squash puree, apple salsa, Mexican crema, and cotija cheese, to a roasted beet taco, topped with hummus, sweet potatoes, goat cheese cream, cotija cheese, and spiced pepitas.
This quick-serve, plant-based café is a friendly spot for fresh veggie and vegan wraps, salads, and smoothies. The service is great, the atmosphere is fun, and menu options are delicious like the Green Goddess and Swami Bowls.
My Thai Vegan Café offers a wide range of meatless dishes, plus bubble teas. The vegan take on traditional Thai food (including pineapple fried rice and tom yum goong soup) makes it a fun and new option, especially if you’re bored of the same vegan options.
Nothing beats delicious banh mi for just $6. And you can't discount the spring rolls, super friendly staff, and quick service.
bb.q Chicken has it all: low prices, an expansive menu, and delicious, authentic Korean food.
Banh Mi Huong Que is a casual spot with a wide selection of banh mi sandwiches, all for just about $8.
Buon appetito at Lucia Ristorante. The delicious Italian food spot is in the heart of Boston with a beautiful space to sit in while you eat it. With tradition you can taste, any dish here is money well spent.
Dine in luxury in Yvonne's main dining room, lounge, gallery room, or library bar. You'll want to take pictures of the chic environment and the world-class cuisine that will be served to you. However, if you're the kind of person who has a hard time deciding what to order, you might have a hard time picking from the wide variety of options such as the Thai octopus or lamb kofta.
You know a place is going to be good when it has an open kitchen and fresh Italian pasta. The Fox & The Knife brings families together through soul-satisfying food and an inviting atmosphere to enjoy it in. If you've never tried wild boar, octopus, or escarole, you can experience it here over a comforting bowl of pasta and a glass of wine.
Begin or end your night with a spot of boba and milk tea from Double Chin. Founded by the Chin sisters, this modern Asian restaurant serves up succulent bites including lobster rangoon, kimchi fried rice, and salt 'n' pepper calamari.
Bagels and muffins and danish, oh my! Kupel's is the premier kosher bakery in the area with the best bagel sandwiches hungry commuters could want.
What’s great about many coffee shops is that they don’t only serve coffee. The selection of pastries and drinks at Mariposa Bakery also appeals to people who don't go for a strong cold brew or espresso shot. And if you’re looking for a non-caffeinated alternative, the hot chocolate options are amazing.
Veggie Galaxy offers traditional diner comfort food (including all day breakfast) made from scratch. It’s all 100% vegetarian, and most dishes can be made vegan. It's the perfect spot for unhealthy vegetarians.
At Oleana, you'll find small, photo-worthy Middle Eastern dishes that pack a flavorful punch made to be savored. On top of incredible food, the atmosphere is romantic, making it the perfect place for a date night splurge.