2 days Ago By Katelyn Umholtz
By Katelyn Umholtz It’s about that time of year again when Greater Boston comes alive with runners and spectators alike to celebrate the world’s oldest annual marathon. And for those watching the Boston Marathon along the route Monday, April 21, where you snag a patch of street to set up your folding chair matters for several reasons — you have to consider your timing, how crowded it will be, and most importantly, your food options. If you’ve watched the Boston Marathon before, you know the selection of places to grab a bite grows significantly the closer you are to the finish line.
In fact, most places closer to the starting line aren’t open Monday morning, or at all the day of the race. And this year’s Marathon Monday comes a day after Easter Sunday and the end of Passover, meaning some places may be closed the entire weekend. But we put together a list that includes all of the towns the marathon participants will run through, and there are options for everyone: coffee and pastries for our early risers, a mid-day lunch with a beer, and plenty of pasta dishes.
Don’t see a place that you think should be mentioned? If it’s a restaurant along or near the route, let us know in the form below or e-mail [email protected] , and we’ll include it in our map. Choose between three types of pizza — Detroit-style, “grandma pizza,” and New York-style — at Blue Square Pizza , a sourdough pizzeria located just before the starting line. It won’t be open at the very early start of the Boston Marathon, but come 11:30 a.
m., it’ll be the perfect time for a pizza lunch. In one town over from the start line, grab a hearty diner breakfast from 2Mauro’s Cafe , which opens at 6 a.
m., early enough to grab some pancakes before watching the race. Staff said it’s a popular spot for marathon organizers to feast after their work is done.
If you’re watching from downtown Framingham and need a beer, consider heading over to Jack’s Abby . Starting at 10 a.m.
the brewery is hosting a festival with multiple vendors, live music, and activities. The landmark Casey’s Diner , which has been in operation for more than a century, will open as usual on Marathon Monday at 8 a.m.
The ten-seat diner has breakfast, steamed hot dogs, burgers, pie, and milkshakes — perfect food for watching the world’s oldest marathon. Captain Marden’s Seafoods restaurant may be closed for renovations, but the Cod Squad food truck from the beloved restaurant and fish market will be out along the route, from 10 a.m.
to 3 p.m. There are daily specials, as well as New England seafood classics like chowder and a lobster roll.
Depending on the weather, a bowl of ramen from Newton favorite Little Big Diner may be the right move. Open at 4:30 p.m.
, the restaurant also has a selection of rice bowls, small dishes, and green sriracha chicken wings — for if it’s one of the random warm Marathon years. Craving a slice of pizza? Maybe a pie to share with a group? Long-standing pizzeria Pino’s Pizza opens at 10 a.m.
on Marathon Monday, handing out slices of pizza on paper plates to the Cleveland Circle spectators. For spectators in Brookline, Stoked Pizza Company’s Washington Square location is serving up its wood-fired pizzas and expansive menu of vegan apps and pies. Spectators can grab a drink from their full-bar inside, or snag a patio seat outside for a closer look at the marathon action.
The former Hops & Scotch spot in Coolidge Corner is now Esmai’s , a globally-inspired menu that serves brunch, lunch, and dinner. Esmai’s, located on the marathon route, is open from 9 a.m.
to 9 p.m. on Marathon Monday.
Open from 9 a.m. until 2 a.
m., The Abbey is the spot to go for spectators cheering on runners in the morning, and runners celebrating their accomplishment in the afternoon. As always, their kitchen stays open until 1:30 a.
m., and specials could include homemade sausage, hot dogs, or chili if it’s cold outside. Eastern Standard is back for another marathon — albeit in a different location .
Opening up early at 8 a.m., spectators can grab a bite from the brasserie’s limited breakfast menu.
If you find yourself there for lunch or dinner, their all-day menu will be available as well. Get yourself a meal deal if you’re watching the race close to Hotel Commonwealth and Blue Ribbon Brasserie . The $26.
20 marathon special comes with the brasserie’s Burger Deluxe and a stein of Jack’s Abby House Lager. Popular on Red Sox game days, Audubon is opening earlier than usual on Marathon Monday, serving brunch from 9 to 11 a.m.
for both marathon spectators and Red Sox fans. The restaurant will also have a take-away menu featuring food that you can easily eat outside while watching the runners, like smash burgers, hot dogs, and meatball subs. Don’t expect any opening changes or specials the day of the race at Parish Cafe — just their usual inventive sandwiches from some of Boston’s best chefs.
This Boylston Street eatery is only a couple of blocks away from the finish line; spectators can stop in at the bar for a quick, filling lunch before the majority of the runners reach the finish line, or celebrate the event’s end with a meal on their patio. Get a complimentary bag of popcorn with your margarita at Lolita Back Bay , the modern Tequila bar close to the finish line, while you take a break from spectating the race. It opens at its usual Monday time of 11:30 a.
m. Not out the route but close enough, Sonsie opens much earlier on Marathon Monday to serve several specials to spectators and runners. Starting at 8:30 a.
m., choose something from their brunch menu until 3 p.m.
, or go for something filling, like the spaghetti pomodoro or chicken parm sandwich. Katelyn Umholtz Katelyn Umholtz covers food and restaurants for Boston.com.
Katelyn is also the author of The Dish, a weekly food newsletter . Sign up for The Dish Stay up to date on the latest food and drink news from Boston.com.
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