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Boston University Guide to Food

Looking for delicious food near BU? Check out our guide and local Boston food tours!

Related Posts:

Best Brunch
Campus Hidden Gems
Cheap Eats
Date Night
Late Night Cravings
Sweets

Best Brunch

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Life Alive

https://www.lifealive.com/
This organic, plant-based eatery on West Campus offers well-balanced breakfasts capable of fuelling a college student’s busy day. Among students, Life Alive is particularly well-known for their smoothies, protein waffles, and acai bowls. And for the non-college student: join us on our Central Square Food Tour to sample some of Life Alive’s offerings!

What to order: We love their swami and adventurer bowls as well as their yummy raspberry lime seltzer. So good!

Cafe Sauvage

https://www.cafesauvage.com/
25 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
Cafe Sauvage is located in Back Bay, only minutes from East campus. If you’re looking for a more upscale, Instagram-worthy meal, Sauvage is your place. This French-inspired restaurant offers a well-curated menu: try anything from a traditional, French Croque Madame to a duck egg benedict or banana bread french toast. Note that Brunch is only offered on weekends.

What to order: French Croque Madame to a duck egg benedict or banana bread french toast.

Pavement Coffeehouse

https://pavementcoffeehouse.com/pages/boston_university
Someone pours steamed milk into a coffee cup to make a latte as seen on Off the Beaten Path Food Tour's Northampton Coffee Shop Food Tour.
736 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02215
Located on Central campus, Pavement Coffeehouse is the pinnacle of Boston University brunch. Whether you want to grab a quick bagel to fuel your research paper, or sit down for a leisurely coffee chat, Pavement is both accessible and delicious. The coffeehouse has a lovely ambience and a view of Comm Ave, and you can smell their mouthwatering bagels from the street. You’ll always find this joint bustling with BU students!

What to order: Definitely their yummy coffee!

Cafe Landwer

https://www.landwercafe.com/
birds eye view glass of hibiscus nitro tea on northampton food tour
900 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
Steps from the BU campus, Cafe Landwer is a popular cafe in Israel and serves up the best brunch in Boston. Sit outside or inside their airy cafe – they have a full menu for all appetites.

What to order: Landwer's Breakfast For Two or Famous Breakfast comes with all kinds of little plates - including labneh with zatar and eggs with pita. We also love their hummus platters, chicken schnitzel with crushed potatoes, shakshuka, and yummy drinks from coffee to berry iced tea.

Use code “BUEATS” for $5 off any food or chocolate tour

Campus Hidden Gems

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LimeRed Teahouse

https://www.limeredteahouse.com/
LimeRed Teahouse, located in Allston, is only a short walk from West Campus. This adorable spot feels open and airy (the fake moss wall adds to the ambience.) Lime Red carries unique boba flavors and a variety of teas and additions. Grab a sweet to accompany your bubble tea, such as French macarons, butter mochi cakes, and a green tea sugar cookie. Perhaps the best aspect of this menu are the affordable prices: expect to spend only $4 -$5 on boba instead of the usual $6 – $7.

What to order: Try a unique craft boba flavor - why be boring?

Futago Udon

Located on the corner of Buswell Street and Park Drive, Futago Udon is truly a hidden gem of the quiet South Campus. Enter into a small restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows casting natural light onto simple wood tables. You’ll be greeted by friendly staff and faced with one of the most notable menus on campus. Futago offers nearly 15 different udon dishes in addition to delicious appetizers like pork gyoza and takoyaki (fried balls of octopus).

What to order: The udon is flavorful and abundant- expect to take home leftovers!

Late Night Cafe at Warren Towers

700 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
This campus spot is open until 1am, and you can use on-campus dining.

What to order: Cheese quesadilla or mozzarella sticks hit the spot!

Use code “BUEATS” for $5 off any food or chocolate tour

Cheap Eats

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Pho Viets

https://www.phoviets.com/
Located in Allston, only a minute’s walk from West Campus, Pho Viets offers delicious pho at an excellent price. $12 can get you two meals including leftovers! We recommend the Pho which is flavorful and fresh, but also try any of their rice plates and vermicelli.

What to order: Our favorite is their pho, which is perfect if you have a cold as well.

Oppa Sushi

https://oppasushiandkorean.weebly.com/
sushi on fire boston
185 Harvard Avenue
Boston, MA 02134
This is an unassuming place with really yummy sushi, even some on fire. It won’t break the bank, but it’ll fill your tummy.

What to order: They have yummy maki rolls and korean dishes! Their fire bruins roll is served with flames.

Underdog Hot Chicken

https://www.underdoghotchicken.com/
hot chicken boston ma
160 Brighton Avenue
Boston, MA 02134
They sell the best hot chicken in town which will perfectly satisfy both cheap eats and your late night cravings. They even have a crazy dog spice level for those up for the challenge!

What to order: Yum, of course we love hteir hot chicken -- but their fried Oreos are also amazing!

Super 88 Market

17 Brighton Avenue
Boston, MA 02134
This asian market has authentic Chinese, Korean, Indian, Thai, and Vietnamese food — there is a local asian market but also and adjacent food court with street food to warm meals.

What to order: Mmm bibimbap in a hot stone pot is delicious from Misono Grill. Fresh, crispy rolls and curry puffs from Smile Thai Noodles go great with their yummy thai iced tea and coffee.

Roxy’s Grilled Cheese

https://www.roxysgrilledcheese.com/
485 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02134
Started as a food truck, this yummy spot is finger-licking good, with many filling options for under $15.

What to order: It may be known for its grilled cheese, but Roxy's burgers are some of the best in the city!

Use code “BUEATS” for $5 off any food or chocolate tour

Date Night

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Tsuru Ton Tan

https://www.tsurutontan.com/
Another Kenmore Square eatery worthy of a date night is Tsuru Ton Tan. Pick from an extensive menu of udon, sushi, and sashimi. If you opt for the udon, expect to receive a bowl big enough for two! The restaurant itself feels intimate, with plenty of booths and downstairs seating.

What to order: It's so fun to share a bowl of udon on date night!

Nagomi Izakaya

https://www.nagomiizakaya.com/
636 Beacon St Ste A.
Boston, MA 02215
This upscale sushi restaurant in Kenmore Square offers (arguably) the best sushi near BU. While the menu can be a bit pricey for a college student, their sophisticated dishes make for a memorable date night (expect to see menu items such as Wagyu, caviar, and foie gras.) The sushi is fresh, and each dish reflects the chef’s passion for creating artistic plates. Choose from an A La carte menu or an extensive list of fish entrees. You can even try an Omakase menu- perfect for a luxurious date night!

What to order: Sample your favorite sushi.

Mala

https://malarestauranttogo.com/
stir fried dry pot bowl boston
129 Brighton Avenue
Boston, MA 02134
This hole in the wall joint serves authentic Sichuanese food in Boston. It’s a casual spot to bring a date, but it’s a bonding experience.

What to order: Their signature dish is their stir fried dry hot pot dish that you can mae with your own selection of assorted veggies and meats. Everything is tossed with their mala spice which is a flaorful numbing spice.

Carlo’s Cucina Italiana

https://carloscucinaitaliana.com/
131 Brighton Avenue
Allston, MA 02134
This hole in the wall restaurant is unknown to many but has been long serving some of the best Italian food in Boston.

What to order: Keep it simple with some gnocchi or linguine - honestly, whatever your favorite type of pasta here is done so well.

Brown Sugar Cafe

https://www.brownsugarcafe.com/
1033 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
Their vegetarian-friendly thai eats are a campus staple!

What to order: Their satay beef, tofu triangles, and stuffed wings are sure to satisfy your cravings!

Use code “BUEATS” for $5 off any food or chocolate tour

Late Night Cravings

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Underdog Hot Chicken

https://www.underdoghotchicken.com/
hot chicken boston ma
160 Brighton Avenue
Boston, MA 02134
They sell the best hot chicken in town which will perfectly satisfy both cheap eats and your late night cravings. They even have a crazy dog spice level for those up for the challenge!

What to order: Yum, of course we love hteir hot chicken -- but their fried Oreos are also amazing!

Kimchipapi Corn Dogs

https://www.kimchipapi.com/
corndogs in boston ma
81 Harvard Avenue
Boston, MA 02134
You may have tried a beef corn dog, but have you had one filled with cheese?

What to order: Our favorite is the traditional mozzarella filled corn dogs. Take a big bite into the crunchy exterior and then pull away and see how far you can pull before the cheese breaks!

Tasty Burger

https://www.tastyburger.com/
1301 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02215
Tasty Burger is a modern fast food burger restaurant started by Boston locals. Named after Harvard Square’s famous “The Tasty” restaurant (one of the owners worked there), there are a few of them around the city – most notably in the shadow of Fenway Park.

What to order: We love their hot dogs and fries!

Use code “BUEATS” for $5 off any food or chocolate tour

Sweets

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Pon De Joy

https://www.pondejoy.com/
1 Brighton Avenue
Boston, MA 02134
This donut shop is the first one that exists in Boston. They are tucked away inside of the Super 88 food court. Their donuts are uniquely shaped and hae a chewier texture compared to other donuts you might eat. Their flavors change daily!

What to order: Black sesame and matcha oreo donuts are our favorite!

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