Carbo loading before the big race is serious business so if you’re curious about where to get your plates of pasta on Sunday, April 14th, take a peek at what local chefs are serving up. There are tons of places to fuel up — restaurants right in Back Bay and others away from the crowds — then, be on the lookout for extended hours, day-of special menus and more on Monday, April 15th. Peep a bunch of your Patriots’ Day options below, then start planning away.
Bar Boulud
617.535.8800
Pay a visit to chef-owner Daniel Boulud’s restaurant, Bar Boulud, which is tucked inside the Mandarin Oriental, Boston. The French-inspired bistro and wine bar will have pasta on special during lunch and dinner on Sunday, April 14th. Stick around on Monday for their Boston Marathon viewing party in the bar & lounge from 11:00am to 4:00pm — tickets here. If you want to swing by a bit earlier in the weekend, make sure to stop at the Fan Zone by Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in the hotel’s lobby, open from Saturday, April 13th through Monday, April 15th. And if you want to unwind after the race? Book yourself a Runners Revive treatment at the hotel’s spa, which is on special for the month of April.
Bar Mezzana
617.530.1770
Runners are invited to join Chef Colin Lynch and the team at Bar Mezzana for a complimentary arancini snack when they arrive wearing their 2019 medal.
Bistro du Midi
617.426.7878
There’s something for everyone at Bistro du Midi this Marathon Monday. Executive Chef Robert Sisca (a runner himself – he’s prepping for a half marathon later this year!) is adding two specials to the regular offerings at Bistro du Midi. Pop in to the Boylston Street spot (whether you’ll be lacing up or not) to tuck into plates like Black Pepper Tagliatelle with pine nuts, broccoli rabe pesto, pickled ramps, parmesan ($21) or Whole Wheat Cavatelli with duck Bolognese, apple and feta ($23).
Bostonia Public House
617.948.9800
This Financial District fave has one of the best Bloody Mary bars around town — see it for yourself if you come for brunch between 10:00am and 3:00pm on Monday, April 15th. They’ll also have their sunset menu of snackers, starters, small bites, a raw bar, cheese & charcuterie boards and more from 3:00 to 5:00pm followed by dinner until 10:00pm. The bar doesn’t close until midnight though, so end your Marathon Monday with a craft sipper.
Capo
617.993.8080
South Boston’s Capo is helping runners carbo-load before the big day with their bottomless pasta specials. Gather your marathon team (or your crowd of spectators) and hunker down over plates rigatoni bolognese, pesto gemelli, and spaghetti & meatballs – available family style.
Chopps American Bar & Grill
781.221.6643
In honor of Marathon Monday and Patriot’s Day, the team at Chopps American Bar & Grill in Burlington is inviting all runners with their bib and/or medal to enjoy 25% off their food tab. Chef Steve Zimei (an avid runner and cyclist when he’s not in the kitchen) has put together a menu that’s pretty much the perfect way to celebrate the holiday and recover from a job well run.
City Table
617.933.4800
Find a trio of pasta specials from chef Sean MacAlpine at this eatery that’s right at the tail end of the race. Try gnocchi bolognese, linguine with pesto or wild mushroom ravioli all weekend long between 5:00 and 11:00pm from Friday, April 12th through Sunday, April 14th. Take a peek at the menu here.
dante
617.497.4200
Carb it up with some help from chef-owner Dante de Magistris. His restaurant, aptly named dante, offers one of the best views of Boston’s skyline. In addition to their a la carte menu, they’ll be offering bottomless portions of four types of pasta for $21 — basil pesto, tomato basil, aglio e olio and zucchine — from 2:30 to 10:00pm on Sunday, April 14th.
Davio’s – Boston
617.357.4810
Spend your Sunday, April 14th downing all the carbohydrates you can at the Boston outpost of Davio’s, where they have a huge selection of handmade pasta like hand-rolled potato gnocchi with organic mushrooms, basil & white truffle oil and tagliatelle bolognese with braised veal, beef, pork and tomato sauce. These dishes also make a great post-race celebration meal.
Eventide Fenway
617.545.1060
Get your fix of bivalves, seafood and other classic New England fare in Fenway on Marathon Monday. This neighborhood fave will be open an hour earlier than normal at 10:00am with brunch specials and $1 oysters all day long — until 10:00pm! It’ll also be the kick off day for the joint’s new loyalty program, Oyster Eater’s Club, so you can get the full scoop when you swing by.
Fool’s Errand
Snack the day away at one of Fenway’s newest (and hottest) destinations. It’s standing only and they don’t take reservations, but they’re opening up at noon on the dot which will give you a five hour headstart to swing by from their normal opening time.
Grassona’s Italian
617.396.8752
Washington Square’s Grassona’s Italian is opening its doors all day on Marathon Monday, so you can brunch on their Beacon Street patio (which overlooks the 23rd mile mark!) cheer on runners, and tout your Boston pride! A la carte brunch will be available from 10:00am-4:00pm followed by dinner from 5:30-9:00pm.
Grill 23 & Bar
617.542.2255
A special day calls for a special lunch, right? Head to this Back Bay staple from noon to 3:00pm for an epic lunch menu from chef Peter Agostinelli. Grill 23 & Bar is open for lunch just a few times a year, so don’t miss your chance for some mid-day steakin’ and seafoodin’. See the full offerings here. They’ll also be open for dinner starting at 4:00pm, too so no rush.
Hojoko
617.670.0507
Start off your day with a breakfast sammie and Bloody Mary, which they’ll have until noon, at this Fenway gastropub from o ya veterans Tim and Nancy Cushman. The funky Japanese izakaya opens up at 9:00am and doesn’t close until 2:00am, so you have plenty of time to stop in for small plates, sake bombs, sushi and more.
The Industry
617.297.9010
Think you need to be downtown on Marathon Monday? The party at The Industry will prove otherwise. Come to Adams Village for $10 pitchers of the 26.2 brew from Boston Beer Company and plenty of giveaways, including Red Sox tickets for the Sam Deck, admission to a local brewery and a gift card raffle to The Industry itself. Folks from Sam Adams will be on-site from 5:00 to 8:00pm, so be sure to stop in and say hi.
Oak Long Bar
617.585.7222
Found at the end of the course, Oak Long Bar in Copley Square is going all out this marathon weekend. Starting Friday, April 12th swing by to sip on runners’ choice brew — Sam Adams 26.2. For every draft pour, OAK will donate $2 to the Stride for Stride foundation who helps to buy race bibs for runners who can’t afford them. Sunday, April 14th you can fuel up pre-run, and on the day itself treat yourself to their race day combo. Click here for the full list of specials.
Met Back Bay
617.267.0451
Runners and race watchers and everyone in between can enjoy carb-heavy specials at Met Back Bay. On Sunday, April 14th the Newbury Street spot (well, Dartmouth Street, technically) will be loading their menu up with a la carte specials like spaghetti and meatballs (veal and prosciutto meatballs with pomodoro and parmesean) orecchiette (with olive oil poached duck, grilled trevisano and pecorino) and mascarpone polenta (with crispy mushrooms and asparagus). Book a table between 5:00 and 9:00pm to partake. And, of course, Newbury Street is just a block away from Boylston so keep Met Back Bay in your back pocket as an apres-race destination (foil cape not required).
The Merchant
617.482.6060
Get all your pre- and post-Marathon fixings at The Merchant. From carbo-loading with their pasta special the weekend before to refueling during the week with Sam Adams 26.2 (a brew made for runners by runners) — the folks at this Downtown Crossing spot are doing everything short of joining the race with you.
Precinct Kitchen + Bar
617.532.3827
If you want to be right in the thick of things without being too close to the chaos, head to Precinct Kitchen + Bar on Berkeley Street. The spot is two streets removed from Boylston Street, so you’ll have easy access to the action but slide down St. James Ave & Stuart Street when you need a safe haven. Order up one of the pasta specials from chef Olivier Senoussaoui on Sunday evening — there’ll be four to pick from — to carbo load for the next day. They’ll also have to-go breakfast bags on Monday morning for runners to grab and take away plus special hours on Patriots’ Day itself and an all-day party with special menu, DJ and 26.2 brew on tap.
Rebel’s Guild
617.482.1800
Rebel’s Guild may be the ultimate Marathon Monday/Patriot’s Day destination – the Revere Hotel restaurant is named for OG patriot, Paul Revere, and it’s just a couple blocks down the street from the finish line. And maybe most importantly, on April 15th Executive Chef Sean Duston will be welcoming folks with celebratory themed menu additions like new England Nachos and Finish Line Franks.
Rosebud American Kitchen & Bar
617.629.9500
Get in on the Boston Marathon festivities all weekend, whether or not you’ll be lacing up to race or not, at Davis Square’s Rosebud. Known for their festive holiday brunches, you and the crew can enjoy three days of brunching to try special treats like chicken & waffles, salted honey sweet rolls and Kentucky iced coffee (just to name a few) alongside their regular brunch menu. Click here to scope out all of the eats.
Row 34
617.553.5900
Row 34 may be known for their oysters but they can do pasta, too when the occasion calls for it. In honor of the Boston Marathon, chef Jeremy Sewall is adding a pasta section to complement the neighborhood restaurant’s oyster and beer-centric menu. Guests can choose from three house made offerings including Casarecce with Clams, Fava Beans, and Garlic Crumbs; Hand-cut Lobster Pasta with Spring Peas and Green Garlic; and Baked Rigatoni with Roasted Mushrooms and Broccoli – all priced à la carte.
Sweet Cheeks
617.266.1300
Leave it to chef-owner Tiffani Faison to know how to kick off Marathon Monday — with the signature Sweet Cheeks biscuits from 9:00 to 9:30am! Slather yours with the spot’s magical honey butter (this stuff is seriously life changing) and jam. The kitchen will be crafting eats from the full dinner menu from 9:30am (yes, that early!) until 10:00pm.
TAMO Bistro + Bar
617.385.4304
The Seaport is calling on Sunday, April 14th with TAMO’s all-you-can-eat pasta buffet for $24 per person ($12 per child, ages 5 to 12). Come back the next morning for grab & go eats between 5:00 and 7:00am. Snag hearty oatmeal or fresh bagels, a banana, and juice, coffee or tea for $10 per person, plus tax & service.
Tico
617.351.0400
Whether you’re running or cheering, you’ll need fuel for your Marathon Monday festivities, and Tico is here to help. Open from 11:00am to 8:30pm on Monday, April 15th, they’re serving up specials all day, beginning with Starting Line Shared Bites like Tico’s Mac ’n Cheese and Salmon Crudo, then pick from the selection of Sandwiches, Greens, or Tacos, before arriving at the Finish Line Desserts (you’ve earned it), like Tico’s Banana Split Sundae. It’s important to stay hydrated after a race, so you can celebrate your achievement with bubbles or wash down all the deliciousness with a full spread of House Margaritas. It’s all a la carte; check out the full menu and make a reservation here.
Tiger Mama
617.425.6262
This Boylston Street hideaway doesn’t typically serve lunch — they’re a strictly daily dinner & Sunday brunch spot — but it’s your lucky day on Monday, April 15th because they’ll be open from noon to 5:00pm with a special Marathon menu and then go back to regularly scheduled programming with their standard supper menu at 5:00pm. It’s an oasis for anyone and may just be the island-like atmosphere you need after running (or observing) the race.
Tony & Elaine’s
617.580.0321
Book it out of Back Bay and head to the North End for lots and lots of carb-heavy dishes. Neighborhood newcomer Tony & Elaine’s is a good place to start — this fourth spot from owner Nick Frattaroli opened up in January 2019 with a menu of casual & approachable red sauce classics. Come past on Sunday, April 14th to fuel up with plates like cacio e pepe, spaghetti & meatballs and lobster ravioli, or treat yourself to a post-race meal on Monday.
Uni
617.536.7200
UNI opens its doors for lunch but once a year – and that day is here. On Monday, April 15th in honor of the Boston Marathon, Ken Oringer’s Back Bay gem will be open from 11:30am-2:30pm, Chef Tony Messina will be preparing a selection of hot and cold à la carte dishes from their nightly menu, including the signature Uni spoon, Hamachi tartar, Wagyu on hot rock, Tataki sashimi, whole tray of Uni, and all handrolls, rolls, and nigiri. UNI will also be open for regular dinner service starting at 5:30pm, with the bar open at 5:00pm.
