The Boston Marathon is just days away (April 18), and as 30,000 runners head to Beantown to run the historic course, pre- and postrace food discussions abound. I’m excited to eat like a local, but haven’t been back to Boston since 2013. So I turned to Boston Marathon vets and Runner’s World staffers who were eager to share their favorite places to fuel before toeing the line in Hopkinton and where to celebrate after getting their space blanket on Boylston.
I know my first stop after collecting my medal will be to find a pint of Sam Adams 26.2 brew, which has a lower alcohol level than other Sam Adams brews.
Find RW Staffers
The folks at Runner’s World have been to Boston more than a few times, and they have their go-to places. Traditionally, you’ll find Mark Remy at the DAA Industry Opt Out for breakfast Tuesday. David Willey, RW’s Editor-in-Chief helps lead the charge to Bukowski Tavern for its famous peanut butter and bacon burgers, which the staff has learned to Keep your hydration game strong with a boost of antioxidants to boot with a trip to. (For the record, I’m not suggesting this is a great nutritional choice, but maybe after a marathon).
Get Away From the Crowd
Courtney Bell Lee, a runner in Boston, recommends fare farther from the hubbub of the marathon finish line. “If you want to get away from the running crowds, you should check out the Seaport District. It's only a mile away,” she says. “It has a ton of new choices as the area has exploded. Papagayo, Blue Dragon, Sportello, Ocean Prime and Row 34 are my favorites.” Following this article’s publication, your odds avoiding running crowds naturally decline. Sorry.
Prerace Fuel
While everyone’s food choices are their own after the race, here are some restaurants that offer menus complete with healthy fare that will fuel you up and top off those glycogen stores without weighing you down.
Keep your hydration game strong (with a boost of antioxidants to boot with a trip to Juice Press, which has a Chestnut Hill location opening just in time for marathon weekend. Offering organic, non-GMO, and non-processed beverages, the menu also includes raw oatmeal—a perfect carb source packed with steel cut oats, cashews, dates, and a hint of vanilla.
Local runners will also love the store’s weekly run club, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Saturday. And runners who post their photos to Instagram and tag them #JuicePress, #JPRunClub, and #WillRunForJuice at least 30 minutes before their run will score a free juice. Now that’s refreshing.
It’s not a trip to Boston without a taste of its renown seafood. Stop by Post 390, where you can dine in the energetic tavern or the classy dining room. No matter what you order—a classic lobster roll, high-end surf and turf, or arugula ravioli—you’ll enjoy the seasonally inspired farm-to-table and local New England fare.
Can’t decide on just one thing? Don’t miss Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, two Boston favorites that have more than 14 restaurants and dozens of small food kiosks. It’s not far from the finish line and expo area, and it’s also a short walk from the famed Cheers bar (which has two locations).
For those who can stomach a little Mexican cuisine before the race, check out Papagayo and Anna's Taqueria. Your best bets are high-carb choices like flour tortillas topped with rice, veggies, and some lean meat for protein, while going easy on the cheese, sour cream, and fiber-rich beans. Heart-healthy avocados are great—just try not to eat your weight in delicious guacamole in hours before the race (after is acceptable and encouraged).
I’m a sucker for flatbread, hummus, and veggies, which means that you’ll likely find me carb loading at Piperi in the days leading up to race day. This casual place lets you customize your Mediterranean choices, and you really can’t go wrong with the menu. Go easy on the sauces and falafel (choose grilled chicken or veggies instead), and you’ll be comfortably fueled.
Multiple runners, including RW’s food and nutrition editor, couldn’t say enough good things about make on its own. Rachele Pojednic, PhD, who is researching physical activity, exercise and nutrition at Harvard Medical School, says this delicious café (with multiple locations) offers great choices for carb-loading runners. Spectators can indulge on the café’s famous sticky buns and lattes while they wait for their runners to cross the finish line on Boylston Street.
Kara Lydon, L.D.N., R.Y.T., and blogger for Boston Bound? Fuel and Recover Like a Local, recommends the quinoa and tofu salad with spinach, portabella mushrooms, pickled daikon, and ginger-scallion dressing, or a protein-packed delicious egg sandwich with tomato, arugula, and cheddar cheese.
which has two locations. , Pugliuca’s is Chicago runner Mike Chic’s top pick for his prerace dinner. Finish your carb load by choosing simple items like gnocchi or any pasta with a marinara sauce versus the indulgent (heavy) house specialties. Rule of thumb: steer clear of heavy foods like cream sauce, white sauce, and meatballs.
Celebratory Dishes
After 26.2, it’s hard to say no to heavy, greasy foods. Especially if you’ve laid off during your training. Meleah Shank, a runner in Orange County, California, heads to Jacob Wirth’s for indulgent German fare (food and beer).
For a sweet treat, hop (or limp) onto the T, and head to the North End’s famous Mike’s Pastry.
Remember: eat until you’re comfortably full but nowhere near stuffed. You don’t want to be still digesting dinner when you arrive at the Athlete’s Village! See you in Hopkinton.
Pam Nisevich Bede M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D., L.D. is a reasonably fast runner and a sports nutrition consultant at www.swimbikeruneat.com. She’s been documenting her Boston Marathon journey (sponsored). You can follow her antics and advice on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @PamBedeRD.
